THE legacy of the “King of Pop” is being celebrated in a new show heading to Salisbury next month.

Ben Bowman who grew up listening to Michael Jackson fronts the Michael tour, which comes to City Hall, Salisbury on Saturday, February 16, 7.30pm.

The 33-year-old, who grew up on the Isle of Sheppey, off Kent, says: “Me and my brother grew up with my mother’s vinyl collection and Michael Jackson was part of that. We especially caught on to him, and even started dressing up as him for fancy dress parties. I became one of those kids who learned all the dances from the videos.

“When it comes to the singing, I was around 16 or 17 and my friend asked ‘How does Michael Jackson’s new song go?’. It was You Rock My World, I sang a couple of lines and she said I really sounded like him.”

Ben quit college where he was studying drama to become a Michal Jackson impersonator and has been doing it for 14 years.

He admits: “Even when I started, I thought it was just something fun that I could do on the side of working. I never imagined I would be a full-time Michael Jackson impersonator – it’s not like it’s something that comes up at the job centre.

“Over the years, it’s become so rewarding, especially since Michael passed away. It’s rewarding to see what people take away from what we do,” continues Ben.

“It’s a continuation of the legacy. What I love most is that it introduces kids to Michael Jackson too; young people who weren’t even alive when he was alive.

“Kids who are not even four or five years old are huge fans, from their parents’ influence. We get kids there in full costume, dancing and singing along to the Jackson 5 tracks. I’m like ‘How is that, it’s from 1972?’. It’s insane.

“His legacy will never disappear and hopefully we help keep that alive.”

“I love Michael Jackson as much now as when I was five. I listen to his music every week still, away from performing. I can’t imagine my life any other way. Everyone in the team are Michael Jackson fans, we do it because we love him.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.

Ben says: “Where has that time gone? I still remember hearing the news and having to go out the next night in a bar to perform. It was a big bar, and there were about 700 people crammed in, and people outside. It was insane.

“I’ll never forget that night and the turn out – it would usually have been about 400 people and was almost doubled. People were crying, it was a very emotional night.”

Speaking about the show, he adds: “We have spoken about having a bit of a change in the show, to mark the anniversary, and we’re going to start exercising a couple of new songs to expand the set slightly.”

For tickets or more information go to cityhallsalisbury.co.uk or call the box office on 01722 434434.