Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - The Jackson 5 song Maybe Tomorrow hit #20 in the U.S.

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Single Details:
"Maybe Tomorrow" was released in June, 1971 from the Jackson 5's album of the same title. The ballad was originally supposed to have been sung (possibly in a different production) by Sammy Davis, Jr. but for various reasons, the entertainer could not get on the schedule to do the song and the song was then given to the Jackson 5.
Lead vocals : Michael Jackson, Second verse sung by Marlon Jackson
Written & Produced by : The Corporation (Berry Gordy, Jr./Alphonso Mizell/Freddie Perren/Deke Richards)
US single released July, 1971
#3 R&B, #20 Pop
Sales : 1 089 365 (World), 830 794 (USA)

While many young kids were playing with their GI Joes, Michael Jackson was arguably Motown's best messenger of romance, heartbreak, and all the heavy stuff. This led off the 1971 album of the same name. While the Corporation was inexplicably saddled with the bubblegum tag, this track proves how people of all ages could identify with the lyrics. This was a perfectly constructed song. Throughout this, a myriad of emotions are displayed with Jackson seemingly with a grasp on all of them. Musically the song is all heartache yet resiliency. The love sung about here seems at once fortifying and yet troubled. It's enough to boggle the mind of an experienced romantic, let alone a kid whose pastime was giggling with his brothers. Recorded at the underrated and crystal clear Motown Studios in L.A., this was arranged by the Corporation and Gene Page. Despite it's skill and classic status, "Maybe Tomorrow" was the first Jackson 5 single to only reach the Top 20. This is one instance where chart placement has nothing to do with quality. ~Allmusic

1988 - Michael Jackson performs Bad World Tour at Talavera Wiesen staduim, Würzburg, West Germany.

1990 - Michael confirmed Sandy Gallin of Gallin-Morey Associates – who already represented the Pointer Sisters, Dolly Parton and Whoopi Goldberg, to name but a few as his new managers– was stepping into Frank Dileo’s shoes.

1994 - The Jacksons, minus Randy, performed at a U.K. Scientology fund-raiser "For The Children Of The World."

1995 - "You Are Not Alone" released in UK, enter in chart at number 3. The week later it'll reach the top of the chart.

2001 - According to Rolling Stone, the King of Pop won't be appearing on rapper Jay-Z's upcoming CD 'Blueprint,' as has been previously reported. In order to make the September 18 release date for the album Jay-Z had to put the finishing touches on it by this Wednesday and Michael won't be able to make it to the rapper's studio until next week. Don't worry though. Michael will appear on a future remix of the song 'Girls, Girls, Girls.' And a sample of the J5's 'I Want You Back' was used for the song 'Izzo (H.O.V.A.)'.

2009 - Michael's Longform Videos certified Multi-Platinum by RIAA:
Live In Bucharest 6x Platinum
Number Ones 13x Platinum
HIStory On Film 6x Platinum
Dangerous - The Short Film 3x Platinum

On the same day, the following albums were also received Multi-Platinum certificates:
The Essential Michael Jackson 2x Platinum
Off The Wall 8x Platinum
Thriller 29x Platinum
Number Ones 3x Platinum

Filed under  //   1971   1988   1990   1994   1995   2001   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1975 - Michael's single Just A Little Bit Of You hit #23 in the U.S Pop Singles Chart, became his biggest solo hit in 3 years. The single was released from Michael's 4th album Forever, Michael, released when he was 16 years old.

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Written by: Brian Holland & Edward Holland, Jr.
Producer by: Hal Davis

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

1988 - Michael performs Bad World tour at Camp Nou stadium, Barcelona, Spain.

2001 - In a Los Angeles dance studio, Michael starts rehearsing a medley with his 5 brothers for the upcoming New York concerts.

Filed under  //   1975   1984   1988   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They then visited some antique shops and record stores.

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

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

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

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed under  //   1968   1974   1988   1991   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1968 - The Jackson 5 opened for Motown acts Gladys Knight & the Pips and Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers at Chicago's Regal Theater, during the summer of 1968. The brothers caught Knight's attention, whereby she tried to get Motown brass to come to Chicago to see the boys. Taylor was also very impressed with the boys, and he decided to make the commitment to bring them to Detroit and Motown. Joseph and The Jackson 5 stayed on the floor of Bobby Taylor's Detroit apartment the night of July 22, while Taylor and Motown executive Suzanne de Passe arranged for the Jackson 5 to audition for the label.
The group is invited to perform on the David Frost Show in New York but Joe cancels their TV debut when Bobby Taylor asks them to come to a Detroit studio to make an audition for Motown executives Suzanne DePasse and Ralph Seltzer, and other company staff.

1972 - Concert in Dallas (Texas)

1973 – Concert at the Madison Square Garden of New York City

1981 – The Jacksons give a special benefit concert for the Atlanta Children's Foundation at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia.

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They raise 100,000 dollars for the charity, subsequently to lengthy episodes of Black youth disappearances and murders in the mentioned city. Speaking on behalf of himself and his brothers, Michael Jackson reveals, "We Are doing this because we care". LeBaron Taylor, vise president and general manager of Divisional Affairs for CBS Records, distributor of Epic Efforts for whom the Jacksons record, and coordinator of the special event comments, "We are pleased that The Jacksons have scheduled this special performance for such a worthy cause".

1988 – Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck present Michael with a pair of specially engraved ice skates backstage before his fourth concert in Wembley (London, UK).

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Michael soldout Wembley Stadium on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd July, 26th & 27th August – a stadium record 504,000 people!
Michael's band members speak of the excitement of playing London's Wembley Stadium. Frank Dileo adds,
"Playing Wembley is one of the biggest honors any artist could have. It's a status symbol within artists themselves, whether or not they can sell out Wembley Stadium, and of course Michael set a new record. He sold it out 7 times. You can't get any bigger than that."

1989 – Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl hit #13 in the U.K, eventually the single went to number one in the UK. and become his 9th Top 30 hit from album–yet another record!


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Liberian Girl was released in July 1989, prior to shutting down the Bad album campaign as the 9th and final single. The song was dedicated to Michael’s good friend, Elizabeth Taylor. The promo directed by Jim Yukich was a real star-studded affair, starring thirty-five of Michael’s celebrity friends: Bubbles, Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Weird Al Yankovic, Billy Dee Williams, Dan Aykroyd, Jackie Collins, Don King, Paula Abdul, Lou ‘The Incredible Hulk’ Ferrigno, Debbie Gibson & David Copperfield; who wait on the set for Michael to film the music video, only to discover he is behind the camera, filming them all along.

1992 - Michael Jackson performs Dangerous World Tour in Werchter, Belgium, at Festival Ground Stadium, attending 40,000.
Filed under  //   1968   1972   1973   1981   1988   1989   1992  

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

1971 - The Jackson 5ive began a U.S. tour at the Coliseum in Charlotte, NC.

1972 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Chicago (Illinois)

1988 – Michael Jackson & Jimmy Jam visit Elstree Studios where Steven Spielberg is directing Indiana Jones and they both meet Harrison Ford.

1992 – Concerts his Dangerous World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden at the Olympic Stadium, attending 53,000.

1996 – Michael visits South Africa for a few days, arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for President Nelson Mandela. Mandela invited about 2000 children to the party.

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Nelson Mandela poses with Michael Jackson before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal.


Michael took time off from touring, to visit South Africa where not only did he attend a private birthday party for the country’s President Nelson Mandela, he revealed he was writing a song about him. "I was working on it last night (19th July)," he said. "This is a wonderful, lovely man. I love Nelson Mandela very much."
Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turned to Michael and said,
"I can see who is the world leader. I have never seen so many journalists!"

During the press conference in Sun City, Michael announces that his upcoming HIStory World Tour would reach South Africa.

While in South Africa, Michael also took time to visits the black township of Soweto, where he laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forces during the 1976 Apartheid riots; and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies in remembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen.

Michael Jackson with Mandela and other African leaders & Sheela Lee Jackson



Meanwhile, the highest bid for a Neverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the Cities in School celebrity auction and, with the aid of radio KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils.

1998 – Michael Jackson and Don Barden go to Joannesburg.

The city of Warsaw, Poland, presented Michael Jackson with four potential locations for a planned theme park.

1999 – Michael Jackson attends Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

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.

2007 – Michael Jackson takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums in Washington, D. C.



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Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.

At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.

Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.



Jackson’s fondness to stars wars films is evident with his life-sized replicas of Darth Vader, Yoga, D2 R2, C-3PO and a Han Solo model frozen in carbonite.

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During the HIStory World Tour, Michael opens each show, wearing a dazzling silver & gold futuristic outfit, complete with space helmet. Reminiscing the Star Wars, he comes in a mini spaceship, crashing black door blew open to reveal himself.Great Gate of Kiev was used as the anthem
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Life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 : The great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room/collection gallery includes several Star Wars pieces. A life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 from Lucasfilm Ltd., 1999. An electric light inside the figure illuminates it.

See more Star Wars pieces from the great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room collection gallery.

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MJ Star Wars Collection
Filed under  //   1971   1972   1988   1992   1996   1998   2004   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Hampton (Virginia)

1972 – The Jackson 5ive Concert in Chicago (Illinois)

1988 - Michael Jackson & Jimmy Jam visit Elstree Studios where Steven Spielberg is directing Indiana Jones and they both meet Harrison Ford.

1992 - Concerts his Dangerous World Tour in Stockholm, Sweden at the Olympic Stadium, attending 53,000.

1996 - Michael visits South Africa for a few days, arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for President Nelson Mandela. Mandela invited about 2000 children to the party.

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Michael took time off from touring, to visit South Africa where not only did he attend a private birthday party for the country’s President Nelson Mandela, he revealed he was writing a song about him. "I was working on it last night (19th July)," he said. "This is a wonderful, lovely man. I love Nelson Mandela very much."
Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turned to Michael and said,
"I can see who is the world leader. I have never seen so many journalists!"
During the press conference in Sun City, Michael announces that his upcoming HIStory World Tour would reach South Africa.

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Nelson Mandela poses with Michael Jackson before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal.

While in South Africa, Michael also took time to visits the black township of Soweto, where he laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forces during the 1976 Apartheid riots; and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies in remembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen.

Meanwhile, the highest bid for a Neverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the "Cities in School" celebrity auction and, with the aid of radio "KIIS-FM" in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils.

1998 – Michael Jackson and Don Barden go to Joannesburg.

The city of Warsaw, Poland, presented Michael Jackson with four potential locations for a planned theme park.

1999 - Michael Jackson attends Nelson Mandela's birthday.

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2007 - Michael Jackson takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums in Washington, D. C.

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Michael Jackson toured the Smithsonian's National Air and Space and American Indian museums, arriving with his children before the buildings opened to the public.
"He wanted to show them the sights," Raymone Bain, a publicist for the 48-year-old pop star, told The Washington Post.

At the air and space museum, Jackson lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained flight with a pilot aboard, during his visit Wednesday. His children enjoyed robots R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" movies.

Jackson will be in the Washington region for a few days. Bain said the singer has been looking for a vacation home.

Jackson’s fondness to stars wars films is evident with his life-sized replicas of Darth Vader, Yoga, D2 R2, C-3PO and a Han Solo model frozen in carbonite.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_fzcxv
During the HIStory World Tour, Michael opens each show, wearing a dazzling silver & gold futuristic outfit, complete with space helmet. Reminiscing the Star Wars, he comes in a mini spaceship, crashing black door blew open to reveal himself.Great Gate of Kiev was used as the anthem.

Media_httpmjjforeverf_zgkhn

Life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 : The great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room/collection gallery includes several Star Wars pieces. A life-size replica of Star Wars robot R2-D2 from Lucasfilm Ltd., 1999. An electric light inside the figure illuminates it.

See more Star Wars pieces from the great panoramic of Michael Jackson’s game room collection gallery.
MJ Star Wars Collection

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Filed under  //   1971   1972   1988   1992   1996   1998   1999  

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's single I Wanna Be Where You Are hit #16 in the U.S.
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    The song was released from his debut album "Got To Be There" as a single, probably the most soulful early single he released. As usual, Michael's delivery is impeccable, written by Leon Ware & Arthur "T-Boy" Ross for Michael Jackson, who took the song to #16 & #2 on the U.S. pop & R&B singles charts in 1972. The single made his 3rd straight Top 40 pop hit during his early solo career in Motown, he would break this record with Off The Wall, but this was a very good start for the newly solo Michael Jackson.

    1988 - Video for Another Part of Me was filmed using Michael's Bad Tour performance.
    Once again, Michael chose to promote the single with a 'live' promo, his first ever filmed during an actual concert – the Wembley Stadium gig.

    1995 - The maxi single for Michael Jackson's Scream was released.

    Filed under  //   1972   1988   1995  

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