Showing posts with label 1997. Show all posts

1997 - Michael arrives in Paris, France at the Grévin Wax Museum for the inauguration of his wax figure there.

A huge legion of fans welcome the singer, that the Grands Boulevards had to be closed off by the police, in collaboration with the Grévin Museum. After greeting the excited crowd and signing autographs to fans for over 10 minutes, Jackson and his entourage enter the Museum. French mime, Marcel Marceau makes a surprise appearance at the unveiling of Jackson’s wax figure and performs a panthomime act for the entertainer. He imprints his hands in clay, as well as offers one of his “HIStory” triple platinum record to the Museum. On exiting the building, Jackson once again greets his many admirers and signs autographs for more than 15 minutes. Melissa, a young girl brought by he parents beyond the safety barriers, runs to him happily and hands him a photo to be autographed. He dedicates the photo to the girl and she runs off, only to return to him three more times, Jackson eventually taking her in his arms and waiting for her parents to take a picture. He also acknowledges a fan in wheelchair, bends down to her level and signs an autograp, after which reaches out to kiss her both cheeks.

1997 - Sony Music presented Michael with a special award to signify sales of 100 million singles and albums OUTSIDE of the United States, since his first solo album for Epic Records in 1979, "Off The Wall".

1971 - The single "Mama's Pearl," by the Jackson 5, hit #2 in the U.S.

1980 - Michael Jackson won the Best R & B Vocal Performance, Male award for Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards. The award was his first Grammy.

Michael was greatly disappointed that Off The Wall did not win Record of the Year or Album of the Year (losing to the Doobie Brothers and Billy Joel, respectively) and vowed the next album would not be overlooked in the same way.

1984 - MTV previewed the two 60 second PEPSI GENERATION commercials free of charge.

Jingle based on Billie Jean, which accompanied Michael’s first sponsorship deal with Pepsi Cola in 1984. Pepsi campaign ‘The Choice of a New Generation’ launched at the Lincoln Center, New York. Launch attended by 1,600 people; the programme for the evening came with a 7” promo of Michael’s re-working of Billie Jean, for the advertising campaign.

1997 - ABC-TV aired "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth." Michael Jackson had performed on the show that was taped on February 16, 1997.

1979 – The Jacksons perform their Destiny Tour at Carre Theater in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

1983 - Beat It enters the Pop Singles Chart.

Michael is on the Record Mirror magazine [UK]


1984 - Michael attends the premiere of the two Jacksons Pepsi commercials at Pepsi Bottlers Convention at Lincoln Center in New York City.


1993 - Michael is on Entertainment Weekly.

1997 - At the 39th Grammy Awards edition held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, "Earth Song" is nominated for the "Best Short Form Music Video"

2002 - Michael Jackson's Neverland Entertainment invested $ 15 million - $ 20 million in Mark Damon's production and distribution company MDP Worldwide, making Michael and his new producing partner Raju Patel major shareholders in the company.

Michael Jackson showed up along with longtime friend Elizabeth Taylor and "Rush Hour" helmer Brett Ratner to tout the deal. Until his arrival, it was not clear whether Michael Jackson would show up at the event, but suddenly he appeared from a nearby dining room and entered the dinner tent to a standing ovation, arm in arm with Elizabeth Taylor.

After making it to their thronelike chairs onstage, Michael Jackson took to the microphone and explained his decision to invest in MDP and enter the independant film business. "I dream great dreams," Michael Jackson said.

"Everything I've achieved started with a dream, and of all the dreams, this is the one I am most passionate about. The painter paints, the sculptor sculpts, but they just capture a glimpse of life - of the subject. And film, this medium, you live with the protagonist, you suffer with the protagonist, you laugh with the protagonist, you despair with the protagonist. It's the most artistic, influential medium of all. I am very proud of what we're doing, and I promise you wonderful and fantastical things to come."

After his onstage appearance, the notoriously shy King of Pop elaborated in an interview about his plans for Neverland Pictures. He said he will be involved in all aspects of the company, such as reading scripts, plucking talent and directing. "I have a lot to express in film," Michael Jackson said, revealing that his favorite movie is "To Kill a Mockingbird." "I'll be doing the whole thing, behind and in front [of the camera]. I love it."

Michael Jackson's Neverland Entertainment invest $ 15 million - $ 20 million in Mark Damon's production and distribution company, MDP Worldwide, making Jackson and his new producing partner, Raju Patel, major shareholders in the company. Michael Jackson appears along with longtime friend, Elizabeth Taylor, and "Rush Hour" helmer, Brett Ratner to tout the deal. The entertainer explains his decision to invest in MDP and enter the independant film business. "I dream great dreams," says Jackson. "Everything I've achieved started with a dream, and of all the dreams, this is the one I am most passionate about. The painter paints, the sculptor sculpts, but they just capture a glimpse of life - of the subject. And film, this medium, you live with the protagonist, you suffer with the protagonist, you laugh with the protagonist, you despair with the protagonist. It's the most artistic, influential medium of all. I am very proud of what we're doing, and I promise you wonderful and fantastical things to come."

1972 - Michael Jackson's cover version of "Rockin' Robin" was released as the second single from his 1972 first solo album titled Got to Be There.

The song hadn't originally been scheduled as a single, and it was only after radio djs started playing the song from Michael's first LP, Got to Be There, that Motown decided to release it as the second single, instead of of "I Wanna Be Where You Are." The djs who has originally played the album cut in the first place probably chose it because it was a familiar song to them, having first been released as a single back by Bobby Day back in 1958, the year Michael was born. Also on the B-side was "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone", another cover from The Supremes' #1 smash.

It was the biggest hit from the album, peaking at number two on the Hot 100 and R&B charts.

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

1976 - The Jackson 5, minus Jermaine, take part in a couple of skits and perform 'Forever Came Today' on Rich Little Show. In the same show "Welcome Back Kotter" spoof with Rich Little as Kotter and the Jacksons as The Sweathogs; and "Duck Soup" spoof with Rich Little and all the Jacksons playing Groucho Marx simultaneously.

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

1997 - Michael Jackson performs at a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor for her AIDS benefit concert titled "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth" in Los Angeles, California.

Elizabeth Taylor, who is facing surgery soon for a bening brain tumour, celebrated her 65th birthday in her characteristic glamour at a black-tie gala "Happy Birthday Elizabeth - A Celebration Of Life" at Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, with a star-studded cast of well-wishers. Michael, arrived as Liz's escort for the evening and sat by her side throughout. Michael was making his first appearance since the recent birth of his first son, whose godmother is Taylor. Michael sang Elizabeth, I Love You", which he wrote especially for the occasion.

Michael gave a markedly sparse performance with out his usual pyrotechnics, props or supporting cast, with the exception of a child actress appearing at the beginning of the number who was representing Taylor as a girl.

The tribute aired on February 27, 1997 by ABC – TV

2004 - Michael, Grace, the kids, Omer Bhatti & Dr Sebi arrive in Old Snowman in Colorado where Michael has rented the Meanwhile ranch (close to Aspen).

2005 - Katherine, Joe & Jermaine visit Michael at the hospital before he goes back to Neverland to rest.

1979 - The Jacksons perform a concert in Sheffield, UK on Destiny tour.

1984 - Feb. 13, issue of People magazine featured Michael on the cover, became the publication's third best selling issue ever.


1989 - Just two weeks after the end of the Bad World Tour, Michael fired manager Frank DiLeo, a former executive at Epic Records, who had been with him since 1984.

Despite his success at the helm of the Victory and Bad tours, and in negotiating endorsement deals with Pepsi, DiLeo had also failed to get Moonwalker into North American theaters, despite high demand. It is also thought Michael blamed DiLeo for being behind his wacky Tabloid image, despite the fact that subjects like the oxygen chamber and Elephant Man skeleton had been Michael’s ideas.

The firing had immediate repercussions when Michael was convinced by his family to perform concerts with his brothers in South Korea by the Moonie religious organization, who had literally offered a million-dollar reward to any family member who could convince Michael to do them.

The shows, scheduled for August 1989, never happened, and subsequent lawsuits and counter-suits proved to be more trouble than the deal was worth. DiLeo had been the one in the past to shield Michael from his family’s opportunistic demands, and had even turned down the same million-dollar offer from the Moonie’s representative to negotiate Michael’s part in the concerts.

Michael later rehired Frank DiLeo in 2009.

“Leave Me Alone” is the eighth single released from the BAD album on February 13, 1989. It is only released in Australia and Europe and not in U.S. and reaches #1 in the United Kingdom.

On January 2, 1989, video for the single premieres on MTV and is a unique blend of live action and animation, combining a small carnival animal setting with Jackson crusing around in a small plane, and verbally poking fun at the false rumors about him such as the stories about him purchasing the bones of The Elephant Man, sleeping in a hyperbanic chamber, devoting a shrine for actress and friend, Elizabeth Taylor, or his cosmetic surgeries. Newspapers are thrown on a doorstep carrying outrageous titles: “Michael’s Space Age Diet”, “Bubbles The Chimp Bares All About Michael”, “Michael Proposes To Liz”, “Michael To Marry Brooke”; “Michael’s Cosmetic Nose Surgery”; “Michael and Diana Same Person”; “Jackson’s Third Eye Starts Sunglass Fad”, “Michael Weds Alien”; “Michael Frozen For 50 Years”, “Michael Confides To Pet Chimp”, “Michael Sleeps In Hyperbanic Chamber”. The song’s lyrics are mainly addressed to the media: “Leave me alone, stop it / Just stop dogging me around”, while cruising by an image of his ‘shrine’ to Elizabeth Taylor, lying in his hyperbanic chamber and dancing next to the Elephant Man’s bones. The closing part of the video features Jackson freeing himself from the enormous ties of fame holding him down.

1993 – Michael Jackson is on Lookin magazine, UK.



1997 - Michael Jackson's wife Debbie Rowe gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Michael was present at his son's birth. The boy is named Prince Michael Junior Jackson. According to MTV News the birth time was 1:07 am [PST].

The day that Prince was born Michael was filming the video for Blood On The Dance Floor. Michael Lee Bush: "Michael left before we totally finished because Prince was being born, the look in Michael's eyes when he got the warning it was starting to happen...... unforgettable,, damn see you made me start to cry again,...."

Yannick Allain (one of Michael's bodyguards from the 90s): "My first time in a maternity ward was not for my child but for Michael's. Michael invited us into to the room to introduce Prince to Me and Wayne. We both gave him a hug to congratulate him and all I could remember noticing was the look on Michael's face. The look of absolute pride. I had never seen him looking calm and yet so confident and happy without saying a word. At that moment I think I felt that kinship of manhood, that only comes from becoming a father. A wonderful moment."

A happy, but concerned Jackson issues the following statement regarding his becoming a parent, one of his most ardent wishes:

"Words can't describe how I feel... I have been blessed beyond comprehension and I will work tirelessly at being the best father that I can possibly be. I appreciate that my fans are elated, but I hope that everyone respects the privacy Debbie and I want and need for our son. I grew up in a fish bowl and will not allow that to happen to my child. Please respect our wishes and give my son his privacy."

Prince is the first of two children he would have with Rowe before their divorce on October 8, 1999. With the end of the marriage, Michael retained custody of the children, which Rowe signed away in exchange for a settlement.

2002 - It was announced that Michael Jackson, Sting, Barry Manilow and Randy Newman are amongst the latest names to be inducted into the "Songwriters Hall of Fame".

The songwriters will be honored during the "33rd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame" induction ceremony and dinner in June, at Manhattan's Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.

A songwriter must have been a "professional" for over 20 years and penned a significant canon of music to be included in the coveted list.

1971 - Almost two weeks before the Jackson 5 returned to Gary, Mayor of the City of Gary, Indiana, Richard Gordon Hatcher, honored Jackson 5 by issuing a proclamation changing the name of the street they had once lived on from "Jackson Street" to be "Jackson 5 Boulevard" for the week of January 25, 1971 though January 31, 1971, and encouraged citizens to give those young men a warm welcome back to Gary.
When the Jacksons landed in on January 31, they were presented with the new street signs in front of their old house at 2300 Jackson Street.
Source: j5collector

1975 - Michael Jackson performed We're Almost There on American Bandstand


1975 - The Jacksons could be seen demonstrating parts of their family revue act on their second appearance on the Carol Burnett Show. Fans tuning in were treated to a funky lip-synch to Life of the Party from the recent Dancing Machine album, but also got a taste to what their parents and grandparents were getting in places like Las Vegas, with a tribute to vocal groups of the past; Mills Brothers, Andrews Sisters, Supremes, Sonny and Cher.


1985 - Ken Kragen chaired a production meeting for We Are The World, at a bungalow off Sunset Boulevard. There, Kragen and his team addressed where the song would be completed by the supergroup of musicians. He stated,

"The single most damaging piece of information is where we're doing this. If that shows up anywhere, we've got a chaotic situation that could totally destroy the project. The moment a Prince, a Michael Jackson, a Bob Dylan—I guarantee you!—drives up and sees a mob around that studio, he will never come in."

On the same night, Quincy Jones' associate producer and vocal arranger, Tom Bahler, was given the task of matching each solo line with the right voice. Bahler stated, "It's like vocal arranging in a perfect world". Jones disagreed, stating that the task was like "putting a watermelon in a Coke bottle". The following evening, Lionel Richie held a "choreography" session at his home, where it was decided who would stand where.

1988 - Michael's Bad was chosen as the Favorite Soul/R&B Single at the 15th Annual American Music Awards, hosted by Whitney Houston, Barbara Mandrell, Mick Fleetwood, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Smokey Robinson, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles California. He was also nominated for Favorite Male Artist - Pop / Rock.

1993 - Michael opens the 20th American Music Awards ceremony with a performance of "Dangerous" at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Ca.

Michael glitters in American Music Award winning two trophies and his third special award Monday at the 20th annual American Music Awards.

For the 20th annual American Music Awards, presented on Monday, Michael had 5 nominations. But the audience got to see him before any winners were announced as he opened the award presentation with yet another dazzling performance of his Dangerous album title track. A man dropped to the floor from machine gun fire, revealing Michael standing directly behind him. Dressed in a black suit with spats and a fedora, Michael joined several dancers in a Smooth Criminal flavored performance of Dangerous featuring his usual fascinating choreography with plenty of crotch grabbing and carefully timed sound effects.

Michael won Favorite Soul/R&B Single for Remember The Time. He came from back stage to accept the award, having taken his hair down, and removing his tie. In accepting the award, he acknowledged the fans in the balcony:

Thank you very much. I love you up there. I'd like to thank everyone at Sony Music, especially Mr. Morita, Mickey Schulhof, Tommy Mattola, Dave Glew, Bruce Swedian, Quincey jones, Sandy Gallin, Jim Morey, and of course, all my fans. I love you.

Amidst the performances and award presentations, Elizabeth Taylor, recovered from a respiratory infection, returned to public life by presenting Michael's honorary award. She announced the recipient of the first ever International Artist Award narrating a video tribute to Michael featuring footage from his videos and live performances from both the Bad and Dangerous tours. She then introduced a taped message from another of Michael's friends and fans, Eddie Murphy:

Hi, Michael. Knowing how uncomfortable you feel when someone says something nice to you right up in your face, I went 3,000 miles away to do this. Now, the inscription on your award says, 'In recognition of his record-breaking international concert tours, and his album sales, and his heartfelt efforts to make this world a better place, the American Music Awards presents its first International Artist Award to Michael Jackson January 25, 1993.' In addition the American Music Awards are proud to announce that when the award is given in the future, it will be known as 'The Michael Jackson International Artist Award.' So, congratulations Michael, I know you better be smiling from ear to ear. I know you better smile bigger than that, I want to see gums! Congratulations.

Elizabeth Taylor then called Michael to the stage from his front row seat at the Shrine Auditorium. He had now changed into a black leather jacket and removed his sunglasses before going on stage. The crowd was on their feet and cheering as Michael began to speak. Michael used the stage to spread a message of love:

I love you very much, Elizabeth Taylor. Teddy Riley, you are a genius. Thank you Eddie, thank you all my friends. Traveling the world has been a great education for me and if there is one insight I've had it is this, wherever you go, in every country, on every continent, people yearn and hunger for only one thing, to love and be loved. Love transcends international boundaries and it heals the wounds of hatred, racial prejudice, bigotry, and ignorance. It is the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation. I would also like to thank God, and my mother and father, Katherine and Joseph Jackson. Thank you once again, I love you all.

Michael, who had now removed the black leather jacket came from the wings and was brief in his acceptance. "I really wasn't expecting to win. Thank you again Teddy Riley, the public, I love you very much. Thank you."

Having won in two of the five categories in which he was nominated and being named the International Artist of the Year, Michael was the night's big winner. Michael also received an honorary Merit award in 1984 and an Achievement award in 1989. He now has 14 of the awards in competitive categories.

1996 - Michael Jackson was named Hype Of The Year in "Rolling Stone's" Critics Poll.

Michael goes to The Motown Cafe in New York with his make-up artist Karen Faye.

1997 - Michael waves 85% of the $5 to $6 million ticket receipts from a concert held on November 1, 1996 in Bombay, India, and donates 1,1 million dollars to a local NGO educating children dwelling in slums - "Shiv Udyog Sena" - the sum also helping to create jobs for 270,000 young unemployed people in the state of Maharashtra, Bombay; on arriving in Bombay, the singer asks to stop in order to converse with children playing in the crowded slums for 20 minutes, according to Indian journalist, Hema Shukla.

2002 - Michael's INVINCIBLE album goes two times Multi Platinum in the USA with sales over 2 million. INVINCIBLE was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Regina Jones interviewed Michael for the March 2002 issue of Vibe magazine at his Neverland Valley Ranch in Los Olivos.

2006 - Michael is spotted shopping in Manama.

Michael, disguised as a Bahraini woman, wears an abaya, the traditional Arabic women's veil and all-covering gown, a white shirt and men’s shoes. His head and face were wrapped in a black veil and he also wore black gloves.

He was accompanied by Blanket, Prince, Paris & Grace, was seen leaving Marina Mall in the Bahrain capital, holding Blanket by the hand. On the way out a back door, he shook hands with security guards.

1976 - A week after Michael gave his deposition, the versatility in the appeal of the Jackson 5 was evidenced by two separate television appearances that happened to be broadcast on the same day, Saturday, January 24, 1976. In the afternoon, they could be seen as the featured guests in their fourth appearance on Soul Train.

That night, they made their third appearance on the Carol Burnett Show. Carol sings Anybody Named Jackson Is a Friend of Mine in this ninth-season episode of her long-running CBS variety show, only to be joined by five people named Jackson- the Jackson Five- who launch into Forever Came Today. Michael and his brothers return later in the show to perform Body Language with Vicki. Other highlights include the skit "Washington *****" (with Harvey as a senator, Carol as his unpredictable wife and Tim Conway as his campaign manager) and "Swiped Life" (a spoof of A Stolen Life, the 1946 Bette Davis-Glenn Ford movie about twins, one naughty, one nice). The closing number features Carol's Charwoman cleaning up a three-ring circus, pretending to be the star of various acts. She is joined in pantomime by legendary clown Emmett Kelly, who takes a seat while she signs "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Look for the Silver Lining."

The group was still performing under the name "Jackson 5″ for the time being, while they waited for their contract to expire in March.

1979 - The Jacksons kick off the European leg of the Destiny World Tour in Germany with 3 concerts in Bremen.

The Jacksons performing Blame It On The Boogie

1984 - The shooting of the first Pepsi commercial began.

Michael & The Jacksons shoot a Pepsi commercial named Street directed by Bob Giraldi and featuring the group dancing in the street with a bunch of kids, including Alfonso Ribeiro & Siggy Jackson on a Pepsi version of Billie Jean.

One of the children is dressed as Michael from his Beat It video and is imitating moves when he moonwalks into the real thing. Young Alfonso Ribeiro looks absolutely astonished as he looks up into the eyes of the real Michael Jackson. The commercial ends with Alfonso and his friends joining Michael and the rest of the Jackson brothers in song and dance:

You're a whole new generation You're dancing' through the day You're grabbin' for the magic on the run You're whole new generation You're loving what you do Put a Pepsi into motion The choice is up to you Hey Hey you're the Pepsi Generation Guzzle down and taste the thrill of the day And feel the Pepsi way Taste the thrill of the day And feel the Pepsi way You're a whole new generation

The US$ 5 million endorsement contract was signed on November 11, 1983 between Michael Jackson, The Jacksons and Pepsi-Cola, involving sponsorship of the "Victory" tour and two TV commercials.

Michael lent his music to Billie Jean for use in the commercial, helped write the Pepsi lyrics, and performed the new jingle in the ad, but had it stated in his contract with Pepsi that he would not be filmed drinking, or even holding a bottle of Pepsi. It become a well known fact that Michael doesn't drink Pepsi. He has long been vegetarian and only eats and drinks natural foods. Bottled water, fruit juice, and carrot juice being among the few things he does drink.

1985 - After a day of rest, Jones shipped Richie and Jackson's vocal guide to all of the artists who would be involved in "We Are the World"'s recording. Enclosed in the package was a letter from Jones, addressed to "My Fellow Artists":

The cassettes are numbered, and I can't express how important it is not to let this material out of your hands. Please do not make copies, and return this cassette the night of the 28th. In the years to come, when your children ask, 'What did mommy and daddy do for the war against world famine?', you can say proudly, this was your contribution.

1989 - After only 2 weeks on release, "Moonwalker" is reported to have outsold "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller". With this, Michael broke his own record, pushing "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" to the second position. Up to today, "Moonwalker" is the biggest-selling music video of all time followed by "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" as the second biggest-selling music video of all time.

With this, Michael made history again. He holds the top 2 positions for the most selling music videos of all time.

1997 - Michael spends few days resting at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, France


2007 - Michael has dinner with casino mogul Steve Wynn in a private room at Alex restaurant at the Wynn in Las Vegas as speculation grows the King of Pop will launch a comeback in Las Vegas.

Michael's friendship with Wynn, who transformed Siegfried and Roy into international stars with a performance at The Mirage - dates back decades. Michael was often a guest of Wynn at The Mirage, there were even talks to him to bring the singer to Las Vegas.

1971 - The Jackson 5 attend the Salute to Muhammad Ali charity held at Hollywood Palladium, to raise money for the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade.


1973 - The song Melodie was recorded by Michael Jackson, but it remained unreleased until it appeared – newly mixed – on Michael's album, FAREWELL MY SUMMER LOVE.

1976 - Michael and his brothers all gave sworn depositions in the Jackson 5′s counter-suit against Motown records. Recounting his private meeting with Berry Gordy nine months earlier, he described it as one of the most difficult things he had ever done in his life.

1997 - Michael stayed two weeks in the Tower Suite at the Montreux Palace in Montreux, Switzerland to complete work on his album Blood On The Dance Floor.

Every day, he went to the Mountain Studios where he recorded the album. No way for him to pass by incognito, in his big limousine, surrounded by body guards!

The King of pop music liked Switzerland for having there all the calmness he needed for the recording of part of his album Blood on the Dance Floor. The album was produced while Michael traveled the globe on his HIStory World Tour. Thus, the songs were produced in a variety of countries that included Sweden, Switzerland and Germany.

After a divorce and a re-marriage, Michael records Blood on the Dance floor in the Mountain Studios in Montreux. It was the calm of this city which decided Michael Jackson to come and work in Montreux. The news of Michael's presence in town was spread out very quickly, and fans from all over Europe came to Montreux: They tried to see him day and night, gathering at the entrance of Montreux Palace and desperately hoping for a photo or an autograph, or just to see him. But Michael often used hidden doors or accesses for employees and soon disappeared in a limousine with dark windows.

During his stay in Montreux, Michael Jackson wanted to acquire the house owned by the Chaplin family, former long-time residence of Charlie Chaplin, but his offer to buy the property was declined by the heirs of the famous artist.


2003 - Michael pays a last respect to Bee Gee's Maurice Gibb.

Gibb, 53, died on January 12 after suffering cardiac arrest shortly before undergoing emergency surgery on a blocked intestine. Gibb's private funeral was held at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel in Miami Beach at noon and was followed by a cremation service.

The private funeral service for Maurice Gibb was attended by family and close friends, including his fraternal bandmates, twin brother Robin Gibb and Barry Gibb, Michael Jackson and Gibb's first wife, singer-actress Lulu.

An hour after the official funeral Barry and Michael went to the coffin to honor Maurice for the last time. Michael was wearing a turquoise suit and went in quickly protected by a black umbrella to show his friend the last respect.

Michael Jackson is a close friend of the Gibb family, and had been working on a song with the Bee Gees just prior to Maurice's sudden illness.

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.

1997 - Michael ended the first leg of his "HIStory" tour in Honolulu, Hawaii. The two concerts held on January 3 and 4 at the 35'000-seat Aloha Stadium made history - no other musical act ever sold out the stadium, and Michael sold out 2 shows in less than 24 hours, a record time. It's his first U.S. tour stop since 1989. Hawaii promoter Tom Moffatt said: "I've never seen anything like it... there's been nothing even close to this - The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Julio Iglesias, The Eagles... ."

2000 - MTV Asia celebrated the end of the Millennium in a big way by selecting and airing the Top 2000 music videos and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was chosen as the # 1 Video by MTV Asia. MTV Asia aired all 2000 videos on their "Top 2000 Playlist" countdown with Michael leading at the number one position!

2005 - On behalf of his family and himself, Michael Jackson releases a statement on his website concerning the 9.1 Mw undersea megathrust earthquake and tsunami disaster which occurred on December 26, 2004, affecting Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Maldives and killing over 230,000 people from fourteen countries. "My family and I would like to send our prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of those who recently perished from the horrific earthquake and tsunami, which swept through Indonesia, Asia, India, Somalia and other countries”, Jackson declares. "Our love is also being sent to those who have miraculously survived this tragedy and to those who are so courageously on-site, helping to spearhead the relief efforts. We pray for your strength, your safety and the success of your life-saving missions of love. Words cannot adequately express the shock, horror and grief we've felt, while watching news reports which have captured the massive devastation and despair. It has been especially painful for me, as I have visited these areas many times and I remember the love, kindness and warmth of the people I met there”, he also declares. I would like to encourage all of my friends, and fans, to contribute to agencies and organizations assisting in these efforts. In times like these, we need each other... we must bond together in spirit and in service. God Bless. Sincerely, Michael Jackson".

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform a concert at the Mobile Municipal Auditorium in Mobile, Alabama, which closed out the Holiday Tour. Tickets were priced at $4.00, $5.00, and $6.00.

1972 - Michael Jackson's first solo single "Got to Be There" was released in UK following its successful tenure in US (released: October 7, 1971). The single, written by Elliot Willensky and produced by longtime Jackson 5 producer Hal Davis, was an immediate success. It reached #5 position in the UK Singles Chart, where it landed #4 on both the Billboard pop and R&B charts and #1 on the Cashbox singles chart.

1997 - As part of his HIStory world tour, Michael Jackson performed at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, US attending 35,000 fans. It was Michael's first U.S. performance since the BAD world tour of 1989.

2001 - News broke that Michael will attend a debate at New York City's Carnegie Hall on Valentines Day '01 - benefiting his newly founded charity "Heal The Kids" - what a great start into the new year for Michael Jackson fans!!

1970 - The Jackson 5 perform a concert in Miami Beach, Florida during the winter tour

1972 - Jackson 5 in concert in Greenville, South Carolina

1988 - A U.K. TV compilation, "Love Songs," hit #15 in the U.K. The work was credited to Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

Michael Jackson and Bono shared first place in an American poll of "The Most Beautiful Lips"

1989 - Leave Me Alone, the 7th video from BAD premiered on MTV.

The music video for Leave Me Alone, was directed by Jim Blashfield and Paul Diener and also featured in the 1988 film Moonwalker. Leave Me Alone, a unique blend of live action and animation, combined a small animated carnival setting with Michael cruising around in a small plane. With the use of special effects and humor, Michael confronts the press and the ridiculous stories that has been printed about him.

The amusement park in the video, consists of stylistically crude images based around Jackson's successful career since 1982's Thriller, with emphasis on the tabloid view of Jackson's personal life and public image, referring to the nickname "Wacko Jacko" given to him by the press, and the various headlines associated with him in the 1980s. Lampooning rumours that he tried to purchase Joseph Merrick's bones, Jackson dances with stop motion "Elephant Man" bones in the video. This particular segment (without the image of the bones) was used for the single's cover art, and the boneless video segment was featured in Moonwalker trailer.

In the video, there are images of shrines to actress Elizabeth Taylor, a real life close friend of Jackson. Throughout the video newspaper headlines, published by "National Intruder", with bizarre titles are shown, such as "Michael's Space-Age Diet" and "Michael Proposes to Liz". Another notable scene in the music video was a nose being chased by a surgical scalpel, which was reference to Jackson's plastic surgery being criticized by the media. At the end of the video, it is revealed that a gigantic Jackson himself is the amusement park. He breaks free, tearing the park to pieces. That scene is a somewhat reminiscent of Gulliver's Travels, where Gulliver eventually breaks free from the Lilliputians' grasp from Lilliput.

Leave Me Alone was the recipient of multiple nominations for its music video. The video won a Grammy Award in 1990 for Best Short Form Music Video at the 32nd Grammy Awards. The video also received 6 nominations at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year, Viewers' Choice, Breakthrough Video, Best Editing and Best Art Direction; the video won Best Special Effects.

1997 - Michael arrives in Hawaii where he is welcomed by 150 local dancers + 200 fans. He soons joins Joe & Katherine who came especially for him.

Michael is greeted with what the local people there call "The Aloha Spirit", at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, where he stayed for four nights. witnessing hula dancers, smiling, watching village guards, children performers speaking, including father Joe Jackson and publicist, Bob Jones.

"His plane came in for he and his immediate party then there was a plane just for his crew, then there were two -- those he Russian cargo planes, biggest planes in the world. Carrying his equipment" said Concert Promoter Tom Moffatt.

"He brought in a tank.... an army tank that came on stage that was part of the show (laugh)"

Jackson spent most of his time in his hotel suite on the 14th floor, *Alii* tower suite 1402. Fans camped out underneath his room day and night.

Wherever Jackson went while in the islands he created frenzy, with the crowds being star-struck. "He came out on the lanai and waved," Lani Bjork is the head of hotel security said. "You could hear that wave of 'Michael! Michael!' throughout the evening."

More than 60,000 people packed into Aloha Stadium those two nights with long lines of fans standing in the rain to see one of the best shows ever staged in the islands.
Wherever Jackson went while in the islands he created frenzy, with the crowds being star-struck.

2004 - CBS aired the special "Michael Jackson Number Ones" featuring many young artists speaking about Michael's influence.

1978 - The Jacksons released their third album on the Epic label, DESTINY, on December 17, 1978. Having parted ways with the Gamble & Huff production team (1977’s Goin’ Places was a poor seller), Michael and his brothers had more creative control than ever.

Destiny album eventually peaked at #11 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and #3 on the Billboard Black Albums chart and went on to platinum status cementing it as the first RIAA-certified platinum seller by the Jacksons as most of their Motown recordings were uncertifiable despite their huge success on the charts, and over 2 million copies worldwide.

A party was held to celebrate the album's success and to present the group with a platinum copy of Destiny. Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley declared "Jacksons Day" and a celebration was held in a bank vault specially equipped with a dance floor at the City National Bank of Beverly Hills, Michael's date for the occasion was Tatum O'Neal, his first real love, as Michael says, "after Diana."

All of the songs on Destiny, with the exception of one, was written by the Jacksons, or by Michael and Randy. Michael and Randy wrote together most often because they were the only two brothers still living at home. The only song on the album that was not written by the Jacksons was the first single, "Blame It On The Boogie", which was co-written by Michael Jackson. This Michael Jackson however, is white and from England. Despite its catchy disco beat and lyrics, "Blame It On The Boogie" reached only a disappointing #54 on the pop singles chart. The single did however, reach #3 on the black singles chart.

The most successful single from Destiny was the 2nd release, "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground", co-written by Michael and Randy, became a signature tune of the disco age. This infectious dance tune peaked at #7 on the pop singles chart and #3 on the black singles chart. Michael, in a rare interview for a radio program, recalled writing the song with Randy. "Randy was going around the house humming a tune and I liked it. I asked him what it was and he said, 'It's nothing.' I said, 'No, it's something.'" Michael went on to write the melody and lyrics for "Shake Tour Body". "I don't know where it came from. God, I say."

"Through the ages, the peacock has been honoured and praised for its attractive, illustrious beauty. In all the bird family, the peacock is the only species that integrates all colours into one, and displays this radiance of fire only when in love. We like the peacock, try to integrate all races into one, through the love and power of music." [from dedication also included on "Triumph" written by Michael and Jackie Jackson for Peacock Productions]

1988 - Michael perform 4th of 9 dates at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo during the Japanese leg of Bad tour.

1992 - Michael perform 3rd of 8 dates at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo during the Japanese leg of Dangerous tour attending 45,000 fans.

1996 - Michael perform HIStory concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo dattending 45,000 fans.

1997 - Michael visits british boxer Prince Naseem at a gymnasium in New York. While in New York, he meets Puff Daddy to speak of a possible collaboration together.

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 Savannah, Georgia

1996 - Michael performs a concert at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia attending 110,000 fans.

1997 - Michael once again come to (South) Korea for an unofficial private visit, where he tours the Jeju Island.


Upon viewing the island, he exclaims: “If I can, I would really want to live in this paradise place in the world.” “If the island was given to me”, he jokes, “I would make my performances here. It would be great if I can buy the whole island, I want here to be my holiday resort.” The second time that the entertainer will arrive in South Korea will be in 1999 for his ‘Michael Jackson and Friends’ special benefit concert. Through a SBS TV live broadcast that year, he will state that “If ever North and South Korea reunify, I will come back to South Korea on that day and put up a memorable performance.”

2009 - Michael Jackson won four American Music Awards. The awards were for:
Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist
Favorite Pop/Rock Album - Number Ones
Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist
Favorite Soul/R&B Album - Number Ones
The 2009 Awards took place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Jermaine Jackson accepted the awards on behalf of Michael.


2010 - Michael Jackson's "Vision" was released.

Michael Jackson's Vision available in a limited edition deluxe DVD box set featured 4.5 hours of content across three DVDs with more than 40 music videos which recognises Jackson's pioneering short films that transformed the entertainment industry with timeless, pop culture classics, including ten music videos previously unavailable on DVD and never-before-released "One More Chance".

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".