Showing posts with label 1981. Show all posts

1981 - Michael, now a man at twenty-one, teamed up with his old partner Diana Ross again in 1981, appearing as a guest on her CBS-TV special, called Diana (not to be confused with Diana!, another CBS Ross special where Michael made his TV debut in 1971), which was broadcast at 10 p.m. on March 2, 1981

This time, the pair’s chemistry had evolved, they were now both adults, and their flirtatious between-song banter seemed less ironic and comedic than it had when he was still a boy.

1988 - Michael performed two songs (The Way You Make Me Feel and Man in the Mirror) at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards. Despite bringing the crowd to its feet with his spirited performance, Michael lost the Record of the Year award (his only nomination, for Man in the Mirror) to Bobby McFerrin for Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Michael's performance on 30th Annual Grammy Awards was his first TV performance since 1983's Motown 25 special 5 years earlier.

Suddenly. the lights dimmed and a silhouette appeared from behind a screen. Michael stood, poised very still, with a hat perched on his head, down over his eyes. He slowly glided from one position to another as the screen slowly rose revealing Michael wearing short black pants, well above his ankles, and a blue shirt with a white t-shirt underneath it. He also had a white strip of fabric tied around his waist, and one around his wrist, looking he just stepped from the set of the video for "TWYMMF".

He descended a small staircase and sang very slowly the opening lines of TWYMMF, putting out an imaginary cigarette on the floor. In a special cameo appearance, Tatiana crossed the stage in front of him. As the music assumed its usual uptempo beat, Michael tossed the hat, pulled his shirt tails out and was joined by four dancers. The dazzling choreography borrowed from the song's video, and showcased Michael's new variation on the moonwalk, gliding around in a circle.

After the performance of an abbreviated TWYMMF, the dancers left the stage to Michael. After a pause for applause, he began MITM. He was joined on stage by the New Hope Baptist Church Choir, all in blue gowns. Michael's other background singers included Siedah Garrett and Andre Crouch, who at one point went out to Michael to help him up from his knees and wipe his forehead, a gesture reminiscent of James Brown's performances. Michael gave an outstanding performance, falling to his knees at several points and giving full emotion to the song's moving lyrics.

Michael was given a standing ovation for his performance that evening, but no Grammy...

Despite his shutout, Michael won over the audience with a performance recalling his 1983 Motown special stunner

His minimal showing in the statuette sweepstakes hardly diminished his uncontested talents

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


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.


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.

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.


1996 - People magazine.


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.

1968 - The Jackson 5ive's first actual single, the Steeltown recording of "Big Boy" was released.

This was supposed to be the story of the child-prodigy Michael Jackson's first studio recording; the earliest known studio recording of Michael Jackson and his brothers, cut in Chicago in 1967, which had been lingering on a shelf for two and a half decades has been rescued from tape.

Steeltown Records cofounder Gordon Keith, 70, is the man with the largest body of tangible evidence to back up his claim: he estimates that "Big Boy" sold more than 60,000 copies.

After school one afternoon in November 1967, Michael, 8, Marlon, 10, Jermaine, 12, Tito, 14, and Jackie, 16, piled into the family Volkswagen with Joseph and rode across the state line to Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood, parking in front of Sunny Sawyer's recording studio on West 69th.

In a single lengthy session the group recorded four songs, all of which Keith says were already in their repertoire. "Big Boy" was by saxophonist Eddie Silvers, who at the time was playing in a group called the Soul Merchants and working as music director for Chicago R & B label One-derful Records. Its eventual B side, "You've Changed"—the only Steeltown track the Jacksons would record again for Motown—is by Gary native Jerry Reese.

Though in Moonwalk Michael recalls being giddy to put on a pair of too-big headphones and sing in a studio with adult musicians, he was far from unprepared. In addition to exhaustively rehearsing at home and hustling amateur nights and talent contests with pristine ten-minute sets, the brothers had also been doing proper shows at Chicago nightclubs like Spann's Burning Spear and the Confidential Club, and they had a regular gig, sometimes playing multiple sets, at Mr. Lucky's nightspot in Gary. Joe had even bought a microphone for their home to help the boys get used to singing into one

Despite the kids' professionalism, the session was grueling, in part because the Ampex's dead track meant they had to stop more often to mix down and free up space on the tape. As the night wore on the boys grew weary. "I remember looking at the clock—it was 10 or 11 at night—and looking at these young kids up that late who had been at school earlier," says Bridgeman. "I left the studio and went and brought sandwiches for them, because they hadn't eaten since I don't know what time. They had been too intense with the recording to stop to eat."

Though the Jacksons finished all their tracks at that marathon session, Bridgeman says he and two other vocalists, Solomon Ard and George Rias, returned to Sawyer's to redo some backups. Keith recalls bringing the tapes to Pressner's studio in Gary for mixing and mastering. Keith sent the master to the Summit pressing plant in Willow Springs, Illinois, and when the records came back he set the single's official release for January 30, 1968. The Jacksons began selling 45s at shows, and Steeltown started working to get local radio to give "Big Boy" a spin.

He'd composed the perfect song for little beyond-his-years Michael: with its combination of juvenile themes (skateboards, Mother Goose) and adult yearning, "Big Boy" would serve as a template for much future black bubblegum music. Silvers's excellent arrangements shine through the slightly murky mix and showcase the somewhat raw, soulful vocal style Michael had developed watching R & B veterans from the wings of the Regal. Though Keith contends that nine-year-old Michael was "a better singer then than what he ended up to be," it's clear from this recording that Motown's infamously rigorous training regimen still had something to offer him. All the same, his slightly nasal, borderline flat singing and odd enunciation (fairy tales is pronounced "fairy ta-wos") add to the single's considerable charm.

The song was neither a critical nor commercial success, but that was the brothers' first record. From here, it seemed, anything might be possible. What a memorable moment it must have been for them, then, when the family gathered around the radio to hear the broadcast of that first recording for the first time. Michael recalled that as it played, they sat in the living room, stunned.

"Then, when it was over, we all laughed and hugged one another. We felt we had arrived. This was an amazing time for us as a family. I can still feel the excitement when I think back on it."

1971 - The Jackson 5ive in concert Columbus, Georgia.

1974 - The Jackson 5 perform Dancing Machine at the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.


Sally Struthers and The Jackson Five, made a guest appearance at the Sonny & Cher comedy hr, with cameo appearance by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Sonny and Cher open the show with "Take Life a Little Easier" and banter about the theater being Sonny's first love. In a comedy blackout, an Arabian sheik (regular Ted Zeigler) auctions off two captured maidens (Cher and regular Teri Garr) to the highest bidders.


After, the Jackson Five perform "Dancing Machine", they also takes part in "The Window On the World", a montage of sketches and one-liners based on current events and individuals in the news, including Henry Kissinger's Geneva meetings, a report on famed ecologist Euell Gibbons, the domestic problems of a woman married to a bear, and an attempt by a robber to hold up a gas station that is operated by appointment only. "The Boogie Woogie Sisters" -- Cher, Sally and regular Teri Garr spoof The Andrews Sisters as fairy tales get the satirical treatment. In comedy sketches, Cher plays an aging Goldilocks, with Sally as her youthful replacement; the golden-haired Rapunzel (Cher) is imprisoned in a turret by an evil prince (Sonny); and Stuffed Sally the Ravon lady (Sally) drops by Raggedy Sonny and Raggedy Cher's doll house with her bag of goodies.
Source: justplaincher

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

1981 - Michael receives 2 awards at the 8th Annual American Music Awards at the ABC-TV Studios in Hollywood.


Michael won Favorite Male Artist (Soul/R&B) and Favorite Album (Soul/R&B) for Off the Wall, (one of them is presented by sister LaToya) which was also nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Album (won by Billy Joel). He also pays tribute to Chuck Berry.

Michael, dressed in a heavily beaded V-neck sweater of deep red rhinestones with black bands on the sleeves and a black bowtie, attended the ceremony with his date for the evening, Diana Ross.

1989 - Eddie Murphy presents Michael with the Special Award Of Achievement at the 16th American Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Ca.

Michael was honored for his ground breaking artistry and technology in video, and for the record breaking success of his BAD album and tour. Cashbox magazine awarded Michael the Video Pioneer Award in recognition of his excellence in video as captured in the Triumph video for Can You Feel It, THRILLER, and Moonwalker. The inscription on the Video Pioneer Award reads:

For his pioneering efforts in the field of music videos epitomized by 'The Triumph', a pre 1980's breakthrough in concept and special effects, and THRILLER, an innovative combination of drama, music and dance. The Video Pioneer Award is given to Michael Jackson on the occasion of his new feature length anthology, Moonwalker becoming the largest selling music home video of all time.

The second special award Michael received was an American Music Award of Achievement. Its inscription reads:

Because his album, BAD, is the first ever to generate five number one singles, because it has been a number one best seller for a record breaking twenty five countries around the world, and because it has been the largest international seller in each of the last two years, the American Music Award of Achievement is presented to Michael Jackson on january 30, 1989.

Both of these special awards were presented to Michael by Eddie Murphy, at Michael's request.

Before introducing Michael, Murphy narrated a 14 minute tribute to Michael Jackson showcasing his international tour and recapping the BAD album's five number one hit singles. Walking shyly toward center stage to gather his awards, the audience greeted Michael with deafening applause and a standing ovation. Michael was dressed in black and red, buckles, and no sunglasses.

As the applause subsided and Michael began to speak, his soft voice could bearly be heard over the microphone, which was on a very low stand. He had to bend over and speak directly into the mike to be heard. Holding his awards, he asked Eddie to adjust the mike stand for him, "Could you lift that up please?" Eddie tried to adjust it but it wouldn't budge. "You do it" Eddie told Michael. Michael replied, "I can't, I need your help." It became a joke when Eddie told the audience what was happening. (Their conversation was bearly audible.) "He said, 'Pull it up Eddie', like I was working for him! And do it! Yes Michael!" So, bent over, Michael spoke briefly as always:

I'd like to thank God, who makes all things possible. I'd like to thank my mother and father, Katherine and Joseph Jackson. I'd like to thank Berry Gordy, who gave me my first professional start in show business, the Epic family, Walter Yetnikoff, Larry Stessel, Glen Bundman, Frank Dileo, Quincy Jones, and Bruce Swedian. I love you. And the public. Thank you.

While he was very shy, Michael appeared to be enjoying himself and seemed to be genuinely honored with the awards, the tribute, and the overwhelming response from the audience.

2006 - Michael and his children left Hamburg.

Unable to go out because of the fans & reporters in front of the house, Michael, Anton, Grace & the kids leave Hamburg and fly to Venice.
Before he entered the car, he stopped shortly to wave to the fans.
They land in Marco Polo airport and travel to Florence where they check in Weistein Excelsior Hotel.

While in Hamburg, a fan had his hat taken so that Michael could sign it. But it seems that Blanket, who was there, admired the hat so much that he was allowed to keep it! Michael then took Blanket's t-shirt signed it and gave that to the fan instead! The shirt read "Blankets T-Shirt love Michael Jackson."

2009 - Christian Audigier visits Michael at his Bel Air home.

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

"He said, 'Can I see the icebergs?'
'No we don't have the photos yet.'
'Is there anything else behind me?'
'Penguins.' I'm making this up! I don't know if there are going to be penguins," Sonnenfeld said.
"'Can I see the penguins?'
'No I don't have the pictures of the penguins yet.'
'Are they king penguins?'
'Yes.'
And then I said, 'You know, I gotta go.'"

Michael dressed in MIB trademark attire; consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, tries to persuade Chief Zed to make him Agent M!
A big fan of sci-fi, Michael is sought out director Barry Sonnenfeld & requested a cameo to be briefly featured in the MIIB as a rogue alien.

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

Will Smith explained in an interview that seeing Michael, dressed in MIB trademenk attire and consulting MIB chief Zed via monitor, is a credit to Michael's sense of humor:
"You know, when he comes on the screen, people are really happy. It's as if Michael is saying to the world,
'OK, all right. I'm human just like everyone else. I appreciate a good joke just like everyone else does,'
But the thing that I loved so much is he kept wanting to play it serious. You know, he was, like,
'You know, I'm a Man In Black, I just want it to be really serious.'
‘I think people are going to be really shocked and really surprised,’ predicted Smith, ‘and enjoy seeing Michael in this film and in this light.’

The movie Men In Black 2 was premiered in early July. Director Barry Sonnenfeld scored a big hit in convincing Michael Jackson to appear in Men in Black II as an alien. Michael's small cameo appearance as an undercover alien intelligence officer 'Agent M' receives one of the biggest laughs! Both critics and the public praised Michael's performance & his sense of humor:)

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

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

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.



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.



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

1987 - I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Michael's first single off BAD album hit #1 on US Hot 100 and R&B charts holding its position for one week and remains on the charts for fourteen weeks. The single will also rise to number 1 on the Black singles chart. 'Bad' the second single from the album, enters the Pop singles chart at number 40. It also enters the Black singles chart.

Michael performs Bad tour at Nishinomiya Stadium, Osaka [Japan].

1988 - MTV presents a Michael Jackson Marathon, airing back to back Michael Jackson Specials: From Motown To Your Town, Another Part Of Me and The Making Of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

1991 - Michael lent his voice to Leon Kompowsky in the Season 3 premiere of The Simpsons - "Stark Raving Dad".

The third series of The Simpsons aired on Fox. In the first episode, Homer is forced to wear a pink shirt to work one day as a result of a laundry accident and is mistaken for a "free thinking anarchist". After failing a psychiatric test (which, rather unwisely, he'd asked his son Bart to complete on his behalf), he is sent to a mental institution. Homer's room-mate, a large character called Leon Kompowsky, believes he is Michael Jackson – and sings Billie Jean and shows Homer how to moonwalk, to prove it!
Homer is charmed by Leon and brings him home from a mental institution, where the rest of the family eventually falls in love with him. Meanwhile, because he normally forgets her birthday, Bart promises his sister Lisa that he will get her the best present ever. The sweetest moment comes at the end when Leon and Bart perform a birthday song for Lisa.

The 'Special Guest Voice', for contractual reasons, was credited as John Jay Smith in the closing credits, and his role in the episode was not officially confirmed until later. Because of the misleading credit, the fact that it was actually MJ remained a rumor among many fans apparently took heed of the often-taught Simpsons lesson of never believing what’s on TV. Despite initial denials issued by Michael's camp it was not until Matt Groening confirmed Michael did provide Leon’s voice, when the episode was released on DVD in 2003. And Michael is a great fan of America’s favourite dysfunctional cartoon family, created by Matt Groening.

Following the script read, MJ stipulated his conditions: he would record his speaking parts but not receive credit, and his singing voice would be performed by a sound-alike. Leon Kompowsky's singing voice was instead performed by Kipp Lennon, because Jackson wanted to play a joke on his brothers and fool them into thinking the impersonator was him. Lennon recorded his lines at the same time as Jackson, who found the impersonations hilarious. The episode originally was supposed to end with Kompowsky singing a portion of "Man in the Mirror" in his Michael Jackson voice as he walked down the road, but it was changed to him singing the beginning of "Happy Birthday Lisa" in his normal voice.

"Stark Raving Dad" received generally positive reviews from critics, particularly for the writing and Jackson's performance.

Happy Birthday, Lisa, a song Michael’s character sang during the show, was included on a Simpsons’ compilation album issued in 1997, SONGS IN THE KEY OF SPRINGFIELD. The sleeve notes, in stating the song is copyright Mijac, further confirmed Michael’s involvement.

Also, the song Do The Bartman was credited to Bryan Loren, but Groening has recently
confirmed Michael co-wrote and sang backing on Do The Bartman which, although not issued as a single in US, helped propel the album to #3 and a RIAA Platinum Record.

1992 - Michael Jackson's "Jam" hit #13 in the U.K.

HBO taped a Michael Jackson show in Bucharest, Romania. They broadcasted the show on October 10th under the name "From Bucharest - The Dangerous Tour."

1993 - Michael performs Dangerous tour at Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv [Israel] attending 80,000.



Professionally filmed performances of "Jam", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "Human Nature" available.

1996 - Bravo magazine featured MJ on the cover.


1998 - Michael Jackson was listed as the #1 male artist in Billboard Magazines's 40th Anniversary release.

Billboard Magazine celebrated the 40th anniversary of their "singles chart" by compiling a list of th top songs over the past four decades. They listed Michael Jackson as the #1 male artist with the "Most #1 hits."

2000 - On occasion of an interview for BBC Radio Oxford, London Times' "Millennium Preacher of the Year" at the time, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, offers some tidbits on then friend, Michael Jackson and his "genuine devotion" for children, including his (the Rabbi’s).

He recounts that, on occasion of Jackson’s 42 Birthday at his Neverland ranch – to which Boteach and his family were invited – the singer also welcomed a critically ill ten-year old boy, suffering from leukemia, and his family for four days. The singer would treat him to the amusements of his home, speak to him in order to help him gain post-chemotherapy confidence and pays his medical expenses, as in more such cases involving the deprived, Boteach adds, (as part of Jackson’s relief efforts outside the public eye), continuing to say that the pop star would weekly invite hundreds of children from inner city schools for day trips to his ranch, spending "millions of dollars on children who are in need", an affirmation confirmed by the singer himself, by others who have been/were in contact with Jackson and some of the media reports. Moreover, Boteach also recounts that, after reading a piece of news on a critically cancer ailing boy, Jackson asked the staff of a New York hospital to install a telephone in the boy’s room, the singer then phoning the young patient daily, his pediatrician confirmed.

1971 - The Jackson Five’s ABC album rules the Billboard R&B chart summit, one of three LPs by the group that spend a total 31 weeks at the top in 1971.

1972 - The Jackson 5 single "Lookin' Through The Windows" hit #16 in the U.S. Lookin' Through the Windows was the title track as well as the second single off J5's fifth studio album on Motown. The album would go on to sell 3.5 million copies worldwide while the single went to number five in R&B.

Single Details:
Composed by: Clifton Davis
Lead Vocals : Michael Jackson
Background Vocals : The Jackson 5
Arranged by John Bahler & James Carmichael
Vocal Arrangement : John Bahler
Produced by Hal Davis
Executive Producer : Berry Gordy
Recorded at the Motown Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California.

US single released June 23, 1972
# 5 RNB, #16 Pop, #9 UK
Sales : 1 534 827 (World), 581 426 (USA)

Lyrics
Lookin' through the windows
The window to your heart
Oh baby, yeah
I can see it's cloudy
The rain's about to start

Lookin' through the windows
It seems I caused your fears
And that little doubt, girl
And now it's bringing tears

Just remember whatever makes you feel that way
Don't you worry 'cause I'm gonna stay
Right by your side
To keep on lookin' through the windows
Lookin' in your eyes

Looking through the windows
Seems like the only way, yeah
I can't know your feelings
If you still love me today

Just remember whatever makes you feel that way
Don't you worry 'cause I'm gonna stay
Right by your side
To keep on lookin' through the windows
Lookin' in your eyes

All Music Review: Starting with the arresting strings-dominated accents that are similar to the ones found on the ending riffing section of Issac Hayes' "Shaft," the Jackson 5's "Lookin' Through the Windows" stands as one of the group's most intricately arranged sides, robust with striking vocal harmonies, dazzling counterpoint, and energetic time changes. The title refers to the lyrical theme which revolves around the "eyes are the windows to the soul." The song was written by Clifton Davis who also wrote their airy 1971 number one R&B hit "Never Can Say Goodbye."

Also on the same day, Michael perform at the 1972 Forum show, Saturday night, August 26, 1972, Michael was three days from his 14th birthday. Motown had launched him as a solo artist the year before and he already had three hit singles on his own; by this concert “Ben” was the current release. He gets a significant solo spot in the show, made all the sweeter with his brothers’ harmonies backing him up on each song.

This spectacular version of “Got To Be There” is one of six solo MJ songs perform live at the forum. Man, he gets up there strong.
Source: j5live.tumblr.com

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph tour at Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, USA.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Rich Stadium, Buffalo, New York, attending 47,000 fans.



1988 - Michael perform the 6th of seven sold out Wembley shows of the Bad tour at Wembley Stadium, London, England.



1992 - Michael perform Dangerous World tour at Prater Stadium, Vienna, Austria attending 50,000 fans.

1993 - The scheduled concert on the 25th in Thailand, during the Asian leg of the Dangerous tour, was cancelled and rescheduled for the 26th. The concert was again cancelled because Jackson had not fully recovered from dehydration and stress pertaining to the allegations. Jackson released an audio-taped message to his fans saying "I promise all my fans to perform at the National Stadium in Bangkok on August 27. I will see you Friday. I love you all."

1997 - Michael perform HIStory World tour at Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland.



2003 - It was announced the Michael Jackson would open his Neverland Ranch to people for a "once in a lifetime" event for $5,000. The invited guests would get a tour of the grounds and eat two meals on September 13.

1970 - Michael is on the cover of Soul magazine.

In the early years, no publication covered the Jackson 5 like Soul, a weekly newspaper devoted to Black music that was published in Los Angeles, kind of the Black version of Rolling Stone.

In July and August of 1970, each Jackson brother had his own cover story in Soul. Later, all of the profiles and pictures were compiled in a special J5 Extra edition of Soul.

Michael's cover story appeared in the August 10 issue. It's filled with rare photos and interesting tidbits, including a mini photo-drama about finding and capturing a snake while on the ABC photoshoot, with the assistance of Motown singer, Chris Clark. It gives an interesting portrait of Michael as a child and as a performer. Here it is, in all its glory.
Source: j5collector



1979 - Michael released Off The Wall, his first solo album on Epic and first co-produced with Quincy Jones, and it became a tremendous success. With hit singles like Don’t Stop (Til You Get Enough) and Rock With You, it became an instant smash on the pop and disco charts.

It was his fifth overall solo album, but his first ever for Epic records. The album was recorded between December 4 1978 and July 7, 1979. Michael contributed three songs to Off The Wall: “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”, “Working Day and Night” and “Get on the Floor” (co-written with Louis Johnson). Michael and Quincy sought top writers and musicians for the album, with Rod Temperton who contributed three tracks: “Rock With You”, “Off The Wall” and “Burn This Disco Out”, Paul McCartney contributed the playful “Girlfriend”, Tom Bahler gave the emotional “She’s Out of My Life” and Stevie Wonder and Susaye Greene offered the quirky “I Can’t Help It”. There was one duet between Michael and Patti Austin called “It’s the Falling in Love”, which was written by Carole Bayer Sager and David Foster.

A flawless album of exuberant celebration, orchestrated with unforgettable summer sounds, Michael proved that he was more than just a mere performer or group leader, but a complete recording artist, with the skills to make the hottest music out of nothing but his own imagination. It was the album he had been trying to make all along.

The album was hailed as a major breakthrough for Michael, and received amazing reviews. The album went to number 3 in the US chart and number 1 on the US soul chart and stayed on the top 20 for a massive 48 weeks.

Michael Jackson is the first singer ever to spawn 4 Top Ten singles in the US from one album ["Off The Wall"], two of which became number one hits. In Britain, for the first time in music history, a record 5 hit singles were released, "Girlfriend" being one of them.

The album exceeded all expectations and was hugely successful on both the Pop and Black album charts. With the release of this album, the world got to see a new Michael Jackson.

With "Off The Wall" Michael becomes the Prince of Pop!

At the Grammy Awards for 1979, Michael got nominated for "Best R&B Vocal Performance" and also won in his category.

Michael: "Although 'Off The Wall' had been one of the most popular records of the year, it received only one nomination: 'Best R&B Vocal Performance'. I remember where I was when I got the news. I felt ignored by my peers and it hurt. People told me later that it surprised the industry too... I said to myself, 'Wait until next time - they won't be able to ignore the next album.' I watched the ceremony on television and it was nice to win in my category, but I still was upset by what I perceived as the rejection of my peers. I just kept thinking 'Next time, next time.'"

"I can be brutally objective about my work as I create it, and if something doesn't work, I can feel it, but when I turn in a finished album - or song - you can be sure that I've given it every ounce of energy and God-given talent that I have. 'Off The Wall' was well received by my fans and I think that's why the Grammy nominations hurt. That experience lit a fire in my soul. All I could think of was the next album and what I would do with it. I wanted it to be truly great."

The release of "Off The Wall" in August of 1979, the same month Michael turned 21 and took control of his own affairs, was definitely one of the major landmarks of Michael's life. It meant a great deal to him because the album's eventual success proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a former "child star" could mature into a recording artist with contemporary appeal.

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph tour at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, U.S.

1985 - In August of 1985 Michael Jackson purchased the "ATV Back Catalogue" for US$ 47.5 million. The catalogue [publishing rights], today worth 3 times as much, comprises over 4'000 compositions, including 251 songs by The Beatles as well as hits by Pat Benatar, Little Richard, The Pointer Sisters and The Pretenders. Michael already owns the publishing rights to the Sly Stone collection as well as a collection of 60's hits. Michael rewarded his attorney John Branca and then-manager Frank Dileo each with a Rolls Royce for their help in negotiating the "Beatles deal".

Michael’s decade-old friendship with Paul McCartney was brought to an abrupt end, when he spent $47.5 million buying ATV Music, the company that owned the Lennon-McCartney songwriting catalog. Ironically, McCartney had been the one to suggest Michael invest in music publishing a few years earlier, not suspecting how that advice would affect him personally. Jackson stayed at the home of McCartney and his wife Linda during the recording sessions of #1 hit single "Say, Say, Say", becoming friendly with both. One evening whilst at the dining table, McCartney brought out a booklet displaying all the songs to which he owned the publishing rights. He explained that music publishing was a way to make big money. Jackson replied by telling McCartney that he would buy The Beatles' songs one day. "Great. Good joke", McCartney laughed.

McCartney, who along with Beatles partner John Lennon had lost ownership of their songs in 1969 due to bad business deals, had declined earlier opportunities to buy it back due to the high asking price, but was nonetheless incensed by Michael’s opportunism. Michael, who finalized the deal in Perth, Australia two months later, quickly put his new purchase to work, and soon sold the rights to Lennon’s song Revolution for a Nike shoe advertisement.

However, Yoko Ono (Jonh Lennon's widow) was pleased that Michael had acquired Northern Songs and called it a "blessing". In 1990, she stated, "Businessmen who aren't artists themselves wouldn't have the consideration Michael has. He loves the songs. He's very caring!"

• In 1995 ATV Music Publishing was merged with Sony and renamed Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and become the 3rd largest music publisher in the world.
• In 2001, Michael declares: "I want to clarify a silly rumour - the Beatles catalogue is not for sale, has not been for sale and will never be for sale."
• Today, Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns & administers more than 500,000 song copyrights, valued at about $4-5 billion.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous World tour at Volkspark Stadium, Hamburg, Germany attending 51,000.

1997 - Michael performs HIStory world tour at Hockenheimring stadium, Hockenheim, Germany.

1973 - Motown ships the new Jackson 5 single, “Get It Together,” while the group plays the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville as part of a 50-date tour.

1981 - The Jacksons perform the Triumph tour at Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, U.S.

On the same day Michael Jackson's single We're Almost There hit #46 in the U.K. six years after charting in the U.S.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA attending 48,783.

1987 - I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Michael's duet with Siedah Garrett, enter the US Singles Chart at #37.
The song also entered UK. It quickly traveled to #1 on both charts giving Michael yet another trans-atlantic #1 hit! (his 7th #1 in US)
The balled written & composed by Michael, became the 1st of five consecutive #1 Hot 100 singles from the "Bad" album, which also hit #1 in Hot AC & Hot R&B charts. The single topped other European charts, including Belgium, Denmark, Netherland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain. The single become the #3 best selling single of 1987, earning Michael his 13th Gold record in both US & UK.

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous world tour at Weser Stadium in Bremen, Germany attending 45,000 fans.

1994 - Michael & Lisa Marie visited sick children at an hospital.

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph Tour at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA attending 48,783.

1994 - Michael shoots a teaser, a Communist-themed video, for his forthcoming album with a whole army of russian soldiers!

The album HIStory Michael Jackson, released in stores June 15, 1995, received an unusual promotional campaign. Imagine this: the giant statues (12 meters high) Michael Jackson erected in the great capitals of the world, a statue of the star standing on a barge down the Thames in front of stunned passers ... That an album full figured Two years at the top of the list of International Priorities Established by Sony to Promote the album. And a trailer unpublished.

The time of 20 seconds of commercials announcing "the new album is in stores. Michael Jackson has big, very big, and gives the public a mini-movie of 4 minutes. This "teaser" as he is often called, was originally to accompany the release of a song on the album as a single (ie, there was a clip ). Finally, the singer Decided To Dedicate this video to Promote THE ENTIRE disk.

The mini-movie titled "The Eastern Europe Redeemer" ("The Redeemer of Eastern Europe) and introduced Michael Jackson as the general of a gigantic army pacifist, idolized and glorified by the masses. A scenario that seems a tad egocentric, but that is the heart of business strategy perfectly orchestrated. Sony, as the star, know that this clip will trigger a media hurricane. And even if critics brought to the video are unfavorable, they will put Michael Jackson still prominent in the newspapers, giving it considerable publicity. Directed by Rupert Wainwright the short film and the reaction to it marked (or better said underlined) the gap between how Michael's music and work was received by the critics and the media and the reception they got from the fan base and the general public.

The video shoot was continued during the day and evening Monday in the castle district of the Hungarian kings, dating from the 13th century on the hills of Budapest on the famous Andrassy Avenue, on the shore left of the Danube. In this clip, Michael becomes nothing less than the redeemer of Eastern Europe as he leads an army of peace which should drive the Soviet troops.

Michael, who must soon start its new album, "HIStory," has invested $ 5 million U.S. of his own fortune to run this movie which promises to be spectacular. Some hundreds of young Hungarians had the pleasure of working as extras in the video, but all of them wanted to play members of the peace.

The Hungarian extras refused to wear the uniform of soldiers of the Red Army to recreate a similar sequence to the triumphal march that rallied the troops of Hitler at the beginning of the Second World War. They therefore have to use the services of a British recruitment agency to hire real soldiers. They arrived with 100 Royal Marines and some paratroopers. These soldiers have received a fee of $ 135 U.S. per day, plus stay in four star hotels and enjoy, of course, a free trip. It will cost to hire those soldiers, about U.S. $ 150 000.

Michael Jackson was present at the scene of the shooting about noon on Sunday to shoot some close-ups and dance sequences, but was filmed when all adjustments and tests were performed. In other words, a double took his place on time as the director adjusts all settings (positioning of cameras, motion cameras, etc.). His work had been prepared in detail by his understudy, who was on site from early morning to check the sites, the dance steps, lighting and camera angles. Then Michael Jackson came on stage. He arrived on the scene about noon, accompanied by his wife Lisa Marie Presley and shaded by a huge umbrella raspberry color. Lisa Marie was seen comfortably seated in a corner of the courtyard of the Kings during the shooting of her husband.

The sweltering heat Was That Day: about 40° C, a blazing sun. Michael Jackson wore a jacket designed by his special costume designer Michael Bush: a spectacular innovation since this was the first air conditioned jacket in the world. The singer could adjust the temperature inside the jacket as needed. This explains that at no time has it seemed to suffer from heat, unlike the video extras ... Steps have been taken anyway to make working conditions less painful in the morning were shot outdoors scenes in costume, the afternoon was more devoted to scenes of "inside" and, in the early evening, outdoor shooting resumed.



HIStory Teaser Two versions of the spot have been presented to the public: the first was a short version (2'30) broadcast on television. Second, a full 4 minutes played in U.S. theaters before movies. The second, a full 4 minutes Played in U.S. theaters Before movies. Initially it was planned a sequel to this video.

Michael Jackson wanted to prolong the effect of teaser by using the international auxiliary language "Esperanto". Not only is the green star on Michael's uniform a long-time, historical symbol of the International Language, Esperanto, but also that much of the background singing is in Esperanto. For example in the intro a man shout, "Ni konstruas ^ci tiun skulpta^jon en la nomo de ^ciuj landoj kaj tutmonda patrineco kaj la kuracpovo de la muziko." This means "We build this sculpture in the name of every land and the global motherhood and healing power of music." This language was built in 1887 by Ludwik Zamenhof Lejzer, who wanted to allow people speaking different languages to understand. The meaning of the word esperanto is "one who hopes". The creator of the language is L.L. Zamenhof and his aim was to create a politically free language with the purpose of working towards peace. He had the idea to create an international language, very easy to learn. Today, Esperanto is spoken by about 2 million people in the world.

The budget was therefore teaser: 8 million. He has, as expected, caused much reaction from the media. "This is the worst example of glorifying a singer has ever dared to offer" several American critics have noted. The controversy has finally benefited from Michael Jackson, HIStory had become the double album's best-selling history (19 million copies in 2006).

Script: Sound of leather boots marching in rhythm on the cobblestone. A smithy spitting sparks. The molten metal that flows freely. Something is preparing
A battalion of soldiers paraded in the streets, the rhythm of a solemn music, slow, ponderous. The army crosses a bridge
overlooking the Danube. Hundreds of people gathered behind barriers at the roadside, apparently waiting for something or someone. Suddenly, a shot shows the torso of a man, wearing a black jacket and silver. We see neither his face, nor her lower body. The crowd starts yelling "Michael", the arms tend to try to touch.
Then the camera shoots the legs of the person who marched at the head of soldiers. He wears black boots and kneepads.
The music becomes increasingly strong, the voices sing the glory of the "unknown soldier".
A picture of a fist, hers, the man seems to move with determination. A girl fainted. Everywhere Flags are hung with his portrait, one of them, gigantic, represents a black eye on white background. And suddenly, filmed Idling at a rate of hysterical screams from the crowd is Michael Jackson. Dressed in black Silver head to toe, he removes his glasses, silver and sends a kiss to her admirers in a black-gloved hand. Behind He ranks of soldiers spread out of sight in the distance, along the famous boulevard Andrassy Budapest.
Screams, fainting and suddenly a dead silence. More music, only the sound of studded boots soldiers banging on the ground . They stop and perform a choreographed very influential military. Part the clip ends.
Part II - The night has fallen on the city, helicopters flew over the area, the crowd rushes in screaming to a place where a mysterious monument erected covered with a tarp. Powerful lights come on men complete installation of explosives around the memorial, some people in the crowd lit candles. shooter Elite adjusts his glasses and trigger explosives. The ropes holding the canvas and explode it slip
slowly revealing to viewers the monument: a huge statue of "General Jackson" (which was manufactured in the Forge that we saw at the beginning of the clip).
Scenes of jubilation, fireworks, spotlights sweep the statue, the girls s fading everyone screams and marvels, a child shouts "Michael I Love You"! helicopters perform a victorious flight around the Statue, the camera rotates around her head and become a gray screen, appear the words "MICHAEL JACKSON HISTORY". End.

Note that all scenes involving the statue have been created through a miniature model: the statue appears in the clip was really just a "small" sculpture articulated 1m20 tall, designed by Kleizer-Walczak Studios.
This company is specialized in computer animation and special effects and has enabled the realization films like "X-Men", "The Son of the Mask," "Dungeons and Dragons" or even "Stargate". Ms. Walczak is in person sculpted the statue of Michael Jackson.
On the other hand, the huge army led by Michael Jackson in the video was designed in part on computer.
A hundred real soldiers were filmed and their movements have been reproduced by computer to give the illusion that they were tens of thousands in the clip.
Team mobilized
Director: Ruppert Wayne Wright.
Director of Photography: Glen Wexler.
Artistic Director: David Coleman.
Statue and special effects: Kleiser Walczak Productions

During what might be called an important business trip for Michael, he joined with pleasure in enjoying their stay in foreign countries to present his new wife to the press. Michael, who is always discreet, avoiding photographers and using every conceivable disguises to avoid being recognized, seemed always very proud to show the arms of his new wife. Lisa Marie had left New York to his daughter, Danielle, five, and son Benjamin, who nearly two years.

It was during this journey in Hungary that Lisa Marie and Michael have announced they will participate in the show that will be given October 8 in Memphis next to the memory of Elvis. This special recital will be called 'Elvis Aaron Presley-l'Hommage'. The newlyweds will join together on several major singing stars like Elton John, Willie Nelson and Bon Jovi, who perform some of the greatest hits King.

1981 - The Jacksons perform Triumph tour at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, U.S.

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY attending 17,000.

Lisa Robinson on Michael: "I took Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth to see the show at Madison Square Garden, and we met Michael in a private area of the Garden’s rotunda. I was surprised at how different Michael looked from the last time I’d seen him, how much makeup he was wearing (it rubbed off on my clothing when we hugged hello), but mostly I was surprised how fully aware he was of just exactly who David Lee Roth was—probably even to the number of records Van Halen had sold and their chart positions."

1998 - Michael & Stevie Wonder visit the Motown Museum in Detroit with Berry Gordy’s sister Ester Edwards.

1968 - The Jackson 5 opened for Motown acts Gladys Knight & the Pips and Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers at Chicago's Regal Theater, during the summer of 1968. The brothers caught Knight's attention, whereby she tried to get Motown brass to come to Chicago to see the boys. Taylor was also very impressed with the boys, and he decided to make the commitment to bring them to Detroit and Motown. Joseph and The Jackson 5 stayed on the floor of Bobby Taylor's Detroit apartment the night of July 22, while Taylor and Motown executive Suzanne de Passe arranged for the Jackson 5 to audition for the label.
The group is invited to perform on the David Frost Show in New York but Joe cancels their TV debut when Bobby Taylor asks them to come to a Detroit studio to make an audition for Motown executives Suzanne DePasse and Ralph Seltzer, and other company staff.

1972 - Concert in Dallas (Texas)

1973 – Concert at the Madison Square Garden of New York City

1981 – The Jacksons give a special benefit concert for the Atlanta Children's Foundation at the Omni Auditorium in Atlanta, Georgia.

They raise 100,000 dollars for the charity, subsequently to lengthy episodes of Black youth disappearances and murders in the mentioned city. Speaking on behalf of himself and his brothers, Michael Jackson reveals, "We Are doing this because we care". LeBaron Taylor, vise president and general manager of Divisional Affairs for CBS Records, distributor of Epic Efforts for whom the Jacksons record, and coordinator of the special event comments, "We are pleased that The Jacksons have scheduled this special performance for such a worthy cause".

1988 – Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck present Michael with a pair of specially engraved ice skates backstage before his fourth concert in Wembley (London, UK).

Michael soldout Wembley Stadium on the 14th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd July, 26th & 27th August – a stadium record 504,000 people!
Michael's band members speak of the excitement of playing London's Wembley Stadium. Frank Dileo adds,

"Playing Wembley is one of the biggest honors any artist could have. It's a status symbol within artists themselves, whether or not they can sell out Wembley Stadium, and of course Michael set a new record. He sold it out 7 times. You can't get any bigger than that."

1989 – Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl hit #13 in the U.K, eventually the single went to number one in the UK. and become his 9th Top 30 hit from album–yet another record!

Liberian Girl was released in July 1989, prior to shutting down the Bad album campaign as the 9th and final single. The song was dedicated to Michael’s good friend, Elizabeth Taylor. The promo directed by Jim Yukich was a real star-studded affair, starring thirty-five of Michael’s celebrity friends: Bubbles, Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Whoopi Goldberg, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, Weird Al Yankovic, Billy Dee Williams, Dan Aykroyd, Jackie Collins, Don King, Paula Abdul, Lou ‘The Incredible Hulk’ Ferrigno, Debbie Gibson & David Copperfield; who wait on the set for Michael to film the music video, only to discover he is behind the camera, filming them all along.

1992 - Michael Jackson performs Dangerous World Tour in Werchter, Belgium, at Festival Ground Stadium, attending 40,000.

1970 - The Jackson 5 became the first group to top the Hot 100 with its first three chart entries when "The Love You Save" boarded the top.
The Love You Save" is a 1970 number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. It held the number-one spot on the soul singles chart for six weeks.[1] It held the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks, from June 27 to July 4, 1970. It is the third of four Jackson 5 number ones released in a row (the others being "I Want You Back", "ABC", and "I'll Be There"). "The Love You Save" also features side vocals of Jermaine Jackson singing alongside Michael in the final "Stop! The love you save may be your own" besides Marlon and Tito Jackson.

1981 - Michael Jackson's single "One Day In Your Life", a re-release of a mid-70s track, hit #1 in the U.K. replacing Smokey’s “Being With You”.

1992 - Michael Jackson launched his "Dangerous" world tour.

The "Dangerous World Tour" kicked off at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany. Michael played to a sell-out crowd of 72,000 ecstatic fans, who saw him perform 18 numbers, including 4 songs from his new album.

Tour covers Europe, South America, Mexico and Asia from June 27, 1992 to November 11, 1993; sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, included 69 concerts to 3.9 million fans: 40 in Europe, 18 in Asia, 6 in South America, 5 in North America. The tour grossed up approximately $125 million and all profits were donated to various charities including the new Heal the World Foundation that was set up by Michael.

Each concert began with a illusion-like stunt dubbed "the Toaster" in which following the ringing of bells and the roar of a panther, Michael catapults on to the stage through a trap door in the front, sending off pyrotechnics and electrifying the crowd.
The transition from Thriller to Billie Jean was another stage trick. When Michael walks into a small space between two set "buildings," he secretly switches with a werewolf-masked backup dancer while he changes for Billie Jean. The backup dancer posing as Michael is placed into a coffin which disappears when dancers posing as skeletons and zombies drape a cloth over the coffin and pull it out. Michael appears fully dressed for Billie Jean in the upper stage level as it lowers down.
During the performance of "Black or White", Michael ran onto the crane and started singing.

The end of the show hit headlines all over the world when "Michael" jet-packs, and flying over the heads of his fans and out of the arena using a rocket belt.

1995 - Michael Jackson's video "Moonwalker" was released.

1999 - Michael Jackson performed the benefit concert "Michael Jackson & Friends-What more can I give" at the Munich Olympic stadium.

1999 – Munich. - MCY.COM [the company which had acquired exclusive ONLINE rights to the "Michael Jackson and Friends" concert taking place on June 27, in Munich, Germany] announced in a press release that the online Internet broadcast of the June 27 benefit concert "Michael Jackson and Friends" recorded over 10 million hits, breaking the world record for a single online broadcast.

The release states: Never before in the history of the Internet has a single broadcast received a response of this magnitude. In sharing this benefit concert with their online audience MCY.com provided further awareness and support to UNESCO, The Red Cross, and Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund; the beneficiaries of the event.

2006 - In what is the first of a sweeping restructuring of his personal and business affairs, Michael has severed ties with his long-time accounts and business managers, Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman & Sloan, with Bahrani attorneys Qays Zu’bi and Grahame Nelson, and Gut Records executive, Guy Holmes.He has also established The

Michael Jackson Company, Inc., with plans to phase out MJJ Productions.In other related matters, he has named Spokesperson Raymone K. Bain as General Manager, and has retained N.Y.-based L. Londell McMillan and The McMillan Firm, known for business restructurings and turnarounds, to oversee legal matters pertaining to his business affairs.
Michael has previously announced plans to record an album which he predicts will be released in 2007. His recent Japan tour was the first in what will be a line of public appearances, and he is reviewing numerous offers to tour musically, which he plans to embark upon within the next several months.Michael, who is currently in Ireland on personal business, plans on relocating to Europe in the near future.He is continuing to build his management team and other appointments will be forthcoming.

2007 - Raymone Bain issues a press release to denie several false rumors about Michael & Grace and she reveals that he is currently in the studio putting finishing touches on his music. She also states that has not "left" Las Vegas nor is he being "evicted" from his residence in Las Vegas. He decided not to exercise the option to purchase the house he's been staying in since last December.