Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Michael’s hit song, Ben, from the soundtrack of the movie of the same name, was nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award in 1973. Michael sang it at the ceremony on March 27, 1973, looking visibly older than he had when the song was released the previous summer. Unfortunately, Ben didn’t win the trophy that night.
Filed under  //   1973  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Michael receives the Golden Globe Award for the "Best Original Song" in a movie for his song, "Ben" at the 30th Golden Globe Awards ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Media_http4bpblogspot_cjyhm

The theme song of the 1972 film, "Ben", is a melancholy ballad to the film's title character, a trained/telepathic rat.

1979 - The Jacksons perform a concert in Madrid, Spain on Destiny tour.

1984 - Michael was released from hospital.

Later, Michael received US$ 1'500'000.-- from Pepsi which he immediately donated to the Michael Jackson Burn Center.

On February 27, 1984 MTV previewed the two 60 second commercials free of charge.

The next day, February 28, 1984, at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, The Jacksons' Pepsi commercials were aired during the telecast and are amongst the most successful and most popular ads ever, and the first and only set of advertisements ever to be included in the weekly "TV Guide" listings.

1985 - The last recording session for the We Are The World was held on January 28, 1985. The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time.

Media_http2bpblogspot_ngagi
Two hours after the 12th Annual American Music Award ceremony, Michael and 44 other artists gathered secretly for 10 hours at A&M Recording Studios in Los Angeles to record We Are The World.

The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie at Michael's home in early 1985. They began work on the song's creation at Hayvenhurst, the Encino home of Jackson and his family. For a week, the two spent every night working on lyrics and melodies in the singer's bedroom. They knew that they wanted a song which would be easy to sing and memorable. The pair wanted to create an anthem. Richie only wrote a few lines for the track as Michael wrote 99% of the lyrics. And it was not until the night of January 21, 1985, that Richie and Jackson completed the lyrics and melody of We Are the World within two and a half hours, one night before the song's first recording session.

Michael: "I wrote the song with Lionel Richie after seeing the appalling news footage of starving people in Ethiopia and the Sudan."

Media_http2bpblogspot_ghqto
He arrived after Steve Perry of Journey, with manager Frank Dileo and his bodyguard, Bill Bray. Michael arrived at the studio early so he could record the chorus by himself, to be used as a guide for the other artists. It is Michael's vocals that the other artists are listening to in their headphones when learning the song.

Most of the other artists were scheduled to arrive at the studio following the American Music Awards. Michael skipped the awards where he had four nominations. For the second consecutive year, THRILLER had been nominated for Favorite Album and Favorite Black Album. Michael had been nominated for Favorite Black Male Vocalist, and the Jacksons were nominated for Favorite Group. It was just as well he didn't go, he would have gone home empty handed.

Media_http1bpblogspot_arhim
The video cassette, We Are The World: The Video Event shows Michael leading the all-star group through the song, and offering individual help on the lyrics to Huey Lewis, a last minute soloist chosen when Prince failed to show up. Michael's shyness and discomfort around crowds is evident in this tape. When he's not directly involved in the activity at the moment, he can often be spotted standing alone quietly in the background.

Before the actual recording of We Are The World began, Ken Kragen, one of the organizers, spoke to the group about distributing the proceeds from the record sales, and the steps being taken to insure the money went directly to where it was needed. Bob Geldoff, organizer of Band Aid and Live Aid, also spoke to the group of artists:

"I think what's happening in Africa is a crime of historic proportions... You walk into one of the corrugated iron huts and you see meningitis and malaria and typhoid buzzing around the air. And you see dead bodies lying side by side with the live ones. In some of the camps you see 15 bags of flour for 27,000 people. And I assume that's why we're all here tonight."
Media_http1bpblogspot_ooufw
Finally, Michael addressed the group. He shyly described the song he and Lionel Richie had written as "a love song to inspire concern about a faraway place close to home." On the back cover of We Are The World – the book are comments made by some of the members of USA For Africa project, including Jackson’s thoughts and feelings on the song: “When I was asked to write the song, I put my soul into it. That’s really my statement.”

The recording session began at 9:00 p.m., and lasted the entire night. The solo parts of the song were recorded without any problems. Michael didn't leave until 8:00 a.m. the next morning, when the final version of We Are the World was completed..

Media_http4bpblogspot_wcqlw
Upon entering the recording studio, the musicians were greeted by a sign pinned to the door by Quincey Jones which read, "Please check your egos at the door". The 45 artists who comprised United Support of Artists for Africa, and who left their egos at the door, were also greeted by Stevie Wonder, who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take, he and Ray Charles, two blind men, would drive everybody home. The supergroup included a wide range of artists, with at least one representative from various categories of music; pop, rock, R&B, and country. Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Sheila E., Bob Geldoff, Daryl Hall and John Oates, and James Ingram were all part of USA for Africa. Perhaps the most widely represented music in USA for Africa was Jackson music, with Jackie, LaToya, Marlon, Michael, Randy, and Tito all contributing to the famine relief single. The balance of USA for Africa was made up of Al Jarreau, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis and the News, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Jeffrey Osborne, Steve Perry, the Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder.
One of many light-hearted moment during the recording session was when the USA For Africa stars sang The Banana Boat Song to Belafonte. It started by Stevie Wonder, then all the star joined in – including Michael. 'It's not everyday,' quipped Belafonte, 'you get The Banana Boat Song sung to you by Michael Jackson!'
The song was produced by Quincey Jones and the associate producer was Tom Bahler, who wrote She's Out of My Life from Michael's Off The Wall album. Keyboards on We Are The World are handled by another Jackson associate, Greg Phillinganes.

Media_http2bpblogspot_nfces
The recording session resulted in a single, a video and a video cassette documenting the making of the single, We Are the World: The Video Event. A double album made up of the We Are The World single, and previously unreleased material from some of the participating artists was also released, Michael did not have a song included on the album. The proceeds from the sale of these items along with proceeds from sales of books, shirts, buttons, posters, and other merchandise all went directly to the famine relief fund. The promotion and merchandise aided the success of We Are the World and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US. We Are The World - The Video Event was the 9th best selling video cassette of 1985.

On March 7, 1985 "We Are The World" was released, as the only single from the album, and made music history. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history.
We Are the World became the first ever single ever to be certified multi-platinum, which received a 4× certification by the RIAA. It debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 at #21 and three weeks later, the week of April 13, 1985, it was the #1 song. The single stayed at #1 for four weeks. With sales in excess of 20 million copies, it is one of the fewer than thirty all-time singles to have sold 10 million (or more) copies worldwide.

2000 - Just after the '00 Superbowl XXXIV, Michael's performance of '93 was chosen as the best performance of ALL the past Super Bowl performances by "USA Today" Gordon Forbes.

2006 - Michael is still in Hamburg.

Media_http2bpblogspot_ibbel
Some messages were shown at the window of the house where he is currently staying and where around 100 fans are still waiting for him. One of the messages reads:
... love each and everyone of you, I'm so proud to be back in Hamburg. You make me so happy. I love you.

2007 - Michael takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to see the High School Musical at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The class group of High School Musical was a surprise visit from pop star Michael Jackson in Las Vegas. Michael Jackson wanted to meet members of the group personally and even took along their children. Security was strengthened when Jackson and his company entered the building.

"He is taller than expected, spoke really soft and wore sunglasses the whole time," they reported. Jackson not only congratulated the members of the High School also got to see a presentation of the group. Evidently turned the Thomas & Mack Center in a VIP area with an awning to protect the team of singer of the curious.

Filed under  //   1973   1979   1984   1985   2000   2006   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1971 - The Jackson 5 attend the Salute to Muhammad Ali charity held at Hollywood Palladium, to raise money for the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade.

Media_http3bpblogspot_kjpfm

1973 - The song Melodie was recorded by Michael Jackson, but it remained unreleased until it appeared – newly mixed – on Michael's album, FAREWELL MY SUMMER LOVE.

1976 - Michael and his brothers all gave sworn depositions in the Jackson 5′s counter-suit against Motown records. Recounting his private meeting with Berry Gordy nine months earlier, he described it as one of the most difficult things he had ever done in his life.

1997 - Michael stayed two weeks in the Tower Suite at the Montreux Palace in Montreux, Switzerland to complete work on his album Blood On The Dance Floor.

Media_http2bpblogspot_eckba
Every day, he went to the Mountain Studios where he recorded the album. No way for him to pass by incognito, in his big limousine, surrounded by body guards!

The King of pop music liked Switzerland for having there all the calmness he needed for the recording of part of his album Blood on the Dance Floor. The album was produced while Michael traveled the globe on his HIStory World Tour. Thus, the songs were produced in a variety of countries that included Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.

After a divorce and a re-marriage, Michael records Blood on the Dance floor in the Mountain Studios in Montreux. It was the calm of this city which decided Michael Jackson to come and work in Montreux. The news of Michael's presence in town was spread out very quickly, and fans from all over Europe came to Montreux: They tried to see him day and night, gathering at the entrance of Montreux Palace and desperately hoping for a photo or an autograph, or just to see him. But Michael often used hidden doors or accesses for employees and soon disappeared in a limousine with dark windows.

Media_http1bpblogspot_ijqmk
During his stay in Montreux, Michael Jackson wanted to acquire the house owned by the Chaplin family, former long-time residence of Charlie Chaplin, but his offer to buy the property was declined by the heirs of the famous artist.


2003 - Michael pays a last respect to Bee Gee's Maurice Gibb.

Media_http2bpblogspot_vegcb
Gibb, 53, died on January 12 after suffering cardiac arrest shortly before undergoing emergency surgery on a blocked intestine. Gibb's private funeral was held at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel in Miami Beach at noon and was followed by a cremation service.

The private funeral service for Maurice Gibb was attended by family and close friends, including his fraternal bandmates, twin brother Robin Gibb and Barry Gibb, Michael Jackson and Gibb's first wife, singer-actress Lulu.

An hour after the official funeral Barry and Michael went to the coffin to honor Maurice for the last time. Michael was wearing a turquoise suit and went in quickly protected by a black umbrella to show his friend the last respect.

Michael Jackson is a close friend of the Gibb family, and had been working on a song with the Bee Gees just prior to Maurice's sudden illness.

Filed under  //   1971   1973   1976   1997   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Michael Jackson's Ben debuted on the UK Album Charts at its peak position #17 and remained within top 50 for 7 consecutive weeks.

1999 - The Japanese pop group J-Friends releases the single People Of The World composed by Michael.

2006 - Michael is invited by the Al Gosaibi family to their wedding celebrations and he surprises everyone by showing up at the marriage ceremony.

Media_http3bpblogspot_mcgtv
He watched the traditional Arabic wedding from the sidelines after politely declining to be seated nearer to the stage where the newly weds were seated and musicians performing.

The guests were urged not to photograph Michael. His appearances at various public gatherings are on the rise "as he feels closer to the people who have welcomed him graciously" following his acquittal in Santa Barbara last June. Only Lebanese superstar Ragheb Alama who was one of the lead singers at the ceremony had his picture taken with Jackson.

Michael, Grace & the kids have now moved into a mansion in Sanad, about 10km south of Manama. Michael first lived in a palace upon his arrival. Now, he has moved into a mansion in Sanad. Reports have Michael planning to move to yet another mansion, keeping the Sanad home for visiting relatives and friends. He wants his mansion to be by the sea, something that the Sanad residence does not offer.

Michael now wishes to lead a normal life, far from the eyes of the media that have followed him since his childhood. He does not want to be misquoted or falsely portrayed and he wants to make sure that his children are not under public pressure.

Michael reportedly told his entourage that he was feeling increasingly Bahraini, and will be consulting for AAJ Holdings, the company owned by businessman Ahmad Abu Bakr Jahahi. The company plans to set up an amusement park and an entertainment academy in Oman's Blue City.

Filed under  //   1973   1999   2006  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - The Jackson 5 appear on the Dick Cavett Show

Media_http4bpblogspot_bajnu

1974 - One More Time, a Jackson 5 TV Special is aired on CBS. The group performs Get It Together + a medley of I Want You Back/ABC/I’ll Be There/Ben/Daddy’s Home/Never Can Say Goodbye/The Love You Save and another medley Up a Lazy River/Opus One (with the Mills Brothers).

Media_http2bpblogspot_jbdcg

1989 - "Moonwalker" was released on video in America. In just over one month, it sold 600,000 units in the States. And this was just the beginning.

Michael's then-manager Frank Dileo decided not to release "Moonwalker" in the US movie theatres.

"Moonwalker" debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Music Video Cassette chart and stayed there for 22 weeks before being replaced by himself, with "Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues".

Michael’s feature-length movie, Moonwalker, was released to theaters in the United Kingdom and Australia on Boxing Day, 1988, and on home video in the U.S. and Canada on January 10, 1989. A collage of live performances, music videos, dramatized scenes and biographical flashbacks, Moonwalker effectively summarized Michael’s career up to what would turn out to be his commercial peak.

2002 - The King of Pop made a special appearance at the "29th Annual American Music Awards" and was presented with the "Artist of the Century" Award.

Media_http4bpblogspot_oclef
At the 29th annual American Music Awards, which took place at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles (USA), Michael Jackson was awarded the 'Artist of the Century Award'. Actor/ comedian Chris Tucker had the honor of presenting the award to his friend:
Michael Jackson is the biggest selling artist of all time. And Thriller remains the largest selling album all over the world. For his outstanding musical contributions in the 1970's, '80's and '90's the American Music Awards presents Michael Jackson with this year's 'Artist Of The Century Award'. Ladies and gentlemen would you please welcome a good friend of mine, the King Of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson.
Michael came out on stage blowing kisses to the fans. Dressed in solid silver sequenced jacket with gold sequenced military stripes and armband, his pants were tight black leather, his black boots blending in perfectly. His hair was shoulder length and straight. Michael, of course, acknowledges his fans in the wings holding up signs for him.

As he took to the stage to accept his award, Michael was greeted with a standing ovation from the cheering crowd before he began his speech, thanking a long list of people, including actor Marlon Brando - "my other father" - and then split:

Media_http4bpblogspot_njced
"First I would like to say; Chris Tucker, you are the funniest man in the world. Larry Cline, Dick Clark. [to Chris Tucker, handing him the award] Can you hold this for me? [while reaching in his pocket for a piece of paper] I'd like to thank people that are very important in my life. My mother and father, John McClain, Nicoletta Sotille, Rodney Jerkins, I think you're a musical genius, and Teddy Riley. I love you Quincy Jones, you're amazing. Trudy Green, Howard Kaufman, Suzzane De Passe, Tony Jones, Diana Ross, Marlon Brando, Gladys Knight, and my other father, Marlon Brando, I love you."
Acts who perform on the earlier show generally do not get invited to the more prestigious Grammy Awards in February, putting Jackson in a fix.

He had initially backed out of the American Music Awards altogether, prompting show producer Dick Clark to file a $ 10 million lawsuit against Grammys boss Michael Greene for unfair competition.

2004 - It was reported that Michael Jackson was going to lease a cliffside estate in Beverly Hills, CA. Jackson had recently said that he wouldn't live at Neverland Ranch again.

Filed under  //   1973   1974   1989   2002   2004  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Jermaine Jackson marries Hazel Gordy, 1973.

Media_http3bpblogspot_bdeof
Media_http3bpblogspot_huvhb

Jermaine Jackson became the second member of the Jackson 5 to get engaged, but this time the circumstances involved the group more closely. On December 15, 1973, Jermaine married Hazel Gordy, the only daughter of Motown boss Berry Gordy. The lavish wedding was compared by some to the recent royal wedding of British Princess Anne, and was proclaimed “the wedding of the century” by Ebony magazine.

Katherine Jackson had left the family home a month earlier, distressed by her husband’s ongoing extra-marital affairs. She came back in time for the wedding, and put on her game face for the occasion, leaving most of the guests unaware of the reality behind the matter.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in San Diego, USA.

1992 - Michael visits Sega Enterprises and discusses a new project.

1996 - Michael perform HIStory concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo dattending 45,000 fans.

2007 - Michael takes Prince, Paris & Blanket to a shopping spree in Las Vegas. They rerently came back to the city staying at the PALMS Hotel & Casino

Filed under  //   1973   1979   1992   1996   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1972 - The Jackson 5 on their first European tour in Brussels, Belgium

1973
– The Jackson 5ive performed Dancing Machine, Get it Together and Don't Say Good Bye Again, as well as answering the audience questions. Joe Jackson talked through a home movie of a party at their home family, Michael performed With a Child's Heart.

Media_http2bpblogspot_cffcs
Media_http2bpblogspot_bcblr

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform a concert in Oakland, California

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Cleveland, Ohio

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, USA attending 66,000

1991 - TV Guide featured Michael on their cover with the story The Making Of Michael Jackson's New Video

Media_http2bpblogspot_sdxjg
Media_http3bpblogspot_wcjty

Michael begins filming the video of Remember The Time in Los Angeles directed by John Singleton and featuring Eddie Murphy, Iman & Magic Johnson.

Media_http3bpblogspot_gosrf

2005 - Michael Jackson attends Rosa Parks' funeral service in Detroit, Michigan. The megastar assists a 7-hour long long ceremony, seated between Park's relatives. Tens of politicians, businessmen, religious leaders and people of the show business are present to pay their respects to the woman having made the fights for the civil rights in America possible. Among the famous guests were Reverend Jesse Jackson, former president, Bill Clinton, then president George W. Bush and singer Aretha Franklin. Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92, notably famous for refusing to leave her seat on a bus to a white man, in 1955, Montgomery city. Her arrest caused the protest against the racial discriminations led by Martin Luther King Jr.

Filed under  //   1972   1973   1974   1979   1984  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1973 - Popswop magazine[UK] featured Michael on their cover.

Media_http2bpblogspot_hfyah


Disc magazine[UK] featured Michael on their cover with the story Michael Jackson: Voice Breaking is Hit Making.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Buffalo, New York[US].

1993 - Michael meets the President of Mexico.

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

Performances of "Black Or White", "Earth Song", "Heal the World", and "HIStory" either were not broadcast. The available broadcast go up to "Dangerous". Snippets of the October 29 concert (including the aforementioned songs) were also released during a news report on TV1000. Because crotch grabbing is considered impure in Islam, Jackson altered his crotch-grabbing move in this concert. Televised by ntv7.

2003 - The edited version of the single, What More Can I Give?, featuring a host of other artists, is released via the official Music for Giving website as a $2 download to support charity projects. The charities that received donations when "What More Can I Give" was donated were "Oneness", "Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation" and "The International Child Art Foundation". It was due to certain legal delays and misunderstandings that the charity anthem, (also previously devoted to the Kosovo victims and intended to be performed with late Luciano Pavarotti in 1999), was redirected – via Internet pay - to providing financial aid to the September 11, 2001 victims in New York.

Michael Jackson premiered the short film for his latest charity single titled, What More Can I Give? at Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The short film was first premiered to a small Clear Channel audience. Clear Channel is a collection of media and entertainment companies. Michael thanked the disc jockeys, producers, and radio in general and stated that he did not think that they get enough credit. He went on to say that they help artists get their music out and he wouldn’t be here without their support. During the video premiere, Michael sat on the floor and watched with the audience. He invited the children in the audience to sit with him.

Immediately following, Michael went next door where the short film premiered again for a larger audience of radio stations. Again, he sat on the floor for the premiere. He thanked everyone and was extremely personable. Michael said that he feels his music is channeled from God; he sings it, but it’s the radio that gets it out. He expressed his appreciation again for the continued support of his work.

Following the premiere of the short film Michael went back to the ‘Art of Music’ store and did another signing. Some fans were able to get in and get tee shirts, and other memorabilia signed. He also made sure to greet the fans that were standing outside of the store.

In regards to this charity single, Michael simply stated, "Let’s make this happen!"

In the evening, Michael Jackson premieres the short film for What More Can I Give in the conference area at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Media_http3bpblogspot_oexaa
At the Radio Music Awards, Michael accepts the first ever Humanitarian Award from Beyonce.
Beyonce Knowles introduced Michael, taking the stage with a smile she began, "I am honored to be here tonight to introduce a music Icon. As a little girl, groovin' to his music, I like millions around the world, tried to mimic his unique and thrilling singing and dancing. He's still doing it! But today what I am trying to mimic is his passion for helping others. It is an example for all of us. He believes we can really change the world and he's doing it. He still remains the biggest selling recording artist in the history of music. *begin applause and screams* The king of pop! Ladies and gentlemen please welcome artist and humanitarian, MICHAEL JACKSON!" *you rock my world plays in the background*
Michael enters wearing a black satin shirt & velvet pants with two belts, One silver and the other one silver and sparkly with matching sparkly shin guards and boots. *the crowd is standing, yelling, clapping* Michael embraces Beyonce and moves center stage. Smiling the entire time. *cut to enthusiastic crowd, applauding vigorously* Michael bows graciously and laughs.

On accepting the Award, he draws focus to What More Can I Give, the sequel of the 1985 high-grossing charitable single, "We Are The World", and remembers the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York which, apart from their tragic aftermath, also "brought us together and finally brought this project together"; afterwards, Michael Jackson presents a short film showcasing the highlights of the charitable song’s recording.

Media_http2bpblogspot_prcqm
"We Are The World" was a project we did to help feed people around the Globe, who were starving and at risk. As you know, it was a huge success "We Are The World". This time, the time is come for the sequel to "We Are The World", to express our feelings, inspires, hope and lift those who need it most. It has been two years - a very long time – but with over one hundred people participating and donating their perecords, this project together finally has arrived. It couldn’t have happened without you all. The incredible talented artists who participated in creating this song that I just wrote.

Two years ago, we survived a terrorist attack that forever changed not only our country, but the entire world. We will never forget that that terrible tragedy brought us together and finally brought this project together. Producing this song was a miracle in itself. Here is a video showing some of the highlights of the moving collaboration, and tonight, you will experience it here first.

Thank you to Radio Music Awards for giving us this opportunity to bring it to the world. I hope, once again, we can set aut on a mission to lead the world in a path of harmony, by asking ourselves every day: "What More Can I give?" [the footage of the song recordings are displayed]; Jackson is given the Humanitarian Award by singer Beyonce, for which he adds a brief "thank you" speech."


2005 - Michael’s lawyer Brent Ayscough confirms that Michael has filed a counter suit against Marc Schaffel , accusing him of concealing and misappropriating funds and he has also settled a lawsuit filed by an antiques dealer who alleged he had not fully paid for $380,000 worth of goods.

While in Barhain, Michael coordinates the recording of FTBOMH in Los Angeles with artists such as R Kelly. The O'Jays, Snoop Dogg, Ciara, Shirley Caesar, James Ingram et Babyface. He also renames the song I Have A Dream.

2009 - Michael Jackson's This Is It made its worldwide premiere at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday before it hits the theaters. The red carpet for the premiere was live streamed via webcast across the world, starting at 4:30 PM PDT.

Media_http2bpblogspot_mxxai
It seemed everyone in Hollywood wanted to see what This Is It was all about.

Going on speculation and a glowing review from Elizabeth Taylor, a heaping spoonful of A-listers and others packed Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre for the premiere of the Michael Jackson concert film, comprising footage as he prepared for a 50-date farewell-concert blowout.

"I'm sitting in the nokia theater in awe of the 'this is it' movie!" twittered Paula Abdul, just one of the stars who walked the red carpet before showtime. "So many emotions are coming up For me I can't believe He's Gone BRILLIANT."

Jackson's brothers were the blood-relative VIPs in a crowd that also included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, David Cook, Paris Hilton, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nigel Lythgoe and Berry Gordy Jr.

"Michael would have loved this turnout," associate producer and tour choreographer Travis Payne told the L.A. Times' Pop & Hiss blog as Jackson's music played in the background.

"It's time to celebrate Michael, to rejoice in all his wonderful messages of peace and love. People are going to enjoy seeing the Michael I always got to see."

"You see him onstage as if he were standing in front of a full house," added This Is It director Kenny Ortega. "I hope the fans find satisfaction, that fans will understand what Michael had planned for them."

Sony Pictures paid $60 million for the rights to more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage that was whittled into the 111-minute film. Its planned two-week run was extended because it's a major hit, but in the meantime it's opening in 99 countries by tomorrow and will expand to 110 this weekend.

Filed under  //   1973   1979   1993   1996   2003   2005   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1970 - Motown announced that the Jackson 5 had sold a million records in the last nine months.

1971 - The Jackson 5ive perform two shows at Baltimore, Maryland on their first national tour.

1973 - Get It Together performed by the Jackson 5 in the States on The Bob Hope Special (an alternate version), was aired on NBC TV in the States.

1979 - The Jacksons perform DESTINY tour at Los Angeles, California.

1981 - The Jacksons' Triumph tour ended ten weeks later on September 26, 1981, with the last of a record-breaking four sold-out shows at the Forum in Los Angeles. A live album, called The Jacksons Live, was recorded and released the following year.

Again, Michael expressed his desire to stop touring when it was all over. Although he would be coaxed back on the road three years later, the Triumph tour marked the end of the Jacksons as a cohesive group of relative equals, as Michael’s own star power was about to rise higher than anybody in history.

1987 - Hitkrant magazine[Nederland] featured Michael on their cover.

Media_http3bpblogspot_pcxyv

Michael performs BAD tour at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama [Japan] attending 38,000 fans. Yokohoma concert filmed and televised in Japan by Nippon TV.

Michael Jackson's album BAD hit #1 in the U.S.

Bad enters the Top 100 singles chart in UK peaking at #3 and remains on the charts for fourteen weeks. A limited edition red vinyl 12" is also released.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Civic Arena in Pittsburg [Pennsylvania, USA] attending 16,230 fans.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon [Portugal] attending 64,000 fans.

1993 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Santa Cruz De Teneriffa in Tenerife [Canary Islands] attending 20,000 fans.

1996 - tele swiat magazine(Russia) featured MJ on the cover.

Media_http2bpblogspot_sjxfx

2001 - Michael Jackson's video clip for You Rock My World premièred on TRL in the U.S.A.

Filed under  //   1970   1971   1973   1979   1981   1987   1988   1992   1993   1996   2001  

Today in MJJ HIStory

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

1985 -

Media_http1bpblogspot_xeeex
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.

Media_httpsphotosakfb_ghiii
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.


Media_httpsphotosakfb_pfiff

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.


Media_http2bpblogspot_ddufi

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.

Media_http4bpblogspot_qjaif

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.

Media_http3bpblogspot_izaij

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.

Media_http2bpblogspot_pussb
Filed under  //   1973   1985   1987   1989   1992   1993   1995   1996   1997   2003   2009  

About