On April 2, Michael's new video "Blood On The Dance Floor", from his forthcoming remix album "Blood On The Dance Floor / HIStory In The Mix" was premièred on VH1 in the U.S. The same day in Germany, safes containing the latest single were shipped to DJ's across the country, opened at a specific time and played.Airplanes, with white banners reading "Michael Jackson - Blood On The Dance Floor", flew across various parts of Germany for promotion of the new single and album.

On April 27, Michael Jackson debuted at number one in the U.K. charts with his single "Blood On The Dance Floor". Michael's latest single was a chart-hit in many countries around the world!

On May 6, 1997 The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. At the induction ceremony, held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland Ohio, Michael was joined on stage by his brothers. Diana Ross presented the awards to the Jackson 5 and said that "... since the beginning of their careers, I feel very much as if they are my children...". The Jackson 5 did not perform but brought Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records and their mentor, onto the stage to share this very special moment. Michael to Mr Gordy on stage: "Berry, you promised us four consecutive number one records. You delivered them all... I'll never forget it. I just want you to know that without you and my mother and father, I don't think we'd be here... and of course God." Michael also thanked his parents who were in the audience, "Mother and father, you were there to protect us with unselfish love. Because you were there, we are here," he continued, "Now we are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, so... whatever you call our name... I promise, I love all of you. We'll be there!" Berry Gordy: "The Jackson 5 gave black kids in the ghetto a license to dream, and many of those same kids went on to realize their own dreams. They had something for everybody."

Parke Puterbaugh of the "Rolling Stone" magazine described the scene as, "Gordy and Michael are paying each other the highest tribute and compliments. It's almost more of a reconciliation than the Motown 25th Anniversary TV special. It really is quite a moment!"

On May 8, 1997 Michael's new short film "Ghosts" was shown at the 50th Cannes Film Festival. Michael attended the screening which took place at midnight in the main auditorium. Michael received excellent critics for his acting, the ground-breaking special effects and for the story of the film itself. "Ghosts", with excellent critics, a great success for Michael. The film was directed by Stan Winston and written by Stephen King and Michael Jackson. Plans for the film were already confirmed in May 1994. News said that Stan Winston, the special effects wizard who worked with Michael on "The Wiz" in 1978, is involved in Michael's planned musical remake of the fantasy film, "The Seven Faces Of Dr. Lao". Their collaboration turned out to be the film "Ghosts".

On May 14, "Ghosts" received its U.K. première. The film also premièred in various other European cities - very successfully. "Ghosts" had already been premièred in 11 selected Sony Movie Theatres in the US [on November 5, 1996] and in Tokyo, Japan [on December 19, 1996]. Michael was present at the Tokyo première of his 35-minute short film.

Also, on May 14, 1997 Michael Jackson's first ever remix album "Blood On The Dance Floor / HIStory In The Mix" was released. The album contains 13 tracks, with 5 new songs and 8 previously unreleased remix versions from the "HIStory" album. Work on the album had taken place all around the world as Michael had been touring, and the remixes had been done by many of the leading producers and creators in this field.
"Blood On The Dance Floor / HIStory In The Mix" becomes a success all around the world and proves all critics wrong. The album earns Michael another record: "Blood On The Dance Floor / HIStory In The Mix" becomes by far the biggest-selling remix album of all time and holds this record up to today!

On May 31, 1997 Michael kicked off the second leg of his "HIStory World Tour" with a sold-out performance in Bremen, Germany.

In 1997, the results of an official survey revealed that 99% of the world's population between 5 - 65 years know who Michael Jackson is. Michael is therefore the most famous person of all time! At the second position is Pope John Paul II followed by the King of Rock 'N' Roll, Elvis Presley, at number 3.

On August 6, a special screening of Michael Jackson's film "Ghosts" was shown at the opening night of the 1997 Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in California. Bruce Fessier described the festivities in an article published in the "Dessert Sun" the following day, "The opening night of the 'Palm Springs International Short Film Festival' showcased the potential of short film and video and the talent of Michael Jackson. Almost 450 people filled the Palm Springs Dessert Museum's Annenberg Theater on Wednesday to view 2.5 hours of film... and a screening of Jackson's 40-minute short musical film, 'Ghosts', with remarks by its director, Stan Winston... the night ended with praise for Jackson. The crowd buzzed over the special effects in 'Ghosts' and the skill Jackson exhibited by playing all the lead characters with diverse looks and voices. Winston said 'Ghosts' is a hit in Europe but can't get promoted here because 'people believe what they read' about Jackson. 'I stand here and say he's a really great guy', Winston said."

On August 27, 1997 news broke that singer Joni Mitchell and Sony / ATV Music Publishing signed a major deal [effective July 1, 1997] to administer Ms Mitchell's music catalogue. Sony / ATV is a joint venture owned equally by Sony Corporation and Michael Jackson, and is the world's 3rd largest [!] music publishing company. The firm will handle requests to license Ms Michell's songs worldwide for use in various outlets, including film and television, except for Australia, Italy and Britain.

On October 15, 1997 Michael's "HIStory" World Tour ended with a sold-out concert in Durban, South Africa.
The "HIStory" tour broke all existing records - Michael Jackson's "HIStory" World Tour is the biggest world tour any solo performer had ever done!!! The tour also broke the legendary record set by the Rolling Stones with their "Voodoo Lounge" World Tour! The "HIStory" tour spanned the globe with stops in 56 cities on 5 continents, and included 82 concerts to about 4.5 million loving fans.

With this, Michael broke his previous record which he set with the "Dangerous" World Tour. Michael toured with the widest stage anyone had ever toured with, and the mega show featured special effects by magicians David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy. During the SECOND [!] leg of the "HIStory" tour, Michael performed 40 shows, grossed over US$ 83.5 million and had a total attendance of 2'035'189. This equals to an average $ 2'087'853 gross and 50'880 attendance per show! These statistics are for the second leg of the tour only!

In a interview with "LIFE" magazine, which hit newsstands on November 24, 1997, Michael himself revealed the exciting news that he and Debbie are expecting their second child! Michael also told "LIFE" magazine that Prince's godparents are Elizabeth Taylor and Macauley Culkin.

On February 11, 1998 news broke that Michael Jackson is nominated for the 1998 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - Michael is among the record 130 nominees for 1998's Nobel Peace Prize, along with Pope John Paul II and US President Bill Clinton. Nominations for the Peace Prize can be made by members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, members of some national legislatures and governments, previous laureates and university professors of history, philosophy and political science, among others. The 1998 prize will be presented on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swede who invented dynamite and endowed the prizes in his will. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. Michael did not win the Nobel Peace Prize for 1998 but it is already a HUGE HONOR to be nominated!

During the Second Annual World Animation Celebration, held in February '98 in Pasadena, California, "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening finally confirmed that Michael had, indeed, lent his voice to the 1991 episode entitled "Stark Raving Dad", but the credits identified him with the pseudonym John Jay Smith. The true identity of the person behind the voice was kept secret... until then. Matt Groening further revealed that Michael also composed the song "Do The Bartman" that was included on the 1991 disc "The Simpsons Sing The Blues". Matt Groening: "It was always amazing to me that no one ever found out that Michael Jackson wrote that song... He was a big fan of the show." Michael did also sing the background vocals on "Do The Bartman" together with Brian Loren. Brian Loren, producer of the song, confirmed this in an interview.

"TIME" magazine dated March 9, 1998 celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a special commemorative issue, documenting the last 75 years. On the cover was a collage of past covers, incl. the March 19, 1984 Michael Jackson cover titled "Why He's A Thriller". Michael's 1984 cover was the 5th biggest-selling issue in "TIME" magazine's history. Princess Diana's commemorative issue after her death was number one. To be on the cover of "TIME" magazine is seen as a major step.

On April 3, 1998 Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, Michael and Debbie's second child, was born at 6:26 am, weighing 7lb. 7oz and 20 1/2" long. "I wanted to name her Michael after Michael, but Michael said no. So we decided Paris because that's where she was conceived. Michael because I really want Michael's name in her name and Katherine after his mom," Debbie said in an interview.

In the November 9, 1998 issue, "The Mirror" [UK tabloid] apologized to Michael Jackson for false statements it published in 1992 [in an issue of "The Mirror"]. A out-of-court settlement is reached in Michael's lawsuit against "The Mirror": Back in 1992 prior to Michael Jackson's then world tour we published some photos of Michael Jackson, particularly close up photos of his nose and face. We suggested that they showed him to be hideously disfigured and scarred. He immediately issued legal proceedings against us strongly denying the allegations. During the course of the proceedings we recently went to Los Angeles together with an eminent expert in plastic surgery to view his face close up. The inspection showed that, in fact, his face is not disfigured. As a result our lawyers met with Mr Jackson's lawyers and a confidential deal was thrashed out bringing an overdue end to the legal proceedings which we are both happy with. We also apologised for the suggestion that he was hideously disfigured or scarred. We saw for ourselves this was not the case. Both sides last night expressed their satisfaction that the litigation has been amicably resolved. ["The Mirror's" apologoy to Michael Jackson].

On December 12, 1998 Michael attended the Grand Opening of Sun International's US$ 450 million "Royal Towers of Atlantis Resort" on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Michael performed "Heal The World" - other performers were Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, N-Tyce, Tevin Campbell, James Ingram, Stephanie Mills and many more. Among the 1'600 invited guests for the "Celebration of Atlantis Rising" were Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Donald Trump, Denzel Washington, Quincy Jones, to name but a few.

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Jackson 5 Era
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Blood On the Dancefloor Era
Invincible Era