Feb.
28, 2001: Injured Jackson Keeps Oxford Date !!
Jackson:
The father-of-two is keen to keep his promise!
Pop superstar Michael Jackson has promised British fans
he will keep his date to speak at the Oxford University
union despite breaking his foot. The 42-year-old
singer is due to address the union with his new mentor,
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, on the subject of child welfare
on 6 March.
Jackson is currently resting with his right leg in plaster
up to his knee after fracturing the bone in a fall at
his home, the Neverland Valley Ranch in California.
The special appearance at the university's prestigious
debating chamber is to launch his global initiative
for children, "Heal the Kids".
The singing star, who is also chairman of the "Heal
the Kids" Foundation, said its message was "far
too important to me to allow a broken foot to keep me
from this commitment".
He added: " 'Heal the Kids' is about making a difference
and trying to help adults and parents realise that it
is in our power to change the world that our children
live in."
The Oxford Union often invites celebrities to address
its members - last year's list includes soul singer
Barry White and actor Charlton Heston.
But Jackson has proved to be the most popular guest
in its 178-year history with more than 20'000 people
applying to attend.
Boteach is president of "Heal the Kids", which
is aims to "promote nurturing relationships between
parents and children". It is also devoted to "fostering
programmes that help all children gain the love, attention
and quality time they need to prosper and flourish".
Members of the charity's board include former Israeli
Prime Minister Shimon Peres and actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Uri Geller's best man:
Jackson and Boteach will be introduced to the union's
audience by the psychic Uri Geller, a close friend of
both men.
The singer is also is scheduled to attend a number of
events while in the UK:
On 5 March he is down to attend the official
launch in London of "Confessions of a Rabbi and
a Psychic", a collection of letters between
Mr Boteach and Geller.
He has planned to be best man when Geller and his
wife renew their wedding vows, a ceremony at which
Mr Boteach will officiate.
Jackson is also scheduled to make an appearance at
the 10th Annual Michael Jackson Day at the London Apollo in Hammersmith, West London, on 7 March.
While in England, Michael Jackson will be staying
at the Lanesborough Hotel in the center of London.
Fans are welcome to show their support to the King of
Pop by peacefully gathering in front of his hotel with
banners and signs.
[source: wire-report, Planet
Jackson]
Feb.
25, 2001: Selected Quotes - Heal The Kids
The following
has been taken from Belief.net:
Reconsecrating the Role of Children in Society
Michael Jackson's "Heal the Kids" initiative
seeks to restore children's "birthright of nurturing
care".
Dan Quayle, Dr. Laura, and Focus on the Family didn't
do the trick. Will America's parents pay more attention
to their spouses and children if unlikely celebrities
tell them to?
Such appears to be the logic behind "Heal the Kids",
a new family initiative that's the brainchild of Michael
Jackson and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. On Valentine's Day,
the two led a panel at New York's Carnegie Hall to discuss
how parents can provide "nurturing care" to their children
while balancing the demands of career and marriage.
The six panelists: trial lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Dr.
Drew Pinsky of MTV's "Loveline", TV personality Mother
Love, publisher Judith Regan, "Temptation Island" host
Mark L. Wahlburg, and child psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan.
How can we create strong, loving families in an increasingly
busy and media-saturated world? Read selected quotes
from the event and respond to the panelists' statements
on our message boards.
From Michael Jackson's introduction: "Tonight, we're here in the world's most famous concert
hall to hear an entirely different kind of music, a
loftier melody.... This music I speak of is...more harmonious
than a thousand voices joined in a hymn, and more powerful
than all the world's percussive instruments combined....
That sound is the sweet sound of love. That sound has
become a forgotten refrain. Instead of dinner conversations,
there is the noise of video games. Instead of regular
conversations between parents and children about drugs
or violence, there is the deafening sound of silence."
"Who would have believed that the sound of children
at their playgrounds would be replaced by the sound
of automatic machine-gun fire? That the sound of little
girls skipping rope would be overshadowed by the frantic
screams of little children dodging bullets? Yet, instead
of loving our children more, we install metal detectors
in our schools."
"With two children of my own, I know what it means
to balance the demands of family and career--and let's
not even talk about finding a date for myself. Rabbi
Shmuley keeps telling me he'll find me the perfect woman.
My response is, 'As long as she's not a journalist.'
"
From Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's introduction: "This initiative, "Heal the Kids", is designed
to save us from the worst kind of hell: a life where
you are surrounded by people and you're still totally
alone; a life where your children don't talk to you
about meaning, but rather about your being a pay station
for PlayStation; a life where the TV always blared,
but your soul was never bared; a life where shopping
at Barney's came before playing with your children and
their Barneys...a life where surfing the Internet for
content came before searching hearts for meaning."
"Who would've believed one day we'd hear of parents
bored of their children turning on fantasy television
- "Star Wars", "The Wizard of Oz"? Have you ever heard
of escaping your children's reality by escaping into
someone else's reality?"
"We're talking about you having deprived them of
every child's birthright: the right to feel loved without
deserving it, to feel admired without earning it."
[source:
belief.net]
Feb.
22, 2001: Michael To Attend Fan Event In New York ?
This
news from mjmagic.com:
When was the last time you saw Michael Jackson in person?
Have you ever seen Michael Jackson in person? Would
you like to see Michael in person and let him know just
how much his U.S. fans care??? Here is your chance!!!
On March 18th, Hail To The King Of Pop comes
to New York and we need you to be there. Michael
will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
on March 19th and to celebrate Michael's contribution
to music, dance, charity and Life, we, his most devoted
fans, will be honoring him with a big tribute.
A major celebration is being planned with music, videos,
games, raffles and topped off with an incredible state
of the art 45 minute salute performance.
The highlight of the event will be a special Heal The
Kids donation presentation. Michael and Rabbi Boteach
have been personally invited to accept this donation
and award. We are so pleased to be able to give
both Michael and his U.S. fans this wonderful day!
Plans are in their final, nailbiting stages.
Negotiations are in the works with VH1! Our venue will
need to hold 5,000 fans!! Details will follow shortly.
[source: mjmagic.com]
Feb.
22, 2001: Janet Jackson Is Back !!!
For
all of us who like Michael's sister Janet:
This is the actual single cover for Janet's
new single "All For You"! The new single's
radio airdate will be on Feb. 28, 2001 world wide.
The video will be directed by Dave Myers.
Feb.
22, 2001: Michael To Attend World Music Awards '01 ?
Marilyn
Beck, Stacy Jenel Smith and Stephanie DuBois in Hollywood:
Progress moves slowly on Edgar Allan Poe movie.
Michael Jackson's big-screen thriller "The Nightmare
of Edgar Allan Poe", which was scheduled to start
production last fall, won't go before the cameras until
the end of this year. At the earliest.
Still to be set for the feature in which Jackson will
play the late Gothic poet are a co-star and a director.
But those haven't been the main hitches in his plans
for the movie. His schedule has been turned upside-down
by the album he's been working on for two years.
"He's in New York with his children, putting
the finishing touches on the album," reports
producer Gary Pudney. "The first single will
be released in April, and we expect the CD to hit the
shops in June.''
Jackson will make five videos for the album.
Pudney and Jackson are also in discussions for Jackson
to make his fourth appearance on Pudney's "World
Music Awards". It is the only awards show or
TV program on which Jackson has appeared for the last
five years.
As Pudney, who's exec-producing the $ 20 million film
with Jackson and Jim Green, says, "This is a
horror story with lots of blood and guts. Watch out,
Hannibal".
[source:
Marilyn
Beck, Stacy Jenel Smith and Stephanie DuBois in Hollywood]
Feb.
22, 2001: New Release Dates For Re-Issues
The following
has been taken from Planet
Jackson:
Sony Music has rescheduled the release of the remastered
upgraded editions of "Off The Wall," "Thriller," "Bad"
and "Dangerous." The four albums are now slated for
a global release on May 22, 2001.
"Greatest Hits - HIStory - Volume I" has also
be rescheduled. The CD will be released 2 months
before the new album, which would currently mean
by the end of April. As of now, the new album
is still scheduled for a release on June 25, 2001 in
Europe and June 26, 2001 in the USA.
[source:
Planet
Jackson]
Feb.
22, 2001: Heal The World - Website
Check
out the brandnew website for Michael
Jackson's Heal
The World Foundation:
Be informed about upcoming events, Heal The
Kids, Teach The World, visit the Message Board...
Reclusive superstar Michael Jackson spent Valentine's
Day making a rare speaking appearance at New York
City's Carnegie Hall. Jackson spoke about his
dream of helping children, saying in his world
"there are two kinds of sound - the sound of
a guitar ... or the sweet sound of love..."
Jackson
was presenting the first of an ongoing series of events
to raise awareness of child-welfare issues through his
Heal the Kids initiative. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who
co-founded Heal the Kids with Jackson last year, introduced
Jackson, saying that "the real Michael Jackson isn't
famous for the moonwalk, he's famous for…his love for
children."
Dressed in a relatively understated black suit, Jackson
spoke briefly about the importance of child welfare
and quoted John F. Kennedy, asking "If not us, then
who? If not now, then when?" Seemingly overwhelmed
by emotion, he paused several times, but explained that
they were "trying to help adults and parents realize
it's in our power to change the world our children live
in." Jackson expressed concerns that children today
are living in a dark and terrible time and how parents
and teachers have to work together to communicate with
children.
Speaking about his own life as a father, he explained
he was too busy with his children to date, although
"Rabbi Boteach has promised to find me the perfect
woman, [which is] OK as long as she's not a journalist."
Jackson took the stage at one of the world's most prestigious
venues to shouts of "I love you Michael" from
his rabid fans, who promptly rushed the stage, throwing
flowers, drawings, and gifts. Many were dressed in Jackson-style
regalia, including the famous glittery glove and military
jacket.
Jackson then exited the stage and over the course of
two hours, the panel - comprised of former Forgive or
Forget host Mother Love, Loveline's Dr. Drew Pinsky,
Dr. Stanley Greenspan, publisher Judith Regan, attorney
Johnnie Cochran, Temptation Island host Mark L. Walberg
- gave short speeches about parenting, marriage, and
children.
Mother Love, who openly wept during Jackson's speech,
spoke extensively about her 28 years of marriage, while
Regan expounded on the difficulties of single motherhood.
Wahlberg, who is married and has two children, confessed
he would never appear on his own show except in his
current capacity.
The event ended with a short question-and-answer session,
followed by brief closing words from Jackson, who explained
he would give more details about love and family at
the next Heal the Kids event that will take place at
Oxford University in Great Britain. He promised a speech
"certain to surprise you."
Exclusive pictures of gorgeous Michael at Carnegie Hall
coming soon !!!
MJ
Day 10 is being held at The London Apollo,
one of London's most prestigious venues, and truly promises
to be the most spectacular Michael Jackson party ever!
The venue can hold over 3'500 fans so you can just imagine
what the atmosphere will be like when Michael Jackson
is standing on the stage right in front of you?!!
To help raise money for "Heal The Kids",
there will be a very, very special auction taking
place at The 10th Annual Michael Jackson Day.
Firstly, there will be an open public auction during
the show. The items that you will be able to bid for
during this section will include:
A black autographed fedora - as worn on stage
for "Billie Jean"! An autographed jacket, personally worn by Michael!
A personal phone call from Michael Jackson, on
your birthday!
There is also a private silent auction taking
place for anybody who would like the chance to go on
the trip of a lifetime:
A day at Michael Jackson's house, Neverland Valley!
This amazing offer is open to individuals, couples,
families or groups, and includes a flight to Los Angeles,
hotel accommodation, trips to Disneyland & Universal
Studios and a wonderful day at Michael's beautiful home.
Once at Michael's house you will be treated like a star
by Michael's caring staff. They will show you around
the grounds of Neverland's magnificent attractions including
the zoo, fun fair, cinema and games house. And you will
also be treated to lunch and other great goodies!
Feb.
04, 2001: New Songs Premiered To Privileged Few
On January
31, 2001 a few Sony Music executives had the privilege
to hear three tracks from Michael Jackson's new album.
While a handful of music industry professionals were
attending a meeting with Tommy Mottola in New York,
the Sony Music President premiered three new Michael
Jackson songs to his hand-picked audience.
This exclusive music was played as an example to demonstrate
the power of excellence in quality production, a goal
that, according to Mottola, each Sony Music executive
should push their artists for.
Three songs from Michael Jackson's new album were premiered
during the meeting. Only 1 minute of each song was played,
consisting of a verse and a chorus. Michael Jackson
being very secret about the titles of his songs, this
information will remain undisclosed.
The first two tracks were up-tempo; the last one was
a ballad co-produced by R. Kelly.
Shortly after this exclusive hearing, Planet
Jackson gathered the impressions of one Sony Music
executive. Here they are in the heat of the moment:
"We are just blown away... This was amazing. The
first song we heard was a typical Michael Jackson song.
But one of his best, ever. I mean, it's an instant hit.
The production on the track is so slick, so smooth,
so clean. That's the Michael Jackson you know and love.
The melody is very strong. Michael is singing in a jerky,
staccato voice. Very unusual.
Then we heard the second track... And that was a
shock to us, really. The production is futuristic. I
mean, I hear a lot of music but that's something I've
never ever heard. It's basically a new sound, and it's
awesome. I think it's going to be the new trend in music
because it's really that huge. I think it's even too
new to be the first single off of the album. People
will need a little time to be ready for that. The rhythm
is so innovative. The man just created a new sound.
We were all taken aback, looking at each other, like
'What is this!?'. If I had to describe it, the first
thing that'd come to mind would be 'industrial R&B'.
That song is going to change things in the way people
produce music.
The last track we heard was a ballad. And that is
arguably one of the surest hits I've ever heard. In
the business, we call that a 'highway', meaning that
the song is going to the top of the charts on a highway,
fast and straight. I see it at the top for twenty weeks
or so. It's that good. The voice of Michael is so beautiful.
And the melody is original and beautiful. We heard about
45 seconds of it and we were intoxicated. That song
is going to be a very big hit.
I think that's the Michael Jackson we've all been
waiting for and it's definitely going to be worth the
wait."
If you
are going to The 10th Annual MJ Day, then not
only will you be in the company of The King of Pop,
but you will also have the chance to meet him backstage
and have your photo taken!!!
Michael has agreed to meet 3 raffle winners from the
special MJ Day 10 Raffle Draw, backstage after the show
for an exclusive photo!!! Raffle tickets cost just £
1.00 and will be on sale at MJ Day 10 to all fans whom
attend.
If you don't get one of the three lucky tickets, then
you can keep your fingers crossed that you win one of
the 97 other brilliant prizes available in this Mega-Raffle!
All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to "Heal
The Kids".
Feb.
04, 2001: World Children's Congress At Neverland
6 years
after the first World Children's Congress at Neverland
Valley, Michael Jackson plans to open the gates to this
Neverland Valley Ranch another time to host a two-day
conference on the fundamental needs of all children.
The event has been scheduled for April 18 - 19, 2001.
Dr. Stanley Greenspan, clinical professor of psychiatry,
behavioral sciences and pediatrics at the George Washington
University Medical School, and winner of the American
Psychiatric Association's highest award for child psychiatry
research, is the chair of the committee and will help
Michael Jackson put together the panel of experts for
the event. Leading child advocates from around the world
have been invited to share their opinions.
The first World Children's Congress at Neverland Valley
took place on April 18, 1995 and was hosted by Michael
and his then-wife Lisa Marie Presley.
Album
engineer Bruce Swedien mentions brand new album
track - "Speechless":
Below technical information on "Speechless": "The 1176 is on every vocal of this album. I've discovered
that even if it doesn't touch the sound - virtually
no compression or limiting - it seems to enhance the
character of the sound. I believe it has something to
do with the Class A output section, but I can tell you
this: the 1176 is a magical piece of equipment. On this
album, we've recorded a song called Speechless which uses a full orchestra. The vocals are very soft.
I'd say the 1176 hasn't moved even 1 dB on the entire
piece, but the sound is gorgeous - it's to die for."
"You will definitely know that Michael Jackson is
back. He sounds incredible."
"Michael's demo vocals sound better than most singer's
finished vocals."
[source: Mi2N,]
Feb.
01, 2001: "HIStory" Re-Issue - Promotion
In
the forthcoming days, Sony Music will launch
the promotion of "HIStory" Greatest
Hits Volume 1:
The first Michael Jackson Greatest Hits
to ever be released on one single CD.
As
part of the promotion of this record, the King of Pop's hit
singles and videos will soon resurface on radio stations and
TV channels across the globe.
In a few days, radio stations everywhere will receive copies
of the "HIStory" Greatest Hits album, together with
a promotional CD [see picture] including 3 megamixes: MJ Urban
Megamix [4:58], MJ Megamix [4:58] and MJ Megaremix [10:33].
Previously released in 1995 for the promotion of the "HIStory"
album, those megamixes are now ready to hit airwaves and dancefloors
around the world one more time.
