Today in MJJ HIStory

1969 – Following day for recording Session: Who’s Lovin’ You.

The most famous cover of “Who’s Lovin’ You”, and the one most future covers were based upon, was recorded on 1969 by The Jackson 5. Michael Jackson was the lead singer on this recording, with his brothers Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie on background vocals; Bobby Taylor of The Vancouvers served as producer. The Jackson 5 version of “Who’s Lovin’ You” was one of a number of early recordings the group made at the Hitsville U.S.A. recording studio in Detroit, Michigan, with the Funk Brothers on instrumentation. Just after recording this song, Berry Gordy moved the entire Jackson family to Los Angeles, California to record the hit pop songs he would co-write for the group with The Corporation.

The song was issued as the b-side to The Jackson 5′s first single, “I Want You Back”, with a full version included on the first Jackson 5 LP, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. The single went to #1 on both the pop and R&B charts. An alternate take featuring fewer backing vocals was released on Michael’s Love Songs compilation release in 2002.

1971 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Toledo (Ohio)

1972 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Tulsa (Oklahoma)

1973 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Long Pond (Pennsylvania)

1974 - Jackson 5ive in Concert, Richmond (Virginia)

1984 – The Jacksons brought their Victory Tour to the Gator Bowl stadium in Jacksonville, FL on three nights from July 21-23, 1984 to perform in front of over 135,000 fans.

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The show has a simple story line, based on the tale of the sword in the stone. Huge creatures called Kreetons appear on the stage. They’re followed by several warriors who attempt to pull a sword from a stone. One warrior, Randy Jackson, does just that. He slays a Kreeton and thereby paves the way for the kingdom of the Jacksons.

Moments later, Randy, Michael, Tito, Marlon and Jermaine appear majestically on stage, pump the entrance for all its worth, and delight the fans. Fantasyland? You bet.

Two spiderlike creatures attempt to gobble up Michael. Michael writhes on the stage like a snake in the heat of battle before he is saved by magic and levitated out of danger. He reappears moments later on an elevated spot on stage wearing the red jacket he wore in the Beat It video and launches into that song.



The Jacksons’ show was written and designed by Michael, whose instrumental in moving the rock video into new territory with master-pieces like Thriller. Now the Jacksons become the first group to transform a concert into a video & to use robotics in a musical stage performance.
High-tech stage antics are one thing, but Michael Jackson is another. He out dazzles the electronics!
The Jacksons have somehow struck the perfect balance between theatrics and musicality.

Part Walt Disney World and part Music Television, it’s an escapist pop show for those in love with fantasy; entertainment for those who hanker for movies like Star Wars, E.T. and Peter Pan; a musical for those who enjoy exquisite dancing and singing.

Surely the Jacksons have realized that a larget percentage of their fans are of the MTV generation, roughly ages 10 to 30. Such audiences understand video-styled theatrics in live shows, and crave the heightened pleasure that stems from sensastional effects created with lasers, lights, and booming sound. This is the same age group that made Star Wars such a hit.

And the Jacksons play to this audience. Even so, the Jacksons have made an unprecedented move with their stage production, and this isn’t lost on the fans.
Source: Concert Rewind: Jacksons’ Victory Tour show by Kevin Bezner

2001 – Michael Jackson’s Speechless is released.

Michael Jackson wrote “Speechless” after a water balloon fight with children in Germany. In an interview with Vibe magazine, the musician commented, “I was so happy after the fight that I ran upstairs in their house and wrote ‘Speechless’. Fun inspires me. I hate to say that, because it’s such a romantic song.” He added, “But it was the fight that did it. I was happy, and I wrote it in its entirety right there. I felt it would be good enough for the album. Out of the bliss comes magic, wonderment, and creativity.”

“Speechless” was one of only two song from Invincible to be written solely by Jackson.

Vaughn Watson of The Providence Journal hailed “Speechless” as Invincible’s “best song, and one of Jackson’s finest of any album”. He added that with the song, the musician acknowledged the pain that accompanies isolation.

2003 – Michael Jackson said that he believed that the U.S. Congress should make no laws that would put people in jail for illegally downloading songs over the Internet.

I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to illegally download, but the answer cannot be jail. Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws, and we should look to new technologies like Apple’s new Music Store for solutions. This way, innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business.

~ Press statement (21 July 2003), quoted in “Jackson attacks music piracy bill” in BBC News (22 July 2003)
Filed under  //   1969   1971   1972   1973   1974   1984   2001   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - The Jackson 5ive began a U.S. tour at the Coliseum in Charlotte, NC.

1972 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Chicago (Illinois)

1988 – Michael Jackson & Jimmy Jam visit Elstree Studios where Steven Spielberg is directing Indiana Jones and they both meet Harrison Ford.

1992 – Concerts his Dangerous World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden at the Olympic Stadium, attending 53,000.

1996 – Michael visits South Africa for a few days, arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for President Nelson Mandela. Mandela invited about 2000 children to the party.

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Nelson Mandela poses with Michael Jackson before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal.


Michael took time off from touring, to visit South Africa where not only did he attend a private birthday party for the country’s President Nelson Mandela, he revealed he was writing a song about him. "I was working on it last night (19th July)," he said. "This is a wonderful, lovely man. I love Nelson Mandela very much."
Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turned to Michael and said,
"I can see who is the world leader. I have never seen so many journalists!"

During the press conference in Sun City, Michael announces that his upcoming HIStory World Tour would reach South Africa.

While in South Africa, Michael also took time to visits the black township of Soweto, where he laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forces during the 1976 Apartheid riots; and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies in remembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen.

Michael Jackson with Mandela and other African leaders & Sheela Lee Jackson



Meanwhile, the highest bid for a Neverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the Cities in School celebrity auction and, with the aid of radio KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils.

1998 – Michael Jackson and Don Barden go to Joannesburg.

The city of Warsaw, Poland, presented Michael Jackson with four potential locations for a planned theme park.

1999 – Michael Jackson attends Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

2004 - Michael Jackson's publicist denied a report in US Weekly that Jackson was about to become a father to quadruplets via a surrogate mother. A spokesperson for US Weekly told Reuters that is stands by its story and cite unnamed sources close to Jackson as confirming the story.

2007 – Michael Jackson takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums in Washington, D. C.



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Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.

At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.

Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.



Jackson’s fondness to stars wars films is evident with his life-sized replicas of Darth Vader, Yoga, D2 R2, C-3PO and a Han Solo model frozen in carbonite.

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During the HIStory World Tour, Michael opens each show, wearing a dazzling silver & gold futuristic outfit, complete with space helmet. Reminiscing the Star Wars, he comes in a mini spaceship, crashing black door blew open to reveal himself.Great Gate of Kiev was used as the anthem
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Life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 : The great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room/collection gallery includes several Star Wars pieces. A life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 from Lucasfilm Ltd., 1999. An electric light inside the figure illuminates it.

See more Star Wars pieces from the great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room collection gallery.

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MJ Star Wars Collection
Filed under  //   1971   1972   1988   1992   1996   1998   2004   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Hampton (Virginia)

1972 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Chicago (Illinois)

1988 - Michael Jackson & Jimmy Jam visit Elstree Studios where Steven Spielberg is directing Indiana Jones and they both meet Harrison Ford.

1992 - Concerts his Dangerous World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden at the Olympic Stadium, attending 53,000.

1996 - Michael visits South Africa for a few days, arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for President Nelson Mandela. Mandela invited about 2000 children to the party.

Media_httpsphotosakfb_lkvmg
Michael took time off from touring, to visit South Africa where not only did he attend a private birthday party for the country’s President Nelson Mandela, he revealed he was writing a song about him. "I was working on it last night (19th July)," he said. "This is a wonderful, lovely man. I love Nelson Mandela very much."
Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turned to Michael and said,
"I can see who is the world leader. I have never seen so many journalists!"
During the press conference in Sun City, Michael announces that his upcoming HIStory World Tour would reach South Africa.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_guwwy
Nelson Mandela poses with Michael Jackson before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal.

While in South Africa, Michael also took time to visits the black township of Soweto, where he laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forces during the 1976 Apartheid riots; and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies in remembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen.

Meanwhile, the highest bid for a Neverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the "Cities in School" celebrity auction and, with the aid of radio "KIIS-FM" in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils.

1998 – Michael Jackson and Don Barden go to Joannesburg.

The city of Warsaw, Poland, presented Michael Jackson with four potential locations for a planned theme park.

1999 - Michael Jackson attends Nelson Mandela's birthday.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_qnfmm

2007 - Michael Jackson takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums in Washington, D. C.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_obidb
Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian's National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.

At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.

Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.

Jackson’s fondness to stars wars films is evident with his life-sized replicas of Darth Vader, Yoga, D2 R2, C-3PO and a Han Solo model frozen in carbonite.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_fzcxv
During the HIStory World Tour, Michael opens each show, wearing a dazzling silver & gold futuristic outfit, complete with space helmet. Reminiscing the Star Wars, he comes in a mini spaceship, crashing black door blew open to reveal himself.Great Gate of Kiev was used as the anthem.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_zgkhn

Life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 : The great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room/collection gallery includes several Star Wars pieces. A life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 from Lucasfilm Ltd., 1999. An electric light inside the figure illuminates it.

See more Star Wars pieces from the great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room collection gallery.
MJ Star Wars Collection

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Filed under  //   1971   1972   1988   1992   1996   1998   1999  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Michael Jackson's single I Wanna Be Where You Are hit #16 in the U.S.
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The song was released from his debut album "Got To Be There" as a single, probably the most soulful early single he released. As usual, Michael's delivery is impeccable, written by Leon Ware & Arthur "T-Boy" Ross for Michael Jackson, who took the song to #16 & #2 on the U.S. pop & R&B singles charts in 1972. The single made his 3rd straight Top 40 pop hit during his early solo career in Motown, he would break this record with Off The Wall, but this was a very good start for the newly solo Michael Jackson.

1988 - Video for Another Part of Me was filmed using Michael's Bad Tour performance.
Once again, Michael chose to promote the single with a 'live' promo, his first ever filmed during an actual concert – the Wembley Stadium gig.

1995 - The maxi single for Michael Jackson's Scream was released.

Filed under  //   1972   1988   1995  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Michael Jackson appeared solo on "American Bandstand" to promote his 'Got To Be There' album.
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Michael and his brothers make a surprise appearance and are presented with gold discs. Michael joins them in a performance of Lookin' Through The Windows and Michael performed solos of 'Rockin' Robin', 'Ben' and 'I Wanna Be Where You Are'. He also chats with Dick Clark.
By 1972, the Jackson 5 were already a sensation around the world, with their first four singles such as "ABC" and "I Want You Back" going straight to #1. From commercials to their own cartoon series, teenage girls everywhere couldn't get enough of them -- specially young Michael, who began breaking out on his own with songs such as the cover version of "Rockin' Robin", which went to #2 that year, from his solo debut Got To Be There.

1972 – The Jackson perform at Baltimore, Civic Center.

1979 - Michael and his brothers celebrate the success of their album "Destiny" at the "The Jacksons" Party.

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1983 - La Toya Jackson presented her little brother, Michael with the "Artist Of The Year" award at the Black Radio Exclusive Awards ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, L.A.

1988 - Michael Jackson performs his Bad World Tour in Hamburg [Germany] Volkspark Stadium, attending 50,000.

1992 - The BPI certified the album "Thriller" at 11 times platinum and the album "Bad" at 13 times platinum in the U.K.

Filed under  //   1972   1979   1983   1988   1992  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - Jackson 5 single "Maybe Tomorrow” is released.

1972 - Jackson 5 single "Lookin' Through The Windows" is released.

1995 - Michael is presented with the first ever "Michael Jackson Special Award" for his humanitarian work at the 3rd Annual VH1 Honors held at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles.

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Its inscription says:
MICHAEL JACKSON
The power of music
is the power of the soul
VH1 honors
the musician who goes
beyond sharing the
soul and shares time,
energy and resources
to help others
JUNE 22ND, 1995

American actor Morgan Freeman presented to him with the "Special International Artist Award" for record sales and worldwide relief endeavors. The award was later renamed the "Michael Jackson Special Award."
Before the presentation the group Boyz II Men performed a medley of 'Heal The World' and 'We Are The World' and Michael joined for the last verse.

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[After singing with Boyz II Men Michael walks over to Morgan Freeman. Michael and Morgan shake hands. Then Michael points at Morgan.]

Michael: I'm a big fan.

[Morgan immediately gives back the compliment also pointing at Michael.]

Morgan Freeman: I'm a big fan.

Michael...[The crowd is very loud throughout the entire speech.]...Listen...

On behalf of VH1 we'd like to present this award to you for the work you have done over the years. Performing in charity [Michael smiles.] and in addition - listen to this now - VH1 is proud to announce the creation of a special VH1 International Honors Award for the King of Pop which will be presented in future to artists with their world wide charitable work following in the footsteps of yourself. Congratulations!

[They shake hands. Morgan presents the award to Michael. Michael lets everybody see the award. He points at Morgan who stepped back.]

Michael: I'm a major fan, he's a phenomenon. I mean it. Thank you.

Thank you, Morgan. Thank you VH1, thank you for this honor. Thank you all my friends and fans for your love and support. [He smiles.]

You've given me so much, it allowed me to take some of that love and pass it on to those people whose problems in this world need and deserve our help. A perfect example is the recent U.N. announcement that 1 to 3 million lives could be saved if Third World children were given a vitamin A pill three times a year. Cost per child is just six cents, that's all. So we must join together in healing the world so we can share this beautiful planet in joy and love. I love you very much.

[Michael does the victory sign, then he blows a kiss to the audience. He takes a bow and leaves.]

Filed under  //   1971   1972   1995  

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