May 28, 2011

This Is It

The July 13, 2009 would have started the "This Is It" tour ("This is How"), with a series of 50 shows that they saw Michael Jackson perform all his hits in the most successful and, it was rumored, even in new songs, if it were released a new album. Initially there were 10 dates from 8th July, but the demand for tickets had driven disproportionate Jackson (or his) extend the date until the end of February. Nevertheless, more than one million tickets sold out within hours doing SOLD OUT for all 50 dates, leading to a new record for the fastest ticket sales in history. In all likelihood, "This Is It" would be the last tour of the amazing career of Michael Jackson: "This is the final curtain call" (This is the last call from the stage) said at a press conference at the O2 in London , in announcing the tour.

The Film
After the death of Michael Jackson, Sony decided to purchase from AEG Live for $ 60 million to more than 100 hours of footage of the tests for "This Is It. " From these tests was born on that film was released in theaters around the world, titled "Michael Jackson's This Is It. " Fans, for two weeks, they had the chance to see Michael perform in his most famous pieces, in what in all likelihood would be the greatest comeback of all time. Furthermore, it was possible to see a Michael Jackson in good physical shape, capable, at 50, sing and dance like the best of times.



Remembering our KING

With June 25th getting near, please leave a message of L.O.V.E. in remembrance of our angel Michael here. With more than 1.000 members now, I hope many of you will share some of their thoughts here.


Dear Michael,

it is still so hard to accept that you are no longer with us. We miss you so dearly. You have lightened up our lives in a dimension no one will ever really understand. Thank you for everything you gave to us and the world. We L.O.V.E. you so much!

You were, you are and you will forever be the sunshine of our lives.

Who Feels It, Knows It

"I didn't realize Jesus died again today."
"What's with the deification of Michael Jackson?"
"The memorial service was so creepy."
Just a small sampling of the comments I've been reading online, regarding the dignified memorial service that celebrated the life of Michael Jackson yesterday. I’ve almost lost a couple of friends because of those kinds of responses.
Michael Jackson was a complicated figure. On my blog, Afrobella, I wrote a few loving tributes to him in which I admitted as much. And it’s true -- for many of us, the Michael Jackson we loved disappeared from public view decades ago. His living legacy became shrouded in mystery and accusation, the brown skinned boy so many admired replaced by a foreign and at times frightening visage. The kid who blew the world away on the Ed Sullivan Show 40 years ago grew up to be a man with so much psychic pain that he sought the services of anaestheologists to numb himself to sleep at night. If you listen to the lyrics of a song like Childhood, you might begin to understand why. Or maybe you won't, and never will.
The death of Michael Jackson and the subsequent media spotlight has revealed a marked rift. There are those who are baffled, annoyed, and downright disgusted by the attention and adulation. And there are those who feel a pain in their hearts akin to losing a family member, who can't believe that Michael -- their Michael, who provided the soundtrack to their lives -- is gone. This isn't a simple case of "it's a black thing, you wouldn't understand;" Michael Jackson had fans of every creed and race, in every crevice of the world. This isn't a schism that can be easily explained away by skin color or age or cultural identity. Michael Jackson's passing for me, and for many others, has uncovered an emotional response that's almost indescribable, difficult to understand, and almost impossible to explain to the many who just don't get it.
"Who feels it, knows it," is a phrase that originated in the Caribbean, most often used by Rastafarians in regards to their religion, their race, the burdens they and their ancestors have shouldered. But it's more than apt when explaining the response Michael Jackson's untimely passing has evoked in myself, and in so many others.
The New York Daily News reported that more than 31 million people watched television coverage of his memorial service yesterday, countless millions  more watched online and wherever they could catch a glimpse of the moving ceremony. It’s impossible to calculate how many tears have been shed since June 25. Some have cried for the man himself, but most of us have wept for the loss of what he represented to us. We’ve shed tears for the loss of our own innocent youth, for the memory of the Michael Jackson we held in our hearts. Maybe that was the sweet-faced boy who crooned “Who’s Loving You” so convincingly at such a tender age. Maybe it was the lithe teenager who introduced the world to popping and locking with “Dancing Machine.” Maybe it was the dazzling, handsome young man who wanted to “Rock With You,” or the moonwalking mastermind behind Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous. Michael, our Michael, is gone. And for many of us who grew up listening to his music, gazing rapt and slack jawed at his videos, or kissing the photos on his album covers, it aches in a way that’s impossible to rationalize. You either get it, or you don’t. And if you don’t, the very least you could do is be respectful and hope that he rests in peace.

May 27, 2011

Michael Jackson History

Michael Joseph Jackson[1] (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, dancer, singer-songwriter, musician, and philanthropist. Referred to as the King of Pop, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.

Motown 25 - Yesterday, Today, Forever

As there are several fans here who have witnessed Michael's legendary Motown 25 performance on TV, I thought it might be great to have an own thread about it to share and discuss some memories.



MJ's Girl and Christine, you have already mentioned how mindblowing this TV performance had been at that time for you. Maybe you can share some more memories about it here?

Michael Joseph Jackson Biography

Singer, songwriter. Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, to an African-American working-class family. His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but had put aside his musical aspirations to provide for his family as a crane operator. Believing his sons had talent, he molded them into a musical group in the early 1960s. At first, the Jackson Family performers consisted of Michael's older brothers Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie. Michael joined his siblings when he was five, and emerged as the group's lead vocalist. He showed remarkable range and depth for such a young performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions. Older brother Marlonalso became a member of the group, which evolved into the The Jackson 5.