the origins of the moonwalk...

[Edited 5/2/11 12:55pm]

April 29, 2011. London. Westminster Abbey groans under its own weight in flowers and a nation prays for the sun to shine. A centuries old country hyperventilates as it waits for a young Prince and a young woman who would become a Princess – well, Duchess as it turned out – to kiss. The level of anticipation and interest in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, building in the weeks and days before the big day, powered not only by a media whipped frenzy, but out of the massive desire to see the eldest son of the late ex-Princess of Wales make his choice before an audience of billions. Lady Diana Spencer, self-confessed ‘Queen of Hearts,’ was for many both in England and overseas, the real heroine of the Royal Family. And it was the memory of the joyous potential a young Diana’s own wedding represented and the huge sorrow and anger her death precipitated – that gave her son’s wedding the pathos and historic power it did.

The reality that it was in fact Diana’s death that revitalized the mythology and popularity of the British Royals is a deeply ironic one. Subjected to hostile media headlines after Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s marriage collapsed – in the wake of Diana’s death, the Royal family achieved its lowest approval ratings since King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936. Miraculously, that same Royal Family now enjoys the new affection that has transferred from the people’s adoration and respect for Diana – a respect she earned, to her first-born, Prince William.

The political Establishment, Royal family and still prevalent ruling class in British society, shunned Diana for her seemingly unpredictable informality and distinctly modern way of relating to a people the British constitution stubbornly defines as subjects. But the reason why Diana herself manifestly rejected the destiny that had been carefully mapped out for her, and was then rejected by the Establishment for that snub, was this singularity: Her refusal to accept a loveless marriage. That generations of Royal wives and aristocrats before her had put up with unhappy, arranged marriages and done so silently, did not change Diana’s mind or subsequent acquiescence to divorce.

Diana; the shy girl who became a woman before the world’s lens, portrayed then (and still now in some quarters), as weak, stupid – and famously, by parliamentary member Nicholas Soames on the BBC’s flagship, political TV program, Newsnight, in November 1995, after Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir as – suffering from ‘mental illness’ and in the ‘advanced stages of paranoia’– simply said ‘No.’ Deciding the vows she made during her 1981 wedding – not to mention the intrusive media she undeniably became a victim of – could no longer be honored if the husband she made them to did not love her exclusively: Diana made a choice. Though that choice would expose her increasingly to the aggressive attentions of a rapacious press who would not be ignored, one question amongst many bears asking: Would Diana have done anything differently if she still had the chance to choose between a loveless commitment or personal freedom and self worth? One suspects the answer would be no.

And it is this truth, in addition to Diana’s extensive philanthropic work – that is her greatest legacy. It is why the moniker ‘Queen of Hearts’ still has real potency and longevity. The example she set for her children and to the world: that no amount of privilege or perceived social status could ever compensate for the misery and pain that a life of emotional deception entailed – remains a bold and powerful one. The sole reason why Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton caught the imagination and hearts of millions around the world is simple: He married for love. And that choice, that one decision, will now ripple glorious effect into the generations that will result from it.

In the BBC’s evening coverage of the event, British reporter Andrew Wilson commenting, stated this truly unprecedented fact: “For the first time in over three hundred years, a future monarch has looked outside the inner circle for his bride – and brought her home.” This was Diana’s true gift. Diana bequeathed to her children the necessity of living an authentic life no matter how difficult, and the value and need for authentic love to fill that life. The first of her sons has now opened that gift. That is the power of legacy.

Legacy. A curious word. It applies to bloodlines of inherited wealth and historic families, and equally it applies to every human being. Who we are, how we live, and what we give during the lifetimes we are assigned – are key parts of sum we leave behind. And across the pond Michael Jackson also leaves a legacy to his children, and to the world. Like Diana, Michael used his fame, time and energy – not to mention millions of dollars – to positively benefit the lives of others. And like Diana, Michael also lived his life under unimaginable scrutiny. In Diana’s latter years however, the albeit tenuous respect afforded her by the media in Britain after her divorce and new relationships, not to mention the still rapturous media she enjoyed in America and around the globe, were exponentially more humane than that extended to Michael Jackson. While both these public figures endured violating levels of media attention, Michael did so for far longer and on a much more malevolent scale.

Yet there remain striking connections between these two icons; similarities which apparently Michael and Diana were themselves well aware of. In a 1997 interview on the popular television program 20/20, American host Barbara Walters revealed that the last two concerts of the European leg of the ‘HIStory’ tour were dedicated to Diana after Michael learned of her death. Poignantly, in that interview Michael revealed that during one of those concerts he had this thought of the late princess. “I love you Diana. And shine on forever, because you are the true Princess of the people.” Interestingly, Michael’s choice of words here completely negates the media mischaracterization of him as being unaware of, or unable to understand the politick of the real world. Clearly Michael understood the deep insult and exclusion the British establishment intended Diana when, as a condition of her divorce settlement, it was insisted that the title of ‘Princess’ be removed from Diana’s official ranking as a Royal.

By referring to Diana as a ‘Princess of the People’ before an audience of millions, Michael stated the obvious: that after her death Diana was – in truth – this even more so. Symbolically too, since Jackson is known throughout the world as the ‘King of Pop,’ by declaring his sense of empathy with Diana and her struggles, Michael expressed in words the resonance and connection he felt with Diana that, in fact, exists on a number of levels. Many celebrities do good works, endorsing a charity is de rigueur for any modern PR savvy star. What made Michael and Diana so different was the way they gave to others, the overriding sense they did it from a place of compassionate service; not out of duty or because it would ‘look good.’ The similarities do not end there. Both Michael and Diana met not only untimely deaths – but violent ones. One, the result of a high speed chase through Parisian streets by paparazzi on motorcycles; the other, at the hands of a prima facie acutely negligent physician treating his patient with inappropriate drugs for relief from chronic insomnia. The grief that attended both these deaths was compounded by the certain knowledge that they were both overwhelmingly unnecessary.

Only the most imperceptive would deny that Jackson’s insomnia was undoubtedly the result of a life massively traumatized. Even for someone used to living in the glare of uber fame, the level of stress, abuse and cruelty Jackson had to deal with, went far beyond what any individual could healthily be expected to cope with. Indeed there is an argument – a strong one –for contending that Jackson would never even have arrived at a point in his life where he felt he needed doctors around him constantly, had the media persecution which came his way not been so unrelentingly vicious. Used to being bundled through the back doors of hotels and venues long before he hit his teens, Michael often said he had ‘rhinoceros skin.’ Clearly he did not. And now the toll of false allegations exacerbated and perpetuated in the public consciousness by the overtly malicious, commercially-driven marketing of Jackson as some sort of monstrous harmer of children by at least two generations of journalists, editors and TV pundits across the spectrum of media – now undeniably threatens the positive truth of his legacy. And it is that threat that has united many in one outstanding purpose: Restoration.

The reality that Michael Jackson remains the one of world’s least celebrated humanitarians, and despite fourteen emphatic ‘Not Guilty’ verdicts in the criminal trial of 2005, has not as yet been vindicated in the actual – is testament to the enduring power of perception. This perception of ‘guilt’ dominated Jackson news stories while he was alive and continues even after his death. Present day media comment in the run-up to the Conrad Murray trial that only hinted at the ‘demanding addict’ sub-text has now exploded into full blown accounts of ‘drugs found in the Neverland raid,’ and horrifically, graphic speculation about what the autopsy pictures may look like. It is evidence that the powerful and pervasive Fourth Estate shows no sign yet of any desire to recant the years of distortion they issued into the public domain. Many believe this state of affairs to be insurmountable. The question is, is it?

Years of self-serving media narrative will take certainly take time to be righted. But the journey back has begun, and it has begun in earnest. One way this is being achieved can be seen in the new narratives now surfacing. Amidst the wealth of rush-to-copy, mostly picture books releases that hit the market soon after Michael’s death, others have sought to push back the years of media misrepresentation and actually honor an exceptional life. To date, three publications are notable. American journalist, Aphrodite Jones’s ‘Michael Jackson Conspiracy’ published pre-2009 in 2007, details the extent of a preconceived negative bias within the U.S media towards Jackson and how that was reflected both during, and after, their coverage of Jackson’s 2005 trial. Post 2009, Bruce Swedien, noted recording engineer, released ‘In the Studio with Michael Jackson.’ In it, Swedien takes it back to the music, tracing the beginnings of his working relationship with Jackson from as far back as The Wiz through to HIStory – and does Jackson great service throughout. More recently, Joe Vogel’s new work, ‘Man in the Music: The Creative life and work of Michael Jackson,’ set for international release in October 2011, also promises to positively contribute to Jackson’s legacy – simply by returning the conversation to Michael’s commitment and service to the creation of phenomenal music, dance and visual art.

In the arena of journalism, Jones’s work with Discovery Investigation via her True Crime television programs has so far made modest impact on the prevailing smirking content found in the majority of current media, but these are early days. Similarly, British journalist, Charles Thomson, in hugely important articles on Huffington Post and elsewhere, has consistently exposed the damaging inaccuracies about the legal challenges faced by Jackson – inaccuracies still recycled ad nauseam by the media. In addition, a multitude of positive articles and interviews from people who knew Jackson personally (and some who didn’t) – such as David Nordahl, Thomas Mesereau, Elizabeth Taylor, Susan Fast, Stephen King, Jeff Koopersmith, Forbes Everett Landis, Michael Bearden, Linda Deutsch, Armand White, Stuart Backerman, Matt Semino, Dr Patrick Treacy, Barbara Amiel, Jonathan Margolis, Dave ‘Dave,’ Ishmael Reed, Gerald L. Campbell, Wade Robson, Howard Bloom, testimonials from stars and those who worked with Michael professionally, and the many families who benefited from the outreach work Jackson did continually throughout his life; are all part of the new narrative that could potentially transform the destructive Jackson meme most of the media remains irrationally attached to.

Mention must also be given to a hugely ambitious project undertaken by Reverend Barbara Kaufmann. In 2010, Kaufmann, herself a minister, award winning writer, Huffington Post contributor and bright voice in the field of activism – gathered together a bank of exceptional articles, poetry and case studies, inspired by and dedicated to the lives and incompletely acknowledged achievements of both Lady Diana Spencer and Michael Jackson – as part of the collaborative ‘Words and Violence Project.’ It stands as a body of work that, in time, could one day be widely referred to and used by educational centers to further our society’s understanding of how words and media culture occupies a dual ability to both benefit and damage the lives it touches.

Likewise, a range of websites diligently compiling their respective collections of memories, anecdotes, stories, facts, and extent of the phenomenal philanthropic gift Jackson gave, are also contributing – some better than others – to the archiving of Michael Jackson’s legacy. While many of these sites focus only on the musical accolades and aesthetic of Jackson’s many ‘eras’ in his musical career, some notable ones go further and actively keep alight a true record of Michael Jackson’s compassionate legacy to a world that so dramatically refused it.

Among these, Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Represented by members and visitors from over 180 countries, 250 million so far (and counting) have signed up to be part of the largest [dot] comprised portrait of Michael Jackson ever commissioned. Also worthy of note is The Silenced Truth website. One of the first sites to draw attention to the gap in the world’s understanding of who Michael Jackson was, The SilencedTruth also hosts one of the most comprehensive lists of Jackson’s humanitarian contributions. Another site worthy of highlight is MJJ-777. Hosted by Jackson archivist Seven Bowie, it’s an exquisite repository. Rich in facts and a cultural breadth reflective of Jackson’s impact on the world, this site is a must-visit destination for not only fans, but all those who seek to expand their knowledge of Jackson. Also of note are the informational grand central stations in the forms of MJTruthNow, Vindicatemj, Reflections of the Dance, and the outstanding blog spots of smokeandmirrorsmj, gatorgirl277 and mjandjustice4some. To dismiss – as some do – the value of the work produced on these sites and blog spots as merely ‘fan’ sites hosting partisan perspectives, is to fail to comprehend the extent of the staggering research amassed on these demonstrably, credible sources.

The rejuvenation proper of Jackson’s official charitable legacy has still to be re-ignited since the Estate is still in probate and thus has to seek specific legal dispensation to make payments even to approved creditors. But as the executors – John Branca and John McClain – of the Estate of Michael Jackson expressed as recently as April 21, 2011 as part of a larger statement, their intention to make decisions and “… direct contributions to recipient charities … with complete regard to Michael’s wishes and Michael’s legacy, which we intend to honor and perpetuate ” – should assure those who need it that rejuvenation is indeed coming. The legal furore over the sensitive and complex settlement with Howard Mann and Melissa Johnson, who held the rights to various trademarks and control of the ‘Heal the World Foundation,’ itself an unauthorized impression of Michael Jackson’s original vision – has paradoxically within it the seeds of a new platform for the Estate, Michael Jackson’s family – and three children to go forward from an albeit clumsy beginning to a future that possibly reincarnates that vision.

On January 25, 2011, Zach O’Malley Greenburg of Forbes reported that the Estate of Michael Jackson earned $275 million more than Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Jay-Z combined. An intimidating statistic considering the artist earning these gargantuan sums is in fact dead. But this also suggests that if speaking in purely monetary terms alone, the legacy of Michael Jackson is very much alive. Greenburg notes much of this boon was due to the commercial boost that nostalgia driven sales of ‘all things Michael’ received ‘following the King of Pop’s death,’ which of course indicates that the one thing the ‘Michael Jackson’ brand does not lack – is an audience.

In February of this year, the Estate of Michael Jackson declared it made over $310 million before debt clearance, and it is no doubt banking on that same audience to consume the array of Michael Jackson products now flooding the market. These include: the interactive dance game Michael Jackson the Experience, box-set Michael Jackson Vision, collector’s item Opus, the film This Is It, the Cirque du Soleil collaborative live extravaganza The Immortal World Tour, the Epic album releases – part of the Sony corporation, and a legion of Michael Jackson posters, T-shirts and merchandise etc, as well as the sales of Jackson’s peerless musical back-catalogue. None of this, of course, even takes into account the plans for a replica ‘Vegas Neverland,’ the revenue possibilities for the actual Neverland, and the over $1.5 billion estimated worth of the Sony/ATV catalogue jointly owned by the Estate and Sony. Yes, in purely monetary terms alone, legacy is big business.

But the success of a legacy turns on more than just balance sheets and portfolios. Clearly the Estate has already made more money than any of Michael’s three children could spend in a lifetime, and to those children it will not be their father’s money they remember – or long for. The lasting legacy of Michael Jackson will, in reality, rest on the de facto restoration of his rightful place as not only one of America’s greatest creative sons, but also one of her most unjustly judged. After death, a man (or woman’s) reputation is the unwritten text on which the memory of that individual falls or stands. The public’s insistence on an ambivalent collective relationship with Michael Jackson, and the American and British media’s engineering and perpetuation of that stance, however – is not fixed. Flux is inevitable, and the pendulum will swing. Perhaps to somewhere in the middle, or perhaps just beyond the catastrophic damage wrought by years of media malice and deception by characters that need no introduction here. That will not be good enough for many of course, but how far that pendulum swings will be down to the work of those actively involved in the work it will take to move it further.

The reshaping and restoring that Michael Jackson’s reputation deserves will need work to make that restoration a reality. But behind the scenes a body of people that combines fans, advocates and supporters, the Estate, the Jackson family, Jackson’s friends, the generations of fans yet to come – and perhaps Michael’s children; are all part of that groundswell. Just as Diana’s children now forge new destinies because of the gift their mother gave them, three voices bearing the name Jackson may one day join the force that now gathers pace but as yet lacks focus. Because the reality is this: it isn’t only love that survives. The lies that bind will remain as tightly fastened as they are allowed to – and Michael Jackson’s legacy demands nothing less than the truth.

Michael Jackson Fan Fest details, plus late singer’s plans before death

The first-ever, estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest takes place here on the Strip starting Dec. 3 when the new Immortal Tour from Cirque du Soleil opens at Mandalay Bay. Vegas DeLuxe has now learned that for 4 hours before each of the 33 performances, fans will experience the legacy of The King of Pop in a very new way.

Already planned is an up-close look at Michael Jackson memorabilia, items from Neverland Ranch that have never been seen publicly, photo opportunities in re-created sets from Jackson videos and a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. There will be a main stage featuring contests and Q&A sessions with members of the creative team from Immortal and Michael’s other associates.

“In addition, the Fan Fest will give visitors the opportunity to play and compete against others in contests centered around the recently released Ubisoft video game Michael Jackson: The Experience. An interactive, engaging and immersive design will create a larger-than-life environment for all Fan Fest goers and promises to be a one-of-a-kind event,” one of the organizers said.

The Michael Jackson Fan Fest will be open to those who want to participate in it and to ticket holders of the touring show. Fan Fest will be set up in the Bay East and West Halls of Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

This week, we’ll post our interviews with the partners of Team Michael Jackson involved with the new Cirque du Soleil shows headed here -- the touring show and the new permanent residency show opening in 2013 as part of an MJ Zone at the resort. First up is a rare and revealing interview with the co-executor of the estate, attorney and former manager John Branca.

Robin Leach: When you took on this enormous responsibility, I think it’s safe to say that at that moment, neither his family nor his fans understood what your role was. You’ve not only polished the reputation, you’ve protected the reputation, and you’ve built an enormous industry going forward. When you sat down those first moments after his tragic death and said I am the co-executor of the estate, what was in your mind to achieve for the man you once managed?

John Branca: That’s a big question. First of all, when that job was handed to me, I was thankful because a lot of Michael’s fans were really supportive. They had felt that since I’d been there with him since January 1980 that John McClain and I were the right co-executors for the job. So that gave me some confidence, but we had to prove ourselves, and there were a lot of challenges. The fact that I’d worked with Michael on and off for 30 years and that I had come to know him so well in terms of his business approach gave me a big advantage.

I kind of felt like I knew what to do right from the start. I think if somebody brand new had come in, it would have taken them a year or two just to figure everything out. But John McClain went to high school with Michael, I worked with him on and off for 30 years. It almost seemed natural.

It didn’t seem like, “OK, we have to figure this out.” It was just once the judge handed the baton to us, we just started running. The one thing that I think made it easy was our decision to authorize and release the movie This Is It because when I saw that footage, I realized, in my opinion, that people would see Michael in a different way. They would see Michael the perfectionist, they would see the reason why he was a great artist. At the same time, you would see his humanity. Michael did not talk down to his musicians and his dancers. He was a very gentle but demanding human being.

We felt if we put this movie out, people would see Michael in a whole different way, and fortunately that was the case. And it went on to become by far the most successful concert documentary movie of all time. As busy as he was, I’m certain he got time to see the video shot of himself from those final rehearsals. I’m sure he did review it to study it to see which parts he might want to do better. I don’t know for a fact, but I’m pretty sure he reviewed some of it, although not all of it.

RL: Do you get any criticism, or if there was any, how did you answer it about making so much money out of his name? First of all, I’m presuming some of that moneymaking was forced on you because of his large debts that had to be straightened out.

JB: We viewed our obligation as really to Michael, in terms of his legacy and his work, and then to his mother and his children. And what we wanted to do over time was to be able to put the Estate into a condition where eventually when it was handed over to his own three children down the line, it would be in much better shape than when we inherited it. So it’s our job to generate income. If we sat around and did nothing, it would be a disservice.

RL: Do you eventually relinquish this work, and then it goes to the three children?

JB: Down the road. Well down the road. Under Michael’s trust, which is confidential, there is a date at which when the children reach a certain age, the assets get distributed, and as is typical in high income, high-network families, you don’t turn it over too soon. You wait until the kids are older.

RL: So they have to be well over 21. If Michael was witness to everything that’s going on now, with what you’ve done, what you’ve managed to achieve, do you think he would approve and it would all have his blessing?

JB: I think so. I think that because of the many conversations I’d had with him over the years. It wasn’t so much that he spoke about his own immortality, but he spoke about his legacy. I met with Michael the week before he passed away, and we had an agenda to go over about future affairs. A couple of months before, he had said through his manager Frank DiLeo that he wanted me to start thinking things, ideas, so when I came into that meeting, I had an agenda with a lot of ideas. I left knowing which ones Michael wanted, and so what we have done is what he wanted anyway.

The other thing is that John McClain had said to me, if we went to Michael and said let’s put out a film of your rehearsal footage, he would have said, “Are you of your mind?” Michael was a perfectionist, so purely rehearsal footage would have been a no. But if we’d said to him, ‘Michael they’re gonna pay you X amount of money, and it’s going to be the most successful concert film ever, and the album will go to No. 1, and it’s going to outsell Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber combined, what do you think then? He would have instantly said, “Where do I sign?”

RL: This meeting that you had a week before he passed. Was it in any way a premonition, or in getting ready to fly to London for an extended stay with This Is It, was it just being protective and the normal case of keeping one’s life in order?

JB: I had not been working with Michael since 2006. I had resigned. But in 2009, he signed up for the This Is It concert tour. I said to myself humbly, “I’m not sure that there’s anybody else that can help Michael achieve what he wants to achieve. Not artistically, because he was the master with that, but business-wise. I called the AEG people and his manager to simply let Michael know if he wanted any help and had the interest, I’m here for him.

I got the calls back, and they said Michael wants you to implement a plan. So over the course of a couple of months, we gave it a lot of thought, and I was ready to meet him on the Wednesday -- never thinking for a moment he would be dead that weekend. It was far more about helping him have a plan from the concerts. The timing was totally coincidental … it was not a premonition. Those outlines, however, became our blueprint for protecting and ensuring his legacy. It’s what he wanted to do anyway.

RL: Would he have wanted this amazing partnership with Cirque du Soleil?

JB: I took Michael to his first Cirque show. We went together back in the early ’80s. It was a tent show in a Santa Monica parking lot next to the pier. He loved it! We had to go backstage after because he wanted to say hello to all of the entertainers. He was a huge Cirque fan. He saw every one of the Cirque shows. He went to Montreal to see Cirque headquarters and watch all the performers at work. In his way, he is now working with Cirque, which is something he always wanted to do.

RL: Your prediction for Cirque’s arena tour and for the second show and the Neverland re-created museum of memorabilia here -- a prediction on it all?

JB: My philosophy is you do the best you can in creating what you’re creating. And if you do a good-enough job and it’s Michael Jackson and Michael’s music with Cirque and Jamie King, well, the results speak for themselves.

RL: Final question: You worked with him for a long period of time. What was his genius, what was it about him that had that mega appeal to connect with everybody around the world? Did he even understand it himself?

JB: Michael’s genius was multifaceted. He started out as this incredible young singer and dancer that then got molded through the Berry Gordy Motown music factory into becoming the consummate entertainer. He then started to write his own music. Who knew he was a songwriter? Then after Off the Wall, he started to produce his own music. He produced “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” with Quincy Jones and co-produced “Bad.”

His talent kept unfolding and growing -- part of it because he was so driven to perfection and he studied the other greats. The other part was an innate likability about him. You read stories of great artists with egos, and nobody wants to be around them. That was not Michael. Michael was a great artist and a great genius, and everybody loved him.

RL: I had the privilege of having a Chinese dinner with him one night at the Wynn hotel here. He was the most regular, likeable guy in the world.

RL: Exactly, and then when he was ready to go onstage, he went to another level of superstar.

John told me that Michael has 32 million friends on Facebook and that his older brother Jackie Jackson is very involved with the Estate. “Jackie has been working with us at the estate on many projects, including developing a very high-end leather jacket line inspired by Michael’s videos that will be available retail at the MJ Zone in Mandalay Bay,” he said.

Tomorrow, we’ll post the conversation with Jackie, along with how Mandalay Bay President Chuck Bowling plans to set up his hotel for the experience. Later in the week, our interviews continue with Immortal director Jamie King and Cirque President Daniel Lamarre.

John summed up: “We are thrilled to establish Michael’s home away from home here at Mandalay Bay. Very few fans would ever get to visit Michael’s Neverland Ranch because of its remote location. But millions of Michael’s fans will now come to Mandalay Bay to hear Michael’s music and experience Michael in many other ways.

“When we think about Fan Fest, Michael was always a fan of Beatles Fest, Elvis Week, Star Wars conventions, and he used to say, ‘Someday I want to have my own fan convention.’ Michael’s fans have told us they also want the same thing, so we are thrilled to accomplish another one of Michael’s objectives. We look forward to working with our partners to make happen all the things Michael himself wanted.”

http://www.vegasdeluxe.com/blogs/luxe-life/2011/may/02/michael-jackson-fan-fest-details-plus-late-singers/

Michael Jackson: Judge delays trial of Michael Jackson's doctor while defense team consults experts

Lawyers for Conrad Murray asked for more time, saying they need to consult additional experts in microbiology, pharmacokinetics and possibly even veterinary medicine.

After hearing Chris Brown's new one "She aint you" which borrows heavily from SWV's "Right Here" that borrowed from Human Nature I thought I'd post the quintessential mix of Right Here with Human Nature.

Take a trip back.

Swa said:

After hearing Chris Brown's new one "She aint you" which borrows heavily from SWV's "Right Here" that borrowed from Human Nature I thought I'd post the quintessential mix of Right Here with Human Nature.

Take a trip back.

Thanks,Swa!

Dedicated to MJ

Arguably the most overlooked cut on Dangerous. Mike rocks vocally on this inspirational cut.

silverchild said:

Arguably the most overlooked cut on Dangerous. Mike rocks vocally on this inspirational cut.

Whilst I liked Keep The Faith, I felt it followed the MITM structure too easily and felt like a do-over. By contrast WYBT felt like a new approach to gospel influenced tracks.

silverchild said:

Arguably the most overlooked cut on Dangerous. Mike rocks vocally on this inspirational cut.

Michael SANG on that song.

[Edited 5/3/11 16:48pm]

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

Anyone else here think Lady Gaga is being more pretentious than usual, blowing 10 million dollars on a music video for an already-declared mediocre song such as Judas?

She just had to spend more than Michael did on Scream....

At least Scream was a quality song...and the vid was and is revolutionary...

God knows what this Judas shit is gonna turn out to be..

It was a rumor I heard but whatever I guess.

Swa said:

silverchild said:

Arguably the most overlooked cut on Dangerous. Mike rocks vocally on this inspirational cut.

Whilst I liked Keep The Faith, I felt it followed the MITM structure too easily and felt like a do-over. By contrast WYBT felt like a new approach to gospel influenced tracks.

I definitely see where this follows the approach of "Man In The Mirror," but "Keep The Faith" sounds like a traditional, down-home church song, whereas "MITM" sounds like a socially-concious, inspirational statement (if that makes sense).

silverchild said:

Arguably the most overlooked cut on Dangerous. Mike rocks vocally on this inspirational cut.

I looooove Keep The Faith! One of my favourite MJ songs to sing ever!

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

Anyone else here think Lady Gaga is being more pretentious than usual, blowing 10 million dollars on a music video for an already-declared mediocre song such as Judas?

She just had to spend more than Michael did on Scream....

At least Scream was a quality song...and the vid was and is revolutionary...

God knows what this Judas shit is gonna turn out to be..

Cant.stand.Gaga.

Mediocre Singer, Catchy melodies with controversial lyrics, HORRIBLE DANCER

Emancipation89 said:

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

Anyone else here think Lady Gaga is being more pretentious than usual, blowing 10 million dollars on a music video for an already-declared mediocre song such as Judas?

She just had to spend more than Michael did on Scream....

At least Scream was a quality song...and the vid was and is revolutionary...

God knows what this Judas shit is gonna turn out to be..

Cant.stand.Gaga.

Mediocre Singer, Catchy melodies with controversial lyrics, HORRIBLE DANCER

I beginning to hate her too. Frankly, I think she's just pretentious as hell with an ego the size of Texas.

I have this friend who's obsessed with anything Gaga. She even refers to herself as a "little monster". She likes Michael too...but she's crazy about Gaga. I told her off a few days ago, saying I think Lady Gaga is a pretentious copycat who'd rather have her crazy clothes and crazed image speak louder than her music. Not like her music can speak loudly anyways. She does nothing but rip off MJ, The Pointer Sisters, Madonna, etc. and sells it back ot her fans as bastardized soul-less versions of the real thing. Only song I ever really cared about from her was "Just Dance". Mindless song that's easy to dance to.

My friend denied it all. Well, the hell with it. Judas is pointless...and this video, if this rumour is true...will be a total disaster.

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

Emancipation89 said:

Cant.stand.Gaga.

Mediocre Singer, Catchy melodies with controversial lyrics, HORRIBLE DANCER

I beginning to hate her too. Frankly, I think she's just pretentious as hell with an ego the size of Texas.

I have this friend who's obsessed with anything Gaga. She even refers to herself as a "little monster". She likes Michael too...but she's crazy about Gaga. I told her off a few days ago, saying I think Lady Gaga is a pretentious copycat who'd rather have her crazy clothes and crazed image speak louder than her music. Not like her music can speak loudly anyways. She does nothing but rip off MJ, The Pointer Sisters, Madonna, etc. and sells it back ot her fans as bastardized soul-less versions of the real thing. Only song I ever really cared about from her was "Just Dance". Mindless song that's easy to dance to.

My friend denied it all. Well, the hell with it. Judas is pointless...and this video, if this rumour is true...will be a total disaster.

^^ Don't waste negative energy on other artists. Focus it on what you love instead.

Personally I don't mind Gaga - I'm not a fan but I think that atleast she is stirring things up. Pretencious with a hell of an ego sounds like a certain purple person I know during the 80s.

Every artist borrows from what has come before - it's what they fashion it into that adds value.

Let people love what they love, and remember being an MJ has never been an easy ride with many writing off his music for years. Each to their own. I say.

Just pull out some classic MJ - paste it here and let us all focus on what unites.

*Flips through channels*

*Sees Katherine on Today Show*

Today is her birthday.

[Edited 5/4/11 4:40am]

WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE: http://www.today.com/

Interview Today MAY 4, 2011 (Happy Birthday Mrs. Jackson and Son Jackie)

One thing I will say is: You can feel Katherine's sadness when she talks about Michael. Sadness of a Mother (heartbreaking)

Another thing I will say: Someone should PLEASE tell Katherine to stop saying on National TV that Jordan Chandler
confessed after Michael died. That is VERY incorrect information and she could possibly
hear from Chandler's lawyers about that. That was a rumor and Jordan has NEVER manned-up
to confess that he and his father falsely accused Michael.
I do understand her pain though and I wish what she was saying were true.


CNN ARTICLE


http://www.cnn.com/2011/S...n.sadness/

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Katherine Jackson's sadness over the loss of her son is constant nearly two years after Michael Jackson's sudden death from an overdose of a surgical anesthetic.
"There's not a day that passes I don't think about my child and he should be here right now," Jackson said in a CNN interview at her home Tuesday. "But it was negligence of a doctor and it's just hard, really hard."
To help her cope with the sadness, she recently moved into a spacious new mansion on a hilltop above Calabasas, California, away from the Encino home where the Jackson family lived since 1969. Katherine Jackson loves the higher ceilings and larger windows, but it's also a refuge from sad reminders that haunt the old home.
"Michael was 11 years old when we moved there and he stayed there until he was well into his 20s before he moved," she said. "It just brings back a lot of memories, but they're sad memories to me now because he's not here."
Visitors to the ground floor see artwork collected by Michael Jackson, but they won't see his photographs. The three children left behind by the pop icon treasure images of their father, but his mother avoids them.
What you do see are the flowers that Katherine Jackson surrounds herself with, a passion she recently turned into a business. She launched the Katherine Jackson line of floral arrangements this month, just in time for fans to send them to their mom's this Mother's Day.
But since she's a Jehovah's Witness, Katherine Jackson does not observe holidays. Wednesday is her 81st birthday, but there will be no celebration in her home.
The youngest of Michael's children, 9-year-old Blanket, has his own way of remembering his father. His long brown hair grows longer, reaching halfway down his back.
"He doesn't want to cut it, so I've talked to him about it," his grandmother said. "He likes it long because his father wanted him to have long hair at the time, but there will be a day that he'll have to cut it, I think."
Blanket studies at home with a tutor, while Prince, 14, and Paris, 13, attend classes at a private school.
"They're doing very well," she said. "They're going to school everyday."
The children are shielded from news about the criminal case against the doctor accused of causing their father's death. The trial has been delayed until September, but when it does start, they won't see their grandmother around the house during weekdays. Katherine Jackson will be sitting in court.
"I plan to be there everyday," she said. "If I'm able, I will be there."
She'll be there listening as the doctor who conducted the autopsy describes again, as she heard in last January's preliminary hearing, how Jackson's liver was placed in a blender he could measure the chemicals in his organs.
"Worse comes to worse, I'll just step out," she said. "I heard they're going to show some autopsy shots, and I don't want to see that. So, I'll leave and, you know, sit out in the hall or somewhere until it's over and then I'll come back in. But I just feel that I have to be there."
Katherine Jackson, although she'd rather avoid sadness, proved her strength six years ago when she sat in court for five months as her son was tried and acquitted on child molestation charges.
"Yes, I was there everyday," she said. "I wanted to be there for him, because I knew it was lies. I prayed for the truth to come, because I knew if the truth came out that my son would walk away and he did."
Some online media reports have suggested Katherine Jackson's health is failing, but she laughs about the speculation.
The limp you might notice in her walk is not from old age, but it a remnant of a childhood battle with polio.
She stays active with her new floral venture and decorating her new home.
"I'm still here and I'm blessed and I thank God," she said.

Taken from KOP Board.

Swa said:

ThruTheEyesOfWonder said:

I beginning to hate her too. Frankly, I think she's just pretentious as hell with an ego the size of Texas.

I have this friend who's obsessed with anything Gaga. She even refers to herself as a "little monster". She likes Michael too...but she's crazy about Gaga. I told her off a few days ago, saying I think Lady Gaga is a pretentious copycat who'd rather have her crazy clothes and crazed image speak louder than her music. Not like her music can speak loudly anyways. She does nothing but rip off MJ, The Pointer Sisters, Madonna, etc. and sells it back ot her fans as bastardized soul-less versions of the real thing. Only song I ever really cared about from her was "Just Dance". Mindless song that's easy to dance to.

My friend denied it all. Well, the hell with it. Judas is pointless...and this video, if this rumour is true...will be a total disaster.

^^ Don't waste negative energy on other artists. Focus it on what you love instead.

Personally I don't mind Gaga - I'm not a fan but I think that atleast she is stirring things up. Pretencious with a hell of an ego sounds like a certain purple person I know during the 80s.

Every artist borrows from what has come before - it's what they fashion it into that adds value.

Let people love what they love, and remember being an MJ has never been an easy ride with many writing off his music for years. Each to their own. I say.

Just pull out some classic MJ - paste it here and let us all focus on what unites.

Oh Swa....you're forever the voice of reason. Bless your heart

*puts on Forever, Michael*

[Edited 5/4/11 16:11pm]

Is it me or is there something in his eyes as he is posing with that man and woman that you won't see in anybody else's eyes? I miss him.

[Edited 5/4/11 11:49am]

Michael Jackson's mom copes with 'sad memories'

dag said:

Another thing I will say: Someone should PLEASE tell Katherine to stop saying on National TV that Jordan Chandler
confessed after Michael died. That is VERY incorrect information and she could possibly
hear from Chandler's lawyers about that. That was a rumor and Jordan has NEVER manned-up
to confess that he and his father falsely accused Michael.
I do understand her pain though and I wish what she was saying were true.

Totally agree. It's a potential PR nightmare. Not only will it force someone from the Chandler camp to refute it, and pretty passionately one would thing, but it just brings back the accusations once again.

The family needs to sense and fact check themselves before making statements like that. All any discussion can do is tarnish Michael's image in that it reraises that ugly chapter in his life.

I know she means well, but it will potentially backfire big time.

Katherine won't hear from any lawyers.

Jordy and June Chandler know the whole thing was a crock of shit at this point. And the only person that would be pissed off, is Evan Chandler, who is dead. He shot himself, remember?

Militant said:

Katherine won't hear from any lawyers.

Jordy and June Chandler know the whole thing was a crock of shit at this point. And the only person that would be pissed off, is Evan Chandler, who is dead. He shot himself, remember?

Exactly.

I didn't know Katherine moved.

Swa said:

Totally agree. It's a potential PR nightmare. Not only will it force someone from the Chandler camp to refute it, and pretty passionately one would thing, but it just brings back the accusations once again.

The family needs to sense and fact check themselves before making statements like that. All any discussion can do is tarnish Michael's image in that it reraises that ugly chapter in his life.

I know she means well, but it will potentially backfire big time.

Headline from TVGuide.com

VIDEO: Katherine Jackson ...on Charges

Jackie and Mr. DealZ will be on Mo'Nique

This song just blasted through my headphones - so funky.

Had to share

My small review of the leaked Tokyo 88 footage...

Professionally Filmed
Quality-A-
Date-December 25, 1988

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Heartbreak Hotel
Another Part Of Me
Human Nature
Smooth Criminal
I Just Can't Stop Loving You

Knowing the person who had the footage and knowing how the footage was leaked, I had mixed feelings about it, but since it's out there....


This is from 1988 leg of the Japanese Tour. When opened the Japan in the fall of 1987, when he played 14 shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and Nishinomiya with an early set list that included only 2 songs from the then new album, "Bad". Bringing the tour back to Japan in December 1988, it was almost a completely different show. with a revamped set list and song arrangements. The stage was also revamped since the first leg in 1987.

The stadium in Tokyo that Michael had played in 1987, Korakuen Stadium, closed down in November '87, so the newly built Tokyo Dome was the home of the tour for all of December '88

The best thing from this footage (aside from this is the most complete Bad Tour 88 show we've seen) is the fact that the audio is UNEDITED. It's the complete soundboard recording, so there's no audience sounds mixed in, no other audio from another concert mixed in, this is the raw audio, and it helps that the Japanese fans are polite and want to hear Michael instead of scream during the show LOL

From what's now out there, it's safe to say that this isn't a show that the Estate would release. It's a great show, it's just you see certain mistakes, and knowing how Michael was about concert footage, they'd want to release a show from Madison Square Garden in New York City, a show from Wembley Stadium in London, or the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles instead

-during Heartbreak Hotel, the backup singers mix up the second verse and the first verses (anybody normally wouldn't notice, but a fan of the song would LOL

-Michael completely forgets the first verse of Human Nature and improvises like he did in the live video of Dirty Diana

-it cuts off right after Sheryl Crowe's first verse

other than that, it's a great show and it would be great if the whole show was out there. Although it's a rip from Ustream, the footage is a direct rip of a Beta tape, so the quality is near perfect. The other flaw is the watermark

From the 30 minutes that's out there, I'd give it a 8.5/10

bboy87 said:

My small review of the leaked Tokyo 88 footage...

Professionally Filmed
Quality-A-
Date-December 25, 1988

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Heartbreak Hotel
Another Part Of Me
Human Nature
Smooth Criminal
I Just Can't Stop Loving You

Knowing the person who had the footage and knowing how the footage was leaked, I had mixed feelings about it, but since it's out there....


This is from 1988 leg of the Japanese Tour. When opened the Japan in the fall of 1987, when he played 14 shows in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and Nishinomiya with an early set list that included only 2 songs from the then new album, "Bad". Bringing the tour back to Japan in December 1988, it was almost a completely different show. with a revamped set list and song arrangements. The stage was also revamped since the first leg in 1987.

The stadium in Tokyo that Michael had played in 1987, Korakuen Stadium, closed down in November '87, so the newly built Tokyo Dome was the home of the tour for all of December '88

The best thing from this footage (aside from this is the most complete Bad Tour 88 show we've seen) is the fact that the audio is UNEDITED. It's the complete soundboard recording, so there's no audience sounds mixed in, no other audio from another concert mixed in, this is the raw audio, and it helps that the Japanese fans are polite and want to hear Michael instead of scream during the show LOL

From what's now out there, it's safe to say that this isn't a show that the Estate would release. It's a great show, it's just you see certain mistakes, and knowing how Michael was about concert footage, they'd want to release a show from Madison Square Garden in New York City, a show from Wembley Stadium in London, or the Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles instead

-during Heartbreak Hotel, the backup singers mix up the second verse and the first verses (anybody normally wouldn't notice, but a fan of the song would LOL

-Michael completely forgets the first verse of Human Nature and improvises like he did in the live video of Dirty Diana

-it cuts off right after Sheryl Crowe's first verse

other than that, it's a great show and it would be great if the whole show was out there. Although it's a rip from Ustream, the footage is a direct rip of a Beta tape, so the quality is near perfect. The other flaw is the watermark

From the 30 minutes that's out there, I'd give it a 8.5/10

Sounds awesome.