Oct 12, 01: 30th Anniversary Celebration Concert To Be Televised On November 13 In USA
The "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years" concert special is scheduled to be televised on CBS in the USA on November 13, 2001 from 9:00 to 11:00 PM ET, MJIFC confirmed with CBS today.
According to the trade journal "Hollywood Reporter," the two hour CBS special, co-produced by David Gest and Michael Dempsey, and directed by Bruce Gowers, will contain footage taken primarily from the second, September 10 concert, held at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Some performances from the September 7 concert will also be included in the edited television version of the live events. The two hour special will include performances by stars that took part in the show, as well as 61 minutes of Michael Jackson performing on stage alone and with the Jackson 5.
The 30th Anniversary special will be also televised around the world, with a 3 hour version planned to air in Europe. Dates are yet to be announced.
After seeing a sneak preview of the television version of the show, Liza Minnelli commented that "...the show moves at such a rapid pace that by the time it finishes, you wish it had lasted a few hours more." Jennifer Graham of "TV Guide" said: "It seems like every big-name pop star in the industry is on the stage at one point or another. ... But by far the highlight is seeing Michael emerge, join the Jackson 5 and then do some of his solo material. He looks and sounds as good as he ever did."
"TV Guide" is planning to publish five different covers with Jackson's images to commemorate the TV special. They will be available in stores in USA at the time of the show's airing on CBS.
[Source: MJIFC, CBS, Hollywood Reporter]
Oct 11, 01: Tickets for "United We Stand" On Sale October 12
Tickets for the "United We Stand" benefit concert, set for October 21 at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., go on sale on Friday, October 12 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets are priced at $25, $50, and $75 (plus applicable charges) and may be purchased from Clear Channel Entertainment and Ticketmaster.
Michael Jackson is one of the confirmed performers that will take part in the "United We Stand: What More Can I Give" concert, with all proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Relief Fund, the Salvation Army Relief Fund, and the Pentagon Relief Fund. The 8-hour concert will start at 1:00 PM, doors will open at 11:00 AM.
[Source: MJIFC, Clear Channel Entertainment, Billboard, TicketMaster]
Oct 10, 01: Michael Jackson Sculpture On Exhibit In Los Angeles
"Michael Jackson and Bubbles" by Jeff Koons will be on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), where it is a part of a special exhibit on American art : "Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons: Four Decades of Art from the Broad Collections" from October 7, 2001–January 6, 2002.
The exhibit features over 100 paintings, photographs, and sculptures by 24 artists, and exemplifies important trends from the second half of the 20th century, including American Neo-Dada and Pop art, conceptually based work, U.S. painting from the 1980s, German Neo-Expressionism, and current art from Los Angeles.
The exhibition will tour the United States and Europe through 2003 :
Los Angles County Museum of Art : Oct. 7, 2001-Jan. 6, 2002
Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.: Mar. 16-June 3, 2002
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston : Boston, July 21-October 20, 2002
European tour in 2003
Jeff Koons, an American contemporary artist, created "Michael Jackson and Bubbles" in 1988. The sculpture, measuring 42 x 70 1/2 x 32 1/2 inches, belongs to the artist's "Banality" series. The sculpture on exhibit at LACMA is one of three identical casts made by Koons. One of the three sculptures sold in May 2001 at a Sotheby auction for over 5 million dollars.
[Source: MJIFC, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Broad Foundation, thank you to Nuria Ruiz-Arango.]
Oct 9, 01: MSG Concert/CBS Air Date
TV Guide Preps Five Different MJ Collectible Covers
According to today's Hollywood Reporter, CBS is planning to airMichael's MSG Tribute concert on Tuesday, November 13th. The show will last two hours (three hours for European airings) and will consist
mostly of footage from the October 10th show, including 61 minutes of the King of Pop on stage.
The Reporter also wrote that the final cut was sneaked last week by its producer David Gest to several industry execs as well as folks over at TV Guide, the latter of which is planning to give Michael five different cover images during the week of the show's airing.
Gest also gave a sneak screening at the Sony studios in Manhattan for several of the powerhouse talents in the show, including Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston (there with hubby Bobby Brown), Usher, Deborah Cox, Monica, Mya and the 98 Degrees foursome. "The show moves at such a rapid pace that by the time it finishes, you wish it had lasted a few hours more," said Liza about the final cut.
As TV Guide's Jennifer Graham tells the Reporter: "It seem like every big-name pop star in the industry is on the stage at one point or another. ... But by far the highlight is seeing Michael emerge, join the Jackson 5 and then do some of his solo material. He looks and sounds as good as he ever did."
Many are predicting that this can be CBS' ratings topper for the year.
[Source: MJNI.com]
Oct 09, 01: Michael Jackson To Perform At "United We Stand" Benefit Concert In Washington, D.C.
Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, James Brown, Mick Jagger, 'NSync, Backstreet Boys, KISS, Ricky Martin, Al Green, Aaron Carter, and other acts will perform at the "United We Stand" benefit concert, scheduled for October 21, 2001 at the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
The event producer, Clear Channel Entertainment, announced that the eight-hour concert will raise money to support recovery efforts of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. All money raised from "United We Stand" will benefit the American Red Cross Relief Fund, the Pentagon Relief Fund, and the Salvation Army Relief Fund.
The "United We Stand'' concert will begin at noon and is expected to last eight hours. Tickets go on sale October 12, with ticket prices yet to be announced.
"Music is a common language that brings people together in times of triumph and sadness," said Brian Becker, chariman and CEO of Clear Channel Entertainment . "We support the president's call for unity and are extremely proud to contribute in any way we can to help these stellar artists raise money to assist in recovery efforts and to show their support for the military who are risking their lives for our safety."
[Source: MJIFC, RollingStone, Reuters]
Oct 08, 01: Special Editions of Michael Jackson Albums To Be Released On October 16.
To commemorate Michael Jackson's 30th anniversary as a solo artist, his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and his forthcoming album "Invincible," Epic/Sony will release Special Editions of "Off The Wall", "Thriller", "Bad", and "Dangerous" on October 16, 2001.
The Special Edition albums, re-mastered under the guidance of Michael Jackson and his Grammy Award Winning Engineer, Bruce Swedien, will be available in CD and audio tape formats. Both formats will include all newly re-mastered material and new cover art, however, only the CD versions will contain bonus tracks and other added material.
The Special Edition CD's will feature:
Bonus tracks not on original albums, including Michael Jackson's demo recordings Bonus tracks listing for each Special Edition CD: Thriller: BAD: Dangerous: *Previously Unreleased Advanced orders of the Special Editions may be placed online via CD-NOW and other music sites. They are priced at $15.49 for the CD and $12.49 for the tape.
[Source: MJIFC, Sony Music, Epic Records, CDNOW.com]
Oct 05, 01: "You Rock My World" Single In Stores October 8, 2001.
"You Rock My World," the first single from Michael Jackson's forthcoming album "Invincible," will be released commercially on October 8, 2001. The single is not expected to be released in the USA.
"You Rock My World" was released to radio worldwide on August 24, 2001 and may be heard on the official web site www.michaeljackson.com via RealAudio and QuickTime.
[Source: Sony Music]
"Cry," the second single from Michael Jackson's forthcoming album "Invincible," has been released to radio today. Epic records told Billboard that after hearing the song, radio programmers have asked to make "Cry" available for authorized radio airplay. Epic complied, making it available to radio as of today.
The track was posted yesterday on Jackson's official web site www.michaeljackson.com, where it can be heard via QuickTime or RealAudio formats. Click on the 'news' button to listen.
[Source: Billboard.com]
Sept 20, 01: "You Rock My World" Video Premiere
Michael Jackson's video "You Rock My World" will premiere tomorrow, Friday, September 21, 2001 in many countries around the world.
Sept 20, 01: Listen To Michael Jackson's New Song "Cry"
"Cry", a song from Michael Jackson's forthcoming album "Invincible" may now be heard on the Internet at www.michaeljackson.com, Jackson's official web site at Epic/Sony.
You can listen to both "Cry" and "You Rock My World" on www.michaeljackson.com via QuickTime or RealAudio formats. Click on the 'news' button to listen.
"Cry" - written by R. Kelly; produced by Michael Jackson and R. Kelly
Somebody shakes when the wind blows Chorus Chorus [Source: www.michaeljackson.com]
Sept 16, 01: Michael Jackson To Help Victims With "What More Can I Give" Fund Raising Effort
Michael Jackson is leading a fund raising effort to help raise $50 million to benefit survivors and families of victims of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., that claimed the lives of hundreds of people, with over 5000 people reported missing.
ackson's spokesperson, Howard Rubenstein, announced in a statement that Jackson plans to record a new song, titled "What More Can I Give," along with the involvement of many fellow musicians. Those stars already committed to the effort are Destiny's Child, Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, Mya, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake of 'N Sync, with others lining up to be part of this charitable effort.
Jackson said, "I believe in my heart that the music community will come together as one and rally to the aid of thousands of innocent victims. There is a tremendous need for relief dollars right now and through this effort each one of us can play an immediate role in helping comfort so many people. We have demonstrated time and again that music can touch our souls. It is time we used that power to help us begin the process of healing immediately."
Jackson is currently working on "What More Can I Give." He will personally produce the song, and record it with other artists in two versions, English and Spanish. "What More Can I Give" will be released as soon as possible. The proceeds from the song's distribution will go to a relief fund for the victims' families and survivors.
Jackson has been actively involved in charitable activities throughout his life, including the 1985 "We Are the World: USA for Africa" effort, which raised $65 million to aid famine victims in Africa. He co-wrote the song "We Are the World" and was one of the many performers that participated in its recording.
In 1999, Jackson organized two charitable concerts 'Michael Jackson & Friends' in Germany and Korea, which raised $3.3 million for charity. Please see the Charities section for details on Michael Jackson's charitable activities.
[Source: Reuters, MJIFC]
Sept 16, 01: Michael Jackson Single and Video On Billboard Charts
"You Rock My World", the first single from Michael Jackson's forthcoming album "Invincible," moved to #10 (from #11 last week) in its third week on the 'Billboard Hot 100' singles chart. The single jumped to #13 (from #17) on Billboard's 'Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks' chart. The single has reached these chart positions solely on the strength of radio airplay, as it has not been released to sales outlets. It was released to radio worldwide and premiered on the Internet on August 24, 2001.
"You Rock My World" became the 28th top ten hit for Michael Jackson as a solo artist. It is his 40th career top ten song, inclusive of Jackson 5 and Jacksons chart hits.
"HIStory On Film, Vol II", originally released in 1997 when it became the #1 selling home video, has returned to the Billboard 'Top Music Video' chart this week. It is now the 7th most popular music video in the USA, based on sale.
Billboard magazine is a widely respected trade journal of the music industry, published in the USA. Unless otherwise noted, the above Billboard charts reflect popularity in USA only.
[Source: Billboard, MJIFC]
all newly re-mastered material
new cover art
new booklets containing lyrics and unseen photos
foil stamped O-Cards
new interviews with producer Quincy Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton
Off The Wall:
"Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough" (original demo recording)*
"Working Day And Night" (original demo recording)*
Interview with Producer Quincy Jones discussing the recording of Off The Wall*
Interview with Songwriter Rod Temperton*
"Someone In The Dark" (never before available on a Michael Jackson solo album)
"Billie Jean" (original demo recording)*
A segment from the Michael Jackson & Vincent Price voice over session from “Thriller” (including Vincent Price reading the never before heard 2nd verse)*
"Carousel" (outtake from the Thriller sessions)*
Interview with Producer Quincy Jones discussing the recording of Thriller*
Interview with Songwriter Rod Temperton*
"Street Walker" (outtake from the Bad sessions)*
"I Just Can’t Stop Loving You" (Spanish lyric version)*
"Fly Away" (outtake from the Bad sessions)*
Interview with Producer Quincy Jones discussing the recording of Bad*
Bonus tracks will not be available on the "Dangerous" Special Editon due to the fact that the original album is 77 minutes long and uses all of the space available on the disc.
**Previously Unavailable in the US
Sep 21, 01: "Cry" Released To Radio
Somebody's missing a friend, hold on
Somebody's lacking a hero
And they have not a clue
When it's all gonna end
Stories buried and untold
Someone is hiding the truth, hold on
When will this mystery unfold
And will the sun ever shine
In the blind man's eyes when he cries?
You can change the world, I can't do it by myself
You can touch the sky
Gonna take somebody's help
You're the chosen one
I'm gonna need some kind of sign
If we all cry at the same time tonight
People laugh when they're feeling sad
Someone is taking a life, hold on
Respect to believe in your dreams
Tell me where were you when your children cried last night?
Faces fill with madness
Miracles unheard of, hold on
Faith is found in the winds
All we have to do is reach for the truth
And when that flag blows
There'll be no more wars
And when all calls
I will answer all your prayers
Change the world
