graecophilos said:

that's just it- Michael really really needed counseling- he had alot of hangups that he couldn't let go of- he consistenly tried to live in the life that he so desperately created without looking back and embracing what got him there- I personally don't think he cares too much about any music of his before his "highly estimed" thriller albulm- he was constantly trying to top that ...it was insane

tangerine7 said:

I didn't care for it too much. I found it strange that they didn't use any of the songs MJ wrote. Come one, "I Want You Back" over "Billie Jean" or "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"?

Evvy said:

I kinda agree. I think Michael needed a brand new set list. Don't get me wrong, I love all the songs, but some of them he's been performing since Victory tour. I would have loved to see "I Can't Help It", "Get On The Floor", "Baby Be Mine", "Lady In My Life", "Speed Demon"...Songs he's never performed before. It does get repetitive when you see the same stuff performed because you can almost guess whats gonna happen next...

ViintageJunkiie said:

You must remember, MJ was never the kind of person to perform anything other than "the hits". We've discussed this here before, but MJ was definitely a singles artist whereas someone like Prince is considered an album artist. Outside of Thriller, MJ's albums are not generally acknowledged by the masses, but his singles are.

daPrettyman said:

Yeah I'm aware that MJ was mostly a "hits" performer, but I just think it would have added a little UMPH if he would have performed other songs (we like all his songs, not just the ones that were videos). It sucks when you watch him perform songs like "They Don't Really Care About Us" and know what's coming next.

ViintageJunkiie said:

That's true. I feel the same about Janet. I was so glad when she dusted off a couple of album cuts for the last tour.

rsggamer said:

I cannot decide if she's taking the piss or being honest.

Copycat said:

Very old news.

As if I didn't know that already. I posted the links in response to a skeptic.

(Choreographer Travis Payne, who had worked with Michael Jackson for years, is in step with some of the star's backup dancers.)



Recalling Michael Jackson's Final Steps
With the documentary 'This Is It' due out soon, some who worked with Michael Jackson recall his final days.
October 21


Short of someone inventing Smell-o-Vision before Oct. 28's global rollout of the feature documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It," fans will never get to know one of the most visceral aspects of working with the King of Pop.

"He had this amazing fragrance," said Mekia Cox, one of 11 backup dancers who worked with Jackson between April and June on "This Is It," his series of 50 sold-out concerts scheduled to start taking place at London's O2 Arena over the summer. The shows would have marked the superstar's return to performing after a 12-year touring absence.

Another dancer, Daniel Celebre, referred to Jackson's singular musk as "the love potion," recalling its ability to trigger an almost Pavlovian response in those downwind. "No matter what you're doing, as soon as you smell that smell, boom! You have to get more focused," Celebre recalled. "Because he needs to know we're having that love. And throwing the love around."

It's not uncommon for those who worked with Jackson in his final months to speak about the entertainer in emotionally overheated terms. Several close collaborators on what was being touted as Jackson's final tour -- a concert extravaganza that could have resurrected his finances, reestablished his cultural relevancy and spread messages of global interconnectivity, love and environmentalism -- seem to have gotten swept up in his grandiose vision. It's one that would have involved elaborate aerial dance numbers, the world's largest three-dimensional LCD screen, pyrotechnic illusions, 12 original short films and even the presence of a bulldozer and a children's choir onstage.

With the release of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" next week for a limited two-week theatrical engagement, his fans and doubters alike can see a nearly actualized version of that vision for themselves. To hear it from those who worked on "This Is It," the film will provide new insight into the private Jackson that few outside his inner circle ever see.

"Michael was a new Michael," said "This Is It" concert director Kenny Ortega, who also directed the film. "He was 12 years a dad, a businessman, an entertainer's entertainer. That wonderful, innocent part of Michael was ever present, but there was another Michael there with more worldly concerns. He had deeper reasons for wanting to do this than I've ever seen for him to want to do anything else before."

Consisting of digital video footage shot in rehearsals during the weeks before the production moved to London for final run-throughs, the movie also will throw Jackson's physical and mental bearing into stark relief -- at a time when many are still struggling to understand the circumstances surrounding his death. Jackson, 50, died of acute intoxication by the anesthetic propofol on June 25, and according to his autopsy, he also had been taking a laundry list of sedatives, anti-anxiety medications and painkillers.

Some people who worked with the entertainer daily, however, insist there were no outward signs of his drug dependence.

"He was on a whole new level," said backup dancer Dres Reid. "When you saw Mike, it was a different Michael. He had a swagger about him."

Ortega directed the singer's "HIStory" and "Dangerous" tours in the '90s and is the force behind the "High School Musical" franchise and the "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour." The director had been in talks with Jackson for more than two years about mounting some kind of performance. Yet Jackson had held out for a "substantial reason" to return to performing, Ortega said.

In March, Jackson called Ortega with news that he had signed to mount a series of concerts with promoter AEG Live.

"He started saying, 'Kenny, my kids are so fascinated with what I've been doing my whole life, they're like super-fans. So I want to share with my children now that they're old enough to appreciate it and I'm still young enough to do it,' " Ortega recalled.

The superstar intended his concerts as payback to fans and a platform to broadcast his concerns. "The messages in my songs, the ones I wrote 10 years ago, are more meaningful today," Ortega quoted Jackson as saying.

Associate director Travis Payne, a choreographer who had worked with Jackson on world tours and music videos since the early '90s, said: "This was to be the biggest platform possible for him to refamiliarize the messages that had been in his music and films for years. . . . Michael was going to remind everyone of the job we have to complete with regard to reversing our damage to the planet."

Although the pop icon was about $400 million in debt heading into "This Is It," Ortega insists their conversations never broached Jackson's financial predicament. Nor, despite Jackson's long absence from the world's stages, did the word "comeback" factor into their discussions.

"One time, I said to Michael, 'You're going to get your crown back. I can't wait,' " Ortega said. "Michael just giggled at me. 'God bless you, Kenny. You're so funny.' He just didn't think that way."

"Michael Jackson's This Is It" will showcase a dimension of the performer that falls well outside the prevailing images of one of the most photographed men of the last half-century. Whether your notion of Jackson is as the surgical mask-wearing eccentric who was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial on child molestation charges, the guy who dangled his baby over a hotel balcony, or the man who moonwalked across the stage during his epochal 1983 "Motown 25" performance and urged the world to "look at yourself to make a change" -- the movie presents a competing notion of the "Thriller" singer. Jackson as the boss, a perfectionist and creative visionary who was personally invested in the smallest details of his show.

"If he was in the middle of a dance number and something wasn't right, he'd say, 'Stop!' Everything would come to a stop," Ortega said. "And he'd say, 'Don't do that! Wait for me. Watch me.' And remind people that this wasn't an automatic production. You don't just push buttons. You watch Michael."

Cox said: "He was commanding."

"As much as he'd fire off what was on his mind at the time, he'd still have a light gesture at the end," added fellow backup dancer Shannon Holtzpffel. "But he'd be very direct. And we'd be like, 'Wow.' "

According to those close to him, Jackson's exacting nature took a physical toll on him that is visible in the film. Ortega said the singer had been losing weight and grew fatigued from missing more and more sleep as the production's London deadline neared. Both Payne and Ortega spoke of Jackson's penchant for rehearsing until as late as 1 a.m. and then calling them around 4 to brainstorm new ideas.

"He didn't sleep a lot," said Ortega, who like many others interviewed by The Times said he had no idea that Jackson had a drug dependency. "He had been losing weight and didn't like to eat much when he was in my company. It was always, 'I'm dancing. I don't want to eat.'

"I discussed it with him, with his doctor, with his team. I was really concerned about Michael getting the proper rest, the proper nourishment. We were told -- and Michael assured me -- that he was in good health," he said.

Payne, who had gotten to know the singer's professional M.O. working with Jackson on his "Dangerous" and "HIStory" tours, made sure to have Boost meal replacement shakes, Orangina and Martinelli's apple cider on hand to keep Jackson replenished.

"He'd go for periods of time without eating or sleeping because he was so immersed in what we were doing," Payne said.

Nonetheless, Ortega remains resolute that "This Is It" was nothing but a "nourishing" experience for the entertainer, not the cause of his demise. And that for Jackson fans -- for that matter, anyone curious about Jackson's final days -- the movie can still offer a meaningful interface with the King of Pop.

"The movie is dedicated to Michael's fans and his children," said Ortega. "But he's so alive and present in this movie, when we were in the editing room, there were times I'd forgotten he was no longer with us. . . . He's so big, so engaging. He draws you in. And I think there is a fascination that will go beyond the fans."




http://www.latimes.com/en...1825.story
[Edited 10/21/09 10:06am]

Hi anyone else receive their O2 lenticular ticket? I received a copy of the program from his memorial ceremony too! A nice but sad extra gift from ticketmaster. Will post a pic later.

voyevoda said:

It was known in 1993 that he was using drugs, but as I recall his assistant Evvy has stated that Michael had given them up.

Now, Michael loved his children more than life, and that is one thing you cannot take from him, or his children

And one more thing, yes some drug addicts make great fathers, I have seen it. Unfortunately they have a disease.

Copycat said:

Ok, smarty pants!

Copycat said:

1. Beat It

2. They Don't Really Care About Us (With the HIStory interlude)

3. I Just Can't Stop Loving You

4. Same as #2

5. Beat It

It's all so predictable. He used the SAME crane-like structure to perform "Beat It" once again. That's what I mean when I say I wished he would have switched it up a bit. Same dance routine for "They Don't Really Care About Us"

Jackson's Will -- Randy Says Not MJ's Signature
Posted Oct 21st 2009 1:35PM by TMZ Staff

Randy Jackson claims Michael Jackson could not have signed his 2002 will, because he was 2,475 air miles away from the place the document was supposedly inked.


According to the will, it was signed on July 7, 2002 at 5:00 PM in Los Angeles. Randy Jackson tells TMZ he has proof MJ was in New York from July 5 through July 9, on a campaign against Sony honcho Tommy Mottola, claiming Mottola had a thing against Black artists.

The lawyer for the estate, Howard Weitzman, tells TMZ the witnesses to the will were face-to-face with Jackson when he signed the document. Weitzman would not say if the will was signed in L.A., even though the document refers to Los Angeles.

The intimation -- the will may actually have been signed outside of L.A. even though it says Los Angeles.

The plot thickens.

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with Al Sharpton's rep, Rachel Noerdlinger, who confirms Sharpton and Jackson were protesting Mottola in NY together in 2002 on July 6th and July 9th.

As the for the key date -- July 7th -- Sharpton's rep released the following curious statement:

"We have reason to believe that Michael may have been in NY on the 7th and Rev. Sharpton will address this after he discusses it with the Jackson family."


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0UbRFG0C6

It really will never stop.

daPrettyman said:

I don't complain too much he performed hits more than rarities... BUT: even this time it seems as if the setlist WAS the EXACT order. Jam, WBSS and the same Medley of "Got A Mojo In My Pocket", "Care About" and "Thriller".

I really wonder what was so new and innovative about this tour. I bet you, the choreographies would have been the same.

The only MAJOR difference would have been the backdrops - sth he didn't use so far.

Phishanga said:

Sounds like she is being authentically honest to me.

EmeraldSkies said:

Yes, propably. I just think you'd have to be a pretty big idiot to believe all that before and now be convinced of just the opposite because of the memorial.

ViintageJunkiie said:

Why be surprised? MJ doesn't like learning new and up to date dance steps. He's stuck on the same routines from the 1990's but with a different wardrobe and stage.

He should have gotten with Usher's choreographer and learned some new steps

Of course these kinda pix, footage etc make me feel upset he's gone but, it really does look bad.

Its exactly the same except he looks gaunt lol.

Im glad he never got to perform it living because he would of been slammed. Now fake cowpliments will be had because he's dead...ah, i don't know. Tragic

Dig U Better Dead...

I don't think Michael needed 'new moves' Michael wasn't 'stuck' That was his style. That is what he is known for. Michael danced with soul & grace. Usher is a great dancer,but he can not move gracfully like Michael

tangerine7 said:

Not to mention that many of Usher and Justin's choreographers used to be Michael's dancers or were influenced by Michael

Wade Robson
Rich and Tone
Lavelle Smith
Fatima Robinson
Jamie King



When you're a dancer, you gain your own style over time. It's not that you're stuck in a rut, but you've found your identity and that's your style

Michael was a all purpose dancer but he had an affinity for popping, locking, and military style routines
[Edited 10/21/09 17:14pm]

WetDream said:

Apparently, they put the setlist for the film in the order of the previous tours and which songs had Dome Interludes. Other songs were rehearsed and planned

Rock With You
Off The Wall
I heard a mention of PYT
Dirty Diana
Remember The Time
Unbreakable
Scream
Stranger In Moscow
[Edited 10/21/09 17:17pm]

bboy87 said:

He's done all them before bar RTT (to an extent), PYT which is a rumour anyway and Unbreakable. I dislike Unbreakable a lot but its one he ain't performed before so i would of welcomed it.

The rest were staples.

tangerine7 said:

Dancing looked as good as before in this clip, entrance looked pretty cool but, again, its just a jazzed up Dangerous entrance.

Its all just a jazzed up '97 Mj concert from what we know.

Im watching the clips and what not, knowing what happens next. The only things i don't know of are the interludes...and i ain't interested in them.

If he wasn't so sensitive and didn't have that insecure need to please, i wonder if we would of had a different MJ career. He needed that Around The World In a Day album after Thriller...but it never came, he just got trapped and i would probably blame the people around him.

Michael was clearly stuck in the past, and that was his weakest points as an artist, as amazing of a singer and dancer as he was- he didn't really change up his routines that much over the years.

This show look like it wasn't going to go down to well as far as him gain some credibility on innovative stuff.
[Edited 10/21/09 18:49pm]

Phishanga said:

Very true.