| "Mr. Jackson..
Ms. Taylor.. would you please autograph my painting?" When Michael Jackson turned
towards the crowd after helping Elizabeth Taylor out of the limousine, Leon, who had
managed to get out in front of everyone else, called out to them. Michael glanced
over and with a huge smile on his face, pointed out the painting to Ms. Taylor who was
still "adjusting herself" after getting out of the limo. Now they were
both smiling! As Michael motioned for the painting to be brought over to them, Ms.
Taylor graciously stated that it would be an honor to autograph it. Signed with a
silver paint pen, each autograph measures about 12 inches long. |
|
It was the only thing either of them signed before disappearing into the building. A
Laguna Beach police officer escorted Leon back to his vehicle through a crowd of people
trying to 'touch' the painting. This was on February
9, 2002 at the 1st annual "Art For Aids" benefit hosted by the Laguna Art Museum
and the first time Leon met Michael Jackson. Little did he know that he would be
meeting him again in the not too distant future.. and on a much more personal level. |
 |
 |
 |
Left:
Leon shows Jackson & Taylor the painting as they exit the limosine |
Center:
Close-up of Jackson pointing
at the painting |
Right:
Jackson & Taylor autographing
the painting |
Fast forward almost a year and a
half later to the summer of 2003. While painting outside the Cafe Tu Tu Restaurant
at Universal City Walk, Leon is approached by a gentleman in his late 30's looking to hire
him to do some work for his boss. A painting of Dr. Dre on sheet metal had
originally caught his eye and was exactly the kind of uniqueness he was looking for.
When Leon asks who he works for, the man would just smile.. "Someone big.. REALLY
big!" was all he would say. Leon's heard this kind of hype too many times
before (everyone in Hollywood thinks they're BIG) only to be disappointed when it turns
out to be just talk. So he takes what the guy says with a grain of salt and keeps a
level head but when the man gives him $500 cash, Leon at least knows he's serious about
commissioning him to do some work. They agree to meet at a Chevron Gas Station in
Santa Barbara a couple of days later. |
| |
So Leon and his nephew, Carter, drive from Anaheim to Santa Barbara as scheduled.
The man is late. Not just a little late, but HOURS late. When he finally arrives, he
tells Leon to follow him and as they leave the city and start into the hills Leon and
Carter don't have a clue as to their final destination.
They drive for miles deeper and deeper into the mountains, finally turning off the road up
to a small gate with a guard house on the other side. The address is 5225 Figueroa
Mountain Road, Los |
Olivos, CA. Although both
Carter and Leon were devout Michael Jackson fans, the address was not as well known as it
is nowadays so they still don't know who this 'REALLY BIG' celebrity is. The man
spoke to someone in the guard house and the gate was opened, letting both vehicles pass
through. Down another loooooong drive and then appearing before them is another gate. Leon
and Carter turn to each other in disbelief, both shocked beyond words.
It's Neverland Ranch!( ...to be continued...) |
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