In June, 1993, he announces that "HTW"s total earnings of 1,25 million dollars, along with his entire "Super Bowl XXVII" proceeds from that year will be funneled to "Heal L.A." to the children having suffered from the Los Angeles’ riots at the time. In the same month, he invites 100 children at his home from "Challengers Boys" and "Girls Clubs" in Los Angeles. The Big Brothers of Los Angeles give Jackson a rocking chair made by a woman who made them for President Kennedy and the Pope. Another group of children visiting the ranch get a sneak peak preview of “Tom & Jerry: The Movie”. The film wasn't scheduled to begin running in theaters until July 30, but the artist received an advance copy from Joseph Barbera.

On June 10, 1993, Michael Jackson attends an afternoon rally at a middle school in Los Angeles, California, to launch a new DAREPLUS (‘Play and Learn Under Supervision’) program for the school, an initiative educating children on the perils of substance abuse and gang memberships/grouping. Jackson was a member of the Board of Directors of DARE (‘Drug Abuse Resistance Education’) and he was presented with a t-shirt for which he said: “Thank you very much. I love you all. Thank you.”
On June 18, 1993, he pays a visit to a hospital in Washington, D.C. for several hours, speaks to the children and plays chess with them.

“Together For Our Children”, a syndicated special, begins airing in June, 1993. The special was put together to help raise funds for children immunization. Jackson lends a performance of "Jam" from London's Wembley Stadium to be included in the special.


In early July, Jackson sends Mallory Cyr, an eight year old girl suffering from a rare intestinal disorder, a check and a promise to call. He has responded to a letter writing campaign conducted by school children in Sabattus, Maine. Jackson's note reads, "I am sending you all my loving and caring, Mallory, along with the enclosed gift, which I hope will help nourish you and keep you strong."

In August, 1993, "HTW" partners with "Pepsi-Cola Thailand" to endow 40,000 dollars to the "Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's" foundation and to the Rural School Children and Youth Development Fund, as a sponsorship for school meal programs in the villages of Thailand. In the same month, new ambulances reach "Contacts One Independent Living Center for Children" in Moscow, Russia and the "Hospital de Niños Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez" in Buenos Aires, Argentina.



Michael Jackson arrives in Fukoka, Japan on September 7, 1993, and performs 2 successful ‘Dangerous’ concerts there. He also visits a school affiliated to a U.S. naval base there, while at his September 10th concert in Japan, the artist flies a terminally ill Dutch boy, 15 year old Martijn Hendricsen, and his two brothers over via “Make A Wish Foundation”. They were driven in a 23-foot gold limousine to the Amsterdam airport to meet with the entertainer and see the concert. To the local press, which he allowed for a brief filming, he smilingly declares: “I love you, Taipei and I’ll miss you very much. See you next time. Lots of kisses. Bye.”


On September 13, 1993, while on his Dangerous tour in Moscow, Russia, for his concert there, he goes shopping in Moscowand tours the Kremlin Museum and armoury. On September 15, he postpones his flight out of Moscow, instead goes to visit a hospital for mentally challenged children there, who rejoice at seeing him and fight for his attention. One of his aides says that the singer has asked for one of the children to be flown to America for care and treatment which Jackson will pay for. The singer holds a few children in his arms and on his lap, comforts and plays with them and wishes to entertain them: “I’d like to sing with them. We all know a song together”, he says, visibly emotional. He also visits children in a nearby orphanage, who will sing a song to him in Russian, turning him – the ultimate performer, into an attentive spectator.

On September 20, 1993, during his stay in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jackson visits ill patients at a hospital, speaks to and passes toys to them, waves to an extensive congregation of admirers from his hotel balcony and throws down pieces of memorabilia to them. He also visits the Tsirn Army Base there. Meantime, Jackson’s associate, "Pepsi", warrants 160,000 dollars for the "Ghandi Foundation for Children", resulted from the singer’s concerts in New Delhi, India.

Earlier in October, 1993, Jackson's thirty-five year old cousin, Tony Jackson, dies in a car accident. While he was not able to return home for the funeral (being on tour in Mexico, and having been performed surgery on an abscessed tooth), he pays all of the funeral expenses.

In October, 1993, grants totaling in 100,000 dollars are distributed to the "Children's Defense Fund"; "Children's Diabetes Foundation"; "Atlanta Project", and "Boys and Girl Clubs" in Newark, New Jersey, to further the provision of health services for children.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, October, 1993, the entertainer donates thousands of tickets to his October 6 Dangerous concert to ill, needy and disadvantaged children.

From October 15 to 17, 1993, he is Brazil for two History concerts in Sao Paolo. In Rio de Janeiro, he donates thousands of tickets to the gigs for underprivileged children and visits a hospital, including one of his fans checked in it. At the time, concert promoter Dodi Sirena recalls a "sensitive" artist who asked for an amusement park to be reserved for his use, then invited children from the poorest public schools. "He displayed great concern for everything in the country, with poverty, with street children," Sirena says. 2 years later, he would film in Rio de Janeiro, in the Dona Marta slum. “This process to make Dona Marta better started with Michael Jackson,” press liaison for Rio’s office of tourism, Claudia Silva says. “Now it's a safe favela. There are no drug dealers anymore, and there's a massive social project. But all the attention started with Michael Jackson.”

On October 28, 1993, Michael Jackson enables 5000 deprived children in Mexico to visit "El Nuevo Reino Aventura Park", home of whale Keiko. In the same month, Jackson passes thousands of concert tickets to the necessitous children of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and provides thousands of such children with another set of tickets in Buenos Aires, Argentina.



On November 5, 1993, he attends a children’s festivity at "Hard Rock Cafe" in Mexico City, dedicated to the homeless ones from the "Tere Alarcon" orphanage.


In December, 1993, "HTWF", in association with "Gorbachev Foundation USA", renders 60,000 vaccine doses to the impoverished children of Tbilisi, Georgia.

On December 16, 1993, Michael Jackson and "HTWF" offer support to U.K.’s "Operation Christmas Child", the organization’s children airlifting over 100,000 (other sources state 30,000) of 'shoebox gifts' of toys, sweets, school items, photographs, letters and the like to the children in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 1994, Michael Jackson presents 500,000 dollars to the "Elisabeth Taylor’s AIDS Foundation".

In early 1994, Jackson has reportedly resurrected an earlier project. He was to have contributed a song to the Adams Family Values soundtrack. That song, "Is This Scary", is now being finished along with an extended length video. The video, financed by the artist, was said to cost 6 million dollars.

On January 7, 1994, the pop star organizes, on occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, a gala for 100 needy children at his Neverland residence. Meanwhile, "HTWF", with partners "Unihealth" and "Los Angeles Immunization Coalition", disseminate vaccines to the homeless children in Los Angeles, beggared by a damaging earthquake in the area. Moreover, the singer’s "HTWF", along with "Discovery Playthings", hands hundreds of toys to children attending an immunization drive. "Heal L.A.", additionally, donates more than 85,000 dollars to the "Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center", "Casa Rutilio Grande", "Clinica Para Las Americas", "Families in New Directions", "Meeting Each Need With Dignity", "Proyecto Esperanza", "Pueblo Nuevo", and "Vaughn Street Family Center" sheltering the victims of the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley earthquake. Associated with "General Electric", "Lever Brothers" and "Surf Wash", "HTWF" deliver washers, dryers and soap to 25 NGO’s, as well as free laundry services, all for the earthquake-stricken people, in addition, along with "Heal L.A." and "Salvation Army", 400 homeless people and their children are invited to spend a day at "Universal Studios". Michael Jackson and his residence are also hosts to 100 children from the "Community Youth Sports and Arts Foundation" in Los Angeles, whom he speaks and plays with, poses for pictures and signs autographs; the children, moreover, watch film "Beethoven's 2nd" with him in his amusement park, and visit his private zoo.

In 1994, 500, 000 dollars in earnings derived from "The Jackson Family Honors" event held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada are pledged to several charities not controlled by the Jacksons, such as an entertainment industry earthquake relief fund, Friends of Conservation, and the Library of Congress - American Popular Music Program. Television broadcast fees and ticket revenues of the gala were estimated at 6 million dollars. The remaining 5.5 million dollars are said to be funneled to "Family Caring for Families", a then recent Jackson family NGO. At the mentioned gala fundraiser and tribute to actress, Elizabeth Taylor and music mogul, Berry Gordy, Michael Jackson joins members of his family and other artists, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Celine Dion, Bruce Hornsby, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick to perform "If You Only Believe", a relief anthem speaking about the blessings of life, regardless of its inevitable perils. The entertainer originally has not wished to be present at the event, only a couple of months before being discharged from a facility where he recuperated following the 1993 false allegations that took a hold on him, but relents to his family's wishes. He takes the stage to present Gordy and Taylor with their honors, after which the two of them each say their speech of support towards Jackson, Gordy stressing, "Michael, I believed in you when you were 9, and I'll never stop believing in you!", after which he embraces a gracious Jackson. The Honors were broadcasted on NBC three days after the taping, on February 22, 1994.

In the summer of 1994, "HTWF", in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, "I Have A Dream Foundation", "Best Buddies", "Overcoming Obstacles" and "California One To One", provides 2000 children with tickets to see singer Janet Jackson, the L.A. Laker Jam and The Beach Boys in concert; in the fall of the same year, "Heal L.A." funds implementation of the Los Angeles Team Mentoring Program in six Los Angeles Unified School District Middle Schools, from the South Central Los Angeles and the Pico Union Districts, reaching over 1,000 young people, and utilizing 300 volunteers.

On June 23, 1994, the singer visits Cab Calloway in a New York Hospital. Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an American jazz singer and bandleader, and in May, 1994 suffered a stroke leading to his passing six months later.
On August 6, 1994, Jackson and then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, visit two children’s facilities in Budapest, Hungary: the Heim Pal Hospital For Children and the Bethesda Hospital, while shooting the Communist-themed video for the HIStory album. The singer distributes an estimated 2,600 toys to the afflicted young patients, while "HTWF", along with partners "Toys 'R' Us" and "AmeriCares", distribute 20,000-dollar-worth toys, food and provisions suchlike therein. Author of "Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary", Adrian Grant, also present at the facilities, remembers a highlight of this event 10 years later in an interview for a fan magazine: "During the visit, the most amazing thing happened, when Michael brought a smile on the face of a dying 8-year old girl who had lain motionless and silent for weeks. […] [She] reached out and touched Michael’s hand. It was great to see the positive effect Michael’s superstar status could have on a person. […]", says Grant. Jackson also offers to purchase a respiratory machine for the Bethesda Hospital.

On August 21, 1994, the Jacksons, minus Randy, perform at a U.K. Scientology fund-raiser, “For The Children Of The World.” It remains unclear whether Michael J. attended the event, although his then wife was and still is a devout member of the controversial Church of Scientology.

In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley visit almost each room in the St. Jude Hospital in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. He hands out toys and signs autographs to the ill children, then stops to chat with some of them. 10-year old leukemia patient, Kristen Sidman (sp) is one of them, whom he tells, while stroking her head, “You are going to get better…”, then adds, “She’s shy as I am – (I) can’t believe it”.


In March, 1995, Michael Jackson and "HTWF" provide specialized treatment to 4-year-old patient, Bela Farkas, who was abandoned by his mother and in need of a liver transplant, the singer, together with then wife, Lisa Presley, also visiting and befriending the boy a year before at the "Bethesda Children's Hospital" in Budapest, Hungary, Jackson paying for the ultimately successful surgery expenses and care. The estimated cost for the transplant was 120,000 dollars. He also meets a girl admirer from Krusevac, Serbia, backstage, following his concert in Budapest, and empathizes on the struggles of Serbian people, praising their history to her.

* At a children’s hospital (name not specified, possibly the Bethesda Children’s Hospital…?), accompanied by then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, he donates 60,000 dollars for financing the surgery a little dying boy, according to the first issue of “Michael Jackson – Music Fans Special”.

On March 3, 1995, Michael Jackson attends two-year old (murdered) Craig Fleming’s memorial service, pays his surviving brother’s medical costs, establishes a trust fund in benefit of the latter, as well as dedicates song "Childhood" from his "HIStory" album in his memory. He also involves himself in founding the "Community School/Safety Havens Initiative", with the purpose of creating a secure environment for the L.A. students, families and residents, and consisting in after-school activities, namely computer instruction, languages, mathematics and sports. In the mentioned year, "HTWF" brings forth entertainment figures to support "Heal L.A."s initiatives, such as pop/rap singers Kriss Kross (who visit patients at the "George C. Page Children's Hospital Community Health Center", in support of Heal L.A. Immunization Initiative), Raven-Symone and Bryton McClure (who visit students at Bancroft Middle School, in support of Heal L.A. Mentoring Initiative).

In 1995, "HTWF" and "International Rescue Committee" ship two pallets of toys to children in war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. The singer further supports the rescue and release of caged dolphins by addressing a plea to authorities concerning proper legal approach on the dolphins’ life standards from zoos and parks. In the meantime, "Heal L.A." continues to support the "Community School/Safety Havens Initiative" by including over 1200 more families to the curriculum and extending its timetable.

On April 18, 1995, "HTWF", "Permanent Charities" and "EC2000" finance transportation facilities for 46 children from 18 countries to attend the "World Congress of Children" ("WCC") held at Neverland, a 3-day seminar and leadership preparation tackling children’s critical issues, such as reports on Switzerland’s child rights, the solutions being submitted by "HTWF" and "WWC" for the "World Summit of Children", during the United Nations’ Golden Jubilee in California. Jackson and his wife at the time, Lisa Presley, welcome the children to the residence. Additionally, "HTW" and "International Rescue Committee" channel 2 boxes of toys to the war regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, while, along with "WCC" and "Children's Torch of Hope", convey "WCC"s mission and statement across the U.S. at over 30 events.

Travis Thomas, a 5-year old boy who suffers from cystic fibrosis, wished to meet the entertainer, the issue number 2 of History Magazine reveals in 1995; his wish comes true in June through Jackson and the Make A Wish Foundation, a non-profit group that fulfills the dreams of children suffering from fatal illnesses and which Jackson would support for many years. Travis and his family, along with 20 other seriously ill children, spent a weekend at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and were allowed to roam around the compound’s private amusement park. “The love this man has on his face when he is with these special children is unbelievable. He is one of the kindest and most gentle men I have ever met’, Travis’ mother says. “One evening, we were watching TV and Travis hadn’t eaten for a couple of days. He was on TV”, Thomas recalls, “and we came across the American Music Awards and Michael Jackson… Travis sat up and wanted to eat… He said, ‘I love Michael Jackson, Mama!”.

Minister Louis Farrakhan reveals, for the first time, during a public lecture in Chicago, July 26, 2009, that the entertainer quietly donated 100,000 dollars to the historic ‘Million Man March’ from October 16, 1995. ‘The Million Man March’ was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held in Washington, D.C.. Under the leadership of Nation of Islam head, Louis Farrakhan, African American men from across the United States converged on Washington in an effort to “convey to the world a vastly different picture of the Black male” and to unite in self-help and self-defense against economic and social ills plaguing the African American minority/community.


In December, 1995, "HTWF" and the youth ambassadors of "WCC" address a statement to the "Guardians of the Future" monument in Mexico City, co-sponsored by "EC2000", "Terra Christa Communications", "UNICEF", the mayor’s office in Mexico City and the "Coalition for Children of the Earth".


In 1995, singer, dancer, and choreographer Michael Jackson rehearses for what would have been a concert with “just the man, just the moves, just the music”, a special due for cable-network, HBO, and titled “Michael Jackson: One Night Only”. On August 17, 1995, on occasion of a live-chat interview with his fans (Simulchat), he announces the existence of this project: “I’m doing an HBO special, and it’s intimate. It’s close-up. It will allow me to do things I’ve never done before.” Jackson also rehearsed a special pantomime number for the show with internationally acclaimed French actor and mime, Marcel Marceau and planned to accompany this act with song, “Childhood”, and had other 25 songs planned or performing, notably "Black Or White", "Dangerous", "Smile" and "You Are Not Alone". The concert was set to be aired on Sunday, December 10, 1995, 8 p.m., at New York’s historic Beacon Theater, but it was cancelled because Jackson had collapsed on December 6, while rehearsing for this special due to a severe case of gastro-enteritis, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and was rushed to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York where he remained hospitalized until December 13. William Alleyne II, the artist’s doctor for almost two weeks at the time, speaks for the first time since Jackson’s life-threatening experience, a month after his untimely demise fourteen years after: “Mr. Jackson was in critical condition, Alleyne says. He was dehydrated. He had low blood pressure. He had a rapid heart rate. He was near death. […] Michael Jackson was unconscious when he arrived. I had to make that clear.” Alleyne adds that he found no immune system problems and no drugs while examining Jackson and, eventually, he was stabilized. “Michael Jackson was the most soft-spoken, least demanding guy you would ever want to meet, Alleyne says. Everything he said was a whisper. His biggest concern was could he perform.” Alleyne advised the singer against it. Near the end of Jackson's hospital stay, he asked Alleyne if he could visit other patients in intensive care. Jackson met one lady, gave her an autographed picture after he prayed with her, and the lady told Alleyne, ‘I can die now; I prayed with Michael Jackson’. “I told Mr. Jackson maybe visiting with people who had suffered heart attacks or other serious problems wasn't such a good idea.” Before Alleyne left the hotel that day, Alleyne recalls Jackson telling him: “Thank you for saving my life”. Then Jackson told Alleyne he understood how difficult it had been for a black man to get to such a distinguished position within the medical world, that Alleyne's accomplishments were inspiring to Jackson. “It was very touching, Alleyne says. I will never forget that. That to this day he is so loved comes as no surprise to me. He was very gracious and kind”, Jackson’s former doctor adds. The “One Night Only” show was put on hold and soon after Jackson’s hospitalization, his then wife, Lisa Marie Presley, would file for divorce. Asked about a possible reschedule by a fan during a VH-1 interview in 1996, the artist said there were plans for the concert to still happen in South Africa. The show would, however, not be rescheduled indefinitely.

In 1995, all proceeds from the sales of two French perfumes, "Mystique de Michael Jackson" and "Legende de Michael Jackson", named after the singer, go to charity.

In February, 1996, "HTWF/WCC" youth ambassadors from Mexico exhibit a model for sustainability to the U.N. Habitat II Prep. Committee; later on, the 2 NGO’s attend "Children First: A Global Forum" in Atlanta, Georgia, event hosted by former President, Mr. Jimmy Carter, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, "Carter Center", and "Task Force for Child Survival", and co-financed by "Rockefeller Foundation", "Annie E. Casey Foundation", "World Bank" and "Heal the World", gathering 360 representatives from 100 countries to discuss strategies on the improvement and development of children’s lives. "HTW" and "WCC" also assist the "Spectrum of Light Youth Conference" in Washington , D.C., with the intention to create new collaborations benefiting a sustainable society in a thriving environment.

On June 21, 1996, Michael Jackson donates his four-time platinum "HIStory (...)" C.D. to the Dunblane appeal in Sevenoaks, U.K.

Prior to the starting off the HIStory World Tour, Michael Jackson performs a free-of-charge concert at the Disney-themed Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on July 16, 1996, attended by 60,000 people. The 2-hour show was in celebration of the 50th birthday of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, and was attended by the Brunei royal family, excepting the Sultan himself.

Starting with July 18, 1996, Jackson visits South Africa for a few days, arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for then President Nelson Mandela on the mentioned date. Mandela invites an estimated 2000 children to the party and poses with the singer before cutting a birthday cake for his 78th birthday at Hilton College in Kwazulu-Natal. Jackson has taken time off from touring, to visit South Africa where he also reveals he is writing a song about him. Mandela, stepping out on to a patio to greet the media, turnes to Jackson and says, “I can see who is the world leader. I have never seen so many journalists!” While in South Africa, Jackson also visits the black township of Soweto, where he lays a wreath of flowers at the memorial to honor the youngsters who were shot dead by South Africa’s security forces during the 1976 Apartheid riots, and renders a bouquet of white roses, carnations and lilies in remembrance of 11-year-old leukemia victim, Jaymee Bowen. Meanwhile, the highest bid for a Neverland visit on behalf of the star is obtained at the “Cities in School” celebrity auction and, with the aid of radio “KIIS-FM” in Los Angeles, 115,000 dollars are delivered to school pupils.

Michael Jackson returns to Budapest, Hungary in July 22, 23, 1996, to meet with now healthy Bela Farkas at the Bethesda Hospital, as well as other young patients in the hospital. Farkas was diagnosed with liver failure two years before and was in need of a transplant, the arrangements for which having been made by the entertainer a year before. He also visits the Hungarian Parliament, and attends a children’s show in the Nep Stadium, where he interacts with children and holds some in his arms.

In September, 1996, the artist is guest of honor at "Hope", the first sports festivity for underprivileged children, where 3000 children and 600 volunteers have participated.

On September 6, 1996, in Prague, the Czech Republic, he visits the city, sorties to hospitals and orphanages to see ailing children and hand out presents, including a video recorder to one children’s home. He also meets with President at the time, Vaclav Havel, in the capital’s spectacular old castle and shows him around the presidential offices.

On September 13, in Bucharest, Romania, he gives away toys and sweets to and plays with children from the "Leaganul De Copii Sfanta Ecaterina" state home, which he also visited back in 1992, and which he also acknowledges with 35 million Lei (1 million dollars). Jackson visits a children's hospital as well, where he plays with the toddlers there. On arriving in Bucharest, September 12, he, alongside the Cascio family children, kneels before a monument - a cross in University Square dedicated to the victims of the 1989 Romanian revolution, and lays flowers. He also is a guest at the Parliament Palace where children are giving performances for him, including for "Heal the World", which Jackson sings along to. As during many of his tours' stops, Jackson takes time to tour the city and sightsee the famous architecture there.

On October 1, 1996, he donates earnings from one of his concerts in Tunisia to the "National Solidarity Fund", charity dedicated to fighting poverty. On October 3, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he visits hospitals "Ronald McDonald House" and "AMC", interacts with the patients and distributes toys and other presents to them. A unit from one of the hospitals (for parents who want to be with their children) is named after Jackson. That month, Jackson also visits a facility for challenged children in Kaoshiung, Taiwan, and offers 2000 free concert tickets to them.


On November 1, 1996, Jackson donates most of the proceeds from the HIStory concert in Bombay, India to the poor and destitute. The superstar flew in to India in a private jet. Sabbas Joseph, director of Wizcraft, the event management agency that had the airport shut down on his arrival recalls 14 years later: “Michael met the CM and Raj Thackeray. This was followed by an aarti by Sonali Bendre. As he was walking out, a strange incident occurred. A child fell down and Jackson immediately glided over and picked him up. He held him and hugged him with such care like he was the child’s mother.”, recounts Sabbas. “The (1993) allegations seemed all wrong. Michael even shot with 100 children in India for a calendar that he was producing”, he continues. On his way from the airport, he stopped the car several times to dance with the poor. Sabbas adds that Jackson was even willing to postpone his visit for a day or two in India to meet Mother Teresa. But that didn’t work out. Viraf Sarkari, co-director at Wizcraft, recalls that all the celebrities and industrialists wanted to meet him. “We arranged meet-and-greet sessions with him. Michael kept all his commitments. He was a gentle person and met everyone respectfully.” Sabbas echoes the sentiment that Jackson was the easiest international artiste to work with, as he was very humble and the staff very professional. Both directors acknowledge that Jackson had a great spiritual connect with India. Viraf says, “We first met him in Los Angeles to confirm the concert. We were told he is very keen on performing in India. We’d presented him with a Ganesha, a Nataraj and a sherwani. And without requiring any explanation, he said, “Yes, that’s Ganesha, the god of luck.” Even when Bal Thackeray presented a silver statue of Nataraj to Jackson, the star didn’t need the politician’s explanation and said, “Yes, I know, that’s the god of dance and art.” More recountings on the visit coming from Times of India are as follows: on his arrival in India on October 31, Sonali Bendre, clad in traditional Maharashtrian (Indian State – Maharashtra) nine yard saree, performs the aarti and tilak for the singer at the airport, him being taken up with the ceremony. When being driven out of the air port in his 20-car motorcade, he stops his Toyota, removes himself from his security guards and steps out to meet the urchins lined up along the highway to catch a glimpse of him. He picks up several children, whom he hugs and kisses. He then spends a few minutes with them before he proceeds to the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray’s residence, Matushree, in Bandra East. Here, he is presented with a silver tabla and tanpura, which are musical instruments from India. Later that evening, at the special bash organized in his honour by the concert’s organizer, Bharat Shah, at the Oberoi, he makes a brief appearance. Bharat Shah presents Jacksons with a silver replica of the Taj Mahal at the same party. At his request, a high tea is organized at the pool side where children from orphanages are invited to meet and play with him. He hands them gifts and chocolates that he has brought with him. Jackson also organizes a party for children in his hotel room on the day of the History show itself. About 50 children are invited, for whom he orders cakes and burgers. He also plays with the invited children. Jackson requests that he is provided with a few saris which he wants draped around the sofas during the photo session with the children, to give his pictures the ethnic effect. Burkhas are arranged for the singer due to him wishing to visit Aasha Daan, Mother Teresa’s ashram in Byculla, South Mumbai. But due to an extremely tight schedule, he wasn’t able to fulfill his wish.


He visits a children’s home and a school for visually-impaired ones in Bangkok, Thailand on November 4, 1996, endows the former with 100,000 dollars, and distributes toys and presents to both the institutions' children. A children's home spokeswoman comments: "They don't know him as a pop star. To them, he is just a very nice man who came here to offer hope." [source: American Journal news footage]


On November 7, 1996, 13-year old Emely Smith is granted the wish to encounter him backstage in Auckland, New Zealand, during a halt from his concert there, where he will also pay a visit on November 16 to children’s hospital, "Starship", room to room, and hands out toys, autographs and C.D.’s, respectively, to each of the young patients. The visit lasts for hours, the singer conversing to all the ailing children. He signs autographs to the children, and one cancer-stricken young girl asks the entertainer what it is like being a superstar, to which he humbly replies: "Hmm... I don't know.. I really don't. 'Cause I don't remember not performing, so it's fun to make people happy... It really is." Another boy tells him his favorite song is the singer's 1972 "Ben". When asked by a reporter how the looks on the patients' faces make him feel, he replies, his hand on his chest: "It touches my heart. I love them very much.", after which he shakes hands with the boy asking him about "Ben", then adds, hand on chest again: "It's heart-touching." "The Smith Family", a fund-raising NGO for indigent people, receives a finance portion of the artist’s Australian concerts.

In November, 1996 Michael Jackson pays a visit to the "Prince of Wales Hospital" in Brisbane, Australia, a housing of children with cancer and heart conditions, asthma and various tumors, in which he delivers autographs and toys to over 75 children. He also visits a children’s facility in Sydney, where he similarly acknowledges more patients, as well as 6-year old severely burned victim, Tjandamurra O’Shane - doused in petrol and set alight in the grounds of a primary school by an Adelaide man - at a hospital in Australia, on a halt from the HIStory tour.



On November 26, 1996, Jackson visits the "Royal Children’s Hospital" in Melbourne, Australia, where he delivers toys to and signs autographs for the children.

On December 7, 1996, on occasion of the annual Orphans Christmas Party held at the Manila Hotel in Manila, Phillippines, he donates toys to 300 children from different orphanages around Metro Manila, signs autographs and speaks to the medically cared for children; additionally, he makes known that a portion of his concerts will be used for renewing a hospital's facilities which he has also visited. A young orphan boy present at the event says: “I got separated from my mom and siblings. That's how I ended up in an orphanage... […] I became happier [after I had received the gifts from Michael]… It feels like… the sadness is gone. I’m not sad anymore.” Then P.R. officer at Manila Hotel, Gwen J. Cariño, offers a detailed insight on her blog regarding the event and its preparations alongside Jackson himself, shortly after the susperstar’s untimely passing in 2009: “Michael offered to fill up the 300 loot bags with goodies and toys, candies and chocolates. […] It was at the Champagne Gardens on Dec. 7, 1996. I was surprised to see him walking towards us, guided by his aide. Michael came up to me as I had to brief him. “Hi, how are you? Thanks so much for letting me in, I know I’m early ’coz I didn’t want to miss the program.” I said, “Are you kidding? Thanks so much for volunteering! Here’s what Michael, why don’t you just sit here and watch the musical numbers before we get into the gift giving. I will have to tweak the program a bit.” He replied, “Sure, anything you say… (pausing to look at my name tag) Gwen!” […] Amazing how he patiently sat through the whole program. Carol Banawa, then an Ang TV mainstay couldn’t believe MJ was watching her perform. She had her red blouse signed by him right after her number. Then followed Stefano Mori’s dance number. Later, his back up singers and dancers came up on stage followed by select kids from different orphanages who danced to the beat of Billie Jean. Oh, the smile on Michael’s face was just amazing. […] He later showed me and [security] Wayne other stuff people would use or pick up on the ground when they couldn’t find paper for him to sign on. One lady made him sign at the back of her elegant, designer Filipiniana gown. One teenager came up to him holding a dead leaf and another one, a popped balloon. […]” That day, Jackson also makes a visit to the pediatric ward of the Paranaque Community Hospital, in Manila, bringing cheer to the children there, as well as to 3,000 admirers who waited for him several hours, reports The Philippine Star. Inside the hospital, Jackson interracts with the young patients and their mothers, shakes their hands and kisses them. He also meets with town officials.

Michael Jackson visits the Children’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan around 1996, signs autographs and hands over more than 200 toys to them.


On January 25, 1997, the musician waves 85% of the $5 to $6 million ticket receipts from a concert held on November 1, 1996 in Bombay, India, and donates 1,1 million dollars to a local NGO educating children dwelling in slums - "Shiv Udyog Sena” - the sum also helping to create jobs for 270,000 young unemployed people in the state of Maharashtra, Bombay; on arriving in Bombay, the singer asks to stop in order to converse with children playing in the crowded slums for 20 minutes, according to Indian journalist, Hema Shukla.

On February 16, 1997, Michael Jackson performs at a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor for her AIDS benefit concert in Los Angeles, California, aired on February 27, 1997, and titled "Happy Birthday, Elizabeth" by ABC – TV.

In early April, 1997, Michael Jackson is interviewed and photographed with his personal family by British OK! Magazine. OK! Has paid for the pictures and interview and Jackson has donated the entire 1-million-pound profit to his Heal The World foundation. OK! has recently provided erroneous information on the birth of his first son, releasing selective photographs of the new-born son without the parents’ consent.

On April 19, 1997, he arrives in Paris, France at the Grévin Wax Museum for the inauguration of his wax figure there. A huge legion of fans welcome the singer, that the Grands Boulevards had to be closed off by the police, in collaboration with the Grévin Museum. After greeting the excited crowd and signing autographs to fans for over 10 minutes, Jackson and his entourage enter the Museum. French mime, Marcel Marceau makes a surprise appearance at the unveiling of Jackson’s wax figure and performs a panthomime act for the entertainer. He imprints his hands in clay, as well as offers one of his “HIStory” triple platinum record to the Museum. On exiting the building, Jackson once again greets his many admirers and signs autographs for more than 15 minutes. Melissa, a young girl brought by he parents beyond the safety barriers, runs up to him happily and hands him a photo to be autographed. He dedicates the photo to the girl and she runs off, only to return to him three more times, Jackson eventually taking her in his arms and waiting for her parents to take a picture. He also acknowledges a fan in wheelchair, bends down to her level and signs an autograp, after which reaches out to kiss her both cheeks.

Michael Jackson returns to Warsaw, Poland in an unofficial, but elaborate visit on May 28, 1997, to explore the possible venues for his new project. The local politicans are amazed, therefore decide to support the 500-million dollar investment. Rough estimates place Jackson’s intended contribution at 100-300 million dollars. A June 1, 1999 date is scheduled for the opening. While in Warsaw, his first stop there was the President’s Palace of Wilanow, which he tours alongside Professor Marek Kwiatkowski, and converses with the former President’s wife, Jolanta Kwasniewska, who expresses hope that the singer’s plans for Poland all materialize. The President of Poland at the time, Aleksander Kwasniewski, hands a plaque over to him on behalf of the city of Warsaw and they embrace. The singer shows interest in the interior decorative frieze of the Palace, as well as in the monument of King John III Sobieski. Then, Jackson visits the ‘Bristol Hotel’ and a high school, Batorego, which he tours for 15 minutes, without disturbing examinations taking place at that time. His third stop is the ‘Warsaw’s Kings Bathrooms”, enjoys the peacock, a movie on Warsaw, and tours the ‘Palace on Water’. He attends a piano concert - a Chopin recital at the Theatre of Stanislaw, after which the Major of Warsaw, Marcin Swiecicki, presents him the keys to the city and effigy of mermaid. Both Jackson and Swiecicki, furthermore, sign a letter of interest in which both parties agree to prepare for the contructions of a theme park of the first kind there. He even will set up a company in Delaware under "MJJ Poland Inc". He also attends a special dance show put together by patients from the Children’s Hospital on Litewska Street and acknowledges, as he usually/always does, the ill young patients. That day, he will shop for children at the “Kidiland” toy store, reportedly in the amount of 670,000 dollars, then fly to Lubiaz by helicopter to visit the “Cistercian Order Palace” for 45 minutes; Jackson expresses will of having the two-story baroque building renovated and leased; he tours with same Professor Kwiatowski, very impressed by the singer’s knowledge on Polish relics. The plans to build the amusement park on a nearby military airport have won approval from state officials in February, 1998, meantime the entertainer asks Landmark to draw up sketches for the proposed theme parks, however, following the project’s approval and a huge hiatus, the army owning the airport does not agree to make it available for the park, and other two grounds pointed out by the government will also be denied due to local protests. The Polish government abandons this project altogether and nothing will come out of it.

In 1997, Michael Jackson takes part at ‘The Variety Club Of Great Britain – Central Counties Region’, a children’s charity annual event, where he presents a pair of keys to an official there, on behalf of Jackson and his Heal The World Foundation. At this point, no further information regarding the keys’ exact utility is known, but can be safely assumed it was a donation made to the Club. His wife at the time, Debbie Rowe, is also present at the event.


On June 18, 1997, he signs "Children in Need", a book auctioned by UNESCO.

On June 18, 1997, the singer attends the 30th anniversary of the Phantasialand theme-park in Germany before flying to Milano, Italy to perform a HIStory concert. In Milan, a boy from Latin America, Daniel, suffering from AIDS, meets Jackson, the entertainer also inviting him on stage and carrying him in his arms. Antoinette Parisi, the adoptive mother of Daniel, writes after the ruling of the trial 2003/2005: “I’ll never forget what you did for my son, Daniel. After meeting you, the doctors called it a miracle, because, for some months, it was like he never had AIDS. Now that justice has been served, I just wanted to express my gratitude and happiness. […] My child is not here with us anymore, but I know that from up there he is always looking over you. […]”

On July 5, 1997 Russian daily newspaper, ‘Nezavisimaya Gazeta’ publishes the information that, on July 2, 1997, Michael Jackson has donated 1,5 million dollars to the Jehova’s Witnesses organization in Russland, Russia.

On July 16 1997, one of Michael Jackson’s vans accidentally runs over an admirer’s leg as a crowd of fans sprint after his limousine, pushing an admirer to the ground and causing him a broken foot. The fan, called Joe Jenish, a then 28-year old account supervisor, later receives a phone call to inform him that Jackson knew of the accident and arranged that he meet him. The following day, Jenish goes backstage at the Wembley stadium in London, where the entertainer apologizes profusely for the accident (albeit it was not his personal fault) and signs his cast twice. Since meeting Jackson, Jenish has become an even more devoted supporter, and is currently the U.S. correspondent for the international fanzine "King," a contributor to the MJ News Fan Club, and the head of "MJ Day," an annual Michael Jackson conference.

On July 18, 1997, Christine Dowling, a 31 Irish Michael Jackson admirer suffering from Morquio syndrome, is granted the wish to meet her famous hero. The opportunity arises during Jackson’s HIStory Tour concert, when the entertainer’s security people would be looking for fans to come up on stage for the song performance of “Heal The World”. “The music for “Heal the World” came on and I was wheeled onto the stage. Michael held my hand”, Dowling recounts 13 years later. “Normally, I wouldn’t feel anything in my right hand, as I had lost feeling in it a few years before, but that night I could actually feel Michael’s hand. He turned to me as we headed off of the stage. He told me that he loved me and I knew that he really meant it!” She goes on to say: “A few hours after the concert, I could feel a burning sensation up and down my right arm. The next day, I had feeling back in my right hand. I truly believe I got my feeling back from simply holding Michael’s hand. My Ma said, “With 35,000 people singing such a positive song as “Heal the World,” you were bound to get a miracle.” […] Even though I am in a wheelchair, that night I felt like I was walking on air. […] I am so blessed and thankful that my dream came true.” Following her hero’s death, Dowling organized a tree planting in his memory, as well as a Michael Jackson Memorial 7 Fun Day on August 8, 2009, with full proceeds directed to a children’s hospital she had attended in her childhood.


On September 13, 1997, Michael Jackson attends a public memorial for late Princess Diana at a church in Los Angeles, California. On 31 August 1997, the Princess died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris along with then boyfriend, Dodi Al-Fayed. Jackson also dedicates song “Gone Too Soon” to his late friend and reschedules a HIStory concert from Ostende, Belgium - that was supposed to take place precisely on August 31 – to September 3, which he dedicated in loving memory to Diana, especially his performance of "Heal The World". From the September 3 HIStory concert onward, Jackson’s cover of Charlie Chaplin’s song “Smile” is played back before each concert, pictures of the late Princess being shown on the jumbotron for some parts of the concert.


* Jackson has invited underprivileged children on stage with him in each city included in his Europe "HIStory World Tour" during world-awareness songs such as "Heal The World", similarly doing so during his "Dangerous World Tour".

* Jackson has also acknowledged his admirers and supporters throughout the years while during his tours, on occasions of events such as fan gatherings, displaying his appreciation to them by means of paper notes he would cast down from windows including, greetings, pillows and blankets. Food (such as pizza or hot chocolate), candles and the like, were delivered at his request by trucks, to each individual, and he would occasionally be inviting a few of them for a visit inside his hotel rooms for pictures and autographs. He would, additionally pay the costs for hotel accomodations for some (i.e.: in New York, following the September 11 terrorist attacks). A variety of groups (varying from families in need to his own supporters) would also be allowed to visit his mansion and its vicinities in California, including in his absence over the years, where they would help themselves with food and other facilities, as reported and/or witnessed.

* At a non-accurate date, Michael Jackson visits, offers a computer to and pays for the medical costs of a 4-year-old girl and admirer of his at a hospital, the child being gravely injured by a dog in Washington, D.C.; in addition, he makes a discrete appearance at the funeral of two children in South Carolina, drowned in a car by their mother, for whom he speaks in their memory and pays for the last rites’ expenses.

In January, 1998, Michael Jackson records a demo version of charity song, “What More Can I Give”, with tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

On May 15, 1998, Jackson participates at the "Southern Africa Economic Summit" from Windhoek, Namibia, an annual event considering the formation of a newly competitive Africa, and meets with President Patrick Nandago. The singer is there to announces his plans to build a leisure complex and shopping centers in the impoverished country, investments he hopes to improve the lives of ill and impoverished children around the world.

On July 27, 1998, he announces during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan the establishment of "Michael Jackson Japan Co.Ltd.", a new Japanese Company Wonder World - Land Of Toys. The new company's mission is the construction of theme parks and toys selling around the world.

In September, 1998, Michael Jackson befriends 5-year-old cancer-ailing Aza Woods at the "Hilton Hotel" in Las Vegas, displays the "Star Treck: The Experience" show to him and invites him to his ranch, helping with his healing stages.

In 1998, he writes and produces song "Children’s Holiday" (translated in Japanese by "Yasushi Okimoto"), a charity anthem and number-one single in Japan performed by a Japanese group, J-Friends and a children’s choir, all revenues of which being used in aid of the victims (and their families) of a devastating earthquake in Kobe City, Japan, in January, 1995. Jackson also gives world-relief song, "People Of The World", to J-Friends, which they will perform on various platforms.

In March, 1999, the entertainer negotiates with a consortium led by Malaysian entrepreneur, Abdul Rahman, to donate a certain amount of money to help create four African universities in Tunisia, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, which would be named after him.

In May, 1999, Jackson is involved in the "Pavarotti & Friends for War Child" charity concert in Modena, Italy, event ultimately earning 1 million dollars for "United Nations High Commission for Refugees", an NGO benefiting refugees from Kosovo, with the help of the "Safe Children" project. The singer could not be present at the event on health purposes of his first son, the late tenor performing Jackson’s "We Are The World" instead with the event’s artists for the finale in his absence. At an uncertain date, Jackson is said to have recorded a compact disc in honor of late Princess Diana, together with singer Paul McCartney and late Luciano Pavarotti.

On May 9, 1999, the pop star participates, alongside other artists, in the "No Boundaries" relief album, the proceeds of which being intended for providing food and shelter for the Kosovo victims.

In June, 1999, Michael Jackson performs at the “Michael Jackson & Friends – The Power of Humanity” two sell-out stadiums spellbound, to an audience capacity of 45,000 in Seoul, Korea (June 25) and 60,000 in Munich, Germany (June 27). Among the star friends of Jackson invited to perform were: Mariah Carey, Vanessa Mae, Slash, All Saints, The Scorpions, Status Quo, Ringo Starr, Boyz II Men, Andrea Boccelli, Luther Vandross, Luciano Pavarotti, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram and Shobana. The concerts raised approximately 3,3 million dollars for charities Red Cross, UNESCO and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Both concerts were televised in Europe and Asia to a massive viewer response.

On September 4, 1999, at the 4th Kora All-Africa Music Awards in Sun City, South Africa, Michael Jackson presents Mr. Nelson Mandela and his "Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund" with a check for 1 million rand (166,400 dollars, - a portion of the proceeds from the "Michael Jackson and Friends" concerts from June 25, 1999 in Seoul, South Korea and June 27, 1999 in Munich, Germany), the former President declaring the following on the donation: "The trustees of the Children's Foundation and myself would like to express our deepest appreciation to our friend, Michael Jackson. He is a supporter of worthy causes and I'm happy that the foundation is tonight one of his benefitions (sic). [...] And the contribution of Michael Jackson, I hope, will inspire people not only in our country, but throughout the world, to follow his example and to bring a measure of happiness to our children. [...]" In addition, the 3,3-million-dollar grossings of the "Michael Jackson and Friends – The Adventure of Humanity" benefit concerts held in Seoul, Korea and Munich, Germany, advantage "UNESCO", "Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund" and "International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies". "What More Can I Give" is the key-phrase utilized in these concerts – "the concept of giving" - , and a child’s face is shown on the videotron screens during certain parts of the Munich concert.

On December 4, 1999, Michael Jackson attends singer Whitney Houston’s Fund Raising Event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.

The New Millennium:
In January, 2000, Michael Jackson performs at the "Evening of Stars" telethon, organized by the "United Negro College Fund", the event collecting 13,5 million dollars.

On January 22, 2000, Jackson, alongside other artists, engages in financing the restoration of the "Chateau de Versailles" park, 10,000 trees from which being demolished in a tempest, and donates certain items to the 4th annual online auction by the "T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research".

On September 19, 2000, on occasion of an interview for BBC Radio Oxford, London Times' "Millennium Preacher of the Year" at the time, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, offers some tidbits on then friend, Michael Jackson, and his "genuine devotion" for children, including his (the Rabbi’s). He recounts that, on occasion of Jackson’s 42 Birthday at his Neverland ranch – to which Boteach and his family were invited – the singer also welcomed a critically ill ten-year old boy, suffering from leukemia, and his family for four days. The singer would treat him to the amusements of his home, speak to him in order to help him gain post-chemotherapy confidence and pays his medical expenses, as in more such cases involving the deprived, Boteach adds, (as part of Jackson’s relief efforts outside the public eye), continuing to say that the pop star would weekly invite hundreds of children from inner city schools for day trips to his ranch, spending "millions of dollars on children who are in need", an affirmation confirmed by the singer himself, by others who have been/were in contact with Jackson and some of the media reports. Moreover, Boteach also recounts that, after reading a piece of news on a critically cancer ailing boy, Jackson asked the staff of a New York hospital to install a telephone in the boy’s room, the singer then phoning the young patient daily, his paedatrician confirmed.

In October, 2000, Michael Jackson and his family support "Wave To The World", an official fund-raising project of the Paralympic Games 2000 in Sydney, Australia, alongside a host of other stars, contacted by project founders, Mark Filby and Stephen White. Jackson puts on an orange "Wave To The World" T-shirt and participates in a video for a song, "Spirit of Life", beside siblings Rebbie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson, the latter acting as executive producer of the song. Michael Jackson, later on, invites founder Mark Filby at the Jacksons’ Hayvenhurst residence, into a room filled with memorabilia, dedicated by the entertainer to his family. A video compilation with the participating stars "waving" is, in addition, created, among whom Jermaine Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, mother Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson.

On October 28, 2000, escorted by actress and friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, he attends the "Carousel of Hope" ball - a fund-raising gala addressing juvenile diabetes, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where he donates a self-painted plate, and a limited-edition poster at the "African Ambassadors’ Spouses" annual gala, organization directed to treating children suffering from AIDS. The "Carousel of Hope" Ball raised more than 6 million dollars benefiting the Children's Diabetes Foundation. Marvin and Barbara Davis, founder of the "Carousel of Hope" evening of charity fund-raising, hosted the mentioned lavish lunch for the out-of-town guests, plus participants in the fundraiser. Among those who stopped by to hug Michael Jackson is Berry Gordy Jr., his discoverer, and Susanne de Passe, as well as Shirley MacLaine, Carrie Fisher, Joan Collins, David Foster, Toni Braxton, Sidney Poitier, Gregory Peck, Neil Diamond, Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Pierce Brosnan, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sylvester Stallone, Charlotte Church, to name but a few.
On November 20, 2000 the entertainer attends the birthday party of Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in Englewood, New Jersey, USA, and meets young Elissa Mingino, a 7-year old girl suffering from leukaemia. Her biggest dream was to meet with her favourite singer: Michael Jackson.

On December 20, 2000, in thunderous applause, he makes a surprise stage appearance at WKTU 3rd Annual Holiday Concert, the "Miracle On 34th Street" relief event in Madison Square Garden, New York, alongside other artists who performed their finale with Whitney Houston in the lead, such as Backstreet Boys, Melanie C., Ricky Martin, Destiny’s Child, Toni Braxton, Marc Anthony or Christina Aguilera. The singer embraces Houston as he enters the stage and shakes hands with all the gathered stars. Jackson addresses a few words to the audience, including a “Merry Christmas” holiday wish and joins the other performers for the encore, but didn't perform solo due to a case of laryngitis. He was a special guest of honor that night.

On February 14, 2001, in New York, Michael Jackson, in association with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and "L’Chaim Society", announces via a seminar, the establishment of "Heal The Kids", a HTW campaign lasting a year (2001) with the mission to help parents worldwide rededicate themselves to their children, by providing them with sufficient attending and moral support. Three years afterwards, Boteach declares that the charity completed its purpose.

On March 7, 2001, the day following his critically acclaimed speech at Oxford University in London, he attends ‘MJ Day 10”, the tenth anniversary fan event and charity auction from the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in London, even though in crutches due to a severe leg pain. The party has been organized, as always, by Adrian Grant, author of ‘Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary”. A visibly hurting, but strong Jackson welcomes the crowd and says a few words on taking the stage in front of 3000 excited fans. The event features 100 performers which Jackson describes as ‘beautiful and incredible’, and is, additionally, a charity auction featuring Jackson memorabilia also unfolds, when a hat, personally signed by Jackson will be purchased for over 1,000 dollars, a personal phonecall by him on a lucky person’s birthday is also out for bidding, in addition to one of his jackets worn at the WMA the year before, and other smaller items which Jackson has donated for the ‘Movie For Action’ charity auction; the mentioned NGO is associated with “UNICEF” in projects concerning African children and mothers with AIDS. Other proceeds from the evening go to Michael Jackson's "Heal The Kids" initiative. This fan event will give him the inspiration to develop the show further and in 2005, he will put ‘Thriller Live’ into production alongside Grant.

On March 26, 2001, Jackson delivers books to children attending a theater play in Newark, New Jersey, upon the opening the "Michael Jackson International Book Club", a "Heal The Kids" charitable subsidiary sponsoring juvenile reading and parental reading to children. Jackson is accompanied by Rabbi Schmuley Boteach and friend Frank Cascio.

On October 21, 2001, Michael Jackson performs alongside a host of other artists (Al Green, Bette Midler, Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, Mariah Carey, Usher, Pink and more) his relief songs "We Are The World", "Man In The Mirror" and "What More Can I Give" at "United We Stand: What More Can I Give", a benefit concert organized by the artist and held at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., and collecting 15 million dollars for the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York City, N.Y. The benefit gig was the third major concert in tribute to the 9/11 attacks. The other two were held in New York City. During the telecast of this show on ABC, there was no mention of Jackson's name and he was always filmed with the rest of the singers in the background; this was because Jackson signed a contract with CBS over the 30th Anniversary Special (from September 10) to not appear under his name in any other program. Jackson recorded the all-star tribute that year, which included stars such as Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, Shakira, Celine Dion and Gloria Estefan. But despite the commercial power of such a line-up, Sony Music did not release the song, much the singer’s bewilderment, as he intended that the song be released immediately for the benefit of the 9/11 victims.

On February 9, 2002, Michael Jackson makes a brief appearance alongside Elizabeth Taylor at the "Art for AIDS: A Tribute To Rock Hudson" fund-raiser held at Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, California. Roy Harold Scherer, Jr., professionally known as Rock Hudson, was an American film and television actor, and also one of the first major Hollywood celebrity to die from an AIDS-related illness. At the beginning of the event, commemorative t-shirts signed by various stars including Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Ringo Starr, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry and others have been auctioned. Jackson's, which was signed twice, will go for an amazing 700 dollars. Elizabeth Taylor and him will also briefly appear later at a private 2,500 dollar per plate dinner, also in support of the fund-raiser.

On April 24, 2002, the musician performs at a fund-raiser at "Apollo Theater" in Harlem, New York for the "Democratic National Committee", to launch a campaign aimed at persuading United States citizens to register and where nearly 3 million dollars are collected for the voting registration. Jackson performs "Dangerous", "Black Or White" and "Heal The World" (joined by Diana Ross) at the said event called "A Night At The Apollo", the superstar sharing the stage with former president Bill Clinton and singers Tony Bennett and K. D. Lang.The money would be used for the then new "Every Vote Counts" campaign, the committee said. The 1'400 audience members paid up to 5,000 dollars each to see the array of stars.

On June 14, 2002, Michael Jackson leaves Paddington Station in London, on a train ride to Exeter, Devon (in Great Britain) with then friends, Uri Geller, David Blaine and Mark Lester, as well as with 200 fans. They all go to Saint James Park where 10,000 have gathered for a fund-raising event in Exeter, organized to collect money for the football club and two charities aimed at combating AIDS and malaria. At the Stadium, the singer meets a young disabled boy, who jumps for joy straight into Jackson’s arms. “I held him so tight… It was unbelievable”, the youth says. “And he walks around for a bit and tapped me on the head and said “I love you”, and it was just the most memorable thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He meets other local children at the Stadium, among whom Lauren Setherton (sp), who, at the time, was suffering from cancer.


On September 15, 2002, by means of an auction, the performer donates 16 autographed items (compact discs, videos and a pair of cotton napkins), valued at 3935 Euros, to victims of a flood in Germany, as well as an autographed fedora and a jacket, worn by Jackson at the 2002 American Music Awards, to the "Tribute To Bambi" charitable auction, items calculated at 18,303 Euros and addressing the street children of Germany from "Off-Road-Kids e.V".

On October 12, 2002, as a personal acknowledgement of the gallantry and sacrificial services made by the military in his community, Jackson invites over 200 U.S. Airforce members from "Team Vandenberg" – then recently returned from overseas deployments – and their families to his residence.

Between the 19 and 29 of November, 2002, the "Siegfried & Roy's" celebrity auction takes place, for which Jackson donates an autographed plush bear, benefiting "Opportunity Village" (NGO in charge of the life-expectancy issues of mentally challenged people and their families) with 5,000 dollars, including a jacket auctioned for 16,000 dollars at the "Bambi Charity Event" in Berlin, Germany, on November 21.

In December, 2002, Michael Jackson and Bee Gee's member, Barry Gibb, write "All In Your Name", commonly, yet falsely spread about as "Prayer For Peace", and leaked to the media a few years ago. The two meet in Miami, Florida on December 20 to work on the charity song, which was written in protest of the U.S. plans to invade Iraq. The war in Iraq will eventually break out as a military campaign against "the terrorists" on March 20, 2003.

On June 12, 2003, the entertainer attends a Rainbow/PUSH Coalition breakfast planning meeting with Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois. Operation PUSH" ("People To Save Humanity") focuses, among musical acts, the city’s black population, their churches, schools, slums and playgrounds, and promotes the hope for an improved future, benefiting the children of Chicago, Illinois.
In June, 2003, Michael Jackson invites the Wolfs - a German family of two parents and two children, Saskia and Sabrina, affected by the floods of Saxony, Germany in August, 2002 - over to Berlin, Germany during his participation at the "Bambi Awards", including to Neverland for three days, where they enjoy the ranch's facilities and also meet with the singer's children. In September, he donates 16 autographed items, among which CD's, videos, a stuffed teddy-bear and two cotton napkins in support of the floods' victims. Jackson also donates a pair of painted footgear to the "Shoes For Charity" fund-raiser, in aid of children suffering from traumatic experiences.

Patricia Peckley, who suffers from lung problems, has asked the Make a Wish Foundation for the chance to meet her favorite entertainer. She and her daughter Maria celebrate Michael Jackson’s 45th birthday at Neverland in 2003, visiting his dressing room, enjoying a concert and watching videos in his movie theater. “Michael Jackson is a wonderful human being, an amazing person to talk to”, says Peckley.

On August 30, 2003, 12 year-old Trisha, from USA suffering from asthma, recounts her story of meeting the entertainer a year and a half before, via Make A Wish Foundation, one of the trusts the singer would support (for two decades). Her number one wish was to meet the entertainer and she is among the manifold children that were given the opportunity to meet him over the years. “They told my mom and I, that we were flying to Los Angeles in three weeks to go to the Celebration Of Love concert. I screamed and cried. I couldn't wait”, says/writes Trisha. “[…] [At the concert], some guy […] said that Michael would like us to go up to his dressing room. So, my mother and I, plus the other 2 families that were there, walked up the narrow staircase and walked into the dressing room and he was standing in the corner, in front of the firehouse”, she recounts. “I was the second to walk up to him and he hugged me so tightly. His colonge got all over the shirt I was wearing, but I hugged him again and started crying. I told him I was a fan since I was 1, and he went "Wow...Thank you". I couldn't believe he said ‘Thank you’ to me. Michael and my mother were starting up a conversation about a place in Scotland from where she was, It was Lochlomond I believe. I still couldn't believe it.. The next day (Sunday), we got on a bus and drove for three ours to the Neverland ranch, where fans were loaded down the street with "Happy Birthday, King Of Pop!" banners everywhere. I [have] seen Michael pull out in his black S.U.V, I think, but wasn’t sure... That's how I got to meet Michael Jackson”, writes Trisha onwww.mjfanclub.net.

On September 15, 2003, the entertainer hosts a star-studded charitable event at Neverland Valley Ranch, ticket price at presale being 725 dollars, with proceeds going to the Oneness charitable organization. Guests enjoy a tour of Jackson’s menagerie, amusement rides, various assortments of food and other exciting things. The party subsequent to the event is hosted and broadcast live by ‘KIIS FM’. Jackson briefly addresses the guests in attendance. Prior to his speech, the "Harvest International Children’s Choir", along with a host of fans and special guests in attendance, join in to chant 'Happy Birthday' to their favorite star, whose birth date had been 2 weeks before.

On October 1, 2003, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, he makes an appearance at the "Light The Way For Lupus" charity event raising funds for "Lupus L.A." and Lupus research. Therein, he also presents the Medical Visionary Award to his doctor, Mr. Alan Metzger in recognition for his work with aiding Lupus patients, including the singer himself.

On October 27, 2003, Michael Jackson premieres the short film for charity single "What More Can I Give" in the conference area of the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The same day, the edited version of the song, featuring a host of other artists, is released via the official "Music for Giving" website as a 2 – dollar download to support charity projects. The charities that received donations when "What More Can I Give" was donated were "Oneness", "Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation" and "The International Child Art Foundation". It was due to certain legal delays and misunderstandings that the charity anthem, (also previously devoted to the Kosovo victims and intended to be performed with late Luciano Pavarotti in 1999), was redirected – via Interney pay - to providing financial aid to the September 11, 2001 victims in New York, despite the numerous attempts of the singer to have the song properly released.

In 2004, Michael Jackson’s custom-designed car, a Bentley Arnage Red Label Turbo, is sold at an auction benefiting the singer’s "Go For Your Dreams" foundation; the automobile served to drive to Jackson’s Neverland Ranch the host of stars that recorded the "What More Can I Give" charity single in 2001, in appreciation for their involvement in the benefit project.

On September 17, 2004, during his latest child-abuse pre-trial appearances (the singer being absolved of all counts of misconduct later in 2005), he welcomes a large group of supporters to the restaurant "Epiphany" in Boston, Massachusetts, ordering pizzas for each individual, in appreciation for their enduring commitment to him.

On December 17, 2004, Michael Jackson invites approximately 200 people - children and their families from 6 special centers, among which churches, church schools etc - at his residence in California, and reiterates previous statements regarding the access of families, as well as tourists around the world, welcomed to spend time and tour Neverland; he also greets the gathering families and verbally addresses them holiday wishes. Jackson’s spokesperson at the time, Raymone Bain, also present at the event, says that it was not an out-of-the-ordinary event at Neverland (as previously shown): "[…] And at least 2 to 4 times a month, organizations are allowed to come here. And, since this was the last part of the holidays, he decided he would surprise the kids by doing so and they’re very happy about that". The event was an annual Christmas festivity, where hundreds of inner-city and underprivileged children and adults spent their time exploring the surroundings and the singer's ranch, riding on attractions, snacking on food and drinks, watching movies and playing in a two-story arcade, all of these being provided free-of-charge by Michael Jackson, and, often, even during his absence there.



During his trial (in 2005), Jackson and his parents allow a visit from fans at his home and inside it, the admirers remaining impressed by the manifested generosity given the circumstances.

Vernay C. Lewis (USA) from MJFC fan club shares that in April, 2005, a group of fans from MJFC went to Neverland Ranch to show him support in light of then current trial, and gave him a basketful 2000 of roses. A week before, they were a part of the “Many Nations…One Voice” rally on Courtroom day, April 4, 2005 in support of Jackson. Part of the group of fans (approximately 100) remaining after they handed over their present are welcome inside the singer’s Ranch by him to view his living and dining room. In addition, fans met him, his parents, his children, and make-up artist Karen Faye. He had opened his gates as a show of gratitude for all the events that had taken place in his support. Michelle Basart (USA) from MJFC shares 4 years later, on occasion of late Michael Jackson’s 51st Birthday Tribute Party in Portland, Oregon, that “we were able to see Michael as a father that day. Paris held his had and helped daddy open the boxes & pull out ultimate collection box sets to hand off to all of us fans there. I will treasure it and seeing Paris help her daddy give them to us fans.” At the mentioned tribute bash, Mary Carr talks on she was present at one of Jackson’s HIStory shows overseas and how her and eight other female fans of the entertainer met him in a hotel elevator, as he was was staying two rooms down the hall next to theirs; the fans would then add that, the following day, when they left the hotel to pay their bill, they found out it had been paid already by Michael Jackson.

At an unknown date, the singer hires a circus for children with the Down’s Syndrome, according to English musician, Pete Townshend. “[Jackson] has unselfishly helped every cause, and individual child, I have sent his way.”, Townshend declares in June, 2005, defending his friend against the child abuse charges. “In one case he hired a circus for the Down’s Syndrome children of a special school of the daughter of a friend of mine, and showed up to happily, and – yes – in childlike enthusiasm – watch the show with them. This little girl believed she was Michael’s future wife, and he so kindly allowed her to sit next to him, as his future bride. His feathers may be badly burned, and he may be damaged in other ways too, but he is something of an angel.”, says Townshend.

On November 3, 2005, Michael Jackson attends Rosa Parks' funeral service in Detroit, Michigan. The megastar assists a 7-hour long long ceremony, seated between Park's relatives. Tens of politicians, businessmen, religious leaders and people of the show business are present to pay their respects to the woman having made the fights for the civil rights in America possible. Among the famous guests were Reverend Jesse Jackson, former president, Bill Clinton, then president George W. Bush and singer Aretha Franklin. Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92, notably famous for refusing to leave her seat on a bus to a white man, in 1955, Montgomery city. Her arrest caused the protest against the racial discriminations led by Martin Luther King Jr.


On May 28, 2006, on occasion of accepting an MTV Legend Award in Japan, Michael Jackson visits the "Seibi Gakuen" children’s home in Tokyo, where he meets more than 160 children, and watches children performing traditional music. He addresses a few words of appreciation to the audience, as well as shakes hands with and signs autographs for the children.

On November 8, 2007, the pop star participates at Reverend Jesse Jackson’s birthday celebration, the event also being a fundraiser.

On occasion of a charitable party held in Devon, England (where members of the Jackson family, - including Michael Jackson, shortly, via telephone - , participated), on June 8, 2008, among additional financially-valuable items, 6,000 pounds are raised through an auction of Jackson memorabilia, including the singer’s white fedora, (worn in one of his videos) signed by himself.

On March 17, 2009, reality T.V. star, Jane Goody (housemate on "Celebrity Big Brother 2007", who would lose the battle with brain cancer on March 22) confirmed to "New" magazine that Michael Jackson had sent her a goodwill message while in London, U.K. Jackson was there between March 3 and March 8 to announce his last concert series in the U.K. via a press conference. The singer called in at the hospital where she was admitted – the terminally ill patient not being available at the time - then recorded an answerphone message for the T.V. star, with the following well-wishes: "Hi, Jade, I'm thinking of you and hoping everything goes as well as it can. I want you to come and see me when I'm over [to London for the concert series]. My brother [Jermaine Jackson, runner-up in the "Big Brother 2007" finale] keeps asking me about you." Goody's publicist, Max Clifford, declared after her death that Jackson would not be attending the memorial service, due to the singer not wishing to detract attention from Goody and her family. "He has sent a lovely message of condolence to her family, that she was a brave girl and that her message will save a lot of lives, and he will be sending flowers."

On June 6, 2009, it is reported that Michael Jackson has given his socially-conscious song, „Heal The World” to a group of young entertainers from Merseyside, Liverpool, to help raise money for the "James Bulger Red Ballon Centres Appeal", established by his mother, Denise Fergus from Kirkby, Merseyside. James Bolger, her 2 year-old son was killed in 1993 by 2 teenagers. With all proceeds being funnelled to James Bulger House (a school for bullied children), hundreds gathered at an homage event with a host of singers and dancers in Liverpool, including James’ parents. The four-hour concert, paying homage to 3 more tragic teenagers – Rhys Jones, Francesca Bimpson and Sarah Payne - ended with an emotional live performance of song "Heal The World”. "The Centre will accomodate roughly 15 children, but they are never going to lose their education at school because of bullies at school. These kids are going to have the best education that we can offer them through our charity Red Ballon Learner Centres”, the fundraiser’s organizer, Steve Linder, said. On the singer and his offer, Fergus later comments: "[Michael] was aware of James, as he sent a personal message to me, with a large basket of flowers. He wrote a couple of lines for James and he named it 'Child Of Innocence'. We played Michael's song at James' funeral. I've listened to 'Heal The World' over and over again and it gave me such a buzz when we found out we could release it to raise money for the James Bulger House. The words in the song are very touching. I feel the world does need healing with children committing crimes. It is very upsetting the way the world is at the moment, bullying is going on everywhere." The song performed by the Merseyside entartainers would be released on October 26, 2009.

* Michael Jackson is reported to have been owner of two top floors of the Dolphin Hotel at the "Walt Disney World Resort" in Orlando, Florida, in which ill children and their families have been allowed to stay for gratis.

* The entertainer also had made donations to local schools in Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, California, according to local residents there. (information from Linh Ngo)

* At the wishes of the late entertainer – as expressed in his will - The Michael Jackson Family Trust would devote 20% of its trust earnings to a number of undisclosed charities.

In September, 2009, a YouTube member, MYGRANDSONDEVIN, posts the following lines underneath a fan video by mjchicco for song “Privacy”: “I know people judged him so wrongly. I met Mike & got to know him, because my 3 year old little grandson had severe cerebal (sic) palsy - couldn't walk - talked very few sounds - couldn't eat by mouth (fed through a tube) - blind in both eyes & Mike came to see him. He stayed at our house to see if there was anything he could do. But, unfortunately, my grandson died.”, the post reads.


On October 19, 2009, it is reported that 2 legal documents, signed by Michael Jackson, handing to USA for Africa the profits from the 1985 hit "We Are the World" that Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote, and which brought in „"ens of millions”, will go to auction, benefiting VH1's Save the Music Foundation. "(Michael Jackson) was a bigger philanthropist than most people gave him credit for,” USA for Africa Executive Director, Marcia Thomas, says of the singer-entertainer. "He didn't do it for the credit. He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do.” Nancy Birdsall, president of the Washington-based Center for Global Development, adds that "We Are the World' marked what at that time was a high point in rich-world concern about poor people in the developing world. That sort of awareness helps to open the way not only for more effective foreign assistance but for other changes in policy, such as trade and migration, that can have a big impact on poor people's lives.” The 2 legal documents, transferring his rights and profits to the group USA for Africa, are estimated to gross in 50,000 dollars at the Alexander Autographs auction at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut. The in-person and online auction includes a huge number of rock-and-roll and Hollywood artifacts and is organized by an auction house noted for its historical and political offerings.

On February 1, 2010, over 80 musicians are involved in the (re-)recording of best-selling charitable hymn, We Are The World (written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie in 1985), at the Henson Studios in Los Angeles, California, in order to raise funds for the capital of Haiti, Port-Au-Prince, roughly stricken by an earthquake on January 12, 2010). The project was organized by singer Lionel Richie and producer Quincy Jones, the song containing updated lyrics and music, including a rap segment pertaining to Haiti. Michael Jackson’s original segment of the song was kept, his sister, Janet, joining him in a duet through a montage. Among the voices provided for this new version were Pink, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Nick Jonas, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Will.I.Am, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger and Nicole Richie, with other artists joining for the chorus, among whom Patti Austin, Natalie Cole, Faith Evans, India.Arie, nephews of Michael Jackson - Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, T.J Jackson, Gladys Knight, A.R. Rahman or Rob Thomas. A shortened video of the 2010 version of We Are The World premiered on US TV channel, NBC on February 12, during their coverage of the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, while the full video was played a day later. The “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” project, apart from raising money benefiting the Haiti victims, it will make grants for efficient Haiti relief efforts and continual development of programs for the nation in the future, via the newly created We Are The World Foundation. On February 19, 2010, Latin artists such as Emilio and Gloria Estefan gather to record a Spanish-language version of the song - "Somos El Mundo" - for the same purpose. Other singers involved in recording this song version are Banda El Recodo, Carlos Santana, Chayanne, David Archuleta and José Feliciano.

In late February, 2010, Michael Jackson’s 3 children help carrying on their father’s legacy, by making a $10,000 donation to the ‘L.A. Housing Corporation’, an organization which provides shelter for homeless families. They make the donation on behalf of the Heal the World Foundation, interact and play with said institution’s children. Unfortunately, however, this charity has meanwhile been proven in court to not be affiliated with Michael Jackson nor the Michael Jackson Estate, despite heads of this company in question staunchily claiming otherwise. ..

On August 8, 2011, Michael Jackson’s 3 children, accompanied by several other family members, unveil several sketches by their father, as well as a signed portrait of the entertainer that will decorate the walls of ‘Children's Hospital Los Angeles’. The artwork, co-donated by artist and drawing-collaborator of Jackson, Brett Livingstone-Strong, includes a dozen sketches drawn and signed by the former, featuring depictions of Mickey Mouse, furniture and other objects.



Charities:
The singer’s humanitarian commitments during the course of his life are accredited in the Guiness Book of World Records and in the Year 2000 Millennium Edition, establishing him as the pop celebrity having supported the most charities, registered as 39, as well as other affiliated organizations and projects, namely: AIDS Project L.A., American Cancer Society, Angel Food, Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, BMI Foundation, Inc., Brotherhood Crusade, Brotman Burn Center, Camp Ronald McDonald, Childhelp U.S.A., Children's Institute International, Cities and Schools ScholarshipFund, Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Dakar Foundation, Dreamstreet Kids, Dreams Come True Charity, Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Love Match, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Minority Aids Project, Motown Museum, NAACP, National Rainbow Coalition, Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund, Red Cross, Rotary Club of Australia, Society of Singers, Starlight Foundation, The Carter Center's Atlanta Project, The Sickle Cell Research Foundation, Transafrica, Unesco,United Negro College Fund (UNCF), United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope, Volunteers of America, Watts Summer Festival, Wish Granting, YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw.

Research has shown that Mr. Jackson supported at least 33 more charities, namely: Democratic National Committee, Community School/Safety Havens Initiative, Lupus L.A., United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Atlanta Children’s Foundation, Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change, Foundation for the Junior Blind, Oneness, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, The International Child Art Foundation, Go For Your Dreams, Opportunity Village, Off-Road-Kids e.V, UNICEF, T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, National Solidarity Fund, Family Caring for Families, Operation Christmas Child, Children's Defense Fund, Children's Diabetes Foundation, Boys and Girl Clubs, Ghandi Foundation for Children, Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's, Heal L.A., Prince’s Trust, Youth Sports & Art Foundation, Jane Goodall’s Ape Research institute, Children’s Wish Foundation, Give For Life, Wishing Well Fund, MusiCares and Camp Good Times.



"Besides his talent as a musician and entertainer, it's his humanitarian efforts. the fact that he really wanted to bring joy and happiness to sick and disabled children. [...] Michael has always used that fame to give to others. He worked with lots of charities to help sick children and their families. He worked very hard every day yet during the Thriller period, through the Victory Tour and even after, he'd go and visit children's hospitals, do appearances for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, local hospices when he was off, much of the time it went unnoticed by the media. That was Michael's decision, these were private moments dedicated to help. Lots of artists today don't do that, you don't see them as concerned as Michael was.”

http://www.thesilencedtru...;Itemid=59

What an amazing legacy Michael left behind. He didn't had to do any of this most celebrities wouldn't go this out to help others. Despite what media & people think of him he lived an honorable life.

^ Thank you.

USA

YTD TOP 200 ALBUMS 2014


21 - XSCAPE - 421,000

143 - THE ESSENTIAL - 101,000

144 - NUMBER ONES - 101,000

162 - THRILLER - 93,000


Michael has 4 Albums in the top 200

Thanks for sharing all his charity work and contributions year by year. I knew most of them, but there are many I had no idea about or had completely forgotten about, cause there's too many things he's done! Reading all of this made me remember why I became a fan of the person alongside the music and is a refreshing change after all this time.

NaughtyKitty said:

NaughtyKitty.......absolutely thrilling interview

this was really awesome to hear...

https://soundcloud.com/lo...-audio-rip

Queen debuted the Freddy Mercury and MJ "There Must Be More To Life Than This" track today... And it is FANTASTIC.

dm3857 said:

Queen debuted the Freddy Mercury and MJ "There Must Be More To Life Than This" track today... And it is FANTASTIC.

Not!!!

kremlinshadow said:

dm3857 said:

Queen debuted the Freddy Mercury and MJ "There Must Be More To Life Than This" track today... And it is FANTASTIC.

Not!!!

I agree. It's way overdone. The simple previous version is much better. And I'm a Queen fan.

NaughtyKitty said:

This was soooo great!!! I love the cartoon depictions of this interview. This was such a treat! Thanks!!

PatrickS77 said:

kremlinshadow said:

Not!!!

I agree. It's way overdone. The simple previous version is much better. And I'm a Queen fan.

I guess we'll just agree to disagree then. I never was a huge fan of the demo, to me Freddie's and Michael's voice blend much better on the new mix. But, to each their own.

Country Music Stars cites Michael Jackson as one of their all time favorites

CMT All-Time Top 40: Michael Jackson
Country Stars Count Down Their Favorite Artists
September 20, 2014; Written by CMT Staff

Michael Jackson moonwalks in at No. 12 on the list of CMT All-Time Top 40: Artists Choice.

A list of the most influential artists in history chosen by country stars themselves, another honoree is revealed each week on CMT Hot 20 Countdown.

Chris Young, Charlie Worsham, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers and The Band Perry were just some of the country stars who cited the "king of pop" as a major influence.

"You know, there's not a lot of people who have sold that many records or had an impact on music in general as much as Michael Jackson," said Young. "I have a lot of Michael songs downloaded on my phone. It probably rivals any one country artist that I have, except for a couple of guys. I mean, I doubt anybody wouldn't want to have the size and scope of his musical career, I don't care what genre you're in."

"How can you not respect and love Michael Jackson as an artist," Worsham agreed. "That's a persona that didn't exist until there was Michael.

"He was a part of so many different eras of music, and he's one of those guys who it didn't matter whether he was the most popular thing at the time or not, you had to take note of what he was doing. His influence on groove and beat and rhythm and the way he infused dancing and entertainment -- not just being a fantastic musician and singer -- is something I think we can all learn from, especially in today's world. You can't just get up and sing. You have to entertain people, and he was the quintessential entertainer."

"I think I always seem to relate [to Jackson] in a lot of ways because I was such a kid, too, when I started out," Rimes said. "To me, he is one of the best singers that's ever lived and entertainers. He had the most insane voice of any 5-year-old that I've ever heard, and the way he connected with the crowd, the way he was so multi-talented and really good at every bit of it. His music ... lived on and will live on forever."

"I met and got to know Michael Jackson pretty well," Rogers said. "There's a guy that was so troubled, but he was so talented. I watched that This Is It documentary. The guy ... had 19-year-old kids out of breath from dancing with him. ... Music wasn't just something he did. That's what he was. He was his music. He not only sang great, but he danced great. He understood what his package was and how to do it."

"Michael Jackson's one of my very favorite performers of all time," said Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry. "And actually, when we get ready to put together an ACM or a CMA Awards performance, we start by looking for Michael Jackson videos. We are always intensely inspired by his dancing but also just his presence onstage.

"You know our performance for 'Done' at the ACMs [in 2013]? There was this Michael video where he was starting his show, and he popped on to the stage somehow and just stood there. Now, we stood there for like five seconds for dramatic effect [during the ACM performance], but he stood there for about a minute. And the crowd was just roaring."

"I think it got louder actually," Neil Perry added.

"I think he's so cool because he crossed all genre boundaries, national/international boundaries, race boundaries. Everybody was in love with this guy," Kimberly concluded. "Just a phenomenal entertainer."

click link to watch video of them discussing MJ's impact
http://www.cmt.com/news/c...er=unknown

Scorp said:

NaughtyKitty said:

NaughtyKitty.......absolutely thrilling interview

this was really awesome to hear...

You're welcome Scorp! I'm glad you appreciated it. Nothing like hearing classic Mike!

You're welcome Mjscarousal! I loved how they did the animation too! I hear the full interview of this is about 40 minutes long I think.

dm3857 said:

PatrickS77 said:

I agree. It's way overdone. The simple previous version is much better. And I'm a Queen fan.

I guess we'll just agree to disagree then. I never was a huge fan of the demo, to me Freddie's and Michael's voice blend much better on the new mix. But, to each their own.

Well the song never became more than just a demo because it's weak.

BrazilianOnRaspberryBeret said:

I was hoping if some MJ fan here could help me. This should be something die-hard MJ fans should know or at least are aware of.

The Remember the Time and In the Closet videos have different mixes with "breakdown" funky sections that are amazing, but, unfortunately, that I know, never released anywhere (in song-format). Does anybody know about that? Other different video mixes that may be found please let me know about them.

I know exactly what your talking about. The video mixes were never released as songs to my knowledge, unfortunately. If they were I would probably have them since I own almost anything MJ. But there is a cool 12" mix of Remember the Time that is very similar to the video mix (It's on The Ultimate Fan Extras Collection on iTunes, there's more extended mixes and rare tracks on there as well)

Remember The Time (12- Main Mix) by Michael Jackson on Grooveshark

[Edited 9/26/14 7:37am]

[Edited 9/26/14 7:44am]

Prince mentions Michael from dailymail.com article...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2773266/Memorable-moments-Paisley-Park.html#ixzz3Ei7MYLuj

— Yes, he thought Michael Jackson was pretty awesome too: Though the two were often pitted against each other in the media during the heights of their respective careers, he has utmost respect for the late legend. During one conversation, he marvels at the brilliance of then 10-year-old Jackson's vocals on classics like "Who's Loving You" and "I Want You Back," and while watching an old James Brown clip, he notes that both he and Jackson were watching Brown as children: "Michael got the dance, I got the music."

Joel Vogel’s Essay For The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress On Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Sources: Joel Vogel | Edited By All Things Michael
[img:$uid]http://vallieegirl67.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/thriller-michael-jackson.jpg?w=665[/img:$uid]
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” changed the trajectory of music-the way it sounded, the way it felt, the way it looked, the way it was consumed. Only a handful of albums come anywhere close to its seismic cultural impact: the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper,” Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” Nirvana’s “Nevermind.”Yet “Thriller” remains, by far, the best-selling album of al l time. Current estimates put U.S. sales at close to 35 million, and global sales at over 1 10 million.[img:$uid]http://vallieegirl67.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/6a00d8341c2c4f53ef0120a632fcba970c-800wi.jpg?w=665[/img:$uid]

Its success is all the more remarkable given the context. In 1982, the United States was still in the midst of a deep recession as unemployment reached a four-decade high ( l 0.8 percent). Record companies were laying people off in droves. Top 40 radio had all but died, as stale classic rock (AOR) dominated the airwaves. Disco had faded. MTV was still in its infancy. As “The New York Times” puts it: “There had never been a bleaker year for pop than 1982.”
And then came “Thriller.” The album hit record stores in the fall of ’82. It’s difficult to get beyond the layers of accolades and imagine the sense of excitement and discovery for listeners hearing it for the first time–before the music videos, before the stratospheric sales numbers and awards, before it became ingrained i n our cultural DN A. The compact disc (CD) was made commercially available that same year, but the vast majority of listeners purchased the album as an LP or cassette tape (the latter of which outsold records by 1983). The rapid explosion of portable cassette Walkman personal stereos meant people could experience music privately and on the go.
Once listeners popped in their cassette of “Thriller,” they were taken away. Three ricocheting drum beats kick off the frenetic opener, appropriately titled “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.”‘ There simply wasn’t a genre for a song like this in 1982. It wasn’t disco. It wasn’t funk. It wasn’t R&B. It wasn’t new wave. It was something new: a song that contained strains of each of these styles, and more; a song so wild and energetic it nearly bursts at the seams, unpredictably culminating in a triumphant Swahili chant. This was the sound of a new pop renaissance. It had no borders. It was a sonic carnival, perfectly capturing the diversity, fusion and velocity of a new era.

Critics have often characterized “Thriller” as a collection of hits, rather than a coherent album with a unified theme. This assessment is partially correct. Seven of its nine songs, after all, became Top Ten hits. “Thriller” isn’t a concept album, and never settles on a particular motif or emotion. Instead, it is about shifting tensions: between traditional instrumentation and electronic sounds, innocence and experience, optimism and dread, anxiety and ecstasy. The chaotic energy of its opener dissolves into the effortless glide of “Baby Be Mine”; the breezy charm of “The Girl is Mine” transitions without warning into the dark Gothic robofunk of the title track. “Sequencing an album,” explains Quincy Jones, “is one of the joys in being a producer because it’s like making a movie. That’s why I had ‘Human Nature’ right after ‘Billie Jean’ on “Thriller.” Because ‘Billie Jean’ was in three parts, like a mantra. The other one is like a kaleidoscopic harmonic collage, with all the harmonies running around the place. The ear loves that-it loves to feel that growth and change and movement.”
[img:$uid]http://vallieegirl67.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/billie_jean_2414694b.jpg?w=665[/img:$uid]
Jackson and Jones sifted through over 600 songs before settling on a final tracklist of nine. Jones referred to this process as “Polaroids.” Each potential song was held up to see if it had the right qualities and how it fit with already-existing material. Jackson brought in at least a dozen self!written tracks, including album standouts “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,”‘ “Billie Jean,” and “Beat It.” Rod Temperton, a talented British musician who was also a key contributor to Jackson’s previous album “Off the Wall,” composed over thirty potential songs for Jackson. Three made it onto the album: “Baby Be Mine,” “The Lady in My Life,” and the title track (originally titled “Starlight”). Other tracks were switched in the rotation later in the process, including the gorgeous Steve Porcaro and John Bettis-penned ballad “Human Nature,” which Jackson described as “music with wings.” “P.Y.T.” was originally written by Jackson, but later re-worked by Quincy Jones and James Ingram into a funky Minimoog synth jam.
The final result was an album that, as Jackson put it, had “no B-sides.” The material was strong from top to bottom. The public responded accordingly and “Thriller” led sales and airplay throughout 1983 and into 1984. Within 15 months, it became the bestselling album in the history of the music industry, shifting more than 22 million copies. It would also go on to win a record seven Grammy awards in 1984. The album seemed to cross every barrier imaginable: it appealed to black and white, young and old, middle-class and poor, American and beyond.
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Its unprecedented success perhaps seems inevitable today. Jackson had already been a star for a long time: in the early 1970s, he and his brothers achieved enormous crossover success as the Jackson 5, and his 1979 solo album, “Off the Wall,” became the bestselling album ever by an African-American artist. Yet in the early 1980s, radio was largely segregated, adhering to narrow programming based on racialized genres. MTV, likewise, was strongly oriented toward rock and rock was often synonymous with white, while R&B was synonymous with black. Jackson challenged and ultimately demolished this logic with “Thriller.” It wasn’t only that his music featured rock icons like Paul McCartney and Eddie Van Halen or even that his music didn’t fit neatly into conventional categories; it was that his songs and videos were too good to be denied. People wanted to hear them on the radio and see them on TV. Eventually, the gatekeepers relented and the 1980s became the most integrated decade in music history.
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Beyond the innovative music and groundbreaking short films, this is “Thriller’s” legacy. It broke down barriers, creating a new musical landscape in which artists of color were no longer relegated to the margins. Over 30 years since it first hit record stores, [SIZE="3"]it remains the defining album of a decade and one of the holy grails of pop.[/SIZE]
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Joseph Vogel is a literary, film, and music critic, cultural historian, and author of the critically! acclaimed book “Manin the Music:The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson” 2011). He holds a PhD. from the University of Rochester in American Literature and Culture. His work has been featured in “The Atlantic,” “Slate,” the “Huffington Post” and PopMatters,and is forthcoming in “The Journal of Popular Culture”and the “Journal of Popular Music Studies. “
* The views expressed in this essay are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Library of Congress.

Link: http://www.loc.gov/rr/rec...to,-13,677

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxes/irs-we-made-a-mistake-valuing-michael-jacksons-estate/ar-BB7hl5K

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IRS: We Made A Mistake Valuing Michael Jackson's Estate

The Internal Revenue Service says it made a mistake in valuing Michael Jackson’s estate. Nope, the IRS hasn’t abandoned its much discussed claim for $702 million in extra taxes and penalties—a bill Jackson’s estate is fighting in U.S. Tax Court. Instead, the tax agency is upping its demand by $29 million to nearly $731 million.

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In a previously unreported court filing, the government says that IRS auditors originally thought the King of Pop owned only 50% of certain master recordings at his death in June 2009, when he really owned 100% of them. That 100% interest was worth $91 million by the IRS’ figuring, compared to the $11 million reported on the Jackson estate tax return.

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The change brings the IRS’ valuation of Jackson’s estate and lifetime taxable gifts up to $1.178 billion, compared to the $7 million the estate reported. The IRS now wants a total of $525.6 million in tax and $205.1 million in gross valuation misstatement and negligence penalties. (Any interest owed will be on top of that.) Of course both the IRS and the estate’s values are best regarded as opening bids in what could be a long negotiation. A trial, if there is one, is far off.

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Indeed, in a joint status report filed with the Tax Court last month, lawyers for the government and the estate say that while they’re close to settling four relatively small issues and have dueling appraisers discussing the value of Jackson’s personal tangible property, they don’t expect a speedy resolution of the big dollar issues in the case. Those involve the value of Jackson’s intangible and intellectual property (his name, likeness and his interests in music he wrote or performed) as well as the value of two trusts he apparently set up to borrow against his assets and to transfer assets to his heirs at minimal tax cost during his life.

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The two trusts hold Jackson’s music publishing rights as well as his 50% interest in a joint music publishing venture with Sony Corp. Known as Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the venture is the largest music publishing company in the world and owns or administers millions of songs, including Beatles songs Jackson bought back in the 1980s. The estate placed the value of the assets transferred through the two trusts at just $2.2 million, whereas the IRS says the taxable value was $527.5 million.

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Forbes senior editor Zack O’Malley Greenburg, who wrote a recent book on the Jackso...ess empire, estimates the Jackson estate has earned more than $700 mil...surgence, with new releases, two Cirque du Soleil shows based on his work , the concert film This Is It and even an endorsement deal with PepsiCo. But at the time of his death, the economy was in the dumps and Jackson’s image was considerably less golden, in part due to allegations of child molestation. It’s the value of his image at death that matters for estate taxes.

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The estate valued Jackson’s name and likeness at a trifling $2,105, whereas the IRS contends they were worth $434 million. Despite the unique circumstances surrounding Jackson, the resolution could well affect how other celebrity estates are taxed in the future.

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The value of a celebrity’s image was also at issue in two recent U.S. Tax Court decisions involving the income taxation of en...ief Goosen and is an issue in an ongoing Tax Court c... Slaughter. Ironically, in those cases, the IRS has tried to maximize Uncle Sam’s tax take by minimizing the value of such intellectual property, while taxpayers have argued (and Tax Judges have agreed) that a celebrity’s image has substantial value.

What?!! Little Richard Got HOW MUCH Money From Michael Jackson?!!

Many folks have called Michael Jackson many things ranging from the greatest of all time, to the worst, but one thing he definitely should be called is one of the REALEST stand-up guys in the music industry. Word on the Old School curb is that when MJ bought the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog, he was unaware that the Beatles owned ALL of the rights to Little Richard’s publishing, which then meant that MJ acquired all of the rights to Little Richard’s publishing. As soon as Michael found that out, he immediately GAVE Little Richard ALL of his publishing rights back because he believed that Little Richard deserved to be compensated for his hard work after having been disrespected by his record label for so many years prior to. Click NEXT to read more about the money and his net worth…


According to Celebrity Net Worth, Little Richard’s net worth is $40 million, so we’re sure those publishing checks had a lot to do with that.
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As we all know, most soul artists were not getting paid what they were worth back in the day and Little Richard was caught up in that mix. So it’s beautiful thing to have had an artist like MJ in the music game who was willing to reach back and uplift the greats who paved the way for him.

One thing about Micheal is that he was not as soft spoken as we may have thought and he was NOT one to be tested on any level. Don’t believe us? Check out this video of MJ standing inside of a small Harlem, NY book store talking that real talk about his thoughts on former Sony Music exec, Tommy Mottola, and the foul side of the music industry. Hit the “Next button to see the video…

MJ on the foul side of the music industry (the audio gets better at the 1:28 mark)

http://www.iloveoldschoolmusic.com/what-little-richard-got-how-much-money-from-michael-jackson-himself/3/

Michael Jackson song inspired Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson: ‘I think I have the power to help others and encourage others.’

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

RENTON – Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson broke from tradition when he held his regular weekly meeting with the media Friday.

Instead of his usual red Seahawks practice jersey, he wore a purple Pass the Peace sweatshirt. And instead of ending the news conference with his trademark “Go Hawks,’’ he added “Pass the Peace.’’

It was all a continuation of efforts Wilson began the day before to much acclaim when it was revealed he would be a senior editor for a new website run by Derek Jeter. Wilson announced on the site, The Players’ Tribune, that he was launching a foundation called Why Not You with an initial goal of helping combat domestic violence. Wilson is asking people to Pass the Peace to support victims of domestic violence. The first two people he challenged were Jeter and singer/actor Justin Timberlake.

Wilson said he was inspired to begin the foundation and campaign while listening to the Michael Jackson song “Man in the Mirror’’ while flying to California during the team’s bye last week.

“I had been thinking about it for a while, the whole domestic violence situation going on, and I knew that I could hopefully make a difference being the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks,’’ Wilson said.

He had met with Jeter when the Yankees were in town for a series in June. That’s when initial plans were hatched for the foundation.

What got the most attention Thursday, though, was Wilson’s admission that, until age 14, he considered himself a bully.

“It was difficult to write,’’ Wilson said. “To tell you guys I was a bad kid growing up, to kind of go in-depth about that. You know, I used to have anger issues. I’d get mad all the time.’’

But Wilson said he thought it important to reveal that side of his past to illustrate that people can change behaviors with the help of others.

“For me, I’ve been graced with great family, with great people who have encouraged me, instead of discouraged me,’’ he said. “And that’s what I want to do with the Why Not You Foundation and the Pass the Peace initiative. And the whole idea of The Players’ Tribune, to write that first article, it was kind of, ‘OK, I’m going to step forward and do something.’ ’’

Wilson said the root of his anger was being “just so competitive. I thought I owned the playground. I thought I owned the classroom. I thought I was bigger than who I was. I thought I would never get in trouble for anything. I thought that was the way to go. I thought that was being a man, as a young kid, for whatever reason.’’

Asked to detail the worst of his bullying acts, Wilson responded: “Oh, man. Knock people’s teeth out on a regular basis, probably. Used to bang their heads up against the wall. Used to throw them against the wall. I used to cuss all the time. I used to be a bad kid, man. But I grew from that. Back then it was one of those things that I was kind of immature. Now I transitioned into this maturation — big time.”

Wilson said a change in his faith at the age of 14 led to a change in his attitudes and actions.

“Once I kind of got that in my life, I knew what to focus my life on,’’ he said.

Wilson stepping out publicly might be viewed as a sign of growth for a player whose devotion to football has been well-documented.

Wilson says that as a Super Bowl-champion quarterback, he has a rare platform. And this week he made his boldest move yet to take advantage of it.

“I’m a very reserved person for the most part,’’ said Wilson, who turns 26 on Nov. 29. “I want to be able to do different things. I’m not just about football. I think I have the power to help others and encourage others.’’

http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2024694570_seahawks04xml.html#.VDB4gnwone8.twitter

I wish there was more footage in general of MJ talking about his music, the industry or just anything unrelated to tabloid BS. Fortunately he liked to record everything he did so i can only hope the estate has a LOT.

Dilan said:

I wish there was more footage in general of MJ talking about his music, the industry or just anything unrelated to tabloid BS. Fortunately he liked to record everything he did so i can only hope the estate has a LOT.

Well, 1 the music got over shadowed the last 15 + years by lawsuits and such

and 2 he never gave straight answers really imo... Its a gift from god, i was just sitting in my wishing tree and it came to me .... These arent satisfying answers to music fans . At least i dont think his interviews are intriguing