Today in MJJ HIStory

1991 - "Looking Back To Yesterday: A Young Michael" was released by Motown.

1993 - After postponing twice because he was suffering from acute dehydration, his second Bangkok concert was finally staged on 27th August before a capacity 70,000 audience. Clearly believing, as he resolutely maintained, Michael was innocent of any wrongdoing, fans chanted their support and waved banners with Michael’s name and 'We love you' on them.

1994 - Michael Jackson is on the cover of Derniere Heure magazine.

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1997 - News broke that singer Joni Mitchell and Sony / ATV Music Publishing signed a major deal [effective July 1, 1997] to administer Ms Mitchell's music catalogue. Sony / ATV is a joint venture owned equally by Sony Corporation and Michael Jackson, and is the world's 3rd largest [!] music publishing company. The firm will handle requests to license Ms Michell's songs worldwide for use in various outlets, including film and television, except for Australia, Italy and Britain.

Michael Jackson is on the cover of Kroonika magazine, Estonia.

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1995 - Michael Jackson testified in a lawsuit brought against his family by the producers of the "Jackson Family Honors" show. He stated that he never promised to perform, but agreed to present awards.
Filed under  //   1991   1993   1994   1995   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - The Jackson Five’s ABC album rules the Billboard R&B chart summit, one of three LPs by the group that spend a total 31 weeks at the top in 1971.

1972 - The Jackson 5 single "Lookin' Through The Windows" hit #16 in the U.S. Lookin' Through the Windows was the title track as well as the second single off J5's fifth studio album on Motown. The album would go on to sell 3.5 million copies worldwide while the single went to number five in R&B.

Single Details:
Composed by: Clifton Davis
Lead Vocals : Michael Jackson
Background Vocals : The Jackson 5
Arranged by John Bahler & James Carmichael
Vocal Arrangement : John Bahler
Produced by Hal Davis
Executive Producer : Berry Gordy
Recorded at the Motown Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California.

US single released June 23, 1972
# 5 RNB, #16 Pop, #9 UK
Sales : 1 534 827 (World), 581 426 (USA)

Lyrics
Lookin' through the windows
The window to your heart
Oh baby, yeah
I can see it's cloudy
The rain's about to start

Lookin' through the windows
It seems I caused your fears
And that little doubt, girl
And now it's bringing tears

Just remember whatever makes you feel that way
Don't you worry 'cause I'm gonna stay
Right by your side
To keep on lookin' through the windows
Lookin' in your eyes

Looking through the windows
Seems like the only way, yeah
I can't know your feelings
If you still love me today

Just remember whatever makes you feel that way
Don't you worry 'cause I'm gonna stay
Right by your side
To keep on lookin' through the windows
Lookin' in your eyes


All Music Review: Starting with the arresting strings-dominated accents that are similar to the ones found on the ending riffing section of Issac Hayes' "Shaft," the Jackson 5's "Lookin' Through the Windows" stands as one of the group's most intricately arranged sides, robust with striking vocal harmonies, dazzling counterpoint, and energetic time changes. The title refers to the lyrical theme which revolves around the "eyes are the windows to the soul." The song was written by Clifton Davis who also wrote their airy 1971 number one R&B hit "Never Can Say Goodbye."
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Also on the same day, Michael perform at the 1972 Forum show, Saturday night, August 26, 1972, Michael was three days from his 14th birthday. Motown had launched him as a solo artist the year before and he already had three hit singles on his own; by this concert “Ben” was the current release. He gets a significant solo spot in the show, made all the sweeter with his brothers’ harmonies backing him up on each song.

This spectacular version of “Got To Be There” is one of six solo MJ songs perform live at the forum. Man, he gets up there strong.
Source: j5live.tumblr.com

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph tour at Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, USA.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Rich Stadium, Buffalo, New York, attending 47,000 fans.

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1988 - Michael perform the 6th of seven sold out Wembley shows of the Bad tour at Wembley Stadium, London, England.

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1992 - Michael perform Dangerous World tour at Prater Stadium, Vienna, Austria attending 50,000 fans.

1993 - The scheduled concert on the 25th in Thailand, during the Asian leg of the Dangerous tour, was cancelled and rescheduled for the 26th. The concert was again cancelled because Jackson had not fully recovered from dehydration and stress pertaining to the allegations. Jackson released an audio-taped message to his fans saying "I promise all my fans to perform at the National Stadium in Bangkok on August 27. I will see you Friday. I love you all."

1997 - Michael perform HIStory World tour at Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland.

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2003 - It was announced the Michael Jackson would open his Neverland Ranch to people for a "once in a lifetime" event for $5,000. The invited guests would get a tour of the grounds and eat two meals on September 13.

Filed under  //   1971   1972   1981   1984   1988   1992   1993   1997   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 – The Jackson 5ive are at Look Magazine, Volume 34 Number 17.

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Cover story: JACKSON FIVE: "Bubblegum soul takes off".

THE JACKSON FIVE: The Hottest new group in the record world has to be in bed by ten o'clock. "Led by Michael, 10, the Jackson quintet is an exaltation of earthy songs and hip street dancing that sends teen audiences wild." by Ernest Dunbar, Photographs by Douglas Jones.
Credits: Thanks brendasaller♥

<noscript>To view this photo slideshow you need to have Flash Player 9 or newer installed and JavaScript enabled. PhotoSnack, the free slideshow creator allows you to create stunning photo slideshows in minutes!</noscript>

1973 – The Jackson 5ive concert in Los Angeles.

1978 - Michael attended a reception for the Robert Kennedy Tennis Tournament at the NBC Building in New York City.


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Jackie [Kennedy] invited Michael to accompany her to the Robert Kennedy Tennis Tournament, where she introduced him to her children; John F. Kennedy Jr. & Caroline Kennedy.

1992 - The first Heal The World European Children’s Congress meets in London, England. Eighty-four children between the ages of 8 and 16 come together to express their views on the world's biggest problems and the solutions, as they see them. Despite a case of laryngitis, Michael arrives at Regent's College after lunch and stays for approximately four hours.

1993 - Michael's Bad and Thriller albums certified 7x and 22x platinum by RIAA.

2008 - The fan-voted album King of Pop was released in Belgium, New Zealand & UK.

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UK: On July 18, the United Kingdom version of the compilation was announced. Sony BMG UK teamed up with GMTV and The Sun allowing fans, until August 10, to pick 18 tracks from the song pool. The pool list, at only 50 tracks, is the least diverse; there were no songs included from Jackson's group career. 66,000 people took part in the vote. Despite the pool conducting a possible 18 tracks, only 17 are included. Most notable is the fact that "Scream" is included on the album, as this song had not appeared on any compilation album in the United Kingdom prior due to legal rights with Janet Jackson's label Virgin Records.

New Zealand: On July 3, it was announced that fans in New Zealand would have until July 20, to vote for their version of King of Pop. Fans could vote for five songs in a pool that differed slightly from the Australian song pool. The songs available from Thriller 25 were different; "For All Time" had been replaced by "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". "Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu" from Bad (2001 special edition) was not available. While the Australian pool included seven songs from Jackson's group career, the New Zealand pool had only three: "Blame It on the Boogie", "Can You Feel It" and "State of Shock".

Belgium: On July 26, it was announced the released of the double disc album. Fans could vote for their 5 favorite tracks from a pool of 124, on the web site of the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. This is the only version of the album to contain the single Girlfriend.

Filed under  //   1970   1973   1978   1992   1993   2008  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 – The Jackson 5 perform in concert in San Francisco, California.

1992 – Michael Jackson attend the first Heal The World European Children Congress at Regent’s College in London.

1993 - Michael kicked off the second leg of his Dangerous tour in Bangkok, Thailand performing first of two concerts at the National Stadium attending 70,000 fans.

After the cancellation of what should have been the first two dates of the second half of Michael’s Dangerous World Tour, much to the disappointment of the Hong Kong fans who lost out, the tour resumed in Bangkok, Thailand with Michael dropping Working Day And Night, Beat It and Man In The Mirror from the show, and adding his American Music Awards’ Dangerous routine.

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"HTW" partners with "Pepsi-Cola Thailand" to endow 40,000 dollars to the "Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's" foundation and to the Rural School Children and Youth Development Fund, as a sponsorship for school meal programs in the villages of Thailand.

The tour moved through Asia, Russia and onto South America. Michael played his last show of the Tour on the 11th of November, 1993 in Mexico. The Tour had ended suddenly as Michael had become the subject of child abuse allegations and had become dependent on painkillers due to recent surgery on his scalp. Michael had played 69 concerts to approximately 3.5 million fans and had donated all proceeds to his Heal the World foundation and other charities around the world. It was the biggest tour of its time.

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Michael spends few days in Bangkok to perform 2 concerts on August 24 & 27.

At 270 feet, the "Dangerous" stage is wider than the widest American stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall, which measures 190 feet.

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Also on that day, reports surfaced in the media that Michael is under criminal investigation for child abuse by the Los Angeles Police Department. Michael was honoring his Dangerous World Tour concerts (the entire proceeds of which being donated to his Heal The World Foundation) when news about allegations of improper conduct towards a minor broke and were made public by August 24, 1993. He was preparing to perform song “Jam” when he learned about the shocking news. Regardless of it, he mustered up strength and performed the song, at the beginning of it removing a pair of dark glasses and revealing wet eyes and a tear streaking down his left cheek. Three days beforehand, a search warrant was issued, allowing police to search Jackson's Neverland Ranch, Santa Ynez Valley, California.

Investigator Anthony Pellicano says the accusations are the result of a failed attempt to exort money from Michael Jackson. It transpires the boy's father, Evan Chandler, a dentist in Beverly Hills, wanted Michael to fund movie projects for him, so he could become a full-time screen-writer. When this request was refused, he threatened to make child molestation allegations against his son public.

Following the criminal allegations, Jackson's newly hired criminal lawyer, Howard Weitzman, reads a statement to the press from the singer: "My representatives have continuously kept me aware of what is taking place in California. I appreciate the remarks of Chief Willie Williams and our Los Angeles police department. I am confident the department will conduct a fair and thorough investigation and its results will demonstrate that there was no wrongdoing on my part. I intend to continue with my world tour, and look forward to seeing all of you in the scheduled cities. I am grateful for the overwhelming support of my fans throughout the world. I love you all. Thank you. Michael."

The molestation story will dominate newspapers, magazines, and scandal TV shows for many months to come.

1997 - Michael perform HIStory World tour at Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland.

2001 – "You Rock My World", the first single from the forthcoming album "Invincible" was premiered online, on internet at michaeljackson.com.

Re-Beat It on Entertainment Weekly

Does HIStory repeat itself? Looks that way. Michael Jackson's overdue Invincible isn't out till (fingers crossed) Sept. 25, but homages to the King of Pop keep popping up. We rate -- giving up to four gloves -- those who dare to walk the (moon)walk.

Chris Tucker JACKSON ACTION In Rush Hour 2, sings Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough. BEHIND THE MUSIC The inveterate MJ impressionist cranks out a karaoke rendition of the 1979 hit to reprise his breakdown in RH 1. But how did director Brett Ratner get the blessing of the reclusive Gloved One? "I have a friend who's his projectionist," says Ratner. "So I said, 'Listen, the next time you show a movie, slip this tape in.'" [Three Gloves]

Alien Ant Farm JACKSON ACTION Punkish cover of Smooth Criminal on their CD Anthology. BEHIND THE MUSIC "I was just blown away," says "Criminal" video director Marc Klasfeld, on first hearing AAF's tongue-in-cheek remake. On landing the video gig, he brainstormed a collage of Jacksoniana. (A Bubbles-like chimp and a Liz Taylor tattoo make cameos.) But the pastiche is affectionate, and Klasfeld adds, "I just think it's a good song, hands down." [Four Gloves]

Gorillaz JACKSON ACTION In their Clint Eastwood video, 'toon gorillas perform Thriller-esque zombie dancing. BEHIND THE MUSIC Guest artist Del Tha Funkee Homosapien claims ignorance: "That's an ill angle for me -- I didn't even realize it was Michael Jackson. It looked tight, though. I ain't seen nobody since Michael Jackson really putting it down except for hip-hop motherf***ers...and sh** like that. You know what I'm saying?" In our small way. [Two Gloves]

Lil' Romeo JACKSON ACTION Samples the Jackson 5's I Want You Back heavily on My Baby. BEHIND THE MUSIC "I always looked up to him -- and my dad -- since I was a little boy," says the hip-high hip-hopper, who'll perform at next month's Jackson reunion. But Romeo doesn't mimic MJ's moves (a la Usher, who moonwalks in his U Remind Me video) -- or his taste in pets: "I have two birds. But I don't think I'll ever get a monkey." [Three Gloves]

2004 - The Sony Music Store USA is accepting preorders for the new 5 disc set 'Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection' (Selection # : 092600). The scheduled release date is October 19, 2004.

Filed under  //   1973   1992   1993   1997   2001   2004  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed under  //   1966   1983   1992   1993   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1987 - Michael's duet with Siedah Garret "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" reached #1 in the UK Singles chart replacing Los Lobos's hit La Bamba, and stay there for 2 weeks.

Michael was in Hong Kong for a short visit.

1993 - Michael Jackson began the second leg of Dangerous World tour in Hong Kong.

1995 - "You Are Not Alone", the second single from from "HIStory" album was released in America, and went on to create chart history.

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The single debuted at number 1 on the US charts, smashing the previous record set by “Scream”. “You Are Not Alone” was the first song to ever debut at number one on the US Billboard Chart. Michael broke his own record which he set with "Scream" 2 1/2 months ago ["Scream" entered the Billboard charts at number 5, being the then-highest entry of all time]. The number one position is the highest possible debuting position on the single-charts. This record can only be tied but never be broken. Michael was honored with the "Billboard Hot 100 Achievement Award" for having the first ever single in the history of the Billboard charts, "You Are Not Alone", to debut at number one on the charts!

The single was a worldwide smash, reaching number 1 in six countries and record sales for HIStory soared.

The short film to accompany the song was directed by Wayne Isham and featured Lisa Marie Presley.

1999 - On Sunday, the Dalai Lama, earthly embodiment of the Buddha of Compassion granted an audience to Michael Jackson.

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It was the first meeting between His Holiness and Michael. The meeting took place at the Mark Hotel. The Dalai Lama and Michael spoke for about 20 minutes

The Dalai Lama left New York Yesterday, but Michael remained in New York finishing an album. While there, he dined at a New York apartment with Dolly Parton and Elizabeth Taylor. According to a source, the focus of much of their talk was the death of John Kennedy Jr. and the dangers Celebrities face when flying private planes.

2004 - Michael Jackson was a special guest of Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, one of the most respected churches in the Los Angeles African-American community.

At 10:00 a.m. Michael Jackson, his youngest brother Randy Jackson, entertainer Steve Harvey, and attorney Mr. Thomas Messerau sat comfortably towards the back of the church and enjoyed the service. Although news of Michael's appearance was not widely publicized, the press from most major news channels were on hand. Much of the public learned of Michael's appearance from hearing it mentioned on the Steve Harvey radio program earlier. There were a handful of fans who knew where First AME Church was located and were able to be there to greet Michael. After Michael left the church he made his way to the Cecil F. Murray Education Center, a small school a block away that is run by First AME Church. There, he was scheduled to greet a class room full of about 25 African-American children. The press were told before Michael entered the room that there would be absolutely no questions that would be allowed by the press.
Filed under  //   1987   1993   1995   1999   2004  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1980 - Michael films a special at Disneyland for Disney's 25th anniversary. Disneyland celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with a 25 hour party starting at midnight and ending at 1 AM on the 20th.
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1982 - Michael attends a gala in honor of Quincy Jones at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
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1985 - The charity single We Are The World by the super group USA for Africa, quickly became an anthem for the 80s, and along with the Band-Aid single, inspired a wave of musical charity events, from Live Aid on July 17, 1985 (which, ironically, Michael did not participate in, due to being tied up in filming Captain EO) to Hands Across America on May 25, 1986.
The music-charity movement grew to become far greater than the sum of its parts, but Michael’s crucial contribution guaranteed him a special place in a mass movement that came to define the 1980s pop culture almost as much as Thriller had two years earlier.

1990 - Michael attends the wedding of Grace Eaton to Berry Gordy in Santa Barbara. Among the other wedding guests were Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross.

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1993 - Michael Jackson's single "Will You Be There" hit #9 in the U.K.

1997 - Michael Jackson's "Blood On The Dance Floor: History in the Mix" was certified gold by the RIAA.

Filed under  //   1980   1982   1985   1990   1993   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1987 - 25 CBS Records executives and representatives are invited to a dinner party at Hayvenhurst where they are treated with a preview of the Bad album and the Bad short film.
Epic announces that the Bad album has been completed and will be released on August 31.

1989 – Michael Jackson is on Bravo Magazine, Germany.

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1992 - The World première of the Who Is It video clip took place on on BBC2's "Def II" during the Michael Jackson Special.
On July 14, 1992 the video clip is withdrawn by Michael because he is said to be unhappy with the editing and angry about its early release. The video is later re-released in a re-edited version.
The video clip was not released in the U.S.A. In May 1993 the accompanying video premièred in the U.S.A. It is a compilation of earlier video clips. The European version of the video is available in the US only on Dangerous: The Short Films.

1993 - Michael Jackson's single Will You Be There was released.
The gospel-flavored track written & produced by Michael, became the 7th song to reach the top 40 from his Dangerous album. Featured in the film Free Willy (also, on the accompanying soundtrack album), Will You Be There gave Michael his first Top 10 single on the Hot 100 in four attempts; it peaked at #7. The song was truly a whale of a hit: doubling as the theme to the film Free Willy, it won the MTV Movie Award for Best Song in a Movie in 1994. It was also included in the album All Time Greatest Movie Songs released by Sony in 1999. The single sold over 500,000 copies in U.S. & 10,530,000 copies worldwide, later being certified Gold by RIAA.

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Song Facts:
Michael wrote Will You Be There while sitting in the Giving tree at his Neverland Ranch.
The song includes a classical prelude & chorus featuring the Cleveland Orchestra performing a portion of Beethoven's ninth symphony; followed by a chorale interlude arranged by Andrae and Sandra Crouch.


Lyrics:
Hold Me
Like The River Jordan
And I Will Then Say To Thee
You Are My Friend

Carry Me
Like You Are My Brother
Love Me Like A Mother
Will You Be There?

Weary
Tell Me Will You Hold Me
When Wrong, Will You Scold Me
When Lost Will You Find Me?

But They Told Me
A Man Should Be Faithful
And Walk When Not Able
And Fight Till The End
But I’m Only Human

Everyone’s Taking Control Of Me
Seems That The World’s
Got A Role For Me
I’m So Confused
Will You Show To Me
You’ll Be There For Me
And Care Enough To Bear Me

2009 – Michael Jackson had been slated to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13, running until March 2010. Givi

Filed under  //   1987   1989   1992   1993   2009  

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