From April 22 to 25 The King Of Pop: A Once In A Lifetime Auction will be held in Beverly Hills, California to sell off personal property from Micael Jackson’s ill-fated Neverland home. But Irish Jacko fans, Republic Of Loose singer Mick Pyro among them, are being allowed a sneak preview of key items from the auction at the headquarters of the luxury goods maker Newbridge Silverware.

Of the array of treasures from Neverland on display, the one that most caught Pyro’s eye was Jackson’s iconic white-jewelled glove.
“I have to admit I felt the power coursing through me when I put the glove on,” he emthuses. “That was pretty special.”
Pyro says Jackson created his own musical universe and, in the process, has become a larger-than-life icon.
“It’s like he lives in this magical, totally unreal world. You only get that huge ego with people like Napoleon. But then Jackson’s own heroes were a bit weird, like Charlie Chaplin. He’s been in show-business since he was about nine. That’d make you a bit weird anyway. It’s hard to remain sane within those parameters. I wouldn’t swap places with him; I don’t think anybody would.”
Jackson’s reputation is somewhat tarnished nowadays. But Pyro believes that, with time, he will come to be regarded as a genius.
“He’ll be recognised as one of the top musicians of the 20th century, alongside maybe Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and James Brown. In concert, his improvised movements are mesmerising. Sometimes, he won’t even sing the chorus. He’ll just do a line or two and grab his balls. You get that confidence from being a genius.”
If Pyro could leave with one item tucked in his back pocket, what would it be?
“Oh, the socks! There must be some power in those socks, man! They might make me a better dancer!”

Highlights from the King Of Pop: A Once In A Lifetime Auction at the Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons in association with Julien’s Auctions can be viewed until March 21.Republic Of Loose frontman MICK PYRO visits the world-exclusive Michael Jackson memorabilia auction preview in Newbridge (yes, Newbridge).