POP/ROCK - Feb. 20, 1996

Michael Jackson’s Stroll: When Michael Jackson came walking through a London square Sunday wearing his trademark hat, red fleece jacket and black surgical mask, it was too much for one street performer to believe. The fire-eater at the Covent Garden Piazza mistook the King of Pop for an impostor and removed his surgical mask. When he realized the man was Jackson, he complained the superstar was taking away his business, and Jackson gave him a “substantial financial contribution,” according to a representative with Jackson. The pop star, in London to perform at the British music awards, took in the city like a tourist. He bought a Winnie the Pooh lunch box and a set of toy soldiers, posed for photos with fans and admired his wax likeness at the Trocadero Rock Circus.