Swa said:

Yep, live for Bad and Dangerous (he's really struggling with the vocal on the Dangerous tour) and lip-synched for HIStory (and it looks he really silly to me because his voice doesn't sound anything like that in 1997 - he could at least re-record the vocal in the studio to make it jar less)
[Edited 3/16/09 5:55am]

leecaldon said:

An additional problem with the HiStory clips you see is they are broadcast clips from various shows around the world. The issue I have is as soon as the song starts they literally wipe out the crowd from the mix, making it seem even more cold and emotionless, which was never the experience at the shows themselves.

Also in the History tour - check out from 6:40 onwards when Michael's live vocals kick in.

Unfortunately I think Michael has, in his mind, this perfectionist attitude that makes him think that unless each note is perfect the audience will turn on him, resulting in a reliance of vocal assisted backing tracks. However, I think the majority of his fans actually want to hear him sing live, bum notes and all - that way the true emotion of the performance is captured. Compare the energy and edge in the voice in the Bad tour to History for example. Even during the History tour, the songs that contained live vocals were the ones that connected most with the audience.

Swa

Swa said:

Yeah, that's what I hate about all the HIStory recordings... that soundman, responsible for those broadcasts, should be shot... just yesterday I watched the Munich show, also for the first time in quite some time and while I love the picture quality I just shudder at the sound... taking out the crowd noises just ruins everything,..... everythings destroyed, the amateur recordings, even though the picture sucks, are so much better!


Agreed!


And agreed... e.g. those four lines at the end of You are not alone, when he finally sings live, are the highlight of the song!

Swa said:

But isn't that the case?? Why is there a need for Prince-only fans to come into MJ threads to make crappy and useless remarks that insult and annoy both MJ and the fans? Do you see MJ-only fans going into Prince threads to talk crap about Prince?


I'm with you there... it's pointless!

Swa said:

I problem is the continuous insults to Mj and his fans on the org, I don't see that on MJ forums , Im a fan of both but i know that there are limits to criticize , The insults to other artists especially MJ and his fans have reached its lowest point on this board. I mean they really did say that MJ can't sing
can you imagine? they did say that ,of course on the org only i see those kinds of absurd comments....

also the continuous insults to MJ fans calling them stupid, mentally unbalanced, child-molester lovers, child molester worshippers ,if those insults kept going then i have no choice but to leave to a better more healthy community.


I met one of the most devoted prince fans I have ever seen on MJNO but at the same time they are aware of other artist’s achievements, they have respect for others, I rarely see this on here.
[Edited 3/16/09 6:49am]
[Edited 3/16/09 6:50am]

seeingvoices12 said:

The problem alot of people on the org and general media don't get is that most of the tickets have been snapped up by non-hardcore MJ fans, normal everyday people in the UK who may have at best 2 MJ albums to their name but they RESPECT mike's talent and music and want to go out and see a bit of the old magic ....why bye Chris Brown, Usher, Justin, Ne-Yo, Westlife, NKOTB, Britney, Beyonce tickets etc...when you can see Mike ....

MJ is a culture artist ....like the Beatles ....like Elvis....he transends music...he's global....

Everyone on this site that has a go at Mike did not do so when they were 7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,19,20,21 .....years old

Before grew up and they got all "cool" and into "music"..... ....yeah right...

Michael Jackson “made more from O2 shows than from Thriller”

Sounds like an outlandish headline, sure, but we were chatting to a promoter the other day, and they made a throwaway remark that Michael Jackson probably made more money in three days last week from ticket sales for his gigs at The O2 than he did from his Thriller album.

Their working went thus: Thriller sold 45 million albums worldwide, and according to the promoter, Jacko would have got on average no more than £1 per album - so £45 million in total. But 50 nights times 20,000 people times £75 equals £75 million, which even at a conservative estimate of an 80:20 split with promoter AEG is £60 million for the King of Pop.

One of the flaws in this logic is the fact that only the top-priced tickets were £75 for The O2 gigs, although that may be balanced by the fact that Jackson may be on an 85:15 or even 90:10 split, trousering him even more loot. Of course, the star made a lot more money from Thriller indirectly too - think of the tours, the sponsorships…

Still, as headline figures go, it’s not bad for 50 nights work…

http://musically.com/blog...-thriller/

A peek at the diary of ... Michael Jackson

To quit showbusiness at the height of one's powers is no easy thing. And so when I made my Very Special Unique Exclusive Announcement at the O2 Arena the other day, it meant so much to me to be surrounded by the love of my supporters. You know, it's funny: I could only see about 25 people because of the dark glasses and the way the promoters had set up the lighting. But I'm told it was 40,000, and I believe it. Why wouldn't I? I have a trusting soul. And I believe that trust is a sign of God's work here on earth, like a child's simple smile of innocent wonder at the magical sight of a miraculous unicorn, or a tree.

When I say that these concerts - at the O2 Arena in London in summer 2009 - will be the last I ever play, I mean it: they will be the last concerts I ever play at the O2 Arena in London in summer 2009. If Barbra Streisand can say a painful goodbye and then vanish for ever, so can I.

Oh, I expect to be criticised; there are some very, very devilish people out there. They'll say it's a cynical attempt to pay my multimillion-dollar debts. They'll predict that I'll repeat the trick around the world, to squeeze cash from my dwindling core of pathologically enthusiastic fans. But these critics can't feel love; they can't dream; they've never known the joy of a harmless platonic sleepover. They want to divide us, but in the court of the King of Pop, all are welcome: all races, all ages, all creeds and all major credit cards.

http://www.guardian.co.uk...kson-diary

NaughtyKitty said:

You can tell it pains them to have to bin all those 'Jacko no longer a draw' stories they had so carefully written up.

And get a load of this non-sense:

The square chin. The deep voice. But was it really Michael Jackson?
By PAUL HARRIS
Last updated at 1:36 AM on 14th March 2009

Something didn't seem quite right. There was that impossibly square chin, for a start - a bizarre cosmetic enhancement, even for Michael Jackson.

Then there was the voice, several octaves lower than the dog-whistle whisper the King of Pop normally adopts in front of his adoring fans.

Study the walk as well - a slightly hunched gait you might not expect from someone who ranks among the world's most spectacular dance performers.

Amid massively hyped scenes at London's O2 Arena nine days ago, this was Michael Jackson addressing a press conference. Or was it?

As tickets for his extended series of 50 summer shows sold out in record time yesterday - with prices of up to a staggering £25,000 being demanded on the resale market - an intriguing question was beginning to trouble even some of his most unwavering supporters. Was the quivering figure in the aviator shades and sparkly jacket that day an imposter?

Naturally, the official response is that it was Jacko. But they would say that, wouldn't they? Others are speculating that - for whatever reason - it was merely a convincing impersonator.

The internet is buzzing with suggestions that the MJ the world saw during a four-minute appearance at O2 might not have been the MJ fans know and love.

Ludicrous conjecture? Well, maybe so. But like many internet-based rumours, this one is beginning to snowball.

Speculation began even before the nervous-looking figure stepped through the scarlet silk curtains. No explanation was given for why he was more than 90 minutes late. Questions over his health circulated in the throng.

The first glimpse of him was on a giant video screen above the stage. It certainly looked like Michael Jackson. The jacket was a cross between circus-ring MC and Eastern European military. Boots, sunglasses, and jet-black hair. All OK so far.

But then came the walk, an awkward, loping stride. He paused momentarily beside a golf cart, probably assuming it was going to take him into the arena - but was ushered in on foot.

Next, the voice. The few words he stumbled over at the microphone had far more bass than many expected. If you closed your eyes you would surely have had trouble identifying him as the more familiar, childlike 50-year-old with a penchant for spending time innocently with small boys.


The old face: Jackson in the Thriller video in 1984

Trouble is, surgery and image enhancement mean that few people really know what MJ will look like when they meet him.

Whatever differences there might have been, however, it was enough to get the internet theorists moving. One site draws attention to his hands (fingers not long enough to be Michael's, apparently). Another suggests he was too tall.

But why use a lookalike? The (speculative) theory is that Jackson - filmed falling on the steps of his minibus before it left for the Arena - was either injured or too ill to appear in person. With millions at stake in ticket sales, who would be bold enough to disappoint the waiting fans and international broadcasters now?

Jackson, a 13- Grammy award winner, is one of the most successful performers on the planet. He has sold over 750million records.

Spoof stories about him are rife, including one detailing how an impersonator has been fooling fans for years after MJ's corpse was found on his Neverland ranch.

Nor is it the first time he has been at the centre of 'lookalike' controversy. In 1999 'Michael' made an unlikely appearance at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple, north Devon, during an event run by martial arts school entrepreneur Matt Fiddes. Accompanied by ten bodyguards, he sang four numbers before vanishing in a stretch limo.

Many of the 450 present, including backstage theatre staff, were convinced they had been in the presence of a music legend. Even a statement from Jackson's record company, making it clear he was in Los Angeles at the time, failed to dampen enthusiasm.

Mr Fiddes, 28, has always refused to confirm the identity of his star turn - but had no such reservations about the O2 appearance. 'It was definitely Michael,' he said. 'He looked a bit thinner than normal, and maybe he didn't seem quite himself, but the voice was right.'

Jackson's double 'Navi', regarded as his No 1 impersonator, also dismissed the rumours.

The Essex-based lookalike, who has previously acted as a decoy for the star, was mobbed outside the Arena that day by fans who were convinced he was the real thing. 'That was Michael Jackson, I'd stake my life on it,' he told me. 'He is so reclusive, most people don't know what he really looks like. When he's not on stage, he does walk with a slight hunch.

'If that wasn't Michael Jackson, I might as well give up - because it means there must be someone out there who's better than me.'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the rumours were greeted with derision in the Jackson camp.

'It's completely ridiculous,' an Arena source said. 'We can categorically guarantee it was Michael Jackson on stage. Maybe Elvis was at the press conference too.'

http://www.dailymail.co.u...ckson.html

LOL it was him alright--people just wanna be startin somethin!

Annika said:

Also it shows how out of touch the media is. They're really taken aback by the huge positive response these concerts are getting. THey thought Mike was just a washed-up has-been with only a few hundred or so fans. They werent expecting the massive demand for his tickets lol! They are probably wondering why he's still so popular

NaughtyKitty said:

Yeah, but that's the Daily Mail. Hardly surprising!

BTW, does anyone really believe that that wasn't MJ? I mean really?

NaughtyKitty said:

Thriller has actually sold 103 million world wide since it's release.

Swa

Swa said:

One KOP-er named DenisRS said 67 million. The saga continues, lol.

Swa said:

I read about how he wanted to release the Munich show but with he wasn't happy with the outcome. Hell, it seems he wasn't happy with ANY of the shows

Some fan put this list on Wiki about all the shows that were shown on TV



First Leg 1996:

* 14/09/1996 Flag of Romania Lia Manoliu Stadium - Bucharest, Romania

The first full televised concert and also the third concert of the tour. During this concert, several problems occurred with playback, such as in Billie Jean the playback started late. The Great Gate of Kiev introduction was filmed off-screen onto the JumboTron, not a direct feed like the other concerts. The crowd noises are the same as the ones from the Dangerous Tour in Bucharest, but may actually be from another concert or even studio-made, as the Bucharest DVD contained footage from Wembley, Madrid and several other concerts.

* 11/10/1996 Flag of South Korea Olympic Stadium - Seoul, South Korea

During the performance of Earth Song, Jackson, (who was up on a crane) was interfered by a male Korean fan who climbed up the crane just to meet Jackson. Michael held on to the man because he had a risk of falling. The man was then taken away by security after the crane was lowered. This concert was commercially released on VHS in Korea. Before the release of the 1992 Dangerous Tour Concert in Bucharest this was the only commercially released concert.

* 27/10/1996 Flag of Malaysia Merdeka Stadium - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The released songs only goes up to Dangerous on the first concert, missing the last 3 songs. Parts from several other songs from the October 29 concert were also released during a news report on TV1000. Because crotch grabbing is considered offensive in Islam (Jackson had been banned from the United Arab Emirates for this during the Dangerous Tour), Jackson altered his crotch-grabbing move in this concert. Televised by ntv7.

* 09/11/1996 Flag of New Zealand Ericsson Stadium - Auckland, New Zealand

Last known professionally filmed concert with the Off the Wall Medley. Also the only known performance of Billie Jean with a repeated chorus near the end of the dance sequence.

* 16/11/1996 Flag of Australia Sydney Cricket Ground - Sydney, Australia

It is believed a full concert was broadcast, but has not been known to have been recorded. Thus only a few songs are known from this concert, as well as parts from the concert on November14. Just a few hours after the latter performance, Jackson married Debbie Rowe in a civil ceremony in his presidential suite at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel.

* 08/12/1996 Flag of the Philippines International Convention Center - Manila, Philippines

Televised by two different channels, DWET-TV (Channel 5) and GMA Network. The Channel 5 version fades after each song (there is no intro to Billie Jean), but is in higher quality than the GMA version, to which the audio sounds different.

* 31/12/1996 Flag of Brunei Jerudong Park Amphitheatre - Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Never televised, but performed for the Sultan as with the preceding Royal Concert in July. However, copies of the performance have been given to and kept secret by private collectors. In October2008 a poor-quality VCD copy was uploaded onto the internet. In February 2009 , this was followed by a slightly higher quality version, though the sound quality is still the same. Like Malaysia, most people in Brunei are Muslim, so crotch-grabbing was also removed in this concert and also obscured by different camera angles. This concert is also noted for the first verse of Scream being sung live, and live ad-libs in The Way You Make Me Feel.

Second Leg 1997:

* 04 & 06/07/1997 Flag of Germany Olympic Stadium Munich, Germany

Anticipating this to be a satisfactory performance for a DVD release by Christmas, Jackson made many changes to the filming of the concert to set this concert apart; more extensive camera angles (including individual crowd shots) were used, and the audio was later remastered heavily to emphasize the percussion and audience sounds. However, Jackson was tired and his voice was sore due to severe laryngitis. The fact that most of the songs were lip-synced and his own disappointment of the performance cancelled the DVD release. However, the performance was televised extensively in many different countries, and numerous versions exist. The most common version is the one aired by Sat.1, though TV1000, Channel 3 and HBO also exist. Most versions had also been edited with a segment from Leipzig before the Jackson 5 Medley about a bug on the stage. An unedited version of the Munich Concert from July 4 has the original sound. Two amateur videos from July 6 (one had parts from both concerts) also exist.

* 14/08/1997 Flag of Denmark Parken Stadium - Copenhagen, Denmark

Broadcast by TV1000 and Channel 3. Amateur version of this concert, as well as the August 29 birthday concert exists.

* 16/08/1997 Flag of Sweden Ullevi Stadium - Gothenburg, Sweden

Also broadcast by TV1000 and Channel 3. This concert is very similar to the Copenhagen concert. However, all copies of this concert so far have been defective and have suffered from Audio problems. For example, the vocals were accidentally silenced by the broadcasters for the first minute of Scream.

* 24/08/1997 Flag of Finland Olympic Stadium - Helsinki, Finland

Also broadcast by TV1000. Most versions that have appeared on the internet suffer from audio noise.


He should release:

Bad Tour in Wembley or Los Angeles
Dangerous Tour in Monza or Tokyo
the royal concert in Brunei
and one of the HIStory shows that we haven't seen

The Sun's results

Swa said:

0

i don't hate on prince i have no reason to hate him, i just hate his pathetic fans (the haters i mean)
[Edited 3/16/09 17:40pm]

rubyred69 said:

look i do want to discuss but it enrages me when these people come on here talking crap so i respond.

Whitnail said:

you see swa this is what i'm talking about, how can anyone enjoy this thread with people like this posting. It's not fair, and the moderators are no where to be found because the hate mj too and are biased

NaughtyKitty said:

is this real?

cdcgold said:

And as you will see my response wasn't just aimed at you, but at being fed up at the pointless back and forth. I guess when you say ALL you Prince fans, then it is quite a sweeping statement.

bboy87 said:

I have a copy of this broadcast - being from Sydney. The full show wasn't broadcast though but around 80% of the show.

Swa said:

I want a copy!

Whitnail said:[quote]

Jeffiner said:

LOL.... still makes me laugh, great to see you back, and full of positive energy about the up coming MJ concerts...!!!!!

I can certainly imagine making his premiere at the 02, via a satalite and a good bit of tech advances will make it worth while, will convince the obviuosly dumb public that they are getting the real thing...

MJ proved at his press conference, with the 150 odd fans been told to look like 10,000 fans, that he is Pathetic, sorry, to all you idiots that have gave in...

When i listen to Bob Marley, and look at this joke, and the reaction, i think alot of very clueless "oh, I saw MJ..." people

The Mj versus Prince battle is a worn one, but a very noxious one.

there is simply... no comparison

LIVE with it

ps THIS IS IT[

Hi Whitnail! Good to see you too...

I wonder if Greg Philliganes and Jennifer Batten will be part of the shows

bboy87 said:

For some reason I doubt it...

Swa said:

I agree with most of what your said. The lip synching was certainly not such a problem when I was actually at the show (halfway back in Wembley Stadium, you just get taken up by the whole spectacle), although having subsequently seen Prince live on many, many ocassions since, I think I would be less forgiving now.

And I certainly would prefer to hear MJ sing live now, even if it's not a note perfect performance. I want to hear him try, I want to hear the emotion. I hope he saves the lip synching for a couple of big set piece numbers like Smooth Criminal and actually sings songs like One Day in Your Life - which I can't believe he's actually going to do, and he surely can't lip synch from the 1975 (?) recording!

Swa said:

It's so difficult for even professional organisations to estimate worldwide figures, and although I have no doubt that Thriller is easily the biggest seller ever, I'm not sure how the 100+ million figure was arrived at.

I still can't work out this "750 million records sold" that the press keeps mentioning, even adding in all the Jackson 5/Jacksons singles and albums.

bboy87 said:

BS! I thought fans would've been all over it voting for Speechless, Stranger In Moscow, Butterlies, Remember the Time and all that. All the songs that have never been performed live on tour before. I guess not. Give In To Me and Who Is It are the only songs not as predictable as the others.
[Edited 3/17/09 4:29am]

Jeffiner said:

You must have missed those pics that do indeed show thousands of people at the press conference. taken from high up in the 02.