Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - Michael and the Jackson 5 make an appearance in the Watts Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, and they serve as honorary chairmen. The parade is televised the following day on KTLA.

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1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Vancouver, Canada.

1984 - The Victory tour end in Los Angeles, California at Dodger Stadium on December 9 in front of 55,000 fans, and be Michael’s last tour with the brothers.

On July 6, 1984, The Jacksons' "Victory" tour's opening concert was performed at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Reunited with Jermaine, The Jacksons did 55 shows over the course of 5 months, criss-crossing America and Canada with the most ambitious design and execution ever created for the concert stage. It took 4 months to construct it.

On December 9, 1984 the group performed the last concert of the "Victory" tour. During "Shake Your Body [Down To The Ground]", Michael announced his split from The Jacksons.

The Victory tour wrapped up with six sold-out shows at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. A grueling task, Michael was traveling separately from his brothers and had minimal contact with any of them offstage.

Still, they were apparently caught off guard when Michael announced at the final show, on December 9, 1984, that it was his last performance with the Jacksons. This time, he really meant it.

The tour grossed a record of US$ 75 million and was the biggest tour any group had ever done, in huge outdoor stadiums. Over 2 million people came to see The Jacksons. And thanks to Michael Jackson, for the first time Pepsi-Cola overtook their arch-rivals, Coca-Cola.

Michael donated all his performance money from this tour to charity. "For me, that was what the 'Victory' tour was all about - giving back", he says later.

1988 - Michael perform first of 9 dates at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo during the Japanese leg of Bad tour.

After a few weeks of rest and recuperation, the tour headed back to Japan, where it all started over one year earlier. 9 concerts were scheduled between December 9 and 26 in the Tokyo dome. All 405,000 seats sold out months in advance. Michael returned to Japan to end his tour because, "I appreciate the support that my Japanese friends and fans have shown me." The 405,000 fans who attended Michael's 2nd set of concerts in Japan, combined with the 450,000 who saw his first set of shows there, makes Michael Jackson's 1987-1988 World Tour the largest tour ever in Japan. The total attendance of 855,000 fans is said to be 4 times greater than that of any other Japanese tour.

1992 - Michael Jackson receives 1992 Billboard Awards for #1 worldwide single and #1 worldwide album, the first time an artist has ever achieved both in the same year. Michael accepts two awards through a video presentation filmed earlier with Phil Collins at Neverland.



Michael Jackson delivers a brief discourse on being honored with the Billboard Artist Award for "Number One World Single" ("Black Or White") and Album ("Dangerous") on occasion of the Billboard Awards: In a taped presentation from his Neverland Ranch, Jackson declares: "I am honored to be recognized by "Billboard", which is considered to be the bible of the industry. Nothing would have prevented me from sharing this special occasion other than "Heal The World" and my commitment to tour on its behalf. My heartfelt thanks to "Billboard", to the children, and to my fans in general. Your support over the years has been an inspiration. Thank you so much." Jackson also wins a special award commemorating 10 years since "Thriller" was released: "Wow... Thank you", he says. "I'm further touched by your saluting my efforts and, more importantly, that 'Thriller' is remembered after a decade. I love you all." Jackson then announces "a special performance of 'Black Or White'" in his absence - taped and edited - from the Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Michael arrives in Tokyo and checks in the Capitol Hotel.

1996 - Michael Jackson's Earth Song debuted at #1 in UK, it remains Jackson's best-selling single and was the UK's 1995 Christmas number-one single.

Earth Song was Michael's second instant #1 in the UK, following Black Or White in 1991. It logged six weeks at the top, easily the best showing for a MJ single, and became his first single to shift a million copies in the UK alone, earning a BPI Platinum sales award. Despite the massive success of You Are Not Alone, Michael's previous single, Earth Song wasn't issued as a single in the States – nor, curiously, was any other song until June 1996, when They Don’t Care About Us was released.

2002 - The "Annual Billboard Awards" awarded Michael with a special Billboard award for his 1982 album "Thriller" [Epic], which spent more weeks at No. 1 [37] than any other.

Actor/comedian Chris Tucker was on hand at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch to present the King of Pop with his award. "I'm very honored, very happy," Jackson said. "I thank my fans around the world. I couldn't be me without you."

After much speculation, Michael Jackson did indeed appear at the 2002 Billboard Music Awards via a satellite feed from his Neverland Valley Ranch. Michael received a special award to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of his best-selling recording, 'Thriller,' which spent more weeks at No. 1 (37 weeks) than any other album in the history of The Billboard 200.

Comedian Chris Tucker, who appeared via satellite with Michael, was on hand to present Michael with this prestigious award.

Cedric: All right everybody, it's that time. We're about to take a trip to the Neverland Ranch with my friend, Chris Tucker-y'all.

[goes to Neverland Theater]

Chris Tucker: Twenty years ago Michael Jackson was already a successful artist with seven number one hits to his name, four with the Jackson 5 and three on his own. But nobody was prepared for what would come next ... [in Michael's voice] 'cause this is Thriller, Thriller ... [vocal sound effects]

Michael Jackson: [laughing]

Chris Tucker: Sorry. 'Thriller' stayed on the Billboard 200 for nearly two years, spending a record 37 weeks at number one. It won dozens of awards including a record 8 Grammies. He gave me one of them. It set another Billboard record when seven of his nine tracks reached the top ten and Michael became the first artist at Billboard chart history to simultaneously and single handily album charts both on black and pop charts. I messed that up, I know y'all seen it but that's all right.
[shows parts of 'Thriller' video and live, 'Beat It' video and live, 'Billie Jean' video and live and back to 'Thriller' video]

Chris Tucker: Quite simply, 'Thriller' still remains the biggest selling album in the history of the world, period. That's why I'm thrilled to present this award to the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson.

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Michael Jackson: Thank you so much. I'm very honored. I'm very happy. I thank all of the people that appreciate my work. I thank the Billboard Awards. I've always admired you. And to the fans around the world, I love you. I couldn't be me without you. Thank to God. Chris Tucker your my favorite.

Chris Tucker: Could I keep the award for a couple days?

Michael Jackson: Yeah, we gotta share it.

Chris Tucker: At my house?

Michael Jackson: No, we have to share it.

Chris Tucker: Where can I stay at Neverland?

Michael Jackson: Anywhere you wanna stay.

Chris Tucker: All right, I'm in cabin three.

Michael Jackson: [laughing] Okay. Thank you so much!

Chris Tucker: Thanks y'all.

[commercial break]

Cedric: Hey, what's up y'all? They told me they still have Michael Jackson on the wire. Where Mike at? What's up, Michael?

Michael Jackson: I'm here.

Cedric: Hey what's up, Michael?

Michael Jackson: Hey, how are you?

Cedric: That's the King right there, bro. How you doin' man? Mike, I just wanna ask a question that's been on everybody's mind I'm sure, I know it's on mine. Mike, where's Bubbles at Mike? How the monkey doin'? Ain't nobody heard from the monkey in a while Mike. How the monkey doin' Mike?

Michael Jackson: [laughing] He's at Chris Tucker's house.

Cedric: Chris Tucker got the monkey. Man, right on man.

Chris Tucker: What's up brother?

Michael Jackson: I'm a big fan of yours by the way.

Cedric: Right on Mike, big fan here too Mike. I know all the songs.

Chris Tucker: [talking like Michael] Me too Cedric, I love you!

Cedric: You know this maaaaaaan.

Michael Jackson: [laughing quietly] You know this man.

Cedric: Right on, Chris Tucker and Michael Jackson, the new 'Rush Hour'.

Chris Tucker: Let's do it! Forget Jackie!!

Michael Jackson: [laughing]

Filed under  //   1972   1979   1984   1988   1992   1996   2002  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at Olympic Park Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

1988 - Michael perform BAD tour at Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles.

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Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley declared November to be "Michael Jackson Month". Michael receives a proclamation from the Mayor.

1989 - Michael Jackson performs song "You Were There" (he wrote with Buz Kohan) for singer-entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., the first and only time, at the Sammy Davis Jr 6Oth Anniversary TV Special, musical gala honouring Davis Jr..

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The event’s funds advantaging the "United Negro College Fund"; for the show's all-star finale, Jackson accompanies Ella Firzgerald and Eddie Murphy on stage.

The celebration started as a 60-minute show, and it wound up 2 1/2 hours long. It runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday on ABC and Channel 13. And no wonder, given a cast that includes Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Clint Eastwood, Goldie Hawn, Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Mike Tyson, Richard Pryor, Gregory Hines, Gregory Peck, Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Allen, Magic Johnson, Dean Martin, Tony Danza, Jesse Jackson, Quincy Jones, Diahann Carroll, Dionne Warwick, Nell Carter, Lola Falana and Anita Baker. Eddie Murphy hosts, and even he seems subdued by the galaxy of stars he has to introduce.

Sammy’s right there in the front-row box with his wife and family. He laughs and he claps, he cries a little, and he hugs his friends. He even does a tap dance with Hines. But he never says a word.

He can’t. The night the show was taped, he couldn’t talk at all.

It doesn’t matter. His friends speak for him, and to him, in a language of love. They lay their talents at his feet. And a few terrific clip collections tell Sammy’s tale for him.

This is a one-of-a-kind TV spectacular in a spirit that few stars, even show-biz legends, could command.

Nobody knew what Jackson was going to do. "The night before the show, he and Buz Kohan, who wrote the script, went in the rehearsal hall and wrote a song," Schlatter said. "They arranged it overnight, and the night of the show was the first time he’d ever sung it. He wanted to sing something that really related to Sammy."

Backstage, everybody was watching everybody else. Fitzgerald wanted to meet Jackson; Cosby wanted to say hi to Hawn; Murphy wanted to see Sinatra.

The most nerve-racking moment of them all, though, was when Fitzgerald was to make her big onstage entrance, Schlatter said. “We had to have somebody bring her out, so I said to Eddie Murphy, `Take Ella onstage.’

And he says, `Man, I can’t take her. That’s Ella “Fitzgerald.”‘ And Eddie says to Michael Jackson, `Michael, you take her out.’ And Michael says, `I can’t! It’s “Ella.”‘ So I said, `Look, guys, why not take her together? OK?’

At the same date, Michael is reported to have hosted 50 children from "Maclaren Hall" and "Make A Wish Foundation" at his residence, while, via the "Wishes Granted" charity, 4-year-old Darian Pagan, suffering from leukemia, is granted the wish to meet the singer and is, additionally, invited to watch a performance by a group of Canadian acrobats with him.

2002 - Michael goes to the Santa Maria Superior Court in Santa Maria, CA. to testify in a $21 million breach-of-contract Marcel Avram trial over canceled millennium concerts. His appearance causes media frenzy.

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2006 - During his stay at Hempel Hotel in London, Michael is joined by Raymone and they have dinner at the Nobu restaurant with billionaire retail tycoon Sir Philip Green and then they go to the Oxford Street branch of Topshop which Sir Philip opened up especially for Michael at midnight. Later Michael visits "Miss Selfridges"

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - The Jackson 5 perform two shows on their first European tour in Birmingham, England.

First UK dates unable to take place any earlier, thanks to stringent British laws are child performers: special dispensation would have been required for young Michael to appear on stage or TV after 8.00pm (unless the given TV appearance was pre-recorded).
'We shall continue trying to bring the Jacksons over,' said a Motown spokesman in 1971, 'but frankly we are not very optimistic. The British laws are far too complicated and restrictive.'

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Richmond, Virginia

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Astrodome in Houston, Texas, USA attending 40,000.

1988 - Michael performs Bad tour at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in Irvine, US.

1993 - Michael performs at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City [Mexico] attending 100,000.

1996 - Michael perform HIStory concert at Ericsson Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand attending 46,000 fans.

Filed under  //   1972   1979   1984   1988   1993   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit [US].

1991 - Le Lundi magazine[France] featured Michael & Liz on their cover with the headline: Elizabeth Taylor - "My marriage saved me from suicide"

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2001 - Michael participates in an Online Audio Chat with his fans hosted by Yahoo & Get Music, sponsored by Rolling Stone. With music critic/writer Anthony DeCurtis, he answered questions from fans via telephone about the new album, the recording process and his music.

Michael revealed:
  • His favourite songs on INVINCIBLE are Speechless, The Lost Children and Unbreakable.
  • The song he relates to most is Unbreakable: ‘I’ve been through so many things... but nothing and no one can stop me until I’m ready to stop.’
  • The song Speechless was inspired by ‘two sweet little kids’, a boy and a girl, with whom he had a water balloon fight in Germany: ‘they are so innocent, they are the quintessential form of innocence. Just being in their presence, I felt completely speechless’.
  • While working on an album, he sometimes writes 10-12 songs, only to throw them all away and start over.
  • He sometimes makes musicians do things 100 or 1,000 times, to make it the best it can be. They may get angry at him, only to ring him later, to admit that he brought out the best in their performance.
  • He’s a huge fan of Chris Tucker: ‘He makes me laugh so hard. I like people that make you laugh without vulgarity.’

2009 - THIS IS IT (The Music That Inspired The Movie) album was released internationally on October 26, and worldwide the following day.

The two-disc album features music 'inspired from the documentary of the same name'. Disc one feature the original album masters of some of Michael's biggest hits arranged in the same sequence as they appear in the film and ends with two versions of the 'never-released' This Is It. This song is featured in the film's closing sequence and includes backing vocals by Michael Jackson's brothers, The Jacksons."The second disc featured "previously unreleased versions" from Jackson's 'catalogue of hits' and also include a spoken word poem entitled Planet Earth (which originally appeared in the liner notes of the Dangerous (1991) album) and a 36-page commemorative booklet with photos of Michael from his rehearsal.

Charts & Sales:
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  • THIS IT IT debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, marked Michael's 6th #1 entry on the chart, with the sales of over 373,000 in its first week of release.
  • This Is It's chart performance tied Jackson with several other artist for the most #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart; among the solo male artists, Jackson currently is tied with Garth Brooks for 2nd place with 51 entries.
  • This Is It debuted at #1 in fourteen countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Italy and France.
  • This Is It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in other nations.
  • This Is It has been certified Gold, Platinum, and twice-Platinum in multiple countries.
  • This Is It was the twelfth best selling album of 2009 in the United States having sold an estimated 1.29 million units since its release of nine weeks, and the 3rd best selling album of 2009 based on worldwide sales.
  • This Is It has sold over five million copies worldwide.

Matchbox Recordings released an incredible charity single featuring a group of young entertainers from Merseyside, Liverpool. The single by "Bulief" is a cover of Michael Jackson's hit "Heal the world" and is in aid of the Red Balloon Learner centre in Liverpool in the name of James Bulger House. The small scale charity single released, not only in rememberance of James but as a way to gain funding for JBH, which raised £10,000 the fund-raising night.

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Michael Jackson has given his socially-conscious song, "Heal The World" to a group of young entertainers from Merseyside, Liverpool, to help raise money for the "James Bulger Red Ballon Centres Appeal", established by his mother, Denise Fergus from Kirkby, Merseyside. James Bolger, her 2 year-old son was killed in 1993 by 2 teenagers. With all proceeds being funnelled to James Bulger House (a school for bullied children).

Michael Jackson was aware of James, he sent a large basket of flowers to James Bulger's mother Denise Fergus after his murder with a very personal letter. He wrote a couple of lines for James and he named it 'Child Of Innocence'. Michael was in support of and aware of the single and it had been featured on his official website.

James' mom says: "Even at the young age of two James was a huge Micheal Jackson fan, and so it felt right that we sing a song he loved in dedication to him. We played Michael's song at James' funeral. I've listened to 'Heal The World' over and over again and it gave me such a buzz when we found out we could release it to raise money for the JBH. The words in the song are very touching. I feel the world does need healing with children committing crimes. It is very upsetting the way the world is at the moment, bullying is going on everywhere."

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1977 - The cast of The Wiz hold a party in Michael’s honour at the Studio 54.

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1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Columbus, OH[US].

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit [US].

2003 - Michael Jackson is awarded the Key to the City of Las Vegas, Nevada by the Mayor Goodman at Art Of Music Store. He promote What More Can I Give.

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Over three hundred fans were on hand to see Mayor Oscar Goodman present Michael Jackson with the key to the city of Las Vegas in a ceremony held at the Art Of Music Store at the Desert Passage Mall in Vegas.

In true Michael style, the King of Pop arrived close to an hour late, accompanied by his friend Mark Lester & manager Dieter Wiesner. The ceremony began about an hour later than the original 3:00 time with the King Of Pop being introduced by one of the leading tribute artists, E Cassanova.

Michael spoke briefly, thanking the Mayor and the audience, telling the fans that "I love you more." He then walked through the crowd, greeting the fans and signing autographs. Michael definitely looked 'Bad,' wearing silver boots, black pants, red beaded applique shirt and double belts along with the traditional sunglasses!

The presentation was under way as E'Cassanova said a few words to Michael´s adoring fans! One of the keynote statements E'Cassanova made to the screaming crowd was "Michael Jackson fans don't die, we multiply!" He then introduced The Mayor Goodman who then presented Michael Jackson with the Key to the city. Michael made a brief speech by thanking the fans for their support. Michael also collected various signs and banners from the fans.

But after the ceremonies, and away from the crowd, Mayor Goodman told MJ how much he belives in him. He told MJ that he was so proud that Michael would come to the city, and be accessible to the public. He went on to say that MJ is one of the greatest people in the world, and he was going to make it his business to tell everybody how special MJ was. And would you believe it... he then begged MJ for tickets (for his daughter) to the RMAs.

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Michael Jackson returned to the Art of Music store Saturday evening to be present at a special sale of his memorabilia. The holders of pre-purchased passes were given the opportunity to buy items and have them signed by Michael. Dennis Rodman was among those present at the event.

The wide, clear glass windows afforded fans a great view of the goings - on inside. Typical of his good heart, however, Michael did not abandon the fans who gathered to see him. He stepped outside twice to meet and greet fans and sign autographs.

Michael was in wonderful spirits and was excited to meet with the fans once again. Tee shirts were also given out to the fans, featuring the RMA award logo on the front and the 'What More Can I Give' art on the back.

Sources: rearrangingminds/MJFC

Michael Jackson's Other Neverland:

Michael Jackson's roots run deep in Las Vegas, now he holds a key to the city. Michael Jackson never performed an actual ticketed show in Las Vegas during his adult career. But he had a high profile in the city as a frequent visitor and, also a resident. His association with Las Vegas began during the Jackson 5 era and continued to recent recordings in the studio at the Palms.

A teenage Jackson and his brothers performed on the Strip as the Jackson 5, starting in April 1974 at the original MGM Grand (now Bally's). They performed at the hotel several times that year.

The closest Michael came to a ticketed performance was in February 1994, when "The Jackson Family Honors" was taped in front of a live audience at the MGM Grand Garden arena for an NBC special.

Filed under  //   1977   1979   1988   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1978 - The Wiz, the musical film produced by Motown Productions and Universal Pictures, was released by Universal.

The Wiz was a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz featuring an entirely African-American cast. The film follows the adventures of Dorothy[Diana Ross], a shy schoolteacher from Harlem, New York who finds herself magically transported to the wonderland of Oz, which resembles a fantasy version of New York City. Befriended by a Scarecrow[Michael Jackson], a Tin Man[Nipsey Russell], and a Cowardly Lion[Ted Ross], Dorothy travels through the world of Oz to seek an audience with the mysterious "Wiz", who they say has the power to take her home.

Diana Ross and Michael Jackson attend the premiere & opening night party of the movie The Wiz, at the Paramount, Los Angeles, October 24, 1978.

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At the Pitt’s Century Plaza Theater in Century City (Los Angeles) with the Jackson family & Diana Ross among others.
The Wiz had its premiere in New York City, over a year after filming began. It was received with poor reviews and lukewarm box office returns, failing to recoup its expensive budget. Michael took the film’s failure personally, especially in light of the fact that his father and brothers had tried to discourage him from making it.

Michael Jackson's performance as the Scarecrow was one of the only positively reviewed elements of the film, with critics noting that MJ possessed "genuine acting talent" and "provided the only genuinely memorable moments." Of the results of the film, Michael stated: "I don't think it could have been any better, I really don't." In 1980, Michael stated that his time working on The Wiz was "my greatest experience so far...I'll never forget that."

Michael says: "It was incredible, wonderful. I learned so much from [Diana Ross]. We’re like brother and sister, really."

1987 - Bad hit #1 in US charts.
The second single released off of the BAD album was the title track. It became the album's second #1 single. Bad stayed at the top of the Hot 100 for two weeks. Bad also went to #1 on the black singles chart. The extended version of the Bad video aired on MTV for weeks with the air times announced each day. Later, an edited version of the video was aired.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit [US].

At the end of October, the BAD tour moved into Motown-Detroit, Michigan. Michael was scheduled to perform at the Palace of Auburn Hills on October 24-26. The first of the three night stand in Detroit was a benefit concert for Detroit's Motown Museum. The two story house, Hitsville USA, where Berry Gordy originally started Motown, had been declared a historical landmark earlier in the spring. Since Motown relocated to Los Angeles, the building has been turned into a museum, organized by Berry Gordy's sister, Esther Edwards.

When Berry Gordy was preparing to sell Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures, Michael was touring Europe. He wanted to do something for Berry and for Motown. Gordy suggested he do something for the Motown Museum. Michael did. He called Esther Edwards in Detroit from Hong Kong. The result was that Michael donated all of his proceeds from his first concert in Auburn Hills to the Motown Museum Historical Foundation. Michael has been a very strong supporter of the development of the museum since its inception.

1993 - Michael arrives in Mexico to perform 5 concerts at Azteca Stadium from 29th October to 11th November.

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1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Singapore National Stadium in Singapore attending 65,000.

In the States, Michael’s mini-movie Ghosts, which cost an estimated $7-9 million, premiered at the Motion Picture Academy Of Arts in Beverly Hills, California, alongside Stephen King’s full length horror movie Thinner.

Filed under  //   1978   1987   1988   1993   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1978 - Michael visits the famous toy store F.A.O Schwartz in Manhattan.

1987 - Michael Jackson's one-day trip in Chinese mainland.

When Michael Jackson's China fans are groaning that they will never see the King of Pop on their homeland, it is rarely known to the public the pop icon actually dropped by a tourist attraction once in Guangdong during his vacation in Hong Kong in 1987.

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Liu Guangzhi, Jackson's guide then, couldn't hold back his excitement speaking of the megastar's one-day visit of a guided trip in his hometown.

"I didn't know whom I was going to pick up until they gave me the tourists' name list. Michael Jackson's name was right there, the first on the list," Liu, 23 then, recalled.

"For most of his fans here, it's a pity he never visited Chinese mainland, but hardly have they known that he was here once 22 years ago," Liu added.

Michael Jackson is a man with few words but very friendly, Liu said of his first impression of the pop icon. "We are not able to have an in-depth talk on any subject, but he mailed me our photo with his autograph on it through his agent later," Liu continued.

The children and the seniors, who took photos with Michael Jackson during his tour of their village, also received the pictures from him. Many of the villagers still have the photos in house.

Michael Jackson had two of these photos published on his autobiography, commenting under one snapshot "I can't resist babies. In China, 1987".

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Liu is grateful to Michael Jackson for the pictures, he said, "it's a cherished memory for us all, and Michael helped us to keep it".

"Though he's not with us any more, I still remember his kindness. He's the unparalleled King of Pop, I'll keep the memory of him in my heart forever."
Source: ChinaTibetNews.com

1988 - Michael presents a check for $125,000 to Esther G. Edwards, president of Motown Museum and Motown founder, Mr. Berry Gordy during ceremonies at the Motown Museum Historical Foundation in Detroit, Michigan, finance sustaining the maintenance of the famed museum, the highest amount of money donated up until that time to the museum.

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Michael's black fedora and sequined glove are on display at the Motown Historical Museum at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit
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Superstar Michael Jackson, in a rare public appearance, visited Detroit's Motown Museum and donated $125,000 to the famed museum. Extensive security measures were taken for Michael's visit to the Museum, West Grand Blvd. was completely blocked off and police officers and mounted police awaited the arrival of Michael and Motown founder Berry Gordy, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young welcomed them to city.

"It’s great to be here. I'm very happy and proud to be back to the soil from which I came," Michael said during the ceremonies outside of the museum. "Berry Gordy is the man that made it all possible for me. I want to say thank you, Berry and I love you."
At least 2,500 fans endured a constant, cold rain to get a glimpse of Michael when he arrived at the museum. They cheered wildly when Michael presented a check for $125,000 to Gordy and Motown Museum President Esther G. Edwards. Michael also donated three items from his personal collection to the museum: a shiny rhinestone glove, a trademark black fedora and stage costume dating from 1972 he wore with the Jackson 5 when he was 13.

During his visit to the museum, Michael joined Gordy on a tour of the modest house where Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959.

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Gordy told the crowd: "Michael Jackson knows that success in life is not merely confined to fame and fortune and material gains, but it's also found in a continual awareness of our roots, his roots. These are Michael Jackson's roots, right here. You were the first people that bought Michael Jackson's records," he told the fans. "And he loves you-and he loves you for it."

Gordy called the pop superstar one of the museum's greatest supporters and praised Michael as "a man who is not only the greatest entertainer to come out of Motown, but the greatest entertainer to come out of any town!"

1990 - Michael Jackson and Sir Elton John are awarded the first "Ryan White Award" for outstanding contribution to AIDS programs (award that will be handed over a year later).

1993 - Michael performs at Chile National Stadium in Santiago, Chile attending 65,000.

2009 - Entertainment Weekly magazine[US] featured Michael on the cover with the headline: The New Michael Jackson Movie - The Inside Story Of His Final Performances And the Film That Captures His Last Days.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1983 - Arena magazine[Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)] featured Michael on their cover.

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1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio [USA] attending 50,000.

1987 - Sunday magazine [UK] featured Michael on their cover story: SECRET DOUBLE LIFE: The Real Michael Jackson Revealed.

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

2001 - What More Can I Give, completed on 19th October 2001, premiered two days later at the ‘United We Stand – What More Can I Give’ concert at Washington DC’s RFK Stadium, in front of 46,000 people.

2009 - Two legal documents, signed by Michael Jackson, handing to USA for Africa the profits from the 1985 hit We Are the World that Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote, and which brought in "tens of millions", will go to auction, benefiting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. "(Michael Jackson) was a bigger philanthropist than most people gave him credit for," USA for Africa Executive Director, Marcia Thomas, says of the singer-entertainer. "He didn't do it for the credit. He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do." Nancy Birdsall, president of the Washington-based Center for Global Development, adds that "We Are the World marked what at that time was a high point in rich-world concern about poor people in the developing world. That sort of awareness helps to open the way not only for more effective foreign assistance but for other changes in policy, such as trade and migration, that can have a big impact on poor people's lives." The 2 legal documents, transferring his rights and profits to the group USA for Africa, are estimated to gross in 50,000 dollars at the Alexander Autographs auction at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The in-person and online auction includes a huge number of rock-and-roll and Hollywood artifacts and is organized by an auction house noted for its historical and political offerings.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1969 - The Jackson 5 got their first* national television debut in U.S. on the ABC-TV show Hollywood Palace Special when Diana Ross introduced them.

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One week after I Want You Back was released, the Jackson 5 made their first national television appearance on a live broadcast of Hollywood Palace on ABC-TV at 9:30 p.m(EST). Diana Ross was serving as the guest host of a special show devoted to Motown acts.

For their performance, the Jackson 5 did some fancy footwork to the first few measures of their exhilarating versions of Sly & the Family Stone's Sing a Simple Song (a cover song that was never released in its entirety, assuming the J5 did a studio recording of it, as they did with several songs by the Family Stone), and then sang a beautiful slow tempo song from their first LP, Can You Remember, a Delfonics cover.


After a smattering of polite applause, Michael is barely audible when he introduces their next song - new debut single, saying: "Now we'd like to do our very first release on Motown. It's on sale everywhere!" and they tore into a blistering version of I Want You Back, their first live performance of I Want You Back, and about a minute into the song, you can see Michael begin to relax. Suddenly it appears that he is really enjoying being on stage and in front of a national audience. Watching it, we get a strong sense that we are witnessing a star being born.



You might think little of the adult Michael Jackson but I defy even the most cynical to remain unmoved by the video of the Jackson 5 featuring Michael Jackson on the Diana Ross show belting out James Brown's There Was A Time along with Sammy Davis Jr. The pint-sized 11-year-old with the huge Afro and eyes to match, a big sweet voice and a determination to outflank Miss Ross in camera position, was already an experienced performer, though his grown-up moves were slightly off-kilter. He could simulate sexuality as he did a pretend ad lib but he was a kid all the same.

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In their heavily scripted banter, Michael and Diana made several references to Michael's similarity to Sammy Davis Jr., and Sammy himself made a surprise cameo appearance to carry the the running gag one step further by pretending to be worried that Michael was going to take his place. In a way, this is a watershed episode of the past (Sammy Davis Jr. in a fit of mock jealousy over young Mike), present (Diana and the Supremes), and future (Michael and the Jackson 5) of African American entertainment.

Besides Diana Ross and the Supremes, other guests on the show included Gladys Knight and the Pips and Stevie Wonder, but it was the smallest of these stars that night, the most dynamic as well, who stole the show from everyone. In fact, the line up was so remarkable, Motown put out a soundtrack album for it on March 1970.

Motown had already been circulating the story that Diana had discovered the Jackson 5, so the show provided the perfect opportunity for her to introduce her young protegees. We all know the back story: Diana Ross got credit for the discovery because Berry Gordy asked her to "present" the Jackson 5 to the public, thereby launching their career and Ross's solo career in one fell swoop. Immediately -- and it may have had something to do with the language Motown used in their promotional materials, such as "the Jackson 5 were discovered by Diana Ross". This added an additional power of seduction including them public, and it was also a great enhancement of Diana Ross, who was preparing to leave the Supremes.

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The notion that Diana had a hand in grooming the young group for stardom was driven home by publicity photos showing her helping Michael with his stage make up... ...and in making certain the microphone was at just the right height for the lead singer.
Source: j5collector

*The show is often cited in biographies, as the "first nationally broadcast television appearance," while the first was "Miss Black America" in August 1969.

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Chicago, Illinois on their first national tour.

1980 - The Jackson's album Triumph hit #13 in the U.K.

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Triumph was the 13th album by The Jacksons, released in 1980 on Epic Records. It was certified platinum in the U.S. and peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200. Hit singles from the album were Lovely One, Heartbreak Hotel (This Place Hotel) and Can You Feel It.

The Jacksons shared lead vocals and solo spots on most songs, but Michael Jackson handles most of the lead vocals. Triumph was the Jacksons' first album to reach #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart since Maybe Tomorrow in 1971. The album would sell over two million copies worldwide, and the Jacksons would not release another studio LP for four years after Triumph's release.

1982 - The Girl Is Mine released as the first single off the THRILLER album.

The song hit #1 on the R&B singles chart and #2 on the Hot 100 in U.S, and #8 in the UK.

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The writing of The Girl Is Mine was completed by Michael as he watched cartoons with Paul McCartney:
"It started with Quincy Jones asking me to write a song about two guys quarreling over the same girl, and I thought about it and I came up with The Girl Is Mine."
"I woke up from my sleep and I had this song," said Michael, explaining his
inspiration for writing the song, "and I went over to the tape recorder and I sang it into the tape recorder, and I sang exactly what I heard in my head, starting with the melody and the keyboard and the strings and everything. So I just orally put it on tape."
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The rap in the song, Michael explained, was Quincy Jones’s idea. Asked about his
other songs, and if any of them were similar to The Girl Is Mine, Michael replied, "Oh, yes, lots of other songs... they are mainly the same chords that I use in so many... That’s What You Get (For Being Polite) is one. Others would be Why Can’t I Be, Thank You For Life – all have the same main, the same type of chords as The Girl Is Mine.
To prove his point, Michael sang The Girl Is Mine to an instrumental version of That’s What You Get (For Being Polite).
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McCartney spent three days at Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, working on the song with Michael from 14th-16th April 1982 – the year after the pair first worked on Say Say Say and The Man, although it was the first Jackson/McCartney duet to gain a release. The single's cover photograph was taken by McCartney's wife, Linda.
Michael is on record as saying the duet is one of his most enjoyable recording moments:
"One of my favourite songs to record, of all my recordings as a solo artist, is probably The Girl Is Mine, because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun... it was like lots of kibitzing and playing and throwing stuff at each other and making jokes... and we actually recorded the track and the vocals pretty much live at the same time, and we do have footage of it, but it's never been shown – maybe one day we’ll give you a sneak preview of it."
Its lukewarm reception from fans prompted many industry insiders to presume Thriller would be a sales failure. They couldn’t be more wrong.

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

1993 - Michael arrives in Santiago(Chile) to perform a concert on October 23 at the Chile National Stadium.

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1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Chungshan Soccer Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan attending 40,000.

2005 - Michael & his entourage leave London.

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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.

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