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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Filed under  //   1972   1973   1984   1992   1994  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph tour at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, U.S.

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

Lisa Robinson on Michael: "I took Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth to see the show at Madison Square Garden, and we met Michael in a private area of the Garden’s rotunda. I was surprised at how different Michael looked from the last time I’d seen him, how much makeup he was wearing (it rubbed off on my clothing when we hugged hello), but mostly I was surprised how fully aware he was of just exactly who David Lee Roth was—probably even to the number of records Van Halen had sold and their chart positions."

1998 - Michael & Stevie Wonder visit the Motown Museum in Detroit with Berry Gordy’s sister Ester Edwards.

Filed under  //   1981   1984   1998  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory Tour in East Rutherford, New Jersey attending 44,282, including Katherine, Janet, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon & Bob Girladi among others.

1992 - Michael fetches characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse from Euro-Disney, returns from Disneyland Paris with his helicopter and lands on Haggerston park. Together they went to the "Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children" in London, and distributes toys to the ill children there.

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Filed under  //   1984   1992  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1968 – The Jackson 5 give an audition to Motown at the Hittsville Studio in Detroit.

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On July 23, 1968, at around 10 a.m., the band’s audition in Detroit was videotaped. Although the record company’s president, Berry Gordy, was not present, several members of Motown’s creative department were there to witness.

After performing an impressive set with James Brown’s then current hit "I Got the Feelin'" and “Who’s Lovin’ You”, the audition tape was sent to Gordy two days later, whereupon he immediately decided to sign the group to his prestigious label.

"I canceled the Frost show, Bobby Taylor wanted to take us to Motown to audition, and we decided to go. We’ve all been sleeping on the floor at Bobby’s. The boys have already auditioned -- Motown even filmed it. We haven’t been offered a contract yet, but, judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces, Kate, I know it’s going to happen!"
Joe explained excitedly.

1984 – The Jacksons concert their Victory Tour at Jacksonville [Florida, USA] by Gator Bowl, attending 45,000.

1984 – Michael Jackson is on People magazine.

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Michael Jackson is on McLean’s magazine.

Michael Jackson is on Sound Magazine.

1988 – Bad World Tour London [England, U.K.] Wembley Stadium, attending 72,000.

Michael Jackson’s single “Dirty Diana” hit #4 in the U.K.

1994 – Michael Jackson is on Derniere Heure Magazine & Le Lundi Magazine.


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1998 – Disneyland Paris announced that August 17, 1998 would be the last day that Michael Jackson’s Captain EO will be shown.

Filed under  //   1968   1984   1994   1998  

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.

Filed under  //   1971   1973   1974   1984   1988   1996   2004  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 – The Jacksons, performing at Jacksonville, Florida entertain eight children suffering from incurable diseases. 14-year-old Malanda Cooper, a young victim who only has a short time to live, writes the Major asking to see Michael. Michael meets her backstage prior to the performance. Later, 700 disadvantaged children were treated to the show.
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Michael & Van Halen during the performance of "Beat It"
During the second concert in Irving, Dallas (Texas), guitarist Eddie Van Halen makes a guest appearance. on Friday night Van Halen, who is in town for his own concert Saturday night, joins Michael on stage to play his guitar solo on “Beat It” during. The concert attended by Prince & Emmanuel Lewis among others.

1988 – Michael Jackson is on Bravo Magazine, Germany.

1988 - Michael Jackson began his first British tour at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the first of seven sellout dates.

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Michael broke all existing attendance records during the 2nd leg of the Bad World Tour, when he played 7 sold out shows at London's 72,000-seat Wembley Stadium to a record 504,000 fans!
This earned Michael a 3rd entry into the Guinness World Records from the Bad tour alone & a special award from the management of the Wembley stadium.
The 1st concert was attended by numerous celebrities including Shirley Bassey, Jack Nicholson, Frank Bruno, George Lucas, Harrison Ford & Jane Seymour.
When tickets for the 7 dates went on sale in January, the demand exceeded 1.5 million -- enough to sell-out the 72,000 capacity venue 20 times!

The 1st concert was attended by numerous celebrities including Shirley Bassey, Jack Nicholson, Frank Bruno, George Lucas, Harrison Ford & Jane Seymour.
Tickets for the initial 7 dates went on sale in January, with ticket demand exceeding 1.5 million, enough to sell-out the 72,000 capacity venue 20 times!

Bad World Tour
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The Bad World Tour was Michael Jackson’s first ever solo tour, beginning on 12th September 1987 in Tokyo, Japan and ending January 27, 1989 in Los Angeles, California. Touring the globe, there were stops in 15 countries on 4 continents, and included 123 concerts to about 4.4 million people.

The Bad World Tour became the largest grossing tour in history, making over $125 million. In May 1988, Michael embarked on his European leg of the Bad World Tour, selling out shows at most venues in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Austria and other countries.

2002 - Michael Jackson was knocked to the ground by a mob of fans at London's Paddington station.

2006 - A civil court awarded a former Michael Jackson adviser $900,000 and awarded Jackson $200,000 in a cross-complaint. The suit stemmed from F. Marc Schaffel's complaint that he had not been paid for his work on two Jackson videos.

Filed under  //   1984   1988   2002   2006  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - The Jacksons' new album, Victory, was released.

1984 - The Jacksons' "Victory" tour's opening concert was performed at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.


The Victory Tour was the biggest & final concert tour of the U.S. & Canada by The Jacksons, reunited with Jermaine; the tour included 55 concerts to an audience of approx. 2 million over the course of 5 months. With the most ambitious design & execution ever created for the concert stage which took 4 months to construct, the tour showcased Michael's single decorated glove, black sequined jacket & moonwalk, which captivated audiences around the world (Missouri).

The NAACP presents Michael with the 1984 Dr. H. Claude Hudson Medal of Freedom Award. Michael & Tito also accepted the 1984 Olympic Medal of Friendship Award on behalf of the entire Jackson Family (Los Angeles, CA).

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1992 – Michael Jackson performs his Dangerous World Tour in Monza, Italy, attending 46,000 at the Brianteo Stadium. At the Monza (Milano) Italy concert Michael Jackson met the sculptor Enzo Arzenton and his wife Laura.


Michael Jackson was very interested in promoting the sculpture "Thriller Capodimonte" to collectors, for some reason the deal was never consummated and in the end only six pieces were made.

1997 – Michael Jackson performs his History World Tour at the Olympia Stadium in Munchen.

2002 – Michael Jackson protested with some 150 people in front of Sony Music Headquarters in New York.

Earlier that day, in front of a crowd of 350 people inside Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters in Harlem, Jackson said of Mottola: "He's a racist, and he's very, very, very devilish."

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Jackson, who rarely makes public appearances, made three on Saturday in New York. At a rally at Sharpton's National Action Network in Harlem, Jackson railed against recording companies but singled out Mottola for criticism, saying he's "mean, he's a racist, and he's very, very, very devilish," according to published reports. Michael Jackson lashed out at the music industry's treatment of black artists -- including himself -- in an appearance on Saturday with New York civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton.
"The record companies really do conspire against the artists," Jackson, 43, told an adoring crowd of around 350 people inside Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters in Harlem. "Especially the black artists."

The former boy wonder of the Jackson Five said generations of black musicians have been hurt and manipulated by profit-grabbing record companies, and called attention to his own dispute with label Sony Music.

"When you fight for me, you're fighting for all black people, dead and alive," Jackson said.
Jackson appeared at Sharpton's House of Justice, dressed in all black—including two black gloves—and before a packed audience of mostly middle-aged or older blacks, spoke of the "conspiracy" of record companies against artists.

"They steal. They cheat. They do whatever they can—especially [to] the black artists," he said. "Sony's Tommy Mottola, the president of the record division, he is mean, he's racist, and he is very, very, very devilish. So, I need your support, not just for me. When you fight for me, you fight for all black people—dead and alive."

Jackson alleged that Mottola referred to another Sony artist as a "fat, black nigger." Sharpton, exhorting the audience about blacks being dissed, stated, echoing the Gloved One, that people had come to Jackson and told him that "this man made racist remarks." Jackson left without taking questions and headed for a rally at Sony's offices on East 56th Street.

Following the demonstration, Jackson attended a fan event where he was awarded with the "30th Anniversary Fan Award".

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Michael Jackson personally acepted the 'Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Award' during the '30 Years of Magic' Fan Celebration in New York, USA. It was handed over by Nijel, BPG, the artist who sculpted the award.

The '30 Years of Magic' Fan Celebration has been organized by MJFC and Navi with kind support by The Magical Child, King Of Pop Fanatics, MJJ Forum, The Michael Jackson World Network, Together for a better World, Michael Jackson...Magic, Heal 4 Michael, The Invincibles, and Diana d'Alo'

A huge line began to form around Webster Hall in New York City where Michael Jackson would party with his fans to honor his accomplishments as a recording artist over the past 30 years.
The minute the doors opened at 5:00 pm, pandemonium errupted and many, many fans ran into the ballroom to find a spot in front of the stage. By 6:00 pm, the show began with a very special prayer from little William Hazelhurst. From that point on, Navi opened the show with an amazing MJ medley of songs, then Tom Fox swooned the crowd with two songs including an exceptional version of 'The Lady In My Life.'

Other highlights of the evening were dancer Simone Maurice, Danny Oliver, the Jewel Dancers, Ahmad Buie with his awesome rendition of 'You Rock My World,' and Bling Dynasty who really rocked the crowd.

At roughly 8:30 pm, Michael Jackson arrived at Webster Hall and took his seat on the balcony. He was immediately met with wild, thunderous applause from the audience. Almost taking away the attention of the performance taking place on the main floor. Michael enjoyed much of the second half of the show and was visibly moved by E´Casanova´s performance and words of inspiration dedicated to Michael. Shortly after E'Casanova's performance, TMC and Belgium's own Christ'OF sent the crowd into a frenzy with his performance of MJ classics such as 'You Were There', 'Jam', and 'Billie Jean' just to name a few. But what had to be the most incredible moment of the show was the dance interpretation of 'Heal The World' which was performed by The Unity Kids Choir and the Creative Outlet Dancers. Michael was visibly moved by this performance and began singing along with the track.

In closing the show, Michael was presented with a very special '30th Anniversary Fan Award' that fans from around the world helped to create. Nijel, the designer of the award, addressed the crowd and presented Michael with this award. Michael was very humbled by this award and took the opportunity to thank the fans for making this moment possible and even stopped during portions of his speech to collect signs from the audience. He became partial to one which read, "Tommy Mottola Go To Hell." Michael held the sign high and said, "This says it all." And with a few additional words, he left the stage and the night came to a close.

MJ 30th Anniversary Fan Award

With fans worldwide, who have donated to create this award which is not just an award, it is also a beautiful work of art!
It was carved by the artist Nijel BPG.
With the award was given to Michael a list with the name, country and age of each fan who donated money for this award.
The award was sponsored by MJFC King of Pop Fanatics, The Magical Child, MJWN, MJ Newspage Fan Club Fanship Turns To Friendship ODJF, Dangerous, Jackson Trader Together For A Better World, Scream International Project Jackson Nation and 3Generations.

Source: MJFC, MJFC 3G

Filed under  //   1984   1992   1997   2002  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - "Victory", by the Jacksons, was released. Epic Records set a record as two million copies of the Jacksons’ "Victory" were shipped to stores. The album became a hit and was also the last album of The Jacksons as a group.It was the first time that such a large initial shipment had been made.

1988 - Michael's single "Dirty Diana" from the "Bad" album become the 5th consecutive single to peak at #1 on the Hot 100.

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The feat made him the first artist to have five #1 singles from one album. The hard-rock song was written by Michael & co-produced with Quincy Jones; features guitar solo by Steve Stevens. Michael is featured in The Guinness Book of World Records as the artist with the most number one hits in the 80's!
Filed under  //   1984   1988  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - Michael Jackson poses with Quincy Jones and their trophies at the 26th annual Grammy Awards, Los Angeles.

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Jackson: “I wanted to work with Quincy. He’s the kind of guy who’s unlimited musically...”
Filed under  //   1984  

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