Today in MJJ HIStory

1977 - The Wiz rehearsals began in New York City.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform Life Of The Party at the Sonny Comedy Revue.

1977 - In the September 22, 1977 issue of Jet magazine, Michael gave an interview to deny a slew of rumors.

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Now a young adult, Michael’s private life was open to speculation in the press. It wasn’t long before strange rumors began to surface about him, an unavoidable consequence of fame that would become a constant burden for the rest of his life.

Michael deny a slew of rumors that by then had become urban legends: that he had gone skinny dipping with thirteen-year-old Tatum O’Neal, that he was gay, that he had taken hormones to keep his voice or had a sex change operation.

Still a year and a half away from his first nose job, insecure because of his post-adolescent complexion, Michael’s delicate psyche was already having to defend itself against the suspicious scrutiny of strangers.

1980 - The Jacksons' Can You Feel It is released as the first track on their album Triumph.

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Written by brothers Jackie and Michael, the song featured solo leads by Randy and Michael, recorded in March 1980. Released as a single in 1981, the song reached #77 on the pop charts and #30 on the R&B charts in United States, but reached #6 in the UK and #2 in The Netherlands in 1981.

The accompanying video, was noted for its remarkable special effects. Michael created the video's concept, and Tito's sons Taj and Taryll appeared as extras. In 2001, it was voted one of the 100 best videos of all time, in a poll to mark the 20th anniversary of MTV. The title was also used for a 2009 greatest hits compilation.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at RFK Stadium in Washington [D.C., USA] attending 45,000 fans.

LA Semaine magazine [Canada] featured Michael on their cover.

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1989 - The Capital Children's Museum honored Michael with the "Best of Washington 1989 Humanitarian Award" in recognition of his efforts in raising funds for the hands on educational museum, as well as for his never-ending altruistic efforts of improving children's lives.
Although Michael is unable to attend, he does send a video taped thank you speech. The award is officially given to Michael at the 8th annual Best Of Washington Celebrity Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Sheraton Washington Hotel (Washington, D.C.).

1990 - In September 1990, Black Entertainment’s Television celebrates its 10th anniversary. A special edition devoted to the Network was featured on September 22 issue of Billboard. Michael Jackson was among those congratulating BET: “I am extremely appreciative of BET’s support of my efforts. They have always provided a welcome home for my music”.

1992 - Michael perform a concert at Calderón Stadium in Madrid, Vicente attending 40,000 fans.

1993 - Michael arrives in Istanbul [Turkey] with Frank & Eddie. He goes to the cinema To watch Jurassik Park!

1995 - Michael was inducted into the Black Entertainment's Television Walk of Fame.

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Michael was in Washington DC, to join the 15th Anniversary celebrations of Black Entertainment Television.

As well as singing You Are Not Alone with the Union Temple Baptist Choir, he became the first inductee in BET’s newly founded Walk Of Fame – created to recognize contributions to the music industry by African American artists.

Robert L. Johnson, BET’s president, presented a special plaque to Michael, who said he was ‘really proud’ and that it was ‘a great honour’. The BET show was screened, on American cable television, on 6th December 1995.

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1998 - Michael attends another Janet concert in Orlando Spends Time with Lisa Marie and her children.

2001 - You Rock My World video is premiered.
You Rock My World, the lead single from INVINCIBLE, opened with a spoken exchange by Michael and Chris Tucker. The pair starred in the accompanying short film as well, with Marlon Brando and Michael Madson guesting and Paul Hunter directing.

Three versions of the promo were released, two edits and the full length version which ran to almost 14 minutes, and echoed some of the mood of Smooth Criminal. In most countries, the promo premiered on 21st September, but American fans had to wait another five days before they could watch it. On September 26, 2001 the clip premièred on TRL in the U.S.A.

You Rock My World, in reaching no.10, gave Michael his first Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 since You Are Not Alone in 1995. It did slightly less well – no.13 – on the R&B chart.

Filed under  //   1974   1977   1984   1989   1990   1992   1993   1995   1998   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Michael was on a recording session of CALL ON ME, arranged and produced by Gene Page, Fonce Mizell & Freddie Perren. The song included, with added overdubs and remixed, on the solo compilation FAREWELL MY SUMMER LOVE, issued in May 1984 in the States and June 1984 in the UK.

1985 -

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Keeping with the philanthropic theme of the times, USA for Africa's instant-classic "We Are the World" won Best Group Video (and with everyone from Michael Jackson and Tina Turner to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, it was some group), as well as the Viewer's Choice Moonman.

Lauper and Ken Kragen prove music can be used for a noble cause, accepting a Moonman on behalf of USA For Africa at the MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall, NY.

1987 - Michael performs Bad tour at Tokyo Dome, Tokyo [Japan] attending 45,000.

Michael displays his support towards a campaign against racism, as well by lending his name to the NAACP's endeavour to help arrest prejudiced conduct and widespread discrimination against black artists.

1989 - Michael Jackson signed a $28 million deal with L.A. Gear.

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A press conference was held in Los Angelese to announce Michael's new multi million endorsement deal with "L.A. Gear". The two year deal called for Michael to design and market a line of sports shoes and sportswear as well as appear in commercials. Under the marketing campaign 'Unstoppable' a wide range of activities was promised to promote the collection.

At the press conference, Michael wore black pants and jacket with a purple shirt and sunglasses. He also wore, instead of the usual black loafers, a pair of black & silver L.A. Gear tennis shoes. As usual, Michael was very brief with his comments: ""I look forward to the challenge of creating and designing with this hot LA fashion lead... I am very happy to be part of the L.A. Gear magic and I hope we have a very rewarding, successful career. Thank you."

Pop singer was said to be paid close to $28 million to be the company spokesperson and to design a line of men’s leisure shoes, black shoes, and T-shirts - for double what Pepsi had paid him, the highest corporate association ever.

The company's stock responded strongly, rising four points in the three days following the announcement. The company's use of Michael Jackson was 'more than a growth opportunity, they're trying to maintain their fashion image,' Paine Webber analyst Frank Podbelsek told Advertising Age. Under the umbrella theme Unstoppable L.A. Gear prepared to tap Michael Jackson's worldwide popularity by coordinating the Jackson line rollout with the release of a collection of his greatest hits called A Decade which was never released and the deal was dropped after only one commercial.
DECADE: Originally scheduled for release in November, 1989, DECADE was to be a double album of Michael's greatest hits with 3 to 5 new songs included, among them his cover of the Beatles' Come Together. Slated for release simultaneously was a DECADE video cassette. The poject was later shelved due to an avalanche of new material, prompting thoughts of a brand new album instead, much to the delight of his fans, which become, DANGEROUS.

In August 1990, commercials for "L.A. Gear" with Michael began airing in movie theatres.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Hippodrome de Vincennes, Paris [France] attending 85,000.

1993 - Jet magazine features MJ on its cover with the story Family And Fans Support Michael Jackson In Child Abuse Investigation.

1995 - Michael Jackson's "Dangerous - The Short Films" was certified Platinum.

1996 - During HIStory tour, Michael visits a state orphanage in Bucharest, Romania, prior to his concert at Lia Manoliu Stadium attending 70,000 fans.
He gives away toys & sweets to and plays with children from the "Leaganul De Copii Sfanta Ecaterina" state home, which he also acknowledges with 35 million Lei ($ 1 million).
Along with children, he visits the monument dedicated to the victims of the 1989 Romanian revolution, kneels before the memorial & renders a bouquet of flowers.


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Michael was also is invited at the Parliament Palace, where children give performances for him. He attends a folklore performance - music and dances - by children dressed in traditional Romanian attire, after which is received on stage by the children, chanting his name and thunderously applauding him. They also perform a few song remakes in Romanian of famous anthems, such as Stephen Foster's "Oh, Susanna" or The Beatles' "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", to which Jackson happily bops his head and claps his hands.


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When he is invited to take the stage, he makes the following appreciative discourse: "This performance was one of the most amazing performances I’ve ever seen in my entire life. And I’m not just saying that, I really mean it from my heart. It was the highest in artistic presentation and I only wish all of the world leaders could be here to see this, because I think they would think twice when they so quickly send our brothers to the killing fields. Because this is our future – all the children. And I love you so much. And… [children loudly chanting his name] I just once again wanted to say thank you very very much, and from the bottom of my heart I truly and endearly love each and everyone of you. Thank you so much." (rare footage provided by LovinTheKingOfPop on YouTube)

1997 - Michael attends a public service for Princess Diana at St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, CA.

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2003 - Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was opened for a "once in a lifetime" event for guests that had paid $5,000 for a tour and two meals.

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Michael hosted a star-studded charity event at Neverland. Only 400 tickets were available for purchase. Ticket price at pre-sale was $725, with proceeds going to charity. Among those in attendance were Aaron and Nick Carter, Mike Tyson, Penny Marshall, Pink, and Boys II Men, to name a few. R&B singer Ashanti performed her hit single, Aww Baby mixed with Michael's hit Rock With You, from the Off The Wall' album. The Carter brothers later presented Michael with a belated birthday cake. This led to a massive food fight—which of course, Michael started! Michael addressed those in attendance: "Thank you all for coming tonight. For in my opinion, in my opinion, is a very special cause and the cause is our future and the future is our children. I will continue to fight for them for the rest of my life."

2009 - The trailer for THIS IS IT was premiered at the MTV Video Music Awards.

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Filed under  //   1973   1985   1987   1989   1992   1993   1995   1996   1997   2003   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - The Jackson 5's next studio album, Get It Together, is released.

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GIT was a strong album that enjoyed moderate success. Musically, their sound had matured from bubblegum pop to hard funk/proto-disco, which may have been over the heads of their young audience.

Michael was now fifteen years old, and although he could no longer rely on the pre-pubescent charm that helped make him a star, he continued to grow as a performer.

The last song on the album, Dancing Machine, became a feature for a new dance routine, “the robot” (first used during the Japan concerts the previous spring), that would become an MJ trademark – at least until the moonwalk (or “back slide”) came along a decade later.

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"Get It Together", the tenth album of Motown Jackson 5, is regarded as album of the revival of the brothers in this team. Their previous album "Skywriter" having been, in fact, a failure, and the group seemed far from triumphant debut.

1973 was also the year when the J5 begin to find a way to compose and produce their own songs. Unfortunately the machine is far from Motown tubes to be flexible and allow full freedom to his singers, confined to their unique role as interpreters. The group is approaching, however, Stevie Wonder. Recording sessions with a number of times will take place. But the only official release will appear in the chorus of the single "You Have not Done Nothing".

"Get It Together" is tinged with the imprint of Hal Davis, the producer behind the new Jackson 5's, and these new dance rhythms.

"The boys asked me something that moves", said Hal Davis. "The clubs discos appeared everywhere, and these kids were real dancers. The disco was in the air, and suddenly, I would have given anything to dance. I had this extraordinary rhythm section: William Salter to bass, Joe Sample on keyboards, and James Gadson on drums. Gadson was particularly giant. "

On "Get It Together," the voice of Michael begins to change: a little more serious, but also more powerful than ever. Behind it, he dreamed of singing songs to disco club. He adored move. "The disco had its detractors," says Michael, "But for us it was a necessary route to enter the adult world.

Among the motivating songs include the title song "Get It Together," written and composed by almost all the flagship Motown: Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Larson and Marcellino. This title has reached the second list Soul, 1973, as the title "Do not Say Goodbye Again".

The album contains, as often since the inception of the times: The Supremes, Reflections, Gladys Knight & the Pips, "You Need Love Like I Do Do not You", and finally one of the Temptations: "Hum Along And Dance ", a composition of Norman Whitfield.

Jackson 5 But the real surprise of the album Dancing Machine. This title has been broadcast on radio after the sales of this album have ceased. The title has been # 1 in March 1974 and was resumed in a shorter version in 1974 on the next album, "Dancing Machine". The disco track is an opportunity for Michael to sparkle with creativity. The title was inspired dance called the "Robot", mechanical movement, which inspired many dancers (including those who will say later, having learned the moonwalk to Michael ...) and mark the beginnings of dance called "Breakdance .

The recording sessions of "Get It Together" gave birth to several titles of which will be published a few years later Joyful Jukebox Music in 1976: it is Pride and Joy, a cover of Marvin Gaye in a absolutely fresh and innovative approach to this classic Motown.

That autumn, the group’s TV appearances included a Bob Hope special and Soul Train.

1986 - Michael Jackson's "Captain Eo" debuted at Disneyland's Journey into Imagination at Epcot Center.

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More than a year after this first announcement, "Captain EO" ["EO" is Greek for "dawn"], Michael's 17 minute space fantasy 3-D movie, premièred at Epcot Center in Disney World, Florida. The film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola ["Dracula"] and produced by George Lucas ["Star Wars"], becomes [and up to today still is] the most expensive film -"minute-for-minute" - ever made. [Estimated costs for the 17 minute film - US$ 30 million].

Michael stars in the title role alongside Anjelica Huston.
Billed as 'a celebration of triumph over evil', it included two new songs written and performed by Michael, Another Part Of Me (later featured on Michael’s album BAD) and We Are Here To Change The World.

After its première at Disney World Florida, the 3-D movie was shown at all 4 Disney Theme Parks [Florida, California, Japan, France] with tremendous success and became one of the main attractions of the parks. "Working on 'Captain EO' reinforced all the positive feelings I've had about working in film and made me realize more than ever that movies are where my future path probably lies", Michael says later.

After a long delay, Captain EO premiered at the Epcot Center on September 12, 1986. A 3-D special effects extravaganza, the seventeen-minute film cost $30 million to make, making it the most expensive movie ever produced on a per-minute basis at the time.

Designed specifically for screening at the Disneyland and Disney World amusement parks, Captain EO was more than a movie, it was a full-on sensory experience, created to provide a thrill equal to any rollercoaster. Michael starred as the movie’s namesake, a space hero who leads a ragtag assortment of cute creatures in a mission to unlock the despotic Witch Queen’s (played by Angelica Huston) inner beauty, armed only with the power of song and dance.

Captain EO is regarded as the first "4-D" film: the action on the screen extended into the audience, including lasers, laser impacts, smoke effects & starfields that filled the theater.
These in-theater effects resulted in the 17 minute film cost $30 million to produce; At $1.76 million per minute, it is still the most expensive minute-for-minute film ever made!

1987 - The Bad world tour began in Japan. 'Typhoon Michael', as he was nicknamed, swept into Japan to kicks off his first ever solo tour. He plays the first of three sold out concerts at the Korakuen-Stadium to a capacity of 45,000 [meanwhile known as Tokyo Dome] in Tokyo, Japan.

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At each and every concert he played, Michael ensured 400 tickets were reserved for underprivileged children; these were distributed via orphanages, hospitals and children’s charities. However, with precious little time to prepare, Michael necessarily based the Bad World Tour on the Victory Tour.

Here, his parents caught up with him and, following the first show she had seen, Katherine was asked by Michael’s manager Frank Dileo what she thought. Katherine thought it was great.
‘Michael’s always good,’ she replied, ‘but it would have been a better show with the brothers.’ She explained why. ‘They know how to dance and harmonise together. Their voices blend in a special way because they’re brothers.’
So, in her opinion, the show would have been better with Michael’s brothers. Many Jackson fans would readily agree with Katherine, but the Victory Tour left a bitter taste in Michael’s mouth and besides, the aim of this tour was to promote his solo album, BAD.

Three dates at Osaka’s Nishinomya Stadium were followed by five at the Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, after which Michael rounded off the Japanese leg of the tour by returning to Osaka for another three concerts.

Prior to the tour, his life as an entertainer frequently bringing him into conflict with his religion, Michael withdrew from the Jehovah’s Witnesses (he later re-joined). A representative from Woodlands Hill Kingdom Hall, to which Michael had belonged, issued a terse statement confirming Michael had ‘disassociated himself from the congregation’.
A few days later William Van De Wall, a Jehovah’s Witness spokesman, told reporters, ‘He (Michael) took the initiative. We didn’t take any action. We were informed of his wishes.’
No longer shackled by his religious beliefs, Michael added Thriller to the tour line-up, plus two songs from his new album, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You and Bad.

Michael had invited the magicians Siegfried and Roy to create illusions for his "Bad" tour and, in return, wrote a special number, "Mind Is The Magic", to open their show at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

Siegfried and Roy are Las Vegas' number one entertainment attraction and since its opening in 1981, their spectacular illusion show has never played to a single empty seat!

Michael’s touring band included backup singer Sheryl Crow, who sang in a duet with Michael on I Can’t Stop Loving You at every performance. Crow, who would eventually become a star in her own right seven years later, became the subject of tabloid scrutiny as Michael’s rumored love interest, a fallacy Michael’s spin machine did little to discourage.

Michael Jackson's album "Bad" debuted at #1 in the U.K.

1992 - Le Figaro, French magazine features MJ on its cover with the story Appariton a Paris Le Mystere Jackson.

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1993 - Over the weekend of Sep 11 & 12, fans marched in support of MJ in Hollywood. Flowers & cards were left at his freshly polished star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Michael arrived at the next tour stop, Moscow, and was greeted by hundreds of fans waving their gloved hands in the air and shouting to him. A banner was held up saying "Siberia Loves You Michael!". The next day Michael left his hotel to do some shopping. He picked up a 19th century statue, several paintings & books, and a Russian army officers coat. He also toured the Kremlin museum & armory.
The following day, Michael had video shot of himself marching with Russian army soldiers.

1995 - Michael Jackson's maxi single "The Remixes" was released.

Michael Jackson's "Video Greatest Hits - History" was certified 2 times Platinum.

1997 - Michael interview with Barbara Walter on 20/20'1 at George V Hotel in Paris, France.

The show aired on ABC, Michael discusses the paparazzi; battered men; children roam casinos while parents gamble.

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Michael: You should not say, "He's Jacko." I'm not a 'Jacko'. I'm Jackson.
Barbara: How do you feel when they call you...
Michael: Yeah, Wacko Jacko, where did that come from? Some English tabloid. I have a heart and I have feelings. I feel that when you do that to me. It's not nice. Don't do it. I'm not a "wacko".

Michael also talked about the recent death of Britain's Princess Diana:

In my heart I was saying, "I love you Diana. Shine. And shine on forever, because you are the true Princess of the people." And in words I did not say it, but I said it for three minutes in showing a big picture on the jumbotron screens...Sony, big huge screens...and her picture was there shining...and the crowd went bananas. And I played the song "Smile" and "Gone Too Soon".

and being a daddy:
Barbara: You have said, "I grew up in a fishbowl. I will not allow that to happen to my son." Yet, when your son was born, you sold pictures to the National Enquirer and to other European papers, tabloids. Why did you do that?
Michael: Because there was a race. There were some illegal pictures out. Illegally, somebody had taken pictures of a baby...millions of dollars...said, "Here's Michael's son."
And it wasn't. So, I took pictures of the baby. I said, "They're forcing me to get his pictures." There's helocopters flying above us...flying over my house...flying over the hospital, um, machines and satellites all over. Even the hospital said, "Michael, we've had every kind of celebrity here...but we've never had it like this. This is unbelievable." And so I said, "Here, take it." And I gave the money to charity
Barbara: So, rather than...what you're saying is...what you did was to get them off your back.
Michael: Yeah...and may be I don't want to show him to the world like that. I want him to have some space...where he can go to school. I don't want him to be called "Wacko Jacko" that's not nice. They call the father that. That isn't nice...right?

The interview was conducted without letting know the press, nor the Paris hotel. But when Michael tried to sneak out through a back door, there was a huge crowd... already waiting!
Filed under  //   1973   1986   1987   1992   1993   1995   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Jackson Family held a press party at their Encino home.

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On the J5's 1973 Soul Train appearance, Don Cornelius ran some footage from the party.
~j5collector

1987 - Michael arrives in Japan to kick off the first leg of his first solo tour, BAD world tour.

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When Michael's Japan Airlines Flight 61 touched down at Narita International Airport in Tokyo over 600 journalists, cameramen and hundreds of screaming fans were waiting to cover his arrival. Even Bubbles, Jackson's pet chimp, who took a separate flight, was greeted by more than 300. To transport the stage equipment, a chartered jumbo jet flew into Tokyo carrying 22 truckloads along with Jackson's tour entourage of 132 people.

The total attendance for the 14 concerts in Japan during the first leg was 450,000 with performances in Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama. Previously, performers only managed to draw a crowd of 200,000 on a single tour. A granddaughter of Emperor Hirohito attended the first concert in Tokyo.

1992 - A live performance of Black or White taken from a concert at London's Wembley Stadium was broadcast via satellite to the ninth annual MTV Video Music Awards.

Public service announcement made by Michael Jackson as part of the network's Choose or Loose campaign to encourage young adults to register to vote, was premiered during the award telecast. Dressed in his gold & black concert costume, with large mirrored sunglasses, he encouraged others to make a difference. "We live in a country where we have a chance to make a difference. To create a better way of life for ourselves and for our children. The future is now. Let's come together and express our freedom of choice. Choose or Lose."

1995 - Michael Jackson's single "You Are Not Alone" hit #1 in the U.K.

1993 - Bravo magazine features MJ on its cover.

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1999 - Michael & Elizabeth Taylor speak about their close friendship in Talk magazine

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1984 - The Jacksons performs at Mile High Stadium, Denver [Colorado, USA] attending 26,840.

1988 - Michael Jackson won the Video Vanguard award at the 5th annual MTV Vidoe Music Awards, which is given to musicians who have made a profound effect on the MTV culture. MTV recognised Michael's influence in the music video field, when he not only collected the MTV Video Vanguard Award, but saw the award re-named the 'Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award' for future recipients as well.
Michael Jackson changed the music video from a mere promotional tool featuring musicians playing instruments and singing, to a piece of art with a storyline, or as MJ likes to put as 'short films'. His video Thriller influenced and changed music videos into what it is like today.

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The MTV Video Vanguard Award is presented each year to an artist for career achievements in video. The 1987 recipient of the award, Peter Gabriel, who was honored for his wonderful Sledgehammer promo, presented the award to 1988's recipient, Michael Jackson. After a montage of clips from Michael's videos, the award was presented to Michael live via satellite from London, just before one of Michael's performances there. In presenting the award to Michael, Gabriel joked, "I sincerely hope this award will rescue this artist from obscurity and set him on the road to fame & fortune and it gives me great pleasure to give the Video Vanguard Award to Michael Jackson." In an extremely quite voice, Michael accepted saying only, "Thank you. Thank you very much."
Following this lengthy acceptance speech, a special taped performance of "Bad", filmed at one of Michael's Wembley Stadium dates, was shown. The performance featured Michael's new version of the moonwalk, gliding sideways instead of backwards. He also executed the original moonwalk, just as fascinating as ever, with another new just as impossible step in which he walks forward skidding his foot on the floor as he moves it forward, making his steps look rapid & choppy, like several animated pictures each slightly different than the one before, flipped through quickly making the figure appear to be moving. The review of Michael's career in video, his acceptance of the Vanguard Award and his performance were without a doubt the only highlights of the entire lackluster award show.



Michael had two other nominations. Michael & Vincent Patterson were nominated for Best Choreography for "The Way You Make Me Feel" and Michael, Gregg Burge, and Jeffrey Daniel were nominated in the same category for their wok on "Bad". The award went to Barry Lather for his work on Janet's video for "Pleasure Principle".

Michael Jackson's single "Another Part Of Me" hit #11 in the U.S. and #15 in the U.K.

1993 - Dangerous tour's next stop was Fukoka, Japan.

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Jackson arrives in Fukoka on September 7 and was greeted wildly by fans. He bowed to his fans then boardered a bus for Huis Ten Bosch park where he spent two nights. Michael performed 2 concerts in Fukoka. The day after his arrival, Michael & his bodyguards boarded boats & traveled along the cost of a reproduction Dutch cana to the Palace, Huis Ten Bosch park's fanciest hotel. Michael also visited a school affiliated to a US naval base in Japan.

Elizabeth Taylor tribute special, which is a part of the Arts & Entertainment network's Biography series, filmed in the spring, aired for the first time. Michael was interviewed for the special by A&E's Cathy Griffen who said she planned to give him a Mickey Mouse waffle maker to mark his second interview in two weeks! In the interview, Michael explained one of the things he & Liz have in common, "We shared a quest in search of the next step of acceptance from an adoring public who never really knew our inner turmoil".


1995 - Nominated for a record 11 awards, for Scream, Michael and Janet attended the 12th MTV Music Video Awards held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

Michael also opened the proceedings, delighting the audience as he moonwalked and skywalked, spun and twirled, through a stunning medley of some of his greatest hits: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough/The Way You Make Me Feel/Jam/Scream/Beat It/Black Or White/Billie Jean/Dangerous/Smooth Criminal.



Slash joined Michael on stage during Black Or White and, before he launched into an exilarant performance of Dangerous, Michael said:
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"Some of us like to play it safe and take each day as it comes. Some of us like to take that crazy walk on the wild side . . . so, for those of us who like living dangerously – this one’s for you!"


As a finale, Michael sang You Are Not Alone. Michael's performance and the standing ovation he received proved unquestionably his continued popularity with the public in general, and his ability to excite and satisfy a live audience. Michael Jackson featured a new look for this public appeareance.
Every other performer at the show praised Michael, from alternative band Weezer to Notorious B.I.G. Chris Connely of MTV said the backstage area was filled with celebs trying to get a spot in the wings to watch Michael.

Then, rather disappointingly, as the show progressed the innovative Scream promo picked up just three awards: Best Dance Video, Best Choreography (Michael, Lavelle Smith, Travis Payne, Tina Landon and Sean Cheeseman) and Best Art Direction (Tom Foden).

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Michael and Janet collected the first of these awards personally and, in his brief acceptance speech, Michael said, ‘My favourite thing about doing the Scream video was that it was really an excuse to work with my sister, Janet, because I truly adore her. She’s one of the sweetest people in the world.’
Janet caused a stir by wearing a T-shirt with ‘PERVERT 2’ embroidered on it, her way of showing her support for Michael.
‘I had it made especially,’ she told reporters. ‘People can draw their own conclusions.’
Which is precisely what many people did – wrongly!

1996 - Michael Jackson officially kicked off his "HIStory" world tour with a high-tech spectacle at Letna Park in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, playing to over 125,000 people!!! One of the largest single attended concerts in his career.
The spectacle show hit the news around the world, especially Michael's opening [arrival] in the Spaceship MJ 2040! The sell-out crowd gasped as, to open the show, a mini-spaceship crashed through the 210 foot stage. Spectacular lighting effects and fireworks came next, as the spaceship’s black door blew open to reveal Michael, wearing a dazzling silver and gold futuristic outfit, complete with space helmet.

Fans went crazy as Michael launched into Scream, the first song of an astonishing two hour concert. The amazing show featured 20 songs, special effects in several performances, a bigger light show than ever before, a specially built stage, breathtaking costumes and stunning choreography. His crew consisted of over 200 personnel and each concert was 2.5 hours long.


From September 7, 1996 to October 15, 1997, HIStory tour covered Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Hawaii, as he travelled Europe, Michael set new attendance records in many countries. The tour, which grossed a total of $165 million, included a total of 82 concerts with a record-breaking attendance of 4,500,000 fans. The "HIStory" tour spanned the globe with stops in 58 cities, 35 countries on 5 continents, and included 82 concerts to about 4.5 million fans.

2001 - Michael Jackson performed a special concert to celebrate his 30 years as a solo artist. He played a second show on September 10th.

Read what New York Daily News' Sept. 8th edition had to say about the first show [Sept. 07]:

[By Isaac Guzman and Leo Standora]

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His U.S. concert return packs Garden

Michael Jackson took the stage at Madison Square Garden last night to show the world he still counts himself the King of Pop.

Seeking to recapture the magic that put "Thriller" and "Bad" among the best-selling albums ever, he performed with a galaxy of stars in his first U.S. concert in 11 years.

Reuniting with his brothers for a medley of hits recorded when they were the Jackson 5, and heating up the auditorium with a steamy version of "They Way You Make Me Feel" with a miniskirted Britney Spears, Jackson once again rocked his fans' world.

When Jackson donned his trademark sequined jacket, single sequined glove and black fedora, then launched into an electric version of "Billie Jean", the crowd went ballistic.

"He's still to it", announced one fan, as Jackson danced up a storm with his moonwalk, pop and lock, the robot and a series of eye-popping spins.

Filed under  //   1984   1988   1993   1995   1996   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1978 - Blame It On The Boogie enters the Black singles chart peaking at number 3 and remains on the charts for sixteen weeks.

1984 - The Jacksons performs at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia [Pennsylvania, USA] attending 60,000.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Volks Stadium, Bayreuth [Germany] attending 32,000.

A taped poem by Michael Jackson was broadcast on "The Maury Povich Show."

1993 - Cine Tele Revue magazine featured MJ on the cover.

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1995 - Michael Jackson's single "You Are Not Alone" debuted at #1 on the US Hot 100 chart.

You Are Not Alone is the first single in the chart's 37 year history ever to debuted at #1 - sets a new Guinness World Record! This record can only be tied but never be broken!!
He smashed his own record which he set with 'Scream' entering at #5, being the then-highest entry of all time.
Michael was honored with the "Billboard Hot 100 Achievement Award" for having the 1st ever single to debut at #1.
'You Are Not Alone' entered R&B singles chart at #1 as well. It also peaked at #1 in UK, Ireland, Wallonia, France, New Zealand, Spain & Switzerland, and became a top ten hit in every major market!
The single's 1st week sales of 120,000 copies earned Michael his 10th Platinum RIAA Sales Award.
Filed under  //   1978   1984   1992   1993   1995  

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 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

1978 - The Jacksons: Marlon, Michael, Tito, Randy and Jackie pose during a publicity photo shoot after the band signed to Epic Records, at Jackie Jackson's home in Westlake Village, California (Photo Credit: Gregg Cobarr).
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The band of brothers "Jackson 5ive" with the 10 year-old child star Michael as the lead singer, become the first black teen idols to appeal equally to white audiences. After their departure from Motown to CBS in 1976, the group were forced to change their name from "Jackson 5ive" to "The Jacksons", and Jermaine was replaced with younger brother Randy as Jermaine chose to stay at Motown. After 2 years under the Philadelphia International Records label, in 1978, they signed with Epic Records and asserted control of their songwriting, production, and image, and their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)", "Lovely One", and "State of Shock".

1984 – The Jacksons perform their Victory Tour at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan attending 47,900.

1995 - Michael went 'on-line' via the Sony Music Internet, at the Museum of Television and Radio in Manhatten, for his first ever internet Simulcast conducted on three leading online services--America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy--as well as the Internet. It was the largest ever 'cyber chat' at the time, drew in over staggering 25,000 fans around the world – more than 3 times the previous record for a 'cyberchat'!
Michael devoted 70 minutes to answer around 100 of the questions about his music & life, while MTV airs MJ videos and special programming while simulcasting the chat session on television, in a unique use of split-screen technology (New York City, NY).

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He revealed:
  • He doesn’t pay attention to tabloid junk. He is very resilient, and feels like he has a suit of armour around him – like rhinoceros skin.
  • If he could be any fictional super hero he liked, he would choose Morph, from The X-Men. Why? Because Morph constantly transforms himself, and can even teleport.
  • Among his musical influences are Tchaikovsky, and the great writing of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
  • The two favourite places he had travelled to are South America and Africa, as he loves the people and the cultures.
  • The favourite song he’s recorded is probably Ben, Got To Be There, Heal The World – one of the oldies.
  • His dream is to make films; not only to act and sing, but to produce as well.
  • One of his proudest musical achievements is We Are The World, a song he is proud of because it reached so many people.
  • What he missed most during his childhood was the simple little things that kids do – having a friend over, going to the park, trick-or-treat, Christmas and birthdays.
  • If he could meet someone, dead or alive, to talk with them for an hour, he would choose Michaelangelo whom he thinks was a phenomenal artist.
  • Among his favourite songs on HISTORY are Earth Song, Childhood, Stranger In Moscow and Little Susie – he loves songs with heart.
  • He thinks the technology that allowed him to have a simulchat with his fans is incredible, just amazing! As for why he is doing it – for his fans, because he loves them and wanted to talk to them.

He also announces the existence of the project titled "Michael Jackson: One Night Only": "I’m doing an HBO special, and it’s intimate. It’s close-up. It will allow me to do things I’ve never done before."

Source

2001 - Michael's long-awaited first single off "Invincible", titled "You Rock My World" premièred on the US radio station "Jammin 105.1".

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Prior to the singles official release, an unidentified source leaked to two New York radio stations on Friday, August 17, without authorization from Sony Music or Michael Jackson. Immediately after the songs radio airplay the radio stations had received "a herd of [radio] callers asking for more." You Rock My World was first played on the WJTM-FM station at 6 p.m., with WKTU-FM airing the song 45 minutes later. Both stations had played the single every two hours until around 6 p.m. Saturday, when Jackson's record label, Epic Records, called the program director for both stations, Frankie Blue, and asked him to stop. "[They] informed me of the dangers of playing a song too early, [They] said, 'Please do me a favor and take it off the air.'" Blue, a friend of Jackson's, stated on Wednesday, August 22, he would not say how he got the single.
Filed under  //   1978   1984   1995   2001  

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