"The status of the King of Pop made his life like a prison" - Michael Jackson's guitarist recalls the legendary singer

The guitarist, who shared the stage with Michael Jackson for ten years, says that "the status of the King of Pop made Jackson's life like a prison."

According to Jennifer Batten , the superstar's life was full of pain.

The singer died exactly 15 years ago.

A talented musician, Batten took part in all three of Jackson's world tours and played alongside him from 1987 to 1997. He was selected from over 100 guitarists who wanted to play in Jackson's band.

Fifteen years after Jackson's death, Batten speaks candidly about Jackson.

He told The Sun that despite his huge fortune and legion of loyal fans, the star struggled to cope with the difficulties that came with fame.

"I think outsiders think that someone who's that popular must be happy. But it was a prison because every time he wanted to go into a bookstore or go to the movies, he was followed by six security guards. He didn't have the freedom to just go there, Wherever and whenever he wanted. It was half fame and half pain. Michael was a creative tornado."

Jackson spent four decades at the center of the world stage. The singer has won 15 Grammys, six Brit Awards and one Golden Globe.

It is known that in 1993 he was charged with sexual abuse of a child. The case settled out of city court - however, in 2005 the father of three was charged with more serious child sexual abuse.

The FBI found no evidence of wrongdoing and Jackson was acquitted.

According to Batten, it was all nonsense.

"It was all over every magazine cover for a very, very long time. It's all a very dark and sad story. In the end, Michael was found not guilty."

In March 2009, Jackson surprised fans by announcing that he would return to the stage after a ten-year hiatus. However, he died of an overdose less than three weeks before the scheduled tour.

Batten was driving in Los Angeles when a friend called him and told him the news that then shook the world.

"I didn't believe it at first because I've heard many, many rumors about him over the years. But unfortunately, it turned out to be true..."

Recalling what Jackson was like behind the scenes, Batten said he was "radiant" and "very friendly."