Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - The Jackson 5's next studio album, Get It Together, is released.

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GIT was a strong album that enjoyed moderate success. Musically, their sound had matured from bubblegum pop to hard funk/proto-disco, which may have been over the heads of their young audience.

Michael was now fifteen years old, and although he could no longer rely on the pre-pubescent charm that helped make him a star, he continued to grow as a performer.

The last song on the album, Dancing Machine, became a feature for a new dance routine, “the robot” (first used during the Japan concerts the previous spring), that would become an MJ trademark – at least until the moonwalk (or “back slide”) came along a decade later.

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"Get It Together", the tenth album of Motown Jackson 5, is regarded as album of the revival of the brothers in this team. Their previous album "Skywriter" having been, in fact, a failure, and the group seemed far from triumphant debut.

1973 was also the year when the J5 begin to find a way to compose and produce their own songs. Unfortunately the machine is far from Motown tubes to be flexible and allow full freedom to his singers, confined to their unique role as interpreters. The group is approaching, however, Stevie Wonder. Recording sessions with a number of times will take place. But the only official release will appear in the chorus of the single "You Have not Done Nothing".

"Get It Together" is tinged with the imprint of Hal Davis, the producer behind the new Jackson 5's, and these new dance rhythms.

"The boys asked me something that moves", said Hal Davis. "The clubs discos appeared everywhere, and these kids were real dancers. The disco was in the air, and suddenly, I would have given anything to dance. I had this extraordinary rhythm section: William Salter to bass, Joe Sample on keyboards, and James Gadson on drums. Gadson was particularly giant. "

On "Get It Together," the voice of Michael begins to change: a little more serious, but also more powerful than ever. Behind it, he dreamed of singing songs to disco club. He adored move. "The disco had its detractors," says Michael, "But for us it was a necessary route to enter the adult world.

Among the motivating songs include the title song "Get It Together," written and composed by almost all the flagship Motown: Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Larson and Marcellino. This title has reached the second list Soul, 1973, as the title "Do not Say Goodbye Again".

The album contains, as often since the inception of the times: The Supremes, Reflections, Gladys Knight & the Pips, "You Need Love Like I Do Do not You", and finally one of the Temptations: "Hum Along And Dance ", a composition of Norman Whitfield.

Jackson 5 But the real surprise of the album Dancing Machine. This title has been broadcast on radio after the sales of this album have ceased. The title has been # 1 in March 1974 and was resumed in a shorter version in 1974 on the next album, "Dancing Machine". The disco track is an opportunity for Michael to sparkle with creativity. The title was inspired dance called the "Robot", mechanical movement, which inspired many dancers (including those who will say later, having learned the moonwalk to Michael ...) and mark the beginnings of dance called "Breakdance .

The recording sessions of "Get It Together" gave birth to several titles of which will be published a few years later Joyful Jukebox Music in 1976: it is Pride and Joy, a cover of Marvin Gaye in a absolutely fresh and innovative approach to this classic Motown.

That autumn, the group’s TV appearances included a Bob Hope special and Soul Train.

1986 - Michael Jackson's "Captain Eo" debuted at Disneyland's Journey into Imagination at Epcot Center.

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More than a year after this first announcement, "Captain EO" ["EO" is Greek for "dawn"], Michael's 17 minute space fantasy 3-D movie, premièred at Epcot Center in Disney World, Florida. The film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola ["Dracula"] and produced by George Lucas ["Star Wars"], becomes [and up to today still is] the most expensive film -"minute-for-minute" - ever made. [Estimated costs for the 17 minute film - US$ 30 million].

Michael stars in the title role alongside Anjelica Huston.
Billed as 'a celebration of triumph over evil', it included two new songs written and performed by Michael, Another Part Of Me (later featured on Michael’s album BAD) and We Are Here To Change The World.

After its première at Disney World Florida, the 3-D movie was shown at all 4 Disney Theme Parks [Florida, California, Japan, France] with tremendous success and became one of the main attractions of the parks. "Working on 'Captain EO' reinforced all the positive feelings I've had about working in film and made me realize more than ever that movies are where my future path probably lies", Michael says later.

After a long delay, Captain EO premiered at the Epcot Center on September 12, 1986. A 3-D special effects extravaganza, the seventeen-minute film cost $30 million to make, making it the most expensive movie ever produced on a per-minute basis at the time.

Designed specifically for screening at the Disneyland and Disney World amusement parks, Captain EO was more than a movie, it was a full-on sensory experience, created to provide a thrill equal to any rollercoaster. Michael starred as the movie’s namesake, a space hero who leads a ragtag assortment of cute creatures in a mission to unlock the despotic Witch Queen’s (played by Angelica Huston) inner beauty, armed only with the power of song and dance.

Captain EO is regarded as the first "4-D" film: the action on the screen extended into the audience, including lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects & starfields that filled the theater.
These in-theater effects resulted in the 17 minute film cost $30 million to produce; At $1.76 million per minute, it is still the most expensive minute-for-minute film ever made!

1987 - The Bad world tour began in Japan. 'Typhoon Michael', as he was nicknamed, swept into Japan to kicks off his first ever solo tour. He plays the first of three sold out concerts at the Korakuen-Stadium to a capacity of 45,000 [meanwhile known as Tokyo Dome] in Tokyo, Japan.

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At each and every concert he played, Michael ensured 400 tickets were reserved for underprivileged children; these were distributed via orphanages, hospitals and children’s charities. However, with precious little time to prepare, Michael necessarily based the Bad World Tour on the Victory Tour.

Here, his parents caught up with him and, following the first show she had seen, Katherine was asked by Michael’s manager Frank Dileo what she thought. Katherine thought it was great.
‘Michael’s always good,’ she replied, ‘but it would have been a better show with the brothers.’ She explained why. ‘They know how to dance and harmonise together. Their voices blend in a special way because they’re brothers.’
So, in her opinion, the show would have been better with Michael’s brothers. Many Jackson fans would readily agree with Katherine, but the Victory Tour left a bitter taste in Michael’s mouth and besides, the aim of this tour was to promote his solo album, BAD.

Three dates at Osaka’s Nishinomya Stadium were followed by five at the Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, after which Michael rounded off the Japanese leg of the tour by returning to Osaka for another three concerts.

Prior to the tour, his life as an entertainer frequently bringing him into conflict with his religion, Michael withdrew from the Jehovah’s Witnesses (he later re-joined). A representative from Woodlands Hill Kingdom Hall, to which Michael had belonged, issued a terse statement confirming Michael had ‘disassociated himself from the congregation’.
A few days later William Van De Wall, a Jehovah’s Witness spokesman, told reporters, ‘He (Michael) took the initiative. We didn’t take any action. We were informed of his wishes.’
No longer shackled by his religious beliefs, Michael added Thriller to the tour line-up, plus two songs from his new album, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You and Bad.

Michael had invited the magicians Siegfried and Roy to create illusions for his "Bad" tour and, in return, wrote a special number, "Mind Is The Magic", to open their show at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

Siegfried and Roy are Las Vegas' number one entertainment attraction and since its opening in 1981, their spectacular illusion show has never played to a single empty seat!

Michael’s touring band included backup singer Sheryl Crow, who sang in a duet with Michael on I Can’t Stop Loving You at every performance. Crow, who would eventually become a star in her own right seven years later, became the subject of tabloid scrutiny as Michael’s rumored love interest, a fallacy Michael’s spin machine did little to discourage.

Michael Jackson's album "Bad" debuted at #1 in the U.K.

1992 - Le Figaro, French magazine features MJ on its cover with the story Appariton a Paris Le Mystere Jackson.

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1993 - Over the weekend of Sep 11 & 12, fans marched in support of MJ in Hollywood. Flowers & cards were left at his freshly polished star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Michael arrived at the next tour stop, Moscow, and was greeted by hundreds of fans waving their gloved hands in the air and shouting to him. A banner was held up saying "Siberia Loves You Michael!". The next day Michael left his hotel to do some shopping. He picked up a 19th century statue, several paintings & books, and a Russian army officers coat. He also toured the Kremlin museum & armory.
The following day, Michael had video shot of himself marching with Russian army soldiers.

1995 - Michael Jackson's maxi single "The Remixes" was released.

Michael Jackson's "Video Greatest Hits - History" was certified 2 times Platinum.

1997 - Michael interview with Barbara Walter on 20/20'1 at George V Hotel in Paris, France.

The show aired on ABC, Michael discusses the paparazzi; battered men; children roam casinos while parents gamble.

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Michael: You should not say, "He's Jacko." I'm not a 'Jacko'. I'm Jackson.
Barbara: How do you feel when they call you...
Michael: Yeah, Wacko Jacko, where did that come from? Some English tabloid. I have a heart and I have feelings. I feel that when you do that to me. It's not nice. Don't do it. I'm not a "wacko".

Michael also talked about the recent death of Britain's Princess Diana:

In my heart I was saying, "I love you Diana. Shine. And shine on forever, because you are the true Princess of the people." And in words I did not say it, but I said it for three minutes in showing a big picture on the jumbotron screens...Sony, big huge screens...and her picture was there shining...and the crowd went bananas. And I played the song "Smile" and "Gone Too Soon".

and being a daddy:
Barbara: You have said, "I grew up in a fishbowl. I will not allow that to happen to my son." Yet, when your son was born, you sold pictures to the National Enquirer and to other European papers, tabloids. Why did you do that?
Michael: Because there was a race. There were some illegal pictures out. Illegally, somebody had taken pictures of a baby...millions of dollars...said, "Here's Michael's son."
And it wasn't. So, I took pictures of the baby. I said, "They're forcing me to get his pictures." There's helocopters flying above us...flying over my house...flying over the hospital, um, machines and satellites all over. Even the hospital said, "Michael, we've had every kind of celebrity here...but we've never had it like this. This is unbelievable." And so I said, "Here, take it." And I gave the money to charity
Barbara: So, rather than...what you're saying is...what you did was to get them off your back.
Michael: Yeah...and may be I don't want to show him to the world like that. I want him to have some space...where he can go to school. I don't want him to be called "Wacko Jacko" that's not nice. They call the father that. That isn't nice...right?

The interview was conducted without letting know the press, nor the Paris hotel. But when Michael tried to sneak out through a back door, there was a huge crowd... already waiting!
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Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Jackson Family held a press party at their Encino home.

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On the J5's 1973 Soul Train appearance, Don Cornelius ran some footage from the party.
~j5collector

1987 - Michael arrives in Japan to kick off the first leg of his first solo tour, BAD world tour.

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When Michael's Japan Airlines Flight 61 touched down at Narita International Airport in Tokyo over 600 journalists, cameramen and hundreds of screaming fans were waiting to cover his arrival. Even Bubbles, Jackson's pet chimp, who took a separate flight, was greeted by more than 300. To transport the stage equipment, a chartered jumbo jet flew into Tokyo carrying 22 truckloads along with Jackson's tour entourage of 132 people.

The total attendance for the 14 concerts in Japan during the first leg was 450,000 with performances in Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama. Previously, performers only managed to draw a crowd of 200,000 on a single tour. A granddaughter of Emperor Hirohito attended the first concert in Tokyo.

1992 - A live performance of Black or White taken from a concert at London's Wembley Stadium was broadcast via satellite to the ninth annual MTV Video Music Awards.

Public service announcement made by Michael Jackson as part of the network's Choose or Loose campaign to encourage young adults to register to vote, was premiered during the award telecast. Dressed in his gold & black concert costume, with large mirrored sunglasses, he encouraged others to make a difference. "We live in a country where we have a chance to make a difference. To create a better way of life for ourselves and for our children. The future is now. Let's come together and express our freedom of choice. Choose or Lose."

1995 - Michael Jackson's single "You Are Not Alone" hit #1 in the U.K.

1993 - Bravo magazine features MJ on its cover.

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1999 - Michael & Elizabeth Taylor speak about their close friendship in Talk magazine

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 – The Jackson 5ive are at Look Magazine, Volume 34 Number 17.

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Cover story: JACKSON FIVE: "Bubblegum soul takes off".

THE JACKSON FIVE: The Hottest new group in the record world has to be in bed by ten o'clock. "Led by Michael, 10, the Jackson quintet is an exaltation of earthy songs and hip street dancing that sends teen audiences wild." by Ernest Dunbar, Photographs by Douglas Jones.
Credits: Thanks brendasaller♥

<noscript>To view this photo slideshow you need to have Flash Player 9 or newer installed and JavaScript enabled. PhotoSnack, the free slideshow creator allows you to create stunning photo slideshows in minutes!</noscript>

1973 – The Jackson 5ive concert in Los Angeles.

1978 - Michael attended a reception for the Robert Kennedy Tennis Tournament at the NBC Building in New York City.


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Jackie [Kennedy] invited Michael to accompany her to the Robert Kennedy Tennis Tournament, where she introduced him to her children; John F. Kennedy Jr. & Caroline Kennedy.

1992 - The first Heal The World European Children’s Congress meets in London, England. Eighty-four children between the ages of 8 and 16 come together to express their views on the world's biggest problems and the solutions, as they see them. Despite a case of laryngitis, Michael arrives at Regent's College after lunch and stays for approximately four hours.

1993 - Michael's Bad and Thriller albums certified 7x and 22x platinum by RIAA.

2008 - The fan-voted album King of Pop was released in Belgium, New Zealand & UK.

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UK: On July 18, the United Kingdom version of the compilation was announced. Sony BMG UK teamed up with GMTV and The Sun allowing fans, until August 10, to pick 18 tracks from the song pool. The pool list, at only 50 tracks, is the least diverse; there were no songs included from Jackson's group career. 66,000 people took part in the vote. Despite the pool conducting a possible 18 tracks, only 17 are included. Most notable is the fact that "Scream" is included on the album, as this song had not appeared on any compilation album in the United Kingdom prior due to legal rights with Janet Jackson's label Virgin Records.

New Zealand: On July 3, it was announced that fans in New Zealand would have until July 20, to vote for their version of King of Pop. Fans could vote for five songs in a pool that differed slightly from the Australian song pool. The songs available from Thriller 25 were different; "For All Time" had been replaced by "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu" from Bad (2001 special edition) was not available. While the Australian pool included seven songs from Jackson's group career, the New Zealand pool had only three: "Blame It on the Boogie", "Can You Feel It" and "State of Shock".

Belgium: On July 26, it was announced the released of the double disc album. Fans could vote for their 5 favorite tracks from a pool of 124, on the web site of the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. This is the only version of the album to contain the single Girlfriend.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 – The Jackson 5 perform in concert in San Francisco, California.

1992 – Michael Jackson attend the first Heal The World European Children Congress at Regent’s College in London.

1993 - Michael kicked off the second leg of his Dangerous tour in Bangkok, Thailand performing first of two concerts at the National Stadium attending 70,000 fans.

After the cancellation of what should have been the first two dates of the second half of Michael’s Dangerous World Tour, much to the disappointment of the Hong Kong fans who lost out, the tour resumed in Bangkok, Thailand with Michael dropping Working Day And Night, Beat It and Man In The Mirror from the show, and adding his American Music Awards’ Dangerous routine.

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"HTW" partners with "Pepsi-Cola Thailand" to endow 40,000 dollars to the "Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's" foundation and to the Rural School Children and Youth Development Fund, as a sponsorship for school meal programs in the villages of Thailand.

The tour moved through Asia, Russia and onto South America. Michael played his last show of the Tour on the 11th of November, 1993 in Mexico. The Tour had ended suddenly as Michael had become the subject of child abuse allegations and had become dependent on painkillers due to recent surgery on his scalp. Michael had played 69 concerts to approximately 3.5 million fans and had donated all proceeds to his Heal the World foundation and other charities around the world. It was the biggest tour of its time.

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Michael spends few days in Bangkok to perform 2 concerts on August 24 & 27.

At 270 feet, the "Dangerous" stage is wider than the widest American stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall, which measures 190 feet.

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Also on that day, reports surfaced in the media that Michael is under criminal investigation for child abuse by the Los Angeles Police Department. Michael was honoring his Dangerous World Tour concerts (the entire proceeds of which being donated to his Heal The World Foundation) when news about allegations of improper conduct towards a minor broke and were made public by August 24, 1993. He was preparing to perform song “Jam” when he learned about the shocking news. Regardless of it, he mustered up strength and performed the song, at the beginning of it removing a pair of dark glasses and revealing wet eyes and a tear streaking down his left cheek. Three days beforehand, a search warrant was issued, allowing police to search Jackson's Neverland Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley, California.

Investigator Anthony Pellicano says the accusations are the result of a failed attempt to exort money from Michael Jackson. It transpires the boy's father, Evan Chandler, a dentist in Beverly Hills, wanted Michael to fund movie projects for him, so he could become a full-time screen-writer. When this request was refused, he threatened to make child molestation allegations against his son public.

Following the criminal allegations, Jackson's newly hired criminal lawyer, Howard Weitzman, reads a statement to the press from the singer: "My representatives have continuously kept me aware of what is taking place in California. I appreciate the remarks of Chief Willie Williams and our Los Angeles police department. I am confident the department will conduct a fair and thorough investigation and its results will demonstrate that there was no wrongdoing on my part. I intend to continue with my world tour, and look forward to seeing all of you in the scheduled cities. I am grateful for the overwhelming support of my fans throughout the world. I love you all. Thank you. Michael."

The molestation story will dominate newspapers, magazines, and scandal TV shows for many months to come.

1997 - Michael perform HIStory World tour at Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland.

2001 – "You Rock My World", the first single from the forthcoming album "Invincible" was premiered online, on internet at michaeljackson.com.

Re-Beat It on Entertainment Weekly

Does HIStory repeat itself? Looks that way. Michael Jackson's overdue Invincible isn't out till (fingers crossed) Sept. 25, but homages to the King of Pop keep popping up. We rate -- giving up to four gloves -- those who dare to walk the (moon)walk.

Chris Tucker JACKSON ACTION In Rush Hour 2, sings Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough. BEHIND THE MUSIC The inveterate MJ impressionist cranks out a karaoke rendition of the 1979 hit to reprise his breakdown in RH 1. But how did director Brett Ratner get the blessing of the reclusive Gloved One? "I have a friend who's his projectionist," says Ratner. "So I said, 'Listen, the next time you show a movie, slip this tape in.'" [Three Gloves]

Alien Ant Farm JACKSON ACTION Punkish cover of Smooth Criminal on their CD Anthology. BEHIND THE MUSIC "I was just blown away," says "Criminal" video director Marc Klasfeld, on first hearing AAF's tongue-in-cheek remake. On landing the video gig, he brainstormed a collage of Jacksoniana. (A Bubbles-like chimp and a Liz Taylor tattoo make cameos.) But the pastiche is affectionate, and Klasfeld adds, "I just think it's a good song, hands down." [Four Gloves]

Gorillaz JACKSON ACTION In their Clint Eastwood video, 'toon gorillas perform Thriller-esque zombie dancing. BEHIND THE MUSIC Guest artist Del Tha Funkee Homosapien claims ignorance: "That's an ill angle for me -- I didn't even realize it was Michael Jackson. It looked tight, though. I ain't seen nobody since Michael Jackson really putting it down except for hip-hop motherf***ers...and sh** like that. You know what I'm saying?" In our small way. [Two Gloves]

Lil' Romeo JACKSON ACTION Samples the Jackson 5's I Want You Back heavily on My Baby. BEHIND THE MUSIC "I always looked up to him -- and my dad -- since I was a little boy," says the hip-high hip-hopper, who'll perform at next month's Jackson reunion. But Romeo doesn't mimic MJ's moves (a la Usher, who moonwalks in his U Remind Me video) -- or his taste in pets: "I have two birds. But I don't think I'll ever get a monkey." [Three Gloves]

2004 - The Sony Music Store USA is accepting preorders for the new 5 disc set 'Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection' (Selection # : 092600). The scheduled release date is October 19, 2004.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1969 -
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Michael (Not yet turned 11) and the Jackson 5 made their first television debut performing The Isley Brothers' It's Your Thing at the Miss Black America Pageant in Madison Square Garden, New York City, won by Gloria O. Smith, Miss New York.

1973 - The Jackson 5 performs in concert in Dallas, Texas.

1994 - Michael & Lisa on the covers of Salut & Jet.

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1997 - Michael performs 2nd concert of Dangerous world tour at Wembley Stadium, London attending 72,000 fans.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory world tour at Song Festival Grounds, Tallinn, Estonia.

2001 - David Gest, producer of the 30th Anniversary concert tributes for Michael, has announced today that over 50 legendary actresses of the Silver Screen will be in attendance to help honor the King of Pop. The list of Hollywood's golden glamor girls includes (alphabetically): Carroll Baker, Ann Blyth, Petula Clark, Angie Dickinson, Patty Duke, Rhonda Fleming, June Haver, Celeste Holm, Sally Ann Howes, Kim Hunter, Anne Jeffreys, Jennifer Jones, Eartha Kitt, Piper Laurie, Janet Leigh, Gina Lollobrigida, Ann Miller, Liza Minnelli, Patricia Neal, Margaret O'Brien, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Rush, Jane Russell, Ann Rutherford, Lizabeth Scott, Penny Singleton, Jill St. John, Elizabeth Taylor, Ruth Warrick, and Esther Williams.

Michael had this to say,

"I am honored these legendary ladies of the silver screen will be a part of those evenings. Each one of them is fondly remembered by moviegoers throughout the world for their unforgettable performances which have stood the test of time. To be in the same room with so many screen greats is a real honor."

2004 - Security precautions for Michael Jackson at the court have been heightened after threats that had to do with inflicting bodily harm on the entertainer.

At a hearing on Thursday, defense attorneys for Michael Jackson showed a judge videotapes of the raid on November 18, 2003 on the Neverland Valley Ranch. At the hearing defense attorneys were attempting to limit the evidence prosecutors can present during trial in January. They argue that the search was overly broad and unjustified. In a one-hour excerpt from some 15 hours of video, detectives from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department trudged ahead of a videographer as they opened doors in Michael's home, a Tudor-style mansion with dark wood paneling and glittery chandeliers. For example the detectives swept into the entertainer's "toy room," where his children often played with life-sized "Star Wars" figures and a larger-than-life Superman figure. They also videotaped the wine cellar, business office and the "classroom," with its child-sized desks, where Michael had his children home-schooled. Michael and his family were not at home when the search began at 9 am and ended well after midnight. Some 40 officers participated, trucking with them portable toilets and two crime scene investigation trucks for collection of evidence.

2008 - The first release of the fan-voted album King of Pop (which is identical to the Swiss edition) was released in Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland.

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On July 14, it was announced that German fans had until July 28 to choose their top 30 songs from an extensive pool of 121 tracks; the list contained almost every song Jackson released in his solo career. Notably expansions on the pool choice included: A larger option of tracks from Thriller 25 and the inclusion of 12 tracks from The Ultimate Collection. There were also 8 tracks included from the singers time in The Jackson 5/Jacksons; slightly more than the other versions.

The German Edition of 'King of Pop' is a 30-track compilation and contains 2 bonustracks - 'Got the Hots' (for the first time available on CD in Europe - from the original Thriller studio session) and a brandnew 'Thriller MegaMix' by Jason Nevins.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

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1969 - Motown star Diana Ross officially introduced the Jackson 5 to the press in August 1969, also presented them at the Forum, when the J5 opened for the Supremes – the photo above is from that show. She hosted the variety show Hollywood Palace when the J5 made their national TV debut in October. Her name headlined their debut album, on the eve of her heralded solo breakaway.

J5 fans know that she didn’t “discover” the Jackson 5; Gladys Knight was the one who from the road called Motown first. But it was Bobby Taylor, a Motown songwriter and producer, and lead singer of the Vancouvers, who drove the brothers, the band and Papa Joe Jackson to Hitsville in the summer of 1968. More on him in another post.

Miss Ross, however, surely helped launch the Jackson 5’s career in a big way.
Source: j5live.tumblr.com

1973 - Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 perform in a benefit gig at St. Paul Civic Center Arena in Minnesota, with proceeds of the concert being funneled to the Afro-American Music Opportunities Association (AAMOA). AAMOA, based in the Twin Cities, promotes Black Music and assists Black composers and musicians worldwide.

1992 - Backstage in Leeds, England, Michael meets with 6-year-old Nicholas Killen, left visually impaired after a cancer procedure.

1995 - Michael's album HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I was certified 5xPlatinum by RIAA.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory World tour at Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden attended 50,000 fans.



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Michael Jackson Live in Gothenburg
Concert broadcast by TV1000 and Channel 3. This concert is very similar to the Copenhagen concert; also the last professionally filmed performance of Blood on the Dance Floor (though the concert in Oslo on August 19 was the last performance of this song). During "Scream," the pre-recorded a capella vocal of Jackson was malfunctioning. Jackson continued to lip-sync and dance until the vocals continued during the chorus.

1998 - In the States, Captain EO was finally replaced in March 1997, by a new feature, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. It had its final showing at Disneyland, Paris on 16th August 1998.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1969 - The Jackson Five (soon to be called “The Jackson 5″) were formally introduced to the music press by Diana Ross, on behalf of Motown, at a private club called the Daisy in Hollywood [on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] at a special party that began at 6:30 p.m. on August 11, 1969.

Diana Ross invited 350 guests to a Beverly Hills club to see the newest Motown act, The Jackson 5. Berry Gordy predicts that the Jackson 5 first 3 singles will be number ones hit single and that they will become one of the biggest selling acts of the decade.

Five days later, they performed with Diana at a concert at the Los Angeles Forum.

It was at this party that ten-year-old Michael, just over two weeks away from his 11th birthday, was instructed to tell interviewers that he was only eight years old. Ever the professional, young Michael understood the importance of publicity in show business, and eager to please, he gladly did as he was told.

1973 - The Jackson 5 perform in concert in Columbia, South Carolina.

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform in concert in Kansas City, Missouri.

1992 - Michael Jackson's single "Jam" was released.

1995 - New York Times, titled "SONY'S GROUP PROFIT RISES 91%". The articled added the rises of profit to the release of "History", by Michael Jackson.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Motown ships the new Jackson 5 single, “Get It Together,” while the group plays the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville as part of a 50-date tour.

1981 - The Jacksons perform the Triumph tour at Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, U.S.

On the same day Michael Jackson's single We're Almost There hit #46 in the U.K. six years after charting in the U.S.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA attending 48,783.

1987 - I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Michael's duet with Siedah Garrett, enter the US Singles Chart at #37.

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The song also entered UK. It quickly traveled to #1 on both charts giving Michael yet another trans-atlantic #1 hit! (his 7th #1 in US)
The balled written & composed by Michael, became the 1st of five consecutive #1 Hot 100 singles from the "Bad" album, which also hit #1 in Hot AC & Hot R&B charts. The single topped other European charts, including Belgium, Denmark, Netherland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain. The single become the #3 best selling single of 1987, earning Michael his 13th Gold record in both US & UK.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous world tour at Weser Stadium in Bremen, Germany attending 45,000 fans.

1994 - Michael & Lisa Marie visited sick children at an hospital.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Michael Jackson’s 4th single, "Ben", was released in August 1972, entered Hot 100.
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The melancholy ballad, written & composed by Walter Scharf & Don Black, is the theme song to the tame horror movie Ben, about a youngster whose best friend is a killer rat--incidentally, Michael wasn't old enough to see the movie when it was first released! The response to the single was massive; going to number 1 in the US and Australia and number 7 in the UK during a 14 week chart run and selling over 2 million copies gained Michael a Silver Disc. Ben reached no.2 in Holland, no.4 in Zimbabwe, no.6 in Canada, no.7 in Belgium, no.12 in New Zealand and no.15 in Ireland.
It became Michael Jackson's first ever solo number 1 single. Michael became the third youngest artist to have a number 1 hit at just 14 years old which made him the youngest artist ever to top the chart both as a solo artist and as part of a group (Jackson 5ive) – a record he still holds to this day!
  • Ben won the prestigious Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 1973.
  • Ben won the Billboard Award for Top Singles Artist
  • Ben picked up an Academy Award(Oscar) nomination for Song Of The Year in 1973, where Michael performed the song.
  • Ben sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. alone & earned Michael his 1st Platinum RIAA Sales Award.
Michael’s second solo album, "Ben", was also released in August. An album rich in ballads, it showed Michael’s vocal growth and ability. It reached number 5 in the US and number 17 in the UK.

Also in this day Michael with Jackson 5ive perform European Tour in Atlanta, Georgia

1973 - Jackson 5ive perform World Tour in Baltimore, Virginia.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA attending 17,000.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous world tour at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, UK attending 50,000 fans.

1994 - Michael & Lisa Marie arrive in Budapest(Hongria) via London Heathrow, where Michael filmed a trailer for his forthcoming album and make their first public appearance together causing a media frenzy.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 – The Jackson 5ive perform at Detroit Olympia Stadium.

1973 – The Jackson 5ive perform at Chicago International Amphteathre.

1992 - Michael perform to a 40,000 fans at a concert in Lansdowne Road sports stadium (Dublin, Ireland), during the first leg of his Dangerous World Tour. While on tour he announces a donation of 400,000 pounds, out of his concert earnings, to various charities there. A delay provoked by a malfunction before his Dangerous Tour concert in Leeds, UK, leads to the singer being fined by a national council with 60,000 pounds, that are paid by Jackson to a music charity fund.

After his hugely successful first solo tour Bad, the star claimed that he would not tour again, and would instead concentrate on making films and records. On February 3, 1992 in a Pepsi press conference, Michael made a announcement stating that he would be touring again:

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The only reason I am going on tour is to raise funds for the newly-formed Heal the World Foundation, an international children's charity, that I am spearheading to assist children and the ecology. My goal is to gross $100 million by Christmas 1993. I urge every corporation and individual who cares about this planet and the future of the children to help raise money for the charity. The Heal the World Foundation will contribute funds to paediatric AIDS in honour of my friend, Ryan White. I am looking forward to this tour because it will allow me to devote time to visiting children all around the world, as well as spread the message of global love, in the hope that others will be moved to do their share to help heal the world.

Ultimately, the tour grossed up approximately $125 million and all profits were donated to various charities including the new Heal the World Foundation that was set up by Michael.

1995 - Michael Jackson attends a packed press conference at the Bryant Park Grill in New York City, NY to announce the 1995 MTV Video Music Award Nomination together with Mayor Rudolf Giuliani.


Second fiddle has never been Mayor Giuliani’s favorite role, but he played it like a good sport yesterday when he joined Michael Jackson to welcome the MTV Video Music Awards back to New York.

Jackson, wearing a crisp deep reddish-purple military jacket and dark glasses, spoke for about 10 seconds and later said in response to shouted questions that he arranged to play a Dec. 10 HBO concert in the city because "I love New York."

To other questions, like where the concert would be, he smiled politely the kind of smile that suggested reporters might as well have been asking him to compute the square root of pi.

The MTV awards show will be Sept. 7 at Radio City, with a live MTV telecast. Jackson will perform two numbers, including the opener, and he may spend the rest of the night shuttling to the awards podium, because it was announced that his "Scream" video has a record 11 nominations.

His stage time totaled about 2 minutes, and his professional, smiling demeanor couldn't entirely hide that this was a promotional obligation he wanted to complete quickly. As Jackson and his entourage left the Bryant Park Grill restaurant in midtown, a few fans tried to touch him or, failing that, climb onto his car.

Jackson’s celebrity power lured hundreds of reporters, camera crews and stargazers.

Giuliani sat on the stage for almost 10 minutes, making small talk with MTV CEO Tom Freston, before Jackson came out to say a few sentences and pose for photos shaking the mayor’s hand.

Jackson said he was honored to have so many nominations, and he announced R.E.M. as the winner of this year's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award so named, it is said by insiders at MTV, as a condition for insuring his participation.

Giuliani welcomed the MTV awards back to New York for the second year and promised they will be given "that special New York flair."

1997 – Michael Jackson performs HIStory World Tour in Basel, Switzerland, at Saint Jakob Stadium, attending 40,000.

1998 - Michael attends the Kick Boxing Champion All-Star Match.

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During a press conference held in Japan, Michael Jackson announces the creation of 'Michael Jackson Japan Company Ltd.'.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have joined forces with Prosperity Enterprise Corporation to develop a number of global family-oriented entertainment-driven-themed attractions in Japan and around the world...not just Japan, but this is going to be around the world...to develop a billion-dollar business. 'Michael Jackson Japan Company Ltd.' has been formed,"
the singer declares.

1999 - Michael, Grace and the kids, stop by London where Michael meets Mohamed Al Fayed & Prince Naseem.

2005 - Sony releases the live concert DVD Michael Jackson Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour.

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The concert took place during Jackson's first leg on his Dangerous World Tour on October 1, 1992 at the Bucharest National Stadium, with a sold-out attendance of 70,000. This concert is the only concert by Jackson that has been officially released on DVD in the United States.

All the footage in this version is from the Bucharest concert. The version that appears on the DVD was broadcast on HBO in 1992, which became the highest audience in the channel's history for a single broadcast.

The DVD has sold over a million copies worldwide & certified 6x Platinum in US alone.

2010 - Billie Jean and Thriller versions of the official Michael Jackson dolls went on sale. Two more versions, Beat It and Moonwalk, were scheduled to be released around Christmas 2010 (London).

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