Today in MJJ HIStory

1989 - Michael Jackson receives the awards for Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Music Video, and Best R&B single for "Man In The Mirror" at the 3rd Annual Soul Train Music Awards in the United States.

On winning Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Music Video for the socially-conscious, "Man In The Mirror", he declares the following:

"I want to thank the entire public; I want to thank everybody who worked on these wonderful projects. I like to thank all the children at the Cleveland School in Stockton, California... I love them very much; and you, the public, thank you very much. I love you."

1990 - 18-year old activist Ryan White dies from AIDS.

He has been treated as an outcast in his home town in Indiana since contracting the disease through a blood transfusion at 14, it has been reported. This will result in him being banned from his school in Kokomo, Indiana as parents would protest. Over 1,500 people attend White's funeral on April 11, a standing-room-only event held at the Second Presbyterian Church on Meridian Street in Indianapolis. White's pallbearers include Elton John, football star Howie Long and television talk show host, Phil Donahue. Elton John performs "Skyline Pigeon" at the funeral and also trains the Hamilton Heights High School choir to sing with him. The funeral is also being attended by friend Michael Jackson, seated beside Ryan’s sister, Andrea, and his mother, Jeanne (whom he comforts throughout the service) and First Lady, Barbara Bush. Busloads of Ryan's schoolmates at Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia, 25 miles north of Indianapolis, also attend the funeral, which is carried live by ‘Cable News Network’.

1994 - Michael is presented in exulting cheers with the "Caring For Kids" celebrity award by 'Body Sculpt', (a charity teaching physical education to youngsters to keep them from drugs) at the second "Children's Choice Award" ceremony in New York. An estimated 75,000 people aged between 8 and 18 years old voting for him. 'Body Sculpt' votes Jackson as their favorite role model. The 'Caring For Kids' award honors celebrities devoting time to the youth.

Filed under  //   1989   1990   1994  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5 performed at The Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

1992 - While in England, Michael and his young friend Brett Barnes visit comedian Benny Hill at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for a reported 35 minutes.

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The 67-year-old comic has been convalescing from a heart attack, but refused to undergo a heart bypass. Jackson hands him a bouquet of flowers and enthusiastically tells him: "Great to see you at long last", and keeps repeating "You’re my hero". Jackson is said to also have asked Hill if he wanted to appear in a video with him, to which the comic replies, "Of course, why not?" Jackson then confesses to Hill that he watches his shows every day and that he has hundreds of his videos. Benny Hill's best friend, TV producer Dennis Kirkland, reveals, "Michael has invited Benny to stay with him next time he is in L.A. [...] Michael's visit was the tonic he needed." Benny Hill passes away three months later from coronary thrombosis.

Michael Jackson was a big Benny Hill fan. "I just love your Benny Hill (impression)!" the young Michael Jackson told a bemused English music-press critic during a 1970’s tour. "He's so funny!". In a ‘New Musical Express’ 1981 interview with The Jacksons, the entertainer reveals that Benny Hill makes him laugh: “Uh! Are you kidding? Every day! I love Benny Hill. I like him better than Monty Python. […] He just cracks me up. A genius.”

1994 - "The Jackson Family Honors" is televised on NBC. The earnings of the show are given to their own newly formed charity, "Family Caring for Families".

2003 – Michael Jackson is on Derniere Heure[France] magazine.

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Filed under  //   1974   1992   1994   2003  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond co-hosted the first annual American Music Award show with Rodney Allen Rippy and Ricky Segall.

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The AMAs were created by Dick Clark in 1973 to compete with the Grammys. While the Grammy Awards are awarded based on votes by members of the entertainment industry, the AMAs nominations based only on sales and airplay and the awards are determined by a poll of music buyers, and as a result is more of a representative of public opinion.

Michael and Donny Osmond present the award for "Favorite Soul/R&B Band" to The Temptations, while Ricky Segal and Rodney Allen joined them to present the award for "Favorite Pop/Rock Band" to the Carpenters.

1976 - The performance of the Final Jackson 5 Tour takes place in Manila.

The group was still performing under the name "Jackson 5" for the time being, while they waited for their contract to expire in March. Their last performances under the old name would be in the Philippines, just before coming home to give testimony in the case against Motown.

1977 - The Jacksons took in the 19th annual Grammy Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California.

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Before introducing the nominations for the Best Female Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance, they performed a little ditty to explain the category, with each brother doing a short rap. The Jacksons present an award to Nathalie Cole for "Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)".

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1979 – The Jacksons perform their Destiny Tour in Leeds, UK.

1984 - Michael is on the cover of CIAO 2001 Magazine [Italy].

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1992 - During a private visit to London, Britain, Michael Jackson throws down from the Dorchester Hotel window a sheet of paper with the following words for his fans:
“I truly truly love you all very, very much. I can’t wait to see you all in Summer, I love England, you will always be in my heart forever, and ever. I’m going to sleep now, ‘cause I have an early flight back to America. I adore you all. I love you. Michael Jackson.
In a separate sheet, he also writes:
“Lets (sic) “heal the world” together, the children, the animals and the ecology. Love Love Love, M.J. I want to hear you’ve got my letter (illegible).”
On the same occasion, Michael Jackson and a young cousin also throws down a sheet of paper to ecstatic fans from the top of the building, that reads: "I love you soo much. Michael Jackson.” A playful Jackson also a throws down a T-shirt to them, as well as a bed sheet with the words: “I love you with all my heart. Let’s heal the world. I love you. Michael Jackson.”

1994 - Michael and the whole Jackson family (except LaToya) reunited for The TV Special "Jackson Family Honors" benefit at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. His date for the evening was Lisa Marie Presley.

When Michael took the stage to present two lifetime achievement awards to the night's honorees, Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, and Elizabeth Taylor, he drew a nearly 5-minute standing ovation from a crowd of 12,000 fans. He has this to say on introducing his good friend:
"Today we honor Elizabeth Taylor for who she is, as much as what she does. For me, Elizabeth Taylor is the ultimate humanitarian, because she is the embodiment of love, compassion, faith, and integrity and she has been that ideal for hundreds and millions of fans over the five decades of her illustrious career.

Elizabeth began her career when she was nine years old and since then, has starred in some of the greatest of all American films. She has been, and she continues to be, one of the most celebrated women of the twentieth century. I know, from having the honor of being a friend of Elizabeth Taylor's, that she's in no need of another trophy or plaque to recognize her humanitarian work on behalf of the fight against AIDS.

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And I also know Elizabeth is here tonight not for any ego gratification, but because this gives her another chance to get the all important message out to the public. The message of AIDS awareness and the need for compassion and the efforts to find a cure. To the formation of AMFAR in 1986 and her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, no one has done more to fight this dreaded disease.

But in knowing Elizabeth, I know her reward comes from the work itself, from the small battles won in the all-out war, from the gains she's been responsible for by eliminating the problem for the world to see and from the unspoken things of the victims who's lives she has enhanced during their times on earth. In the midst of my recent trials and tribulations, Elizabeth stood by my side with unwavering strength and support. Elizabeth stands for truth. She's immune to criticism and unfearful to any challenge and places the highest truth in the wisdom of her own heart and the direct knowledge of her own intuition. She is not swayed by public opinion, because she knows in the end truth always triumphs.

Elizabeth, I love you and we honor you not only for what you stand for, but also for the magnificence of who you are. The world is a better place because of your existence. Because Elizabeth is so unselfish in her devotions to humanity, it is doubly fitting that she be the recipient of the Jackson Family Honors award."

Michael also joined his family in the finale, If You Only Believe.

1996 - Michael receives the special Artist of a Generation Award at the 16th edition of BRIT Awards.

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Michael Jackson performs “Earth Song” at the Brit Awards. It is Jackson’s first TV performance in England in over 20 years.

Unbeknown to Michael, however, while he was swinging out over the 4,000 strong celebrity audience on the end of a 30 foot crane, one Jarvis Cocker – frontman of the Britpop band Pulp – was up on stage, creating havoc.
Cocker was, it later emerged, protesting at the supposed ‘quasireligious’ nature of Michael’s performance. At the time, 25 children from two London schools were on stage, and allegedly as a result of Cocker’s actions four of them were hurt.

Michael later expressed his discontent over the incident, however, the controversy created by the performance has led to another rise in HIStory’s sales, putting the album back in the top 10 in Europe.

And following the performance, he informs the audience on the gravity of forest depletion, children deaths and famine, including alarming statistics such as areas of tropical forests being burned every minute, 3 million children dying every minute, or 300 children dying from hunger every minute, the singer requesting for unified involvement on behalf of people, joining him in these relief efforts. He reiterates this speech after performing the mentioned song at the 1996 World Music Awards in Monaco, Monte-Carlo.

Then, as he disappeared into a corridor of glowing white light, Irish singer, songwriter, author and political activist Bob Geldoff appears to presents Michael Jackson with a special Artist of a Generation Award at the 16th edition of BRIT Awards, for which he reads the following introductory speech:

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"Any words one speaks or writes are sort of reduntant in the face of what we've just seen and heard. He is probably the most famous person in the planet, God help him. He has also sold more records than anybody in the planet. And he has also written, recorded and performed some of the most glorious music in the pop canon. So, along with all the goff written about him, it is probably one such justification that he's continually referred to as the King of Pop. [...] They came up with the Artist of a Generation [award to give to him]. But Michael Jackson has been making music literally since he was baby. So, what generation? At least three had been listening to him already. And who will they give it to next year? Or is it the award in itself a one-off like the man himself? Because childhood prodigy to adult genius, when Michael Jackson sings, it is with the voice of angels, and when his feet move, you can see God dancing. So, tonight, the BRITs Artist of a Generation is: Michael Jackson."
On receiving the special award, Michael declares the following:
"I love you. Thank you – thank you BRITs Awards and Sir Bob (Geldoff). I’m humbled by this award. It is especially important coming from my wonderful family in the United Kingdom. You provided me with so much love and you’ve given me your loyalty and your support throughout my entire career, and a special thanks to Paul Russell… [To chanting fans] I love you.. I love you.. I love you all and especially, I love all my fans very much. Thank you.”

Inexplicably, as his HISTORY album was deemed a ‘greatest hits’ set (no matter it also included more than an album’s worth of new songs), Michael was ruled ineligible for any of the usual awards.

Filed under  //   1974   1976   1977   1979   1984   1992   1994   1996  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1981 - During a Diana Ross concert in Los Angeles, Michael Jackson gets on stage to sing Upside Down with her.

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diana! 50 minutes TV special, produced by Steve Binder aired on CBS, combined footage from this concert, with studio footage. Michael Jackson was also the guest star on the show, sings Rock With You duet with Diana.

1984 – Michael Jackson makes his first public appearance since his burn injury when he visits the Los Angeles zoo with Emmanuel Lewis.

1992 - Michael was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters.
Rev. Jesse Jackson and NABOB Chairman Pierre Sutton presented him the award at the 8th Annual Communications Awards Dinner held at the Sheraton Washington Hotel in Washington D.C.

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Stevie Wonder, boxing heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks, Spike Lee, and Al Jarreau were among the 900 guests, who turn out to see the man who revolutionized and dominated contemporary music, dance, video and fashion.

Michael Jackson is on the cover of Pop Rocky magazine, Germany.

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Michael Jackson is on the cover of Smash Hits magazine, United Kingdom. The main article is entitled Mad, Bad & Dangerous?

1994 – Michael Jackson is on Manchete magazine, from Brazil. The main article is entitled O Drama de Michael Jackson - Michael Jackson's Drama.

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1996 - People magazine.

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2002 – Because February will be the month of black music on VH1 (United States of America) featuring 113 hours of music by African American performers - of course including Michael Jackson-, on february 5, 2002 there are spotted pop up videos by Michael.

2005 - On January 19, 2005, Geraldo Rivera conducted an intimate and revealing interview with Michael Jackson. Here we see an intimate glimpse of the real man, the father, the warrior and the honest, tender heart behind the media's often extremely inaccurate and cruel portrayal. The Interview was shown on February 05, 2005 of FOX News channel. Also is aired an interview of Katherine at Hayvenhurst.

Filed under  //   1981   1984   1992   1994   1996   2002   2005  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5 fly home from Dakar after three concerts and many social activities they got involved.

1984 – Michael Jackson is on La Semaine magazine, from Canada. The main article is entitled “Le nouveau Dieu du Showbizz-qui est Michael Jackson? –The showbusinnes´s new God-Who is Michael Jackson?

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1984 – Michael Jackson is on Manchete Magazine (Brazil). It pays special attention to this new star that comes after The Beatles and Elvis, the way a new star is born, how he lives as an idol and more.

1990 - Michael joined other stars at the Sammy Davis Jr 60th Anniversary TV Special, musical gala honoring Sammy Davis Jr.

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Michael performed "You Were There", which he wrote with Buz Kohan especially for the occasion.

The night before the tribute show, Michael and Buz Kohan, who wrote the script, went in the rehearsal hall and wrote a song. They arranged it overnight, and the night of the show was the first time he'd ever sung it. He wanted to sing something that really related to Sammy.

Sammy Davis Jr. had helped to ease racial tensions and break down the walls separating the different races. This lead directly to Michael's tribute.

Michael stepped from the glare of several spotlights to perform, "Your Were There", dressed in black pants and red shirt with white strips tied at his waist and wrist, and white tape covering three fingertips.
Michael's touching tribute brought tears to his idol, who was then battling throat cancer.
It was certainly one of the more stationery performances Michael has ever given. With very few of his customary moves, Michael stood relatively still behind the microphone stand delivering the song only a few feet away from Davis.
After Michael finished the performance with one hand raised in the air, he walked over to Sammy and hugged him warmly.

Other performers included Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Ella Fitzgerald.
Sammy Davis Jr TV Special aired on ABC on Feb. 4, 1990, with all proceeds, $250,000 being donated to the UNC Fund.

1994 – Michael Jackson is on Derniere Heure magazine (Canada), talking about his history. Tout sur l’affaire Jackson.

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Filed under  //   1974   1984   1990   1994  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform at Sorano National Theatre in Dakar, Senegal.

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"Dancing Machine" from the Jackson 5 1973 album G.I.T.: Get It Together was released.
The group's first US Top Ten hit since 1971's "Sugar Daddy", "Dancing Machine" reached #2 on the Billboard pop music charts and #1 on the R&B charts. It bought The Jackson 5 their second Grammy Award nomination in 1975 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, losing to Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good".
"Dancing Machine" was also the title track of their 1974 album Dancing Machine released in 1974 as a remix for a response to the success of the single.
Recorded in 1973 at the Motown Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California.

1979 - On their 10th anniversary in the music business, Soul Train and The Jacksons celebrated with a Jacksons special. They performed 'Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)' and 'Things I Do For You', Michael performed 'Push Me Away'.

1990 - Michael Jackson is offered the "Role Model Award" from Japan. He accepts the award via satellite.

1992 - Michael held a press conference at Radio City Music Hall in New York to announce plans for a new world tour to raise money for his newly-formed "Heal The World" Foundation - which, beside "Camp Ronald McDonald" and "Make A Wish Foundation", battles against AIDS and Juvenile Diabetes.

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After descending the opulent staircase at Radio City Music Hall to the accompaniment of his song "Black or White," Michael joined Peter Kendall, vice president for Pepsi-Cola Int. in announcing the $20 million deal, which was the largest ever between a corporation and a music entertainer.

Dressed in black leather and a red armband, he informs on the creation of "Heal The World Foundation", the mission of the foundation being that to provide rescue to world-wide children; protection against abuse; caregiving; to deliver medicines for children and fight world hunger, as well as to convey awareness on children’s rights and necessities, and improve world’s life standards.

Before the kick-off of his Dangerous World Tour, Michael signed a Pepsi endorsement deal in front of the media.

At the press conference, he issues a statement in appreciation for the sponsor of this new tour - the Pepsi-Cola Corporation:

"Good afternoon. I like to thank the Pepsi-Cola Corporation for sponsoring the Dangerous Tour, which we plan to kick off in June. The only reason I’m going on tour is to raise for the newly formed, Heal The World, an international children’s charity, that I’m spearheading to assist children and the ecology. My goal is to gross one hundred million dollars by Christmas, 1993. I urge every corporation and individual who cares about this planet and the future of the children, to help raise money for the HTW charity. The Heal The World Foundation will contribute funds to pediatric aids in honor of my friend, Ryan White.

The "Heal The World Foundation" will also offer support to such worthwhile organizations as Camp Ronald McDonald, Make A Wish Foundation, Children Diabetes, Minority Aids Foundation and other charities. I’m looking forward to this tour, because it will allow me to devote time to visiting children all around the world, as well as to spread the message of the global love, in the hopes that others too will be moved to do their share to heal the world. Thank you for coming. I love you very much. Thank you, all."


After his speech, The St. Thomas Boys' Choir sing "Heal The World", which touches the singer: "When I composed the song, it was my dream to hear it performed the way they just performed it, with such innocence and beauty. It took everything to keep me from crying", declares Jackson.

1994 – Michael Jackson is on the Cover of Bravo Magazine (Germany). The inner article is entitled: “Michael: Die Alptraum ist vorbei!” –The nightmare is gone

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2003 - The controversial “Living With Michael Jackson” documentary conducted by British journalist, Martin Bashir first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV. The interview will air later all around the world... and a storm began.

He interviewed Jackson over a span of eight months, from May, 2002 to January, 2003, the documentary containing much commentary by Bashir, which was very critical and judgmental of Jackson. Jackson's decision to make the documentary was made on a suggestion by his then friend, Uri Geller.

Michael spoke openly about money, plastic surgery, his childhood, Prince Michael II and much more.

But instead of portraying Michael in a fair way, Bashir tried all he could to twist things in the wrong way.

However, most of the viewers did not fall for Bashir... after the interview viewers all around the world expressed their support for Michael.

The interview was a rare occasion for Jackson to allow such access to his personal life, thus felt all the more betrayed by Bashir’s negative portrayal of him. As a consequence, he soon issues the following statement:

"I trusted Martin Bashir to come into my life and that of my family because I wanted the truth to be told. Martin Bashir persuaded me to trust him that his would be an honest and fair portrayal of my life and told me that he was `the man that turned Diana's life around'. I am surprised that a professional journalist would compromise his integrity by deceiving me in this way. Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this terrible and unfair program. Everyone who knows me will know the truth which is that my children come first in my life and that I would never harm any child. I also want to thank my fans around the world for the overwhelming number of messages of support that I have received, particularly from Great Britain, where people have e-mailed me and said how appalled they were by the Bashir film. Their love and support has touched me greatly."

2006 - Michael, Grace & the kids leave Florence and go in the Neapolitan Riviera resort of Sorrento where they stay in The Villa Savarese.

2007 - Michael attends the Beatles Love musical, and meet the cast backstage at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

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Filed under  //   1974   1979   1990   1992   1994   2003   2006   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform at Sorano National Theatre in Dakar, Senegal.

1979 - The Jacksons perform a concert in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Destiny tour.

On the sixth anniversary of The Midnight Special The Jacksons appear, performing Things I do for you, Destiny (with Jermaine), and Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).

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1992 - The spectacular short film for Remember The Time directed by John Singleton was premiered on MTV, Fox and BET.

The 9-minute clip stars actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, supermodel Iman and basketball player, Magic Johnson. Joanna Burns, Jackson spokesperson at the time, says "He's very concerned about AIDs. He hopes the appearance of Magic Johnson [on Remember The Time video] will help raise public awareness." In November, 1991, Magic Johnson announced that he had been contaminated with the HIV virus, shortly afterwards setting the ‘Magic Johnson Foundation’ to help combat HIV. Jackson also wished to draw attention to the African origins, the video being set in Ancient Egypt, Ira Robbins of ‘Entertainment Weekly’ describing "Remember The Time" as being a "gorgeous ancient Egyptian extravaganza" video. The short film presents elaborate dance sequences and groundbreaking visual effects, with Jackson interpreting a wizard coming to entertain the Pharaoph’s (Eddie Murphy) bored partner (Iman).

The video had an Egyptian theme with Eddie Murphy as Pharaoh Ramsess and model Iman as Queen Nefertiti. When the queen becomes bored and wants to be entertained, a string of performers, announced by Magic Jonson, are led in front of the queen. With each being found unsatisfactory, she orders them to be thrown to the lions, or to be decapitated. A robed figure is next to be led out in front of the queen. Through some tricky special effects, the figure vanishes and reappears in a clear liguid and finally transforms into Michael in Egyptian garb. The queen become enchanted with him which angers Ramses, who immediately sends his guards after him. After eluding the guards and engaging in a Egyptian flavoured dance routine, Michael meets up with Nefertiti. They embrace and kiss, Michael's first on screen kiss. Michael finally eludes Ramses by vanishing once again into a golden powder.

1994 - Michael attended a concert of Fifth Dimension and the Temptations at the Sheraton Desert Inn in Las Vegas.

Michael was seen in company of Lisa Marie, when they attended the concert. The hotel had received a call earlier in the day letting them know Michael was coming. The King of Pop and the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll were seated in a VIP section known as "King's row".

Michael spent most of the time in New York, working busy on his new album. He booked into a 3 bedroom duplex apartment at Trump Tower.

1998 - Michael Jackson's video for "Ghosts" was released in the U.K. and Europe.

Filed under  //   1974   1979   1992   1994   1998  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1974 – The Jackson 5ive perform at Dakar, Senegal Demba Diop Stadium.

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The Jackson 5 expanded their global reach yet again in the new year, traveling to Africa, where they performed in Dakar, Senegal, a visit that was filmed and is the subject of a soon-to-be-released documentary. Upon arrival, the group was greeted like royalty, as Michael would later remember:
“When we came off the plane in Dakar, Senegal, Africa, we were greeted by a long line of African dancers. Their drums and sounds filled the air with rhythm. I was going crazy, I was screaming, ‘All right! They got the rhythm… This is it. This is where I come from. The origin.’
The Jackson 5 receive the Organization of African Unity award – For Strengthening Afro-Americans.

1979 - The Jacksons perform a concert in Amsterdam Netherlands on Destiny tour.

The Jacksons are on the cover of Jet Magazine featuring Special Report: The Jacksons 10 Years Later.

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1984 - Michael receives an official letter from United States President Reagan wishing him a speedy recovery.

1988 - The Song "Man In the Mirror" enters the charts. The proceeds from the sales of this record goes to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who suffer from cancer.

1994 - Michael telephoned Lisa Marie Presley at her estate in Hidden Hills, California. He was at his hide out in Westwood.

"Hey, listen up, girl," he said, according to her memory, "I’m heading up to Las Vegas to see The Temptations and The Fifth Dimension. Come with me. I’ll get us a suite at the Mirage and we can party like there’s no tomorrow."
"Am I staying in the suite with you?" she asked.
"Hell, yeah," Michael said. "What do you think, girl?"
"I think I’m still married," Lisa said.
"Then separate rooms, if that’s what you want," Michael responded.
2003 – Michael Jackson is on the cover of Play Magazine, United Kingdom. This is a supplement from The Times.

The Cascios join Michael in Miami (Frank, Aldo & Marie Nicole). Mark Lester is also there.

Wiesner & Konitzer try to block the airing of Martin Bashir's documentary after obtaining the final transcript.

2007 – It is pusblished that Michael Jackson meet High School brood personally, and even brought his three rarely seen tykes along. The stars of High School Musical, the über-successful Disney Channel movie, took their show on the road and toured across the U.S. (minus Zac Efron, who was filming Hairspray with John Travolta), finishing up in L.A. at the Staples Center. The cast had a very special surprise visitor during their Vegas stint Sunday. Michael Jackson requested to meet the High School brood personally, I’m told security was superheavy as Michael & Co. entered the building. “He was taller than expected, really soft-spoken and wore sunglasses the whole time. " Jackson acted like the light was bothering him, but he told [the cast] he and the kids loved the show.”
Yep, not only did Michael do a meet 'n' greet with the stunned cast, he stayed for the show. Evidently, they turned the light box at the Thomas & Mack Center into VIP seating with a canopy to protect the Jackson crew from any curious looky-loo audience members.

Filed under  //   1974   1979   1984   1988   1994   2003   2007  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1979 - The Jacksons perform a concert in Bremen, Germany on Destiny tour.

1984 - Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell Gordy featuring Michael on the title track is released by Motown.

1989 - Michael Jackson in concert at the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, US.

1990 - Michael attends the unveiling of a painting of himself titled The Book made by Australian artist Brett Livingstone Strong at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

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“The Book” is said to be the only portrait Michael personally sat for during his lifetime. The 40-inch by 50-inch portrait was unveiled in the presence of Mr. Hiromichi Saeki who paid $2,100,000 for the original, the most expensive portrait of a living person. Mr. Saeki was one of the most influential Japanese merchandisers and concert promoters of Michael Jackson. Michael is draped in a “Renaissance Effect” within this portrait and even deeper inside is standing, posing for Brett in a slightly earlier dimension of time.

The Book capture one of the most talented musicians in the world, painted by one of the most talented artists of our time, Brett-Livingstone Strong, hailed by the King of Pop as “A modern day Michelangelo”, in the ultimate expression of beauty – both musically and artistically, remembering Michael at the pinnacle of his career.

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Whether by fate or fortune we have here two of the greatest artists of the 21st century both forever memorialized in their greatness, captured in a moment of life entitled “The Book” and hereinafter available for the enjoyment and appreciation of all future generations and patrons of the Arts. The mystique of this portrait draws you in. Take a closer look – it is a portrait within a portrait.

The portrait depicts the King of Pop as a contemporary Renaissance man, dressed in red velvet holding a journal of thoughts and sketches, in a fairy-tale-like setting, with a statue of Peter Pan and another painting of Michael, in the background. "We called it, 'The Book,'" Mr. Strong said. "What are you going to put in 'The Book' today, Michael?'" The backdrop is Neverland, with an image of Tinkerbell. The painting has touches of Vermeer, as that was one of Mr. Jackson's favorite painters, Mr. Strong said.

1992 – Michael Jackson contributes to Law Roul`s telethon with a taped performance of “Heal the World”. The performance was taken from a Dangerous Tour Concert and was combined with footage of Michael`s visit to Africa.

1993 - Michael attends the Superbowl XXVII Pre-Show Press Conference held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, Ca.

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Michael accepts a cheque of $100 000 from the NFL and Frito Lay (Sponsor of the Superbowl). Neil Austrian, president of NFL, presents him with a custom-made Superbowl jacket. He also receives 500,000 dollars from BEST Foundation for his Heal The World Foundation.

Heal LA, new United States Children's Relief Initiative is announced by Heal The World, Michael Jackson and Former President Jimmy Carter in Los Angeles. This collaborative effort - beginning with "Heal LA" sustained by "Cities in Schools", "Big Brothers/Big Sisters", "BEST Foundation", "Watta Health Foundation", and "Partnership for a Drug Free America" - will provide immediate action to help solve the pressing needs of America's inner-city children and youth through instructive programs featuring AIDS prevention, a substance-free living. The initial Los Angeles effort will include drug prevention/education, as well as counseling, mentoring and immunization campaigns.

The singer declares:

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"We have to get out the message of the need to heal our children and heal the world... to recognize that we need each other and must care for one another, help inspire us to develop this relief effort for children. To make a real difference, we must all care and commit to be a part of the solution. I know you all share my concern for inner-city children who are spread all around us. We must join together to make this world a better place for each of them. "Heal LA" is only our first step in making things better. I'm very happy to tell you today that former President, Jimmy Carter, and I are going to be working together to help children in cities all over our country. President Carter will join me as co-Chair of our new national Heal Our Children Initiative. We'll work together here in L.A. to start, then go city by city to heal children all over America. I would like to express my love and appreciation to all of you who have already been so generous to this important new Heal The World program."

1994 - After 6 months of hard negotiations, the lawyers representing both sides in the molestation case against Michael finally reached agreement. An out of court settlement, which both sides have been working towards, is agreed for an undisclosed sum.
The nightmare was over!

2001 - 15 year old Afro-Norwegian boy Benjamin "Benny" Hermansen was stabbed to death by a group of neo-Nazis in Oslo, Norway.

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On the album cover, next to the image of a rose, it reads:
Michael Jackson gives "special thanks":
«This album is dedicated to Benjamin 'Benny'
Hermansen. May we continue to remember
not to judge man by the color of his skin,
but the content of his Character. Benjamin...
we love you... may you rest in peace.»
Michael Jackson dedicated his Invincible album to Benjamin. The reason for this has partly to do with the fact that the Holmlia boy Omer Bhatti and Jackson were close friends, and Bhatti was at the same time a good friend of Benjamin Hermansen.
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2002 - Michael Jackson's Cry peaked at #2, on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it was held from the top position from Ja Rule and Ashanti's "Always on Time" 2001 single.

2006 - Michael, Grace & the kids fly to Hamburg on a private visit the Shleiter family but upon arriving to their house, fans et reporters arrive after hearing the news of his arrival on the radio.

Amid intense media coverage police cordoned off the home of his 23-year-old host to guarantee their safety. Around 100 fans and media representatives were waiting in front of his hosts house today to catch a glimpse of Michael, who prefered to stay in the house though.

2007 - Michael attends Lance Burton's 7 p.m. show (Monte Carlo) with Grace & the kids.

2008 - Michael received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 NRJ Awards, in the year which he will mark the 25th Anniversary of ‘Thriller’.

The awards show took place in Cannes (France) and was aired on channel TF1. Michael wasn't able to attend the awards show in person but he recorded a special message for this occasion:

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"Hello to all my friends in France! Though I couldn’t be there in person tonight to accept this prestigious award, I’m so happy to have the chance to send this message to let all my French fans know how much your support has meant throughout the years.

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, Quincy Jones and I embarked on an album named “Thriller.” To be able to say that “Thriller” still holds the record as the biggest selling album of all time, is just mind blowing. I have you, my fans throughout the world to thank for this achievement.

Though this award tonight honours me for my lifetime achievements, there is still much more to come from Michael Jackson. My passion for music has never stopped. And for those who don’t know, I’ve been in the studio recording Thriller 25th Anniversary album, with a lot of surprise guests. It’s my hope that “Thriller” continues to live on for each new generation to discover.

So thank you TF1 and NRJ for this very special award. It means so much to me to be honoured by you. And thank you to my fans. I love you from the bottom of my heart and I hope to see you very soon. I love you. God bless you.”

2009 - Michael (with Blanket and Dr Tohme Tohme by his side), meets an AEG delegation headed by Philip Anschutz, its billionaire founder, AEG's chief executive Tim Leiweke, Randy Phillips, who heads up AEG Live and Paul Gongaware. Michael signs a deal for 10 concerts in London next summer and he also accepts to submit to a rigorous medical check-up at his LA home.
Filed under  //   1979   1984   1989   1990   1992   1993   1994   2001   2002   2006   2007   2008   2009  

Today in MJJ HIStory

1989 - Michael Jackson in concert at the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles, US.

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The Cleveland School massacre occurred on January 17, 1989, at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California, United States. The gunman, Patrick Purdy, who had a long criminal history and was later determined to be mentally ill, opened fire on the school's playground with a semi-automatic rifle, shot and killed five schoolchildren, and wounded 29 other schoolchildren and one teacher, before committing suicide. His victims were predominantly Cambodian or Vietnamese refugees.

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Then-Mayor Barbara Fass' subsequent work on gun control received national attention and sparked nationwide efforts that sought to ban semi-automatic military-style rifles like the one used in the shooting.

Popular singer and song writer Michael Jackson paid a visit to Cleveland Elementary School to see the children and families effected by this tragedy on February 7, 1989. Michael had just returned from his Bad World Tour. He arrived at the school to comfort the surviving children by giving them confidence to view the world more positively after such a traumatic experience. Patrick Purdy may have destroyed many lives that day, but Michael Jackson's presence helped bring more attention and compassion to the victims than anybody else on planet Earth could have done in a hundred years.

1994 - Michael Jackson opened his Neverland Ranch in a Martin Luther King Day celebration for 100 inner-city children who excelled in school.

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Jackson spent Saturday mingling with the children, posing for photographs and signing autographs. The children watched the movie "Beethoven's 2nd" in Jackson's theater and then visited his amusement park and zoo.

"This was a reward for them, and especially on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., it is a very special occasion. These kids will never forget. We thank Michael for making this an even more memorable day," said Chilton Alphonse, founder of South Central Los Angeles' Community Youth Sports and Arts Foundation.

Fifty of the children came from Alphonse's organization, and the other 50, from Second Baptist Church.

"Michael has been a friend for the past five or six years and he's been very generous to us," Alphonse said by telephone from Neverland. "You hear all these negative things and I don't believe them. A man is innocent until proven guilty."

2000 - Michael Named Favorite Artist Of The 1980s at the 27th Annual American Music Awards.

From the results of an internet poll, named Michael Jackson favorite artist of the 1980s, Stevie Wonder of the 1970s, the Beatles of the 1960s and Elvis Presley of the 1950s.

2002 - It was announced that Michael's vocals are used on "It's Not Worth It" - a brandnew song off Brandy's new album titled "Full Moon", due in stores March 05, 2002.

Filed under  //   1989   1994   2000   2002  

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