Timmy84 said:

thesexofit said:

It's funny as she doesn't look that bad on the video LOL. Either the video editors covered that up well or the photo was just naturally very unflattering. So yeah apart from "Wanna be starting something" bit when Whitney comes in, the rest of the guests did little for me. Though James Ingram and Gloria singing "I just cant stop loving you" was OK though.

I just wish I could see a high quality video of Marlon Brando being booed during his speech LOL. I remember that got abit of a "WTF moment" in the articles at the time too.

CBS had to make sure they erased that part! I think someone once uploaded that part on YouTube, don't know if it was taken down or what.

Poor quality..

The1592 said:

Timmy84 said:

CBS had to make sure they erased that part! I think someone once uploaded that part on YouTube, don't know if it was taken down or what.

Poor quality..

Still there.

But yeah I don't wanna hit play. I have my image of THE GREAT MARLON BRANDO so I'm not gonna hit play.

But it's sad how Marlon was in his final years though.

Timmy84 said:

The1592 said:

Poor quality..

(Video)

Still there.

But yeah I don't wanna hit play. I have my image of THE GREAT MARLON BRANDO so I'm not gonna hit play.

But it's sad how Marlon was in his final years though.

I never saw it before. The great thing about the video is it's from the crowd, so you can hear everybody reacting.

[Edited 9/22/11 21:03pm]

The1592 said:

Timmy84 said:

Still there.

But yeah I don't wanna hit play. I have my image of THE GREAT MARLON BRANDO so I'm not gonna hit play.

But it's sad how Marlon was in his final years though.

I never saw it before. The great thing about the video is it's from the crowd, so you can hear everybody reacting.

[Edited 9/22/11 21:03pm]

I can imagine it was gruesome. Wasn't this right before Michael and the brothers hit the stage?

The1592 said:

Timmy84 said:

CBS had to make sure they erased that part! I think someone once uploaded that part on YouTube, don't know if it was taken down or what.

Poor quality..

Yeah I've seen that before LOL. I understand Timmy sayin' it's sad to watch him like this. Dude was always eccentric though. Thats one of the main reasons why Mike liked hanging with him probably LOL.

I loved that fake story recently about Mike, Liz Taylor and Brando in a car in 2001.

http://www.dailymail.co.u...g-KFC.html

If only it was true LOL.

It was reported Brando got a couple million for his "role" in "you rock my world".

thesexofit said:

The1592 said:

Poor quality..

Yeah I've seen that before LOL. I understand Timmy sayin' it's sad to watch him like this. Dude was always eccentric though. Thats one of the main reasons why Mike liked hanging with him probably LOL.

I loved that fake story recently about Mike, Liz Taylor and Brando in a car in 2001.

http://www.dailymail.co.u...g-KFC.html

If only it was true LOL.

It was reported Brando got a couple million for his "role" in "you rock my world".

I could believe it. Michael was known to give out a million for people he really loved. So I can see how he would do it for Marlon.

thesexofit said:

I know what your saying. Mikes agressive media bashing songs were getting a little thin, but again that piano riff is catchy as hell LOL. Though I do get that song mixed up with "Invincible" sometimes though, particually the chorus.

"and u cant touch me, 'cause Iam untouchable".

Typical Jackson lyrics and for a first video, nobody would expect anything less then a typical shouty Jackson track with a flashy video. Be like if "Remember the time" was the first single off "Dangerous". Both are great songs but you need something abit flashier for a first single of Mikes I feel. At least by this point in his career you did.

But you maybe right, but I remember "YRMW" got alot of very bad press and the main reason was it was underwhelming for a first single after a 4 year wait. And I can see their point.

I think the gap between his albums was a problem.. Like with the Michael album, of course you're gonna say "That's what we've been waiting a decade for?" When it's the biggest pop star in the world, and he takes longer than most people to release an album, it has to be something really, really amazing or people will be disappointed.

What I Wanna know is why "Cry"? Because we needed another "Man In The Mirror", "Heal The World" and "Earth Song", I guess.. but I'd say it's one of the weaker tracks on the album. "Butterflies", too, but at least it did ok on the charts. Why not "Heartbreaker" and "Break Of Dawn"? Am I the only one who think they had great hit potential?

Besides, I think the public was as sick of the 'Heal The World' songs as they were of the media songs..

[Edited 9/22/11 21:12pm]

The1592 said:

thesexofit said:

I know what your saying. Mikes agressive media bashing songs were getting a little thin, but again that piano riff is catchy as hell LOL. Though I do get that song mixed up with "Invincible" sometimes though, particually the chorus.

"and u cant touch me, 'cause Iam untouchable".

Typical Jackson lyrics and for a first video, nobody would expect anything less then a typical shouty Jackson track with a flashy video. Be like if "Remember the time" was the first single off "Dangerous". Both are great songs but you need something abit flashier for a first single of Mikes I feel. At least by this point in his career you did.

But you maybe right, but I remember "YRMW" got alot of very bad press and the main reason was it was underwhelming for a first single after a 4 year wait. And I can see their point.

I think the gap between his albums was a problem.. Like with the Michael album, of course you're gonna say "That's what we've been waiting a decade for?" When it's the biggest pop star in the world, and he takes longer than most people to release an album, it has to be something really, really amazing or people will be disappointed.

What I Wanna know is why "Cry"? Because we needed another "Man In The Mirror", "Heal The World" and "Earth Song", I guess.. but I'd say it's one of the weaker tracks on the album. "Butterflies", too, but at least it did ok on the charts. Why not "Heartbreaker" and "Break Of Dawn"? Am I the only one who think they had great hit potential?

This is a man who was taught at an early age that you have to reach perfection, you can't go for second best, you have to be twice as good. That's why he hesitated on putting projects out because he always go "no there's something else missing" and the people he hired to help collaborate as songwriters and musicians had to go back at it again and again. Plus add to the fact that he had already released about 19 albums as a member of the Jackson 5/Jacksons nonstop between 1969 and 1980. He didn't wanna rush project out. So it was a combination of a lot of things that probably contribute to his slow releases. Everything had to be an event. Especially after Thriller, he never wanted to half-step it.

[Edited 9/22/11 21:13pm]

Another thing I wanna know is, why wasn't "Shout" on Invincible? I'd easily put this above half of the songs on the album.

Also, here's a (very slightly) different version of Shout:

"Fall Again" too. I'm not sure if they weren't finished in time, or what? But I have a feeling based on some of the amazing stuff that was rejected from MJs albums that there's probably quite a bit of gems left in the vault.

P.S. any new tracks leak recently? I haven't been keeping up.

[Edited 9/22/11 21:23pm]

The1592 said:

thesexofit said:

I know what your saying. Mikes agressive media bashing songs were getting a little thin, but again that piano riff is catchy as hell LOL. Though I do get that song mixed up with "Invincible" sometimes though, particually the chorus.

"and u cant touch me, 'cause Iam untouchable".

Typical Jackson lyrics and for a first video, nobody would expect anything less then a typical shouty Jackson track with a flashy video. Be like if "Remember the time" was the first single off "Dangerous". Both are great songs but you need something abit flashier for a first single of Mikes I feel. At least by this point in his career you did.

But you maybe right, but I remember "YRMW" got alot of very bad press and the main reason was it was underwhelming for a first single after a 4 year wait. And I can see their point.

I think the gap between his albums was a problem.. Like with the Michael album, of course you're gonna say "That's what we've been waiting a decade for?" When it's the biggest pop star in the world, and he takes longer than most people to release an album, it has to be something really, really amazing or people will be disappointed.

What I Wanna know is why "Cry"? Because we needed another "Man In The Mirror", "Heal The World" and "Earth Song", I guess.. but I'd say it's one of the weaker tracks on the album. "Butterflies", too, but at least it did ok on the charts. Why not "Heartbreaker" and "Break Of Dawn"? Am I the only one who think they had great hit potential?

Besides, I think the public was as sick of the 'Heal The World' songs as they were of the media songs..

[Edited 9/22/11 21:12pm]

In the UK at least, I thought Sony would assume a ballad like "cry" would make a good winter/xmas choice of single (where xmas no.1 is still somewhat of a a big deal here), that and R Kelly wrote it probably helped too. Mike not being in the video killed it before it ever got a chance though. At least the single had that rarest of things, a non album track LOL ("shout", which was on early tracklistings for the album just weeks before the final tracklist was announced), so we got that out of it.

I dont know what I would of picked? "Whatever happens"?

I also think "what more can i give" was sabotaged with the lame excuse about a gay porn director directing the video (that was true but so what LOL). Never got the reason why that never came out cd single wise (internet single only, and that was about a year later I think, and it was a different and much shorter edit too). That was really fucked up. I also think "What more can i give" and "cry" sound similar. But then alot of charity songs and ballads do i guess?

Mike was prepared to blitz the promotion and did to some extent, but some things like the charity single and the video fiasco did backfire on him badly. Anyone really know why "what more can I give?", which was even shown live, was pretty much shelved?

"Whatever Happens" was a really brilliant song, I Think. That probably should've been a single, actually.. It had Carlos Santana, too.

This didn't air in the UK, but I remember finding the studio version off some bootleg Michael Jackson site in late 2001 sometime (remember when there was no youtube LOL). I loved it then and still do now LOL. It's cheesy but the studio version should of been released properly.

thesexofit said:

This didn't air in the UK, but I remember finding the studio version off some bootleg Michael Jackson site in late 2001 sometime (remember when there was no youtube LOL). I loved it then and still do now LOL. It's cheesy but the studio version should of been released properly.

I wonder if there's a solo demo like there was for "We Are The World"? I love this song, but I didn't like some of the singers they picked. Especially whoever sings the 'call my name, i am your friend' on the studio version. Can't remember who that is at the moment, but that line kinda ruined the song for me.. MJ should have done the bridge himself.

The1592 said:

thesexofit said:

This didn't air in the UK, but I remember finding the studio version off some bootleg Michael Jackson site in late 2001 sometime (remember when there was no youtube LOL). I loved it then and still do now LOL. It's cheesy but the studio version should of been released properly.

I wonder if there's a solo demo like there was for "We Are The World"? I love this song, but I didn't like some of the singers they picked. Especially whoever sings the 'call my name, i am your friend' on the studio version. Can't remember who that is at the moment, but that line kinda ruined the song for me.. MJ should have done the bridge himself.

Mike says the first part of the middle 8 on the studio version, then Celine says "call my name, Iam your friend", then Mike takes over again. I like Celine so i don't mind her singing that line.

You know Mike wanted this released as a spanish version was even made, with Carlos adding some nice guitar. Must of got him down when Sony blocked it.

I bet a demo of just him singing does exist. I think the song dates back to the "Michael and friends" concerts in 1998/1999 (I forgot the year). Perhaps a duet with Pavarotti? I know that was rumoured back then.....

thesexofit said:

The1592 said:

I wonder if there's a solo demo like there was for "We Are The World"? I love this song, but I didn't like some of the singers they picked. Especially whoever sings the 'call my name, i am your friend' on the studio version. Can't remember who that is at the moment, but that line kinda ruined the song for me.. MJ should have done the bridge himself.

Mike says the first part of the middle 8 on the studio version, then Celine says "call my name, Iam your friend", then Mike takes over again. I like Celine so i don't mind her singing that line.

You know Mike wanted this released as a spanish version was even made, with Carlos adding some nice guitar. Must of got him down when Sony blocked it.

I bet a demo of just him singing does exist. I think the song dates back to the "Michael and friends" concerts in 1998/1999 (I forgot the year). Perhaps a duet with Pavarotti? I know that was rumoured back then.....

I thought it sounded like Celine, who I'm a fan of, but I didn't like her singing that line.. it didn't have the emotion that Michael's singing had imo..

thesexofit said:

The1592 said:

I wonder if there's a solo demo like there was for "We Are The World"? I love this song, but I didn't like some of the singers they picked. Especially whoever sings the 'call my name, i am your friend' on the studio version. Can't remember who that is at the moment, but that line kinda ruined the song for me.. MJ should have done the bridge himself.

Mike says the first part of the middle 8 on the studio version, then Celine says "call my name, Iam your friend", then Mike takes over again. I like Celine so i don't mind her singing that line.

You know Mike wanted this released as a spanish version was even made, with Carlos adding some nice guitar. Must of got him down when Sony blocked it.

I bet a demo of just him singing does exist. I think the song dates back to the "Michael and friends" concerts in 1998/1999 (I forgot the year). Perhaps a duet with Pavarotti? I know that was rumoured back then.....

Yes it was a song he wanted to introduce for Pavarotti and friends 99 I believe.

thesexofit said:

The1592 said:

I thought the 'You Rock My World' video was alright. But I'm not sure "Unbreakable" would've been a good first single. In The US, YRMW reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.. do you think Unbreakable could have done better? I don't think it would have.. Though I would've loved to see that video.

Remember the rumour that Mel Gibson was going to be in the video LOL (this was months before the tracklisting was even announced).

So yeah, the video did get a big premiere so again I hate diehards who say Sony initially didn't promote it enough. Thats bullshit. It was after christmas 2001 that promo completely stopped and we know what happened after that LOL.

No 10 was very weak considering it was his first single. Still not as bad as the US showing for "blood on the dancefloor" (no. 42 which is insanely bad), but it did miles better in other territories. I do think "Unbreakable" would of done better (with an edit of course). That piano riff is one of the best things on the whole disc LOL. "YRMW" would of made a fine second single. The track has grown on me alot, but I remember first hearing it on the radio and being underwhelmed at the time. Sounds great now though.

It was a popular song and a good first single but you have to remember that there was no retail release of YRMW in the US. it would have charted higher if it had been available for people to buy

The1592 said:

Timmy84 said:

CBS had to make sure they erased that part! I think someone once uploaded that part on YouTube, don't know if it was taken down or what.

Poor quality..

The crowd were a bunch of disrespectful morons. Michael would not have been happy with them booing his friend when he was talking about something so close to his heart. They weren't even listening. Just sounded like a bunch of ignorant pea brains. He obviously had Michael's blessing to speak about it or else he wouldn't have been there. The video makes me sad, but not for anything Brando did.

[Edited 9/23/11 7:41am]

Michael Jackson's Son to Make First Solo Appearance

BY KAREN NICKEL ANHALT

Thursday September 22, 2011 03:25 PM EDT

In his first solo foray into the limelight, Michael Jackson's eldest son, Prince Michael, will be in Berlin for a Nov. 10 auction in support of a cause dear to his late father's heart: helping disadvantaged kids.

The 14-year-old will be there for the sale of his dad's handwritten composition of the hit "Bad." All proceeds from the auction will go to the Tribute to Bambi foundation, which supports organizations in Germany that aid needy children.

"Prince Michael Jackson will walk the red carpet and present the manuscript on stage surrounded by children," a spokesperson for the event tells PEOPLE.

The teen is expected to arrive with an entourage but without relatives. "He won't be traveling alone," says a source close to the event, "but he won't have any family members with him."

In 2002, when he was 5, Prince Michael visited Berlin with his father, sister Paris and brother Blanket for the same event. (Staying at the Adlon Hotel on that occasion, Michael memorably dangled baby Blanket over the balcony before adoring fans.)

In previous auctions for the charity, Michael's glittery jacket and an autographed guitar went on the block, in in 2002 and 2009, respectively.

Those wishing to bid on the "Bad" manuscript may do so online between now and Nov. 10, at United Charity.

Asked to predict how much the manuscript might fetch, a spokeswoman laughed and said, "Hopefully, a whole lot!"

http://www.people.com/peo...pheadlines

Bringing up Jacko's children: A highly charged interview with Michael Jackson's mother

• Paris still sleeps with one her daddy's jackets
• After their bizarre upbringing, the children crave normality
• The singer was convinced he was going to be killed

By CHRISSY ILEY

Last updated at 8:46 AM on 23rd September 2011

There is nothing that can give a better glimpse into Michael Jackson himself than meeting his mother Katherine. They have the same whispery high voice. The same hunted look.

They have the same air of a person who has endured much, yet has a sense of naivety. More than anything else there is a feeling that she is not quite of this world.

I am inside the Jackson family home. The decor is chintzy faux Versailles with a few Seventies browns and oranges. There are paintings of princesses, lots of sculptures of giant hands, galloping horses and the odd giraffe.

There is an ornament depicting Michael Jackson holding up the world with doves and children. It’s ornate and sentimental, a bit like Michael. I walk past a row of children’s bikes — a reminder that she now has custody of Michael’s three children — and a swimming pool, in sight of majestic mountains under the blue California sky, to get to Katherine Jackson’s quarters. I had to go through double-gated security to get to this house 45 minutes from Hollywood.

She greets me warily but sweetly. She’s dressed in a pale blue jacket and black slacks. Her skin looks much younger than her 81 years. Her eyes are dark and dart around. She seems to be frisking me for my soul.

The Jacksons are naturally suspicious and they all believe in various conspiracy theories surrounding the death of her son and their brother.
She has just taken a call from her son Jermaine who is vehemently opposed to the Michael Forever Tribute Concert at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on October 8, which will be televised and downloaded to more countries than any other show in the history of pop (or so they claim).

JLS will perform with Marlon, Tito and Jackie Jackson. And a pregnant Beyoncé, wearing a Michael wig, will be seen on film, introduced by the Jackson children — Prince Michael, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket (passport name Prince Michael II), 10.

The concert has caused friction within the family, because Jermaine feels it is inappropriate to stage it at the same time as Dr Conrad Murray goes on trial for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson.

Katherine Jackson seems keen to diminish the spectre of the sad Michael, plagued with demons and eccentricities, and get on with celebrating his memory and cherishing his talent.

‘I don’t understand why my son feels that way,’ says Katherine softly, ‘Jermaine feels it’s not the right time because of the trial coming up.

Michael’s been gone two years now. They kept postponing the trial. We didn’t know when exactly it was coming around and I don’t see anything wrong with this.

‘Jermaine has his own thoughts. He’s entitled to his opinion.’

But she says the other siblings are all behind it. ‘Three of them are performing and my daughter La Toya will be there. But just because some of the family don’t feel the same it doesn’t mean we’re divided.’

I have heard that Jermaine seems to be acting out the role of the new Joe Jackson, their disciplinarian father who used to beat them if they didn’t work hard enough in rehearsals.

Sources say that it is usually Jermaine and Randy on one side and Jackie, Tito, Marlon and La Toya on another, and Janet one step removed. Katherine disputes this.

‘When we are together we get on well. I don’t know how this lie started but I’m so tired of people believing it. Every family has their problems. It doesn’t mean we never get along. Anyone can agree on something today and change their mind tomorrow.

‘My children are grown up now. I always tell them: “This is your brother, this is your family. If you don’t agree with them and something happened to them you would not pass your family by. You would always give a helping hand.”

‘They may fight and have their differences. They may not speak for a while — and this never happened in my family — but if somebody got sick or needed help, I would always be there.

‘You can’t change a person but that doesn’t mean you don’t love them.’

I sense that here is a frail woman who has endured pain, betrayal, loss, and might snap at any minute.

Those around her say she is the driving force of the family and that nothing happens if she doesn’t want it to.

She is the legal guardian of Michael’s children. You can’t help wondering if she has the stamina to bring up two teenagers and a ten-year-old. Isn’t it all very demanding? ‘No, not at all. I have a lot of people helping. They’re good kids and I don’t have that much to worry about. They have their friends over. They ride their bikes.’

It’s almost more strange that she makes them seem normal. Their upbringing even before the tragedy was at the very least eccentric. They went out dressed in Spider-Man masks and Prince in a surgical mask. Yet they sound very well adjusted.

‘They go to acting school and they love that, although Paris doesn’t need lessons,’ Katherine chuckles, meaning she is a natural actress.

What makes Katherine happy now? ‘That’s not an easy question. I believe in the resurrection and I’m happy when Paris and Prince come home from school happy. Prince is a very good student. He’s always saying: “Grandma I got a 98 in my test.” It makes me happy to see them smile.’ She says she sees Michael in all three. ‘They are all going to be like him, especially Paris. She has pictures of him hanging all over her wall.

‘When I had a decorator come in who moved them, she put them all back. “I want Daddy hanging on the walls”, she said. I don’t know how she could, but she does.

‘She took a pillow and one of his jackets, and said: “I don’t want a jacket that’s been cleaned. I want something with his scent on it.” She put the jacket over the pillow and she breathes it. It’s still there.

‘She said: “I don’t ever want it cleaned. He’s worn it and it smells of him and I don’t ever want the smell to go away.” ’ Katherine starts weeping.

‘They’re doing OK,’ she says. ‘I’m doing OK. It’s hard being a mother and losing your child. It shouldn’t be that way round. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t...’

Her whispers turn into tears. ‘People tell me all the time that I’m strong, but I don’t think so. Paris, Prince and Blanket suffer in different ways. Prince tried to be stronger than the others. He wants to be a man. He doesn’t want people to see what’s inside.

‘During the funeral when the children were given the crown to put on top of the casket, he put his hand on my shoulder and started to cry. He wanted to be strong because he was around all his cousins. From the moment they came from the hospital [after Michael died], they were all bawling their eyes out.’ She composes herself slightly. ‘He was a very good son. People tried to poison the world against him. All this molestation stuff was just a lie.

‘Oprah Winfrey says if a child tells you something, believe it. It’s just the opposite! That first boy came out and admitted he lied because his father made him and the father wanted the money.’

She recalls what happened the day she got the news that something had happened to Michael. ‘I got a call to come to the hospital. We rushed down there and when we got there, we said: “Where is he?” and they took me to another room. They wanted to sit down and talk to me and that’s when I was told.

‘I said: “How is he?” They told me he didn’t make it. But all I could say was: “How is he?”

‘I think when your child has died there is nothing to take that pain away.’

She is looking forward to the Cardiff concert because, she says: ‘It makes me feel good that people all over the world can love him even after his death and it made me feel good to know that perhaps they didn’t believe those bad things after all. I know he didn’t do it. People are mixed up. They don’t know.

‘These people who did it, they know who they are. They know what they did.’

She’s resolutely silent and not going to tell me who the people are.
She seems to be saying that there was a conspiracy to murder her son, and in this thinking the family are not at war.

Jermaine in his graphic book, You Are Not Alone: Michael Through A Brother’s Eyes, reveals that Michael’s chimp wore clothes and Poison perfume by Christian Dior. The book paints him in all his weirdness, but it exonerates him of any crime.

The family toe one united line, which is that dark forces claimed Michael. Not those within him, but something beyond his reach.

Even this fractured and broken family can agree Michael was a victim — although nobody is exactly sure of what.

La Toya Jackson has spent the past two years making a documentary and it is speculated that in it she will reveal who she thinks is responsible for his alleged murder.

Did Michael ever tell his mother he wanted her to look after the children if anything happened to him?

‘No. He never talked about that but he always felt that someone was after him, trying to kill him. He would ask: “Why are they after me? I haven’t done anything. What are they accusing me of?” ’

It sounds like he was in a panic. I don’t want to say it sounds like he was paranoid in front of her in case I make her cry again. ‘No,’ she says, very resolute, ‘I don’t think he was panicking. He would say it just like that if he were here with us today. He felt something was going to happen.’

Katherine’s favourite Michael Jackson song is Man In The Mirror and she is looking forward to it being performed at the concert which she is attending even though she doesn’t like flying.

‘Every time I think that people did care about my son . . .’ She can’t finish the sentence for weeping.

‘If he were alive he’d be proud to see that a lot of people were giving back. It is so emotional because he really loved everyone and he’s not here to see it. I’m sure he will be nearby.’

Does she think that she can feel him around her and communicate with him and his spirit? She shakes her head. ‘Michael’s sleeping now and I know he’s not conscious of anything.’ She says this as a measure of ultimate sadness and relief. The profits from the concert will go to his favourite charities.

‘Wherever he was he would visit orphans and hospitals and babies and children in need. He would always give. Since he was that high.’ She gestures to knee level.

‘He would look at African children with big bellies and flies all over them on TV and he would cry. He’d say: “I’m going to help them one day.” ’

But I had heard that the concert was to directly benefit Michael’s children, because his executors had decided to wait until the children are 40 before releasing the millions they are holding in trust.

Although when Jackson died there were substantial debts, the subsequent posthumous sales of albums and DVDs are said to have generated £196 million.

On the day we meet there is a news story that suggests the trust had revised its policy and was to give £20 million to Katherine and the children and to some charities. ‘The only thing I’m going to say is they are unfair.’

Perhaps she means the estate is unfair because it’s a trust and the children will not be awarded that money straight away.

She continues: ‘They say they’re selling Hayvenhurst [the Jackson family’s English Tudor-style home in Encino, California, where Michael grew up]. I haven’t agreed to that. I don’t want it sold. Michael remodelled it as a gift to me, but I won’t go back to live there. I like where I live now because it’s lighter, brighter.

‘The happiest time for me and my family was when everybody was at home, nobody was married, my children were young and they could go out and play.

That was before they were signed to any record companies. They were just in talent shows. And we were all there sitting around the table eating and talking and having fun.

‘I used to cook soul food. In the wintertime we would buy a big piece of beef and put it in the freezer and I would freeze peaches so we would have steaks and gravy and rice and peach cobbler. We would always have a dessert. Maybe fried apple turnovers. Those were my happy days. But they will come again.

‘I am a spiritual person and I feel I will see my son again at the resurrection. I try to be strong.’

It certainly must have taken strength to stay with her husband of more than 60 years, Joe Jackson. They are still married, although estranged.

Her children have spoken about their father’s brutality. Michael in particular felt tortured by it.

It’s hard to grasp how this empathic, intelligent matriarch stood by as her husband Joe regularly beat his children if they didn’t get their songs right. It was also rumoured that he cheated on her. Does she still love him? ‘Well yes, I do. That’s a strange question.’

Not really. I want to say to her, not many women would. But, instead, I ask does she get on with him? ‘Oh yes.’

Here I see parallels with Michael, to want to believe the good in people, that the world can be beautiful when it most definitely isn’t.

Does that make her naive or strong? ‘I don’t have Michael’s pictures out all the time, but I have got some of his things. I’m never going to forget him. Every time I see something of his it just makes me feel bad.’ She shakes her head as if she both cherishes and is tortured by the memories.

The Michael Forever Tribute Concert is at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, October 8. Box office 0844 847 2428, michaelforevertribute.com

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.u...z1Yn5D2GTM

NMuzakNSoul said:

thesexofit said:

Mike says the first part of the middle 8 on the studio version, then Celine says "call my name, Iam your friend", then Mike takes over again. I like Celine so i don't mind her singing that line.

You know Mike wanted this released as a spanish version was even made, with Carlos adding some nice guitar. Must of got him down when Sony blocked it.

I bet a demo of just him singing does exist. I think the song dates back to the "Michael and friends" concerts in 1998/1999 (I forgot the year). Perhaps a duet with Pavarotti? I know that was rumoured back then.....

Yes it was a song he wanted to introduce for Pavarotti and friends 99 I believe.

Demo version of " what more can I give " was created in 1997 , that was before it was introduced to pavarotti in 1998-1999 , so solo demo version does exist .....

seeingvoices12 said:

NMuzakNSoul said:

Yes it was a song he wanted to introduce for Pavarotti and friends 99 I believe.

Demo version of " what more can I give " was created in 1997 , that was before it was introduced to pavarotti in 1998-1999 , so solo demo version does exist .....

I would love to hear it

The Black Eyed Peas are now going to be a part of the Michael Forever tribute concert.

The1592 said:

Another thing I wanna know is, why wasn't "Shout" on Invincible? I'd easily put this above half of the songs on the album.

It was bumped in favor of "You are my life".... a crappy song, but obviously that one had more meaning for Michael as it is kinda obvious it's dedicated to his children.

The1592 said:

I also recommend anybody who really wants to know the truth about these songs reads up on Melodyne (Teddy admitted to using this) if you haven't yet, and how much it can alter one's voice, including their Vibrato, which seems to be the main thing that people think sounds 'off' about the voice. Again, I'm not claiming the songs to be real, but I see not one substantial piece of evidence that they are fake, and I believe in innocent until proven guilty, just as I did during the child molestation trial..

Well, if that Melodyne thing is the reason why Michael doesn't really sound like Michael on these tracks then the easiest thing would be to release the unaltered original vocal tracks... make them available as a download and proof it really is Michael. They are not using that, so I have to assume these songs are not 100% Michael.

The1592 said:

Timmy84 said:

CBS had to make sure they erased that part! I think someone once uploaded that part on YouTube, don't know if it was taken down or what.

Poor quality..

What in the world was he rambling about in this video? LOL

Yall have a transcript? LOL

NaughtyKitty said:

The Black Eyed Peas are now going to be a part of the Michael Forever tribute concert.

It would be a tribute if Will released the music he worked on with MJ.

Jermaine and Joe Jackson: saints? We all know how these two beautiful souls united to give Michael Jackson everything, even though he was selfish and ungrateful to these geniuses. They teached him everything and are singlehandedly responsible for his success. Time and time again Jermaine fought to keep the family glued, tight knight while Joe never wanted one single cent in his life, all he wanted was to see his son happy. Joe's selfless nature, to the point he never wanted one cent for anything, prefering to live in poverty than to have his beloved family unhappy and unexploited should be praised. Randy also deserves a mention. I shall remember everybody he is taking care of Michael's kids...and despite the fact that he has kids of his own, that is how selfless he is! My question is: why was Michael constantly hounding them for money and scheming to get in on their pockets and deals? Why isn't Joe venerated in the music industry for his oustanding talent? Why was Michael jealous os Jermaine and Joe? Why are people constantly inventing Jermaine owes his kids (whom he is constantly saving from bad people) money in child support? The Jacksons are a dynasty, a family full of love flowing between them. The selfish one, the one who was constantly scheming to exploit them and get money from them has already died (Michael)! They are now free to be loved for their talent and kind, humanitarian-like, God-like, genius hearts.

ComputerBlueSpain said:

Jermaine and Joe Jackson: saints? We all know how these two beautiful souls united to give Michael Jackson everything, even though he was selfish and ungrateful to these geniuses. They teached him everything and are singlehandedly responsible for his success. Time and time again Jermaine fought to keep the family glued, tight knight while Joe never wanted one single cent in his life, all he wanted was to see his son happy. Joe's selfless nature, to the point he never wanted one cent for anything, prefering to live in poverty than to have his beloved family unhappy and unexploited should be praised. Randy also deserves a mention. I shall remember everybody he is taking care of Michael's kids...and despite the fact that he has kids of his own, that is how selfless he is! My question is: why was Michael constantly hounding them for money and scheming to get in on their pockets and deals? Why isn't Joe venerated in the music industry for his oustanding talent? Why was Michael jealous os Jermaine and Joe? Why are people constantly inventing Jermaine owes his kids (whom he is constantly saving from bad people) money in child support? The Jacksons are a dynasty, a family full of love flowing between them. The selfish one, the one who was constantly scheming to exploit them and get money from them has already died (Michael)! They are now free to be loved for their talent and kind, humanitarian-like, God-like, genius hearts.

thesexofit said:

This didn't air in the UK, but I remember finding the studio version off some bootleg Michael Jackson site in late 2001 sometime (remember when there was no youtube LOL). I loved it then and still do now LOL. It's cheesy but the studio version should of been released properly.

What More Can I Give was finally released but by the time it was, it was too late

I have a studio version of it, it's in great quality