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These weren’t groupies or hangers-on, they were friends.

Key to the success was Billie Jean, a dark tale about the groupies Jackson met while touring with his brothers.

“When you look historically ... he’s been close to the sheriff’s department in ways that are more like a groupie.”

She knows firsthand just how much it means for people to meet their heroes, having been a self-described “groupie” and “die-hard fan” of musicians when she was young.

“People in our hotel are here just for the eclipse, which is kind of neat. Space groupies, I guess. I’ve never experienced one, so I’m looking forward to it.”