[maea_maie]

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Ind., on Aug. 29, 1958. Michael was the fifth son born to steelworker Joe Jackson, who quickly started organizing his sons into a singing group he dubbed the Jackson 5.

From a young age, Michael’s childhood was fairly sheltered and rigid due to his mother’s strong religious faith and his father’s often strict discipline. By age 6, Michael was performing in his family’s group and already establishing himself as an exceptional entertainer.

In 1968, the Jackson 5 members signed to Motown and issued their first single in 1969, when Michael was only 11.

In 1970, the group had four No. 1 hits: "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save" and "I’ll Be There." This made the Jackson 5 the first pop group in history to have its first four singles reach No. 1.

In 1971, Michael released his first solo recording, "Got to Be There," which hit the top five. In 1972 his first solo single, "Ben," reached No. 1.

In 1975, Michael released his final album on the Motown label, and a year later he and his brothers (except for Jermaine) were signed to Epic as "The Jacksons."

In 1977, Michael won the part of the Scarecrow "The Wiz," all-black film retelling of "The Wizard of Oz." It was on the set that he met producer/composer Quincy Jones.

When Jackson’s contract with his father expired, he opted to embark on a solo career again (though he still remained a member of the Jacksons), and Jones became his producer. His first adult solo album was entitled "Off the Wall," and it produced four Top 10 singles and went platinum.

In 1982, "Thriller" was produced, making history. It sold 26 million copies in the United States, 60 million worldwide and stayed on the Billboard charts for 122 weeks.

In 1983, during Motown’s 28th anniversary special, Michael did the Moonwalk for the first time on television. Seven of the nine tracks on "Thriller" wound up in the Top 10.

Michael swept the Grammy Awards in 1984, taking home a record eight in one night. He also won the largest endorsement deal ever by becoming the spokesman for Pepsi. During filming for a Pepsi commercial in 1984, Michael’s scalp was badly burnt, requiring skin grafts.

In 1985, he co-wrote the famine-relief single "We Are the World," which became one of the fastest-selling singles ever.

That same year, Michael purchased the majority of shares in ATV Music Publishing Co., the organization which owned the rights to most of the Beatles’ songs.

It was around this time that strange rumors began to fly about Michael’s private life. After tabloids reported that Michael slept in a hyperbaric chamber in order to slow aging and that he had bought the skeleton of the Elephant Man (which he hadn’t), he was given the nickname "Wacko Jacko" by the media, which he hated.

Michael’s skin also started getting lighter and there were accusations that he was intentionally undergoing treatment to make himself whiter.

Soon Jackson reported to the media that he had a disorder called vitiligo, where pigment disappears from the skin, leaving white blotches and making sunlight exposure dangerous.

He also underwent some plastic surgery, though there were conflicting reports as to how much, and his face began to change noticeably.

It was at this time that Michael adopted his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, and began to build a giant amusement park at Neverland Ranch, further fueling public perception of his eccentricity.

In 1987, Michael teamed with George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola to star in the 3-D film "Captain EO." The film only lasted 17 minutes but cost millions and was shown in IMax theaters at Disney amusement parks for years.

Later that year Michael released "Bad," his follow-up to "Thriller." This was his last album produced with Quincy Jones. The album debuted at No. 1, was the first album to produce five No. 1 singles and sold 29 million copies.

Michael went on a world tour to support the album, and it became the highest-grossing tour of all time. Soon he was dubbed "The King of Pop."

Later in 1991, Michael released his next album, "Dangerous." It debuted at No. 1 and sold 29 million copies worldwide. Its lead single, "Black or White," caused controversy as the video had scenes considered violent and sexual (including Michael grabbing his crotch) and was banned from most music-television channels until several scenes were edited out.

In 1992, Michael founded the "Heal the World Foundation," a charity that brought underprivileged children to Neverland Ranch where Michael would spend time with them and allow them to spend the night.

This practice raised many eyebrows, especially when Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy who had become a regular Neverland guest. Jackson responded to the allegations publicly, maintaining his innocence. In 1994, he settled the case out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Later that year, Michael married the daughter of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie. The union was publicly scrutinized and speculations arose as to whether the marriage was simply an attempt to improve Jackson’s image, though he maintained that they lived genuinely as man and wife; however, the marriage broke up after less than two years.

In 1995, Jackson tried to turn the focus back to his music, releasing "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1." This was a two-CD set featuring his greatest hits and some new material, and it debuted at No. 1. The album’s lead single was "Scream," a duet with sister Janet Jackson, which won several Billboard Music Awards.

Michael then embarked on a world tour for the album, and while in Australia he married his dermatologist’s nurse, Debbie Jeanne Rowe, with whom he fathered a son named after himself (though he goes by the name "Prince" publicly) and a daughter, Paris Katherine.

Rowe and Jackson divorced in 1999, and Rowe told the media that Michael had wanted her to have the children as a "gift" to him.

In 2001, Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and had a huge concert at Madison Square Garden celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of his first solo album.

Later that year, he released the album "Invincible" on Sony Records and informed Sony Music head Tommy Mottola that he wasn’t going to renew his contract.

Then, Sony and Jackson got into a press battle, and Jackson publicly defamed Mottola, calling him "devilish" and racist, although many Sony artists came forward to defend Mottola.

In 2002, Jackson traveled to Berlin to accept the BAMBI award for his musical accomplishments. While in his hotel, fans swarmed outside and called to Jackson, clamoring to see his new baby, Prince Michael II.

Jackson then brought the baby to the balcony with a towel over his head (presumably to protect his identity), and held him over the railing to show the crowd. This incident was perceived by some to be child endangerment, and while Jackson apologized the next day, it helped to further fuel the public image that Jackson was having problems.

In 2003 journalist Martin Bashir filmed a highly touted documentary based on extensive interviews with Michael entitled "Living With Michael Jackson." The documentary was shown internationally and depicted some controversial scenes, including Michael holding hands with a 13-year-old cancer victim and admitting to non-sexually sharing his bed with children.

Jackson was angry and thought the film was inaccurate, so he fought back and released his own documentary, which included scenes cut from Bashir’s that showed Michael’s full explanations for some of his past behavior.

Later that year, Michael and Sony released a compilation of his hits, "Number Ones." It sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

While Michael was on the set, the police raided Neverland Ranch issuing an arrest warrant for charges of child molestation by the same boy who appeared in Bashir’s documentary.

A trial took place in 2005, and Jackson was acquitted of all charges. After his acquittal, Michael relocated to the Gulf Island of Bahrain, where he has reportedly been spending his time writing new music.

In 2004, a man filed a lawsuit against Michael, alleging he had been molested 20 years earlier but had repressed the memory until 2003. However, a judge eventually dismissed the lawsuit.

Discography:

1979 Off the Wall
1982 Thriller
1987 Bad
1999 Dangerous
1995 HIStory
1997 Blood on the Dance Floor
2001 Invincible

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,193841...foxlife/jackson

[Anja2412]

Ahh...love him, Michael is the man


:lol?:


[url="http://img355.imageshack is not allowed anymore.us/img355/2816/77309319gx.jpg"][url]http://img355.imageshack[/url] is not allowed anymore.us/img355/2816/77309319gx.jpg[/url][/img]
with madonna

[url="http://img228.imageshack is not allowed anymore.us/img228/8131/0011yb.jpg"][url]http://img228.imageshack[/url] is not allowed anymore.us/img228/8131/0011yb.jpg[/url]
[url="http://img7.imageshack is not allowed anymore.us/img7/7042/355542775080alb9qr.jpg"][url]http://img7.imageshack[/url] is not allowed anymore.us/img7/7042/355542775080alb9qr.jpg[/url]
with janet


with brooke shields

those were some of my favourites!!

This post has been edited by ♥ lavender rain: 16 May 2008 - 09:07 AM
Reason for edit:: removing imageshack pic; no longer works @ AF

[sencacollege]

Michael Jackson - Pre-release album (2008)

Gangsta (No Friend Of Mine) with Fugees
Xcape
Why (With 3T)
What More Can I Give
Todo Para Ti (What More Can I Give (Spanish Version)
What More Can I Give/Todo Para Ti (Spanglish Version)
Let Me Let Go
Someone Put Your Hand Out
Shout
I Need You (With 3T)
Ride With Me (with Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jenkins)
Biggerman
Get Out Of My Mind
Mamacita (With Santana)



source: www.goodgo.ca/michael-jackson-pre-release-2008/

[asianfanatics_fan]

“Ebony” lands rare interview with pop icon, rumored to be planning comeback
Nov. 7, 2007

Jackson has been interviewed for a documentary by the BBC in Great Britain, but, Cole said, the “Ebony” profile is the first interview he’s done with an American publication in a decade. She said she believes the reclusive and controversial star chose “Ebony” because the magazine has had a long relationship with him, first profiling him on its cover when he was taking America by storm as the 6-year-old star of The Jackson 5.

Although he (Michael) will not confirm that he is working on another album, he told “Ebony” that he’s writing songs and in the studio daily. He’s been working with other artists, including the Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West.


Akon Speaks About New Album
November 23rd 2007

Entertainment Weekly Magazine has reported that Michael has enlisted Akon to sing, write and produce on his next album.

"It's incredible! We're trying something he's never done before, and that's the challenge. There's not too much Michael Jackson hasn't covered. Just be ready for it."

He also added that Michael will release the album himself saying; "It's Mike, and he can. He don't really need a label to distribute."


Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com, ew.com & MJWN

[asianfanatics_fan]

http://i16.tinypic.com/8fdqao5.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/6l0vlep.jpg

http://i7.tinypic.com/6qbe4r7.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/8dyifcp.jpg

This post has been edited by themissingpiece: 17 January 2008 - 05:27 AM
Reason for edit:: max of 3 pics per post

[chiyuffie]

I searched for a MJ topic and didn't find one, so I took it upon myself to make one. The King of Pop. From a very young age, Michael has provided us with his musical talent and has grown up in front of the public. He evolved the pop culture in such a way that it is unforgettable. With unseen dance moves, and a unmatchable sound, Jackson deserves to be recognized.

Name: Michael Jackson
Origin: Gary, Indiana, USA
Genre(s): R&B, Soul, New Jack Swing, Funk, Rock, Dance-Pop, Motown, Disco
Albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, Etc.



Current news: Sometime this year, there will be a re-release of MJ's greatest album, Thriller, with covers by some of the big name musicians today. Make sure you check it out.
------
Me: I think MJ is awesome. I've been a fan of his music since I was a kid. Regardless of how weird his life may be, I'll never stop liking his music nor his dance.

This post has been edited by chiyuffie: 16 January 2008 - 06:50 PM

[Hoodwinker]

I wish this thread was still alive. I got his 25th anniverary album (2008) and I love it. He really is the King of Pop, Rock and Soul and I don't think anyone can surpass him.

It's a shame because when people say "Michael Jackson," all they seem to remember is the bleach skin, wacko etc etc.

But half the stuff that the media come up with is untrue. The most ridiculous thing is the bleach skin. How can you bleach skin? Thats virtually impossible, but some people are stupid and choose to believe it.

I hope everyone rememebr MJ for being the great entertainer he is. I really miss his performances! He not only writes his own songs, but he dances and sings great too!

[chiyuffie]

This thread is still alive somewhat. The re-release of Thriller is brilliant! Love it!

[celsiusgirls]

I absolutely love Michael Jackson. Despite all the rumors, the controversy, the bankruptcy etc.... He really contributed a lot to Pop music. He's like the male version of Madonna, the eighties/nineties Elvis etc... Of course with the differences. His music is great, you still get up and dance to it, sing to the slow ones and also get teary eyed to the meaningful ones.

[aixzi]

OMG! I just saw this on tv still cant believe it

Michael Jackson Dies

Posted Jun 25th 2009 5:20PM by TMZ Staff

Michael JacksonWe've just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived.

Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive.

We're told one of the staff members at Jackson's home called 911.

La Toya ran in the hospital sobbing after Jackson was pronounced dead.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

This post has been edited by aixzi: 25 June 2009 - 11:12 PM

[Mi_Nako]

i'm totally in shock.. and can't stop crying... my day was so bright and colorful... then my mom called me telling me that farrah fawcett [ex-charlie's angels] and mj died....
T.H.I.S I.S. N.O.T H.A.P.P.E.N.I.N.G!!!
could someone plase turn back the time, the world or whatever and say that this is not happening? =/

everytime that i go to college i'll remember him.. cuz he recorded a mv in dona marta, here in rio, and my university is close...

rest in peace, king of pop =/

[jse]

so sad....that he had passed away. It's such a waste!!! So sad..

[Adrenaline]

R.I.P Michael Jackson...
You'll be remembered always, well.. for your singing

[Cupcakes10000]

RIP MJ, you taught us that "You Are Not Alone" when you "Remember the Time" as you "Beat It" to the "Thriller" in order to "Heal the World" Man I love this guy!The funeral at the staple center part was really sad when everyone gave speeches and sang! We Love you
Michael Jackson! You will always be remembered in our hearts!

[Danson]

When I first learned about Michael's death on the newspaper, I was like Is that true? I mean Michael jackson is dead?! I was OMG, WTF, ETC etc, I thought I read the article wrongly but when I calm myself a bit and read the title again, I was totally speechless and heartbroken because Michael was like someone who would live really long since he has all what others dream of and Michael was like a living legend on the earth. I still couldn't accept Michael's death until now, it's just so shocking to me and maybe the world that Michael is really dead.

I just hope that Michael will be remembered by everyone throughout the world and his album, cds, dvds, concert clips will be enjoyed and appreciated from time to time so don't let Michael to fade in your heart.

[cassy_clim8]

i love his songs! i was quite shocked when i learned he passed away that on the day the news went out, i listened to MJ songs the whole day and uploaded my fave songs from him (1972 - 2001) in one of my blogs....

RIP MJ, you're legacy shall live on....

[gary 1991]

The world has lost the best artist of all time, is to
imagine that nobody will never like the king of pop.

[a&d]

actually, I'm not his real fan. but I can't deny that he's one of the greatest artists of all time.
I was shocked to hear about his death. So suddenly. And I felt sorry for his children when I watched the memorial.
RIP, MJ. Your children will be fine as your wish.

[MiraS]

I'm still have it hard to believe he left us, I don't care anymore what the media says, he was a good soul but for them he was just a mine of gold and he remained so.
Who cares about what he did for us, for music, who cares that he had the greatest influence upon music anyone from our time could ever have, who cares for what he did good for the children, who cares that his songs were pure messages for a better world....he was all alone after all fighting the greed, the stupidity, the black colored souls. Who cares about colors of the skin....he showed us that no matter who we are, who we look we are all alike for we are all humans no matter black or white or Asian. These days should have been commemorating and praising him but what do we get allegations instead, he was criticized, he was judged in his life and so he is now....people write about him , people say about him "a close friend of mine", "a brother" but in the end where was everyone when he lost his track and needed someone to save him, to protect him. At each sentence the media wrote we all blamed it on him ,even our problems we might have blamed them on him....why because it's much simpler to find the guilt in someone else but you, why because it's so much simpler to accuse someone than to heal. Life can be so simple but we complicate it more....and why...because we are not capable to warm up a room with a smile, why...because we are greedy of our thoughts, why...because it's much simpler to move on, to not care, to not show pity and he who shows pity everyone casts him aside seeing him as something out of this world....and so you get to live in your own world and so you build a new world but the truth hits you hard sometimes and your world looses it's balance, it's substance, you try to get a grip of it but how can you get a grip of an illusion....that was Michael, his world was different, his world was supposed to be filled with smiles....thus his favorite song was "Smile", I wonder why...it's so easy to guess! With a confident smile is like saying "the world is mine", with a warm smile people see the light but most of them are afraid to try to reach it....why should we build bridges instead of walls...it's so much simpler to act as if you don't see the pain of this place called Earth....maybe Michael Jackson saw too much of it and that destroyed him. You see when you're a dreamer, when you're a believer, when you want to change the world, when you see beauty everywhere, when you want to live forever you're seen as a fool, another fool, a mad man....but why not, who doesn't want to preserve the best moments, who doesn't want to keep something nice, a distant or a present memory, who doesn't want to see his name engraved in someone else's soul, who doesn't want to feel happiness or love....for what we came in this world....maybe I'm a dreamer, maybe this might destroy me too like it did to so many others, like it did to him to Michael but he knew, I know, you know that we come in this world to love and spread love, to search for happiness....we all search for happiness one way or another, we all want to be young, to be healthy,to be loved, to be happy....it's that simple....so where is the complication to this, for we appear with same goal in life one way or another.....it gets hard when we make it hard for us and for the others and the question remains "why"....we come in this world with this "why" and it follows us all the time, it's stuck in our nature.
I don't believe anymore in what has been and what it is told, because it seems that too many build fortunes on somebody else's misery....that's what happened to Michael they transformed each stuff from his life into a big deal, they manipulated the truth so much...so he was another victim of this world!
I just hope people will listen to his songs with their souls too, let's make this a better world for all of us...what a simple line...everybody could come up with it actually but not everybody could really mean it like he did!
R.I.P

[lindsay]

Yeah MJ's death is indeed a real shocker. Until now I'm still reeling over his death. Cant reallly believe it. I'm too shock to even care about other news .

======================================



Michael Jackson: A Retrospective Look into the Life of an Amazing Musician

http://www.adequacy....azing-musician/

July 14, 2009

Finding the words to praise him are hard to come by - especially when the proof lies in his body of work. Listing off his awards and merits feels too easy, but it goes without saying that he accomplished every last thing he set his heart on. And trying to locate a proper place to start feels nearly impossible because who knows where he actually feels it all began. But knowing that it ended too soon is something we can all agree on. With a career that began at such a young age, emulating James Brown, to the soaring highs he achieved in the 80s, to his immeasurable work with charity, to the impact and influence he left on anyone that listened to him - and a moonwalk somewhere in there - Michael Jackson was distinguished by his supreme ability.

In so many ways, I feel unworthy writing all of this. His music, alone, was such a thing of beauty that adoring it like I do, there is nothing I could say to properly describe its magnitude. And moreso, I wasn’t privileged enough to witness firsthand the impact songs like “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “I’ll Be There” presented. And undeniably, being alive when Thriller was released in the winter of 1982 must have been a tremendous feeling. But I do know that he was the first artist to resonate a bonding presence on me and it was one that would only grow with time.

I was only two years old when Bad was released but by the age of five, I knew very well who Michael Jackson was. By this time, while other children in my area were being influenced by their parents’ own tastes in country music and Spanish rock, watching Martin Scorsese’s video for “Bad” was an exhilarating experience in it of itself. And by the time I was six, watching anything Michael Jackson-related provided an exciting adventure.


Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show

When I was old enough to know what was going on, I had heard that Michael Jackson was going to perform at the Super Bowl. At this point in my life I can say that I am a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. but back then I could care less who was playing on the football field. The first super bowl where ratings actually rose during halftime, Jackson stimulated with his dramatic opening and delivered a breathtaking performance. The culmination lying somewhere in between the incarnation of his “Billie Jean” dance and “Black or White”’s powerful message.

By the time I was ten years old, at the top of my Christmas list for 1995 was Michael Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1. Usually, for kids my age, there were some games, maybe a bike or even a football but my mom actually saved my list and in plain writing, is a ten-year old’s wish for Jackson’s double-disc album. Michael loved children and he wanted them to have the love and care he lacked when he was a child. I hope he knows just how much comfort and happiness his music brought to many children around the world, including yours truly.


Young Michael Jackson

The seventh of nine children, Jackson took to music at a very young age. He won a talent show at the age of five. His voice was always there, some considered him to possess the voice of an angel and even that feels like an understatement. Flawlessly delivered and magically unique, Jackson was on a whole other level. He would later credit his father’s strict discipline to help in the growth of his dancing but Jackson would be the first to admit that he was trying hard to capture James Brown.

The music of The Jackson 5 was an astounding collection of disco, R&B and pop all rolled up into one ball of mesmerizing music. Michael hadn’t even reached double digits when he was performing, singing and dancing with his brothers. But yet, he grasped a musical prowess unlike the rest and shined in the spotlight. Singing about tough adult themes didn’t faze him and it appeared as if this was what he was meant to do.


The Jackson 5 - ABC
Between the span of four years, 1969-1972, the quintet released seven albums and in those seven albums were standouts ABC, their Christmas album and the challenging, Lookin’ Through the Windows. Where the former was about enjoying the bubblegum pop they had richly decorated, the latter reveals a maturing and clashing group. Tangling with both the direction he wanted to go in and what was best for his brothers, it’s obvious that the group could not control Michael’s rising star.


Jackson 5 - Lookin' Through the Windows
After 1972, the group’s albums did not succeed as well as previous efforts but this was not just due to Michael’s enhancing ability. The group fought with Motown and the direction they wanted to pursue and even more with their father, who also played the role of manager. At this point, Michael’s solo career was just beginning to take off and with the surprisingly touching “Ben,” the rise of his career was just a few years away.


Off the Wall
Playing the role of the scarecrow, Jackson would co-star alongside Diana Ross in The Wiz, a funky remake of The Wizard of Oz. It was during this film that he met Quincy Jones and the two became friends. Knowing that his time to truly shine was imminent, Jackson convinced Jones to work with him on his next studio album. The result was a stark departure from Jackson’s work with Motown and Off the Wall went on to become one of the best albums of all time. Not only was this a funkier, more soulful album than his previous releases but it felt like Jackson had finally honed in his strengths. Developing his trademark swagger, voice hiccups and that unforgettable style, Jackson transcended genres.

Taking the second half of Off the Wall off the record player and transitioning to Thriller, as soon as the needle strikes onto the beginning of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” it’s strikingly obvious what a different sound this is. Stronger, harder, grittier and with much more confidence, Michael Jackson was out to prove his immense worth to everyone. And feeling as if Off the Wall wasn’t as highly regarded as he felt it should have been, I’m not sure anyone expected what Thriller was about to deliver.


Thriller
There’s so much one could say about this album: it’s construction and sequencing is flawlessly ordained, it’s book-ended by two of the best openers and closers of all time, it features, arguably, the best back-to-back-to-back tracks of all time, with “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean” in order, or maybe, we can just agree that it is, easily, one of the top ten albums of all time. Jackson channeled Stevie Wonder’s grace and Prince’s 1999 onto Thriller but he brought his own flair and strengths, combining elements of pop and rock and even showcasing that he wrote all of the album’s best songs, himself.

At this point, Jackson had turned the music video into a true art form and used it as a marketing tool to catapult his albums into the homes of America and those around the world. Not only did he blow down the doors for African-Americans to appear on MTV but he broke down racial barriers in terms of what people felt socially comfortable with. And every chance he could, he donated millions and millions to several charities. One of his highest honors has to be for setting the Guinness World Record for most associated charities. He wasn’t just doing this for himself but for everyone in the world.

By the time Bad came out, Jackson was battling within himself to keep up. It was a worthy follow-up and anything he did would be seen as a lesser effort, but nonetheless, Jackson pushed himself to continue crafting uniquely layered and rendered music. Endlessly touring and defying all odds by attempting to re-create more of the amazing music he had perfected, Jackson’s music took a sharp decline from here. It was around this point that I, in a sense, caught up with what Jackson would do from here on out. Sure, Invincible had its high points but nothing compared to the lightning Michael had caught on his previous albums.


Performing in "Thriller"

Ultimately, there is nothing Michael Jackson couldn’t do. He tirelessly worked himself into a pale skeleton with his work ethic. And he constantly changed his sound and altered his style to fit what his music was expressing. His work with other artists was such a noble feat, everyone from Paul McCartney to Diana Ross to co-writing “We are the World” with Lionel Richie. And on the topic of being a good person, his own children can poignantly tell you what kind of father they had.

He was able to introduce the world into a whole different kind of music making, the kind that could entice and sensationalize most, if not all, of your senses. Just think back and remember how he looked, as a crazed werewolf, dancing around with a bunch of zombies. I’ll never forget hearing his version of “My Girl” as a young boy and thinking to myself, “Wow, this is so much better than the original.” Or remember his performance on “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” where he premiered the moonwalk for the first time.

His talent was unmatched, his skill was singular, his style was paramount, his musicality was superb but most of all, Michael Jackson was an exceptionally remarkable musical artist. To borrow from The New York Times, “in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else.” It’s succinctly frank but honestly, it’s downright truth. Realizing that there will never be anyone like him is a hard pill to swallow but remembering the countless gifts he left behind provides some solace. So here’s to you Michael, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[lindsay]

Keep on Moonwalking
July 15,2009


Michael Jackson was as controversial as he was talented. Of all his contributions to pop culture, his Moonwalk may be the most memorable.

When Jackson died several weeks ago, lookups on the King of Pop, his songs, and his videos all soared to the top of the Search charts. Searches on MJ's signature dance also posted some impressive moves. Now a website has pledged to never let the moonwalk end.

Called "Eternal Moonwalk," http://www.eternalmoonwalk.com/
the site features clips of countless men, women, animals, and cars (yes cars) doing MJ's reverse stride. Bleeding from one video into another, the site seems to go on forever. Not all the dances are as killer as the creator's, but all show off a love of MJ's work.

Like to show off your own moves? You can submit your own Moonwalk now. It doesn't even have to be of you -- it can be of your kid, your dog, or even your Chevy (just as long as it's going backwards).


http://buzz.yahoo.co...log/92803/?fp=1

This post has been edited by lindsay: 15 July 2009 - 03:31 AM

[MiraS]

Maybe little people know that he wasn't only a singer, I just might add: composer, choreographer, director and a writer too not only he composed a lot of his songs but he also has a book of poems and autobiography "Moonwalk", I'd be more than fascinated indeed to read it not in my language, not in any other language it was translated but in his language, I feel that I'd get to discover him even more, like meeting him for real.
This genius, this complete musician will remain in our hearts for making us cry, smile, laugh with him, for making us more aware of this world's needs, for singing with all his heart for us, from now on when science is so well developed what other talent could match him, what other talent could ever match Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon etc....let's face it this is an immense loss, because from now on we will see maybe more playback than veer, maybe more copying than ever, maybe less singing than ever, maybe music with less messages than ever...we're starting more and more to choose minimal ways in everything: minimal words (a lot of abbreviations, too many I'd say), less reading (who needs it when we have the internet), less exercise (why to loose my favorite show), less good shows (we get to see mostly what celebrities do in their personal lives like buying an egg, like going to do pharmacy and this comes also with their shocking statements about their love lives).
It's a pity to hear all those bad things they say about Michael, I mean just because you chose to be a gentleman, just because you want to keep your private life...private, just because you want to please your fans by looking the best, just because you are shy and naive that means you are not normal??? And where do we put girls pregnant at 12 years, girls and boys that just reached 18 years old and they play in movie for adults, celebrities who state how they make love everywhere they go and that tend to give more and more shocking details....so is that really normal???
Where is actually the normality in here!I'd choose that Michael Jackson was a bit extravagant but very normal.
At Hollywood everyone has plastic surgeries and many of them have even more than Michael has ever had strangely somehow he was the only one to be called "plastic man", "Jacko" and other things, strangely enough he was the only one tormented with this.
Let's try to listen to some of his songs with both our minds and hearts, songs like: You are not alone (but he was alone, he never wanted to be alone), Man in the mirror (he did start the changes with his own self though some took advantage of it, Childhood (have you seen his childhood?), Heal the world {for you and for me, for us all)...his songs are a story of his life, when you hear them you know why he touched so many hearts, you know why he was the best!
But somehow for nowadays everything that he did good is engulfed by rumors who in the end remain rumors started by "a source", "a close friend of the artist", people with no name in the end that could be everyone.
It's sad to see and feel that we're in fact destroying each other, that healing the world is by far a desire of a pure soul and that it remained only a desire. All we hear and know is money!

I hope to meet you for real Michael in the after life for I didn't have the chance here!

[vjsummit]

As an individual, what do you think is the most hit songs of Michael Jackson? Post your reply here.
If you want a some songs, click here.

[lindsay]

vjsummit, on Jul 16 2009 8 50 AM, said:

As an individual, what do you think is the most hit songs of Michael Jackson? Post your reply here.
If you want a some songs, click here.

What about making this a poll?
I can mention 10 ,though there's alot its really hard to choose...


1. Billy Jean
2. Happy (from his early days- "Music & Me" album)
3. The Girl Is Mine
4. Beat It
5. Black or White
6. Remember The Time
7. Smooth Criminal
8. Man In the mirror
9. They dont care about us
10.Got to be there


Just saw this cool dance tribute video from Stockholm, check it out:
pt1
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=lVJVRywgmYM

pt2
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=S1aA8VMRHcE

This post has been edited by lindsay: 17 July 2009 - 02:28 PM

[vgohyk]

I love MJ for all my life. When I was a kid, I listened to his songs.. I sang his songs and even danced to his songs. He was such a great singer.. such a great dancer. He's just such a excellent entertainer.

When I first knew he passed away, I was really upset and when I saw his memorial, I teared. Even until now I can't believe he has passed away. I watched his past concerts and it was awesome. I believe no one else can replace him.

I love him and always will. I believe no other artistes are as great as he was. He did all he could to let the whole world know that we should save the world, we should love and care for the children so they could grow up to be a healthy human being. Apparently many didn't get his messages and even took him for granted. He's just too good to be true and much like a guardian angel. Good men often dies early and apparently people made his life miserable in the past. He's such a awesome man but people alleged him of something that he didn't do and make up stories which were never true.

I know MJ has a loving heart and I feel the most pity is the children he has always taken care of. Now that he is gone, I believe the children feels the most heartaches.

Well it's just too much to be said.. I love you MJ. R.I.P.

[lindsay]

VITILIGO GIUDE: Michael Jackson
source: http://www.vitiligog...ichael-jackson/


The King of pop, Michael Jackson is a very tabloid caricature of musical culture and heritage of African American. He is the first black artist to find stardom on MTV, breaking down innumerable boundaries both for his race and for music video as an art form. He possessed all the tools of an instantly identifiable voice, eye-popping dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and loads of sheer star power. He was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the ’80s, and certainly one of the most popular recording artists of all time. In his prime, Jackson was an unstoppable juggernaut and was often depicted as an arrested man-child, who completely sheltered from adult reality by a life and spent his life in show business.

Jackson’s Birth:

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, IN. He is the fifth son of steelworker Joe Jackson, His childhood was strictly regimented; from the start, he was to an extent sheltered from the outside world by his mother’s Jehovah’s Witness faith, and his father who was by all accounts an often ill-tempered disciplinarian.

Jackson’s career:

Michael Jackson always remained bigger in life as a Singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, dancer, choreographer, actor, businessman, and financier. He is associated with The Jackson 5/The Jackson. The Motown, Epic & Sony are his very popular labels. His career began, very gradually, to descend from the dizzying heights of his peak years, most of the media’s attention focused on his increasingly bizarre eccentricities. He had really devoted his whole life for African’s music culture and in 1982 his blockbuster “Thriller” became the biggest-selling album of all time (probably his best-known accomplishment).
In the early time of his career, his father Joe began to organize a family musical group with his three eldest sons in 1962, and Michael joined them the following year. Michael displayed a talent for music and dance from an extremely young age, he became a singing superstar at age 11, when he had four consecutive #1 hits with his youthful band of brothers, “The Jackson Five”. This group signed to” Motown” in 1968, Following are the all hit number one songs of 1970, which made the Jackson 5 which is the first pop group in history.
“I Want You Back,”
“ABC,”
“The Love You Save,”
And “I’ll Be There”

The Motown began priming solo in 1971 of Michael‘s career. His first single was, “Got to Be There,” which hit the Top Five and embraced the glitter of disco with Off the Wall (1979). In 1972, Jackson had his first number one solo single, “Ben,” the title of this song came from a children’s thriller, and the theme of this song was about a young boy who befriends Ben, the highly intelligent leader of a gang of homicidal rats. This song was very sentimental and sincere. In1982 the album Thriller yielded seven top-ten hits; it has sold over 100 million copies, making it the best-selling album of all time. The momentum of Jackson’s solo career (much like that of the Jackson 5) soon stalled. He released his fourth and final album on Motown in 1975, and in the next year Michael and his brothers (save Jermaine) signed to a new label namely “Epic”.

Jackson’s next album, Bad, topped the charts in 1987 and then Jackson became one of the early stars of MTV and an international hit maker. His eccentric lifestyle began to overwhelm his recording career, and he became a favorite star of the gossip sheet. He played the Scarecrow in the 1978 movie The Wiz, It was a takeoff on The Wizard of Oz; and Ray Bolger played this role in original film in 1939.

Jackson’s Personal Life:

In 1994 Jackson got married with Lisa Marie Presle the daughter of The King Elvis, but this marriage could not proof long term and they divorced in 1996.Jackson got another brief marriage with Deborah Rowe (1996-99). He has two kids with Rowe, a son whose name is Prince Michael (b. 1997) and a daughter Paris Michael Katherine (b. 1998). He also has a third child, Prince Michael II (2002), but his mother has not been publically named him as Michael son.

Michael Jackson & vitiligo:

The King Of Pop, Michael Jackson is suffered with vitiligo and he revealed this truth in the early 1990s that he had a skin disorder behind his skin which us turning him brown to white. Jackson’s actual skin clour was a medium-brown through out his youth but in the early 1980s, his skin gradually starting grew paler.His dermatologist,Dr Arnold Klien diagnosed vitiligo and lupus in Michael, which is a devastating disease. This disease created white” patches” on his skin and made him sensitive to sunlight by effecting on his skin pigments.

Michael Jackson’s Treatment For Coping Vitiligo:

Vitiligo has changd Michael’s face structure completely and this disease is also became a source of making this great pop music stars less famous now a days because of his erratic behavior and plastic surgerieshe treatments which Michael used for coping this disease has further lighten his skin tone.Now he has started the application of pancake makeup in order to even out his skin blotches. Michael’s such condition has gained widespread media coverage,including so many rumors.

Rumors About Jackson’s Skin & Vitiligo:

There are so many rumors, that are created about Jackson skin.Some people said that; ”Jackson was bleaching his skin.”in order to look white.
Some People seem to be sceptical and they assume that; “If Michael had vitiligo, why did he opt for de-pigmentation instead of re-pigmentation?”
Some people said that ,” If Michael had plastic surgery then he must have altered his skin for cosmetic reason of re-pigmentation?”
Several surgeons have speculated that;“Jackson had undergone multiple nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips and a cheekbone surgery. Changes to his face were, in part, due to periods of significant weight loss.Jackson became slimmer in the early 1980s because of a change in diet and a desire for “a dancer’s body”.
”Witnesses reported that; Jackson was often dizzy and speculated that he was suffering from anorexia nervosa; periods of weight loss would became a recurring problem for the singer later in life.
Some medical professionals have publicly stated their belief that; the singer has body smorphic disorder, a psychological condition whereby the sufferer has no concept of how they are perceived by others.

Jackson’s surgeries & vitiligo:

The structure of Jackson’s face is now completely changed due to facial surgeries. Many surgeons have speculated that Jackson had undergone multiple nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, thinned lips and a cheekbone surgery. The application of theses treatments on his face were, due to the significant weight loss, not for vitiligo,but this was quite untrue.

Jackson has vitiligo;

Michael Jackson has vitiligo and that is the truth, even now you will see brown spots on various parts of Michael’s body, at his arms, hands, nose, lips etc; these patches are visible in sometime and sometimes these aren’t, because of makeup or spontaneous Depigmentation. On February 10, 1993, Michael Jackson gave the world an explanation for his skin disease, he said that,” he was first diagnosed at the earliest; during the time he released his ‘Off the Wall’ album. We can assume that may be it started before he actually released the album at stores, in the mid 70s. At that time VitiligoTreatments were still being developed and the awareness of the disease was not there. So, the only solution for me then was to cover it up using cosmetics.” He also said that;

‘Listen I’m not trying to be white, I have a skin disease. That, I can’t control’ In the beginning I tried to cover the light spots to match the darker part of my skin, but then it became so extensive that we had to go with the lighter part of his skin because his whole body was reacting, But when people make up stories that I don’t want to be who I
am it hurts me”.

He again said,”Okay, It’s a problem for me that I can’t control, but what about all the millions of people who sits out in the sun, to become darker, to become other than what they are, no one says nothing about that”.

Jermaine Jackson: Jermaine Jackson who is Michael’s brother, said that “Michael has a form of lupus…” that destroys the pigment in the skin.”

Does Michael Jackson have vitiligo? In1993, Dr. Arnold Klien was called to give evidence in a grand jury proceeding to verify that Does Jackson has vitiligo or not? He stated, under oath, that;“ Michael was diagnosed with lupus and vitiligo in 1986 and that he prescribed Michael a de-pigmentation cream in 1990s”. He also said that, “People often say to me “Michael’s skin was fine back in the 80’s and they didn’t see any skin problems”, But I don’t know how people didn’t notice There is plenty of photo proof that clearly shows that Michael had something going on with his skin back in the 80’s. Michael often disguised it with layers of makeup on his face and hands”.

Prescription of medication to Jackson for vitiligo: Jackson was prescribed to use the medication having monobenzylether of hydroquinone, which is always used in Depigmentation process, because it is a very strong medication, and it makes Depigmentation treatment permanent. A Dermatologist can only prescribe the use of medication like Monobenzylether of hydroquinone to vitiligo patients The People those bleach their skin they use cream having only hydroquinone, which is reversible and not permanent. Jackson’s Dr. says that the people that bleach their skin they always show inconsistencies on their skin, they get darker then they get lighter again, and their skin do not show spot on it, in comparison to People those suffer with vitiligo. He said that, a vitiligo patient’s skin will always typically snow white in color.

Jackson’s Dr. asked that,” have you yet see or hear about any drastic change in skin color by just applying bleach creams? This is impossible because, hydroquinone is not permanent and it is hard to treat monobenzylether of hydroquinone, only a dermatologist can prescribed n such creams”.

The People have used all kinds of things to dispute on Michael‘s skin; they also verified it through the ethnicity of the women with whom he had dated and by the plastic surgery, which he’s gotten. Michael Jackson is very pale, even in comparison to white people and that is due to the use of such creams. Dermatologists says that the only case of such a drastic change in skin color occurs with vitiligo patients

Karen Faye Views About Jackson’s Vitiligo:

Karen Faye who is Michael’s makeup artist for over 20 years, says about Michael like that;
”Michael is now almost completely devoid of colour, his face was seriously uneven in color. He has a skin disease.’ It started happening relatively early, he even was trying to hide it from me”,

“He’d always try to cover it with makeup and even out his skin tone until it got so extensive. It’s all over his body… In the beginning I tried to cover the light spots to match the darker part of his skin, but then it became so extensive that we had to go with the lighter part of his skin because his whole body was reacting…he’d have to be in complete full body makeup, every inch of his body”.

She asked that, “How many times have you seen Michael Jackson revealing his arms and legs? Rarely. “If you we compare the costumes of his Victory Tour to the Triumph Tour, then we ll see the difference in what he wore. Michael’s face was seriously uneven in color. When you bleach your skin, you apply the bleaching agent evenly, it would not create spotting. Michael had no need to bleach his skin for aesthetic reasons. The argument that people present to me is that Michael wanted to appeal to a wider audience, so he bleached his skin is quite untrue.”
She said,

“After the success of Thriller, which was the biggest selling album in the world in 1984, he was already a global phenomenon. There is no reason why he would need to appeal to a wider audience; because he already had the widest audience of any pop star or celebrity on the palmettos. Michael must have 30% - 50% vitiligo on his body, and as he was always in the public eye, constantly being photographed, it would be quite embarrassing to show up to events and perform with spotted skin which shoes two different colors so he went through Depigmentation therapy, because, re-pigmentation was only become a more recent option for vitiligo patients, and there was not another option in the early 1990’s for this disease. That’s why we noticed that Michael gets lighter and lighter until he became literally WHITE, around 1986.”

Janet Jackson Views About Jackson’s Vitiligo:

Jackson’s sister Janet Jackson who was also a pop superstar of the 1990s has said about Jackson diseases that,” he isn’t the only one in the family to have it. This doesn’t mean that his sisters or brothers have to have it, it could have been a distant relative,.”

Jackson’sFamiliy History & Vitiligo:

In one interview with Orpha on Feb 1993 Michael himself said about the reason of vitiligo like that; It’s in my family, my father said it’s on his side. I can’t control it, I don’t understand, I mean, it makes me very sad. I don’t want to go into my medical history because that is private, but that’s the situation here.
Katherine Jackson Views About Jackson’s Vitiligo:
Michael’s mother tells us that; “His face is white because he has had this disease, and instead of having it spotted like a cow or something like that he just decided to just do the whole thing, because he could afford to do it.”

She said, you could not imagine how devastating this disease would be for anyone? People constantly make jokes about Michael Jackson and his skin, forgetting that he is a human being. This man has done so much for musical culture in America and the world. He also supports the most charities of any other celebrity. He is controlling his vitiligo in the best way he can and the best way he feels comfortable to him but he still has patches to this day on his face and body.”

Jackson’s Proud Of Being African American:

Michael grew up as an idolized black musicians; he had all the ‘black’ trends, from the music, to his the hairstyles. He dose not ashamed of who and what he is? He said to Oprah and Bob Jones, in 1993 that,” He is very proud of his culture and heritage and of being African American”.

Jackson’ s Support For Vitiligo:

Many People often ask, “Why doesn’t Michael support vitiligo research if he has this disease?” But they are unknown with this fact that, he supports so many causes that aren’t publicly known. Michael does not support charities for publicity. He does support the Lupus Foundation; which is working for lupus and vitiligo patient because vitiligo is related to lupus in some way. Most of the people that suffer from Vitiligo have a hard time with people, especially when they are African American. It is very difficult to deal with, someone who hurts you about something like vitiligo that you can’t help?


Photos Of Michael Jackson's skin blotches and patches
source: floacist@wordpress.com

Michael Jackson with malar rash / butterfly rash (redness on the cheeks, especially upon exposure to sunlight)-indicative of of patients suffering from LUPUS


Proof that MJ's skin isnt bleached, notice the black spots/blotches on his left forearm. skin bleach would give a person an even white color


Michael Jackson during the shoot for his MV "They dont care about us" from HIStory album. Note the multiple black patches/blotches on his arms and chest.


http://i5.photobucke...ZHU/vit1qc1.jpg

READ & SEE MORE PICS HERE:
http://floacist.word...ichael-jackson/

This post has been edited by lindsay: 20 July 2009 - 02:29 PM

[AsianShadow]

I actually still can't believe hes' gone. . .
he did so much for black people and for the entertainment industry in general,
and for him to be gone now, it just doesn't seem right. All the rumors and the fake scandals and everything her had do go through, and then just days before his comeback performance, the world loses him. It's just such a shame. I'm glad there's actually people here who understand that the guy wasn't crazy. He was just a performer with a skin disease and a a f*cked up childhood, and I don't think people should let anything take away from the amazing guy he was.

[lindsay]

Michael Jackson: The Father
28-Jul-2009
Written by: Corinna Craddock
http://www.thecelebr...ures/30944.html

Prince Michael, Paris, and Blanket have lost their father.

As the world proceeds about its business following the death of Michael Jackson, it’s hard to shake the public’s feeling of concern for the children who’ve lost their father.

A web-post, whose author has been traced to Susan Williamson of CNN (using the screen name “Emmories”), documents the humbling response being offered to Jackson haters these days:

“Michael Jackson loved these children and gave them everything he did not receive and then some. He was there for them, they had one of the best teachers, speak 3-4 languages, are extremely polite with good manners. They need to be with their grandmother and their nanny, Grace, to whom they call ‘mom.’ Grace is 42 and has been with these children since they were born. The children have a relationship with the Jackson family whereas they do not with Debbie Rowe. For all of those children out there that are adopted or born by special means you are loved just as much and sometimes more.”

People following the manifold news articles about the dead entertainer are fed a lot of repetition without much of the personal Jackson insight like that offered by Williamson.

Grace may be the nanny that Leonard Rowe told People magazine has been with the kids 24/7. According to Rowe, Michael spent a lot of time with his children but they were never affected by his drug use because the nanny was always there.

Michael Jackson abandoned the only home the children had known, leaving Neverland Ranch after its 2005 raid for a nomadic life with his children. Without their primary residence, the children were all the more isolated.

One of the children’s home schooling teachers, Brian Michael Stoller, was hired to teach the kids to make films. Stoller was quoted saying, “I didn’t see anything interfere with his duty as a father.”

Michael’s three children have been staying with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, at her home in Encino, Calif. Sources close to the family describe the scene inside the home as similar to a family reunion, with lots of cousins, and everyone trying to keep the grieving children busy. Twelve-year-old Prince Michael and his 11-year-old sister, Paris, are said to be crying a lot while Prince “Blanket” Michael II is unable to fully understand the loss at age 7.

Before losing their father, the children lived with him in places like Ireland and Bahrain. The children received home schooling of five or six hours each day no matter where they lived. About his student’s famous father, Stoller said Jackson was “a real disciplinarian” and that “the kids were in school at least five to seven hours a day.”

[lindsay]

MICHAEL JACKSON MEDLEY-ACAPELLA
(Highly Recommended!!! )


watch here:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=R12QVtuB0_Q

credit:
www.myspace.com/SamTsui www.myspace.com/KurtHugo

[MiraS]

It's incredible, it has been over 2 months and I'm still not cured of sadness...it just makes me sad to see what a big circus they made out of Michael's life.

What comes next: he turned into a vampire, he was an alien, a dragon with seven heads, he ate people....what???I mean they did invented so many things about him already that it got me depressed, so depressed I couldn't handle anything, it is hard to smile,to sleep.

Why, why such a good man was so unhappy and unlucky....he had fame and money but somehow that's all, love....he lacked love even from his family, he lacked consideration and appreciation....let's face it who talks about what he did for music, how he helped other artists to become more original,to try to sing, about his all the good things he did helping others, about what a great father he was.

Now they even take it all on his kids, who care if they are his real kids or not, or actually why would they care so much?Does that mean that if they know....earthquakes, wars, global warming will stop??? This is such a shallow and superficial world...so far they said about Michael that he didn't have Vitiligo,that he bleached his skin (which I still see a bit impossible) but no one defended him back then when he talked about Vitiligo and Lupus, they all kept making fun of his disease, wow......that was great, to make fun of a person who has a disease....my gosh it's worse than animals, at least animals act by instinct.

Where were all these people back then, why do all of them have something to say right now, when he was alive why didn't they say a thing....it's simple they had no real base on their statements, they couldn't have just lied when he was alive so they are doing it now when no one defends him anymore....his family....his family likes it for money reasons, actually they throw dirt themselves on his name.


I don't want to judge anyone who knows how we would act but.....my question remains....why?


Acapella, check Butterflies, it sounds so sweet. I'm at work and youtube doesn't work for me.

[princess of persia]

I miss him so much...

[lindsay]

Janet Jackson On VMA Tribute To Michael: 'I Know He Was Watching'
September 19,2009


'The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance' airs Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday on MTV.
source:
http://www.mtv.com/n...son_janet.jhtml


It was one of the most memorable and touching moments from Sunday night's Video Music Awards: Janet Jackson and a crew of renowned choreographers dancing alongside images of Michael Jackson from his 1995 video with his sister, "Scream," in tribute to the late pop icon.The process was an emotional one for Janet, who shared her story in the special "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance," which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.

"I know he was watching. I know he was looking down," Jackson said of the performance. "I hope he enjoyed it."

The half-hour special began with day one of training in a Burbank, California, studio, introducing the celebrated choreographers who would accompany Jackson: Tyce Diorio, Tina Landon, Jeri Slaughter, Travis Payne, Brian Friedman, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Mia Michaels, Laurie Ann Gibson and Wade Robson.

Many of the choreographers had worked with Janet or Michael during their careers and said they owed much to the revolutionary dancer and singer.

"Being a part of this show is making you proud to be a dancer," Judd said.

Janet saw the performance as the perfect way for dancers to honor one of their own. "You see tributes. And you see the stars paying homage ... this time around because he represented dance for dancers. To be able to pay homage to him and choreographers, that was something so special to me," she said.

Day two of rehearsals found the sore choreographers ("This is why I choreograph. My back hurts," Scott moaned) being fitted for their Jackson-inspired costumes, including silver-studded shoes specially designed by Christian Louboutin.

"I like what [costume designer Robert Behar] did in homage to my brother, with the different looks he did," Jackson said. "But it's all in black and white."

Jackson and her crew also took a break from their own rehearsal to watch the other dancers who would open the awards show with a medley of classic MJ numbers. The dancers were so able to embody MJ that it was sometimes hard for Janet to control her emotions.

"It's like you're seeing all these carbon copies of your brother," Jackson said. "And I was trying not to cry, and I got choked up a few times. It gave me goose bumps. I thought they looked incredible."

When Jackson flew to New York and arrived at Radio City Music Hall for a final run-through of the performance, she was once again overcome with emotion.

"When I looked on that screen and I saw his face there, well, I started to cry," she said. "I had to walk away. It was very emotional for me, and I was trying not to cry, and I got choked up a few times. [His death is] hard for me to believe still sometimes and accept."

And what was Jackson thinking about as she approached the stage for the big performance? "Missing him. And just to say I love you and thank you. Just to say thank you for giving us the talent you've given us, the love you've given us, the music you've given us. Everything."

"The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance" re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.


Video of Michael Jackson Tribute at MTV vma w/ Janet Jackson:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=DQ6Q3j1wJKY

[Ryukagama]

We lost the best artist ever. I love his steps and songs I was crying when they report that

[lindsay]

Planet Earth- A Poem by Michael Jackson



Planet Earth, my home, my place
A capricious anomaly in the sea of space
Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn’t true
You are my sweetheart soft and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

In my veins I’ve felt the mystery
Of corridors of time, books of history
Like songs of ages throbbing in my blood
Have danced the rhythm of the tide and flood
Your misty clouds, your electric storm
Were turbulent tempests in my own form
I’ve licked the salt, the bitter, the sweet
Of every encounter, of passion, of heat
Your riotous color, your fragrance, your taste
Have thrilled my senses beyond all haste
In your beauty, I’ve known the how
Of timeless bliss, this moment of now

Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid
Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn’t true
You are my sweetheart gentle and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.
Planet Earth, gentle and blue
With all my heart, I love you

Available on “This Is It” Original Soundtrack



=====================================================

Ryukagama, on Sep 22 2009 10 52 PM, said:

We lost the best artist ever. I love his steps and songs I was crying when they report that

Yeah. Nothing compares to him. he is brilliant in almost anything he does. Watching "This Is It" is like watching a genius at work. Miss him. But he left us some of his very excellent legacy, just like the poem, that will truly remain in our hearts.

[Anime_UK]

He was a cool singer, I prefered his songs when he was still in Jackson Five when he was young... Some of his later songs were cool but he was over hyped though... lol... Shame about his lifestlye choices and controversies though... But yeah the media shoulld leave him in peace after his passing... the media are trying to make as much money from his passing as possible!