The images are taken from the Kenny Rogers photoshoot 1986
Michael posed for Kenny in early 1986, when Kenny was putting together his photography book "Your Friends and Mine" published in 1987.
From the book:
"The first person I shot for the book was Michael Jackson. In 1986, I hosted the Grammy Awards telecast in Los Angeles. That night, my son Christopher met Michael backstage. Christopher had always loved Michael. He would even dress like him at home [Â…] As it happened, Marianne, [RogerÂ’s wife] sent me some flowers with a little plastic Grammy attached. Unbeknownst to me or anyone else, Christopher took the plastic Grammy, walked into Michael JacksonÂ’s press conference, and handed it to him. The next day, Michael called to tell Christopher how much he appreciated it. He also invited him out to his house to see his animals, so Marianne and Christopher went out to Encino. Michael knew I was a photographer, he mentioned that heÂ’d like it if I took a picture of him and Christopher together. I called Michael the next day to set up an appointment, and he agreed to come down to my studio. I told Michael during our first session that I was thinking about doing a book of portraits and calling it "Your Friends And Mine." I had heard about his chimpanzee, Bubbles, and we did a shot with the chimp.
Later on, Michael and I did another session alone, at his request. That was the start. Michael JacksonÂ’s agreeing to be part of the book was, in fact, the jumping off point for the whole project.
As I explained earlier, Michael had invited Christopher, my youngest son, to his home to see his zoo. They had such a good time that Michael, who heard I was a photographer, suggested I take a picture of him and Christopher in my studio. I told him of my ideas for this book and asked him to bring his chimp, Bubbles. There were maybe twenty-five people in the studio that day, and the chimp was the center of attention. That meant the focus was off Michael, and I think the relative anonymity gave him a chance to relax. And Bubbles was so human it was almost frightening. He would take Christopher by the hand, walk over to the refrigerator, open it, take out a banana, and hand it to him. Christopher was amazed – we all were. The session was the first time I’d had the chance to be one on one with Michael. Michael Jackson is unique, both as an individual and as a performer. Yet, while I’d been around him many times, I never honestly felt I knew him until we spent a day together in the photography studio.
It means a lot to me to be able to say that not only do I love his music, but I also like him very much as a person and consider him a friend.”
Kenny Rogers
