Today in MJJ HIStory

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Indianapolis[US].

1983 - Arena magazine[Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)] featured Michael on their cover.

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1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio [USA] attending 50,000.

1987 - Sunday magazine [UK] featured Michael on their cover story: SECRET DOUBLE LIFE: The Real Michael Jackson Revealed.

1988 -Michael performs BAD tour at Capital Centre in Washington DC [US].

2001 - What More Can I Give, completed on 19th October 2001, premiered two days later at the ‘United We Stand – What More Can I Give’ concert at Washington DC’s RFK Stadium, in front of 46,000 people.

2009 - Two legal documents, signed by Michael Jackson, handing to USA for Africa the profits from the 1985 hit We Are the World that Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote, and which brought in "tens of millions", will go to auction, benefiting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. "(Michael Jackson) was a bigger philanthropist than most people gave him credit for," USA for Africa Executive Director, Marcia Thomas, says of the singer-entertainer. "He didn't do it for the credit. He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do." Nancy Birdsall, president of the Washington-based Center for Global Development, adds that "We Are the World marked what at that time was a high point in rich-world concern about poor people in the developing world. That sort of awareness helps to open the way not only for more effective foreign assistance but for other changes in policy, such as trade and migration, that can have a big impact on poor people's lives." The 2 legal documents, transferring his rights and profits to the group USA for Africa, are estimated to gross in 50,000 dollars at the Alexander Autographs auction at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The in-person and online auction includes a huge number of rock-and-roll and Hollywood artifacts and is organized by an auction house noted for its historical and political offerings.

Filed under  //   1979   1983   1984   1987   1988   2001   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1969 - The Jackson 5 got their first* national television debut in U.S. on the ABC-TV show Hollywood Palace Special when Diana Ross introduced them.

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One week after I Want You Back was released, the Jackson 5 made their first national television appearance on a live broadcast of Hollywood Palace on ABC-TV at 9:30 p.m(EST). Diana Ross was serving as the guest host of a special show devoted to Motown acts.

For their performance, the Jackson 5 did some fancy footwork to the first few measures of their exhilarating versions of Sly & the Family Stone's Sing a Simple Song (a cover song that was never released in its entirety, assuming the J5 did a studio recording of it, as they did with several songs by the Family Stone), and then sang a beautiful slow tempo song from their first LP, Can You Remember, a Delfonics cover.


After a smattering of polite applause, Michael is barely audible when he introduces their next song - new debut single, saying: "Now we'd like to do our very first release on Motown. It's on sale everywhere!" and they tore into a blistering version of I Want You Back, their first live performance of I Want You Back, and about a minute into the song, you can see Michael begin to relax. Suddenly it appears that he is really enjoying being on stage and in front of a national audience. Watching it, we get a strong sense that we are witnessing a star being born.



You might think little of the adult Michael Jackson but I defy even the most cynical to remain unmoved by the video of the Jackson 5 featuring Michael Jackson on the Diana Ross show belting out James Brown's There Was A Time along with Sammy Davis Jr. The pint-sized 11-year-old with the huge Afro and eyes to match, a big sweet voice and a determination to outflank Miss Ross in camera position, was already an experienced performer, though his grown-up moves were slightly off-kilter. He could simulate sexuality as he did a pretend ad lib but he was a kid all the same.

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In their heavily scripted banter, Michael and Diana made several references to Michael's similarity to Sammy Davis Jr., and Sammy himself made a surprise cameo appearance to carry the the running gag one step further by pretending to be worried that Michael was going to take his place. In a way, this is a watershed episode of the past (Sammy Davis Jr. in a fit of mock jealousy over young Mike), present (Diana and the Supremes), and future (Michael and the Jackson 5) of African American entertainment.

Besides Diana Ross and the Supremes, other guests on the show included Gladys Knight and the Pips and Stevie Wonder, but it was the smallest of these stars that night, the most dynamic as well, who stole the show from everyone. In fact, the line up was so remarkable, Motown put out a soundtrack album for it on March 1970.

Motown had already been circulating the story that Diana had discovered the Jackson 5, so the show provided the perfect opportunity for her to introduce her young protegees. We all know the back story: Diana Ross got credit for the discovery because Berry Gordy asked her to "present" the Jackson 5 to the public, thereby launching their career and Ross's solo career in one fell swoop. Immediately -- and it may have had something to do with the language Motown used in their promotional materials, such as "the Jackson 5 were discovered by Diana Ross". This added an additional power of seduction including them public, and it was also a great enhancement of Diana Ross, who was preparing to leave the Supremes.

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The notion that Diana had a hand in grooming the young group for stardom was driven home by publicity photos showing her helping Michael with his stage make up... ...and in making certain the microphone was at just the right height for the lead singer.
Source: j5collector

*The show is often cited in biographies, as the "first nationally broadcast television appearance," while the first was "Miss Black America" in August 1969.

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Chicago, Illinois on their first national tour.

1980 - The Jackson's album Triumph hit #13 in the U.K.

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Triumph was the 13th album by The Jacksons, released in 1980 on Epic Records. It was certified platinum in the U.S. and peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200. Hit singles from the album were Lovely One, Heartbreak Hotel (This Place Hotel) and Can You Feel It.

The Jacksons shared lead vocals and solo spots on most songs, but Michael Jackson handles most of the lead vocals. Triumph was the Jacksons' first album to reach #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart since Maybe Tomorrow in 1971. The album would sell over two million copies worldwide, and the Jacksons would not release another studio LP for four years after Triumph's release.

1982 - The Girl Is Mine released as the first single off the THRILLER album.

The song hit #1 on the R&B singles chart and #2 on the Hot 100 in U.S, and #8 in the UK.

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The writing of The Girl Is Mine was completed by Michael as he watched cartoons with Paul McCartney:
"It started with Quincy Jones asking me to write a song about two guys quarreling over the same girl, and I thought about it and I came up with The Girl Is Mine."
"I woke up from my sleep and I had this song," said Michael, explaining his
inspiration for writing the song, "and I went over to the tape recorder and I sang it into the tape recorder, and I sang exactly what I heard in my head, starting with the melody and the keyboard and the strings and everything. So I just orally put it on tape."
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The rap in the song, Michael explained, was Quincy Jones’s idea. Asked about his
other songs, and if any of them were similar to The Girl Is Mine, Michael replied, "Oh, yes, lots of other songs... they are mainly the same chords that I use in so many... That’s What You Get (For Being Polite) is one. Others would be Why Can’t I Be, Thank You For Life – all have the same main, the same type of chords as The Girl Is Mine.
To prove his point, Michael sang The Girl Is Mine to an instrumental version of That’s What You Get (For Being Polite).
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McCartney spent three days at Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, working on the song with Michael from 14th-16th April 1982 – the year after the pair first worked on Say Say Say and The Man, although it was the first Jackson/McCartney duet to gain a release. The single's cover photograph was taken by McCartney's wife, Linda.
Michael is on record as saying the duet is one of his most enjoyable recording moments:
"One of my favourite songs to record, of all my recordings as a solo artist, is probably The Girl Is Mine, because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun... it was like lots of kibitzing and playing and throwing stuff at each other and making jokes... and we actually recorded the track and the vocals pretty much live at the same time, and we do have footage of it, but it's never been shown – maybe one day we’ll give you a sneak preview of it."
Its lukewarm reception from fans prompted many industry insiders to presume Thriller would be a sales failure. They couldn’t be more wrong.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Capital Centre in Washington DC [US].

1993 - Michael arrives in Santiago(Chile) to perform a concert on October 23 at the Chile National Stadium.

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1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Chungshan Soccer Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan attending 40,000.

2005 - Michael & his entourage leave London.

Filed under  //   1969   1970   1980   1982   1988   1993   1996   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson Five's Third Album yielded their 4th #1 single I'll Be There.

In September 1970, the Jackson 5 had sold over 10 million copies of their 3 singles I Want You Back, ABC and The Love You Save, during a period of 9 months. It was a record for a so short period, and with I'll Be There, they are the first artists to have produced 4 singles reaching the top of the Billboard!

It was quite a change of pace from the singles that had been previously released. I'll Be There is a touching balled with Michael and Jermaine trading lead vocals. I'll Be There gave the Jackson Five their longest stay at #1, entering the #1 position the week of October 17, 1970 and remaining at the top of the chart for 5 weeks, replacing Neil Diamond's Cracklin' Rose. It also become their 4th #1 hit on the black singles chart. The Jackson Five became the 1st group ever to have their 1st four singles become #1 hits. I'll Be There became Motown's 3rd biggest single of all time behind Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through the Grapevine and Lionel Richie and Diana Ross' duet, Endless Love.

Third album was released a few days after the first single.

The Jackson 5 perform the first national tour at Detroit, Michigan.

1983 - Volume: 20 Issue: 16 of People magazine[US] featured Michael on their cover story: THAT THRILLER MICHAEL JACKSON and a host of rockers cash in on America`s video revolution MTV.

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1988 -Michael performs BAD tour at Capital Centre in Washington DC [US].

1991 - Bunte magazine[Germany] cover featured Michael & Elizabeth Taylor at her wedding.

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1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil attending 100,000.

2001 - Michael Jackson's publicist released a lineup of artists to participate in Jackson's benefit single "What More Can I Give." The single was a benefit for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. The list included Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Tom Petty, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Usher, Julio Iglesias, Reba McEntire, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Aaron Carter, Jon Secada, Billy Gilman, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, Alejandro Sanz, Christian Castro, Olga Tañón, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Thalía, Ziggy Marley and 3LW.

Debbie Rowe goes to the family court in Los Angeles to give up her parental rights on Prince & Paris because she says she has not seen them for a year and do not want to disturb them by making intrusions in their life once in a while.

Filed under  //   1970   1983   1988   1991   1993   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at New York City, NY on their first national tour.

1981 - While at the Studio 55 in Los Angeles, Michael sings backing vocals on the song Don’t Let A Woman Make A Fool Out Of You by Joe Carrasco.

1993 - Manchete magazine [Brazil] featured Michael on the cover.


1995 - Minister Louis Farrakhan reveals, for the first time, during a public lecture in Chicago, July 26, 2009, that the entertainer quietly donated 100,000 dollars to the historic ‘Million Man March’ from October 16, 1995. ‘The Million Man March’ was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held in Washington, D.C.. Under the leadership of Nation of Islam head, Louis Farrakhan, African American men from across the United States converged on Washington in an effort to “convey to the world a vastly different picture of the Black male” and to unite in self-help and self-defense against economic and social ills plaguing the African American minority/community

1997 - Michael Leaves Africa and Return to Neverland with OMer Bhatti.

2001 - Michael shoots a scene for the movie Men In Black 2 directed by Barry Sonnefield where he plays Agent M.

'We shot a small scene with Michael on Tuesday,’ said the film’s director, Barry Sonnenfeld. ‘He was charming, funny, and really cool to work with.’ Michael’s small cameo - just a few seconds long – took around five hours to shoot.

Michael had a lot of questions about his role, according to Sonnenfeld. He wanted to know everything about the special effects background of his scene. Sonnenfeld told him that there would be icebergs, but Michael wanted to know much more details:

"He said, 'Can I see the icebergs?'
'No we don't have the photos yet.'
'Is there anything else behind me?'
'Penguins.' I'm making this up! I don't know if there are going to be penguins," Sonnenfeld said.
"'Can I see the penguins?'
'No I don't have the pictures of the penguins yet.'
'Are they king penguins?'
'Yes.'
And then I said, 'You know, I gotta go.'"
Michael dressed in MIB trademark attire; consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, tries to persuade Chief Zed to make him Agent M!
A big fan of sci-fi, Michael is sought out director Barry Sonnenfeld & requested a cameo to be briefly featured in the MIIB as a rogue alien.

Michael Jackson cameo as Undercover alien intelligence officer Agent M

Agent M: Zed, the Drolecks are gone and the treaty is signed.
Zed: Good work!
Agent M: Zed, what about that position you promised me in Men In Black?
Zed: Still working on the Alien Affirmative Action Program. I'll keep you posted.
Agent M: Wait a minute! That's not what you promised me!
Zed: You're breaking up, can't hear you.
Agent M: Zed! Hello? Zed?
Zed: I'll call you back...
[starts walking away]
Agent M: I could be Agent M!

Will Smith explained in an interview that seeing Michael, dressed in MIB trademenk attire and consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, is a credit to Michael's sense of humor:
"You know, when he comes on the screen, people are really happy. It's as if Michael is saying to the world,
'OK, all right. I'm human just like everyone else. I appreciate a good joke just like everyone else does,'
But the thing that I loved so much is he kept wanting to play it serious. You know, he was, like,
'You know, I'm a Man In Black, I just want it to be really serious.'
‘I think people are going to be really shocked and really surprised,’ predicted Smith, ‘and enjoy seeing Michael in this film and in this light.’
The movie Men In Black 2 was premiered in early July. Director Barry Sonnenfeld scored a big hit in convincing Michael Jackson to appear in Men in Black II as an alien. Michael's small cameo appearance as an undercover alien intelligence officer 'Agent M' receives one of the biggest laughs! Both critics and the public praised Michael's performance & his sense of humor:)

The sci-fi action comedy starring Will Smith as Agent Jay & Tommy Lee Jones, sees the government agents team up again to tackle an alien which disguises itself in the body of a model, played by Flynn Boyle. MIIB do well at the box office in the US, charted at #1 in it's opening weekend with a revenue of $52.2m.

2005 - Michael & Grace take Prince, Paris & Blanket to see the movie Wallace & Grommit.

Filed under  //   1970   1981   1993   1995   1997   2001   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Saginaw[US].

1989 - Hey magazine[Turkey] featured Michael on their cover with the story: Michael Jackson Moonwalker Firtinasi [Moonwalker Storm].

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1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil attending 80,000.


1997 - Michael's "HIStory" World Tour concluded with a sold-out concert at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa attending 60,000, which is the 82nd concert of the History World Tour.

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The "HIStory" tour broke all existing records - Michael Jackson's "HIStory" World Tour is the biggest world tour any solo performer had ever done!!! The tour also broke the legendary record set by the Rolling Stones with their "Voodoo Lounge" World Tour!

The "HIStory" tour spanned the globe with stops in 56 cities on 5 continents, and included 82 concerts to about 4.5 million loving fans.

With this, Michael broke his previous record which he set with the "Dangerous" World Tour. Michael toured with the widest stage anyone had ever toured with, and the mega show featured special effects by magicians David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy.

During the SECOND leg of the "HIStory" tour, began in Bremen, Germany on 31st of May, Michael performed 40 shows, grossed over US$ 83.5 million and had a total attendance of 2,035,189. This equals to an average $2,087,853 gross and 50,880 attendance per show! These statistics are for the second leg of the tour only!
Michael sold his millionth concert ticket at the Wembley Stadium and sold out four concerts in a row there. The tour was so successful that he had played 82 concerts to 4.5 million fans in 35 countries on 5 continents. The estimated grosses totaled more than $160 million and again, it was the biggest concert tour of its time.

2001 - All four re-issues ["Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", "Dangerous"] containing previously unreleased material plus a new booklet with new photos, were officially released.

While Quincy Jones is promoting his autobiography On the Oprah Show, Michael calls him on the phone to congratulate him.

Michael completes the recording of What More Can I Give. He has been crossing the to record the parts of many artists such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, CEline Dion? Ricky Martin, Aaron & Nick Carter, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Gloria Estefan ect...

2003 - Michael attends his brother Tito’s 50th birthday party with all the Jackson family.

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One More Chance, written by R. Kelly in 2001, only new song from Michael's compilation album, Number Ones is premiered on radios.

It was released as a single on November 20, 2003, reaching #83 in the U.S., #5 in the UK and reaching #1 in Venezuela, Moldova and Turkey.

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Promo short film shot in Las Vagas and edited, but not completed or released by Sony. Michael had been shooting the video late into the night of November 17, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada, when his Neverland Ranch was raided by the Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department. Following the raid, production was stopped. On October 13, 2010, the official website of Michael Jackson announced that the music video will be released in a deluxe DVD box set Michael Jackson's Vision on November 22, 2010.

2006 - Michael agrees to let US journalist Billy Bush from Access Hollywood visit him at the Grouse Lodge residential recording studios in remote Westmeath, Ireland where he is staying with Grace & the kids and working on new music with producer Will.I.AM.

Filed under  //   1979   1989   1993   1997   2001   2003   2006  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Ben hit #1 on the Hot 100, where it spent a solitary week before Chuck Berry’s novelty smash My Ding-A-Ling toppled it.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Pittsburgh[US].

1984 - The Jacksons perform at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois [USA] attending 40,000.

1989 - Friday Night Videos features videos by the Greatest Artists Of The Decade and declare Michael Jackson the Greatest Video Artist Of The Decade.

1993 - Bravo magazine [Germany] featured Michael on the cover.

Filed under  //   1972   1979   1984   1989   1993  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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1979 - Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough hit #1 on the Hot 100, toppling Robert John’s Sad Eyes, giving Michael his first #1 hit since Ben in 1972. The song also gave Michael his first solo #1 – for five weeks – on the R&B singles chart.

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, written and composed by Michael was the album's first single for his first solo album after leaving Motown, OFF THE WALL, released in August 1979.

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The song became one of the album's biggest hits, heralded Michael's arrival as an adult solo performer, and paved the way for a new beginning to his musical career. It spent one week at the top of the pop charts & 5 weeks at the top of the black singles chart. A RIAA Gold Record duly followed, and in the UK the single peaked at #3 and earned Michael a Silver Disc.
Elsewhere, the single hit #1 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and Zimbabwe, #2 in Belgium and Holland, #3 in Canada, #5 in Finland, #10 in Ireland and Italy, and #13 in Germany (where it was the first Jackson record to chart).

Michael told Dick Clark's National Music Survey how he wrote Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough with help from Randy.
"I was walking around the house and I just started singing, 'da-da--da-da-da-da-da', and said, 'Ah, that sounds kinda nice.' I kept singing it and gradually it came about. I went into the studio, we have a studio at home, a 24 track studio. Randy and I, I told Randy what to put down, what to play on the piano, and we did some percussion and some clapping and it turned out real funky. I played it for Quincey Jones and he loved it."

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"We had little arguments, nothing very serious, during the first record we made, which was Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," said Quincy Jones. "Most people at Motown didn't sing low and I needed him to sing low. I wanted him to do a very sexy kind of sound at the bottom. At first, he was a little reluctant, but that’s okay. It was never contentious, and that’s where the trust comes in."

Lyrical content shocked his mother, Katherine, who pointed out the title could easily be misinterpreted – Michael asserted it wasn't a reference to sex, but that it could mean whatever people wanted it to mean.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Rochester[US].

1984 - The Jacksons perform at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois [USA] attending 40,000.

1988 -Michael performs BAD tour at Capital Centre in Washington DC [US].

MTV premieres the video of Smooth Criminal.

1993 - Michael arrives in Sao Paulo, Brasil to perform 2 concerts on October 15th & 17th at Morumbi Stadium.

1995 - Michael Jackson's single You Are Not Alone was certified Gold and Platinum.

1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea attending 72,000.

During the performance of "Earth Song", Jackson, (who was up on a crane) was accosted by a male Korean fan who climbed up the crane just to meet Jackson. Michael held on to the man because he had a risk of falling. The man was then taken away by security after the crane was lowered. This concert was commercially released on VHS in Korea. Before the release of the 1992 Dangerous Tour Concert in Bucharest this was the only commercially released concert.

2001 - Tele Poche magazine[France] featured Michael on the cover with the headline: Michael Jackson - Verites ou mensonges? [Michael Jackson - Truth or lies?]

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2004 - CBS Early show airs an interview of Genevieve, Randy Jr, Dante, Jaffar, & Jermajesty Jackson at Hayvenhurst defending their uncle Michael.

2009 - The Jackson 5 CHRISTMAS ALBUM was re-released as Ultimate Christmas Collection with Christmas messages, remixes, and a Christmas medley.


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Apart from the original track listing the collection includes bonus tracks:
Season's Greetings from Michael Jackson
Little Christmas Tree (Clinton/Wayne)
Season's Greetings from Tito
Up On The Housetop - DJ Spinna Re-Edit
Season's Greetings from Jackie Jackson
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Stripped Mix)
Season's Greetings from Jermaine Jackson
Someday At Christmas (Stripped Mix)
Give Love On Christmas Day (Group A Cappella Version)
J5 Christmas Medley


2010 - The official website of Michael Jackson announced the release of the new deluxe 3 DVD box set Michael Jackson's Vision on November 22, 2010, which included One More Chance video.
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VISION contains more than 4 1/2 hours of video across 3 DVDs, capturing the entire spectrum of Michael's pioneering short films.
  • More than 40 videos
  • 10 short films never offered before on DVD
  • Bonus DVD includes 7 additional videos including the previously-unreleased clip for the R. Kelly-penned "One More Chance"

Previously Unreleased on DVD
She's Out Of My Life
Ghosts
You Rock My World
Cry
Blame It On the Boogie
Enjoy Yourself
Can You Feel It
Say Say Say
They Don't Care About Us (Prison version)
Why
Filed under  //   1979   1984   1988   1993   1995   1996   2001   2004   2009   2010  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - LOVE CALL Song recorded by the Jackson 5 for Motown – test pressings known to exist, but remains unreleased.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Philadelphia [US].

1984 - The Jacksons perform at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois [USA] attending 40,000.

1985 - Diana Ross' single "Eaten Alive" hit #77 in the U.S. The song was co-written, co-produced and co-vocalized with Michael Jackson and Barry Gibb.

1987 - Michael performs BAD tour at Osaka Stadium in Osaka, Japan.

A Open Letter from Michael Jackson to his critics:

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Volume: 28 Issue: 15 of the People magazine [US] featured Michael on their cover story MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL
'I was sent forth for the world, for the children. But have mercy, for I've been bleeding a long time now.'

In the Midst of a World Tour, the Astonishing Star Breaks His Four-Year Silence to Issue a Cry of Pain from Japan.
He sat down at the desk in his room at the Capitol Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo and, on the back of a piece of hotel stationery, wrote what he said would be his only only discussion of his private life. "Like the old Indian proverb says," wrote Jackson, "do not judge a man until you've walked 2 moons in his moccosins." The singer's two-page missive reveals him to be a complex mix of boy and man whose personality matches the themes of Bad, an album so full of bright, catchy dance tunes that it's easy to overlook the lyrics that express dark fantasies and hyper-romantic dreams. Jackson offers forgiveness to the rumormongers who have upset him: "Animals strike, not from malice, but because they want to live, it is the same with those who criticize, they desire our blood, not our pain." At the same time, he expresses himself with the desperate tone of a child who has been unfairly punished: "I cry very very often because it hurts.... Have mercy, for I've been bleeding a long time now." His casual spelling and punctuation speak of backstage tutors and self-teaching, but his expression of pain is clear.
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The stage life of the world's most popular rock star: glitter, fame, excitement and wealth. Real life is, of course, another matter. Having said no more than a few words to the press since 1983, Jackson left it to his stogie-chomping manager, Frank Dileo, to explain away his plastic surgeries (just the nose and chin were done, he said) and his attempt to purchase the bones of the Elephant Man ("Well, everyone has a skeleton in their closet," Dileo told PEOPLE). Probably the tall tales only enhanced sales of Bad, which has already zoomed to the top of the charts in at least eight countries. But the rumors' effect on Jackson, 29, has been anything but salutary. "It's really horrible to have these lies printed about me," he says. "It hurts."

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If Jackson does at times resemble a child, it may be because he identifies so closely with children. Quietly he has given rafts of free concert tickets to handicapped youngsters, visited Japanese schools and sent condolences and $20,000 to the family of 5-year-old Yoshiaki Ogiwara, an Osaka boy who was kidnapped and murdered recently. At one concert he dedicated his tour to the boy, a gesture that brought tears to the eyes of adoring fans. "People just don't have a realistic picture of who Michael is," says makeup artist Karen Faye. "He's innocent and inspiring without being preachy—and a lot of fun to be around."

To his public, however, Jackson remains an enigmatic figure, and his handwritten message from Japan will do little to change that. Given his near total blackout on personal press, one can only assume he wants it that way: Anonymity serves his stagecraft.

The effect was stunning, Olympian: A god had come and gone. Offstage and out of costume, the Michael Jackson who was "sent forth for the world, for the children" could hardly help feeling chagrined that his stage persona is only an act. Gods, after all, do not feel pain.
Source: people.com

1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina attending 70,000.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Johannesburg Stadium in Johannesburg, SA attending 39,000.

1999 - Michael Jackson's HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I was certified at 7 times Platinum by the RIAA.

2002 - As a personal acknowledgement of the gallantry and sacrificial services made by the military in his community, Jackson invites over 200 U.S. Air Force members from "Team Vandenberg" – then recently returned from overseas deployments – and their families to spend the day at Neverland.

2004 - In an interview with Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show, Michael Jackson said that he was angry over the depiction of him in Eminem's video for the song Just Lose It and calls the Morning Radio Show to ask TV networks not to air the new video which makes fun of him. BET accepts but not MTV which creates a new controversy.

2005 - Michael takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to Harrods where they are greeted by owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

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Michael raced around the posh London store – owned by Mohammed Al Fayed – on Wednesday (Oct 12), and reserved two watches worth £55,000 and £30,000.

His children Prince Michael, eight, Paris, seven and Prince Michael II, three, then descended upon the toy department.

An insider said: "He was only in the store for about 30 minutes. His kids had a fantastic time in the toy department. They fell in love with this gigantic toy Hummer".

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"After spending thousands of pounds on gifts for them, including life-size teddy bears, Michael signed autographs for fans."

Michael’s spokesman said: "Last time he came to London he went to Hamleys - but he loves the cuddly toys at Harrods."

2009 - A never-before released song from Michael Jackson, a single entitled This Is It, premiered on Michael's official website MichaelJackson.com, on October 12, 2009, at midnight.

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This It It, the first song from the Michael Jackson music documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It which plays during the closing sequence and included on the companion two-disc CD set. The unreleased single features backup vocals by Michael's brothers, The Jacksons.

The CD features original album masters of some of MJ's biggest hits, including Thriller and Billie Jean, which are in the same sequence as they appear in the film.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Memphis, Tennessee on their first national tour.

1987 - Michael performs BAD tour at Osaka Stadium in Osaka, Japan.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland [US].

1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea attending 72,000. Only this concert, from Seoul was commercially released on VHS in Korea.

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1997 - While Michael's HIStory concerts were seen in Cape Town, Johannesburg & Durban, with all performances selling out, the King of Pop became an honorary member of the Bafokeng Ka Bakwena (People of the Crocodile) tribe in Phokeng.
Michael's parents, Joseph & Katherine, met the tribe a few days before & also got "citizenship" certificates & his ex wife Lisa Marie attend the event.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Cincinnati, Ohio on their first national tour.


STAR SPANGLED BANNER, America’s national anthem, performed by the Jackson 5 –accompanied by the Leman Monroe High School Band – at the opening game of the baseball World Series at the Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. In a later interview, Michael and his brothers admitted they didn’t know the words, and had to quickly learn them on the way to the stadium.

1976 - The Jacksons made a guest appearances on the new Sonny & Cher Show.

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1982 - Michael attends the wedding of Courtney Sale & Steve Ross with Quincy Jones & his wife Peggy.

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1987 - LOOKIN magazine [UK] featured Michael on their cover.

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1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland [US].

1989 - Michael Goes Back To School

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Michael goes back to school when he visits Room 8 at the Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where he attended sixth grade as a child. The school's auditorium had been recently refurbished to dedicate in his honor, renaming it 'The Michael Jackson Auditorium'. Michael's former 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Gerstin, and Mrs. Rose Fine, his tutor when he was on the road with the Jackson 5, both attended the dedication.

Michael Jackson's homecoming excited Gardner Street Elementary School pupils, who watched as the pop music superstar helped dedicate a remodeled auditorium named in his honor, symbol of then renamed Gardner Street Elementary School from Los Angeles, California.

Dressed in leather black pants and a red shirt covered in zippers, studs & buckles, and long black fingerless gloves arrived at the school Wednesday to students' squeals of "Michael! Michael!" and was guided into the building by police officers.

After several speeches by the school superintendent, PTA representatives, teachers, pupils and parents, Michael's former 6th grade teacher Laura Gerstin introduced Michael and presented him with "Michael Jackson Auditorium" plate - commemorative plaque: "It's an honor to present this plaque to you on behalf of the parents and faculty, past and present, of Gardner School as a token of our respect and our love for you not only as a performer, but as a fine human being."

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Michael spoke briefly as always, and has this to say on being honored: "First of all I'd like to thank my teacher, Mrs. Gerstin, Mrs. Rose Fine, she's another one of my teachers, she's here also and I'd like to thank her. I am deeply touched and honored that the PTA, principal and faculty members, and students have been so kind as to dedicate the Auditorium, where I sat as a child, in my honor.
We must never forget that the children are our future, and without them mankind would become extinct. I thank Mrs. Gerstin, I love you, and Ms. Rose Fine (the Jackson 5's former tutor), I love you, and the Garden Street School associates and all the children. I love you. Thank you."

Following the presentation of the plaque, a very happy student presented Michael with a key to the school. Michael then joined the choir in singing "We Are The World." A small crowd then moved outside as Michael unveiled the new letters on the face of the building identifying it as the Michael Jackson Auditorium.

Following the unveiling, Michael was given a tour of his former school. He visited his old classroom and autographed the wall with a marker, "Michael Jackson Love the Children". Epic official Lary Stesselm, Bob Jones and Bill Bray accompanied Michael.

Janique Hennessee, 11, said she was so excited to see Michael that she started crying, but Michael came up to her and dried her tears.

This is Michael Jackson's Class Photo Back in 1970

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Michael attends Gardner St. School as a 6th-grader from 1969 to 1970 (6 months) after the 11-year old singer and his four brothers first moved to California from their hometown of Gary, Indiana to begin their new lives as performers. At the time, the Jackson 5, who had recently been signed to the Motown record label, were on the cusp of super stardom. Young Michael goes to school during the day while recorded songs & performed with the Jackson 5 at night.
But, in January of 1970, after the Jackson 5 skyrocketed to fame, their single "I Want You Back" hit #1, and Michael's popularity made it so that he could no longer be a part of a normal school environment; with fans waiting for him outside or barge into the classroom, it became necessary to arrange for private tutoring. He withdrew from Gardner St. and from that point forward was home schooled by a private tutor named Rose Fine.

1992 - Michael Jackson Live in Bucharest aired and HBO network was rewarded with their highest ever TV ratings in the history(21.4% rating, 34% share). It later received the highest ratings in cable history, in which Jackson was honored with a CableACE Award.

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Film rights to the concert originally bought by HBO (Home Box Office), an American cable station, for a reported $20 million – the highest sum ever paid for a pop concert.

"He's not coming to America, he's coming to HBO" - Hyped the show as the only chance for U.S. fans to see Michael in concert, (he was still sticking to his story that he would not tour the US), the show was highly publicized by HBO.

The concert was broadcast live on radio and shown on television across 60 countries, too, giving fans unable to attend any of his concerts the chance to see Michael perform.

Concert recorded on 1st October 1992, in front of 70,000 fans, at Bucharest National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania.

Every detail of the show was, of course, nothing short of mesmerizing. His stage entrance was no exception. Smoke machines hid the stage behind a curtain of smoke and as fireworks suddenly exploded, Michael jumped from beneath the stage amid the sparks and smoke dressed in black, gold and silver. There he stood, absolutely motionless for almost two minutes, as the crowd went wild. He slowly removed his oversized mirrored sunglasses, tossed them aside and began to Jam, and his didn't stop jamming until two hours later with Man In The Mirror.

1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina attending 70,000.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Johannesburg Stadium in Johannesburg, SA attending 39,000.

2001 - Two days later, on October 10 www.cc.com confirmed that Michael will perform on Sunday, October 21, at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC at "United We Stand - What More Can I Give". A star-studded music spectacular to raise money in support of the recovery efforts from the September 11th attack on America.

Then Jackson recorded an all-star tribute to the Victims of September 11 which included stars such as Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, Shakira, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan. But despite the commercial power of such a line up Sony did not release the song, much to Jackson's bewilderment.

The source added: "This song was to raise money for charity and there's no doubt that it had so many stars involved that it could have been a success."

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