Showing posts with label 1969. Show all posts

1969 - The Jackson Five’s contract with Motown records did not come into effect until March 11, 1969, after negotiations were made to buy out the existing Steeltown contract.

1976 - The Jackson 5's Motown contract has expired and their CBS/Epic contract, come into effect on March 11, 1976.

It was the beginning of a new chapter in Michael’s education. Despite the contentious nature of the lawsuits between Motown and the group, he was impressed by Gordy’s acumen in registering the name “Jackson 5″ under trademark, and was beginning to learn about business and law in a serious way, knowledge he would someday wield with great capability.

1969 - Motown releases the first album of the Jackson 5, Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5.

The album featured 12 songs, and only single was “I Want You Back”. The album was a successful debut worldwide, charting at number 5 in the US pop charts, in february 1970, and #1 in the R&B chart, number 16 in the UK and staying in the charts for four weeks. It sells more 600000 copies in the United States, an exceptionnal number for a first LP.

The majority of the album was produced by Bobby Taylor, true discoverer of the group, and the Corporation™ in 1968 in Chicago. The Corporation™ would work on The Jackson 5’s next seven albums for Motown. During spring and summer 1969, the latter chose to make them sing soul music standards, in order to coach them, but also to prove to the Motown big boss, Berry Gordy, their capacities.

So, besides the anthem I Want You Back, produced by The Corporation (Gordy, Perren, Mizell, Richards), the album contains several covers from the Detroit's compagny : The Four Top's Standing in the Shadows of Love, Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour, The Temptations' (I Know) I'm Losing You, a wonderful treatment of Smokey Robinson's Who's Lovin' You, but also a Walt Disney Them, in album's opening, Zip A Dee Doo Dah, and Sly & the Family Stone's Stand!. The album also includes one of their debut Steeltown songs, You've Changed.

All instrumentation was made before the 5 brothers stepped in the studio, to the great displeasure of Tito and Jermaine, who didn't play guitar and bass. When, in 1976, Michael was asked why this LP was called "Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5", he responds : "That's it, Diana didn't discovered us, but it was made to believe it. As she presented us to the public, it's not really a lie".

In order to promote the album, the Jackson 5 made their second important tv appearance, in the famous Ed Sullivan Show, with the well advised eye of Diana Ross, from that time, a name forever associated with the Jackson 5.

1975 - The Jackson 5 in concert, San Carlos, California.

1979 - The Jacksons' Destiny tour was concluded at the Forum in Englewood in Los Angeles, USA.

The second leg of the Jacksons' Destiny tour began in New Orleans on October 2nd, while Off The Wall was climbing up the charts, and songs from the new album were added to the set list to keep the show up to date.

When the tour ended with a series of shows at The Forum in Los Angeles, the last one being on December 18, 1979, Michael wanted to stop touring altogether. Besides the nose injury, he had suffered voice trouble that forced some shows to be canceled.

With Off The Wall now a certified hit, his career was truly beginning to eclipse that of the group's, which only served to deepen the already growing divisions between him and his brothers.

The whole Jackson family attends the concert and Michael is presented with platinum records for Off The Wall.

1988 - Michael perform 5th of 9 dates at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo during the Japanese leg of Bad tour.

1989 - Reports confirmed that Michael's planned greatest hits album, "Decade", was shelved due to an avalanche of new material, prompting thoughts of a brand new album instead, much to the delight of his fans.

1992 - Michael visits Disneyland Tokyo.

1993 - Gone Too Soon reached #33 in the UK singles chart, which was released on December 1, 1993—World AIDS Day—as the 9th and final single from the Dangerous album. It become Michael's 9th Top 40 hit from the one album (Dangerous).

1995 - Michael goes resting at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, France, taking with him the Cascio kids (Frank, Eddie, Dominic Jr, Aldo & Marie Nicole) and nephews.


2004 - Michael open the gates of Neverland to over 200 children, inviting them for a holiday party, to enjoy a day at his fairy-tale ranch; to play on the amusement park rides and miniature train ride, see its zoo, and watch movies.
Dressed in an impeccable black suit with swirling white embroidery at the shoulders (and the ubiquitous umbrella), Michael personally welcomed the children home, basking in their adoration, he greeted them saying: "I and my family are wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, Happy New Year!"

For many children it was a dream come true when they met Michael Jackson. Some of the enthusiastic statements heard from the smiling faces of the children, ages 3 years to 17 years, sounded as follows:

"This has made our Christmas."

“This is a dream come true.”

"To us, Michael Jackson is bigger than Santa Claus."

“Never in our wildest imaginations did we think that we would get a chance to say hello to Michael Jackson.”

1969 - Four days before the release of their debute album, the Jackson 5ive made a huge splash with their second national television appearance, on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Once again, they brought the house down, starting with Stand and Who’s Lovin’ You, and then closing the deal with I Want You Back, Michael charming the country decked out in a funky purple fedora

The Jackson 5’s first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was on 4th of December, 1969. Ed Sullivan was known for having an eye for talent and was very particular about the acts he presented. The Ed Sullivan show was a major breakthrough for The Jackson 5, who performed "Stand!", "Who's Lovin' You" and "I Want You Back", with Michael in front wearing a striking magenta hat. They would be invited back to perform another set in May 1970.

To promote their new single, the Jackson 5ive appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. They performed I Want You Back and Who's Lovin' You.
In 1988, Michael narrated a collection of film clips covering his career for Entertainment Tonight which included a clip of this performance. "I remember this was the Ed Sullivan Show. As young as I was, I never felt shy while performing. It was what I did and what I came into the world to do."


1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Phoenix, USA.

1991 - Michael Jackson's DANGEROUS debuts at #1 on Billboard's pop albums chart.

1992 - Michael perform 2nd of 8 dates at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo during the Japanese leg of Dangerous tour attending 45,000 fans.

1993 - Michael Jackson's single "Gone Too Soon" was released.

2008 - Michael is spotted wearing a Zorro mask while shopping in Los Angeles.


2010 - The Michael Jackson album MICHAEL was released by Epic Records.

MICHAEL is the first release in 9 years of new material by one of music's most beloved icons whose artistry continues to touch new generations of fans. The album contains ten tracks,newly completed by an esteemed group of producers along with Michael Jackson. While primarily focused on songs that Michael worked on recently, there are also earlier compelling tracks that Michael had a desire to bring to fruition.

Breaking News was the first song from the album to be released to the public and was available for radio airplay. The song was recorded in New Jersey in 2007 and according to Sony, the song was "recently brought to completion." Other tracks were recorded at studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with various unidentified collaborators.

The first official single, Hold My Hand, recorded in Las Vegas in 2007, was released globally on Monday, November 15. The album contains two songs that were written during the Thriller era, Behind the Mask and Much Too Soon. The song (I Like) The Way You Love Me previously appeared on The Ultimate Collection (2004) with the title The Way You Love Me. For MICHAEL, the song has been remixed and more vocals have been added. The song Best Of Joy is one of the last that Michael recorded during his lifetime, having written and recorded it in 2009.

Track Listing:

• Hold My Hand(Duet with Akon)
• Hollywood Tonight
• Keep Your Head Up
• (I Like) The Way You Love Me
• Monster(Featuring 50 Cent)
• Best Of Joy
• Breaking News
• (I Can't Make It) Another Day (Featuring Lenny Kravitz)
• Behind The Mask
• Much Too Soon

1969 - The Jackson 5 got their first* national television debut in U.S. on the ABC-TV show Hollywood Palace Special when Diana Ross introduced them.

One week after I Want You Back was released, the Jackson 5 made their first national television appearance on a live broadcast of Hollywood Palace on ABC-TV at 9:30 p.m(EST). Diana Ross was serving as the guest host of a special show devoted to Motown acts.

For their performance, the Jackson 5 did some fancy footwork to the first few measures of their exhilarating versions of Sly & the Family Stone's Sing a Simple Song (a cover song that was never released in its entirety, assuming the J5 did a studio recording of it, as they did with several songs by the Family Stone), and then sang a beautiful slow tempo song from their first LP, Can You Remember, a Delfonics cover.

After a smattering of polite applause, Michael is barely audible when he introduces their next song - new debut single, saying: "Now we'd like to do our very first release on Motown. It's on sale everywhere!" and they tore into a blistering version of I Want You Back, their first live performance of I Want You Back, and about a minute into the song, you can see Michael begin to relax. Suddenly it appears that he is really enjoying being on stage and in front of a national audience. Watching it, we get a strong sense that we are witnessing a star being born.


You might think little of the adult Michael Jackson but I defy even the most cynical to remain unmoved by the video of the Jackson 5 featuring Michael Jackson on the Diana Ross show belting out James Brown's There Was A Time along with Sammy Davis Jr. The pint-sized 11-year-old with the huge Afro and eyes to match, a big sweet voice and a determination to outflank Miss Ross in camera position, was already an experienced performer, though his grown-up moves were slightly off-kilter. He could simulate sexuality as he did a pretend ad lib but he was a kid all the same.

In their heavily scripted banter, Michael and Diana made several references to Michael's similarity to Sammy Davis Jr., and Sammy himself made a surprise cameo appearance to carry the the running gag one step further by pretending to be worried that Michael was going to take his place. In a way, this is a watershed episode of the past (Sammy Davis Jr. in a fit of mock jealousy over young Mike), present (Diana and the Supremes), and future (Michael and the Jackson 5) of African American entertainment.

Besides Diana Ross and the Supremes, other guests on the show included Gladys Knight and the Pips and Stevie Wonder, but it was the smallest of these stars that night, the most dynamic as well, who stole the show from everyone. In fact, the line up was so remarkable, Motown put out a soundtrack album for it on March 1970.

Motown had already been circulating the story that Diana had discovered the Jackson 5, so the show provided the perfect opportunity for her to introduce her young protegees. We all know the back story: Diana Ross got credit for the discovery because Berry Gordy asked her to "present" the Jackson 5 to the public, thereby launching their career and Ross's solo career in one fell swoop. Immediately -- and it may have had something to do with the language Motown used in their promotional materials, such as "the Jackson 5 were discovered by Diana Ross". This added an additional power of seduction including them public, and it was also a great enhancement of Diana Ross, who was preparing to leave the Supremes.

The notion that Diana had a hand in grooming the young group for stardom was driven home by publicity photos showing her helping Michael with his stage make up...	...and in making certain the microphone was at just the right height for the lead singer.

Source: j5collector

*The show is often cited in biographies, as the "first nationally broadcast television appearance," while the first was "Miss Black America" in August 1969.

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform at Chicago, Illinois on their first national tour.

1980 - The Jackson's album Triumph hit #13 in the U.K.

Triumph was the 13th album by The Jacksons, released in 1980 on Epic Records. It was certified platinum in the U.S. and peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200. Hit singles from the album were Lovely One, Heartbreak Hotel (This Place Hotel) and Can You Feel It.

The Jacksons shared lead vocals and solo spots on most songs, but Michael Jackson handles most of the lead vocals. Triumph was the Jacksons' first album to reach #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart since Maybe Tomorrow in 1971. The album would sell over two million copies worldwide, and the Jacksons would not release another studio LP for four years after Triumph's release.

1982 - The Girl Is Mine released as the first single off the THRILLER album.

The song hit #1 on the R&B singles chart and #2 on the Hot 100 in U.S, and #8 in the UK.

The writing of The Girl Is Mine was completed by Michael as he watched cartoons with Paul McCartney:
"It started with Quincy Jones asking me to write a song about two guys quarreling over the same girl, and I thought about it and I came up with The Girl Is Mine."
"I woke up from my sleep and I had this song," said Michael, explaining his
inspiration for writing the song, "and I went over to the tape recorder and I sang it into the tape recorder, and I sang exactly what I heard in my head, starting with the melody and the keyboard and the strings and everything. So I just orally put it on tape."
The rap in the song, Michael explained, was Quincy Jones’s idea. Asked about his
other songs, and if any of them were similar to The Girl Is Mine, Michael replied, "Oh, yes, lots of other songs... they are mainly the same chords that I use in so many... That’s What You Get (For Being Polite) is one. Others would be Why Can’t I Be, Thank You For Life – all have the same main, the same type of chords as The Girl Is Mine.
To prove his point, Michael sang The Girl Is Mine to an instrumental version of That’s What You Get (For Being Polite).

McCartney spent three days at Westlake Studios, Los Angeles, working on the song with Michael from 14th-16th April 1982 – the year after the pair first worked on Say Say Say and The Man, although it was the first Jackson/McCartney duet to gain a release. The single's cover photograph was taken by McCartney's wife, Linda.

Michael is on record as saying the duet is one of his most enjoyable recording moments:
"One of my favourite songs to record, of all my recordings as a solo artist, is probably The Girl Is Mine, because working with Paul McCartney was pretty exciting and we just literally had fun... it was like lots of kibitzing and playing and throwing stuff at each other and making jokes... and we actually recorded the track and the vocals pretty much live at the same time, and we do have footage of it, but it's never been shown – maybe one day we’ll give you a sneak preview of it."

Its lukewarm reception from fans prompted many industry insiders to presume Thriller would be a sales failure. They couldn’t be more wrong.

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

1993 - Michael arrives in Santiago(Chile) to perform a concert on October 23 at the Chile National Stadium.


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

2005 - Michael & his entourage leave London.

1969 - The Jackson 5's debut single for Motown, I Want You Back, was officially released on October 7, 1969, and would become the first of four number one hit singles in a row. A lively and deceptively sophisticated pop tune, Michael's performance was strong and memorable, guaranteed to charm the most reluctant audience.



I Want You Back was produced and written by Berry Gordy’s new writing team, The Corporation™ (made up of Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell and Deke Richards). It was The Jackson 5’s first song recorded at Motown’s L.A. studios and originally intended for Gladys Knight.

The song became a massive hit — thanks in large part to the quintet's pint-sized dynamo of a lead singer, then 11 years old Michael. the song hit #1 spot on both Hot 100 & R&B charts as the group's first of four #1 hit singles in a row. It peaked #2 in the UK, earning the J5 their first Platinum record as well the Silver Award. The single sold over 6 million copies globally, a key force in driving their total worldwide sales past 90 million.

Accolades:

• In 1999, I Want You Back became the first Jackson 5 single inducted into the "Grammy Hall of Fame".
• In MTV’s millennium poll, I Want You Back was voted the #9 'Greatest Pop Song of all time'.
• In 1999, I Want You Back ranks #9 on Rolling Stone's list of the '100 Greatest Pop Songs since 1963'
• In 2006, I Want You Back ranked at #2 on Pitchfork Media's list of the '200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s'
• In June 2009, The Daily Telegraph named I Want You Back as the Greatest Pop Record of all time.

1971 - Michael’s first ever solo single, Got To Be There, was released on October 7, 1971, in advance of his debut solo album of the same name, which would come out early the following year.

The single made #4 on both the Hot 100 and R&B chart, and sold an impressive 1.6 million copies in U.S. It also hit #3 in neighbouring Canada and #5 in the UK. By this time, Michael had eight chart topping singles and six albums with his brothers.

Got To Be There was originally intended for the Supremes, then was planned as a Jackson 5 release. Indeed, Michael’s brothers do feature on backing vocals, as they would continue to do on
many songs credited to Michael alone. It was a soulful love song that showed off thirteen year old Michael’s amazing vocal ability.

Got To Be There: The album had a beautiful mix of ballads and up tempo numbers perfectly suited to Michael’s range and style. Young Michael had shown that he could carry a full album all on his own. The album charted at number 14 in the US and number 37 in the UK. “Got To Be There” generated 3 more singles. “Rockin’ Robin” hit number 2 in the US and number 3 in the UK. “I Wanna Be Where You Are” hit number 16 in the US and “Ain’t No Sunshine” was a European only release that reached number 8 in the UK.
In releasing it, Michael broke a Motown tradition, as he became the first Motown artist to go solo whilst still an active member of a group (Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and David Ruffin all had to leave their respective groups before becoming solo artists).

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

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

1993 - Michel arrives in Buenos Aires with Frank & Eddie.

1995 - Michael graced the popular German Game show Wetten Dass? (Wanna Bet?) with his live appearance.


In addition to his immaculate Dangerous routine, executed with the same precision and finesse as at the MTV Music Video Awards in September, Michael also performed Earth Song in public for the first time, a real coup for Wetten Dass?
When aired on November 04th, the show attracted 18 million viewers, breaking German viewing records with 25 million tuning in to watch Michael’s guest spot – far and away the highest German TV audience of 1995.

1996 Michael played a historic concert at El Menzah Stadium before 60,000 people in Tunis, capital of Tunisia. The performance marked the first time Jackson performed in the continent of Africa. Four days prior to the concert, speaking via Kingdom International, Michael said:
This concert will be of special significance for me because it will be my first in Africa and the Arab world. The people and nations of both regions have always held a special place in my heart and I always wanted to perform for them.
Michael further announced all proceeds from the concert would be donated to The National Solidarity Fund, a Tunisian charity dedicated to fighting poverty.

This concert was aired on September 18, 2010 by the Nessma TV channel in Tunisia. Before then, only parts of this concert were shown on television as well as a very poor quality amateur-filmed far from the stage. The broadcast ended at "Heal The World", cutting off the final number, "HIStory". The quality of the broadcast was rather average as the entire concert was on a VHS, and a red ball (Nessma TV's logo) occasionally rolled across the screen as a means of copyright protection. The concert broadcasted twice, with the red ball appearing in different places in both broadcasts.

2005 - Michael is at The Power House Studios, working on a charity song, From The Bottom Of My Heart, to help the victims of hurricane Katrina.



The working title of the Hurricane relief song penned by Michael is, "From the Bottom of My Heart," which was supposed to be released on 2 Seas Records, owned by Prince Abdullah Hamad Alkhalifa of Bahrain.

Fundraising Project titled: "From the Gulf to the Gulf" is in response to the widespread devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina, and because of the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of his country.

"It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of my country. My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy. I will be reaching out to others within the music industry, to join me in helping to bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything." Michael said.

Within 24 hrs from the devastation, Mr. Jackson penned the song and has reach out to artists who would like to work with him in this project, some of the enlisted celebrity friends, including R. Kelly, Ciara, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, James Brown, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, which he humbly hopes will make a tremendous difference to all individuals who have been affected by this tragedy.

1969 - The Jackson 5ive perform at a festival conceived by Mayor Hatcher, the first black Mayor, supporting Yvonne Fair at Gilroy Stadium.


1992 - Michael Jackson perform in Dangerous World Tour concert to a capacity audience of over 32,000 at the Southwest Stadium in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

1993 - The second show of the Dangerous Tour in Singapore was cancelled. The Jackson family held a press conference in the U.S. Jermaine Jackson read a statement in support of his brother Michael before announcing that the Family plans for a special: The Jackson Family Honors.

The special is due to be filmed in December and televised in January.

2000 - Anastacia has a reputation for being a bit of a dance diva, but the truth is she can rock! Following the global success of 'I'm Outta Love', Anastacia has released her debut album 'Not That Kind'.

In an interview, Paul Cashmere of Australian Radio asked her about the day Michael Jackson called her.

"Actually, when Michael Jackson called, it was all leading up to the fact that when I did the show 'The Cut', which was the star search kind of show. I was proposed to by a lot of record companies being interested in wanting me to sign with them. In the process of all those meetings and stuff, I was meeting with MJJ, so it was inevitable to meet the presidents of all of these labels, because I was starting to get to that point. Michael Jackson was one of these people that I had to meet, as well as Tommy and Bob Jamieson and the presidents of all the great record companies, so it really was a professional situation. It wasn't like "I'm a really big fan and I want to have you autograph everything that I own", it was a phone call of admiration from a performer to a performer, as a president to an artist wanting to be signed, as an artist looking at what a label has to offer, it was that kind of conversation, but what a light conversation! He was laughing, I was laughing, we were having a great time. It was so wonderful to be able to speak to him. He's so inspiring and what a genius! Forever I'll remember that I got to speak with him on the phone. If I never get to meet him or even work with him in the future, it's the beauty of being able to be recognised by something like that."

2001 - One day after his birthday, Michael Jackson opens up the NASDAQ Stock Market in Times Square, New York and kicks off his Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years performances at Madison Square Garden scheduled for September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001, which are being produced by David Gest.
Nearly 500 fans from around the world who are planning on attending the anniversary concerts on September 7 and 10 arrived a few days early to witness Michael's appearance at the NASDAQ MarketSite Tower.

Just before the market opened at 9:30 am Michael entered wearing a respectable black suit with a blue armband. He blew kisses to the hundreds of fans that were outside crowding around the building's glass walls and windows while he was introduced to NASDAQ's executive vice president David Weild and NASDAQ CEO Wick Simmons.

When Simmons presented Michael with a glass trophy Michael commented, "It's like floating in the air," speaking of an object encased in the trophy.

"Well, you're floating," Simmons told him, "right now, out there, in Times Square, on the big billboard that's up out there. You are floating so that everyone can see you."

After Michael pushed the button to open the market, NASDAQ officials presented him with a vanilla birthday cake decorated with strawberries and a 1934 Shirley Temple poster. "I love it, oh my God," he exclaimed. He then blew out the candles on the cake , and sang "Happy Birthday." He said,


"I'm deeply moved by this very special moment for me. Thank you, David, Wick and NASDAQ. Thank you so much. I love you and all the fans. Thank you."

Before he left the building he was taken on a brief tour of the NASDAQ broadcast studio, ate a piece of cake and talked and posed for pictures with some of the staffers.

Alfred R. Berkeley, Vice Chairman of NASDAQ, and David Weild, Executive Vice President, host a dinner at Tavern on The Green, in Michael's honor after the concert on Sept. 7th, joined by their event co-chairmen: Whitney Houston, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Leslie Moonves (President & CEO, CBS), Liam Neeson, Veronique and Gregory Peck, and Elizabeth Taylor. Weild said, "The NASDAQ Stock Market recognizes Michael Jackson for his extraordinary vision and commitment to excellence in the entertainment industry as well as being a humanitarian who is continually seeking creative avenues in which to help others."

Details for the Market opening ceremony are as follows: The NASDAQ MarketSite building is located at 4 Times Square, at the corner of 43rd and Broadway. At 9:30 a.m., Michael Jackson will preside over the market open ceremony from the broadcast studio, which faces the corner of 43rd and Broadway. The broadcast studio has large picture windows to give the public a clear, unobtrusive view into the studio from the street. Nine plasma screens outline the broadcast studio, facing the street, for fans not positioned close to the windows. MarketSite Tower, which is seven stories tall and is the largest stationary video wall in the world, will feature a live broadcast of the market open ceremony. Source: nasdaq.com/newsroom.

2003 - Michael turned 45. He attended a special birthday party held in his honour; the "Celebration of Love" in Los Angeles on August 30th. The party was attended by fans and friends from all over the world and Michael gave a heartfelt thank you speech dedicated to his fans.

"Over the years we became a family. You are all my family. My children are your children and all children of the world are our children and our responsibility.

This is a time when a person reflects on the child that will always live inside him, but more importantly, the grown man that continues to emerge intellectually, but never lost his child-like innocence.

A lot of what you'll be seeing from me in the future will celebrate the youthful imagination that has always been a part of who I am, but also the adult perspective of a father and artist and member of our community.

My birthday wish is that you, my fans, will join me in some new undertakings and that we all travel into a bright future together.

I feel young enough to look into the future with great optimism."

12 year-old Trisha, from USA suffering from asthma, recounts her story of meeting the entertainer a year and a half before, via Make A Wish Foundation, one of the trusts the singer would support (for two decades). Her number one wish was to meet the entertainer and she is among the manifold children that were given the opportunity to meet him over the years.

"They told my mom and I, that we were flying to Los Angeles in three weeks to go to the Celebration Of Love concert. I screamed and cried. I couldn't wait", says/writes Trisha.

"... [At the concert], some guy ... said that Michael would like us to go up to his dressing room. So, my mother and I, plus the other 2 families that were there, walked up the narrow staircase and walked into the dressing room and he was standing in the corner, in front of the firehouse", she recounts.

"I was the second to walk up to him and he hugged me so tightly. His colonge got all over the shirt I was wearing, but I hugged him again and started crying. I told him I was a fan since I was 1, and he went "Wow...Thank you". I couldn't believe he said ‘Thank you’ to me. Michael and my mother were starting up a conversation about a place in Scotland from where she was, It was Lochlomond I believe. I still couldn't believe it.. The next day (Sunday), we got on a bus and drove for three ours to the Neverland ranch, where fans were loaded down the street with "Happy Birthday, King Of Pop!" banners everywhere. I [have] seen Michael pull out in his black S.U.V, I think, but wasn’t sure... That's how I got to meet Michael Jackson", writes Trisha on www.mjfanclub.net.

2004 - The Olympic Stadium Greece was left rocking last night (Sunday), as the games came to an end and made way for the closing ceremony. A huge party was staged featuring lots of music, mixing classics with the new and containing a spectacular array of dazzling fireworks along with lots of confetti and balloons.

One of the highlights of the evening came from gold medallists US women's soccer team, who got up on stage and danced to a rap version of Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller

1969 - Michael (Not yet turned 11) and the Jackson 5 made their first television debut performing The Isley Brothers' It's Your Thing at the Miss Black America Pageant in Madison Square Garden, New York City, won by Gloria O. Smith, Miss New York.

1973 - The Jackson 5 performs in concert in Dallas, Texas.

1994 - Michael & Lisa on the covers of Salut & Jet.

1997 - Michael performs 2nd concert of Dangerous world tour at Wembley Stadium, London attending 72,000 fans.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory world tour at Song Festival Grounds, Tallinn, Estonia.

2001 - David Gest, producer of the 30th Anniversary concert tributes for Michael, has announced today that over 50 legendary actresses of the Silver Screen will be in attendance to help honor the King of Pop. The list of Hollywood's golden glamor girls includes (alphabetically): Carroll Baker, Ann Blyth, Petula Clark, Angie Dickinson, Patty Duke, Rhonda Fleming, June Haver, Celeste Holm, Sally Ann Howes, Kim Hunter, Anne Jeffreys, Jennifer Jones, Eartha Kitt, Piper Laurie, Janet Leigh, Gina Lollobrigida, Ann Miller, Liza Minnelli, Patricia Neal, Margaret O'Brien, Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Barbara Rush, Jane Russell, Ann Rutherford, Lizabeth Scott, Penny Singleton, Jill St. John, Elizabeth Taylor, Ruth Warrick, and Esther Williams.

Michael had this to say,

"I am honored these legendary ladies of the silver screen will be a part of those evenings. Each one of them is fondly remembered by moviegoers throughout the world for their unforgettable performances which have stood the test of time. To be in the same room with so many screen greats is a real honor."

2004 - Security precautions for Michael Jackson at the court have been heightened after threats that had to do with inflicting bodily harm on the entertainer.

At a hearing on Thursday, defense attorneys for Michael Jackson showed a judge videotapes of the raid on November 18, 2003 on the Neverland Valley Ranch. At the hearing defense attorneys were attempting to limit the evidence prosecutors can present during trial in January. They argue that the search was overly broad and unjustified. In a one-hour excerpt from some 15 hours of video, detectives from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department trudged ahead of a videographer as they opened doors in Michael's home, a Tudor-style mansion with dark wood paneling and glittery chandeliers. For example the detectives swept into the entertainer's "toy room," where his children often played with life-sized "Star Wars" figures and a larger-than-life Superman figure. They also videotaped the wine cellar, business office and the "classroom," with its child-sized desks, where Michael had his children home-schooled. Michael and his family were not at home when the search began at 9 am and ended well after midnight. Some 40 officers participated, trucking with them portable toilets and two crime scene investigation trucks for collection of evidence.

2008 - The first release of the fan-voted album King of Pop (which is identical to the Swiss edition) was released in Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland.

On July 14, it was announced that German fans had until July 28 to choose their top 30 songs from an extensive pool of 121 tracks; the list contained almost every song Jackson released in his solo career. Notably expansions on the pool choice included: A larger option of tracks from Thriller 25 and the inclusion of 12 tracks from The Ultimate Collection. There were also 8 tracks included from the singers time in The Jackson 5/Jacksons; slightly more than the other versions.

The German Edition of 'King of Pop' is a 30-track compilation and contains 2 bonustracks - 'Got the Hots' (for the first time available on CD in Europe - from the original Thriller studio session) and a brandnew 'Thriller MegaMix' by Jason Nevins.

1969 - Motown star Diana Ross officially introduced the Jackson 5 to the press in August 1969, also presented them at the Forum, when the J5 opened for the Supremes – the photo above is from that show. She hosted the variety show Hollywood Palace when the J5 made their national TV debut in October. Her name headlined their debut album, on the eve of her heralded solo breakaway.

J5 fans know that she didn’t “discover” the Jackson 5; Gladys Knight was the one who from the road called Motown first. But it was Bobby Taylor, a Motown songwriter and producer, and lead singer of the Vancouvers, who drove the brothers, the band and Papa Joe Jackson to Hitsville in the summer of 1968. More on him in another post.

Miss Ross, however, surely helped launch the Jackson 5’s career in a big way.
Source: j5live.tumblr.com

1973 - Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 perform in a benefit gig at St. Paul Civic Center Arena in Minnesota, with proceeds of the concert being funneled to the Afro-American Music Opportunities Association (AAMOA). AAMOA, based in the Twin Cities, promotes Black Music and assists Black composers and musicians worldwide.

1992 - Backstage in Leeds, England, Michael meets with 6-year-old Nicholas Killen, left visually impaired after a cancer procedure.

1995 - Michael's album HISTORY: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE BOOK I was certified 5xPlatinum by RIAA.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory World tour at Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden attended 50,000 fans.

Michael Jackson Live in Gothenburg Concert broadcast by TV1000 and Channel 3. This concert is very similar to the Copenhagen concert; also the last professionally filmed performance of Blood on the Dance Floor (though the concert in Oslo on August 19 was the last performance of this song). During "Scream," the pre-recorded a capella vocal of Jackson was malfunctioning. Jackson continued to lip-sync and dance until the vocals continued during the chorus.

1998 - In the States, Captain EO was finally replaced in March 1997, by a new feature, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. It had its final showing at Disneyland, Paris on 16th August 1998.

1969 - The Jackson Five (soon to be called “The Jackson 5″) were formally introduced to the music press by Diana Ross, on behalf of Motown, at a private club called the Daisy in Hollywood [on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] at a special party that began at 6:30 p.m. on August 11, 1969.

Diana Ross invited 350 guests to a Beverly Hills club to see the newest Motown act, The Jackson 5. Berry Gordy predicts that the Jackson 5 first 3 singles will be number ones hit single and that they will become one of the biggest selling acts of the decade.

Five days later, they performed with Diana at a concert at the Los Angeles Forum.

It was at this party that ten-year-old Michael, just over two weeks away from his 11th birthday, was instructed to tell interviewers that he was only eight years old. Ever the professional, young Michael understood the importance of publicity in show business, and eager to please, he gladly did as he was told.

1973 - The Jackson 5 perform in concert in Columbia, South Carolina.

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform in concert in Kansas City, Missouri.

1992 - Michael Jackson's single "Jam" was released.

1995 - New York Times, titled "SONY'S GROUP PROFIT RISES 91%". The articled added the rises of profit to the release of "History", by Michael Jackson.

1969 – Following day for recording Session: Who’s Lovin’ You.

The most famous cover of “Who’s Lovin’ You”, and the one most future covers were based upon, was recorded on 1969 by The Jackson 5. Michael Jackson was the lead singer on this recording, with his brothers Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie on background vocals; Bobby Taylor of The Vancouvers served as producer. The Jackson 5 version of “Who’s Lovin’ You” was one of a number of early recordings the group made at the Hitsville U.S.A. recording studio in Detroit, Michigan, with the Funk Brothers on instrumentation. Just after recording this song, Berry Gordy moved the entire Jackson family to Los Angeles, California to record the hit pop songs he would co-write for the group with The Corporation.

The song was issued as the b-side to The Jackson 5′s first single, “I Want You Back”, with a full version included on the first Jackson 5 LP, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5. The single went to #1 on both the pop and R&B charts. An alternate take featuring fewer backing vocals was released on Michael’s Love Songs compilation release in 2002.

1971 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Toledo (Ohio)

1972 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Tulsa (Oklahoma)

1973 – Jackson 5ive in Concert, Long Pond (Pennsylvania)

1974 - Jackson 5ive in Concert, Richmond (Virginia)

1984 – The Jacksons brought their Victory Tour to the Gator Bowl stadium in Jacksonville, FL on three nights from July 21-23, 1984 to perform in front of over 135,000 fans.

The show has a simple story line, based on the tale of the sword in the stone. Huge creatures called Kreetons appear on the stage. They’re followed by several warriors who attempt to pull a sword from a stone. One warrior, Randy Jackson, does just that. He slays a Kreeton and thereby paves the way for the kingdom of the Jacksons. Moments later, Randy, Michael, Tito, Marlon and Jermaine appear majestically on stage, pump the entrance for all its worth, and delight the fans. Fantasyland? You bet. Two spiderlike creatures attempt to gobble up Michael. Michael writhes on the stage like a snake in the heat of battle before he is saved by magic and levitated out of danger. He reappears moments later on an elevated spot on stage wearing the red jacket he wore in the Beat It video and launches into that song.

The Jacksons’ show was written and designed by Michael, whose instrumental in moving the rock video into new territory with master-pieces like Thriller. Now the Jacksons become the first group to transform a concert into a video & to use robotics in a musical stage performance.
High-tech stage antics are one thing, but Michael Jackson is another. He out dazzles the electronics!
The Jacksons have somehow struck the perfect balance between theatrics and musicality.

Part Walt Disney World and part Music Television, it’s an escapist pop show for those in love with fantasy; entertainment for those who hanker for movies like Star Wars, E.T. and Peter Pan; a musical for those who enjoy exquisite dancing and singing.

Surely the Jacksons have realized that a larget percentage of their fans are of the MTV generation, roughly ages 10 to 30. Such audiences understand video-styled theatrics in live shows, and crave the heightened pleasure that stems from sensastional effects created with lasers, lights, and booming sound. This is the same age group that made Star Wars such a hit.

And the Jacksons play to this audience. Even so, the Jacksons have made an unprecedented move with their stage production, and this isn’t lost on the fans.
Source: Concert Rewind: Jacksons’ Victory Tour show by Kevin Bezner

2001 – Michael Jackson’s Speechless is released.

Michael Jackson wrote “Speechless” after a water balloon fight with children in Germany. In an interview with Vibe magazine, the musician commented, “I was so happy after the fight that I ran upstairs in their house and wrote ‘Speechless’. Fun inspires me. I hate to say that, because it’s such a romantic song.” He added, “But it was the fight that did it. I was happy, and I wrote it in its entirety right there. I felt it would be good enough for the album. Out of the bliss comes magic, wonderment, and creativity.”

“Speechless” was one of only two song from Invincible to be written solely by Jackson.

Vaughn Watson of The Providence Journal hailed “Speechless” as Invincible’s “best song, and one of Jackson’s finest of any album”. He added that with the song, the musician acknowledged the pain that accompanies isolation.

2003 – Michael Jackson said that he believed that the U.S. Congress should make no laws that would put people in jail for illegally downloading songs over the Internet.

I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to illegally download, but the answer cannot be jail. Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws, and we should look to new technologies like Apple’s new Music Store for solutions. This way, innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business.

~ Press statement (21 July 2003), quoted in “Jackson attacks music piracy bill” in BBC News (22 July 2003)