Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Columbus, Georgia

1984 - Michael receive his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Just four years after a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s ‘Walk Of Fame’ was dedicated to the Jacksons, on 20th November 1984 Michael was honoured with his own star.

He was the 1793rd celebrity to be so recognised, but the very first to capture two different stars. At his own request, the star was situated outside Mann’s Chinese Theater.

About 6,000 fans turned out for the presentation, the largest crowd to ever attend such a presentation. Michael appeared at the unveiling of the star for a full 3 minutes, then he was advised by security to leave as the crowd grew out of control.

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A podium and stage had been set up, as the world's most famous entertainer was to be honored on the world's most famous sidewalk, Hollywood's Walk of Fame, a permanent monument that recognizes his life-long contribution to show business.

When Michael mounted the podium, with his mother Katherine, father Joe and Hollywood honorary Mayor Johnny Grant, he waved to the crowd with his gloved hand and delivered a speech of five words:
"Thank you very, very much!"

Fearful that some 6,000 frenzied fans who filled the streets had rebuffed crowd-control efforts, superstar Michael Jackson made the shortest acceptance speech-five words-in the history of Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. Concerned for the safety of the 6,000 fans who turned out to witness the unveiling ceremony, Michael was forced to abandon his planned speech.

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1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

2000 - The entertainer attends the birthday party of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in Englewood, New Jersey, USA, and meets young Elissa Mingino, a 7-year old girl suffering from leukaemia. Her biggest dream was to meet with her favourite singer: Michael Jackson.

2004 - Brian Michael Stoller’s comedy Miss Cast Away featuring Michael is released on DVD.

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As the film opens, a plane carrying beauty contestants has crash-landed on a deserted island. Captain Maximus Powers (Roberts) and co-pilot Mike Saunders (Schlatter) have to take care of their passengers, while also avoiding the dangers of Jurassic Pork (a giant prehistoric pig) and a group of apes who are busy building an ark.

Agent M.J. (Jackson) arrives in the midst of them, having been sent by the Vatican to manipulate them to the Vatican's own purposes.

Bryan Michael Stoller was given permission to shoot Michael Jackson's scenes at Neverland Ranch. He later said that while this was exciting to be given such a rare privilege, it presented its disruptions to the filming process at times. In an MTV interview, he said:

"It's his home. It's all normal to him that there's a train running around the property tooting its horn," the director recalled of a noisy interruption that appears among the DVD's bonus features. "[Another time] his staff brought us soup, so we were sipping soup and talking, and these two elephants walk by outside. Michael's continuing to sip his soup like a fly flew by, and I turn to Michael and look at him and he's not even acknowledging the elephants."

Filed under  //   1974   1979   1984   1987   2000   2004  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - The Jackson 5 on their first European tour in Brussels, Belgium

1973
– The Jackson 5ive performed Dancing Machine, Get it Together and Don't Say Good Bye Again, as well as answering the audience questions. Joe Jackson talked through a home movie of a party at their home family, Michael performed With a Child's Heart.

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1974 - The Jackson 5 perform a concert in Oakland, California

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Cleveland, Ohio

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, USA attending 66,000

1991 - TV Guide featured Michael on their cover with the story The Making Of Michael Jackson's New Video

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Michael begins filming the video of Remember The Time in Los Angeles directed by John Singleton and featuring Eddie Murphy, Iman & Magic Johnson.

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2005 - Michael Jackson attends Rosa Parks' funeral service in Detroit, Michigan. The megastar assists a 7-hour long long ceremony, seated between Park's relatives. Tens of politicians, businessmen, religious leaders and people of the show business are present to pay their respects to the woman having made the fights for the civil rights in America possible. Among the famous guests were Reverend Jesse Jackson, former president, Bill Clinton, then president George W. Bush and singer Aretha Franklin. Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92, notably famous for refusing to leave her seat on a bus to a white man, in 1955, Montgomery city. Her arrest caused the protest against the racial discriminations led by Martin Luther King Jr.

Filed under  //   1972   1973   1974   1979   1984  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive in concert, South America.

"Whatever You Got, I Want/I Can't Quit Your Love" (Motown 1308), featured on the Jackson 5 album, DANCING MACHINE, is released. The single was recorded Nov. 1, 1973 at the Motown Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California, written by Mel Larson, Jerry & Gene Marcellino, arranged by James Carmichael and produced by Mel Larson & Jerry Marcellino.

Michael, in an interview with Don Cornelius in 1974, stated Whatever You Got, I Want was originally recorded for one of his solo albums.
Released as the lead single from the album in the US, it peaked at #3 on the R&B singles chart and #38 on the Hot 100. I Can't Quit Your Love was originally featured on the Jackson 5’s album, SKYWRITER.

1992 - Michael's first ever concert in the former Iron Curtain country of Romania took place at Lia Manoliu Stadium in Bucharest, in front of 70,000 fans. Michael sold the film rights to the concert to HBO (Home Box Office), an American cable station, for a $20 million – the deal was the highest ever paid for a live concert.


Michael chooses a concert in Bucharest, Romania for worldwide television broadcast, to draw attention to the country being known for then large number of institutionalized children from special homes.

More plus points for Bucharest:
* The concert was so important and so big in Romania that postal stamps were issued and the ink stamper bore MJ's name, image and date of the Bucharest concert on EVERY single letter, postcard, parcel - you name it! - in the whole country.
*The SC lean was performed.
*Televised live to America on HBO with posters proclaiming "He's not coming to America!" HBO had some massive ass ratings on October 10.

1993 - The BPI certified the Michael Jackson album "Dangerous" at six times platinum.

1994 - Issue 39 of the Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael & Lisa on the cover with the headline: De lijdensweg van Lisa Marie Presley [The agony of Lisa Marie Presly]

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1996 - Michael donates earnings from one of his concerts in Tunisia to the "National Solidarity Fund", charity dedicated to fighting poverty.

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1997 - Michael arrives in Cape Town, with Omer Bhatti.

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1999 - Michael attends a jewish service in New York with Uri Geller & Schmuley Boteach.

2003 - Michael makes an appearance at a charity event Light The Way for Lupus, an Evening of Love, Light and Laughter to raise funds for Lupus Los Angeles on Wednesday, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. During the charity event, sponsored by the Lupus Research Institute, Michael makes a speech and presents the Medical Visionary Award to his Dr Alan Metzger in recognition for his work to aid Lupus patients.

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Nicole Paxson, MJ, Dr. Allan Metzger & his grandson Kailen Metzger, age two & a half.
Filed under  //   1974   1992   1993   1994   1996   1997   1999   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform Life Of The Party at the Sonny Comedy Revue.

1977 - In the September 22, 1977 issue of Jet magazine, Michael gave an interview to deny a slew of rumors.

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Now a young adult, Michael’s private life was open to speculation in the press. It wasn’t long before strange rumors began to surface about him, an unavoidable consequence of fame that would become a constant burden for the rest of his life.

Michael deny a slew of rumors that by then had become urban legends: that he had gone skinny dipping with thirteen-year-old Tatum O’Neal, that he was gay, that he had taken hormones to keep his voice or had a sex change operation.

Still a year and a half away from his first nose job, insecure because of his post-adolescent complexion, Michael’s delicate psyche was already having to defend itself against the suspicious scrutiny of strangers.

1980 - The Jacksons' Can You Feel It is released as the first track on their album Triumph.

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Written by brothers Jackie and Michael, the song featured solo leads by Randy and Michael, recorded in March 1980. Released as a single in 1981, the song reached #77 on the pop charts and #30 on the R&B charts in United States, but reached #6 in the UK and #2 in The Netherlands in 1981.

The accompanying video, was noted for its remarkable special effects. Michael created the video's concept, and Tito's sons Taj and Taryll appeared as extras. In 2001, it was voted one of the 100 best videos of all time, in a poll to mark the 20th anniversary of MTV. The title was also used for a 2009 greatest hits compilation.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at RFK Stadium in Washington [D.C., USA] attending 45,000 fans.

LA Semaine magazine [Canada] featured Michael on their cover.

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1989 - The Capital Children's Museum honored Michael with the "Best of Washington 1989 Humanitarian Award" in recognition of his efforts in raising funds for the hands on educational museum, as well as for his never-ending altruistic efforts of improving children's lives.
Although Michael is unable to attend, he does send a video taped thank you speech. The award is officially given to Michael at the 8th annual Best Of Washington Celebrity Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Sheraton Washington Hotel (Washington, D.C.).

1990 - In September 1990, Black Entertainment’s Television celebrates its 10th anniversary. A special edition devoted to the Network was featured on September 22 issue of Billboard. Michael Jackson was among those congratulating BET: “I am extremely appreciative of BET’s support of my efforts. They have always provided a welcome home for my music”.

1992 - Michael perform a concert at Calderón Stadium in Madrid, Vicente attending 40,000 fans.

1993 - Michael arrives in Istanbul [Turkey] with Frank & Eddie. He goes to the cinema To watch Jurassik Park!

1995 - Michael was inducted into the Black Entertainment's Television Walk of Fame.

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Michael was in Washington DC, to join the 15th Anniversary celebrations of Black Entertainment Television.

As well as singing You Are Not Alone with the Union Temple Baptist Choir, he became the first inductee in BET’s newly founded Walk Of Fame – created to recognize contributions to the music industry by African American artists.

Robert L. Johnson, BET’s president, presented a special plaque to Michael, who said he was ‘really proud’ and that it was ‘a great honour’. The BET show was screened, on American cable television, on 6th December 1995.

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1998 - Michael attends another Janet concert in Orlando Spends Time with Lisa Marie and her children.

2001 - You Rock My World video is premiered.
You Rock My World, the lead single from INVINCIBLE, opened with a spoken exchange by Michael and Chris Tucker. The pair starred in the accompanying short film as well, with Marlon Brando and Michael Madson guesting and Paul Hunter directing.

Three versions of the promo were released, two edits and the full length version which ran to almost 14 minutes, and echoed some of the mood of Smooth Criminal. In most countries, the promo premiered on 21st September, but American fans had to wait another five days before they could watch it. On September 26, 2001 the clip premièred on TRL in the U.S.A.

You Rock My World, in reaching no.10, gave Michael his first Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 since You Are Not Alone in 1995. It did slightly less well – no.13 – on the R&B chart.

Filed under  //   1974   1977   1984   1989   1990   1992   1993   1995   1998   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Michael's single Ben entered Hot R&B Chart.
The song was released on Aug 05

1974 – Michael Jackson was guest host at Tonight Show with Bill Cosby. He performed the "Dancing Machine".



1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory Tour at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Michigan attending 47,900.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory world tour at Valle Hovin stadium, Oslo, Norway.

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Blood on the Dance Floor was taken off the set list for HIStory Tour after this concert.

Filed under  //   1972   1974   1984   1997  

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.

Filed under  //   1969   1973   1974   1992   1995  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 are on the cover of Jet magazine for the first time.

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The Jackson father admitted that his sons' success is a dream come true for him... The group didn't spring to instant success without working for it. When Michael was three the group won a local talent show singing the Temptation's hit, My Girl. Through the years they appeared in talent shows and sang at affairs in the Midwest.
Featured Article Will Success Spoil The Jackson Five?
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1974 - The Jackson 5 appear in concert in Huntsville, Alabama.

1988 - Michael Jackson performed to a capacity audience of 60,000 in Madrid, Spain (Bad Tour).

1994 - Jackson and then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, visit two children’s facilities in Budapest, Hungary, distributing 2,600 toys to the afflicted patients, while "HTWF", along with partners "Toys 'R' Us" and "AmeriCares", distribute 20,000-dollar-worth toys, food and provisions suchlike therein.

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The newly married were joined by Misha, a 74-inch dwarf who has already been recognized in the circus world as the smallest man in the world. Misha is a longtime friend of Michael & he was involved in the shooting of the clip of Jackson. Misha (as you can see the cover of "Dangerous" and the "teaser" from the same album) has submitted following the couple with two huge bouquets of flowers. They then visited all three in two hospitals to distribute gifts to some 200 children.

Author of "Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary", Adrian Grant, also present at the facilities, remembers a highlight of this event 10 years later in an interview for a fan magazine:

"During the visit, the most amazing thing happened, when Michael brought a smile on the face of a dying 8-year old girl who had lain motionless and silent for weeks. Her mother, at her side in constant vigil, broke down in tears as her daughter reached out & touched Michael's hand. Sounds like a miracle! It was great to see the positive effect Michael’s superstar status could have on a person...", says Grant.

They also visited the hospital Pal Heim, a building that was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1896. Lisa Marie then took her in his arms alternately Csilla including several children, a girl aged two years. They were equally well received at Bethesda Hospital, also located in Budapest where they meet Bela Farkas, a little boy in need of a transplant, a boy of four who can survive only if undergoing a liver transplant, an operation that can be made in the West.

They then visited some antique shops and record stores.

By late afternoon, Michael decided to return to the Bethesda hospital to review the little Bela Farkas. Moved by his story they decide to fiance his operation that will save his life, then promised the director of the hospital to do what it takes to help this child to be cared for. He also promised to offer the Bethesda hospital air conditioning and a respirator for this clinic, one of whose specialties is to treat lung diseases. These commitments were the singer confirmed two days later by the spokesman for Michael, who said it would pay U.S. $ 150,000 for the small to undergo the transplant that saved his life.

1996 - A special screening of Michael Jackson's film "Ghosts" was shown at the opening night of the 1997 Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in California. Bruce Fessier described the festivities in an article published in the "Dessert Sun" the following day,

"The opening night of the 'Palm Springs International Short Film Festival' showcased the potential of short film and video and the talent of Michael Jackson. Almost 450 people filled the Palm Springs Dessert Museum's Annenberg Theater on Wednesday to view 2.5 hours of film... and a screening of Jackson's 40-minute short musical film, 'Ghosts', with remarks by its director, Stan Winston... the night ended with praise for Jackson. The crowd buzzed over the special effects in 'Ghosts' and the skill Jackson exhibited by playing all the lead characters with diverse looks and voices. Winston said 'Ghosts' is a hit in Europe but can't get promoted here because 'people believe what they read' about Jackson. 'I stand here and say he's a really great guy', Winston said."
Filed under  //   1970   1974   1988   1994   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1968 - The Jackson 5ive were officially signed to Motown Records during a meeting with Joe Seltzer. Michael Jackson was just 9 years old.

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After seeing the video tape of J5's performance, Berry Gordy immediately decided to sign the group to his prestigious label.

Gordy was especially taken with young Michael. His early mastery of the moves of James Brown is incredible. He duplicates his idol's steps perfectly.
This eager, unjaded nine-year-old, only months away from the end of his childhood--a childhood he would pursue for the rest of his life--charmed Gordy with his dancing ability & the emotion with which the 9 year old sang.

"This little kid had an incredible knowingness about him that really made me notice. He sang his songs with such feeling, inspiration and pain – like he had experience of everything he was singing about." Gordy recalls.
Although he and Joe Jackson signed a contract on July 26, the group’s existing contract with Steeltown had to be dealt with before the new one could be considered legal.

1974 - Jackson 5ive in Concert, Buffalo (New York)

1988 - Michael performs Bad World Tour in Cardiff, Wales, at Cardiff Arms Park.

1991 - Michael & Emmanuel Lewis visit the "Community Youth Sports & Art Foundation" Center in Los Angeles, California, (charity addressing drug abuse problems and approaching relief programs for families with gang members), talks to the children there, offers them financial support and a wide-screen television set.

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1997 - "The Best of Michael Jackson And The Jackson 5" hit #5 in the U.K.

Filed under  //   1968   1974   1988   1991   1997  

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.

1973 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Pittsburg ( Pennsylvania )

1974 - Jackson 5ive Concert in Trenton ( New Jersey )

1984 – Publicity of the Michael Jackson doll begins.

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Thriller era saw the arrival of novelties like the Michael Jackson barbie doll: Thriller breaking all previous sales records & with the Victory tour playing to unprecedented crowds, a flood of MJ merchandise hit the market. Back in July of 1984, four MJ dolls authorized by Michael were marketed by LJN Toys inc. The 12″ vinyl Michael Jackson Superstar Doll appeared in stores in at a price of $12. The poseable doll had a molded jherri curl & came in 4 different, supposedly “authentic stage outfits”, from the videos of “Beat It” and “Thriller”, and red jacket from the AMA and the 3-musketeer’s inspired purple & gold sequin jacket from Grammys. The barbie sized dolls each came with a stand, a microphone, his famous glittering ‘Magic’ glove, glitter socks, and a tiny pair of mirror sunglasses.

1988 – Micheal visits sick children again at the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He visits critically ill children and their parents at the “Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital”, where he spends longer time with the less critical patients, reserving words of comfort to them, reading them stories and delivering presents, including albums, signed photos and T-shirts. He associates himself with the “Wishing Well Fund” for sponsoring the contruction of a novel unit, as part of the “Hospital for Sick Children” in Great Ormond Street, London, England.

Notably, 9-year old Neil Clark, having undergone live-saving surgery to remove a brain tumour – and originally not scheduled to see the popstar – is visited by the singer, the boy’s father declaring with gratitude that the visit “cheered my son up”. 4-year-old Joanne Doeffer, having undergone a throat operation and breathing through a special tube, was visited by the star, the meet-and-greet prompting her to struggle and say “Thriller” to a delighted Jackson.

During his Bad Tour (as well as other tours of his), he was reported to be joined backstage prior to his concerts by children with illnesses from the respective local areas of his performances, with whom the entertainer would pose for pictures and sign autographs to, often, the singer spending time purchasing and assembling playthings he would personally deliver to them the following day, according to Seth Riggs, Jackson’s vocal coach.

1988 – Michael was presented with a Sword to commemorate the Bad Tour at the Guildhall party.

In the evening, a banquet is held to commemorate the imminent Bad shows at Wembley Stadium. King of Pop became the first ever commoner to enter the London’s historic Guildhall’s Royal Entrance, a unique privilege that required the Queen’s personal approval.

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His arrival was heralded by the red-jacketed trumpeters of the Life Guard cavalry, usually seen marching along the Mall. There followed a pounds 75,000 banquet, during which the roast beef was paraded through the room by the Corps of Drums of the Honourable Artillery Company.

Dancers in Olde English costume scattered rose petals at Michael’s feet. Then he watched wide-eyed as first Henry VIII, then Elizabeth I, Lord Nelson, Nell Gwynn, Robin Hood, Maid Marion and Dick Whittington paid their respects.

Ballet dancers burst from a box.

Fire-eaters, jugglers, jesters and Elizabethan musicians visited his table. Then Michael was stunned as Merlin appeared in a puff of smoke, and glittering knights in armour bowed before him.

Michael took the salute as the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers beat the retreat, walking up and down a line of liveried Life Guard troops as if he were a general inspecting them.

He bopped lightly on his heels as the band played and grinned wildly when they launched into a version of Billie Jean.

Then a knight in shining armour galloped across the courtyard, leapt from his saddle, pulled a sword from a stone and went down on one knee before handing the sword to Michael.

He was blissfully unaware of the historical significance, and handed the sword – the sword King Arthur pulled from the stone before he recruited the knights of the Round Table Knights of the Round Table – to a 7ft minder wearing a top hat, and made him the King of England.

1996 – Michael Jackson visited Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, South Africa. He also announced that he was working on a film about Mandela.

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.

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