Before there was Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Alejandro Sanz and Juanes, there was only one Latin pop solo artist who towered above all others: Luis Miguel.

Mexican-reared romance machine Miguel may not be as well known in the United States as some of those other names, but in places where Spanish is the primary language (which, by the way, includes a big chunk of the Western Hemisphere) he is Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Michael Buble all rolled up in one simmering package of caramel flesh and chiseled chin.

Think I'm overstating the point? Consider the facts:

* At the ripe old age of 14, teen-idol Miguel won a Grammy for a duet he sang with Sheena Easton, "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres." It was the first of nine Grammys and Latin Grammys he would win over the the next 27 years.

* He is often referred to as the Latin Frank Sinatra or El Sol De Mexico (The Sun of Mexico).

* Miguel has sold over 60 million albums worldwide and his latest self-titled release topped the U.S. Latin Pop Albums chart and has been a hit sensation in Spanish-speaking countries.

* His music has been widely successful in non-Spanish, non-English speaking countries in Asia and Africa as well. When Saddam Hussein was captured, among the belonging he took into hiding with him was a copy of Miguel's Segundo Romance.

* Miguel is still only 41 years-old.

Are you kidding me? Exchange Easton for Diana Ross, stick a sequin glove on him and teach him the moonwalk, and Miguel IS the Latin Michael Jackson.

His last name even means Michael in Spanish. Coincidence? I don't think so.

And if you missed dear Michael before he passed, Miguel's show Saturday at Toyota Center might be a rare chance to see what happens when hysterical fans are put into the same room with their normally unattainable idols. Bring your earplugs (not for the music volume, but to weather the high-pitched screaming) and enjoy the show.

Luis Miguel, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Center

Tickets: $49.50-$150