Today in MJJ HIStory

1988 - During the European leg of BAD World Tour, Michael Jackson performed a concert at St. Jakob Stadium in Basel, Switzerland attracted 55,000 fans; the show was attended by Bob Dylan and close friend Elizabeth Taylor.

During his stay in Switzerland, Michael had an opportunity to fulfill a childhood wish. He paid a visit to Oona O'Neill Chaplin, the wife of silent film legend Charlie Chaplin - Michael's most favorite actor.


Pictured here, Michael holds two Honorary Awards given to Chaplin in 1929 and 1972 by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Chaplin's wife, Oona O'Neill holds the Academy Award for Best Original Score, awarded in 1973.
Filed under  //   1988  

Today in MJJ HIStory

2003 - Michael invited the Wolfs - a German family affected by the floods - over to Neverland.
Michael was horrified when he saw TV footage of the floods that devastated parts of Europe in August, 2002.

Heiko and Susann Wolf and their daughters, Saskia and Sabrina, had watched in horror as their Meissen home was washed away by the floods.
They visited MJ and spent 3 days enjoying the ranch's facilities and also met with MJ's kids.

Michael also donated 16 autographed items: CDs, videos and cotton napkins to aid in the support of the victims of the floods.

Susann Wolf said the 3-day trip to Neverland was a "magical experience" which has given her and her husband a new perspective of pop's strangest star:

"Before, I was fascinated, like everyone else, with the way Michael Jackson looks. I read about all the horror stories and I was panicking a bit.

When I met him briefly in Germany and then again at his home I realized he's normal - like us.

The children immediately became friends with his. Paris ran to her dad and said,
'Dad, here is my friend Saskia.'

It was wonderful and they all played great together!

My children ate with his children and it was spectacular. They just talked and talked. Saskia can speak a little English, but they found another way of communicating using hand gestures."


Filed under  //   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

2002 - Michael Jackson made a surprise appearance, at a fan demonstration against Sony Music. He arrived riding on the top deck of an open-topped sightseeing bus, in front of the European offices of Sony Music, in Great Marlborough Street.

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Later, Michael attended "Killer Thriller Fan Party" at The Equinox nightclub in London, organized by MJNI fanclub.

At the event, Michael spoke for the first time of his problems with Sony CEO Tommy Mottolla, and explained that Sony takes advantage of their artists, including himself:

"I want to thank all the great, incredible talents. As long as you play the music, I want to dance! [referring to Ernest Valentino] I want to thank this guy for a wonderful performance. I thought Bryton McClure was amazing, too. He’s a great singer as well. Anyway, I first wanted to say, I really don’t like to talk that much. I really don’t. I prefer performing than talking. I really want you to know what I say. The tradition of great performers: from Sammy Davis Junior, James Brown, to Jackie Wilson, to Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly. The story is usually the same, though. These guys worked really hard, and they’re crabbed, for the story ends the same. They are usually broken, torn and usually just sad, because the companies take advantage of them, they really do.

And being the artist that I am, at Sony I’ve generated several billion dollars for Sony, several billion. They really thought that my mind is always on music and dancing. It usually is, but they never thought that this performer -myself- would out think them.

So, we can’t let them get away with what they’re trying to do, because now I’m a free agent. I just owe Sony one more album. It’s just a box set, really, with two new songs which I’ve written ages ago. Because for every album that I record, I write -literally, I’m telling you the truth- I write at least 120 songs every album I do. So I can do the box set, just giving them any two songs. So I’m leaving Sony, a free agent, owning half of Sony. I own half of Sony’s Publishing. I’m leaving them, and they’re very angry at me, because I just did good business, you know. So the way they get revenge is to try and destroy my album. But I’ve always said, you know, art -good art- never dies.

And Tommy Mottola is a devil! I’m not supposed to say what I’m going to say right now, but I have to let you know this. [Points to crowd.] Please don’t videotape what I am going to say, ok? Turn it off, please. [Pausing, then changing his mind] Do it, do it, I don’t mind! Tape it!
Mariah Carey, after divorcing Tommy, came to me crying. Crying. She was crying so badly I had to hold her. She said to me, ‘This is an evil man, and Michael, this man follows me’. He taps her phones, and he’s very, very evil. She doesn’t trust him.

We have to continue our drive until he is terminated. We can’t allow him to do this to great artists, we just can’t. I just wanted to let you know, I appreciate everything you’ve done, you’ve been amazing. You’re so loyal! [Scanning the audience]. Diana, everybody, Waldo, all the people here! I love you all. You’ve been amazing, I love you! But still, but still, I promise you, the best is yet to come!"

Filed under  //   2002  
Filed under  //   1970  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1989 - Black Radio Exclusive Awards show honored Michael Jackson as the "Triple Crown Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Pop, Rock and Soul." This elegantly laminated plaque has a black and gold edging, with purple printing on a faux-marble background, with a stylized photo image of Michael in his trademark black fedora. Excellent condition. 14 1/2 x 11 1/

pg 264

Filed under  //   1989  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1993 - As part of his "Heal L.A." tour, Michael Jackson pays an unannounced visit to the "Watta Health Foundation" and two school centers from "Los Angeles South Central", where he engages in discussions with the children and the service staff providers of the immunization, mentoring and drug-abuse prevention programs. He also poses for pictures with the children in need of the mentioned programs, and embraces them. Jackson's "Heal L.A." and "Heal The World Foundation" will provide much needed funding to many inner-city organizations, including to the "El Santo Nino Center" on East 23rd Street, where the singer meets with the children later in the afternoon. His final stop that day is the "Horusman Middle School", where he listens to children boasting of a special mentoring program.
Filed under  //   1993  

Today in MJJ HIStory

2002 - Michael performs at a fund-raiser at "Apollo Theater" in Harlem, New York for the "Democratic National Committee", to launch a campaign aimed at persuading United States citizens to register and where nearly 3 million dollars are collected for the voting registration. Jackson performs "Dangerous", "Black Or White" and "Heal The World" (joined by Diana Ross) at the said event called "A Night At The Apollo", the superstar sharing the stage with former president Bill Clinton and singers Tony Bennett and K. D. Lang.The money would be used for the then new "Every Vote Counts" campaign, the committee said. The 1'400 audience members paid up to 5,000 dollars each to see the array of stars.
Filed under  //   2002  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1993 - Michael Jackson heads a list of the music industry’s Who’s Who participating on comedy actor and occasional singer Eddie Murphy’s third musical album, ‘Love’s Alright’,

“JET”’s April 23 issue reveals. A variety of charities would benefit from proceeds from the sales of the Murphy-written single, ‘Yeah’, and it features voices as Michael and Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Julio Iglesias, Luther Vandross or Garth Brooks. The single’s proceeds would be funneled through Murphy’s “Yeah Foundation”, which he founded soon after the single had been recorded. Eddie Murphy’s album, ‘Love’s Alright’, also features a duet between himself and Michael Jackson, titled “Whatzupwitu”, the video for this song being released that year. The song, featuring the Boys Choir of Harlem, bears the message that man and the world are God’s creations and He is the overseer of all, both good and evil, and the video is a light-hearted look at Murphy and Jackson singing and dancing against a backdrop of blue skies, clouds, hearts, birds and flowers. Jackson, who featured Murphy in his “Remember The Time” short film, agreed to be a part of the two mentioned projects.

Filed under  //   1993  

Today in MJJ HIStory

2002 - Michael performs "Dangerous" at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca
Filed under  //   2002  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1997 - Michael arrives in Paris, France at the Grévin Wax Museum for the inauguration of his wax figure there.

A huge legion of fans welcome the singer, that the Grands Boulevards had to be closed off by the police, in collaboration with the Grévin Museum. After greeting the excited crowd and signing autographs to fans for over 10 minutes, Jackson and his entourage enter the Museum. French mime, Marcel Marceau makes a surprise appearance at the unveiling of Jackson’s wax figure and performs a panthomime act for the entertainer. He imprints his hands in clay, as well as offers one of his “HIStory” triple platinum record to the Museum. On exiting the building, Jackson once again greets his many admirers and signs autographs for more than 15 minutes. Melissa, a young girl brought by he parents beyond the safety barriers, runs to him happily and hands him a photo to be autographed. He dedicates the photo to the girl and she runs off, only to return to him three more times, Jackson eventually taking her in his arms and waiting for her parents to take a picture. He also acknowledges a fan in wheelchair, bends down to her level and signs an autograp, after which reaches out to kiss her both cheeks.

Filed under  //   1997  

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