Today in MJJ HIStory

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Seattle, USA.

1983 - Rolling Stone magazine featured Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney on the cover.

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1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA attending 55,000 fans.

1996 - Michael perform HIStory concert at Asia World City in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines.

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Televised initially by GMA Network. Often referred to as "HIStory Tour Manila." This was also broadcast on Singapore's MediaCorp Channel 5 around October 2006. The Channel 5 version fades after each song (there is no intro to Billie Jean), but is in higher quality than the GMA version.
Filed under  //   1979   1983   1984   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA attending 55,000 fans.

1991 - Michael Jackson's single "Black Or White" hit #1 in the U.S.

1995 - Doctors announced that Michael Jackson "will require several days of critical-care monitoring and treatment." He was being treated for inflammation of the stomach, dehydration and kidney and liver irregularities caused by an electolyte imbalance. Jackson had collapsed onstage December 6th while rehearsing for an upcoming HBO special.

2009 - "The Official Michael Jackson Opus (Leather Bound)" was released.

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  • The definitive publication about the 'King of Pop'
  • Featuring over 300 spectacular photos many rare and previously unpublished
  • Personal remembrances from Reverend Jesse Jackson, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Paula Abdul, John Landis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jimmy Jam, Spike Lee, Teddy Riley, Jane Fonda and many more
  • 404 pages measuring an impressive 13 x 18 inches each
  • Beautifully hand-bound in black leather
  • Protective clamshell case, adorned with a special drawing by Nate Giorgio, friend of Michael, collaborator and acclaimed artist
  • 12Kg/26.5lbs

Proceeds of the Opus will benefit Michael's Estate and his designated beneficiaries – his children, mother and the charitable causes that were important to him.

Filed under  //   1984   1991   1995   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1989 - MTV aired a special, Rate The 80's, in which they revealed how viewers had voted in several phone in categories, including their choices for Best Movie, Video, and TV show of the 80's. Viewers phoned in their choices for one month. Michael Jackson had the most nominations with three. "Thriller" was nominated for the Greatest Video in the HIStory of the World, THRILLER was nominated for Really Big Album, and Michael was among the nominees for Mega Artist of the 80's. "Thriller" was chosen as the Greatest Video in the History of the World with 35% of the vote.

This award was presented to Michael when he made a surprise appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show.

1993 - Michael is on the cover of Jet magazine.

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1995 - Michael was rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York after collapsing at rehearsals for his HBO special "One Night Only". Early reports from the Center indicated that Michael was suffering from gastro-enteritis, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Michael was due to play at the Beacon Theater on the 8th and 9th. The shows were canceled.

2000 - After receiving the "Angel of Hope" award from the G&P Foundation for his efforts in combating cancer, he reminds the audience of that "Cancer is the number one killer of children and it is only when we join together on evenings like this, that we can summon the courage and determination to stop it from ever robbing another child of the precious gift of life, or a parent of the joy of watching their child grow." He also remembers the merits of invitee and Nobel-Prize winner, Professor Elie Wiesel and children’s expert, Dr. Stanley Greenspan, for joining him at the formal dinner.

Filed under  //   1989   1993   1995   2000  

Today in MJJ HIStory

2006 - Articles mention of a future scheduled relief-oriented visit of Jackson’s to Rwanda, intended for June, 2007, according to Kije Mugisha, the Deputy Director General of the Rwandan bureau of information, adding that the singer has been interested in the children’s education, health care system and the media therein. A visit to South Africa with his children around the same period of time - most likely, one outside the public eye, not receiving media coverage - is confirmed by Jackson in the November, 2007 issue of Ebony magazine, in which he expresses enthusiasm for the "simulator rides, movie theaters, wave pools", "the record stores, the candy store" therein etc. Throughout the years, the pop star has manifested interest in the continent’s welfare (during speeches, magazine interviews and such), planning to create education centers, family-themed parks, and offering personal financial support, as well as collaboratively through charity songs (i.e. "We Are The World").

2001 - Radio station KIIS-FM announced that the King of Pop will make a special appearance at "KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball", taking place on December 19, 2001 at Staples Center, Los Angeles.

Also on that day, news broke that Michael will be Best Man at Liza Minnelli's and David Gest's wedding in March next year.

Plus, also on December 05, 2001 the NAACP Image Awards announced six nominations for Michael Jackson's new album and the "30th Anniversary" for next year's NAACP Image Awards.

Filed under  //   2001   2006  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1995 - Michael invites the media to see him rehearse for the HBO special 'Michael Jackson: One Night Only' at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
Michael appears onstage with mime, Marcel Marceau.

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1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Burswood Dome in Perth, Australia attending 18,900 fans.

1999 - "T.V. Guide" Magazine Interview

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On being disconnected to past achievements:

“[…] It’s sad to get caught up in the past. That’s why I don’t put awards in my house. No gold records, no Grammys. They’re in storage. I don’t like to be puffed up with pride, ‘cause I’d feel I don’t have any more things to reach for. And that’s not true.”

On who his audience is:

“I don’t know. I just try to write wonderful music; and if they love it, they love it. I don’t think about any demographic. [The record company] tries to get me to think that way, but I just do what I would enjoy hearing.”

On disguises and lack of privacy:

“I do disguises for different reasons. I like to study people – be like the fly on the wall. Even if it's two old ladies sitting on a bench or some kids on a swing. Because I don't know what it's like to fit in an everyday life situation. One time I was in a record store, completely disguised, and these girls were pulling out my album, talking all about me. I was literally next to them. It was wonderful. I loved it. But if I go out as myself, I can't have fun. People always say, "Why don't we just go to a party?" Soon as I step in, the party's over – for me. It's a party for them, but they are all putting their cards on my face, saying, "Remember me? I met you four years ago at…" and I say, "I don't remember." So I can't enjoy the experience. They play all my songs. I didn't come to hear my music. And everybody starts chanting "Dance!" "Well, I want to see you dance for a change."

On being erroneously portrayed by the media:

“[…] The press has made me out to be this monster, this crazy person who's bizarre and weird. I'm nothing like that. […] All I can do is be myself and create from my soul. But they take that and manipulate it. […] God created animals and they are loving, they are beautiful. I feel the way anthropologist Jane Goodall does, or any of those naturalists. I don't find my interest in animal weird or strange at all.”

On his children and fatherhood:

“[…] [Reading about me not being my children’s father…] That's total garbage. It's just trash and not true. […] Prince tells me all day that he has to make movies. So I bought him this video camera. I say, "What are we doing this time?" He goes, "Star Wars." So we put some figures on the table, make them move. And Paris is just now starting to talk and walk. She's very sweet. And I'm surprised she loves dolls. My sister, Janet didn't like that sort of thing. She was a tomboy. I thought she was going to be like that but she isn't. [I change their diapers and feed them]. I love it. It's a lot of work. I thought I was prepared, 'cause I read everything about child rearing, but it's so much more exciting than I ever imagined it to be. The only regret I have is that I wish I had done it earlier.”

On whether or not he is happy and the sources which make him happy:

“I usually am happy. I don't let anything get me down, no matter what. I like to hear the sound of water and birds chirping and laughter, you know. I love all the real natural, innocent things. I would never go to a party or a club. I did that when I was a kid, and I don't care to do it anymore. […] I always have [felt that I can’t live without children], 'cause I would feel I have nothing to live for. […] I wouldn't care [living for myself or my creativity]. Everything I create is inspired by that kind of innocence. And nature, it's eveything. It has to be. I mean, that's it.”
On his plans for then approaching millenium:

"[…] [Releasing "I Have This Dream"]. It’s a millenium song about the world and the environment that I co-wrote with Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster."

Michael Attends Fund-Raiser

Saturday night, December 4th, Michael Jackson attended a fund-raiser for Whitney Houston's charitable foundation at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, New York.
Fox News broke the news. In their release, they state: "Michael made small talk with Whitney and hubby Bobby Brown, then took a center seat and stayed to watch performances by everyone from Petula Clark to Whitney herself. (...) New York radio star Frankie Blue, who later got an award from the foundation, said in his thank you address: 'Michael, I will always be there for you. Let's have a tour and an album in America.'"

Filed under  //   1995   1996   1999  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1983 - On being required by the Jehovah Witness Church elders - which he was a part of - to issue a statement repudiating his video for Thriller, he refuses, but within several days, he contacts his attorney, John Branca, and instructs him to destroy the Thriller tapes. Branca doesn’t oblige, but, after a while, he suggests that a disclaimer could be added at the beginning of Thriller. John Landis wouldn’t agree on this, but Jackson does, therefore, before the release of the 14 minute-music video on December 3, 1983, the following disclaimer will be added: "Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult."

2001 - "Cry", the second single release off "Invincible" had been commercially released. Sadly, it would prove to be the last single release off "Invincible".

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Outside the States, Cry was issued as a single, included a previously unreleased song Shout (produced by Teddy Riley) as a bonus track. It was preceded by a short film directed Nick Brandt (who also worked with Michael on the promos for Earth Song, Childhood and Stranger in Moscow). The short film was shot at six different locations (five in California, one in Nevada), and the cast included members of a real gospel choir who formed a human chain. But – Michael himself didn’t appear and, compared with previous efforts, the end result was woefully tame and did little to promote the single.
Filed under  //   1983   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1983 - The short film and single "Thriller", featuring Vincent Price, and written by Rod Temperton, is released on December 2, 1983. It is a horror story, the victim being a girl (played by Ola Ray in the video) which is reassured by Jackson that she only had a nightmare by waking her up, and that in the midst of that terror she felt,
"Now it’s the time
For you and I to cuddle close together (yeah).
All through the night
I’ll save you from the terror on the screen
Girl, I can thrill you more than any ghoul will ever dare try,"
although on waking his set partner, he turns at the camera, revealing a smile and wearwolf eyes. This represents the clear possibility and belief that monsters (evil-mindedness) can lurk inside of real people as well.

Jackson took a special interest since childhood in studying everything monstrous, especially that which is produced by distorted human perceptions. The entertainer himself was erroneously depicted by the media and at times called a 'monster', when Jackson tried all along to evoke and/or illustrate in darker-themed songs/videos such as Thriller, Ghosts, Is It Scary, Threatened, Black Or White or Bad, the terror and pains consuming him various times in his life, and that his public persona is a reflection of the media’s perception of him, including a large part of society’s.

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He also was a victim of scare and emotional abuse early in his life, thus reproduced a similar fear in Thriller, where he most likely exorcised his demons, art always being cathartic for Jackson, and a way to express what he wasn’t willing to in real life in front of people, i.e. violence, anger, frustrations or terror. John Landis directs the video/film and Rick Baker is responsible for special effects and make-up. The film costs an estimated 1 million dollars which Jackson himself provides. To re-coup some of the budget costs, John Landis will negotiate a deal with Showtime, MTV and Vestron to fund a 60-minute documentary on the making of the short film. ‘Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller’ will be aired a year later and sold on video tape. It will become the biggest selling music video of all time, with estimated sales of 9 million as of 2006. A week after the single and short film gets released, sales of the album soar and once again, Thriller retains its number-one charts position. At this time, Michael Jackson hires a new manager, Frank DiLeo, who will remain with him for five years.

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Having already set the bar high with the album’s first two videos, Billie Jean and Beat It, the third one had to somehow take things further. Director John Landis, director of the 1981 horror comedy American Werewolf in London, was brought in to direct a mini-feature, a video that would take the format further than merely serving as a visual backdrop for a three-minute pop song.

Running almost fourteen minutes, the Thriller video employed horror flick cliches (it was filmed during Halloween season 1983), Michael was transformed into a supernatural ghoul disguised as a seemingly hapless high school boyfriend, who torments his date (played by Ola Ray) by using his uncanny ability to get a pack of corpse zombies to execute spectacularly synchronized dance routines.

The fact that the video had its debut just over a year after the album was first released was a reflection of the album’s enduring popularity and still-mounting sales figures. A stunning finale to the pop sensation of 1983, let alone the century, it also marked a peak and turning point, a period that gradually came to haunt Michael for being a standard too high for even him to repeat.

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Having set a new standard for music videos with Billie Jean and Beat It, Michael knew his third video had to take things to a new level. He collaborated with director John Landis on a short movie, a fourteen-minute horror flick/dance number, to promote the song Thriller. Filmed during Halloween week of 1983, it premiered on December 2, 1983 and marked another milestone in the music video genre.

The 7th single from Thriller, was the album's title track. "Thriller" features the eerie sound of creaking doors and a ghoulish rap by horror fim star Vincent Price. "Thriller" debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 at #20, making it one of the highest debuting singles ever. "Thriller" entered the top 10 in its 2nd week on the charts, and peaked at #4. It went to #3 on the black singles chart.

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For the 7th and final single from Thriller, Michael went all out to create his most elaborate video to date. Costing $1 million to produce, it was the most expensive video ever. It was also the longest video, running 13 minutes, always being broadcast with an opening disclaimer and closing credits.

After seeing the film, An American Werewolf in London, Michael decided he wanted that film's directer, John Landis, to direct the "Thriller" video. Rick Baker, who did the makeup for An American Werewolf in London, was chosen to do the makeup for "Thriller", transforming Michael into a werewolf right on camera. Michael's co-star was Ola Ray.

The story for the "Thriller" video was written by John Landis and Michael Jackson. Running out of gas on their date, Michael starts to walk Ola home. After telling her, "I'm not like other guys", he transforms into a werewolf in front of her eyes. He chases her through the woods when suddenly the scene swithces to Michael and his date watching the scene in a movie theater. Ola, too scared to watch, leaves the theater with Michael following her out. On their way home, they find themselves surrounded by dead, or rather undead, zombies. Michael becomes one of them and joins them in one of his most dazzling dance routines ever.

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Michael said of making the music video, in an interview that aired on December 11, 1999, for MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made:
"My idea was to make this short film with conversation... in the beginning - I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I'm very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it's an interpretation of the music... It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, 'How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?' So I said, 'We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn't become something that you laugh at.' But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever."
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Makeup artist Rick Baker on his hesitation to work on "Thriller":
"John told me about the idea but I was reluctant. I got a call from John and he was like, 'You know who Michael Jackson is?' and I was like, 'Yeah, kinda. He's the guys from The Jackson 5, right?' And he said, 'Well he's got this song called 'Thriller' and he wants to do this short film.' At first I said I didn't want to do it. It's not a popular job -- it's like being a dentist in a way: They have to sit still in a chair for hours while you work on them. It's uncomfortable -- it's not something actors look forward to."
Makeup artist Rick Baker on Jackson's off-stage shyness:
"Michael was great and very shy. I remember the first time John came over to shoot us working on Michael's makeup for his behind-the-scenes stuff -- which I wasn't too happy about and Michael wasn't too happy about -- Michael was so nervous that as soon as the cameras came in, he ran off and hid in the bathroom. So different to when he was performing -- 'Thriller' was happening during the making of the Motown Anniversary Special, when Michael first did the moonwalk, and one of the guys brought tape of the show in and said, 'Watch this.' That was him, when he was performing. That was when he came alive."
Actress Ola Ray on the experience of filming "Thriller" with Jackson:
"Everyone thinks I made millions, but I don't care ... I wouldn't change a thing. The minute I walked into the audition, I knew the part was mine. Michael seemed taken by the fact I was a Playboy model. He was cute, but childlike. He loved chasing me or jumping out from behind a wall."
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The purpose of making "Thriller," in Landis's mind -- it was nobody's brilliant idea. "I took the job to direct Michael Jackson's landmark music video because I saw it as a chance to resurrect a genre that had once been a Hollywood staple. It was a great opportunity to bring back the theatrical short. Music videos were new in 1983, and MTV was just two years old. At that time the videos were used to sell records and when Michael decided to do the 'Thriller' video, the album had already become the biggest-selling album of all time. It ended up costing $500,000 -- still enormous money at that time for that kind of thing. Nobody would give us the money because the album had already been so successful. Michael said he would pay for it, but I wouldn't let him. He was still living with his parents in Encino, behind a supermarket."
To qualify for an Academy Award, "Thriller" debuted at a special theatrical screening, along with the 1940 Disney motion picture Fantasia.

The A-list turned out for the premiere at the 500-seat historic Crest Theater; Diana Ross, Warren Beatty, Prince, Eddie Murphy. “I’ve been to the Oscars, the Baftas, the Emmys and the Golden Globes, and I have never seen anything like this,” remembers John Landis. Ola Ray looked for Michael before the lights went down and found him in the projection booth, He told her that she looked beautiful, but refused her entreaty to come sit in the audience, telling her “This is your night, go enjoy yourself.” […] Then came Thriller, cranked at full volume. Fourteen minutes later the crowd was on its feet, applauding and crying “Encore! Encore!” Eddie Murphy shouted “Show the goddamn thing again!” And they did.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA attending 55,000 fans.

1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Burswood Dome in Perth, Australia attending 18,900 fans.

2000 - Michael Attends Wedding Ceremony Of Tommy Mottola.

Michael Jackson took a front row seat at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York for the wedding of Sony boss Tommy Mottola and Thalia Sodi. He did not attend the party after the wedding ceremony.

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Some of the 1'200 invited friends included Donna Summer, Gloria Estefan, Rosie O'Donnell, Marc Anthony, Emilio Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Robert De Niro, Saul Kerzner, Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, Ricky Martin, Bruce Springsteen, Julio Iglesias, Tony Bennett, to name but a few.

Filed under  //   1983   1984   1996   2000  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1982 - The album "Thriller" was released and has changed the history of music forever.

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"Thriller" was an instant smash, selling 1 million copies before the end of the year. By November, 1983, it had sold 10 million copies and was a hot seller for that Christmas season too. Thriller becomes the biggest-selling album of all time - selling over 51 million copies worldwide and providing a record of 6 Top Ten singles - the most ever from one album.

Both records appear in The Guinness Book Of World Records and have never been broken up to this date!!!

"Thriller" [LP] held its number one position on the U.S. charts for an unrivaled 37 weeks during a 122 week residency!

Michael: "Ever since I was a little boy, I had dreamed of creating the biggest-selling record of all time. I remember going swimming as a child and making a wish before I jumped into the pool. Remember, I grew up knowing the industry, understanding goals, and being told what was and was not possible. I wanted to do something special. I'd stretch my arms out, as if I were sending my thoughts right up into space. I'd make my wish, then I'd dive into the water. I'd say to myself, 'This is my dream. This is my wish', every time before I'd dive into the water."

Michael Jackson becomes the undisputed King of Pop and reigns over his title up to today - unrivaled!

For the first video, "Billie Jean", Steve Baron was chosen as director. For the first time in history of MTV, a music video told a story - and was not just a collage of images. "Billie Jean's" video made a big impression on the MTV audience and was a huge hit. It's also seen as a major breakthrough for black artists, who had previously been ignored by the channel. Michael Jackson was in fact the first black artist to be added the MTV's playlist! Before that, MTV refused to play videos by black artists. Michael has changed that forever...

He teamed up with Jones again for his next album, the mega-smash Thriller, released on November 30, 1982, an album that would transcend all kinds of barriers in the music world. From its pioneering role in launching the first black recording artist to get airplay on MTV, to the extent it developed the look and style of how the still-new medium of music video, the album made Michael the most popular and famous entertainer in the world.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA attending 55,000 fans.

1993 - Gone Too Soon was released as the ninth and final single from the Dangerous album on World AIDS Day of 1993.

"Gone Too Soon" was dedicated to the memory of Jackson's friend Ryan White, a teenager from Kokomo, Indiana who came to national attention, after being expelled from his school for having HIV/AIDS, written and composed by Larry Grossman and Buz Kohan, produced by Jackson, and co-produced by Bruce Swedien. The song became a moderate chart success in several countries: France, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. The song was not released in the US, but became a hit in Africa, where it charted at number 3. "Gone Too Soon" was not a significant critical success, as it received mixed reviews from music critics.

"Gone Too Soon" was promoted with a music video directed by Bill DiCicco, which showed footage of Jackson and White together, as well as scenes from the latter's funeral. A live performance by Jackson at Bill Clinton's inaugural celebration also served as a promotional platform, for both the song and AIDS-related funding. "Gone Too Soon" later received more exposure, following the deaths of both Diana, Princess of Wales and Jackson himself.

Filed under  //   1982   1984  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Denver, Colorado.

1983 - Exactly a year after Thriller’s release, the Jacksons held a press conference at Central Park’s Tavern on the Green in New York City, where they announced they would be releasing an album the next year, followed by an American tour.

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Promoted by boxing personality Don King, and sponsored by Pepsi, it was also revealed that the brothers would be taping television commercials for the soft drink in the new year.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA attending 55,000.

1991 - Michael Jackson scored his fourth UK No.1 album with 'Dangerous'

1996 - Michael performs a concert at Burswood Dome in Perth, Australia attending 18,900 fans.

2000 - G&P Foundation "Angel Ball" recompenses the philantropist at the "Angel Ball Honors", alongside Bill Clinton and Jordan’s Queen Noor, with the "Angel of Hope Award" at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City, for outstanding efforts to the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and other related cancers, that year’s event collecting 4 million dollars for the "G&P Cancer Foundation" in N.Y.

A again gorgeous looking Michael Jackson shows up at the Angel Ball Honors in New York. The following has been taken from Reuters:

On Nov. 30, 2000 President Clinton, singer Michael Jackson and Jordan's Queen Noor were honored on Thursday for their work to fight cancer at a star-studded black-tie dinner to raise $4 million for a cancer foundation.

The president and wife, Sen.-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton, received an award from the New York-based G&P Foundation, which funds research into leukemia, lymphoma and related cancers.

"It won't be long now," Clinton told some 1'800 Hollywood stars and members of New York society crowded into a Manhattan hotel ballroom for the event, saying he expected a cure for the disease to be found.

Talk show host Larry King emceed the gala, which was scheduled to include performances by singers Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle and Marc Anthony as well as appearances by actors Jane Seymour, Gabriel Byrne and Joan Collins.

Clinton, seated between Queen Noor and actor Robert DeNiro, did not stay for most of the show, leaving early to fly home to Washington with his wife.

The G&P foundation was created by song writer and Democratic Party donor Denise Rich to honor her daughter, Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who died of leukemia at the age of 27. It is named for Gabrielle and her husband, Philip Aouad.

As she helped to present the Clintons with their award, Rich also handed the president a gleaming saxophone.

"Thank you, Denise," Clinton said. "I'll have a little more time to play it in a week or two," he added, referring to the end of his eight years in the White House on Jan. 20.

Jackson, wearing a peach colored shirt, a lilac vest and a yellow tie, gave Clinton a warm tribute. "You've been an incredible president and I love you," the pop star said, pointing at Clinton.

A foundation spokeswoman said the dinner aimed to raise $4 million from about 1'800 guests, who were expected to include a wide array of Hollywood stars including Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Kim Basinger, Alec Baldwin and Julianne Moore.

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who did not attend the dinner, were also honored for their work on behalf of cancer patients.

Michael Jackson was honored with an Angel of Hope Award at the Angel Ball held in New York. Below the transcript of Michael's introduction as well as his great speech:

N'Sync Members Lance and J.C. introduce Michael:

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Thank you. It's great to be here. Actually I'd say it's pretty incredible. And incredible describes our next honoree. This is the part were we are supposed to tell you about the career of our guest of honour, but if you don't know who he is, what planet are you from? He's not only one of the greatest artists of age, a star for the ages is what he really is. His Thriller album is the greatest selling album in the history of the world. And his song 'We Are The World' sold 800,000 copies in 3 days. His records actually set records. As members of a new generation of pop artists we stand before him with the deepest sense of gratitude and humility. He's influenced our musical choices but more importantly he has influenced our personal choices.

No artist does as much to make the world a better place, and no other celebrity is more humble about his good work. What else can I say about him, he's bad, he's a thriller, and he's here. The greatest living recording artist in the world, number one superstar. King of Pop. On behalf of the G & P Foundation it's a great honour to present the Angel of Hope Award to Mr Michael Jackson.

[While Michael walks up on stage he receives a standing ovation, the music to "We Are The World" is played]

Michael:
Wow, it's incredible. I'm extremely honoured and moved by this gracious award and first and foremost I would like to thank our hostess and my date tonight, Denise, [giggles and smiles sheepishly, the crowd giggles and whistles] who with her beautiful spirit and abundant kindness has quickly found a special place in my heart. My close friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach introduced me to Denise and I'm very grateful. Thank you Shmuley, thank you so much for making this evening possible for me and for all the important and meaningful projects that we have begun together. Shmuley is also responsible for bringing me together with some of my special guests this evening, Nobel prize winner, Professor Elie Wiesel and childrens' expert, Dr Stanley Greenspan. Thank you for joining me on this special night.

I'm honoured Mr President to receive this award in your presence and I wanna thank you all for years of dedication and service that you rendered to the American people. You have been an incredible president and I love you. [Audience are cheering and applauding loudly] And of course N'Sync. [audience applauds] It's great to meet you guys and it's an honour to receive this award, not only did you make all the girls scream, [audience laughs] but I was also thrilled to learn that you are continuing the tradition that I also believe in, in using your accomplishments to help others with your own charitable foundation. [audience applauds]

Cancer is the number one killer of children. And it is only when we join together on evenings like this, that we can summon the courage and determination to stop it from ever robbing another child of the precious gift of life or a parent of the joy of watching their child grow. God bless you all for all the love and support you have offered this evening and I love you all very much. Thank you. [audience applauds]

[Michael talks with Lance and J.C. and you can hear him say "Nice to meet you too" and then kisses Denise on the check. Everybody walks off the stage]

2005 - Police were investigating claims that Michael Jackson was trafficking drugs to feed his 40 pills-a-day habit. The singer was suspected of flying antidepressants and painkillers from the US to his current home in Bahrain.

2009 - The death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately was the most searched for topic on Google's UK site in 2009. It was closely followed by the rise of Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle Microsoft revealed that the death of Michael Jackson dominated its Bing search engine results during the year.

Filed under  //   1974   1979   1983   1984   1991   1996   2000   2005   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Albuquerque, Colorado.

Michael Jackson's single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1993 - Michael is on the cover of People magazine.

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Filed under  //   1974   1979   1993  

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