Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Memphis, Tennessee on their first national tour.

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

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland [US].

1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea attending 72,000. Only this concert, from Seoul was commercially released on VHS in Korea.

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1997 - While Michael's HIStory concerts were seen in Cape Town, Johannesburg & Durban, with all performances selling out, the King of Pop became an honorary member of the Bafokeng Ka Bakwena (People of the Crocodile) tribe in Phokeng.
Michael's parents, Joseph & Katherine, met the tribe a few days before & also got "citizenship" certificates & his ex wife Lisa Marie attend the event.

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Cincinnati, Ohio on their first national tour.


STAR SPANGLED BANNER, America’s national anthem, performed by the Jackson 5 –accompanied by the Leman Monroe High School Band – at the opening game of the baseball World Series at the Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. In a later interview, Michael and his brothers admitted they didn’t know the words, and had to quickly learn them on the way to the stadium.

1976 - The Jacksons made a guest appearances on the new Sonny & Cher Show.

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1982 - Michael attends the wedding of Courtney Sale & Steve Ross with Quincy Jones & his wife Peggy.

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1987 - LOOKIN magazine [UK] featured Michael on their cover.

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1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland [US].

1989 - Michael Goes Back To School

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Michael goes back to school when he visits Room 8 at the Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where he attended sixth grade as a child. The school's auditorium had been recently refurbished to dedicate in his honor, renaming it 'The Michael Jackson Auditorium'. Michael's former 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Gerstin, and Mrs. Rose Fine, his tutor when he was on the road with the Jackson 5, both attended the dedication.

Michael Jackson's homecoming excited Gardner Street Elementary School pupils, who watched as the pop music superstar helped dedicate a remodeled auditorium named in his honor, symbol of then renamed Gardner Street Elementary School from Los Angeles, California.

Dressed in leather black pants and a red shirt covered in zippers, studs & buckles, and long black fingerless gloves arrived at the school Wednesday to students' squeals of "Michael! Michael!" and was guided into the building by police officers.

After several speeches by the school superintendent, PTA representatives, teachers, pupils and parents, Michael's former 6th grade teacher Laura Gerstin introduced Michael and presented him with "Michael Jackson Auditorium" plate - commemorative plaque: "It's an honor to present this plaque to you on behalf of the parents and faculty, past and present, of Gardner School as a token of our respect and our love for you not only as a performer, but as a fine human being."

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Michael spoke briefly as always, and has this to say on being honored: "First of all I'd like to thank my teacher, Mrs. Gerstin, Mrs. Rose Fine, she's another one of my teachers, she's here also and I'd like to thank her. I am deeply touched and honored that the PTA, principal and faculty members, and students have been so kind as to dedicate the Auditorium, where I sat as a child, in my honor.
We must never forget that the children are our future, and without them mankind would become extinct. I thank Mrs. Gerstin, I love you, and Ms. Rose Fine (the Jackson 5's former tutor), I love you, and the Garden Street School associates and all the children. I love you. Thank you."

Following the presentation of the plaque, a very happy student presented Michael with a key to the school. Michael then joined the choir in singing "We Are The World." A small crowd then moved outside as Michael unveiled the new letters on the face of the building identifying it as the Michael Jackson Auditorium.

Following the unveiling, Michael was given a tour of his former school. He visited his old classroom and autographed the wall with a marker, "Michael Jackson Love the Children". Epic official Lary Stesselm, Bob Jones and Bill Bray accompanied Michael.

Janique Hennessee, 11, said she was so excited to see Michael that she started crying, but Michael came up to her and dried her tears.

This is Michael Jackson's Class Photo Back in 1970

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Michael attends Gardner St. School as a 6th-grader from 1969 to 1970 (6 months) after the 11-year old singer and his four brothers first moved to California from their hometown of Gary, Indiana to begin their new lives as performers. At the time, the Jackson 5, who had recently been signed to the Motown record label, were on the cusp of super stardom. Young Michael goes to school during the day while recorded songs & performed with the Jackson 5 at night.
But, in January of 1970, after the Jackson 5 skyrocketed to fame, their single "I Want You Back" hit #1, and Michael's popularity made it so that he could no longer be a part of a normal school environment; with fans waiting for him outside or barge into the classroom, it became necessary to arrange for private tutoring. He withdrew from Gardner St. and from that point forward was home schooled by a private tutor named Rose Fine.

1992 - Michael Jackson Live in Bucharest aired and HBO network was rewarded with their highest ever TV ratings in the history(21.4% rating, 34% share). It later received the highest ratings in cable history, in which Jackson was honored with a CableACE Award.

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Film rights to the concert originally bought by HBO (Home Box Office), an American cable station, for a reported $20 million – the highest sum ever paid for a pop concert.

"He's not coming to America, he's coming to HBO" - Hyped the show as the only chance for U.S. fans to see Michael in concert, (he was still sticking to his story that he would not tour the US), the show was highly publicized by HBO.

The concert was broadcast live on radio and shown on television across 60 countries, too, giving fans unable to attend any of his concerts the chance to see Michael perform.

Concert recorded on 1st October 1992, in front of 70,000 fans, at Bucharest National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania.

Every detail of the show was, of course, nothing short of mesmerizing. His stage entrance was no exception. Smoke machines hid the stage behind a curtain of smoke and as fireworks suddenly exploded, Michael jumped from beneath the stage amid the sparks and smoke dressed in black, gold and silver. There he stood, absolutely motionless for almost two minutes, as the crowd went wild. He slowly removed his oversized mirrored sunglasses, tossed them aside and began to Jam, and his didn't stop jamming until two hours later with Man In The Mirror.

1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina attending 70,000.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Johannesburg Stadium in Johannesburg, SA attending 39,000.

2001 - Two days later, on October 10 www.cc.com confirmed that Michael will perform on Sunday, October 21, at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC at "United We Stand - What More Can I Give". A star-studded music spectacular to raise money in support of the recovery efforts from the September 11th attack on America.

Then Jackson recorded an all-star tribute to the Victims of September 11 which included stars such as Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, Shakira, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan. But despite the commercial power of such a line up Sony did not release the song, much to Jackson's bewilderment.

The source added: "This song was to raise money for charity and there's no doubt that it had so many stars involved that it could have been a success."

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Today in MJJ HIStory

1983 - Issue: 40 of Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

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1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina attending 70,000.

1994 - Michael & Lisa attend Elvis: The Tribute, celebrity concert in tribute to Elvis at The Pyramid arena in Memphis, Tennessee, with Janet & Rene and Lisa's mother Priscilla Presley.

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Among the artists paying great tribute were: Michael Bolton ("Jailhouse Rock"), Melissa Etheridge ("Burning Love"), U2 ("Can't Help Falling in Love"), Tony Bennett ("Love Me Tender"), Carl Perkins ("Blue Suede Shoes"), Tanya Tucker ("Teddy Bear") and Jim Belushi and Quentin Tarantino ("Viva Las Vegas"). In addition, there was an extra scene from the '68 comeback special of Elvis performing "One Night with You" and various clips of Presley performing his hit songs individually spliced together.

The show aired live as a Pay-Per-View event, and in condensed form as an ABC television special later that year.

Michael starts recording a duet with Janet.

1997 - Michael is best man at his friend Gerry Inzerillo's wedding to Prudence Salomon, SA.

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1999 - Debbie officially files for divorce and sign a confidentiality agreement.

Spokesman Howard Rubenstein said in a statement that Michael and wife Debbie filed for divorce: "Michael and Debbie remain friends and they ask that the public respect their desire not to further comment or speculate upon the reasons for their decision."

2005 - Michael & Grace take the kids to see the stage show of Billy Elliot. They are accompanied by Mark Lester & his family.

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The singer arrived at London's Victoria Palace theatre in a people carrier and security staff forced a path for him through a scrum of fans and photographers to the building's front door.

Michael turned up at the theatre 15 minutes after the show's scheduled start after leaving the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, where he is staying, a mile away.

He is in London to record a charity song, From The Bottom Of My Heart, in aid of victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The West End musical of Billy Elliot tells the tale of a boy growing up in a tough mining town in the north of England who has a fascination with ballet. Sir Elton John has provided music for the stage makeover of the successful film.

Filed under  //   1983   1993   1994   1997   1999   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Canadian National Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario [Canada] attending 35,000.

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

1991 - Elizabeth Taylor marries for the 8th time to a construction worker, Larry Fortensky, who was twenty years younger than her, in a fairytale ceremony held on Michael's private paradise Neverland in Los Olivos, CA.

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Liz dressed in canary yellow in a gown created for her by Valentino. Michael pays for everything and gives the bride away in the ceremony, one of the most expensive wedding, reportedly cost $2 million. Many celebrities attend the wedding including Nancy Reagan, Eddie Murphy, and Liza Minelli.

The wedding was briefly interrupted by a skydiving gate-crasher. During the event, one guest allegedly smuggled in a camera with fiber-optic lenses as small as hatpins. Shutterbugs dangling from helicopters above the scene wielded Leicas kept steady by hand-held gyroscopes. And that sky diver who landed just feet away from the bride and groom was wearing a videocam helmet.

People magazine reportedly paid $1 million for exclusive access to the 1991 wedding and Liz donated the monies to AIDS research.

Coined as the wedding of the year, and for the actress who promises this will be the last time, lasted till 31 October, 1996, when the couple had divorced.

1992 - Katepiva magazine[Greece] featured Michael on their cover.

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1996 - Michael arrives in Tunis, Tunisia, where he is welcomed by hundreds of fans, where he spends 3 days to perform a concert on October 7.

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Omer Bhatti, a Norwegian aspiring singer, met Michael for the first time during his stay in Tunis. While visiting an uncle, Omer, dressed like his idol, Michael Jackson, was introduced to him. Michael befriends the young Norwegian fan that he decides to take on tour with him. Subsequently, Bhatti and his family lived with Michael for some time, his mother Pia Bhatti was Prince Michael Jackson I’s nanny. Born in 1984 to Pia and Humayoun Shahzad (Riz) Bhatti, Omer become one of the Michael Jackson’s protegees and has been rumored to be his son. Omer had denied being Michael's love child, and insists the star was not his father, but he is more like a father.

1997 - Michael performs second HIStory concert at Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa attending 25,000.
Filed under  //   1979   1984   1988   1992   1996   1997  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1983 - Say Say Say, humorous short firm directed by Bob Giraldi, filmed between 4th and 7th October.

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The short film featured 'Mac & Jack' as travelling salesmen-cum-vaudeville artists, and co-starred Paul's wife Linda, Michael's sister La Toya, and Mr T (from The A Team), To accommodate Jackson's busy schedule, McCartney flew in specially for filming the video at Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley, California; that was the first time Michael Jackson saw the Santa Ynez Valley Ranch and he feel in love with it and bought Neverland shortly afterward. The video cost $500,000 to produce.

In the short film, Mac and Jack sell a "miracle potion". The salesman (McCartney) offers Jackson the potion, and claims that it is "guaranteed to give you the strength of a raging bull". Jackson drinks the potion and challenges a large man to arm wrestle. Unbeknownst to a watching crowd, the man—along with Linda—is also in on the scam.

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After Jackson wins the rigged contest, the crowd of people surge forward and buy the potion. Mac and Jack then donate all of the money earned from the scam to an orphanage. Later, while in a hotel, Jackson enters the bathroom as McCartney shaves. The latter playfully dabs shaving foam on Jackson's cheek, despite the fact that the younger man does not need a shave. After this scene, McCartney and Jackson star as vaudeville performers who sing and dance at a bar. On stage, the duo appear in clown makeup at one point and quickly go through a number of costume changes. Jackson's love interest, with whom he flirts, was played by his sister La Toya. The video ends with Paul, Linda and Michael as drive they off into the sunset. La Toya, who was handed a bunch of flowers by McCartney, is left at the roadside.

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

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

1992 - Epsilon magazine[Greece] featured Michael on their cover.

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1996 - Michael attends a performance of one of his favorite musicals, Lionel Bart's 'Oliver' at the Palladium Theatre, London and poses with cast members. He is in London to work on the "Ghost" soundtrack.

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1997 - Michael performs the first of five HIStory concert at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa attending 25,000.

2000 - News broke that Michael has finished recording the new album and that the album is now in mixing stage. Michael Jackson and engineer Bruce Swedien hope to be done with this crucial and final artistic stage by late January 2001. Provided everything goes in accordance with this working schedule, the new album could exit the mastering stage in the Spring of 2001 and be ready for a release early in the Summer of 2001.

Filed under  //   1979   1983   1987   1988   1992   1996   1997   2000  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive in concert, South America.

"Whatever You Got, I Want/I Can't Quit Your Love" (Motown 1308), featured on the Jackson 5 album, DANCING MACHINE, is released. The single was recorded Nov. 1, 1973 at the Motown Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California, written by Mel Larson, Jerry & Gene Marcellino, arranged by James Carmichael and produced by Mel Larson & Jerry Marcellino.

Michael, in an interview with Don Cornelius in 1974, stated Whatever You Got, I Want was originally recorded for one of his solo albums.
Released as the lead single from the album in the US, it peaked at #3 on the R&B singles chart and #38 on the Hot 100. I Can't Quit Your Love was originally featured on the Jackson 5’s album, SKYWRITER.

1992 - Michael's first ever concert in the former Iron Curtain country of Romania took place at Lia Manoliu Stadium in Bucharest, in front of 70,000 fans. Michael sold the film rights to the concert to HBO (Home Box Office), an American cable station, for a $20 million – the deal was the highest ever paid for a live concert.


Michael chooses a concert in Bucharest, Romania for worldwide television broadcast, to draw attention to the country being known for then large number of institutionalized children from special homes.

More plus points for Bucharest:
* The concert was so important and so big in Romania that postal stamps were issued and the ink stamper bore MJ's name, image and date of the Bucharest concert on EVERY single letter, postcard, parcel - you name it! - in the whole country.
*The SC lean was performed.
*Televised live to America on HBO with posters proclaiming "He's not coming to America!" HBO had some massive ass ratings on October 10.

1993 - The BPI certified the Michael Jackson album "Dangerous" at six times platinum.

1994 - Issue 39 of the Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael & Lisa on the cover with the headline: De lijdensweg van Lisa Marie Presley [The agony of Lisa Marie Presly]

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1996 - Michael donates earnings from one of his concerts in Tunisia to the "National Solidarity Fund", charity dedicated to fighting poverty.

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1997 - Michael arrives in Cape Town, with Omer Bhatti.

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1999 - Michael attends a jewish service in New York with Uri Geller & Schmuley Boteach.

2003 - Michael makes an appearance at a charity event Light The Way for Lupus, an Evening of Love, Light and Laughter to raise funds for Lupus Los Angeles on Wednesday, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. During the charity event, sponsored by the Lupus Research Institute, Michael makes a speech and presents the Medical Visionary Award to his Dr Alan Metzger in recognition for his work to aid Lupus patients.

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Nicole Paxson, MJ, Dr. Allan Metzger & his grandson Kailen Metzger, age two & a half.
Filed under  //   1974   1992   1993   1994   1996   1997   1999   2003  

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

1970 - The Jackson 5's third album, imaginatively titled Third Album, was released, which featured the group's 4th consecutive #1 single on the US pop charts, I'll Be There.

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Third Album was released after the Jackson 5 know their heyday, two weeks after the release of their fourth single, I'll Be There, which would become their fourth-straight number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in October-November; followed Mama's Pearl in early 1971. Two more singles will be released outside the USA: How Funky Is Your Chicken and Goin 'Back To Indiana. The album is full recovery of songs, pourrra include: a cover of Simon & Garfunkel (Bridge Over Troubled Water), a Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage) and adaptation of Oh How Happy as gospel.
The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard album charts and #1 on the R&B album charts and also #1 on Cashbox. This is considered one of their best efforts and is their most successful album to date. It sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

1979 - Michael's single Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough hit #1 on US Hot 100 chart and stay there for 5 weeks. The single earned Michael his 2nd Platinum Award in RIAA Sales.

1984 - The Jacksons performs second concert of the Victory tour at Mile High Stadium Denver [Colorado, USA] attending 26,840.

1985 - Michael Jackson's single "Girl You're So Together" hit #33 in the U.K.

Michael Jackson appeared as the duet vocalist on Jermaine Jackson's "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming."

1988 - In England, Michael sold out Wembley Stadium on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd July, 26th and 27th August – a stadium record 504,000 people.
An achievement recognised on 8th September by the Wembley Stadium Management with a special award, and later by another entry in The Guinness Book Of Records.

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1992 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at La Pontaise Stadium, Lausanne [Switzerland] attending 47,000.

1993 - Newsweek magazine(Japan) featured MJ on their cover.

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1994 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley attended what was their first public engagement together, when they opened the 11th annual MTV Video Music Awards.

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'I’m very happy to be here,’ said Michael, after welcoming everyone to the show. ‘And just think, nobody thought this would last!’ Referring, of course, to his marriage.

Their 120 second appearance stole everyone else the show when Michael, surprising everyone, swept Lisa Marie into his arms, and tenderly kissed her in public for the very first time. The long, sensual kiss drew gasps and whistles from the audience.

The next day, it's THE event in the media all over the world. Some refered to it as "The Kiss of the Century", others compared the kiss to the famous kissing-scene in "Gone With The Wind" between Scarlett O'Hara and Rett Buttler.

Bravo Magazine featured MJ on the cover.

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1997 - Michael returns to Neverland with Prince Michael Jr.

2001 - Read what New York Daily News' Sept. 8th edition had to say about the first show [Sept. 07]:

His U.S. concert return packs Garden

[By Isaac Guzman and Leo Standora]

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.

2002 - Michael Jackson recorded a video message to the German people to express his concern and condolences following the devasting floods that have afflicted the country.

Michael's message was as follows: "To the people of Germany, I send my deepest concern, my deepest and most heart-felt condolences. You are NOT alone. I am here in spirit with you and you are in my prayers. Remember God is with you, and have faith in the fact that this too shall pass. All my love and caring, I love you forever. Thank you."
Michael invited one German family with four children to Las Vegas to meet him and spend the weekend with him. The family is one of the many victims that lost everything in the floods.

And even more, he donated some items, personally signed in Las Vegas, to be auctioned in support of the victims.

Filed under  //   1970   1979   1984   1985   1988   1992   1993   1994   1997   2001   2002  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1983 - CIAO 2001 magazine[Italy] featured Michael on their cover.


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1988 - Joepie magazine featured MJ on the cover.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Jahn Stadium, Berlin [Germany] attending 35,000.

1994 - Woman's Day magazine feature MJ on the cover with the caption: Jacko Finally Tackles Those Evil Charges.

1997
- Michael Jackson canceled a performance at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, because the local promoter had failed to meet financial and technical requirements.

1999 - Michael Jackson attended the 4th Kora All-Africa Music Awards in Sun City, South Africa where he was given a Lifetime Achievement award. Michael Jackson presents Mr. Nelson Mandela and his "Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund" with a check for 1 million rand (166,400 dollars, - a portion of the proceeds from the "Michael Jackson and Friends" concerts from June 25, 1999 in Seoul, South Korea and June 27, 1999 in Munich, Germany).

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The former President declaring the following on the donation: "The trustees of the Children's Foundation and myself would like to express our deepest appreciation to our friend, Michael Jackson. He is a supporter of worthy causes and I'm happy that the foundation is tonight one of his benefitions (sic). [...] And the contribution of Michael Jackson, I hope, will inspire people not only in our country, but throughout the world, to follow his example and to bring a measure of happiness to our children. [...]"
In addition, the 3,3-million-dollar grossings of the "Michael Jackson and Friends – The Adventure of Humanity" benefit concerts held in Seoul, Korea and Munich, Germany, advantage "UNESCO", "Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund" and "International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies". "What More Can I Give" is the key-phrase utilized in these concerts – "the concept of giving" - , and a child’s face is shown on the videotron screens during certain parts of the Munich concert.

2008 - The Jacksons honored with the BMI Icon Award at the 8th annual BMI Urban Awards.

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Four of the Motown legends - Tito, Jackie, Marlon, Randy [except Michael & Jermaine] - reunited onstage to accepted a lifetime achievement prize from sister Janet Jackson at the ceremony.
When Marlon was asked where Michael Jackson was, however, he bizarrely claimed he was "away riding a camel in Egypt somewhere".
"It's a great honour to know your music influenced a generation. We're very proud of this moment." said Tito.
The Jacksons did not perform at the event, also attended by their father Joseph, mother Katherine and sisters LaToya and Rebbie; turning the event to a family reunion.
Filed under  //   1988   1992   1994   1997   1999   2008  

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