1970 - Michael is on the cover of Soul magazine.

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1975 - Michael's single Just A Little Bit Of You hit #23 in the U.S Pop Singles Chart, became his biggest solo hit in 3 years. The single was released from Michael's 4th album Forever, Michael, released when he was 16 years old.

Written by: Brian Holland & Edward Holland, Jr. Producer by: Hal Davis

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

1988 - Michael performs Bad World tour at Camp Nou stadium, Barcelona, Spain.

2001 - In a Los Angeles dance studio, Michael starts rehearsing a medley with his 5 brothers for the upcoming New York concerts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1970 - The Jackson 5 are on the cover of Jet magazine for the first time.

The Jackson father admitted that his sons' success is a dream come true for him... The group didn't spring to instant success without working for it. When Michael was three the group won a local talent show singing the Temptation's hit, My Girl. Through the years they appeared in talent shows and sang at affairs in the Midwest.

Featured Article Will Success Spoil The Jackson Five?

1974 - The Jackson 5 appear in concert in Huntsville, Alabama.

1988 - Michael Jackson performed to a capacity audience of 60,000 in Madrid, Spain (Bad Tour).

1994 - Jackson and then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, visit two children’s facilities in Budapest, Hungary, distributing 2,600 toys to the afflicted patients, while "HTWF", along with partners "Toys 'R' Us" and "AmeriCares", distribute 20,000-dollar-worth toys, food and provisions suchlike therein.

The newly married were joined by Misha, a 74-inch dwarf who has already been recognized in the circus world as the smallest man in the world. Misha is a longtime friend of Michael & he was involved in the shooting of the clip of Jackson. Misha (as you can see the cover of "Dangerous" and the "teaser" from the same album) has submitted following the couple with two huge bouquets of flowers. They then visited all three in two hospitals to distribute gifts to some 200 children.

Author of "Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary", Adrian Grant, also present at the facilities, remembers a highlight of this event 10 years later in an interview for a fan magazine:

"During the visit, the most amazing thing happened, when Michael brought a smile on the face of a dying 8-year old girl who had lain motionless and silent for weeks. Her mother, at her side in constant vigil, broke down in tears as her daughter reached out & touched Michael's hand. Sounds like a miracle! It was great to see the positive effect Michael’s superstar status could have on a person...", says Grant.

They also visited the hospital Pal Heim, a building that was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1896. Lisa Marie then took her in his arms alternately Csilla including several children, a girl aged two years. They were equally well received at Bethesda Hospital, also located in Budapest where they meet Bela Farkas, a little boy in need of a transplant, a boy of four who can survive only if undergoing a liver transplant, an operation that can be made in the West.

They then visited some antique shops and record stores.

By late afternoon, Michael decided to return to the Bethesda hospital to review the little Bela Farkas. Moved by his story they decide to fiance his operation that will save his life, then promised the director of the hospital to do what it takes to help this child to be cared for. He also promised to offer the Bethesda hospital air conditioning and a respirator for this clinic, one of whose specialties is to treat lung diseases. These commitments were the singer confirmed two days later by the spokesman for Michael, who said it would pay U.S. $ 150,000 for the small to undergo the transplant that saved his life.

1996 - A special screening of Michael Jackson's film "Ghosts" was shown at the opening night of the 1997 Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in California. Bruce Fessier described the festivities in an article published in the "Dessert Sun" the following day,

"The opening night of the 'Palm Springs International Short Film Festival' showcased the potential of short film and video and the talent of Michael Jackson. Almost 450 people filled the Palm Springs Dessert Museum's Annenberg Theater on Wednesday to view 2.5 hours of film... and a screening of Jackson's 40-minute short musical film, 'Ghosts', with remarks by its director, Stan Winston... the night ended with praise for Jackson. The crowd buzzed over the special effects in 'Ghosts' and the skill Jackson exhibited by playing all the lead characters with diverse looks and voices. Winston said 'Ghosts' is a hit in Europe but can't get promoted here because 'people believe what they read' about Jackson. 'I stand here and say he's a really great guy', Winston said."

1972 - Michael Jackson’s 4th single, "Ben", was released in August 1972, entered Hot 100.

The melancholy ballad, written & composed by Walter Scharf & Don Black, is the theme song to the tame horror movie Ben, about a youngster whose best friend is a killer rat--incidentally, Michael wasn't old enough to see the movie when it was first released! The response to the single was massive; going to number 1 in the US and Australia and number 7 in the UK during a 14 week chart run and selling over 2 million copies gained Michael a Silver Disc. Ben reached no.2 in Holland, no.4 in Zimbabwe, no.6 in Canada, no.7 in Belgium, no.12 in New Zealand and no.15 in Ireland. It became Michael Jackson's first ever solo number 1 single. Michael became the third youngest artist to have a number 1 hit at just 14 years old which made him the youngest artist ever to top the chart both as a solo artist and as part of a group (Jackson 5ive) – a record he still holds to this day!

• Ben won the prestigious Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 1973.
• Ben won the Billboard Award for Top Singles Artist
• Ben picked up an Academy Award(Oscar) nomination for Song Of The Year in 1973, where Michael performed the song.
• Ben sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. alone & earned Michael his 1st Platinum RIAA Sales Award.

Michael’s second solo album, "Ben", was also released in August. An album rich in ballads, it showed Michael’s vocal growth and ability. It reached number 5 in the US and number 17 in the UK.

Also in this day Michael with Jackson 5ive perform European Tour in Atlanta, Georgia

1973 - Jackson 5ive perform World Tour in Baltimore, Virginia.

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

1992 - Michael performs Dangerous world tour at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, UK attending 50,000 fans.

1994 - Michael & Lisa Marie arrive in Budapest(Hongria) via London Heathrow, where Michael filmed a trailer for his forthcoming album and make their first public appearance together causing a media frenzy.

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

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

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

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