The passing of pop star Michael Jackson inspired former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell to dig through some of his mayoral mementos to share with Buzz readers.

He dug up a color photo of his meeting with the Jackson 5 from April 7, 1971 when the brothers paid a visit to Atlanta.

Former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell with the Jackson family April 7, 1971. Photo courtesy: Sam Massell

“It was one of the perks that came with the office,” Massell told us Tuesday from his Buckhead Coalition office. “It was always pleasant to greet the dignitaries who would come through our city.”

Massell’s daughter Melanie (who would also grow up to become a singer) was a major Jackson 5 fan and got to participate in a very special “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” decades before it would become a societal trend.

“Since I didn’t really listen to their music, Melanie had to patiently explain which Jackson was which to her father!” Massell recalled with a chuckle. “They gave her an autographed picture. She was thrilled. The brothers were extremely nice and well-behaved. Here they were, multi-millionaires but they were just kids too.”