MATT: My thanks go to the many people who have helped to bring this book to fruition. To list them all would be an impossible task, but there are a few that deserve a special mention. Throughout the writing, two books in particular have been a great source of reference and inspiration: the works by Randall Sullivan and J. Randy Taraborrelli are, without doubt, the definitive Michael Jackson biographies and exhibit a level of research and writing that one can only aspire to. Without these two books, writing this book would have been a much more formidable task. In addition, Lynton Guest’s book about the trials and tribulations of the singer in his later life was also invaluable. The advice given by Yolanda Pascual regarding the medical and clinical information has proved indispensable and the constant doubt from my wonderful son, Thomas Richards, that this book would ever be completed proved to be an unwitting source of encouragement. Many thanks to all at Blink Publishing, especially Perminder Mann and our editor, Emily Thomas, who have been guiding lights throughout. But, above all, there are two people without whom this book would never have happened. Firstly, my co-writer Mark Langthorne has been the best writing partner any author could wish for. He has been a constant source of enthusiasm, information, encouragement and creativity, and he has ensured every obstacle we have faced has been overcome with a mixture of determination, Yorkshire grit and northern humour. Every meeting, phone call and email has proved inspirational, and perhaps the best compliment I can give him is that not only is he the best writing partner any author could wish for, but he’s also one of the best friends anyone could hope to find. And finally, the other person without whom I couldn’t have written this book is my partner, Lucy Abbott. Without fail and without complaint, she has sustained me during the many months of research and writing and, as well as providing me with untold cups of tea, has offered reassurance, confidence, encouragement, inspiration and, more than anything, all the love in the world. Thank you Lucy for all your support and for making my world an infinitely better place with you in it.
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MARK: Aside from all the thanks Matt has mentioned already, I want to reiterate that no biography exists in isolation. With that in mind I want to thank all the fans who assisted us in the writing of this book, through their dedication and commitment to Michael Jackson, and we hope in some way we have tried to give them some answers.
I want to thank above everyone else my co-writer Matt who is an incredible source of inspiration and a brilliant writer. His level of detail, dedication and commitment is formidable, but above all he is a warm, genuine and caring person who I am really proud to call my writing partner, and without whom this book certainly would not have happened.
I have to also thank Marc, who never falters in his encouragement and enthusiasm; he amazes and surprises me everyday. And thanks to Roland for his consideration and honesty.
Thanks too from me to Emily, Perminder and all the team at Blink for their support.
And a final thanks must go to Michael Jackson himself. Without him the world is a less colourful place.