Showing posts with label 1987. Show all posts

1970 - The Jackson 5's second single, "ABC", was released.

Again produced and written by The Corporation™, it went to #1 in the US, #8 in the UK and sold a massive 4.1 million copies world wide.

A stop and start bass line and drum part, and propulsive percussion -- congas, tambourine, shakers -- horns, a fuzz-box guitar, dual Afro-Cuban-influenced piano parts, and, of course, the adolescent call-and-response vocals of the Jackson 5 brothers drive this Motown classic and one of the sweetest and simultaneously most satisfying confections of the 1970s. The song displaced the Beatles' "Let It Be" in the number one spot on the pop chart. Opening with the fuzz guitar, an off-beat percussive piano note, and a "doo-dooh" vocal hook line, the drums kick in on the down beat with Michael Jackson, then all of 12 years old, who starts in on the school metaphor:

"You went to school to learn girl
Things you never knew before
Like "I" before "E" except after "C"
And why two plus two makes four
Now, now, now I'm gonna teach you, teach you, teach you
All about love girl, all about love
Sit yourself down, take a seat
All you gotta do is repeat after me."

The school scenario was no accident; Freddie Perren, a member of the Corporation, the writing/producing collective behind "ABC," was a former school teacher. He has noted in interviews that producing -- especially a group comprised of teens and preteens -- is much like teaching: outlining a plan and having the students execute it until the teacher is satisfied.

The similarity of the song's groove to the Jackson 5's first hit single, "I Want You Back," is also no accident; "ABC" is essentially the chorus of the former single (and by theory a pop song's catchiest part), repeated and looped for the body of the newer single. The walking bass line forms the backbone -- bass having always been a top priority in Motown recordings. The arrangement builds to a rowdy drum breakdown in the middle of the song, Michael Jackson shouting out to the object of his young heart's desire: "Sit down girl! I think I love you!" He is egged on by his brothers, "No! Get up girl! Show me what you can do!" At which point, the brothers start to harmonize on "Shake it, shake it baby." Through the whole arrangement, the brothers share the lead vocals, trading lines, Michael taking the lion's share. The urgency in Michael's young voice is befuddling; this is no child novelty act -- a youngster propped up and made up to look and sound like an adult; Jackson just belts it out as soulfully as an adult, yet still sounds natural, effortless, and untrained, simply gifted. One wonders why such gifts became watered down and squandered to the extent that they did in the 1980s and beyond. For, while this early stage of his career was often called bubblegum soul, the emphasis must surely be placed on soul. There is little cuteness beyond the knowing school metaphor and Michael Jackson is not handled with kid gloves in the arrangement. The resulting recording avoids a ham-fisted, over-processed, and produced child act.

Deke Richards, the principal author and producer of "The Corporation", was inspired during a special evening during the sixties. "I was working late one night in the bunker - the rehearsal room, to Histville in Detroit," he said, recalling the days when HDH team was the fire company. "And that opened the door and introduced himself? Lamont Dozier. He went to the piano and played a medley of his hits. I still laugh, I remember him joking between agreements and saying, '... then I writing ',' ... then I got with it ...', and '... you should certainly remind you of that one. "Thus I heard. It was simply now recycle their agreements; sometimes taking part of one and embellishing, creating a new one, or a change to a new song. Simple, but brilliant. My state of mind was the latter when I had the chorus of the second single of the Jackson 5. I restrained myself to say 'Do not forget that Lamont has taught you. " There were large sections of 'I Want You Back'. I restrained myself to say, 'find them and use them. " I sat at the piano and I began to quietly play the chords once, until I got to the refrain:

'I want you back yeh yeh yeh yeh.

Bam! It struck me like a train at any speed. That was the groove that I needed. I stopped, and played two different agreements, and so on. Next, I play a melody meeting starts at nice after two agreements. I smile and tell myself ' Bingo, That's the basics! '.
His partner in The Corporation, which ensures that the keyboards on the track, Freddie Perren, added: "The music for 'ABC' was right there. We just took this music and do not stop playing it. However, this was not so simple - it had to be rearranged so that it is a real song. We had to think, not just sing little phrases on the pace. This coincided with the fact that the Jackson 5 had age that they had, and most of their fans went to school."

"After all," continued Richards, Michael was so young. I just needed simple words, that young children could learn in a second. I always liked the title of Len Barry, '1, 2,3 ' . And I thought that learning to love was as simple ABC, not 1,2,3. And then it hit me. "My god, all children know their alphabet!" My head began to swim to a point where I thought she was going to explode.

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

1987 - Pepsi aired a Michael Jackson commercial, "The Spring...The Magic Returns," during the 29th Annual Grammy Awards

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, United States attending 16,960 fans.

Two-year old cancer patient, Allan Bufford, held by his mother, Brenda, meets his favorite entertainer backstage in Kansas City, Missouri on occasion of Jackson’s US leg of his first solo world tour, the Bad Tour. The ill boy obtained his doctor’s permission to attend the sold-out show.

1993 - 35th Grammy Awards edition from Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, Michael Jackson received the Grammy Living Legend Award from his sister Janet.

Michael and his date, Brooke Shields, attended the 35th Annual Grammy Award ceremony. During the ceremony, Michael was honored with the Grammy Legend Award.

The Grammy Legend Award is the most important award in the music business! It's the top honor in the recording industry, given for ongoing contributions and influence in the recording field.

The award was presented to Michael by his sister Janet, who sported a long brown braids. After narrating a lengthy "How To Become A Legend" video scrapbook, showing how her brother became a legend, Janet brought Michael on stage from his front seat at the auditorium.

Looking dashing in black jeans and boots, and a white beaded jacket, Michael embrace Janet. Clearly elated, Michael was in sparkling form, and he was inspired to give his longest ever acceptance speech, poking fun at himself and showing his sense of humor that many haven't had an opportunity to see. One arm hugging Janet close, Michael began on a humorous note:

I hope this puts to rest, I hope this finally puts to rest another rumour that has been in the press for too many years – me and Janet really are two different people!

Michael expressed gratitude to and concern for the world’s children, including the health and economically deprived, then raises consciousness and suggests solutions on urgent global issues, such as the inner city crimes, wars and terrorist attacks, or the overloaded prisons, increasingly entered by young people that were devoid of a proper childhood.

In the past month, I've gone from "where is he?" to "Here he is again," but I must confess, it feels good to be thought of as a person, not as a personality. Because I don't read all the things written about me, I wasn't aware that the world thought I was so weird and bizarre. But when you grow up as I did, in front of one hundred million people since the age of five, you're automatically different. The last few weeks, I have been cleansing myself and it's been a rebirth for myself. It's like a cleansing spirit.

My childhood was completely taken away from me. There was no Christmas, there were no birthdays, it was not a normal childhood, nor the normal pleasures of childhood - those were exchanged for hard work, struggle, and pain, and eventually material and professional success. But as an awful price, I cannot re-create that part of my life. However, today, when I create my music, I feel like an instrument of nature. I wonder what delight nature must feel when we open our hearts and express our God-given talents. The sound... of approval rolls across the universe, and the whole world abounds in magic. Wonder fills our hearts, for what we have glimpsed, for an instant, the playfulness of life.

And that's why I love children and learn so much from being around them. I realise that many of our world's problems today - from the inner city crime, to large scale wars and terrorism, and our overcrowded prisons - are a result of the fact that children have had their childhood stolen from them. The magic, the wonder, the mystery, and the innocence of a child's heart, are the seeds of creativity that will heal the world. I really believe that.

What, what we need to learn, what we need to learn from children isn't childish. Being with them connects us to the deeper wisdom of life which is everpresent, and only asks to be lived. They know the solutions that lie waiting to be recognised within our own hearts. Today, I would like to thank all the children of the world, including the sick and deprived... I am so sensitive to your pain.

The new social butterfly and his date, Brooke Shields, attended Sony Music's party at Jimmy's in Beverly Hills along with Bob Jones and his date.

Michael Jackson is on SALUT magazine, France.

1987 - Michael attends the 4th American Cinema Awards ceremony with Sophia Loren & Sylvester Stallone held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Ca.

1988 - World-conscious single, “Man In The Mirror” (written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard), is released, and is the fourth consecutive #1 single off album BAD. It was recorded with The Andre Crouch Choir. The song is described as Jackson going “a step further" and offering "a straightforward homily of personal commitment”, which can be seen in the lyrics:

“I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”

The videoclip features shots of starving children, homeless people, intermixed with shots of individuals that have made contributions towards helping them: Bob Geldoff, organizer of Band Aid and Live AID for the relief of famine victims, Willie Nelson, organizer of Farm Aid benefiting farmers, shots of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Bishop Desmond Tutu, President Reagan with Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachov. Other notable people appearing include Raúl Alfonsín, Lech Wałęsa, Anwar El Sadat, Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, Rosa Parks, Pieter Willem Botha, and Adolf Hitler. Tragic events such as the Iranian hostage crisis, John Fitzegerald and Robert Kennedy’s assassinations, King’s, John Lennon’s are combined with a more joyful occurrence, the rescue of Jessica McClure from a well in Midland, Texas. Jackson is featured in only a brief shot, raising his arms giving the peace sign, surrounded by a crowd of children while on tour in Japan. “Man In The Mirror” peaks at #1 in the United States soon afterwards. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs, topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks. The song reaches the #8 in the UK Singles Charts in 1988, but in 2009, following the news of his passing, the song will peak at #2.

1992 - The Rolling Stone magazine featured Michael on the cover story Michael Jackson; the making of 'king of pop'


1997 - Michael arrives at Heathrow Airport in London, UK



2001 - It is confirmed that Michael will address The Oxford Union together with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the man who's shaken the Jewish establishment on both sides of the Atlantic.

It is at this event that the duo will announce the official launch of their new foundation, "Heal The Kids". The event is scheduled for March 06, 2001.

2008 - Michael Jackson Is Negotiating Concerts in London's O2 Arena

Michael Jackson plans to present himself for a month in London, possibly earning a fee of $ 30 million, reports the tabloid. The singer would do a little tour of 30 dates at the O2 Arena located in the British capital this year. A source tells British newspaper News Of The World, "Michael will be back soon soon. He is working hard in the studio. He's still a pop legend and wants us to remember him for his music, not their problems".

Raymone Bain responded to the rumors saying that there are negotiations, but no dates and nothing concrete yet. If confirmed, will assume the information given last December by a close friend of Jackson, when she said the star had exciting projects for Europe in 2008.

1987 - Michael, Quincy Jones & Bruce Swedien start recording the BAD album at the Westlake Studio in Los Angeles.

How do you follow the world’s most successful album – ever?

Even thinking about following THRILLER must have been daunting which may explain, at least in part, why Michael took so long to do so. Certainly Michael felt if he didn't top THRILLER, he would be perceived by many as a failure. So not only did he want the follow-up to be 'as perfect as humanely possibly', he set his sights on an impossible sales target: 100 million.

BAD was the first studio album Jackson released after leaving The Jackson 5 and the first in an almost five-year period following THRILLER. BAD was the third consecutive solo project(fifth, if The Wiz and the E.T. storybook are included), and final, musical collaboration between Jackson and Quincy Jones. The album was produced by Jones, with co-production credit given to Jackson.

Singer Michael Jackson, shown during a recording session for his first LP since THRILLER. The album entitled BAD, uses Hugo Zuccarelli's Holophonics sound system on several tracks. Michael chose to record the pillow-talk sequence for "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", while lying in a bed with zuccarelli's head-shaped robotic recorder.

Michael began recording demos for the anticipated follow-up to Thriller a few months after the 1984 Victory Tour with The Jacksons. Work on the new album started in August 1986, and recording took place between January 5, 1987, and July 9, 1987.

They began by sifting through the 60 or so songs Michael had written himself for the new album and recorded thirty, wanting to use them all on a three-disc set. Jones had suggested that the album be cut down to a ten-track single LP. 'Fifty percent of the battle is trying to figure out which songs to record,' Quincy admitted, 'it's total instinct.' When the album was released on CD, a bonus 11th track, Leave Me Alone was included. It was later released as a single. Michael was credited for writing nine out of eleven of the songs (including the CD-only bonus track) made the final selection on the album – easily the largest contribution he had made to any of his solo albums. Other writing credits included Terry Britten and Graham Lyle for Just Good Friends and Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard for Man in the Mirror.

1994 - Michael presents the award for Best Choreographer to Debbie Allen at the 26th NAACP Image Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, Ca.

He was greeted by deafening cheers and a standing ovation. Dressed in a black military style jacket with red accents and a silver sequined armband, and no glasses, he seemed very upbeat, confident and comfortable. He presented the award for Outstanding Choreography but first took the opportunity to say a few words on his own behalf, prior to presenting dancer/choreographer Debbie Allen with the award, pausing now and then to tell the cheering fans, "I love you too" and "I love you more!". He delivers a speech underlining the meaning behind the NAACP organization supporting equality of treatment for all races and human dignity, and exhibiting his sympathy to the NAACP members:

"For decades, the NAACP has stood at the forefront of the struggle for equal justice under the law for all people in our land. They have fought in the lunch rooms of the South, in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court and the board rooms of America, for justice, equality and the very dignity of all mankind. Members of the NAACP have been jailed and even killed in noble pursuit of those ideals, upon which our country was founded". Michael Jackson also re-declares his innocence regarding prior allegations of improper conduct towards a minor. He says, "Not only am I presumed to be innocent, I AM innocent, and I know that the truth will be my salvation. I have been strengthened to prove my innocence by my faith in God and the knowledge that I am not fighting this battle alone."

He then announced the winner, Debbie Allen. Allen immediately invited her fellow nominees to the stage which included Michael Peters, nominated for his work on What's Love Got To Do With It. Peters ascended the stairs to the stage and immediately went to his friend Michael and hugged him warmly. Allen began her acceptance speech saying, "God bless you Michael, we're all on your side."

1995 - Bravo magazine [Germany] featured Michael on the cover.



2003 - Michael visits Maurice Gibbs (one of the Bee Gees) at a Miami hospital.

2007 - Michael has dinner with Kenny Ortega at the Wynn Restaurant in Las Vegas.

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at the Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

1989 - Michael Jackson fakes a pass to Bo Jackson of the Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Royals at Michael's recording studio in Los Angeles. Bo stopped by for a visit and gave Michael an autographed football and a baseball.

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Atlanta, Georgia

1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at the Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

1992 - Michael Jackson grants the wish of young David Sonnet, whom he meets via the Make A Wish Foundation(which was sponsored by Sony), the boy being one of only four kids invited from the foundation to his hero Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.

Sonnet suffered a brain aneurysm at the tender age of 8, leaving him only able to function through a communication device, it helping him convey his thoughts through a specialized computer. Young David had received a ‘Beat It’ jacket from a local charity in a West Palm Beach, Florida, which he wore for his special encounter. Jackson notices it and says “I see you have my jacket on’. Among the activities David did together with his mother at Neverland, he held Bubbles, Jackson’s monkey, rode the Octopus, the merry-go-round and other activities suchlike. Because Sonnet was unable to talk or walk, the two shared an “I Love You” in sign language. A visibly emotional Jackson receives a stuffed lion and a picture of himself from the youngster and tells the boy he would keep his photo in his room. Before this encounter, David Sonnet had written to Jackson on various occasions as a show of support, and the entertainer would write back and include photos and other personal mementos.

This hat featured in the auction from West Palm Beach was gifted from Jackson to Sonnet. The offered wool hat was gifted to Sonnet from Jackson in the late '90s. "MICHAEL JACKSON" is screened in gold letters on the inside leather headband. A size "Large" label is secured on the headband as well. Jackson signed the inside in paint pen and inscribed "To David Sonnet All My Love" and "1998". While Sonnet sent a thank you card to the singer, inclusing a wedding card when he married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. Both times Jackson responded with a signed letter and salutation.

According to Debbie Sonnet, David’s mother, Jackson’s music did help him recover of a coma his recovery room was decorated with numerous Jackson photos and his music was played at all times. Sonnet passed away on July 26, 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0D4JX-ZAHM

2001 - Michael Jackson and Rabbi Schmuley Boteach take their children to watch movie “Toy Story” in New York for Thanksgiving.

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Greenville, South Carolina.

1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

2002 - Michael receives the "Bambi Award For Pop Artist Of The Millenium" in Germany, an award given out yearly to people with new visions and uplifting creativity. The ceremony is held at the Estrel Convention Center in Berlin.

Music of Thriller is played
MJ comes on stage
Boris Becker (BB):Congratulations, Michael Jackson.
BB gives MJ the Bambi Award
MJ:Thank you.
MJ takes the Bambi Award And dances a few steps to his Thriller, Then MJ gives BB the Bambi Award back
MJ:Wow, thank you. Thank you.
There are standing ovations, and the applause doesn't stop.
MJ:Thank you very much. (to BB:) How are you?
BB:I'm well.
MJ:Thank you so much. Oh boy, let me see.
MJ takes his reading glasses and wants to put them on.
MJ:I'm sorry, I have to use these .. ah. For a few words.
The glasses don't get well on his head, so he tries again.
MJ:Ah .. Jesus.
The glasses fit now.
MJ:Okay, here we go.
MJ was so funny now that most people have to laugh a bit.
MJ:Dear Dr. Burda, dear Dr. Turnhofer, ladies and gentlemen, I have many good reasons for my visit to Germany. Coming back to Berlin, So full of energy, It's very special to me.
Berlin, Ich Liebe Dich.
Applause
MJ:September 11th has changed our world, And long ago the Berlin wall came down, But recently new walls were built. In 1989 people in Germany said Wir sind ein Volk
We are Germans, we are Armenians, French, Italians, Russians, Americans, Asians, Africans and many other nationalities. We're Christians, Jewish, Muslims, Hindus.
We're black, we're white.
We are a community. Of so many differences. So complex And yet so simple. We do not need to have war.
Big applause
MJ:And to the children of Germany I want to say this
We need you. The world needs you. Please go for it. Go after your dreams. Go after your ideals. You can become everything you wanna become. Become an astronaut. Become a scientist. A great doctor And of course . become an artist
Maybe you get a Bambi award like me then.
MJ laughs a bit to BB and there is applause
MJ:I want you to know I love Germany. You are very special in my heart So much really. Always appreciate the gift of life. Be happy And have fun. I love you. Thank you very much.
Standing ovations start again.
BB gives MJ his Bambi award back
BB:That's for you.
MJ:Thank you
I love you
Okay.
MJ is waving kisses to the audience and looks around, not knowing what to do.
The showmaster says:Stay with us
We are the world starts playing and many people go on stage to see MJ and get photographed
Source: MJHouse

1974 - The Jackson 5ive perform a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada during the quintet's first World Tour.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Columbus, Georgia

1984 - Michael receive his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Just four years after a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s ‘Walk Of Fame’ was dedicated to the Jacksons, on 20th November 1984 Michael was honoured with his own star.

He was the 1793rd celebrity to be so recognised, but the very first to capture two different stars. At his own request, the star was situated outside Mann’s Chinese Theater.

About 6,000 fans turned out for the presentation, the largest crowd to ever attend such a presentation. Michael appeared at the unveiling of the star for a full 3 minutes, then he was advised by security to leave as the crowd grew out of control.

A podium and stage had been set up, as the world's most famous entertainer was to be honored on the world's most famous sidewalk, Hollywood's Walk of Fame, a permanent monument that recognizes his life-long contribution to show business.

When Michael mounted the podium, with his mother Katherine, father Joe and Hollywood honorary Mayor Johnny Grant, he waved to the crowd with his gloved hand and delivered a speech of five words:
"Thank you very, very much!"

Fearful that some 6,000 frenzied fans who filled the streets had rebuffed crowd-control efforts, superstar Michael Jackson made the shortest acceptance speech-five words-in the history of Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. Concerned for the safety of the 6,000 fans who turned out to witness the unveiling ceremony, Michael was forced to abandon his planned speech.


1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, Australia.

2000 - The entertainer attends the birthday party of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in Englewood, New Jersey, USA, and meets young Elissa Mingino, a 7-year old girl suffering from leukaemia. Her biggest dream was to meet with her favourite singer: Michael Jackson.

2004 - Brian Michael Stoller’s comedy Miss Cast Away featuring Michael is released on DVD.

As the film opens, a plane carrying beauty contestants has crash-landed on a deserted island. Captain Maximus Powers (Roberts) and co-pilot Mike Saunders (Schlatter) have to take care of their passengers, while also avoiding the dangers of Jurassic Pork (a giant prehistoric pig) and a group of apes who are busy building an ark.

Agent M.J. (Jackson) arrives in the midst of them, having been sent by the Vatican to manipulate them to the Vatican's own purposes.

Bryan Michael Stoller was given permission to shoot Michael Jackson's scenes at Neverland Ranch. He later said that while this was exciting to be given such a rare privilege, it presented its disruptions to the filming process at times. In an MTV interview, he said:

"It's his home. It's all normal to him that there's a train running around the property tooting its horn," the director recalled of a noisy interruption that appears among the DVD's bonus features. "[Another time] his staff brought us soup, so we were sipping soup and talking, and these two elephants walk by outside. Michael's continuing to sip his soup like a fly flew by, and I turn to Michael and look at him and he's not even acknowledging the elephants."

1972 - Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 perform a concert at an NAACP fund-raising dinner at Hollywood, Palladium, California, at the 6th annual Black Image Awards. The Jackson 5 won the NAACP Image Award for Best Singing Group.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in Houston, Texas

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada attending 42,000.

Michael Jackson is made an honorary member of the New Westminster Police Department during his hush-hush visit to New Westminster while in British Columbia, Canada. Appointed PC 49, he swears as a police constable to "serve the Queen and cause the peace to be kept and preserved".

The King of Pop received Badge 49 during his visit to the Royal City.

"He was very quiet. He was very soft-spoken. He almost seemed introverted," said retired police officer Ken McIntosh, who attended the gathering at city hall. "By that time he was a big star."

Jackson's visit was arranged by former police chief Jack Fordham, who was an inspector for the department at that time. He learned Jackson was a big soccer fan and contacted Jackson's publicists to let them know the police department ran a soccer school.

Prior to Jackson's visit to city hall, a couple of New Westminster police cars were deployed to Jackson's Vancouver hotel. They escorted the Dodge van he and his companions were riding in back to New Westminster.

"You wouldn't have known he was here," said Det. Const. Mike Macfarlane, one of the officers in attendance. "That was one of the prerequisites."

At New Westminster City Hall, Jackson appeared on the front stairs of city hall with a group of local police officers for a photo opportunity.

"It was amazing for Michael Jackson to be there, We didn't know he'd want us to go up and down the stairs." McIntosh said.

Jackson, who provided the police officers with sunglasses, requested that he film himself walking up and down the stairs of city hall with the officers. It's unknown whether Jackson ever used the video footage shot that day.

The visit and filming took place on a Sunday, so city hall was closed. The activity caught the attention of some people passing by on Royal Avenue and people in the rooftop restaurant or bar that was located in the Royal Towers Hotel at the time.

While police officers sometimes run into celebrities when doing movie callouts, Macfarlane said they rarely encounter people of Jackson's star power and have a chance to work alongside them. At the end the visit, Jackson shook each officer's hand.

"I am not a big Michael Jackson fan. At that time you couldn't help ... but be somewhat awed, Here he was in New Westminster." Macfarlane said.
While the visit had been arranged ahead of time, Macfarlane recalls it coming together at the last moment to prevent any leaks. CKNW reporter George Garrett, respected by Lower Mainland police forces, was tipped off about the visit and provided the photos featured in The Record.
"He gave us a (soccer) ball that was signed, It used to be in the old (police) building." Macfarlane recalled.

At that time, Jackson was in Vancouver for the Victory tour, with his brothers. It came two years after his blockbuster album Thriller.
Mayor Wayne Wright said Jackson signed the City of New Westminster's guest book.
"I think it's obviously very interesting because of the nature of the day, When he came here, he was a star."

The front page of the Nov. 21, 1985 issue of the Royal City Record featured an article about the results of the municipal election (Tom Baker was re-elected mayor) and Jackson's surprise visit to New Westminster.

Getting the star treatment, Jackson received a full police uniform sewn by Gastaldo Tailors, soccer jerseys featuring silkscreening by MVP Athletic, an engraved plaque done by the Click Shop, a police badge, assorted police-related caps and a police identification card.

"After it happened, people were freaking out, They couldn't believe it happened. A lot of people thought it was really cool." Although McIntosh wasn't a fan of the pop star, he enjoyed the experience. "Historically, now, it is kind of significant, My kids got to see him up close. He was quite the entertainer. I found him to be very humble. He wasn't a demanding, look-at-me person," he recalled. "He almost seemed overwhelmed by the fuss. He did not seem to be arrogant."

McIntosh said all of the participating police officers were issued a set of sunglasses.
He has donated his sunglasses, a photograph taken that day of officers and Jackson and a copy of the book Moonwalk to the New Westminster Museum and Archives. A photograph of New Westminster police officers with Jackson is included in the book.

1987 - Michael visits the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, Australia.

Natasha Lang, mother of a child committed in the hospital at the time, offers her account of his visit there years later: "... I will never forget that day as long as I live, when Michael came to the hospital with an abundance of stuffed animal toys, so generously given, to all the children in the children’s ward. He went around the ward and visited each child personally and quietly spoke words of comfort to them and I will never forget the delight of these children, the medical staff and the parents who visited on that day. My son now is a grown man and I wish to share this photograph with the whole world because it shows Michael’s selfless and generous nature. My son, unfortunately, lost his eye in a school accident that week and, as you can imagine, it was a real tragedy for the whole family, but that day he gave us all some joy, great pleasure and an abundance of happiness."

1991 - Michael and Brooke Shields go out for dinner at The Inn Of The Seventh Ray Restaurant, Malibu, Ca


1997 - Michael Jackson quietly arrives in Seoul, South Korea to discuss investment in troubled underwear maker, Ssangbangwool Ltd's Ski Resort. “Michael Jackson has come to Korea to discuss the possibility of investing in Muju Resort,” says a company spokesman. The spokesman adds that Ssangbangwool has planned to expand the resort complex to include a theme park, but says the plans had been put on hold when the company faced financial troubles.


2003 - The Michael Jackson album Number Ones was released. The album contained 18 songs including the song "One More Chance."

Number Ones, the greatest hits album included Jackson singles that reportedly reached #1 in charts around the world.

Number Ones reached #1 in the UK and #13 in the United States. It proved to be an enduring catalog seller, eventually returning to the top spot in the UK and US charts in 2009. It stayed as the #1 selling album in the United States for 6 weeks and for 27 week on the Top Pop Catalog Albums chart.

At the 2009 American Music Awards, Number Ones claimed two awards - Favorite Rock/Pop Album and Favorite Soul/Rhythm and Blues Album.

Overall, the album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, with 4,138,600 of those being sold in the U.S.


After a search warrant was served at Neverland Ranch Michael made the following statement:
"I've seen lawyers who don't represent me and spokespeople who do not know me speaking for me. These characters always seem to surface with dreadful allegations just as another project, an album, a video is being released".

1987 - Michael perform BAD tour at Olympic Park Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

1988 - Michael perform BAD tour at Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles.

1989 - Michael Jackson performs song "You Were There" (he wrote with Buz Kohan) for singer-entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., the first and only time, at the Sammy Davis Jr 6Oth Anniversary TV Special, musical gala honouring Davis Jr..

The event’s funds advantaging the "United Negro College Fund"; for the show's all-star finale, Jackson accompanies Ella Firzgerald and Eddie Murphy on stage.

The celebration started as a 60-minute show, and it wound up 2 1/2 hours long. It runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday on ABC and Channel 13. And no wonder, given a cast that includes Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Clint Eastwood, Goldie Hawn, Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder, Mike Tyson, Richard Pryor, Gregory Hines, Gregory Peck, Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Allen, Magic Johnson, Dean Martin, Tony Danza, Jesse Jackson, Quincy Jones, Diahann Carroll, Dionne Warwick, Nell Carter, Lola Falana and Anita Baker. Eddie Murphy hosts, and even he seems subdued by the galaxy of stars he has to introduce.

Sammy’s right there in the front-row box with his wife and family. He laughs and he claps, he cries a little, and he hugs his friends. He even does a tap dance with Hines. But he never says a word.

He can’t. The night the show was taped, he couldn’t talk at all.

It doesn’t matter. His friends speak for him, and to him, in a language of love. They lay their talents at his feet. And a few terrific clip collections tell Sammy’s tale for him.

This is a one-of-a-kind TV spectacular in a spirit that few stars, even show-biz legends, could command.

Nobody knew what Jackson was going to do. "The night before the show, he and Buz Kohan, who wrote the script, went in the rehearsal hall and wrote a song," Schlatter said. "They arranged it overnight, and the night of the show was the first time he’d ever sung it. He wanted to sing something that really related to Sammy."

Backstage, everybody was watching everybody else. Fitzgerald wanted to meet Jackson; Cosby wanted to say hi to Hawn; Murphy wanted to see Sinatra.

The most nerve-racking moment of them all, though, was when Fitzgerald was to make her big onstage entrance, Schlatter said. “We had to have somebody bring her out, so I said to Eddie Murphy, `Take Ella onstage.’

And he says, `Man, I can’t take her. That’s Ella “Fitzgerald.”‘ And Eddie says to Michael Jackson, `Michael, you take her out.’ And Michael says, `I can’t! It’s “Ella.”‘ So I said, `Look, guys, why not take her together? OK?’

At the same date, Michael is reported to have hosted 50 children from "Maclaren Hall" and "Make A Wish Foundation" at his residence, while, via the "Wishes Granted" charity, 4-year-old Darian Pagan, suffering from leukemia, is granted the wish to meet the singer and is, additionally, invited to watch a performance by a group of Canadian acrobats with him.

2002 - Michael goes to the Santa Maria Superior Court in Santa Maria, CA. to testify in a $21 million breach-of-contract Marcel Avram trial over canceled millennium concerts. His appearance causes media frenzy.


2006 - During his stay at Hempel Hotel in London, Michael is joined by Raymone and they have dinner at the Nobu restaurant with billionaire retail tycoon Sir Philip Green and then they go to the Oxford Street branch of Topshop which Sir Philip opened up especially for Michael at midnight. Later Michael visits "Miss Selfridges"

1979 - Michael attends his friend Jane Fonda’s fundraiser Halloween Disco Party at The Hollywood Palace.


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

Michael Jackson's single BAD hit #1 in the U.S. for a second consecutive week.

The Way You Make Me Feel, promoted with a nine minutes short film directed by Joe Pytka, co-starred Tatiana Thumbtzen, and featured a cameo appearance by Michael’s sister, La Toya, premiered on 31st October 1987.
Extended 25 minute version also made – exclusively screened by Michael at his Neverland home.

The video begins with a girl walking down streets alone, with a clip being intercut that shows MJ talking with other people. Shortly after MJ walks out of an alley and stands in front of the girl while she's walking down the street, although she ignores him and keeps walking. He gets her attention by shouting, and then begins singing "The Way You Make Me Feel" to her while also dancing. Uninterested, she walks away. He follows her, having been cheered on by his friends to pursue her. Another dance routine begins, involving the males friends, which leads to MJ pursing the girl throughout the neighborhood. The video ends with MJ eventually winning the girl over, and embraces her, while a fire hydrant is spraying out water. MJ's love interest was played by Tatiana Thumbtzen, and the videoclip also features an appearance by his sister La Toya as one of Thumbtzen's friends.

1992 - Hitkrant magazine[Netherlands] featured Michael with Slash on their cover with the headline: Slash & Michael - Wat Niemand Voor Mogelijk Hield [Michael & Slash - What No one Thought Possible]


1993 - Michael performs at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City [Mexico] attending 100,000.

Michael’s grandfather, Samuel Jackson dies at the age of 90.

1995 - Michael perform Dangerous & You Are Not Alone at the Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall Of Fame show (aired on 22nd November).

The short film Ghosts is premiered in 11 selected Sony cinemas.

2000 - Further news on Michael's planned movie "The Nightmare Of Edgar Allen Poe" was revealed. Gary Pudney to "The Columbus Dispatch": "Michael Jackson will move to Montreal with his two children in early 2001 to prepare for the shooting of his long-planned movie."

Production is to begin in March and Michael will act in the leading role and also will be executive producer, with Gary Pudney and Jim Green.

Gary Pudney told columnist Marilyn Beck: "Michael's not going to look exactly like Poe, but you won't be able to tell the difference between them 10 minutes into the picture, it's going to be absolutely spectacular, full of gruesome goodies - and concluding with all the ghosts Poe wrote about coming back to haunt him at the end of his life. We'll also be hiring six to eight other incredible actors to help bring Michael up to snuff, he'll have an acting coach prior to production and during shooting."

Michael is currently writing the theme song, which he will sing. Gary Pudney: "He wants to concentrate on films, we're already planning on more Poe films, and there are one or two other pictures we are also talking about doing. Michael is wired into the hierarchy of Hollywood - people like Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, with whom he wants to work - and vice versa."

The exciting news about Michael's plans to play Edgar Allen Poe was revealed for the first time in an interview with "TV GUIDE" magazine dated December 4 - 10, 1999.

2007 - Access Hollywood airs a preview of Michael's photoshoot for Ebony magazine.

Michael & the kids celebrates Halloween at the Cascio family house in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

2008 - Michael goes trick-or-treating with his kids to an Halloween party at Natalie Maines'house (the singer from the Dixie Chicks) They were invited by Veronique Peck and stop by a KFC DriveThru in Brentwood in Los Angeles, Ca.

1978 - The Wiz, the musical film produced by Motown Productions and Universal Pictures, was released by Universal.

The Wiz was a retelling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz featuring an entirely African-American cast. The film follows the adventures of Dorothy[Diana Ross], a shy schoolteacher from Harlem, New York who finds herself magically transported to the wonderland of Oz, which resembles a fantasy version of New York City. Befriended by a Scarecrow[Michael Jackson], a Tin Man[Nipsey Russell], and a Cowardly Lion[Ted Ross], Dorothy travels through the world of Oz to seek an audience with the mysterious "Wiz", who they say has the power to take her home.

Diana Ross and Michael Jackson attend the premiere & opening night party of the movie The Wiz, at the Paramount, Los Angeles, October 24, 1978.

At the Pitt’s Century Plaza Theater in Century City (Los Angeles) with the Jackson family & Diana Ross among others.
The Wiz had its premiere in New York City, over a year after filming began. It was received with poor reviews and lukewarm box office returns, failing to recoup its expensive budget. Michael took the film’s failure personally, especially in light of the fact that his father and brothers had tried to discourage him from making it.

Michael Jackson's performance as the Scarecrow was one of the only positively reviewed elements of the film, with critics noting that MJ possessed "genuine acting talent" and "provided the only genuinely memorable moments." Of the results of the film, Michael stated: "I don't think it could have been any better, I really don't." In 1980, Michael stated that his time working on The Wiz was "my greatest experience so far...I'll never forget that."

Michael says: "It was incredible, wonderful. I learned so much from [Diana Ross]. We’re like brother and sister, really."

1987 - Bad hit #1 in US charts.
The second single released off of the BAD album was the title track. It became the album's second #1 single. Bad stayed at the top of the Hot 100 for two weeks. Bad also went to #1 on the black singles chart. The extended version of the Bad video aired on MTV for weeks with the air times announced each day. Later, an edited version of the video was aired.

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

At the end of October, the BAD tour moved into Motown-Detroit, Michigan. Michael was scheduled to perform at the Palace of Auburn Hills on October 24-26. The first of the three night stand in Detroit was a benefit concert for Detroit's Motown Museum. The two story house, Hitsville USA, where Berry Gordy originally started Motown, had been declared a historical landmark earlier in the spring. Since Motown relocated to Los Angeles, the building has been turned into a museum, organized by Berry Gordy's sister, Esther Edwards.

When Berry Gordy was preparing to sell Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures, Michael was touring Europe. He wanted to do something for Berry and for Motown. Gordy suggested he do something for the Motown Museum. Michael did. He called Esther Edwards in Detroit from Hong Kong. The result was that Michael donated all of his proceeds from his first concert in Auburn Hills to the Motown Museum Historical Foundation. Michael has been a very strong supporter of the development of the museum since its inception.

1993 - Michael arrives in Mexico to perform 5 concerts at Azteca Stadium from 29th October to 11th November.


1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Singapore National Stadium in Singapore attending 65,000.

In the States, Michael’s mini-movie Ghosts, which cost an estimated $7-9 million, premiered at the Motion Picture Academy Of Arts in Beverly Hills, California, alongside Stephen King’s full length horror movie Thinner.

1978 - Michael visits the famous toy store F.A.O Schwartz in Manhattan.

1987 - Michael Jackson's one-day trip in Chinese mainland.

When Michael Jackson's China fans are groaning that they will never see the King of Pop on their homeland, it is rarely known to the public the pop icon actually dropped by a tourist attraction once in Guangdong during his vacation in Hong Kong in 1987.

Liu Guangzhi, Jackson's guide then, couldn't hold back his excitement speaking of the megastar's one-day visit of a guided trip in his hometown.

"I didn't know whom I was going to pick up until they gave me the tourists' name list. Michael Jackson's name was right there, the first on the list," Liu, 23 then, recalled.

"For most of his fans here, it's a pity he never visited Chinese mainland, but hardly have they known that he was here once 22 years ago," Liu added.

Michael Jackson is a man with few words but very friendly, Liu said of his first impression of the pop icon. "We are not able to have an in-depth talk on any subject, but he mailed me our photo with his autograph on it through his agent later," Liu continued.

The children and the seniors, who took photos with Michael Jackson during his tour of their village, also received the pictures from him. Many of the villagers still have the photos in house.

Michael Jackson had two of these photos published on his autobiography, commenting under one snapshot "I can't resist babies. In China, 1987".

Liu is grateful to Michael Jackson for the pictures, he said, "it's a cherished memory for us all, and Michael helped us to keep it".

"Though he's not with us any more, I still remember his kindness. He's the unparalleled King of Pop, I'll keep the memory of him in my heart forever."
Source: ChinaTibetNews.com

1988 - Michael presents a check for $125,000 to Esther G. Edwards, president of Motown Museum and Motown founder, Mr. Berry Gordy during ceremonies at the Motown Museum Historical Foundation in Detroit, Michigan, finance sustaining the maintenance of the famed museum, the highest amount of money donated up until that time to the museum.

Michael's black fedora and sequined glove are on display at the Motown Historical Museum at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit

Superstar Michael Jackson, in a rare public appearance, visited Detroit's Motown Museum and donated $125,000 to the famed museum. Extensive security measures were taken for Michael's visit to the Museum, West Grand Blvd. was completely blocked off and police officers and mounted police awaited the arrival of Michael and Motown founder Berry Gordy, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young welcomed them to city.

"It’s great to be here. I'm very happy and proud to be back to the soil from which I came," Michael said during the ceremonies outside of the museum. "Berry Gordy is the man that made it all possible for me. I want to say thank you, Berry and I love you."

At least 2,500 fans endured a constant, cold rain to get a glimpse of Michael when he arrived at the museum. They cheered wildly when Michael presented a check for $125,000 to Gordy and Motown Museum President Esther G. Edwards. Michael also donated three items from his personal collection to the museum: a shiny rhinestone glove, a trademark black fedora and stage costume dating from 1972 he wore with the Jackson 5 when he was 13.

During his visit to the museum, Michael joined Gordy on a tour of the modest house where Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959.

Gordy told the crowd: "Michael Jackson knows that success in life is not merely confined to fame and fortune and material gains, but it's also found in a continual awareness of our roots, his roots. These are Michael Jackson's roots, right here. You were the first people that bought Michael Jackson's records," he told the fans. "And he loves you-and he loves you for it."

Gordy called the pop superstar one of the museum's greatest supporters and praised Michael as "a man who is not only the greatest entertainer to come out of Motown, but the greatest entertainer to come out of any town!"

1990 - Michael Jackson and Sir Elton John are awarded the first "Ryan White Award" for outstanding contribution to AIDS programs (award that will be handed over a year later).

1993 - Michael performs at Chile National Stadium in Santiago, Chile attending 65,000.

2009 - Entertainment Weekly magazine[US] featured Michael on the cover with the headline: The New Michael Jackson Movie - The Inside Story Of His Final Performances And the Film That Captures His Last Days.

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

1984 - The Jacksons perform Victory tour at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio [USA] attending 44,000.

1987 - Top 10 magazine [Netherland] featured Michael on their cover.



1996 - Michael performs HIStory concert at Chungcheng Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan attending 30,000.

2000 - The Jackson 5 inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame at the 2nd annual induction ceremony.

The class of 1999 was honored along with the class of 2000, during the two day ceremony, which will be held in Sharon, Pennsylvania. There was a dinner, a golf tournament and a concert which feature some of the famous groups to be inducted.

Here is a complete list of the class of 1999 inductees--the Ink Spots, Revelers, Modernaires, Coasters, Delta Rhythm Boys, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, the Moonglows, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Four Seasons, the Spinners, Peter, Paul and Mary, and The Jackson Five.

2005 - Michael has once again been summoned to appear in court – but this time as a juror. Thomas Mesereau informs that Michael won’t be be able to attend because he’s seeking permanent resident in Bahrain.