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How Michael Jackson's 1984 escape to Caribou Ranch inspired Neverland

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

During a September 1984 stop on The Jacksons' Victory Tour, Michael Jackson retreated to the 4,000-acre Caribou Ranch near Nederland, Colorado. The destination recording studio, developed in 1971 by producer James William Guercio, had previously hosted icons like Elton John, Billy Joel, and John Lennon. Jackson sent his bodyguards away to explore the wilderness, ride horses, and drive an all-terrain vehicle in jeans and a cowboy hat. Even while enjoying the outdoor retreat, he maintained his dedication to his craft by dancing for hours on a custom surface built by the staff.

Key points

  • Jackson sent his bodyguards away to enjoy rare personal freedom, horseback riding, and le…: Jackson sent his bodyguards away to enjoy rare personal freedom, horseback riding, and learning yo-yo tricks.
  • The singer practiced his dance choreography between four and six hours every day during t…: The singer practiced his dance choreography between four and six hours every day during the retreat.
  • Jackson was so enamored with the secluded Colorado ranch property that he expressed a des…: Jackson was so enamored with the secluded Colorado ranch property that he expressed a desire to buy it.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Michael Jackson was one of the most recognisable faces in the world in 1984. Following the phenomenal success of Thriller, the singer was at the centre of global attention, with every public appearance attracting enormous crowds and media coverage. But behind the fame and the extraordinary success was a young musician who wanted something increasingly difficult to find: privacy and the freedom to enjoy life away from the spotlight.

It was during this period that Jackson discovered Caribou Ranch, a secluded recording studio nestled in the Rocky Mountains near Nederland, Colorado. In September 1984, while The Jacksons were travelling across the United States and Canada for their Victory Tour, Jackson visited Denver for the group's concerts at Mile High Stadium. Instead of spending all his time surrounded by the usual tour arrangements, he headed to Caribou Ranch for a private getaway.

According to True Michael Jackson, the visit became one of the lesser-known episodes in the King of Pop's life, offering a glimpse of a side of Jackson that fans rarely got to see. At the ranch, he could dress…

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