# In 1996, Michael Jackson pressed charges against Jarvis Cocker. Noel Gallagher thought Cocker deserved an MBE for it

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1996-michael-jackson-pressed-charges-against-jarvis-cocker-noel-gallagher-thought-cocker-deserved-an-mbe-for-it/
- Published: 2026-11-04T12:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T23:53:33+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1996-michael-jackson-jarvis-cocker-noel-gallagher-mbe/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Jarvis Cocker disrupted Michael Jackson’s 1996 Brit Awards performance.
- Assault charges were dropped after footage showed no contact with performers.
- Noel Gallagher joked that Cocker deserved an MBE.

## Summary

At the 1996 Brit Awards, Jarvis Cocker interrupted Michael Jackson’s performance of “Earth Song”, mocking the singer’s staged, messianic presentation. Jackson’s team accused Cocker of assaulting child performers, but the charges were dropped after footage showed he had not done so.

The incident became a celebrated act of irreverence among some musicians, including Noel Gallagher, who joked that Cocker deserved an MBE for it. Cocker was detained and questioned before being bailed at 3am; Jackson did not perform at the Brit Awards again.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.