Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed under  //   1970   1983   1988   1991   1993   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1983 - Issue: 40 of Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

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

1994 - Michael & Lisa attend Elvis: The Tribute, celebrity concert in tribute to Elvis at The Pyramid arena in Memphis, Tennessee, with Janet & Rene and Lisa's mother Priscilla Presley.

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Among the artists paying great tribute were: Michael Bolton ("Jailhouse Rock"), Melissa Etheridge ("Burning Love"), U2 ("Can't Help Falling in Love"), Tony Bennett ("Love Me Tender"), Carl Perkins ("Blue Suede Shoes"), Tanya Tucker ("Teddy Bear") and Jim Belushi and Quentin Tarantino ("Viva Las Vegas"). In addition, there was an extra scene from the '68 comeback special of Elvis performing "One Night with You" and various clips of Presley performing his hit songs individually spliced together.

The show aired live as a Pay-Per-View event, and in condensed form as an ABC television special later that year.

Michael starts recording a duet with Janet.

1997 - Michael is best man at his friend Gerry Inzerillo's wedding to Prudence Salomon, SA.

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1999 - Debbie officially files for divorce and sign a confidentiality agreement.

Spokesman Howard Rubenstein said in a statement that Michael and wife Debbie filed for divorce: "Michael and Debbie remain friends and they ask that the public respect their desire not to further comment or speculate upon the reasons for their decision."

2005 - Michael & Grace take the kids to see the stage show of Billy Elliot. They are accompanied by Mark Lester & his family.

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The singer arrived at London's Victoria Palace theatre in a people carrier and security staff forced a path for him through a scrum of fans and photographers to the building's front door.

Michael turned up at the theatre 15 minutes after the show's scheduled start after leaving the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, where he is staying, a mile away.

He is in London to record a charity song, From The Bottom Of My Heart, in aid of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The West End musical of Billy Elliot tells the tale of a boy growing up in a tough mining town in the north of England who has a fascination with ballet. Sir Elton John has provided music for the stage makeover of the successful film.

Filed under  //   1983   1993   1994   1997   1999   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1983 - Say Say Say, humorous short firm directed by Bob Giraldi, filmed between 4th and 7th October.

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The short film featured 'Mac & Jack' as travelling salesmen-cum-vaudeville artists, and co-starred Paul's wife Linda, Michael's sister La Toya, and Mr T (from The A Team), To accommodate Jackson's busy schedule, McCartney flew in specially for filming the video at Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley, California; that was the first time Michael Jackson saw the Santa Ynez Valley Ranch and he feel in love with it and bought Neverland shortly afterward. The video cost $500,000 to produce.

In the short film, Mac and Jack sell a "miracle potion". The salesman (McCartney) offers Jackson the potion, and claims that it is "guaranteed to give you the strength of a raging bull". Jackson drinks the potion and challenges a large man to arm wrestle. Unbeknownst to a watching crowd, the man—along with Linda—is also in on the scam.

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After Jackson wins the rigged contest, the crowd of people surge forward and buy the potion. Mac and Jack then donate all of the money earned from the scam to an orphanage. Later, while in a hotel, Jackson enters the bathroom as McCartney shaves. The latter playfully dabs shaving foam on Jackson's cheek, despite the fact that the younger man does not need a shave. After this scene, McCartney and Jackson star as vaudeville performers who sing and dance at a bar. On stage, the duo appear in clown makeup at one point and quickly go through a number of costume changes. Jackson's love interest, with whom he flirts, was played by his sister La Toya. The video ends with Paul, Linda and Michael as drive they off into the sunset. La Toya, who was handed a bunch of flowers by McCartney, is left at the roadside.

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

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford [US].

1992 - Epsilon magazine[Greece] featured Michael on their cover.

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1996 - Michael attends a performance of one of his favorite musicals, Lionel Bart's 'Oliver' at the Palladium Theatre, London and poses with cast members. He is in London to work on the "Ghost" soundtrack.

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1997 - Michael performs the first of five HIStory concert at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa attending 25,000.

2000 - News broke that Michael has finished recording the new album and that the album is now in mixing stage. Michael Jackson and engineer Bruce Swedien hope to be done with this crucial and final artistic stage by late January 2001. Provided everything goes in accordance with this working schedule, the new album could exit the mastering stage in the Spring of 2001 and be ready for a release early in the Summer of 2001.

Filed under  //   1979   1983   1987   1988   1992   1996   1997   2000  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1977 - The Wiz rehearsals began in New York City.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in New Orleans, United States.

1983 - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's single "Say, Say, Say/Ode To A Koala Bear" was released in the United Kingdom.

The song was produced by George Martin for McCartney's 5th solo album, Pipes of Peace, became MJ's 7th top 10 hit inside a year. It was a #1 hit in the U.S., Norway, and Sweden, reached #2 in the U.K., and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Certified platinum by the RIAA, the song was promoted with a music video directed by Bob Giraldi. The video, filmed in Santa Ynez Valley, California, featured cameo appearances by Linda McCartney and La Toya Jackson. The short film centers around two con artists called "Mac and Jack" (played by McCartney and Jackson), and is credited for the introduction of dialogue and storyline to music videos.

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

Issue: 20 of Oor magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

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Issue: 40 of Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford [US].

1990 - Smash Hits magazine[United Kingdom] featured Michael on the cover with the story: A Day Round Michael Jackson's House!!

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1995 - Michael arrives in London to complete work on the soundtrack for the Ghosts Short film.

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1996 - In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Michael visits hospitals "Ronald McDonald House" and "AMC", interacts with the patients and distributes toys and other presents to them. A unit from one of the hospitals (for parents who want to be with their children) is named after Jackson.

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2007 - Michael's issue of L'Uomo Vogue Magazine hit the newstands in Italy.

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Filed under  //   1977   1979   1983   1987   1988   1990   1995   1996   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - The Jackson 5 perform for "Save The Children", a film theme of the 1972 "Black Exposition" and conducted by "Operation PUSH" ("People To Save Humanity").

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In honor of the Save The Children foundation, the Jackson 5 participate, with the greatest Black artists of the era, at the series of concerts given during 5 days at t annual event organized by the Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago. The Black PUSH Expo '72 benefit concert at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, IL at the PUSH Expo: Save the Children (2:00 pm show). The Jackson 5ive performing I Want You Back, ABC & I Wanna Be Where You Are.
The show was filmed and included in the concert movie double LP Save The Children includes the best moments: the event highlighting, among musical acts, footage of the city’s black population, their churches, schools, slums and playgrounds, and promoting the hope for an improved future, benefiting the children of Chicago, Illinois. It was released a few month later, in 1974, at Motown, which artists are widely represented.

1983 - The Jacksons sign boxing tycoon, Don King, as promoter of their forthcoming tour.


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When King contracted to stage the “Victory Tour” in 1984 he no doubt saw it as the first step to becoming the biggest promoter in the world of entertainment . “Thriller” had come out the year before, and Michael Jackson was the biggest name in show business. And King as the co-promoted the Victory Tour netted approximately $150 million.
According to Michael Jackson attorney Michael Branca, Michael did not want to be associated with King but went along with his participation due to pressure by his parents and his brothers.
Branca thought King wanted to use the tour as a "beachhead" to become a dominant music promoter.
King & The King: Don King with Michael Jackson. Instead of hanging in King's office, the photo of him with the King of Pop -- taken circa 1983 at Michael's house in Los Angeles -- is at King's home


1992 - Michael officially launched his Foundation in Bucharest, Romania.
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At "Teatrul de Revista Constantin Tanase" theater from Bucharest, Michael holds a press conference before his Dangerous concert there, discussing the Heal The World Foundation tenets in a press conference, before which a group of children sing "Heal The World" to him.
"I’m very happy to be here... in Romania, and (?) my concert live on HBO, and to help the children. Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Prime Minister. These children are as dear to me as all the children of the world. Today, I’ve had the opportunity to see the face of transformation and civilization. A moment like this means healing the world. We must heal the world and ourselves. We have to weave our life like a web, because we are part of this web. Out of negligence, we have contaminated and polluted our planet and, in exchange, we hurt ourselves. In the life songs of ages is the dance of our blood. The environment is an extension of our body and it gives the pulse of love, is the orchestra of universe’s symphony. It is music’s territory and enables us to rediscover our souls. Let’s rejoice together in love today, unity and conciliation. Let’s heal everybody and, thus, heal ourselves. Let us make a covenant with life and let us celebrate with joy a new world... and healed. Thank you... especially, to all the children of the world. I love you all. Thank you so much.. Thank you.."
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He also finances a playground for 500 homeless children there via Playday, in the amount of 10,000 dollars, and inaugurated by then Romanian President, Ion Iliescu. A portion of the proceeds from this concert is reported to have been directed to the Serbian refugees at the time. A press booklet distributed at the launch contained an interview with Michael, in which he described the Heal The World Foundation as 'an international foundation I have formed to formalise, focus and spearhead my activities and desires, to help improve conditions in our world... In order to heal the world, we must start by first healing our children.'

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Michael visits the "Leaganul De Copii Sfanta Ecaterina" care facility and its children, in Bucharest, Romania, on a halt from his "Dangerous" tour. He spends quite a large amount of time in the orphanage, where 5-year old Alice, whose mother was an employee at the facility, gives to a gracious Jackson a drawing and photo album created by the home's children, which he patiently browses.

During his stay in Bucharest, he also takes time to visit the Snagov Monastery, built by Vlad Tepes, the so-called Dracula; he requests privacy, and spends 6 hours inside, reportedly, in order to pray and explore the building, but agrees to sign an autograph for one of the female journalists waiting outside.

1996 - Michael performs HIStory tour at Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam [The Netherlands] attending 50,000 fans.

1999 - Glucks Post magazine(Austria) featured MJ on the cover.

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2000 - Michael sells his merchandising rights to Dieter Wiesner who creates MJ NET Entertainment.
Filed under  //   1972   1983   1992   1996   1999   2000  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1966 - The Jackson family spent some of their summers visiting Joe Jackson’s father, Samuel Jackson, in Winslow, Arizona. During their time there, they occasionally performed local shows.

One such show took place at Winslow’s Elks Lodge on August 20, 1966. Also, sometime during this year (probably earlier), Michael had joined the group to win a talent show contest at Gary's Roosevelt High School, where his older brothers were students.

1983 - The Jackson 5 compilation album "18 Greatest Hits" hit #1 in the U.K.

Edited Telstar 16 Motown singles, plus Happy and We've Got A Good Thing Going on this compilation.
Reissue July 1988 by Motown.
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1. One Day In Your Life
2. Lookin' Through The Windows
3. Got To Be There
4. Doctor My Eyes
5. Ben
6. ABC
7. We're Almost There
8. Skywriter
9. Rockin' Robin
10. Happy
11. Ain't No Sunshine
12. I'll Be There
13. I Want You Back
14. The Love You Save
15. We've Got A Good Thing Going
16. Mama's Pearl
17. Never Can Say Goodbye
18. Hallelujah Day

A heavy advertising campaign, coupled with the phenomenal success of "Thriller" (which dominated the world rankings in 1983) begat a surprising success in the charts.
"18 Greatest Hits" spent more than a year in the UK charts and became the 10th sale of the year 1983 (the first being Thriller).
Happy for the first time appeared on the album "Music and Me" (1973) and was released as a single for the first time in 1983 to promote this compilation. The English original 45s included a free poster (as will be the tradition in the promotion of Michael's solo albums for Epic). Well, the first Michael tube was brought out to this promotion.

1992 - Michael perform first of three concert at Wembley Stadium, London attending 72,000 fans.

1993 - On 21st/22nd August, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) served search warrants on Neverland Valley and Michael’s condominium in Century City. Several boxes of items were removed but, contrary to press reports, nothing that could be termed 'evidence' was discovered.
'The search warrant,' a LAPD spokesman confirmed, 'didn’t result in anything that would support a criminal filing.'

1996 - On January 18th, 1996, it was announced that Lisa Marie Presley had filed for divorce from Michael Jackson. The divorce would become final on August 20th, 1996.

Filed under  //   1966   1983   1992   1993   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1977 - The album "The Jacksons" hit #54 in the U.K.

1983 - Michael Jackson's single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" hit #5 in the U.S.

1988 - Princess Diana of Wales attended Michael's third sold-out concert at Wembley Stadium, along with Prince Charles.

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Prior to taking the stage, Michael met with royal couple & presented a $450,000 cheque for the Princes' Trust, a charity for disadvantaged children; from the proceeds of the seven-sold-out Wembley concerts. He also gave Princess two custom made Bad World Tour jackets; one each for her young sons, Prince William & Prince Harry, and a framed set of cassettes & compact discs of Off The wall, Thriller & Bad. MJ is said to be Princess Diana's favorite pop star! Michael was equally happy to meet her. "I was so excited at meeting the royal couple. I'm very very happy that they came to watch me perform. I thought the Princess was just wonderful"

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MJ & Di:

  • In 1997 Michael postponed his world tour concert in Belgium due to the emotional shock of Diana's death, attended an L.A. memorial service dedicated to her.
  • From September 3 concert onward, Michael's cover of Charlie Chaplin's song Smile was played back before each concert after Princess Diana's death showing pictures of the princess on the jumbotron for some parts of the concert.
  • In 1997 Michael granted his Gone Too Soon song to the Tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales album.
  • On September 12, 1997, Michael gave his memories his personal recollections on being friends with the Princess to Barbara Walters in an internationally televised interview.
    "Up until 13 days ago perhaps the two most photographed people in the world were Princess Diana, and Michael Jackson. Now only one remains to talk about what it means to live under that kind of scrutiny.
    When it comes to the paparazzi, Michael Jackson says he feels a bond with Princess Diana. Paparazzi have been a part of his life since he was a small child."
    Source: MJFC
  • In 2007, in pre-concert interview Prince William listed Michael Jackson as one of Diana's most favourite music acts.

  • Michael also made a donation of ₤100,000 to the Wishing Well Fund, established to help finance the construction of a new building for London's Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital for Sick Children. Michael toured the hospital & visited with some of the patients.

    1996 - Michael Jackson performed in Brunei to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Sultan of Brunei - Sir Hassanai Bokiah - the world’s richest man.

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    Michael warmed up for his History World Tour with the one-off concert concert staged inside the Sultan’s Jerudong Park Garden, a Disney-style theme park where admission and all the rides are free. Admission to Michael’s concert was free, too, and around 60,000 fans packed into the park to attend his two hour show. Michael performed 18 songs, mostly from his previous Dangerous Tour set list. Apart from the black lace jacket he wore in the promo for You Are Not Alone, Michael re-used the stage outfits he had worn during the Dangerous World Tour.
    Filed under  //   1977   1983   1988   1996  

    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

    1983 - Liberace and Jackson attend a party at the Shubert Theater after the Dreamgirls opening, Los Angeles.


    According to Michael, Liberace used to live across the street, and the Jacksons would visit him and look at his diamonds. ~Lisa Robinson
    Filed under  //   1983  

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