NZ fans rush to buy Jackson albums

Olivia Miles met Michael Jackson in 1997. Photo / Martin Sykes

Music stores around the country were swamped yesterday by fans buying Michael Jackson albums and videos after his sudden death.

Cameron Brewer, head of the Newmarket Business Association, said music retailers were urgently requesting more stock.

"Music retailers told me that people were literally grabbing what they could. It seems that Thriller and his Greatest Hits went out the door first, followed by literally anything with Michael Jackson's name on it," Mr Brewer said.

At lunch time in Auckland City, office workers and university students of all ages queued outside the Real Groovy store on Queen St.

One man bought $550 worth of Michael Jackson music in vinyl.

"It's been absolutely massive," retail assistant Lisa Stokes said.

She said at least 15 to 20 people were buying Michael Jackson DVDs, CDs or vinyl per hour; with another influx of calls from people requesting Michael Jackson music to be put aside.

"We've had to bring out all the stock from downstairs and find every Michael Jackson [CD] we have in stock," Ms Stokes said.

Two Auckland women who on separate occasions shared the stage with Jackson were yesterday mourning the death of their idol.

Kirsten Hough - who turns 31 today - has followed the King of Pop for the better part of 25 years, collecting recordings, gathering memorabilia and tracking his trials and tribulations.

In 1996, at the age of 18, she joined him on stage in Perth as he crooned the single You Are Not Alone, and "got a hug and a photo" with him in Brisbane.

Olivia Miles was 13 when she joined her hero on stage in Dublin in 1997. She was part of a children's choir that sang Heal the World, and after a day of rehearsals was chosen to meet her idol before the show.

"He was dressed up in his silver spacesuit. It was just the most unreal experience seeing him live."

Ms Miles said that during the concert she was dressed in rags, which came off during the performance "as if Michael Jackson had saved us".

She had been a big fan ever since.

"I think he is just so talented. I will always be very loyal to him. I think he got a bad rap in the press."

She said Jackson genuinely cared for children and she was shocked to hear of his death.

Ms Miles plans to hold a Michael Jackson dress-up party this weekend where his music will be played nonstop.

-additional reporting by Edward Gay