Today in MJJ HIStory

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

1996 - Michael performs HIStory tour at Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, India attending 70,000 fans.

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His appearance in the evening at the Andheri Sports Complex lived up to expectations. The special effects were truly awesome and as for Michael, he can deservedly be called the best performer in the world. For those present at the show, it was an out of body experience!

For his show Michael flew in all his equipment in three Russian Antanov cargo planes. The stage was 60 ft. deep and 210 ft. wide and he had three teams to work on it – an assembling team, a dismantling team and a standby team as well. That’s what they call perfect organization. It took at least 24 hours to erect the whole structure and prepare it for the show and less than six hours to bring it down. The green room was beneath the stage and had four divisions – The meditation room, the rest room, the photography room and the VIP guest room. The rest room was ornately done in true Indian tradition, with regal décor befitting the King (read Maharaja) of Pop. This room had 20 air-conditioners installed and was christened the Air-Conditioned Marquee. Michael uses the photography room for photography sessions. The fortunate few who were allowed to accompany him under the stage, were his bodyguards, his tour manager and his wardrobe manager.

Crowds in India at Airport to Welcome Michael Jackson. The tank that was used on the stage as a prop in “The Earth Song” was made of blocks of plywood, though it appeared as authentic as a battle tank. The other props, such as the dilapidated buildings and the shuttle Michael used to make a grand entrance in, was also made of collapsible material that could easily be dismantled. She show had its own tender moments, when it left everyone present in tears. And that included Michael who was moved to tears at the overwhelming response he received from the Indian audience for the first time. “This has been the best show of the HIStory tour” he later admitted.

A special route was chalked out for Michael to drive into the Andheri Stadium with his entourage. And it was only at 8.30 pm that he actually reached the stadium.

Journalist and theatre promoter Suman Bhuchar, who had travelled from London for the concert, said: “I had gone for (British Asian artist) Bally Sagoo who was the warm-up act for Michael Jackson. It was a great evening. I remember him emerging out of the darkness in his silver space suit. I have kept the brochure from that concert.”

Jackson donates most of the proceeds from the HIStory concert in Bombay, India to the poor. Michael Jackson flew to India in a private jet. Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft, the event management agency that had the airport shut down on his arrival recalls 14 years later: “Michael met the CM and Raj Thackeray. This was followed by an aarti by Sonali Bendre. As he was walking out, a strange incident occurred. A child fell down and Jackson immediately glided over and picked him up. He held him and hugged him with such care like he was the child’s mother.”, recounts Sabbas. “The (1993) allegations seemed all wrong. Michael even shot with 100 children in India for a calendar that he was producing”, he continues. On his way from the airport, he stopped the car several times to dance with the poor. Sabbas adds that Jackson was even willing to postpone his visit for a day or two in India to meet Mother Teresa. But that didn’t work out. Viraf Sarkari, co-director at Wizcraft, recalls that all the celebrities and industrialists wanted to meet him. “We arranged meet-and-greet sessions with him. Michael kept all his commitments. He was a gentle person and met everyone respectfully.” Sabbas echoes the sentiment that Jackson was the easiest international artiste to work with, as he was very humble and the staff very professional. Both directors acknowledge that Jackson had a great spiritual connect with India. Viraf says,

“We first met him in Los Angeles to confirm the concert. We were told he is very keen on performing in India. We’d presented him with a Ganesha, a Nataraj and a sherwani. And without requiring any explanation, he said, “Yes, that’s Ganesha, the god of luck.”
Even when Bal Thackeray presented a silver statue of Nataraj to Jackson, the star didn’t need the politician’s explanation and said, “Yes, I know, that’s the god of dance and art.” He also visits and endows a children’s home and a school for visually-impaired ones in Bangkok, Thailand with 100,000 dollars, toys and the like in November, 1996.

On January 25, 1997, the musician waves 85% of the $5 to $6 million ticket receipts from a concert held on November 1, 1996 in Bombay, India, and donates 1,1 million dollars to a local NGO educating children dwelling in slums - ”Shiv Udyog Sena” - the sum also helping to create jobs for 270,000 young unemployed people in the state of Maharashtra, Bombay; on arriving in Bombay, the singer asks to stop in order to converse with children playing in the crowded slums for 20 minutes, according to Indian journalist, Hema Shukla.

before leaving Bombay, India, where he stays during his HIStory Tour there, Jackson leaves the following handwritten note on a pillow from his hotel room:

"India, all my life I have longed to see your face. I met you and your people and fell in love with you. Now my heart is filled with sorrow and despair, for I have to leave you, but I promise I shall return to love you and caress you again. Your kindness has overwhelmed me, your spiritual awareness has overtaken and moved me, and your children have truly touched my heart. They are the face of God. I truly love and adore you, India. Forever. Continue to love, clean, and educate the children. The future shines in them. You are my special love, India. May God always bless you. Michael Jackson".
2001 - ABC aired the edited version of the 11-hour "United We Stand - What More Can I Give" concert. Michael Jackson was shown performing his song "Man in the Mirror" and introducing other acts.
Filed under  //   1979   1996   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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1972 - In London, the Jackson 5 participated in the "Royal Variety Performance" performing I Want You Back, ABC, Rockin Robin, We Thank You and The Love You Save.


Prior to their European tour starting, on 30th October, Michael and his brothers appeared on the bill of the Royal Command Performance, staged at theon Palladium in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia [USA] attending 30,000.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was certified at 20 times Platinum by the RIAA.

1996 - Michael arrives in India to perform a concert on Nov. 01.

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The King of Pop, arrived in Mumbai on October 30th. The svelte and sexy actress Sonali Bendre, clad in traditional Maharashtrian(Indian State – Maharashtra) nine yard saree, greeted Michael performing the aarti and applied tilak on his forehead at the airport and he was quite taken up with the entire ceremony.

When he was being driven out of the air port in his 20-car cavalcade, he stopped his Toyota, got rid of his security guards and stepped out to meet the cluster of urchins lined up along the highway to catch a glimpse of him. He picked up several children and hugged and kissed them. He then spent a few minutes with them before he proceeded to the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray’s residence, Matushree, in Bandra East. Here he was presented with a silver tabla and tanpura, which are musical instruments from India.

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He stayed at the Oberoi Hotel, where he charmed staff and left a departing message, “I love you,” scrawled in lipstick on his room mirror. Later that evening, at the special bash organized in his honour by Bharat Shah (Organiser of the concert) at the Oberoi, he made a mere three minute appearance. Apparently, the singer had a late night before and wanted to retire to his room early. The crème de la crème of the Indian Entertainment Industry and Royal Families were there. Most of them of course, were left high and dry except for the actor Anupam Kher perhaps who to the initiative of jumping on the stage and grabbing Michael’s hand with a, ‘Yeah Michael, yeah!’. Shobha De (A Writer) was the next to gain inspiration and she even told the Press later, “Shaking hands with him was like an orgasm!” Bharat Shah presented Michael with a silver replica of the Taj Mahal at the same party.

Michael Jackson watching a traditional Indian play an ethnic instrument. The Indian media myth about Michael being extremely reclusive, does not hold true anymore. During his stay at The Oberoi Hotel, he surprised the entire staff by mingling freely with his fans, who would drop in at the hotel to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop. He would smile and blow kisses to all his fans and shake hands with as many of them as possible.

According to Butler Manager, Sandeep Walia, who was attending to him with a team of three butlers, Michael loves sweet white wine. That is probably the only kind of alcohol that he consumed during his stay at the Oberoi. Apart from that, he loves orange drinks, Fanta being his favorite and a special German orange drink, Gatorade, which he carries with him. Michael drinks a lot of Diet Coke as well, prefers his drinks at room temperature. Jackson has a penchant for chocolates too, so The Oberoi made sure there were chocolates, of all shapes, sizes and flavours kept in every reachable corner of his room.

Michael Jackson likes a lot of festivity around him. The Kohinoor Suite at the Oberoi was decorated with flowers, balloons, confetti and bowls of sweets and chocolates to give it a spirit of celebration. While in his room, Jackson does not like to use the air-conditioner. He also likes his space. His body-guards have been instructed not to come close to him to give him enough space to move around.

Okay this is something that will really please his fans in India. According to one of his security men, India is not his new love. Jackson has always wanted to visit the country and the last time his show got cancelled he was very disappointed and upset.

Guess what Michael had for breakfast? On his first morning here, he ate masala dosa and the day after that, he had spicy alu paranthas with butter. His other meals mainly comprised of butter naans, butter chicken, tandoori chicken and spicy vegetable curries. His personal chef is of Indian origin and she co-ordinated his meals with the other chefs at the hotel. Michael Jackson definitely has a predilection for Indian food but wait till you hear this. According to the hotel staff, he got naans (Enough for an army), tandoori chicken, dishes cooked in butter gravy and lots of paranthas packed, on the morning he was flying out of India.

Jackson asked The Oberoi for an LLD player and a television, as well as a CD player for his personal use. He travels with his own library of CDs and LDs and spends most of the time indoors, watching films.

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The world knows he loves kids and there are many in our country who wish, they were kids, because Michael only seemed to have time for them while he was here. At his request, a high tea was organized at the pool side where kids from orphanages were invited to meet and play with him. He gave them gifts and chocolates that he had brought with him. There was a party for kids organized in his room as well, on the day of the show itself. About 50 children were invited and he ordered cakes and burgers for them. He made the kids sit on his lap and played with them. He had asked the hotel to provide him with a few saris which he wanted draped around the sofas during the photo session with the kids, to give his pictures the ethnic effect.

He would pick up his own newspapers from outside the door, which was normally very late in the morning. Michael is a late riser. His meal timings were also odd. He never had his breakfast before 12 noon and dinner before 1.00 pm. When he returned to the hotel lobby after his mind blowing show, he folded his hands in a namaste and blew kisses to all his fans before he got into the elevator. According to the staff, he was as energetic after the show, as he was before it perhaps! The two-hour-15-minute long performance hadn’t fatigued him in the least.

Burkhas were arranged for Michael because he wanted to visit Aasha Daan, Mother Teresa’s ashram in Byculla. But due to an extremely tight schedule he wasn’t able to fulfill his desire.
Source: clubmj.com

2000 - Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was certified at 26 times Platinum by the RIAA.

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

2001 - Michael Jackson's album "Invincible" was released in US and Canada.
Michael dedicates album "Invincible" (released October 30, 2001) to 15-year-old murdered African-Norwegian, Benjamin Hermansen, advising on the importance of not judging a person by race, but by character.

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The album was the Michael’s first in 10 years that featured all new material. Invincible spent two years in production and cost approximately $30 million to make; reportedly the most expensive album ever made. The album featured 16 tracks, 14 of which Michael wrote or co-wrote; “Unbreakable”, “Heartbreaker”, “Invincible”, “Heaven Can Wait”, “You Rock My World”, “Speechless”, “2000 Watts”, “You Are My Life”, “Privacy”, “Don’t Walk Away”, “The Lost Children” and “Threatened”. R. Kelly contributed the anthem track “Cry” and UK duo Floetry contributed the beautiful “Butterflies”. Slash performed a guitar solo on “Privacy” and Santana contributed a guitar performance to “Whatever Happens”. The album featured two posthumous appearances; a rap performance by Notorious B.I.G on “Unbreakable” and samples of Rod Sterling’s voice on “Threatened”. Brandy contributed additional vocals to “Unbreakable”. Michael brought in Rodney Jerkins of Darkchild to produce and write on six of the tracks. Again, Michael produced the entire project himself and played many of the musical instruments. The album was initially released with cover art that came in five limited edition colours. Invincible went to number 1 in 13 countries including the US, UK and Australia. The album showed incredible first week sales in the US, selling over 300,000 copies. Invincible sold a massive 5.4 million copies in just two months of its release.

2003 - Halloween Interview with Rick Dees.

Michael Jackson got up early (no easy job for Michael who readily admits to being nocturnal) to talk with Los Angeles disk jockey, Rick Dees. Michael talks about his plans for Halloween trick or treating with Prince, Paris, and Blanket and his favorite candy, among other things.

Michael Jackson: Still doing meetings and things. I’m not back in California yet, I’ll be there soon.

Rick Dees: Good, good deal. So you obviously don’t get up at seven twenty in the morning do you?

Michael Jackson: No [laughs] I usually work all night. I usually go to bed this time.

Rick Dees: Mike You’re a night person. Last time I saw you had stayed up all night and written about four different songs.

Michael Jackson: Yeah, I’m very nocturnal.

Rick Dees: Yeah, you’re a very nocturnal guy (laughter). This is your day coming up I mean If it’s not Halloween for Michael Jackson then it’s not for anybody.

Michael Jackson: [laughs] Right

Rick Dees: Are you going to go out and trick or treat?

Michael Jackson: Yes, I’m going trick or treating. Taking my children.

Rick Dees: Do they have costumes?

Michael Jackson: Yes.

Rick Dees: What are they? We’ve got Prince and Paris and Tito?

Michael Jackson: Prince, Paris, and Blanket. Prince wants to be the black panther. And Paris, who is the girl, she’s a tomboy. She wants to be spiderman. And the little one wants to be spiderman too. And I’m going to be a ghost.

Rick Dees: Oh yeah!

Michael Jackson: [laughs]

Rick Dees: This ghost. Listen if you get a chance, I mean you’re in the neighborhood, I have these huge beautiful candy apples and the long, huge, candy bars - the ones that no one gives out, the movie size candy bars like you serve at your place there, so come on in..I’d love to throw down a little something for Prince and Paris and the Ghost.

Michael Jackson: Oh, they would love it!

Rick Dees: Do you have a favorite chocolate, Michael?

Michael Jackson: I like.. uhm ... believe it or not, milk chocolate.

Rick Dees: You said milk chocolate?

Michael Jackson: Yes [laughs].

Rick Dees: I love milk chocolate

Michael Jackson: Me too [laughs].

Rick Dees: You know what I did this week Michael? I um, I have to confess - these kids came by here and sold 1,000 dollars worth of chocolate to the radio station.

Michael Jackson: Wow.

Rick Dees: I said I was donating it to charity. I did all except for 30 candy bars - I’ve been eating chocolate for thirty days. Every morning. I’ve got this thing about milk chocolate.

Michael Jackson: You ate the candy? [laughs]

Rick Dees: I ate the candy!

Michael Jackson: I’m sorry [still laughing...]

Rick Dees: Last time I was at your place I was got so hungry and this chef goes in here and I could smell this wonderful vegetarian pizza all afternoon and - there’s candy everywhere at Neverland. There’s candy everywhere in your home. I love that. I just love that. When you walk into Michael Jackson’s place it’s fresh candy and there’s the fragrance in his home - it's a cross between chocolate and vanilla and there’s a kind of buttery smell and fragrance - I could definitely hang out

Michael Jackson: Well you’re welcome anytime.

Rick Dees: Thanks! Thank you so much.

Michael Jackson: You’re always welcome.

Rick Dees: Did you have breakfast yet?

Michael Jackson: Pardon? [Laughter]

Rick Dees: What’s that? He doesn’t know what that is?
Listen Michael, we have this bet going on and you can certainly tell me 'No'. I’m going to end up playing 'Thriller' a tremendous number of times between now and this time tomorrow. And of course, your world premiere. People are calling for this song over over and over - ’What More Can I Give?'

Michael Jackson: Oh, God Bless them. It’s for the children. It’s so important.

Rick Dees: I’m trying to get something for the kids. Is there anyway you can say, "Hey what’s up. It’s Michael Jackson with Rick Dees as my Halloween gift to you. Here’s Thriller". Obviously, I’m going to warn you in advance, I’m going to tape it if you will say that.

Michael Jackson: Okay, I’ll do it for you.

Rick Dees: Okay, here we go. Use your own words if you want but with good energy like you’re on the Mike Douglas show for the first time.

Okay, 3 - 2 - 1

Michael Jackson: Hi, this is Michael Jackson with Rick Dees, Halloween. This is Thriller - enjoy it.

Rick Dees: Good, now just say 2003 Halloween.

Michael Jackson: Okay, 2003 Halloween with Rick Dees.

Rick Dees: Awwww! [claps] That’s like heaven. Okay. That one lost the bet. I was saying you probably might not do it.
Let’s go back to the song for just a second. It’s been some time putting together. And did it come to you at once or was it something you were working on with the tune and everything for a period of time?

Michael Jackson: No, it just came at once. Uhm, art of songwriting is a totally different art. It really is. It really is a gift from God. It really is. I feel guilty putting my name on it. It falls into my lap. It’s a gift from Heaven. It really is.

Rick Dees: It’s just a gift, isn’t it?

Michael Jackson: It really is.
Source: MJFC


2008 - Michael takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to Borders Bool bookstore in Westwood, Los Angeles, Ca.

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Michael's spokesperson, Dr. Tohme, in response to recent rumors regarding Michael's participation in a Jackson 5 reunion, has issued the following statement from Michael Jackson:

"My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we've certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them. I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon."

Filed under  //   1972   1984   2000   2001   2008  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1982 - Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson release "Girl is Mine".

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia [USA] attending 31,000.

1991 - Michael & Bruce Swedien complete the mixing of the Dangerous album in Los Angeles.

1993 - Michael performs at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City [Mexico].
100,000 fans packed into Aztec Stadium were unconcerned about the investigation and shouted, "Michael!, Michael!" Michael kept the hysterical crowd on their feet for more than 2 hours.

1996 - Michael performs the second HIStory concert at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia attending 30,000.

1998 - Michael & Debbie go to the Getty museum in Los Angeles with Prince & Paris.

2001 - Michael Jackson's first studio album in six years, "Invincible" had officially been released [US release date: October 30].

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Michael Jackson has been "Bad". He's also been quite "Dangerous". But now, six years after his last studio album, the Gloved One is hoping to prove he's Invincible. The disc executive produced by Jackson with the help of a bevy of hot producers and writers is aimed at planting the superstar back on top after several years of speculation that his career was on the decline.

The absolutely amazing album is available in five different colors [cover] - for a limited time - and features over 77 minutes of new, groundbreaking and truly invincible music! Without a shadow of a doubt the best album of the last six years!!!

"Invincible", the most recent release from Epic Records Group superstar Michael Jackson, had claimed the #1 spot on charts in countries around the world including The U.S., The U.K., Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

Featuring tracks like "You Rock My World" (the first single) and "Speechless," Invincible features the hit-making handiwork of producers Rodney Jerkins and Teddy Riley, among others.

2008 - Michael takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to an Halloween party in L.A.

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2009 - 8 Days magazine[Singapore] featured Michael on the cover with the headline: Psst, what is it? A tribute to MJ's greatness... his 'two voices', fake noses & when he was hawt

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Filed under  //   1982   1984   1991   1993   1996   1998   2001   2008   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed under  //   1979   1988   2001   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1993 - Michael visits children in the Calvo Mackenna hospital.

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

2001 - Michael records a Spanish version of What More Can I Give called Todo Para Ti.

Filed under  //   1993   1996   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1975 - With Motown suing to prevent the Jackson 5 from leaving the label, the remaining members of the group, including Michael and Joseph, counter-sued the label.

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

1985 - Michael visits the animals from the "Cohuna Wildlife Sanctuary" in Perth, Australia.

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1991 - Michael, Elizabeth & Larry are on the cover of People magazine[US] with the Story Headline: Exclusive! Liz & Larry's Wedding Album.

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2000 - As part of its series on pop legends, the RSI Rete Tre radio station in Switzerland aired a program about Michael Jackson.

2001 - Michael took over the stage again at the United We Stand – What More Can I Give concert, a benefit concert organized by the artist and staged at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 1:00 p.m. in front of a sold-out audience of over 46,000 people.

Under a spray of red, white and blue confetti, Michael - joined onstage by the other artists - sang his new song written for the attack victims, What More Can I Give? with all the artists of the night (including Usher & Mariah Carey) Prince, Paris, Macauley Culkin, the Cascios & Marc Shaffel attend the concert backstage.

Before the final all-star performance from the United We Stand: What More Can I Give tribute concert organized by Michael Jackson and held on October 21, 2001 in New York, in benefit of the victims of the 9/11, the artist takes the audience 'to church' when he makes an emotional speech in front of the audience.

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The half day long music and entertainment festival featured performances by many of the world's leading entertainers, ranged from classics including Janet Jackson, James Brown, Al Green, Carole King, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, America, Aerosmith, and Huey Lewis to modern-day contemporaries of the time including Destiny's Child, P. Diddy, the Goo Goo Dolls, Train, the Backstreet Boys, Usher, Mariah Carey, Pink, and 'N Sync. Each performer did a brief set usually amounting to about five songs apiece. The concert opened in the early afternoon with the National Anthem performed by the Backstreet Boys and lasted well into the night.

Michael Jackson performs alongside a host of other artists his relief songs We Are The World, Man In The Mirror and What More Can I Give at United We Stand: What More Can I Give, and collecting $15 million for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York City, N.Y.

Michael dedicated the song to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack and their families, saying: ‘You are not alone. You are in our hearts, you are in our thoughts, and you are in our prayers.’

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The benefit gig was the third major concert in tribute to the 9/11 attacks. The other two were held in New York City. During the telecast of this show on ABC, there was no mention of Michael's name and he was always filmed with the rest of the singers in the background; this was because Jackson signed a contract with CBS over the 30th Anniversary Special (from September 10) to not appear under his name in any other program. Michael recorded the all-star tribute that year, 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 Music did not release the song, much the singer’s bewilderment.

United We Stand: What More Can I Give? raised about $2 million through the sale of more than 46,000 tickets. It was one of three benefit concerts over the weekend. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross Liberty Relief Fund, the Salvation Army Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund and Rewards For Justice.

Two hour TV special edited and aired on ABC TV in the U.S. on 1st November.

Filed under  //   1975   1979   1985   1991   2000   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed under  //   1979   1983   1984   1987   1988   2001   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson Five's Third Album yielded their 4th #1 single I'll Be There.

In September 1970, the Jackson 5 had sold over 10 million copies of their 3 singles I Want You Back, ABC and The Love You Save, during a period of 9 months. It was a record for a so short period, and with I'll Be There, they are the first artists to have produced 4 singles reaching the top of the Billboard!

It was quite a change of pace from the singles that had been previously released. I'll Be There is a touching balled with Michael and Jermaine trading lead vocals. I'll Be There gave the Jackson Five their longest stay at #1, entering the #1 position the week of October 17, 1970 and remaining at the top of the chart for 5 weeks, replacing Neil Diamond's Cracklin' Rose. It also become their 4th #1 hit on the black singles chart. The Jackson Five became the 1st group ever to have their 1st four singles become #1 hits. I'll Be There became Motown's 3rd biggest single of all time behind Marvin Gaye's Heard It Through the Grapevine and Lionel Richie and Diana Ross' duet, Endless Love.

Third album was released a few days after the first single.

The Jackson 5 perform the first national tour at Detroit, Michigan.

1983 - Volume: 20 Issue: 16 of People magazine[US] featured Michael on their cover story: THAT THRILLER MICHAEL JACKSON and a host of rockers cash in on America`s video revolution MTV.

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

1991 - Bunte magazine[Germany] cover featured Michael & Elizabeth Taylor at her wedding.

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1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil attending 100,000.

2001 - Michael Jackson's publicist released a lineup of artists to participate in Jackson's benefit single "What More Can I Give." The single was a benefit for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. The list included Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, Tom Petty, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Usher, Julio Iglesias, Reba McEntire, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Aaron Carter, Jon Secada, Billy Gilman, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, Alejandro Sanz, Christian Castro, Olga Tañón, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Thalía, Ziggy Marley and 3LW.

Debbie Rowe goes to the family court in Los Angeles to give up her parental rights on Prince & Paris because she says she has not seen them for a year and do not want to disturb them by making intrusions in their life once in a while.

Filed under  //   1970   1983   1988   1991   1993   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at New York City, NY on their first national tour.

1981 - While at the Studio 55 in Los Angeles, Michael sings backing vocals on the song Don’t Let A Woman Make A Fool Out Of You by Joe Carrasco.

1993 - Manchete magazine [Brazil] featured Michael on the cover.


1995 - Minister Louis Farrakhan reveals, for the first time, during a public lecture in Chicago, July 26, 2009, that the entertainer quietly donated 100,000 dollars to the historic ‘Million Man March’ from October 16, 1995. ‘The Million Man March’ was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held in Washington, D.C.. Under the leadership of Nation of Islam head, Louis Farrakhan, African American men from across the United States converged on Washington in an effort to “convey to the world a vastly different picture of the Black male” and to unite in self-help and self-defense against economic and social ills plaguing the African American minority/community

1997 - Michael Leaves Africa and Return to Neverland with OMer Bhatti.

2001 - Michael shoots a scene for the movie Men In Black 2 directed by Barry Sonnefield where he plays Agent M.

'We shot a small scene with Michael on Tuesday,’ said the film’s director, Barry Sonnenfeld. ‘He was charming, funny, and really cool to work with.’ Michael’s small cameo - just a few seconds long – took around five hours to shoot.

Michael had a lot of questions about his role, according to Sonnenfeld. He wanted to know everything about the special effects background of his scene. Sonnenfeld told him that there would be icebergs, but Michael wanted to know much more details:

"He said, 'Can I see the icebergs?'
'No we don't have the photos yet.'
'Is there anything else behind me?'
'Penguins.' I'm making this up! I don't know if there are going to be penguins," Sonnenfeld said.
"'Can I see the penguins?'
'No I don't have the pictures of the penguins yet.'
'Are they king penguins?'
'Yes.'
And then I said, 'You know, I gotta go.'"
Michael dressed in MIB trademark attire; consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, tries to persuade Chief Zed to make him Agent M!
A big fan of sci-fi, Michael is sought out director Barry Sonnenfeld & requested a cameo to be briefly featured in the MIIB as a rogue alien.

Michael Jackson cameo as Undercover alien intelligence officer Agent M

Agent M: Zed, the Drolecks are gone and the treaty is signed.
Zed: Good work!
Agent M: Zed, what about that position you promised me in Men In Black?
Zed: Still working on the Alien Affirmative Action Program. I'll keep you posted.
Agent M: Wait a minute! That's not what you promised me!
Zed: You're breaking up, can't hear you.
Agent M: Zed! Hello? Zed?
Zed: I'll call you back...
[starts walking away]
Agent M: I could be Agent M!

Will Smith explained in an interview that seeing Michael, dressed in MIB trademenk attire and consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, is a credit to Michael's sense of humor:
"You know, when he comes on the screen, people are really happy. It's as if Michael is saying to the world,
'OK, all right. I'm human just like everyone else. I appreciate a good joke just like everyone else does,'
But the thing that I loved so much is he kept wanting to play it serious. You know, he was, like,
'You know, I'm a Man In Black, I just want it to be really serious.'
‘I think people are going to be really shocked and really surprised,’ predicted Smith, ‘and enjoy seeing Michael in this film and in this light.’
The movie Men In Black 2 was premiered in early July. Director Barry Sonnenfeld scored a big hit in convincing Michael Jackson to appear in Men in Black II as an alien. Michael's small cameo appearance as an undercover alien intelligence officer 'Agent M' receives one of the biggest laughs! Both critics and the public praised Michael's performance & his sense of humor:)

The sci-fi action comedy starring Will Smith as Agent Jay & Tommy Lee Jones, sees the government agents team up again to tackle an alien which disguises itself in the body of a model, played by Flynn Boyle. MIIB do well at the box office in the US, charted at #1 in it's opening weekend with a revenue of $52.2m.

2005 - Michael & Grace take Prince, Paris & Blanket to see the movie Wallace & Grommit.

Filed under  //   1970   1981   1993   1995   1997   2001   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1989 - Hey magazine[Turkey] featured Michael on their cover with the story: Michael Jackson Moonwalker Firtinasi [Moonwalker Storm].

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1993 - Michael performs Dangerous concert at Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil attending 80,000.


1997 - Michael's "HIStory" World Tour concluded with a sold-out concert at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa attending 60,000, which is the 82nd concert of the History World Tour.

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The "HIStory" tour broke all existing records - Michael Jackson's "HIStory" World Tour is the biggest world tour any solo performer had ever done!!! The tour also broke the legendary record set by the Rolling Stones with their "Voodoo Lounge" World Tour!

The "HIStory" tour spanned the globe with stops in 56 cities on 5 continents, and included 82 concerts to about 4.5 million loving fans.

With this, Michael broke his previous record which he set with the "Dangerous" World Tour. Michael toured with the widest stage anyone had ever toured with, and the mega show featured special effects by magicians David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy.

During the SECOND leg of the "HIStory" tour, began in Bremen, Germany on 31st of May, Michael performed 40 shows, grossed over US$ 83.5 million and had a total attendance of 2,035,189. This equals to an average $2,087,853 gross and 50,880 attendance per show! These statistics are for the second leg of the tour only!
Michael sold his millionth concert ticket at the Wembley Stadium and sold out four concerts in a row there. The tour was so successful that he had played 82 concerts to 4.5 million fans in 35 countries on 5 continents. The estimated grosses totaled more than $160 million and again, it was the biggest concert tour of its time.

2001 - All four re-issues ["Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", "Dangerous"] containing previously unreleased material plus a new booklet with new photos, were officially released.

While Quincy Jones is promoting his autobiography On the Oprah Show, Michael calls him on the phone to congratulate him.

Michael completes the recording of What More Can I Give. He has been crossing the to record the parts of many artists such as Justin Timberlake, Usher, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, CEline Dion? Ricky Martin, Aaron & Nick Carter, Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men, Gloria Estefan ect...

2003 - Michael attends his brother Tito’s 50th birthday party with all the Jackson family.

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One More Chance, written by R. Kelly in 2001, only new song from Michael's compilation album, Number Ones is premiered on radios.

It was released as a single on November 20, 2003, reaching #83 in the U.S., #5 in the UK and reaching #1 in Venezuela, Moldova and Turkey.

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Promo short film shot in Las Vagas and edited, but not completed or released by Sony. Michael had been shooting the video late into the night of November 17, 2003, in Las Vegas, Nevada, when his Neverland Ranch was raided by the Santa Barbara Sheriffs Department. Following the raid, production was stopped. On October 13, 2010, the official website of Michael Jackson announced that the music video will be released in a deluxe DVD box set Michael Jackson's Vision on November 22, 2010.

2006 - Michael agrees to let US journalist Billy Bush from Access Hollywood visit him at the Grouse Lodge residential recording studios in remote Westmeath, Ireland where he is staying with Grace & the kids and working on new music with producer Will.I.AM.

Filed under  //   1979   1989   1993   1997   2001   2003   2006  

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