Showing posts with label 1990. Show all posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

1970 - The Jackson 5 appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand to promote their second single, ABC. Their performance included I Want You Back, ABC and a medley of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah/There Was A Time.

1990 - Michael Jackson's "good vs. evil" sci-fi film, "Moonwalker", wins the award for "Best Long Form Music Video" at the 32nd Grammy Awards from Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.

2002 - Prince Michael Jackson II, better known as “Blanket”, was born at 9:23 p.m. in La Mesa, California, to a mother who remains unknown.

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

1990 - At a breakfast press conference held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, Michael was honored with the "Top Selling Artist Of The Decade" award by CBS Records for selling 110 million records during the 80's.

CBS Records' Tommy Mattola presented Michael with the award, a figure of Michael in a pose from the "Smooth Criminal" video against a large disk reading "100 Million". Mattola reads a list of Michael's accomplishments and states, "If I stood here 10 years ago and told you any artist would accomplish what Michael Jackson accomplished, you would have probably laughed me off the stage."

Michael attended the press conference dressed in red and black sequined military jacket, black gloves, and sunglasses.

As usual, his thank yous were brief: "Thank you Tommy, and thank you ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure it won't surprise you that I'm gonna make this one short again, but I have to say, however, that no album sells itself. It's up to the people out there to buy it, and so, I not only want to thank CBS Records and Epic Records, but I especially want to thank everyone everywhere who helped make this award what it is, first a possibility, and now a reality. Thank you Quincy Jones, thank you Dave Glew, thank you Bruce Swedien, John Branca, Mother and Joseph, Walter Yetnikoff and Hank Caldwell. And all of the children of the world. I love you Goodbye."

Among those in attendance were Michael's parents, Berry Gordy, Little Richard, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Siedah Garrett.

1992 - Michael Jackson and young friend, Brett Barnes, visit Hamleys Toy Store and Rock Circus on Piccadilly Circus in London, Britain.

Bravo magazine featured Michael on their cover story: "General" Jackson


1998 - Michael goes to Seoul to attend the investiture ceremony of President Kim Dae Jung on the 25th.

2003 - Michael strikes back!!!

Fox aired outtakes from the controversial interview with Martin Bashir titled "Michael Jackson, Take Two: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You." The outtakes, coming from Michael's private camera man, will later be shown all around the world and showing closely how things really were and how much Martin Bashir commented Michael on his abilities as a father, Neverland etc... opposite to what was shown during his interview.

"The film shows extraordinary scenes of Martin Bashir praising the way Michael treats children and commenting on how good a father he is," a statement said.

"The Jackson footage clearly shows that Bashir was actually continuing to praise Michael's abilities as a father and [shows] Bashir making statements about how he feels it is a pity that the world is so quick to criticize Michael."

"On the face of it, either Martin Bashir was lying to Michael or was misleading his audience on the voiceovers on the film," a statement said, adding that Bashir had been aware he was being filmed during his interviews.

A verbal disclaimer repeatedly made known on behalf of the presenter of this rebuttal film, Maury Povich states that the singer had no control whatsoever upon the directing and producing of it. Part of the footage was not aired, because the videographer Hamid Moslehi refused to hand it over, owing to a financial dispute with Jackson. It was found by police in a search of Moslehi's home in November 2003, when the false allegations against Jackson rose, and showed the accuser's family praising Jackson for saving his life.

Michael leaves for Miami with his children and they stay at Al Malnik's mansion. Three social workers come to Jay Jackson's to interview Gavin & his family. Once again they defend Michael and say nothing inappropriate ever happened.

Chris Tucker's girlfriend Azja Pryor is there to support the family and after the interview she takes the children to Neverland while Vinnie takes Janet to a federal office in LA in order to obtain birth certificates of the family that they will need to get visas & passports for a planned trip.

2006 - Visionary: The Video Singles; a series of 20 Michael Jackson's hit singles on video, is released on Europe.


The limited edition cover artwork for the boxset is a photomosaico using images from Michael's career.

2008 - The "Thriller 25" album was released in Japan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michael stepped from the glare of several spotlights to perform, "Your Were There", dressed in black pants and red shirt with white strips tied at his waist and wrist, and white tape covering three fingertips.

Michael's touching tribute brought tears to his idol, who was then battling throat cancer. It was certainly one of the more stationery performances Michael has ever given. With very few of his customary moves, Michael stood relatively still behind the microphone stand delivering the song only a few feet away from Davis. After Michael finished the performance with one hand raised in the air, he walked over to Sammy and hugged him warmly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1980 - Michael attends the 12th Annual NAACP Image Awards at the Hollywood Palladium. The Jacksons won the Best Singing Group of the Year award.

1984 - Filming of the second Pepsi commercial "Concert" concluded at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium.

Real terror struck during the filming when a spark from the bombs [for pyrotechnical effects] set his hair on fire. Michael suffered second and third degree scalp burns.

At 6:00 PM, director Bob Giraldi called for another take of the scene with Michael dancing down the staircase. This was the last scene to be shot after four days of filming. Michael stood at his spot at the top of the stairs, and was told to stand there until the bombs went off this time, then make his descent. So after the pyrotechnics went off, Michael began to dance down the stairs. Suddenly he cried out in pain. A spark from the lightning effects had set his hair on fire. He pulled his jacket up over his head to try to put out the flames. Mass confusion followed. Fans and extras used in the audience were horrified as were his brothers and the crew. Jermaine initially thought Michael had been shot!

The first to reach Michael to help was his personal secretary, Miko Brando, Marlon Brando's son, who quickly extinguish the flames, possibly saving the singer's life. Miko did smother the flames with his hands and suffered burns on his own fingers trying to put out the flames in Michael's hair. A fan from the audience applied an ice pack on the burn.

Michael was rushed to the emergency room of Cedar Sinai Medical Center and was later moved to Brotman Memorial Hospital for treatment. Having been told a barrage of reporters and photographers awaited his arrival at the hospital, Michael told the ambulance attendants that he wanted to wear his glove when he was wheeled into the hospital.

Somewhat badly burned, television news was on alert as Jackson was hospitalized overnight, footage of him being rushed from the ambulance on a stretcher – head bandaged, faced covered, hand glitter-gloved – played at regular intervals, an image that became as much a part of his legend as any of his staged performances.

Michael had suffered a palm sized second degree burn on the back of his head with a smaller third degree burn the size of a half dollar at the center. It was a serious burn that reportedly could have burned through his scalp and killed him. Michael at first refused any pain killers due to his strong disapproval of any drugs. Later, he did give in to the extreme pain and accepted medication.

1986 - "We Are The World" win the "Song of the Year" award at the 14th American Music Awards ceremony held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Ca.

Michael arrives half-way through the American Music Awards ceremony in company of Elizabeth Taylor, dressed in a green khaki uniform that looked like a cross between a Canadian mountie and a school crossing guard.

American Music Award of Appreciation went to Harry Belafonte, who first conceived the idea to create a project for the relief of famine in Ethiopia. On accepting the award, he called Ken Kragen, Quincey Jones, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson up on stage to share the award.

At the show's conclusion, most of the celebrities including Diana Ross, Janet & LaToya, reunited with them on stage to sing "We Are The World".







Following the awards presentation, Michael, with Elizabeth Taylor, joined Lionel Richie and Brenda Richie for dinner. Michael took along his personal chef who prepared him steamed okra.


1989 - Michael played the 123rd and final show of the "Bad" tour at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Michael Jackson's final performance of the Bad World tour. Los Angelese mayor Tom Bradley declared it "Michael Jackson Day" and presented Michael with the proclamation. Several celebrities showed up to wish him farewell. Among them were Raquel Welch, Michael Landon, Phil Collins, Dionne Warwick, Lola Falona, Tiffany, Diahann Carroll, Ava Gardner, and Sidney Poitier. Many of Michael's closest friends were also there; Suzanne dePasse, Sophia Loren, Jane Fonda, and Smokey Robinson. Rebbie, Jackie, Jermaine, Janet and his mother, Katherine, were all there for Michael's final concert performance. Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross also attended the last show. One other very special friend visited Michael backstage that night, Bubbles.

For this performance, Berry Gordy was again in the audience. Michael dedicated the Motown medley to Gordy, and at the end of the show he told the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, there is a man here tonight who helped my career. He is Berry Gordy. Stand up Berry!"

Among the children to join Michael on stage for this final performance was Jimmy Safechuck. Jimmy was dressed as Michael and performed the new sideways moonwalk right along side Michael.

The "Bad" tour broke all existing records and became the biggest tour ever done up to that date. The "Bad" World Tour attendance figures total 4.4 million, making Michael's 16 month tour [September 12, 1987 - January 27, 1989], which played in 15 countries, the largest in history. The tour became also the highest grossing concert tour, grossing over US$ 125 million, more than any other entertainer has ever grossed on a single tour. The BAD tour was the 6th largest tour of the year in the US, playing in only 19 cities, the tour grossed $20.3 million.

Michael will break his "tour records" a couple years later.

During his European leg of the "Bad" tour, Michael was earning UK£ 3'425 a minute. Michael had negotiated a deal worth UK£ 20 million, of which he received 90% of the preceeds from all concerts. After paying his entourage of 140, he was left with profits of around UK£ 400'000 per show.

The Bad World Tour was supposed to end on December 26, 1988, but Michael was forced to postpone five concerts at Memorial Arena in Los Angeles after suffering from swollen vocal chords following his performance there on November 13, 1987. Those final five shows were held between January 16-27, 1989, bringing the massive 16-month odyssey to an end.

Between September 12, 1987 and January 27, 1989, Michael had performed 123 concerts to a total of 4.4 million people, grossing a total of $125 million, a sum that earned him yet another entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. Along the way, he made numerous large charitable donations and frequently invited underprivileged children to see the show for free.

1990 - Michael receives the Entertainer Of The Decade award at the 7th American Cinema Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Ca.



The American Cinema Foundation awarded special honors to three entertainers. Elizabeth Taylor and Gregory Peck were honored for their career achievements in films. The Entertainer of the Decade honor was awarded to Michael Jackson.

Among Michael's guests at the award presentation were Janet, Tito, and Jermaine. The award ceremony was a little late getting started, as Michael showed up two hours late. When he finally showed up, dressed in a red shirt, and black military jacket, Sophia Loren presented Michael with his award, and he gave an incredible three minute speech. "I'm giving a long speech because I'm not on television." In fact, no cameras were allowed to film him. In his speech, Michael spoke of his deep affection for fellow honoree Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor had had similar praise for Michael in her own speech saying she was happy to be honored with "my beloved Michael, whom I would have loved and admired if I had never seen him dance or heard him sing."

2007 - Michael has dinner with UK producer Simon Fuller, Emmy award winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega who choreographed the HIStory tour and US journalist Robin Leach at "Wing Lei" Chinese Restaurant at Wynn in Las Vegas.


Both Michael and Ortega have been associated with Steve Wynn. Michael was often a guest of Wynn's at The Mirage and there was talk that Wynn was bringing Michael back to Las Vegas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The singer declares:

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

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

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

On the album cover, next to the image of a rose, it reads: Michael Jackson gives "special thanks": «This album is dedicated to Benjamin 'Benny' Hermansen. May we continue to remember not to judge man by the color of his skin, but the content of his Character. Benjamin... we love you... may you rest in peace.»

Michael Jackson dedicated his Invincible album to Benjamin. The reason for this has partly to do with the fact that the Holmlia boy Omer Bhatti and Jackson were close friends, and Bhatti was at the same time a good friend of Benjamin Hermansen.

2002 - Michael Jackson's Cry peaked at #2, on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it was held from the top position from Ja Rule and Ashanti's "Always on Time" 2001 single.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1989 - The biggest selling UK album artists of 1988 were:

1. Fleetwood Mac
2. Kylie Minogue
3. Michael Jackson
4. U2
5. Dire Straits

1990 - Michael organizes a festivity for 82 deprived children at his residence via "Childhelp USA, who are offered a tour of the ranch, games to play, a barbeque for meal and a film representation to watch: "The Little Mermaid" and "Back To The Future II".

2009 - Dr Tohme Tohme confirms that Michael has leased a Bel Air mansion for $100000 a month. Tohme Tohme says the pop icon wanted to be closer to "where all the action is" in the entertainment industry.

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.

1977 - The Wiz rehearsals began in New York City.

1979 - The Jacksons perform Destiny tour in New Orleans, United States.

1983 - Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's single "Say, Say, Say/Ode To A Koala Bear" was released in the United Kingdom.

The song was produced by George Martin for McCartney's 5th solo album, Pipes of Peace, became MJ's 7th top 10 hit inside a year. It was a #1 hit in the U.S., Norway, and Sweden, reached #2 in the U.K., and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Certified platinum by the RIAA, the song was promoted with a music video directed by Bob Giraldi. The video, filmed in Santa Ynez Valley, California, featured cameo appearances by Linda McCartney and La Toya Jackson. The short film centers around two con artists called "Mac and Jack" (played by McCartney and Jackson), and is credited for the introduction of dialogue and storyline to music videos.

1987 - Michael performs BAD tour at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.

Issue: 20 of Oor magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

Issue: 40 of Hitkrant magazine [Netherlands] featured Michael on their cover.

1988 - Michael performs BAD tour at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford [US].

1990 - Smash Hits magazine[United Kingdom] featured Michael on the cover with the story: A Day Round Michael Jackson's House!!


1995 - Michael arrives in London to complete work on the soundtrack for the Ghosts Short film.


1996 - In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Michael visits hospitals "Ronald McDonald House" and "AMC", interacts with the patients and distributes toys and other presents to them. A unit from one of the hospitals (for parents who want to be with their children) is named after Jackson.



2007 - Michael's issue of L'Uomo Vogue Magazine hit the newstands in Italy.

1977 - Universal Pictures holds a press conference at Astoria Studios in Queens, NY to announce the making of The Wiz. Michael attends the event with Diana Ross, Nipsey Russel and Ted Ross.



1984 - The Jacksons performs Victory tour at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia [Pennsylvania, USA] attending 60,000 fans.

1987 - Fan Club magazine featured Michael on their cover.



Michael Jackson's I Just Can't Stop Loving You was certified Gold by the RIAA.

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

1990 - Billboard magazine includes a special section commemorating the 10th anniversary of Black Entertainment Television, BET. Among the congratulatory messages is one from Michael Jackson. "I am extremely appreciative of BET's support of my efforts. They have always provided a welcome home for my music".

1992 - Michael arrives in Bucharest to perform a concert on October 1st at Lia Manoliu Stadium.


Armed guards are dumbfounded as 2,000 fans wait all day in the cold at Bucharest's Otopeni Airport to greet Michael on his arrival. Until this day, this kind of teenage pop hysteria and VIP treatment for a pop singer has never been seen in Romania.

1996 - Michael performs HIStory tour at Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam [The Netherlands] attending 50,000 fans.