Michael Jackson's "The Dream Continues"

Michael Jackson Interview Germany March 20-1999

2012-02-27T15:09:00.000-08:00

Wetten, Dass...?' March 20, 1999 (Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken, Germany)

TG: Thomas Gottschalk (show host)
MJ: Michael Jackson
JM: Jonathan Morrish (head of Sony, UK)

[About 150 fans are let into the Saarlandhalle at both sides of the stage. At about 10
p.m. 'We Are The World' video is shown just before Michael appears at the show.
TG: "The King of Pop"! Here is Michael Jackson !!!"
[Michael (MJ) walks in. He is wearing black trousers, a black jacket with a red band
on his one arm, a white shirt, black boots and sunglasses. His hair is shoulder length.
Thunderous applause, the fans scream for minutes.]

[Michael greets TG and makes a short gesture as to how tall TG is.]
TG: Let’s talk a little bit about the new project...
[They walk over to the couch where the other show guests are sitting. TG sits down
but MJ waves to the fans so TG gets up again. The fans are still screaming so that a
conversation is impossible for minutes. MJ smiles.]
TG: So....Thank you. [to the fans]
MJ: They just can’t stop...

TG: Then....Michael, they don’t listen to me..
[Fans are still screaming so loud that no one can understand a word.]
Today he wants to ........listen to..... listen to us a little....you over there as well
[meaning the second group of fans on the other side of the stage]. Come on....poor
Michael would be happy if you listen to him once. He has seen you now. Ok. So....we
know you love him. Please think a little of uncle Thomas. I want to ask him some
things. Ssshhhht...come on !.... short break!....kids!!!!! Do I have to scold you again??
MJ: [Blows a hand kiss to the fans and points towards them...giggles.]
Give me that picture. Give me that picture. Morrish...gimme that picture.
[Fans start screaming again.]

TG: It’s like being in a pliers. When I have these ones here in the grasp [pointing to
the fan group on the left] the ones over there start being loud again. Ok kids.
Listen...let’s talk 2 sentences about this new project...... Kids, you don’t know what’s
going to come...
[Someone hands over a banner to Michael which reads: "Children's paradise in your
heart".]
He has got a new project. There will be 2 big concerts by and with him.... one here in
Germany and one in Korea.
[Meanwhile MJ puts the banner to the floor and looks at it.]

Michael, a new project of yours. How did you get the idea for such a project?
MJ: Well...what happened was....
[Fans start to scream again as they hear Michael talk.]
..I am...I....I...
[Fans still screaming so that Michael can’t continue to talk.]
...ahem.....
TG: Okay, tell us...
MJ: I knew I had to do something. I just couldn’t sit back, you know, between now
and the millennium and do nothing. And then I had this idea for a song and the words
"What more can I give" kept coming. Then I knew I had to do
something...ahem...And about the same time.....I was talking to president Mandela
and when he invited me to perform that was all the inspiration that I needed.
[Giggles and the fans start screaming again loud so that MJ can’t continue.]

TG: Come on [to the fans]... I will tell you something about it. He will travel to
Michael Mand...ääähhh...Nelson Mandela and explain this project to him again. And
later on I will talk to representatives of the groups that help him with this project- the
Red Cross and the UNESCO.
Michael, in Seoul you’ll meet some of your friends that you invited: Pavarotti, Stevie
Wonder, Eros Ramazotti, maybe the Scorpions. We are happy of course that you will
come with them to Munich. Are you also looking forward to Munich?

MJ: [The fans are still screaming loud and Michael was watching them while TG was
talking. He seems a little confused as TG waits for him to answer the question. It
seems that he just missed the question - maybe due to the fans that are still screaming
so loud that you can barely understand a word.]
Ahem...Yes....Yes..ahem...
[He seems a little confused about what he is expected to say so he looks around for a
known face to help him out. He sees Jonathan Morrish (head of Sony UK) points
towards him asking him to come over to the couch.]

Mr. Morrish...he is better equipped than me....from Sony.
[Jonathan Morrish (JM) takes a seat.]
TG: He is the boss of the record company.
MJ:...and Marcel Avram...
[At the moment Marcel Avram is serving a jail sentence for tax evasion but he was
allowed to leave the prison for this occasion. MJ makes signs towards Marcel to come
to the couch as well but Marcel doesn’t want to.]
JM: I think there is a....This is a very serious evening! What Michael is doing is
enormous. He is giving of himself - he always does. I think he is wanting - There is
one important message why he is doing the show in Munich and a show in Korea.
[Meanwhile Michael takes one of the bell flowers which are on the side of the couch
as a decoration - the fans start screaming again]

What we all got to remember is the tragedy and suffering at the second world war - a
lot of countries got split. Germany unified 10 years ago - that’s why Michael wants to
do a show here. The other reason why the show is in Seoul is because ...it’s very
important. Michael wants to get the message across that North and South Korea got to
unite again. And that’s a very important part of what these twin shows are for that will
be done by Michael with the friends that Thomas already announced.
TG: Wonderful! Thank you. Michael couldn’t have said it better. Thank you very
much.
[He shakes hands with Michael and wants to discharge him.]
It’s a pleasure. An honour of course. Thank you.

We have.... Michael, do you remember "Wetten, dass...." Remember...you have been
with us. A little memory when he sang at "Wetten, dass..." back then.
[They show parts of Michael’s "Earth Song" performance. Michael does some little
dance moves to the music. After that he goes over to the fans on the left.]
Just say "Hello".
MJ: [Points at a banner.] Oh...Wayne...Wayne, get that one.... Get that one.... Come
on....That one....That one [pointing towards the banner he would like to have].
TG: [TG wants to lead Michael to the exit but Michael just doesn’t want to leave. He
is still watching the fans and their banners.]
Thank you for being here. Thank you.

[Nevertheless Michael returns to the fans to get the banner he had pointed at and
Teddy Lakis hands it and 2 others over to him. Michael waves to the fans then he
looks for the banner he had pointed at and shows it to TG.]
MJ: Very lovely!
TG: Oh.Yes. Thank you, Michael. Thank you. Bye-bye.
[Michael walks out with the banner under his arm. TG sits down a chair - absolutely
exhausted].
Oh, oh. Oh, I never want to become a legend [meaning the fans].
[Then TG talks to Dr. Peter Walker (chief of the Red Cross) and Dr. Dieter Bärstecher
(UNESCO). Both organizations will be involved in the project as well and all the
money raised by the concert will be used for charity.

Dr. Walker explains that the Red Cross will use the money that will be raised with the
- as he calls it - project "Adventure of Humanity" to finance projects around the
world. For example they will send medicine and food to North Korea. Some money
will go to Latin America where hurricane Mitch just caused severe damages. Further
support will go to Africa, especially war zones like Uganda and Angola, to reunite
families that have been separated during war.
Dr. Bärstecher finally adds that the UNESCO will use the money for their "Children
in need" program which provides direct help (food, education) for children all over
the world.]

Michael Jackson Interview Access holywood 2006

2012-02-26T06:37:00.001-08:00

Michael Jackson Talks To Access Hollywood in the Studio
This is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access
Hollywood’s Billy Bush that aired on Thursday, November 2, 2006.
**Billy Bush: Michael invited me to Ireland, to observe him, as he got back into the
studio. Can lightning strike twice for the King of Pop? Michael insisted this was NOT a
formal interview. He wanted us to be more like flieson the wall. Let's face it, the way
Michael sees it, when a camera and microphone has charmed its way into his personal
space, it has turned out badly for him. So with that in mind, we agreed to just turn the
cameras on. (Cuts to footage of Michael in the studio, and walking around around
Irish estate with Billy Bush and Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, with a new track
playing in the background)
***

BB: So this is really a kind of an exploratory mission. You (pointing at Michael)
deciding to get back into making music...
Michael Jackson: (Smiling) I never stopped... I'm always writing a potpourri of music,
you know, it's how it is.
BB: (Voiceover) Relaxed, and ready to return.
(Cuts to footage of Michael laughing)
BB: (To Will.I.Am) Let's hear it.
(Will.I.Am starts playing a track he has prepared for Michael)
BB: (Voiceover) That, is the Michael Jackson we found when Access journeyed over
5000 miles to this classic old Irish estate (footage on screen) outside of Dublin. The
stone manor is built to rock with a state of the art recording studio. But it's because of
the beauty of the emerald landscape that Michael chose to be here.
(Cuts to footage of BB in grounds of the estate)

BB: What goes on on these grounds is a lot of exercise and walking and horse back
riding. Michael wakes up in the morning, he makes porridge for his kids, which is
oatmeal, and fruit. All the food is organically grown here. The amazing thing is, is
that the man that is known as the P.T. Barnum of the recording industry (everything
done big and extravagant) is really sort of dialling it back... to the roots.
(Cuts to more footage of Michael in the studio)
BB: (Voiceover) Michael is on the search for fresh sounds and Black Eyed Peas
leader Will.I.Am is the man with the beats.
(Footage of Will.I.Am and Michael nodding away to a track that is being played)
BB: Will, we were talking a little earlier, you got a phone call on the tour bus, right?
Someone said, "Mike's on the phone..."
Will: I was like, "no, come one, stop playing around." I didn't know it. I thought
somebody was joking.

BB: So this is like eh, this is baby steps? Of just checking out what may be a
collaboration or some work together?
Michael: Yeah, yes.
BB: Why Will?
Michael: Because I think he's doing wonderful, innovative, positive great music.
Thought it'd be interesting to collaborate or just, you know, see how the chemistry
works... be wonderful.
Will: This is like, a dream come true for me, you know.
BB: (To Michael) Does he take your advice well?
Michael: (Nodding and smiling) Yeah, we uh, yeah we...
(Will.I.Am interrupts, Michael laughs)
Will: I have... you have to take advice from the King of Pop.
(Billy Bush laughs)
Michael: I like to take sounds and put them on a microscope and just talk about how
we wanna manipulate the character of it.

BB: (Voiceover) Will brought something new to the table, while keeping that classic
Michael sound intact.
Will: (To Michael about the music playing) Living 'Off the Wall' with them kind of
strings... (smiles)
Michael: Oh yeah, yeah, 'Off the Wall' yes.
(Laughter all around)
BB: (Voiceover) If Michael likes what he hears, he'll add his own musical touches.
But for now, the two (Michael and Will) work the board, weaving out a sound and
tapestry - layer by layer.
Michael: Pretend we're technically inclined. (Laughter all round)

BB: (Voiceover) Do NOT doubt his (Michael's) tech savvy, Michael knows his way

around a recording studio AND our new digital camera.
(Footage of Michael holding a camera from the Access Hollywood crew)
Michael: That's a beauty. You can edit within the camera...
BB: Film me.
Michael: So s...
BB: Can you operate it?
Michael: Uh, I don't know, ok yeah... (points camera at Billy Bush)
BB: Are you a technology...
Michael: Yeah, I love cameras...
BB: Love the action?
Michael: Yeah. Love it. It's a beauty. (Starts to put camera down, turns to crew
member) What's the price of this one on retail?
Crew member: $6,000.
Michael: Wow!

BB: (Voiceover) But what really impressed Michael? Will's music.
(Footage of Michael bopping his head to the music before it stops)
BB: What you think there?
Michael: They're very nice grooves...
Will: Alright...
Michael: I like the chords, I like what you did.
Will: That's a... that's a club banger.
BB: Yeah...
Will: That's what they call that one.
(Music starts playing again, Will and Michael move to the music)
BB: (Voiceover) Will's beats are infectious, and an enthusiastic Michael could NOT
contain himself.
(Cuts to footage of Michael moving to other side of studio to dance a few steps)
Michael: (To Billy Bush) Do you feel you have enough (footage)?

BB: I could go forever Michael. (Laughter all round) You don't wanna ask me that
Michael.
The below is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access
Hollwood's Billy Bush that aired on Friday, November 3rd.
Billy Bush: Yesterday, in Part 1 of my exclusive in-studio visit, you saw a mixed
Michael. He chose his words carefully. But when super producer Will.I.Am of the
Black Eyed Peas turned on the beats, Michael came alive!
There is no doubt in my mind that Jackson is coming back, but how? Amazingly, he
hasn't really thought about it.
(Cuts to footage of inside the studio)

BB: There was nothing ever bigger than (Thriller) that. That is the biggest album ever.
(Cuts to footage of Thriller video before returning to studio)
BB: If you went back and took it to a second chapter...
Michael Jackson: That's a great idea.
(Cuts to footage of Billie Jean video)
BB: (Voiceover) Imagine Michael Jackson re-visiting Thriller. Remix, DVD's, Web
Saturation. The sky's gotta be the limit with the biggest selling album with nearly 100
million copies worldwide.
(Returns to studio)
BB: Is that the first time you've heard of it? I mean like, or or, have you thought that...
Michael: No I haven't really thought about it in that way but I would give it more
thought. We haven't really discussed it yet, on that level, but I'm sure at some point
we will. But it's a great thought.
BB: Feel like I'm a collaborator here.
Michael: Yeah, yeah, you are...
(Laughter all round)

BB: I get a credit...
Michael: You are.
BB: I might get a credit.
(Cuts to footage of Michael, Will.I.Am and Billy Bush walking around Irish estate
with new track produced by Will.I.Am playing in the background)
BB: (Voiceover) For right now Michael is focused on creating and not re-creating.
And it is right here at this recording studio on the sprawling classic old Irish estate
outside of Dublin where Michael has teamed up with Black Eyed Peas leader
Will.I.Am to take his music to the next level.
(Cuts back to studio)

BB: Do you see something big with the music that you make again, or getting that
ground swell going? Doing clubs and intimate things and getting it bigger and bigger
and bigger?
Michael: Gee, you know I'm not sure, on that level.
Will.I.Am: I can answer that direct (as) a fan...
(Michael points at Will.I.Am)
BB: Go ahead.
Will.I.Am: Big!
(Cuts to footage of Michael dancing away to the music before returning)
Will.I.Am: Something needs to put a jolt back in the music industry. And the only
thing that can do that is the jolt itself. The energy that sparked the imagination of the
kids that are... me, you know, the Justin Timberlake's, we're all products of this.
(Motions to Michael) So the only person that can put that jolt back in to that
monstrosity of entertainment and music is the one who created that. (Motions to
Michael again)
(Cuts to footage of Don't Stop 'till You Get Enough video)

BB: (Voiceover) But what about those people Michael inspired...
(Cuts to footage of Justin Timberlake's Rock Your Body video)
BB: (Voiceover) ...to aspire?
(Cuts back to the studio)
BB: Michael, I would love to hear what you thought of Justin Timberlake or
something like that, because he's the closest thing to Michael Jackson I think today.
You know what I mean?
Michael: I think Justin's doing a wonderful job, as well as Usher (Michael smiles) it's
great to see. I'm inspired by what they do, and I'm sure I've inspired them. It's very
nice

Michael Jackson Interview ABC news

2012-02-16T15:50:00.003-08:00

By SANTINA LEUCI, SABINA GHEBREMEDHIN, CHRIS CONNELLY, LUCHINA FISHER (@luchina) and MICHAEL S. JAMES

Aug. 28, 2008

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/SummerConcert/story?id=5680705&page=1

He first became a star as a young boy, then endured superstardom, scandals and a legal prosecution, but as he turns 50, Michael Jackson told "Good Morning America" in an exclusive interview that he's "having a wonderful time, just relaxing."
Speaking by phone from his home in California, at times so softly he was barely audible, Jackson said he was listening to James Brown and preparing for his 50th birthday Friday, when he will "just have a little cake with my children and we'll probably watch some cartoons" -- before he gets right back to work.
Does turning 50 mean he now has an AARP card?
"Not that I know of!" Jackson said, laughing.
He said he still can do all his famous dance moves and "more."
"I feel very wise and sage, but at the same time very young," he said.
Reflecting back, Jackson said the happiest time in his life was probably when he was recording his hit solo albums "Thriller," released in 1982, and "Off the Wall," released in 1979. Those albums -- which were accompanied by a string of hit singles and videos and corresponded with the 1983 debut of his signature dance, the "moonwalk" -- propelled him to the height of his stardom.
"That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world," he said. "I enjoyed it very much."

Newscom/Reuters

Ever wonder how Michael Jackson might have...

Asked to pick a single song as his greatest achievement, Jackson went back to the same period.

"Oh boy, that's a hard one," he said, before singling out "We Are the World," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller."
But Jackson was not content to rest on his laurels, saying, "I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things."
He hopes to release new music and tour, though he doesn't have dates set.
"I am writing all the time," he said. "I love composing and the whole thing. But I am also raising my children and enjoying it and teaching them to ride bicycles and how to read. I love it."

Music and Fame

He said he hopes to "be myself" in his future work, but also that he is "inspired by many great artists," noting he wished he could have worked with Brown or Fred Astaire.
He sees his influence in some of today's artists, specifically mentioning Chris Brown.
He said he sacrificed his childhood with "a lot of hard work," and that he remembers "giving up your life for the medium."
But he'd do it all again.

"I think I would," he said. "It is very much worth it. I have always loved show business and have always enjoyed making people happy through that medium. I love the celebration of music and dance and art. I just love it."
Asked if he'd like his two sons and daughter to have the same sort of upbringing as him, he said he'd prefer to let them "enjoy their childhood as much as possible."
"I let them go to the arcade and go to the movies and do things," he said. "I want them to get to do the kind of things I didn't get to do. So, I fill them with a lot of enjoyment that way -- a lot of amusement. You know?
"I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time," he added, "when they are on a ride and they are screaming and they are happy. ... It makes me emotional, 'cause I see they are having a real good time."
Jackson said his kids "love music ... they are very much into the arts," but that, "I don't push them."

If he could go back and give himself some advice at age 9 or 10, the approximate age of his oldest children, he would advise himself, "if you are going to do it, commit yourself, know your craft and be really involved." He'd say to be strong and to have "rhinoceros skin" when it comes to dealing with the pressures of fame.
Perhaps Jackson learned to have a thick skin after enduring years of controversies.
Born Aug. 29, 1958, in gritty Gary, Ind., Jackson rose to fame as the youngest member of the brother act, The Jackson 5. The group released its first single on the Motown label in 1969, when Jackson was 11 years old, and enjoyed a string of hits in the early 1970s.

The Jacksons to King of Pop

The group eventually became known as The Jacksons, and Jackson also had hits as a child solo artist and actor.
Jackson's adult musical career took off with "Off the Wall," and eventually, he became such a superstar that he adopted the moniker, "the king of pop."
But Jackson also developed a reputation for eccentricity. He often was seen wearing a surgical mask in public, and his appearance changed and his skin complexion seemed to grow lighter through the years.
He had a pair of brief marriages, including one to Elvis Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

In 2002, Jackson drew criticism for dangling his youngest son, Prince Michael II, then a toddler, from a German hotel balcony as fans looked on. He later apologized.

In 1993, Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy who visited his "Neverland" ranch, but settled the case out of court.
Jackson was criminally charged with child molestation in 2003, but was acquitted in 2005.

Is the Thriller Gone?
"Fifty should have been a turning point for him," said the man known only as Phoenix, who once served as a spokesman for the Jackson family and now fronts a tribute band called the Dancing Machine Revue. "The Big 5-0, so far, is not going quite as planned."
After the trial, the family relocated to Bahrain as Jackson fled the media he once courted. Jackson recently returned to the States and has been living in Vegas where he was photographed last month being pushed in a wheelchair while wearing a dreadlocked wig, sunglasses and a surgical mask.
The photo seems to contradict Jackson's own comments that he feels young and can still perform his famous dance moves.

When Jackson biographer Stacy Brown saw it, he thought, "Oh, he's looking for attention again," he said. "Then, I looked closely and said, 'Wow, he's really thin. Maybe there's a problem."
Brown, who was once close to the family and collaborated with Jackson's brother Jermaine and sister Rebbie on books, said Jackson's has a history of physical ailments. "He's battled lupus for years, especially when he's in a high-stress situation. And he's been under that for long time."
He has also battled addictions to pain medications and can put away a surprising amount of whiskey, said Brown, co-author of "Michael Jackson: the Man behind the Mask."
But Phoenix believes it's his emotional demons that are crippling him now.
"He's been under the weather for a while, but I believe it's more or less psychological," he said. "The world has always expected him to be energetic and lively. He has a lot to live up to."

"I think it goes back even further," said Brown. "He had a lot of pressure as a boy, then carrying the group, then being the focal point. It became too much. He let go of more important things in life, his faith. He became a self-worshipper. He let go of his family."
Phoenix, who is still in touch with Jackson's parents and brothers and spoke to Tito just a few weeks ago, said the family would like to celebrate Jackson's milestone birthday with him, but has been unable to reach him. "The family has been trying to get hold of him, it's very hard for them to get in touch with him."
Instead, family members, parents Joe and Katherine and older sister Rebbie, are expected to attend Phoenix's special birthday tribute concert in his hometown of Phoenix. His revue will play its usual mix of Jackson 5, the Jacksons and Jackson's solo hits.

For a while now, the brothers have wanted to reunite with Jackson for a tour. The last one they did together, the Victory Tour, was 24 years ago. A Jacksons tour, Phoenix said, would not only thrill fans but boost the brothers who have struggled financially without Jackson.

But Brown thinks even Jackson touring the way he used to appears to be out of the question. "I don't imagine he's physically capable," he said.
Brown is also doubtful about a new album. "He's been trying to complete an album for a long time," he said. "I think that's within his reach. But will it even really matter? He doesn't even have a record deal. That's what's really amazing. He's in a situation where has to prove himself all over again."
It's a very different situation from his fellow '80s pop icons Prince and Madonna, who also turned 50 earlier this summer.

While Prince and Madonna continue to make hit records, fill stadiums, appear at the Superbowl and on magazine covers, Jackson has become something of a recluse, releasing yet another album rehashing his greatest hits in celebration of his birthday.
"They were on a level playing field for a long time. Then Michael took such a bizarre turn to his life," said Jonathan Cohen, a senior editor at Billboard magazine. "Their careers could not have diverged more."
ABC News' Thea Trachtenberg contributed to this report.

In Loving Memory of Whitney Houston 1963-2012

2012-02-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson Child-Hood

2012-02-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

"I've been in the entertainment industry since I was 6 years old, and as Charles Dickens would say, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career ... While some have made deliberate attempts to hurt me, I take it in my stride because I have a loving family, a strong faith and wonderful friends and fans who have, and continue, to support me." MJ

Michael Jackson's Beautiful NeverLand

2012-02-03T02:30:00.000-08:00

I would Like to say Thank You -To whomever made this video.

Michael Jackson Simulchat Interview 1995

2012-02-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

Simulchat Interview Thursday, 17 August 1995
On August 17th, Michael met with all his fans around the world on a simulchat
including the Internet, Compuserve, America Online, and Prodigy. It was also
televised by MTV.

TRANSCRIPT:

Compuserve Question from ORLANDO, FL: [76711,475] Janice Maki Brandon:
I have been a long time fan and I just want to know how, after all the bad press, you
can keep going and doing the best job that any rock star can do? Is it the fact you have
such a wonderful wife supporting you, or are there other reasons you stay so damn
great?
Michael Jackson: Despite of what the press says about celebrities and myself in
general, I move ahead. I don't pay attention to that tabloid junk - it's garbage. I have
my dreams I am a visionary and I am very resilient. I feel as if I have a suit of armor
around me, like a rhinoceros skin. I am here to do what I am supposed to do. Thank
you for asking the first question.
Compuserve Question from MANCHESTER, NH: [102331,3335] Brett Mallard: If
you could be any super hero... like Batman, Superman, et al.. whom would you
choose to be and why?
Michael Jackson: I like Batman a lot... If I could choose one, it would be Morph,
from the X-Men. He can become anything ... He constantly transforms himself. I
think he can even teleport, which is interesting and exciting to me. He's not as popular
as the others, but that makes him exciting.

Prodigy Question from Darkan: Are you ever going to tour America?
Michael Jackson: I'm not exactly sure, we kind of play it by ear, kind of
spontaneous. It would be nice, but I'm not sure.
Internet Question from Brian: Is your new album doing as well as expected? Go
MJ!!
Michael Jackson: Yes, I am overly excited about how well the album is doing. It is
the fastest selling album in my career. Despite what the press is saying.
Unprecedented 7 million worldwide sold in the first week!
Prodigy Question from Spin Cycle: Michael, thanks for coming. What is your
favorite song on your newest CD?
Michael Jackson: Probably Earth Song, Stranger in Moscow, Little Susie. I love
songs with heart.
AOL Question from Jocelyn: When will the 3T album be in the store?
Michael Jackson: The 3-T are expected around this Christmas. They're going to be
very successful.
Prodigy Question from Bruce Ross: How has your marriage to Lisa Marie changed
your life?
Michael Jackson: I think I find it more fun to appreciate what family really means.
the fact that even though there were 10 of us Jacksons and we were always doing
things at different times and I am really learning the real meaning of love. Giving
100% of yourself all the time. Putting up with one another. So far it has been pretty
joyous.

Compuserve Question from KANSAS CITY, MO. Jim Shea: Do you ever wish
you could walk into a public place and not be mobbed by your fans?
Michael Jackson: I have every disguise you can think of... that is why I wish I could
be Morph so I could change places and just enjoy life. I would love to do that.
Prodigy Question from Ally W: Hi Michael. You have an amazing voice. Whose
music has helped influence your music most?
Michael Jackson: Thank you for the compliment. That is very nice. To be honest, my
first love and appreciation for music was classical, in kindergarten. I used to listen to
Tchaikovsky every day. The great writing of Richard Rodgers and Oscar
Hammerstein, and many others. I love the showtunes.
AOL Question from Marlie14: In your interview with Diane Sawyer, you
mentioned moving out of the country. Is this in your future plans?
Michael Jackson: Yes it is.
Prodigy Question from Rros: Where is the most favorite place in the world that you
have traveled to and where would you most like to travel to
Michael Jackson: My most favorite place that I've traveled to probably would have
to be between South America and Africa. Because I love the people, and I love the
culture. The plight of the children is very interesting and I would love to continue to
travel...to see more things and to help more people.

Compuserve Question from ENCINITAS, CA., Gary M. Richards: MICHAEL
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG THAT YOU HAVE RECORDED? AND DO
YOU STILL HAVE THE PET MONKEY NAMED BUBBLES, WHO WAS
SHOWN IN YOUR GENESIS VIDEO GAME, MOONWALKER?
Michael Jackson: If I had to pick one song... that's very difficult. Probably Ben, Got
to Be There, Heal The World, one of the oldies. Bubbles is still alive and still my pet
chimp. He's bigger, likes to eat a lot...lots of pizza, ice cream...He loves snacks!
[Michael laughs]
Internet Question from MJJ: You have accomplished so much in life. What else
would you like to accomplish in life?
Michael Jackson: I love movies my dream is to make films, not only act and sing but
to produce them as well. And I love animation.
Prodigy Question from SiBiS: In Oprah's interview, you said that you wanted to
raise a family one day..Do you plan to do so??

Michael Jackson: Yes, that's my dream for a long time. My own children, I want to
adopt them. Not only my own, but children all over the world. I think we should be
less territorial about it.
Compuserve Question from LOMBARD, IL., Kurt A. Lentsch: How did you like
working with your sister Janet on the "Scream" Video and also working with your
beautiful bride, Lisa Marie. PS Best of luck to you two, don't listen to all the BS going
around!
Michael Jackson: That is a great question! The press creates all of these negative
stories so that people will buy their magazines or read their columns and you must not
believe everything you read or see on television. Most of it is false and it is tabloid
garbage and I want everyone to be aware of what the tabloid media is like. I have had
so much fun working with my sister and working on the set everyday. I haven't seen
her in quite some time and she is busy and I am as well and it is like a reunion.
Because of all the family members I am closest to Janet and we became very
emotional on the set. We gave each other presents but every day on the set sometimes
she would come to me sad because of some crazy story that some tabloid said. I told
her that she would have to become resilient because it is there and I want the public to
know. And Yes I had fun with Lisa Marie on the set. She wanted to perform in the
video. I had a lot of fun with Lisa Marie on the set. But when the director said
"Action," she became very shy. I was giving her a little bit of a hard time, too!

Prodigy Question from Gemseeker: When did you learn to Moonwalk? I think it's
so cool.
Michael Jackson: Thank you sooo much. I've always loved illusion dancing, where
you can create an illusion with the body. There's a new step working on called
Skywalk. I've been working on it.
Prodigy Question from blondie101: What inspired you to write the song "Beat It"?
Michael Jackson: Quincy Jones, for the album THRILLER, asked me to write a song
with a rock edge to it. I said yes, I can do that. So the very same day, I went to the
recording studio, and I literally just started to sing that song. It literally came that fast.
Every song is different. The gestation process for BEAT IT was so fast, it was
amazing. I thought about what I'd do in that situation... A confrontation with a gang...
I wouldn't do what these people would do. The way I was raised I would turn the
other cheek without creating a war or being a coward either.
Compuserve Question from VANCOUVER, WA., Brandon: I come from a large
family is it hard for you to see the animosity between your sister LaToya and yourself.
you seem to be above all the petty gossip that others love to spread. I just want to give
you two thumbs up on your maturity.
Michael Jackson: Gee - thank you very much! I love you. Thank you.

Prodigy Question from Curveball: Will there be a next album?
Michael Jackson: I am not sure. This might be my last album I ever do. I will always
create music but am not sure if I'll create another album.
Prodigy Question from Midway Gal: How did you get into music?
Michael Jackson: I don't think I can answer that without sounding philosophical. We
never had music or dance lessons in our house, ever. We were a family that sang all
the time. We watched television. We would entertain ourselves... We would take all
the furniture out of the living room and dance. I think you're pretty much born with a
gift and you are compelled to create. That is what I have always felt. I remember
making up songs when I was really little. I remember when I was little there was rain
outside and we would make up songs. Janet and I would have a songwriting game
while we washed the dishes...while we were cleaning. I think most kids don't do that
these days. It was our destiny.
AOL Question from EvenBeevu: Do you come up with the ideas for all of your
videos?
Michael Jackson: A lot of them I do come up with. A lot of the concepts do originate
with me. After singing Thriller I knew that I wanted to do a short film. Asimple guy
goes out on a date and confesses to her that he's different. I wanted totransform into
different things. It was fun. I had so much fun making that. Beat It is another concept
that I came up with. Confrontation -two gangs - West Side Story. I wanted real gang
members. I wanted to see real truisms...in the walk, in the character in the clothes. and
I thinkit came across.

Prodigy Question from Pelon: What has been your proudest musical achievement?
Michael Jackson: One of them it is really a difficult question to answer because I am
not a women but writing a song is like conceiving a child... I love all the songs . We
are the World is one of the most favorite things that I've done. I am proud of that... it
has reached a lot of people, it has touched a lot of people. My Secretary called when I
was in the car and said pull over. And it was like a prayer when all of the radio
stations played it. I had tears.
Compuserve Question from MELBOURNE, FL., Firefly: Michael, I was
wondering if/when we will see more of the old-style video's and mini-movies like
"Thriller" and "Moonwalker?"
Michael Jackson: I love that. That's what I want to get back to doing. Well those
types of short films are my favorite because it is not just a video in the sense of videos
and images and graphics...it's a short story. But to do those takes us up to 4, 5, 6, 7
months sometimes and that has become a problem. We are going back to that. That is
my dream.
I'd like to make this announcement: My nephews are in here and want to sit in and
listen!
[nephews are entering the room]

Compuserve Question from SEATTLE, WA: [76550,2570] Natalie Ringland:
You seem to be interested in many cultures. Have you ever studied the North? I live
in an Inupiat Eskimo village at the top of Alaska. Life is different here. If you ever
visit, the land and people here might inspire you. Do you travel for inspiration? --
Natalie
Michael Jackson: Yes I do travel for inspiration and I would love to come to Alaska
someday. I have flown over Alaska and I do love to travel. Maybe with your extended
invitation I might be able to come!
Prodigy Question from Frogbelly: In your song "Childhood" you sing about how
you've never really known the joys of youth. What is the one thing you missed the
most?
Michael Jackson: Probably the simple little things that kids do like having a friend
over or going to the park or even trick-or-treat or Christmas or birthday and when we
were little we didn't have any of those things. We had to hear about them. Some of the
kids who take them for granted. I haven't celebrated my birthday yet. Maybe someday
I will.

Prodigy Question from Diva: Michael, I love HIStory and think it's the best yet.
When are you going to release the videos as a complete set?
Michael Jackson: Thank you for the compliment. I worked very hard. This
Christmas I think we are going to have a complete up to date of the shorts on one
volume.
AOL Question from Applehead: It's one of Apple head's friends, guess which
one...hint Family Matters...what is your favorite song on HIStory? Tell Lisa Marie
and Janet I said hi!
Michael Jackson: I know exactly who that is! [laughter in the room] My favorite
song is probably "Childhood" "Earth Song". But nice to hear from you Brighton, hope
I get to see you soon. Tell all my other relatives I said hello.
Prodigy Question from Mr Potter: Do you ever wish you could play small rooms
with intimate audiences instead of mega-productions?
Michael Jackson: Yes. I think that is the mark of a true performer, to be able to reach
any audience around the world, any size. If you can directly relate to a small group,
magic starts to happen. I started out playing those kinds of concerts. This Christmas,
I'm doing an HBO special (Dec 10), and it is intimate. It's close-up. It will allow me to
do a lot of things I've never done before.

Compuserve Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK - Sam Clarke: Story in
UK press this morning claims quickie divorce on the cards? Is it true?
Michael Jackson: Never believe the tabloid garbage. Don't waste your time, don't
waste your money. No, it's not true. If you hear it from my lips, then you can believe
it. But no, it's not true.
Internet Question From MJJ: What is your process from going from creating a
rhythm on your human voice-box to the album version, such as in songs 'Who Is It'
and 'Tabloid Junkie'?
Michael Jackson: the process is creating a vocal rhythm to a click track - which is a
sound, a timed beat. And you're doing these mouth sounds to that beat. These sounds
can be looped according to how you sample it in the computer again and again. This
is your foundation for the entire track - everything plays off this. It's the rhythm, like
the beatbox rhythm. Every song I've written since I was very little I've done that way.
I still do it that way.

AOL Question from Smufetty: I love you and have enjoyed your music since icould
hear and see..just one question: how can you keep going when the media makes
everything so hard?
Michael Jackson: Thank you for your compliment, I appreciate it.I believe in my
work, like I said, I have great confidence in my dreams. When I have a great idea I
have an iron will, Even though the media creates such negative stories they do it just
to sell more papers. If you look throughout history, and I'm not trying to put my name
with the names of the past it's been pretty much the same. Ghandi, Christ and I'm not
saying I'm Christ, I don't want to hear the press saying that. Some of the worst
attentions had to do with ignorance on the part of the people because of the press. If it
happened to them, it can happen to me.

AOL Question from DanielStein: If you could meet someone dead or alive and talk
with them for an hour who would it be and why. P.S. Rock on with your bad self!
Michael Jackson: It would probably be Michelangelo because I think he is a
phenomenal artist and I love art I think I understand what he was trying to say and do
even though he got criticized. He was a true artist to the point of true artistry. I would
love to just sit down and have a talk.
Prodigy Question from Tristene: Who is your best friend?
Michael Jackson: Pretty much the same as I've said...the children of the world...for
their innocence, their simplicity, and their love. It's the same kind of innocence that I
find in animals. They just want you for your love, and I love that.
Compuserve Question from BOUNDBROOK, NJ - AL & MEG: WHAT WAS IT
THAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME INVOLVED IN HELPING AS MANY
CHILDREN AS YOU DO? I THINK WHAT YOU DO FOR CHILDREN IS JUST
WONDERFUL. YOU ARE WHAT THESE CHILDREN NEED TO KEEP THEM
GOING WHEN TIMES ARE SO TOUGH.

Michael Jackson: I truly care about children, and about the future for our children.
I'm a little frightened about what the future is going to bring. I truly, truly love them
and care about them. I will always help them. When I go on tour, I visit hospitals,
terminally ill children. At my ranch at Neverland, we have many terminally ill
children as our guests. We do this every few weeks. You do it because you truly love
them and you care.
Internet Question From MJJ: It is rumored (I know you hate that word) that you are
doing another book... Do you plan another book, if so, what will it contain?
Michael Jackson: I wrote a book called DANCING THE DREAM. It was more
autobiographical than Moonwalker, which I did with Mrs. Onassis. It wasn't full of
gossip and scandal and all the trash that people write so I don't think people paid
much attention to it, but it came from my heart. It was essays, thoughts, things that
I've thought about while on tour. I'm not planning to write another book anytime soon.
If you want to know how I to feel, you can check out HIStory. It's a musical book.
Prodigy Question from Gemseeker: When & How did you learn to moonwalk? I
think it's sooooo cool! :>

Michael Jackson: Thank you soooo much! I've always loved illusion dancing when
you can pretty much create a step or an illusion with the body. THere's a new step that
looks like you defy gravity that I've been working on for along time. One of my
favorite movers is Marcel Marceau. But a lot of the steps that I do come from my
heart. A lot of the steps come from the black community. From tap dancing, to the
cake walk, to the Charleston. All these dances come from the black community to go
all over the world.
Compuserve Question from COMPUSERVE REROUTED - Jamie Ballengee:
Mr. Jackson, What advice would you give someone who is in a similar position with
the bad things from the press? My little sister Andrea Ballengee lost her Miss VA
crown.
Michael Jackson: You don't pay attention to it. You become strong, you move ahead.
The best advice I can give is to believe in yourself, know there's a tomorrow, walk
tall...don't pay attention to the garbage...it's complete ignorance.
Internet Question From MsMittens: Oh... before I forget... someone from the
internet who couldn't access this site asked me to ask you how you are doing and why
you are doing the simulchat tonight?

Michael Jackson: I'm fine, doing all right. [laughs] I'm doing this simulchat because
I love my fans, and I want to talk with you! I think this is incredible technology, just
amazing, and I think we're pioneering here! Can I say hello to a couple of my friends?
Hello, Lisa Marie...Hello, Paul McCartney...Hello, Mrs. Disney... Hello to my friends
in Gary, Indiana...I can't think of a good joke to say... I want to say I love all of you,
all of my fans around the world I love you dearly and don't listen to all the garbage
that you hear.
AOL Question from VanishR29: How do you feel about technology like the internet
and it's effect on society?
Michael Jackson: I think it is wonderful. It is a wonderful way to correspond it's
growing and this is the tip of the iceberg. In the next year we will see some amazing
growths in technology and I hope that I'm around to see it. I pray that we continue to
serve the world in a positive way not a negative way and not hurt anyone because it is
wonderful.
Internet Question From MJJ: How involved are you with the other groups on the
MJJ label?
Michael Jackson: I'm very much involved, not to the point of always being there, but
listening to tapes, collaborating on the telephone, picking artists recommending ideas.
The new 3T album which I just heard I think is going to be a big success. I do believe
that.

I want to say hi to Bill Bellamy in LA - he's a great guy.
Thank you! Good night everybody. Talk to you soon. Bye!

Michael Jackson Interview On Fox News 5-2-2005

2012-01-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

At Large With Geraldo Rivera Interview (5-2-2005)
On Fox News, Geraldo Rivera conducted an intimate and revealing interview with
Michael Jackson. Here we see a glimpse of the real man, the father, the warrior and
the tender heart behind the media's often very inaccurate portrayal.
Read the full interview here...
>>>>>>>>>AT LARGE WITH GERALDO RIVERA
Geraldo Rivera: How you doing, man?
Michael Jackson: How you doing?
GR: Good to see you.
GR: You get to smile anymore?
MJ: Of course, I smile a lot.
GR: You smile when you’re in a recording studio like this one, doing music?…
MJ: Of course, I love music.
GR: Is it nice to get back to the music? …
MJ: It’s fantastic. Because ahhh… It’s my life. That’s what I do.
GR: You’ve been so distracted, you know, you want to talk about how you’re feeling?
MJ: I’m doing fine Geraldo, how are you?
GR: Despite whatever else goes on in the world, you’re doing ok?
MJ: I’m doing very well, thank you.

GR: You know, it was wonderful, seeing you with the children. That I think, is the
real Michael Jackson that has not been seen… you with your own children, one in
diapers the other two toddlers… I don’t know how you manage without a nanny.
MJ: Well, I enjoy taking care of my children myself it’s... it’s fun that’s why I had
them so I could take care of them and it’s just great relief for me you know it’s a
pleasure it keeps me happy and laughing and you know, they’re wonderful sweet
innocent children.
GR: I saw you as kind of the arbitrator between the Nickelodeon and the Disney
channel there. You got some really difficult problems to solve there. But you have
such a- a kind of a normal life there. It’s sweet to see.
MJ: Thank you. They bring me that.

GR: Tell me, tell me what the children mean to you, your own children.
MJ: They mean, it’s hard to put it into words because they mean everything. The way
you would explain how your children make you feel... They’re the world for me, I
wake up and I’m ready for the day because of them. I get them breakfast, I change
diapers, if they want to read, we do a lot of reading, we play hide and seek, we play
blind fold and have a wonderful time with it.
GR: And you can create a world that at least begins to seem normal? They don’t know
any other world obviously.

MJ: I do my best for sure.
GR: So, that is obviously a priority to you
MJ: Yes of course. I want to be the best father in the world of course.
GR: Do they know who you are? Or what you mean to people?
MJ: Yes, they do. They’ve been on tours with me and in limousines among a sea of
fans.
GR: Do they like it?
MJ: They find it exciting. They want to get on stage. They bug me to go on stage with
me. So, pretty sure I ‘m going to take them on with me and let the world see them for
the first time.
GR: They don’t say, ‘Daddy I want to go home and watch Nickelodeon?’
MJ: (Laughs) Probably, probably.
GR: They do that too.
MJ: Yes.

GR: So how do you feel being here again, being in a recording studio again, focussing
on the music again? Is it a relief, in a sense?
MJ: It’s a great relief. It makes me feel like I’m totally at home. I’m into my own.
Which is what I’m here for. Any of the arts… like that could be film, you know,
music, any type of art, I love it.
GR: So, when you’re being the quote on quote, King of Pop, that’s when you’re the
most comfortable? Or is it the creative process?
MJ: The creative process, yes. I’m obsessed with creating…
GR: I saw you and Randy, the way you guys react - it’s very reminiscent of the way
my brothers and I are together. Who’s top dog?

MJ: Randy.
GR: That’s not what I saw
GR: But, uh, you trust your family.
MJ: Of course, you have to.
GR: Is it a ‘blood thicker than water’ thing? What is it?
MJ: Family is everything. It’s love. It’s what we were taught. We’re friends at the end
of the day, which is important. Other than what the public or press people say, we’re
friends. We love each other very much.
GR: So, is the family closely knit, despite all the tabloid stuff?

MJ: That’s sensationalism.
GR: How do you deal with that?
MJ: How do I deal with sensationalism?
GR: Yeah. How do you deal with everything in your life being magnified,
exaggerated, almost to a grotesque level.
MJ: It’s like looking at a fictitious movie. Because its fiction. It’s like watching
science fiction. It’s not true. And I know myself and it’s sad when people have to read
those things and they believe it.

GR: Do you feel like holding a press conference every week and saying, this is the
rumor du jour, it’s not true
MJ: I know eventually, the truth will prevail and I’m about truth.
GR: I’ve researched it and I can’t find anyone who has been more frivolously sued
than you for the most outrageous reasons. One of your attorneys told me that a woman
called Billie Jean Jackson called and said, ‘Stop accepting any paychecks, Mr.
Attorney, I’m the wife - Billie Jean…’ obviously from your hit song, I mean, how do
you… First of all, how does it affect you?
MJ: Does it affect me? Yes, but I’ve become immune in a way too, I have rhinoceros
skin but at the same time I’m human. So, anything can hurt like that, but I’m very
strong. And, I just don’t like people hearing about such false information.
GR: For instance, did you father quadruplets last year?
MJ: That was a crazy rumor.

GR: Then they became twins. I don’t know what happened to the other two, maybe
they were abducted by aliens.
MJ: I heard about that story and I don’t have any twins. They said I’m hiding them or
something? Another made up rumor.
GR: So it’s completely false.
MJ: The bigger the star, the bigger the target. I’m not trying to say I’m the superduper
star, I’m not saying that. I’m saying the fact that people come at celebrities,
we’re targets. But truth always prevails. I believe in that. I believe in God, you know?
GR: Does that faith sustain you?
MJ: Of course, it does.

GR: How about friendship?
MJ: What about friendship?
GR: Do you rely on friends? Have people stayed with you through thick and thin?
Who are your best friends?
MJ: My children, my family, my brothers and my sisters and yeah, most people have.
Most people have.
GR: Do you want to mention the names of the true blue?
MJ: The faithful, you wouldn’t know them so, it’s uh…
GR: Elizabeth Taylor?
MJ: Oh, she’s very loyal, I see Elizabeth Taylor all the time. She’s my dear friend, I
was just at her house. We have wonderful talks on the phone at night, several times a
week sometimes…

GR: So how long have you two been friends?
MJ: I’ve known Elizabeth closely since I was 16…
GR: And you’ve been making music since you’re five
MJ: Yes
GR: So you’re in your fifth decade of making music. That’s forty-one years of
making music.
MJ: Yes.
GR: You ever get sick of it?
MJ: No, no, not at all I never get enough of it (music).
GR: Really.
GR: Do you ever get sick of Randy?
(Laughing)
GR: He’s here, ladies and gentlemen.
MJ: Never, never, never He’s (Randy) wonderful. He’s been amazing, supportive, and
amazingly brilliant.

GR: So, they’re all different. Your whole family is crazy, exocentric… like my
family.
MJ: Every brother, sister is completely different, like any family, you have all the
different elements… that’s what makes it a family.
GR: When you have such intense scrutiny, how do you live any kind of a normal life?
How do you have any kind of fun outside of your own property?
MJ: I don’t. I go off property sometimes, but not all the time. I create my world
behind the gates you know because I can’t go to the local movie theater down the
street or the local park down the street or go pickup ice cream at the market, at the
corner store. So, you want to create that world behind the gates and that’s what I try
and do. And it’s not just for me if I could share with my family, friends, or whoever I
do.
GR: And that necessity for some privacy, drives all these crazy rumors and
speculations. A difficult balancing act that you have to endure.
GR: But you’re not complaining are you? I don’t. I try to rub it off. I don’t know what
I’m the king of… the king of getting shot at maybe. Ha ha ha ha.
MJ: “The king of journalism.”

GR: So, what is it about children in distress? You mentioned the Tsunami relief effort.
What is it? Is it your own fatherhood that motivates that?
MJ: Caring. And reading the Bible, learning about God, Jesus, Love. He said, ‘bring
on the children’, ‘imitate the children’, ‘be like the children’ and ‘take care of others.’
Take care of old people. And we were raised with those values. Those are very
important values and my family and I we were raised with those values and they
continue strong in us today.
GR: What about movies for yourself again? You had The Wiz and some of the others
but we haven’t seen you on the big screen in a while.
MJ: I’ll be directing myself. I love directing. I love creativity and I think when an
artist steps forward with a production of some type, if he can express himself the way
he sees it should be done. I feel it and I see it. I’m a visionary. If I can give that, I do
and that’s what I love to do with music and dance and the arts.

GR: And do you think art has a role in real life? Specifically referring to this record
and Tsunami relief?
MJ: I saw it the day after Christmas and as the numbers kept escalating, it just became
phenomenal and not even I could believe that it was true. I was amazed. I said, I
thought I should do something. That’s what God gave us talent for. To give and to
help people and to give back. So, my brothers and I decided to put a song together…
GR: What did you pick up the phone and say, “hey bros?” What did you say?
MJ: We just say, hey, we want to do something in the studio for the Tsunami victims.
Let’s get together and organize it. And they just said great.

GR: However, you’re back, I think that people will appreciate the fact that you’re
back. Wouldn’t you kind of exalt in a world where you could concentrate on your art
and your kids?
MJ: I would love it. I mean that’s what drives me. The medium. The art. That’s the
world I’m most comfortable in.”
GR: In Gary, Indiana, did you ever expect where your world would be as a 46 year
old man?
MJ: I never thought about it. I knew I wanted to do something wonderful all of my
life and to help people and I never clearly really thought about it when I was really
little. I just sang and danced and didn’t understand whey people were applauding and
clapping and screaming. You really don’t. You don’t know why…
GR: When you grow up like that on stage, when do you get it? When do you
understand where you fit in to society?
MJ: It takes longer when you get older. You get a more rounded personality and your
brain starts to grow. You start reasoning and understanding more things, researching.
GR: Isn’t it nice to have a conversation on television where people can just hear you
being ordinary, normal, reasonable.
MJ: I’m like this all the time. I’m just being myself.

GR: At a certain point, Michael Jackson and the brothers Jackson kind of separated
artistically, is this a moment in your life where you’re coming back together?
Obviously you’ll continue your solo career, but what’s the big plan, what’s the big
picture at this stage in your life? What has been left unachieved? What would you like
to do?
MJ: There are a lot of surprises. Film. I love film. It’s innovating, taking the medium
to a new place. I used the music video medium as a short film medium to take me to
the next level. I’m having a lot of fun.
GR: Do you ever look back and contemplate, oh my goodness, Thriller is the biggest
selling musical performance ever, do you ever get your arms around that?
MJ: I try not to think about it too hard because I don’t want my subconscious mind to
think I’ve done it all, you’re done now. That’s why I don’t put awards or trophies in
my house. You won’t find a gold record anywhere in my house. Because it makes you
feel you’ve accomplished. Look what I’ve done. But I always want to feel, no I
haven’t done it yet.

GR: ‘The King of Pop’ and now I look at some of these performers- there’s a new one
- there’s 50 cent and another one- I forget his name, but they’re well-known because
they survived violent attacks where they almost died and they’re into hip hop kind of -
it’s a different era in popular music- do you think you’ll be more like them- more
urban kind of- or will the world come back to more pop and traditional rock?
MJ: Great music & great melodies are immortal. Culture changes, fashion change,
customs, great music is immortal. We still listen to Mozart today, Tchaikovsky,
Rachmaninov, any of them, any of the greats. Great music is like a great piece of
sculpture, a great painting. It’s forever. That’s a fact.

GR: On the other hand, I interviewed Barbara Streisand at one pivotal point in her
career, she was going to do duets with the BeeGees and other popular artists- she kind
of changed the tempo to surprise people.
MJ: I’ve done a lot of it already… I don’t really rap, but I could… I’ve written songs
with rap versus in them for very famous rappers, but they’re much better at it than I
am.
GR: Don’t you appreciate, despite your isolated life and despite the fact you’ve been a
star so long, you still have what appears to be a very passionate and profound
relationship with the community. Does that support you? Does that sustain you? Do
you agree with me?
MJ: Yes, I do agree, because it’s important to love your neighbors…

GR: But were does it come from… where does that almost instinctive love of you
come from?
MJ: I truly think it comes from my mother and God (instinctive love) The way we
were raised. The values my father instilled in us in youth. She was always with the
Bible teaching us - we’d go to service all the time. Four times a week and I’m so glad
we did that because those are values that are very important. I don’t know if I could
have done as well without them.
GR: Do you still spend time with mom and dad? They’re not far from here right now?
And what is that relationship all about? I’m so close to my mom, obviously.
MJ: It’s wonderful. At this stage, you tend to appreciate more who your parents are
more and what they’ve done for you. You start to retrack where you are in your life
and all the wonderful things they’ve instilled in you. You start to see them come forth.
I’m starting to see a lot of things. Traits that my father influenced me on and my
mother.

GR: My friend Cheech, who you know, whose partner Tommy Chong helped
discover you guys, ‘Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers’, he says that as he gets older,
he looks at his father’s face in the mirror. Do you feel that? Are you becoming like
your dad?
MJ: I’m very much like my father in a lot of ways. He’s very strong. He’s a warrior.
He’s always taught us to be courageous and to be confident and to believe in our
ideals. And no matter what, no star is too far to reach and you never give up. And our
mother taught us that as well.

GR: So you’re a warrior also?
MJ: Absolutely.
GR: That’s the way you see yourself?
GR: Tell us more about the way you see yourself?
MJ: I try to be kind and generous and to give to people and to do what I think God
wants me to do. Sometimes I pray and say “where do you want me to go next, God?
What do you want me to do from here?” I’ve always been very spiritual in that way.
It’s nothing new.
GR: Did you ever see the movie “Finding Neverland” or read about J. M. Barrie, the
man who wrote “Peter Pan.”
MJ: I know a lot about Mr. Barrie and I’ve been a fan for many, many, many years.

GR: You know, he had a rocky road, similar to you, I don’t want to get too far into it.
Tell us what led to the creation of Neverland. I mean, specifically the place – There
are 2 Neverlands, there’s 3. There’s Peter Pan’s Neverland, there’s the Neverland in
Michael Jackson’s mind and then there’s the physical place you created up there
where I visited you when you brought up all the inner-city children. Why did you
create that place?
MJ: I created Neverland as a home for myself and my children and it was created
simply, it was almost like it was done subconsciously, like I said earlier, where can I
go? I mean, it’s hard. I’ve tried to go out as myself and I’ve had policemen tell me,
“put on a disguise! And give me an autograph for my wife!” They tell me, “why are
you out here with no security?” I can’t do it. I do it sometimes, but it’s very difficult.
GR: But you owned Neverland before you had the kids, was it for you? The exotic
animals, were they for Michael Jackson?

MJ: For me and sharing with others. It gave me a chance to do what I couldn’t do
when I was little. We couldn’t go to movie theaters. We couldn’t go to Disneyland.
We couldn’t do all those fun things. We were on tour. We were working hard. And
we did enjoy it. But this allowed me to have a place behind the gates where the entire
world I love is there.
GR: You create, like Barrie, this imaginative world, do you ever outgrow something
like that Michael? Do you ever think this is silly to have the llamas and the choo-choo
trains and the rides?
MJ: It’s calling God silly if you do that, because God made all things great and small.
Other men have their Ferraris and their airplanes or helicopters or wherever they find
their bliss. My bliss is in giving and sharing and having simple innocent fun.
GR: Your homes. For all the grandeur of Neverland. Your home is quite modest. And
your personal style. I don’t see any bling for instance. How come you don’t have the
big diamond thing that says Michael?

MJ: I’m modest in that way. If I had it on, I would probably give it away to the first
kid to say, ‘wow, I like your necklace.’ When I was growing up, stars like Sammy
Davis, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly… if I admired something they were wearing, If I
simply said, ‘I love that shirt you’re wearing,’ they would give it to me. It’s a show
business trait. Hand it over.
GR: Despite the glare of the media attention and even the day that I was there and you
invited the inner-city kids there, what’s it like to have the kids there? Why do you do
that? I wanted to ask you that question that day but I pose it to you know.

MJ: I’ve traveled the world over 8 times. I do as many hospitals and orphanages as I
do concerts. But, of course, it’s not covered (by the press). That’s not why I do it, for
coverage. I do it because it’s from my heart. And there are so many children in the
city who haven’t seen the mountains, who haven’t been on a carousel, who haven’t
pet a horse or a llama, never seen them, so if I can open my gates and see that bliss, an
explosion of screaming laughter from the children and they run on the rides, I say
“Thank you, God.” I feel I’ve won God’s smile of approval, because I’m doing
something that brings joy and happiness to other people.

GR: So, you’re close to your siblings? How does it affect you when they get involved
- like Janet’s superbowl flap? Just tell me how you responded as a brother and a
viewer?
MJ: Oh, I can’t speak for my sister. With love. Actually, I was looking right at it and I
didn’t see it. I was at a friend of mine’s house, Ron Burkle and in a movie theater, it
was huge on the screen and I didn’t even see it. I heard all this controversy the next
day and I said, “That’s not true.” I didn’t even see it.

GR: Do you think the controversy was overblown? Do you think it’s a Jackson related
phenomena or is it a testament to our times socially in this country?
MJ: That’s an interesting hypothesis too. It’s both. It’s hard to answer. I’d rather not
answer that one.
GR: Did you call her and say ‘don’t sweat the small stuff?’
MJ: Something like that. ‘Be strong. This too shall pass.’ ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I’ve
seen worse things. I said, “Janet, you’re too young to remember but, I once watched
the Oscars with David Niven on it and a naked man came running out, streaking.
Now, he didn’t get there on his own. That was organized and nobody - they didn’t say
much about that.” I’ll just say that much. That was live, around the world. The next
day it was a joke.

GR: I think there is a Jackson component. I think the thing was exaggerated. I think
the Jackson thing was part of the reason.
MJ: Thank you.
GR: So as you go forward in this record, what are we going to expect? Are we going
to hear this on the radio and then people are going to send in their money and it’s
going to go to these kids in the Indian Ocean region?
MJ: I would like that very much.
GR: Now tell me, how that act of largesse, that compassion, will make you feel?
Sometimes, I think, I feel better giving than receiving in my life, explain the
mechanics of that in your own life.
MJ: It’s just the idea. I don’t know if its the psychology of it or what. I just love
working hard on something. Putting it together. Sweating over it and then sharing it
with people and then having them love it and I always pray that they like it. That’s
what gives me great satisfaction as an artist.

GR: Does it frustrate you professionally or personally when people say that this
Jackson project flopped or that happened. Your ‘Number Ones’ compilation for
instance, 7 and a half million copies sold. Now I think that’s quadruple platinum or
whatever it is you label it. And yet the characterization by some in the music business
at least is that you’re not- you know, that it wasn’t a hit.
MJ: I don’t know which project you’re talking about… because of negative news.
Sensationalism seems to sell more than wonderful, positive news. People would rather
hear gossip. My last 8 albums have all entered the charts at number 1, so people like
to sensationalize things and make up stories and rumors and sometimes…
GR: Does it hurt your feelings? Do you want to scream out and say, “Hey wait a
minute, check the numbers!”

MJ: It’s a commonality in mankind that I don’t like. That part of it, but then there’s a
beautiful side to mankind too, isn’t there?
GR: But not to Eminem. We’ve spoken about it. I think that you should. Why not?
MJ: And what’s your question?
GR: Stevie Wonder said that he was piling on and how really rude it was for someone
who made his money from the community to ‘diss the community in a sense in a
racist and, I’ve said it, very bold faced, bigoted presentation. Tell us how that hurt you
and how you’re feeling about it now.
MJ: I’ve never met Mr. Eminem, and I’ve always admired him and to have him do
something like that was pretty painful as an artist to another artist and it’s sad because
I think what Stevie Wonder said is true, I just don’t want to say too much more than
that. He (Eminem) should be ashamed of himself what he’s doing. Stevie said he’s
bulls***. He used the word. That’s what he said. I’m not saying it, Stevie said it.
Stevie’s amazing. He’s one of the sweetest men in the world.

GR: Stevie did and he is bulls***. So, when Stevie said that, did you feel a
tremendous sense of reassurance, of brotherly love, there?
MJ: I love Stevie Wonder. To me, he’s a musical prophet. I’ll always love him. A lot
of people respect Stevie and he’s a very strong entity in this medium, in this business
and when he speaks, people listen and it was wrong of Eminem to do what he did.
I’ve been an artist most of my life and I’ve never attacked a fellow artist. great artists
don’t do that. You don’t have to do that.
GR: I mentioned Janet’s fiasco and the exaggerated response to it. Once again do you
think he only did it because he knew he could get away with it because you’re
Michael Jackson?
MJ: Yeah, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s silly. It’s kind of elementary. I hope he’s having
fun…

GR: Like a poo-poo joke. It still hurts your feelings and you don’t want your kids to
see it.
MJ: Oh god, I would hate it if they saw it. I would hate that”
GR: Finally, we’ve studiously avoided the case and not talked at all about the case
that’s pending. You’re under this gag order. I know that you have received permission
from the judge to read a statement. I hate to end an interview that way, but if you’d
like to read that statement now, I think it’s important.

MJ: IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, A LARGE AMOUNT OF UGLY, MALICIOUS
INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED INTO THE MEDIA ABOUT ME.
APPARENTLY, THIS INFORMATION WAS LEAKED THROUGH
TRANSCRIPTS IN A GRAND JURY PROCEEDING WHERE NEITHER MY
LAWYERS NOR I EVER APPEARED. THE INFORMATION IS DISGUSTING
AND FALSE.
YEARS AGO, I ALLOWED A FAMILY TO VISIT AND SPEND TIME AT
NEVERLAND. NEVERLAND IS MY HOME. I ALLOWED THIS FAMILY INTO
MY HOME BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME THEIR SON WAS ILL WITH CANCER
AND NEEDED MY HELP.
THROUGH THE YEARS, I HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WHO
WERE ILL OR IN DISTRESS.
THESE EVENTS HAVE CAUSED A NIGHTMARE FOR MY FAMILY, MY
CHILDREN AND ME. I NEVER INTEND TO PLACE MYSELF IN SO
VULNERABLE A POSITION AGAIN.
I LOVE MY COMMUNITY AND I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN OUR JUSTICE
SYSTEM. PLEASE KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND LET ME HAVE MY DAY IN
COURT. I DESERVE A FAIR TRIAL LIKE EVERY OTHER AMERICAN
CITIZEN. I WILL BE ACQUITTED AND VINDICATED WHEN THE TRUTH IS
TOLD.
GR: Michael is there anything else you would like to say?
MJ: Yes. I would just like for the public to keep my family and myself in their
prayers. That would be very nice. Thank you, Geraldo

Michael Jackson interviewed by Children 1996

2012-01-22T09:45:00.000-08:00

1996

MJ being interviewed by children
A transcript of a videotaped interview of Michael answering questions from a group of children, ages 7 to 12 years old. The interview took place in the middle-east Tunisia, in 1996. Most questions were posed to him in Arabic, so the transcript shows the subject of the questions, rather than an actual quote. Michael's answers are English, with Arabic subtitles shown on screen, and his answers are transcribed here word-for-word.
For the majority of the interview, Michael is the only person shown on camera, answering questions. There is also a part where he stands in front of the group of children, some of them ask him questions in English.
During the interview, Michael sits on a white couch, dressed in a black and red baseball jacket, black hat, hardly any make up, no sunglasses, no mask. Michael appears very relaxed and 'talks' with his hands, his gestures underlining what he is expressing. His face is also very expressive.

Question: about musical influences
Michael: I have been influenced by, uh, pretty much by cultural music from all over the world. I have studied personally all kinds of music, you know, from Africa to India, to Chinese, Japanese, music is music and it is all beautiful. So, I am influenced by all of those different cultures.

Question: about racism
Michael: It is cruelty, it´s ugly and I hate it. You are my brother (points out to the children). They are my brothers. If you are black, white, Arab.... we are all the same. I love all races equally.

[Michael now stands in front of the group. Has taken off his coat and hat. Dressed in black shirt and jeans. His hairdo looks like the hair in the They Don't Care About Us video shot in Brazil.]
Question: A girl about 11 or 12 years old asks a question but only the word "Arabs" is audible.
Michael: Is it true that I WHAT?
Question [girl]: That you do not like Arabs?
Michael: No that´s not true at all. I love Arabs, I love ALL people of the world. That´s a good example now of people make up stories that are not true.

[A little boy in the group, about 7 years old , introduces himself by his name and says that he is from Egypt. ]
Question [boy]: Would you ever do a concert in Egypt?
Michael: I love to do a concert in Egypt. I would love the next tour to go to all of your cities. I have only been there at the airport, but it looks like they are wonderful people. (Michael gives a big smile and points his arm to the group of kids) All of you are wonderful people. I am happy to be here.

Michael sits on the sofa again, hat and baseball jacket back on.
Question: about family wishes.
Michael: I am a very family oriented person and I come from a family of ten children (see note at end of transcript), so I am very used to a family, you know.... surrounding, to come around you as a unity. So I don´t think I can live without that bond. So I would love to have a major...... (Huge smile from ear to ear) a huge family. I´d say a total of twelve.... (bigger smile) .. My aunt had 13 children, I have an uncle who had 12 children, and my father had 10 children, and so eh.. I looove big...... everywhere...

Question: about his audiences.
Michael: I can... You can feel the audience. It is love we are talking about. Ooh, you can definitely feel them, that... You hear them, they are swaying and screaming and fainting, the reactions are always lovely....

Question: About creating music (possibly asked about collaborating with others) .
Michael: A thought, it is an embryo of a thought, of an idea. It is a brief concept. And then you collaborate with someone. Could be a writer. I say, I want to do this, I want to do that, and I want to do this. You tell him to develop it, because you..... I cannot do it right now, because I got to go on to the next song, the next thing. So they´ll come up with something, working with their ideas and they´ll come with them back to me ... you go [to see] whether you like it or not. I mean I have done that with pretty much everything that I have done. I am usually there for the concept for the writing. I co-write usually all my pieces that I do.

Question: it is not clear what the question was.
Michael: The Garden of Eden was probably in Africa, I am pretty sure. And the people could not have been nicer. (he refers to his visit to South Africa in July 1996 where he attended Mandela´s birthday). And I loved it. I loooooved it. And the music, ooooh, and the rhythm [he looks like he is in awe]. Seeing petty little kids with the perfect rhythm and .. the way they moved their little bodies. [Michael imitates their dance movements with his arms and shoulders]. I was just....Oooh I was amazed. It was GREAT! They gave me everything. They showered me with gifts. You know, clothing, food. And in the hotel... I was in this hotel, right? Big, big, hotel. It had a bowling alley, it had a big game room, big swimming pool. But when I would look out of my window, as far as I could see, there would be people. They even would sleep out there, waiting for me. They would sleep out there!!! All day long they would stand there. At night they would be out there waiting for me. It was just..... They could not have been sweeter. And I loved it. And I am thinking about buying a house there in Africa.

Question: About Heal the World.
Michael: With Heal the World we have helped millions, hm, and as we speak we are looking at a hospital in New Jersey. That would be the first Michael Jackson hospital and we would like to make these, throughout the world. That is our goal and our mission. And I hate the word orphanage, but pretty much a housing for a unity of people that are in need, you know.. This is pretty much where my heart is and I would love to continue doing it. [this was obviously a topic Michael is very passionate about, you could see it in his body language].

Michael Jackson - Brett Ratner Interview 2004

2012-01-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 01 February 2004

Interview by Brett Ratner February 2004. Volume. 34, Issue. 1; page. 92
Headnote: DECADES BEFORE ALL OF THE CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES,
HE WAS A PINT-SIZE SINGER WITH A BIG DREAM
"Forget your personal tragedy. We are all b*****ed from the start and you especially
have to be hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned
hurt, use it-don't cheat with it. Be as faithful to it as a scientist-but don't think
anything is of any importance because it happens to you or anyone belonging to you."
Those words of advice, quoted in Robert Evans's The Kid Stays in the Picture, were
given to F. Scott Fitzgerald by Hemingway, some 70 years ago. They are as relevant
today as ever.

Speaking of life's desires, hurts, and euphoria! It ain't easy being a genius: You do pay
the price, not unlike Mozart, who will be remembered far longer than Napoleon.
Michael Jackson understands this irony. No one I have ever met in my life has had
such passion and love for entertainment. His work, brilliance, and vision will be
remembered far longer than any of those who now think of him harshly.
Michael and I have shared many a day, week, and month together. Our relationship is
based on our love of films. We have watched many films together, and our personal
favorite that we enjoy most is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! A few months
before the latest drama, he and I were on a little vacation. In the past he has often put
a video camera to my face and asked me questions. This is what Michael does with
his friends: He becomes a scientist and dissects them through questions in order to
learn. Many times he has asked me how my childhood dreams became a reality, about
why I wanted to become a director. So I decided it was time to hear from him about
his childhood dreams.
After my interview, I went out and bought all the records he mentioned and listened to
them, understanding a little more about Michael. What you are about to read is a very
private and personal conversation between two friends.

BRETT RATNER: Do you have a. mentor or someone who inspired you?
MICHAEL JACKSON: Yeah, I do: Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Thomas Edison, Walt
Disney, James Brown, Jackie Wilson.
BR: And what did you learn from them?
MJ: I learned a lot from them-about how to be a visionary, how to be creative, how to
be persistent, how to be determined, how to have a will of iron and to never give up
no matter what. You know?
BR: What was your first job in the music industry, and how did you get it?
MJ: First job, probably . . . Gee, I don't remember back that far. I was around 6 years
old. Maybe it was Mr. Lucky's. I think it was a club-yeah, Mr. Lucky's. We performed
there.

BR: And how'd you get the job?
MJ: I don't know; my father would know. I was too little.
BR: What was your first break and the first great thing that ever happened to you?
MJ: The real big break was when Motown signed us. We auditioned in Detroit, and
Berry Gordy invited all our favorite stars that we saw as kids to this little town in
Indiana: Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, and Stevie
Wonder-everybody was there. And it was next to this indoor pool at this huge
mansion, marble everywhere. We performed, and they just went crazy. They loved it.
And [Gordy] says, "Boys, you're signed."
BR: Really?
MJ: Yeah.
BR: And you remember that day?
MJ: Oh, I remember it.
BR: What elements of your job make you want to go to work every day?
MJ: I want to work every day- just the idea of creating worlds. It's like taking a
canvas, an empty canvas, you know, a clean slate. They give you paint, and we just
color and paint and create worlds. I just love that idea. And having people see it and
be aweinspired whenever they see it.

BR: What qualities of yours helped you get where you are today?
MJ: Faith and determination. And practice.
BR: Right. Practice makes perfect. What would you have done differently in your
career if you knew then what you know now?
MJ: What would I have done differently? Let me see . . . Practice more.
BR: Practice more?
MJ: I practiced a lot.
BR: You practiced a hell of a lot! [Jackson laughs] But you would have practiced
more? [Jackson nods] What's your greatest lesson learned?
MJ: Not to trust everybody. Not to trust everybody in the industry. There're a lot of
sharks. And record companies steal. They cheat. You have to audit them. And it's
time for artists to take a stand against them, because they totally take advantage of
[artists]. Totally. They forget that it's the artists who make the company, not the
company who makes the artists. Without the talent, the company would be nothing
but just hardware. And it takes a real good talent that the public wants to see.

BR: What are some of your favorite albums?
MJ: My favorite albums would be Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, Claude Debussy's
greatest hits, which is, you know, "Claire de Lune" and "Arabesque" and The
Afternoon of a Faun. I love Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, James Brown's Live at
the Apollo, The Sound of Music [soundtrack]. I love Rodgers and Hammerstein. I
love the great show-tune writers very much, and I love Holland-Dozier-Holland from
Motown-they were geniuses. So many great writers. So many great ones.
BR: Any other great albums, like contemporary albums?
MJ: Great albums . . . It's hard because albums today have one or two great songs and
the rest stink.
BR: Or older style-it could be like Marvin Gaye or Sly.
MJ: Sly & the Family Stone-I like everything they do. Stevie Wonder is a genius.
BR: Which album?
MJ: Every one. Talking Book. I love when he did "Living for the City." I forget the
name of it [the album]. Fantastic. I think that was Innervisions-fantastic. Hearing this
music made me say to myself, "I can do this, and I think I can do this on an
international level."
BR: Really?
MJ: Really, and then when the Bee Gees came out in the '70s, that did it for me. I
cried. I cried listening to their music. I knew every note, every instrument.

BR: [sings] "This broken heart . . ."
MJ: [sings] "How can you mend . . ."
BR: [sings] "This broken heart . . ."
MJ: And [sings] "How can you stop the rain from falling down?" I love that, [sings
with Ratner] "How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the world go
'round." I love that stuff. And when they did Saturday Night Fever, that did it for me.
I said, "I gotta do this. I know I can do this." And we hit with Thriller. And I just
started writing songs. I wrote "Billie Jean." I wrote "Beat It," "Startin' Somethin'."
Just writing, writing. It was fun.

BR: Any posters up in your room when you were a kid?
MJ: Yeah. Brooke Shields, everywhere. My sisters would get jealous and tear them
off the wall.
BR: What are the great shows that you've seen, concerts?
MJ: James Brown. Jackie Wilson. The real entertainers, the real ones, make you get
goose bumps.
BR: It was James Brown? Where'd you see him?
MJ: We used to have to go onstage after him because he would come on and then we
would come on amateur hour. So I'd be in the wings studying every step, every move
BR: -On TV?
MJ: No, at the Apollo [Theater],

BR: Amateur Hour at the Apollo. And you saw him perform?
MJ: Yeah, and Jackie Wilson. All of them-the Delphonics, the Temptations.
BR: But do you remember one show? You saw the Temptations, too?
MJ: Yeah.
BR: But was there a show when you said like, "Oh, my God"?
MJ: James Brown, Jackie Wilson.
BR: At the Apollo?
MJ: Yeah, they made me cry. I've never seen nothing like that. That kind of emotion,
that kind of fever, feeling-it was like another higher, spiritual plane they were on.
They were, like, in a trance, and they had the audience in the palms of their hands. I
just loved how they could control them like that, that kind of power. When they'd sing
they'd have tears running down their faces. They'd get so into it.

BR: What are some of your favorite songs?
MJ: Favorite songs of all time? I love Burt Bacharach very much. Any Motown. The
Beatles, like "Eleanor Rigby," "Yesterday." Any of the Supremes'. All that stuff is
great. I think the '60s had some of the best melodies of all time between Peter, Paul,
and Mary, and you know, all those people. The Mamas and the Papas were wonderful.
And the Drifters go a little further back, but I love that song "On Broadway"-it's
genius. The simple ones are the best, I think. I love "Alfie"-so beautiful. There are so
many. Like movies, there are so many great movies.

BR: So list a few things that could be helpful to someone breaking into the music
business.
MJ: Believe in yourself. Study the greats and become greater. And be a scientist.
Dissect. Dissect.
BR: You said something else before: Don't give up.
MJ: No matter what. I don't care if the whole world is against you or teasing you or
saying you're not gonna make it. Believe in yourself. No matter what. Some of the
greatest men who have made their mark on this world were treated like that-you
know, "You're not gonna do it, you're not gonna get anywhere." They laughed at the
Wright brothers. They laughed at Thomas Edison. They laughed at Walt Disney. They
made jokes about Henry Ford. They said he was ignorant. Disney dropped out of
school. That's how far they went. These men shaped and changed our culture, our
customs, the way we live, the way we do things. And I think God plants those seeds
through people on the earth. And I think you're one, I'm one to bring some bliss and
escapism, some joy, some magic. Because without entertainment, what would the
world be like? You know? What would it really be like? It would be a totally different
world for me. I love entertainment. And my favorite of all is film. The power and
magic of movies. It's the greatest, it's the most expressive of all the art forms. I think it
touches the soul. Music and movies are the most expressive. It's almost like religion:
You get so involved, so caught up. You go in the theater a different person than you
come out. It affects you that way. That's powerful. I think that's strong. I love that.

BR: When you can make an audience feel.
MJ: Yeah, yeah.
BR: They relate to it.
MJ: Yeah, they live it. They're a part of it. They forget they're sitting in a seat.
BR: The experience of watching a movie affects their life.
MJ: Their whole life. It could change your life.
BR: Yes, I remember seeing Star Wars in the theater when I was 7 years old. It's a
different experience for Paris or Prince [Jackson's children] seeing it today on DVD,
27 years later. I saw it when it first came out, with all the shock and awe of the time.
No one had ever seen anything like it. There were lines for blocks, and I didn't even
get in the first time. I had to go back the next day to try again. The memory of being
so desperate, at 7 years old, to see that movie makes it an even more unforgettable
experience. The first time you see something like that, it permanently affects your life.
It's like listening to a song or seeing an artist perform for the first time. Getting to see
James Brown, and that moment of tears coming out of your eyes, is different than
listening to it on the radio 20 years later.
MJ: I can't tell you how incredible it was. I just love the great entertainers, the great
performers, the great showmen, the great storytellers. just watching them, you're just
mesmerized. You're caught up in it. I love it. One spotlight, baby.

BR: Frank Sinatra.
MJ: Yeah. Those guys are cool. And Sammy Davis. I just love it, the whole thing. It's
magic, it's real magic.
Sidebar: “I’m one to bring some bliss and escapism, some joy, some magic…Without
entertainment, what would the world be like?”
Author Affiiliation: Brett Ratner is a director living in Los Angeles. His first photo
book, Hilhaven Lodge.

Michael Jackson Interview With VH1 & Fans

2012-01-11T17:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/1615349/20090706/index.jhtml
Interview with Fans November 10th, 1996 Thailand

VH1 Interview, word for word...

MJ: "In truth, I really don't like being interviewed; I feel it's such an intrusion.....
Every interview I've ever done I've been forced into it. And you guys (the fans) have
been so nice to me and that's the only reason I agreed to do this."
Question: "What are some of the things that make you angry?"
MJ: "I believe in perfection, and I try to create that in everything we do. We never
seem to totally get there, but I believe in perfect execution. And when we don't get at
least 99.9%, I get really upset, so, that gets me upset."

Question: "Are you going to be doing any more videos off your HIStory album?"
MJ: "There's a lot more releases from HIStory. We have the Ghosts [short film]
coming up, which is a big one, and Stranger in Moscow, and it's just gonna go on and
on. I mean, we're at 28 million albums right now, other than what the press continue
to lie about--the tabloid press--they're terrible. Don't read the tabloids - that's
something you [the fans] can play. Don't read stories that aren't true. They write these
stories to mislead you and you're just making them rich. It's not true, don't read it, it's
garbage, it's junk food. Believe what I tell you."

Question: "Why are you wearing a silk mask in your latest appearances?"
MJ: "Because with time my skin condition has gotten worse, I hate to say it. I have
vitiligo, and I'm totally completely allergic to the sun. I'm not even suppose to be
outside actually. Even if I'm in the shade the sun rays can destroy my skin."
Question: "Are there any songs you released that you wished you didn't?"
MJ: "Not that I can think of. Some of the Motown songs, the early songs, I remember
getting upset with the songwriters cause I wanted to sing them one way and they
wanted me to sing it another way. And I would call Barry Gordy, who is the
chairman/owner of the company. He would say, 'Look, let Michael do what he wants,
I'm sure he's right'.

Question: "Was the atmosphere between the Motown stars competitive or friendly?"
MJ: "Very friendly. Marvin Gaye used to come to my house at least twice a week to
play basketball with my brothers. Stevie Wonder would come by for gatherings and
parties, and I would go to the Supreme's house and Diana Ross would invite the other
girls over and it was really sincerely one happy family. We would have a baseball
team where we played against one another, and I was just really little but they let me
bat, and it was really a happy family and I do miss all of them--even the Temptations,
they would come over to my house all the time.

Question: "Are you going to retape the HBO special you cancelled last year, and if so,
when?"
MJ: "Yes, we're planning on doing that in South Africa."
Question: "Have you ever been scared to go on stage?"
MJ: "No, I don't remember ever being afraid to go on stage. I'm more comfortable on
stage than giving this interview right now!"
Question: "Are you going to be doing any concerts here in the United States?"
MJ: "I'd like to - we're planning on it next year."
Question: "Do you ever plan on working with Quincy Jones again?"
MJ: "I would love to work with Quincy again. The doors are always open. We're very
friendly with each other. But I just like challenging and going different things and
experimenting. He's a very endearing person and I do love him very much."
Question: "If you could spend one day in complete anonymity, where would you go
and what would you do?"

MJ: "Probably go to Neverland, or an island isolated somewhere. What would I do -
probably write music or kind of create some music or stage play or something -
something creative. I never stop working."
Question: "Does the real Billie Jean know about the song and if she did what was her
reaction?"

MJ: "There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it's not about that Billie Jean. Billie Jean is
kinda anonymous. It represents a lot of girls who used to - they used to call them
groupies in the 60's - they would hang around backstage doors and any band that
would come to town they would have a relationship with. And I think I wrote this out
of experience with my brothers when I was little. There was a lot of Billie Jean's out
there. Every girl claimed that they're song was related to one of my brothers."
Question: "Which songs of yours are autobiographical?"
MJ: "Stranger in Moscow, Heal the World, We Are the World, I'll Be There. Those
type of songs."

Question: "What inspired the song Stranger in Moscow?"
MJ: "I wrote that in Moscow. The lyrics are totally autobiographical. When you hear
lines like 'Here abandoned in my fame..Armageddon of the brain'--at the time, on the
last tour when we were in Moscow--that's really how I felt. It kinda created itself; it
fell into my lap, because that's how I was feeling at the time. Just all alone in my hotel
and it was raining and I just started writing it."

Michael Jackson Interview with Sylvie Simmons 1983

2012-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/28/michael-jackson-interview
Interview: Michael Jackson
In 1983, Sylvie Simmons, writing for the leading US rock magazine Creem, interviewed the 24-year-old star on the set for the video of 'Beat It' - one of the many classic songs from his new LP, Thriller, which was to become the biggest selling album of all time. She found a driven artist at the height of his powers, an assured performer on stage, but also a gentle soul who found the attentions of fans unbearable.

Michael Jackson in the 1980s Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty
Downtown between the Pacific American Fish Co and the Hotel St Agnes Hospitality Kitchen there's an alley. Cars block each end, no escape. And, silhouetted in the car headlights, two rival LA gangs are swaggering towards each other. A couple of people pop their heads out of the hotel window, mutter something incomprehensible and go back to sleep. Down below in the smoke, the gangs are getting closer. They look mean. Those Cripps, the ones with the blue bandannas, look really mean, slapping their fists in their hands and scowling and getting closer. Then someone switches on a tape machine and a bit of "Beat It" blares out into the night ...
"Magic" - says Michael Jackson, who talks a lot about magic - "is easy if you put your heart into it." There can't be that many things much more magic than standing around in downtown LA in the middle of the night watching marauding hordes stand to attention when someone with a fruity English accent gives the command. This particular bit of sorcery will, by the time you read this, be the video for "Beat It", Michael Jackson's new single. This song's about machismo; so's the video. Michael wakes up in some sleazy downtown bedroom in a cold sweat; he's had a dream about the upcoming punch-up and has to go stop it. He leaps out of bed, seriously endangering the lives of a whole family of cockroaches.

Back in the warehouse they're doing the choreographed fight sequence. The real gang members stand on the edges while a dozen or so imitation gang members, professional dancers, dance and wave knives.
All this time, a thin, long-fingered man in a brown leather jacket too big for him, is sipping orange juice, gazing wide-eyed and curious at the dancers and the monitors, nodding his head soberly in time to the music, his foot on automatic tap. Michael Jackson looks fascinated by the whole thing. It's three in the morning before he gets his go. He's to come in, break up the fight and lead them dancing out of a warehouse. Pied Piper meets Peter Pan. Dawn was breaking by the time they finished; Michael Jackson wasn't.
Where the man gets his energy from no one knows. It's certainly not drugs - he doesn't touch them and rarely drinks. It's certainly not raw meat - Michael's a strict vegetarian and wouldn't eat at all given an alternative; he fasts and dances every Sunday and manages to live to start another week. Michael Jackson manages to do more in a week than most manage in a decade. In the time it took Supertramp to get the right piano sound, Michael sang harmonies with Donna Summer, backing vocals with Joe King Carrasco, wrote and produced "Muscles" for Diana Ross, wrote and sang "The Girl is Mine" with Paul McCartney, and did a song for a narrated ET album, gathered together everyone from Vincent Price to Eddie Van Halen to help out with his solo album, and still had time for his pet llama, snake and parrots.

Just back from England (a couple more tunes with Macca, whom he met at a Hollywood cocktail party at silent comedian Harold Lloyd's place and swapped phone numbers: "I love Paul, Linda and family very much."), he's already planning projects with Gladys Knight, Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Katharine Hepburn, and Freddie Mercury of Queen, his old pal. Not to mention working on a film with Steven Spielberg ("a futuristic fantasy with music") and an album with the Jacksons. Remember the Jacksons? Michael's been their singer and choreographer ever since his dad Joe Jackson - one-time head of a Chuck Berry cover band in Indiana, the Falcons - noticed the five-year-old's nifty James Brown impersonations.
The songs, ideas, energy come from God, he reckons - the man's a devoted Jehovah's Witness, He'll just wake up in the night and there they are. Several more million sellers. His first solo album, Off the Wall, sold seven million copies. Thriller's not exactly ready for the cut-out bins yet. The first act in history, no less, to top the pop and R&B singles and albums charts all at the same time ...
I talked to Jackson before the video shoot. In a three-story condo in the San Fernando Valley - where Michael is staying while they rebuild his family house five miles down the road - filled with books, plants, art-work, animals, organic juices and nephews and cousins and siblings of the Jackson family. La Toya was there in a cowboy hat. Little sister Janet was there to parrot my questions to Michael. Oh, I forgot, and there was a record collection ranging from Smokey Robinson to Macca, with stops at funk, new wave, classical and just about anything else.

"James Brown, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry and Little Richard - I think they had strong influences on a lot of people, because these were the guys who really got rock'n'roll going. I like to start with the origin of things, because once it gets along it changes. It's so interesting to see how it really was in the beginning."
Michael's got a tiny, otherworldly voice. You've heard him described as childlike and angelic. You will again. He's painfully shy, stares at his hands, his shoes, his sister, anywhere he can forget there's an interviewer around.
He goes on: "I like to do that with art also. I love art. Whenever we go to Paris I rush to the Louvre. I just never get enough of it! I go to all the museums around the world. I love art. I love it too much, because I end up buying everything and you become addicted. You see a piece you like and you say, Oh God, I've got to have this ...
"I love classical music. I've got so many different compositions. I guess when I was real small in kindergarten and hearing Peter and the Wolf and stuff - I still listen to that stuff, it's great, and Boston Pops and Debussy, Mozart, I buy all that stuff. I'm a big classical fan. We've been influenced by all kinds of different music - classical, R&B, folk, funk - and I guess all those ingredients combine to create what we have now.

"I wouldn't be happy doing just one kind of music or label ourselves. I like doing something for everybody... I don't like our music to be labelled. Labels are like ... racism."
How does he choose who he works with? Anybody who asks?
"I choose by feeling and instinct," says Michael.
What does he get out of them?
"I feel it would be... magic."
Then again, you've got to keep in mind the man lives for his work.
"My career is mainly what I think about. It's hard to juggle your responsibilities around - my music here, my solo career, my movies there, TV and everything else."
Is that what makes you happy?
"Yes. That's what I'm here for really. It's like Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci," his voice trails off; he looks torn between sounding immodest and telling the truth, which, as he sees it, is that talent comes from God anyway, so don't go patting him on the back. "Still, today, we can see their work and be inspired by it."

So, as long as there are stereos, Michael Jackson lives?
"Yes. I'd like to just keep going and inspire people and try new things that haven't been done."
To what extent has his belief in divinity influenced his life?
"I believe in God. We all do. We like to be straight, don't go crazy or anything. Not to the point of losing our perspective on life, of what you are and who you are. A lot of entertainers, they make money and they spend the rest of their life celebrating that one goal they reached, and with that celebration comes the drugs and the liquor and the alcohol. And then they try to straighten up and they say, 'Who am I? Where am I? What happened?' And they lost themselves, and they're broken. You have to be careful and have some kind of discipline."

Is he a very self-disciplined person? "I'm not an angel, I know. I'm not like a Mormon or an Osmond or something where everything's straight. That can be silly sometimes. It goes too far."
It must be hard being an angel when you're acknowledged as one of the sexiest performers around, have girls camping in your backyard and the like.
"I wouldn't say I was sexy! But I guess that's fine if that's what they say. I like that in concert. That's neat."
What isn't neat is: "Like you run into a bunch of girls, which I do all the time, you'll drive outside and there'll be all these girls standing on the corner and they'll start bursting into screaming and jumping up and down and I'll just sink into my seat. That happens all the time ... Everyone knew where we lived before, because it was on the Map To The Stars Homes, and they'd come round with cameras and sleeping bags and jump the fence and sleep in the yard and come in the house - we found people everywhere. Even with 24-hour guards they find a way to slip in. One day my brother woke up and saw this girl standing over him in his bedroom. People hitch-hike to the house and say they want to sleep with us, stay with us, and it usually ends up that one of the neighbours takes them in. We don't let them stay. We don't know them."

More tales of crazy fans. One girl who tried to blow them up; another who screams at him in supermarkets. Must get a bit tough knowing who's your friend sometimes.
"It does become difficult. It's hard to tell, and sometimes I get it wrong. Just the force of feeling, or if a person's just nice without knowing who you are."
Lonely at the top? "We know lots and lots of people because we have such a big family. But [I've got] maybe two, three good friends."
Things weren't much different when he was growing up in Gary, Indiana. He remembers "a huge baseball pitch at the back of where I lived and children playing and eating popcorn and everything" and not being allowed to join in, but still reckons: "I didn't really feel left out. We got a lot in exchange for not playing baseball in the summer. My father was always very protective of us, taking care of business and everything.

"We went to school, but I guess we were even different then, because everyone in the neighbourhood knew about us. We'd win every talent show and our house was loaded with trophies. We always had money and we could buy things the other kids couldn't, like extra candy and extra bubblegum - our pockets were always loaded and we'd be passing out candy. That made us popular! But mostly we had private schooling. I only went to one public school in my life.
"I tried to go to another one here, but it didn't work, because a bunch of fans would break into the classroom, or we'd come out of school and there'd be a bunch of kids waiting to take pictures and stuff like that. We stayed at that school a week. The rest was private school with other entertainment kids or stars' kids, where you wouldn't have to be hassled."
But spending your life almost exclusively with your brothers and sisters - doesn't it get claustrophobic?

"Honestly, it doesn't, and I'm not just saying that to be polite."
Not even when they're on the road?
"No. We're so silly when we're on the road. We play games, we throw things at each other. It seems like when you're under pressure you find some kind of escapism to make up for that - because the road is a lot of tensions: work, interviews, fans grabbing you, everybody wants a piece of you, you're always busy, the phones ringing all night with fans calling you, so you put the phone under the mattress, then the fans knock at the door screaming, you can't even get out of the room without them following you. It's like you're in a goldfish bowl and they're always watching you."
How do you escape the madness?
"I go to museums and learn and study. I don't do sports - it's dangerous. There's a lot of money being counted on, and we don't want to risk anything. My brother hurt his leg in a basketball game and we had to cancel the concert, and just because of him having an hour of fun, thousands of people missed the show, and we were being sued left and right because of a game. I don't think it's worth it ... I try to be real careful."

Even about talking to the press. Another reason he hates interviews is a fear of being misquoted. Magazines he reckons, "can be so stupid sometimes that I want to choke them! I say things and they turn it all around. Once I made a quote - I care about starvation and I love children and I want to do something about the future. And I said, one day I'd love to go to India and see the starving children and really see what it feels like. And they wrote that Michael Jackson gets a kick out of seeing children starve, so you can see what kind of person he is!"
You wonder how someone so sweet and shy and childlike gets to be such a demon onstage.
"I just do it really. The sex thing is kind of spontaneous. It really creates itself."
So you don't practise being sexy in front of the mirror?

"No! Once the music plays, it creates me. The instruments move me, through me, they control me. Sometimes I'm uncontrollable and it just happens - boom, boom, boom! - once it gets inside you."
Michael has complete control over every aspect of his career. And he criticises his own efforts more than anyone else's: "I'm never satisfied with what I do. I always think I can do it a lot better."
Anyway, as we told you already he's going to be working on a film with Steven Spielberg. "I love Steven," says Michael. "I can't really tell you anything about the project. I will say Steven is my favourite director, and that he's looked long and hard for the right property."

Just heard that Francis Ford Coppola wants to do Peter Pan with him as the lead. And we at Creem haven't seen such a blatant bit of typecasting since Sly Stone made his fortune playing mindless beefcake. At 24, doesn't it get on his nerves being referred to as a "child"?
"I don't mind. I feel I'm Peter Pan as well as Methusalah, and a child. I love children so much. Thank God for children. They save me every time!
But how about a film of his own life, then? Will we ever get to see a film of Michael Jackson's magical life?
"No. I'd hate to play my own life story," he grimaces. "I haven't lived it yet! I'll let someone else do it."
© Sylvie Simmons, 1983

THIS IS IT AND BIBLICAL SYMBOLISM PART 2

2012-01-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

http://thedreamcontinues-emj777.blogspot.com/2011/12/michael-jackson-important-message-tti.html

"THIS IS IT" MYSTERIOUS- SPEECH

“Everyone’s doing a great job. Let’s continue and believe…

And have faith, and give me your all your endurance, your patience . . .

And your understanding. But . . . it’s an adventure . . .

(exhales with a laugh), it’s a great adventure . . .

There’s nothing to be nervous about. They just want wonderful
Experiences, they want escapism.

We want to take them places they've never been before.
We want to show them talent like they've never seen before.So give your all . . . And, I love you all and we’re a family.
Just know that, we’re a family. And we’re bringing love back into the world.
To remind the world that love is important.To love each other, that we’re all one . . .
The message is to take care of the planet.We only got four years to get it right here
Or else it’s irreversible, the damage we've done.

So, we have an important message to give, okay?

It’s important, and I thank you for your cooperation so far.

Thank you – BIG thank you.”

I Found this video on the web very interesting.

ziI
FALLING BIRDS Kentucky - http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Woman-reports-dozens-of-dead-birds-in-her-yard-112830524.html
Louisiana - http://theintelhub.com/2011/01/04/hundreds-of-dead-black-birds-found-in-louisiana/

Arkansas - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/us/04beebe.html?_r=1&src=twrhp
Germany - http://www.presseportal.de/polizeipresse/pm/8/1742717/polizei_dueren

Japan - http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/01/03/Japan-on-alert-after-finding-dead-birds/UPI-41861294114121/

DEAD FISH
Arkansas - http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/01/03/2011-01-03_100000_drum_fish_die_in_arkansas_river_more_than_100_miles_from_site_of_bizarre_.html#ixzz19yvigmWp
Kent Island, MD - http://www.wbaltv.com/news/26357581/detail.html
Brazil - http://www.surfingtheapocalypse.net/forum/index.php?id=245168
Wales UK - http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=79520

I will update those posts weekly.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

I WISH YOU HAPPY AND HELTHY NEW YEAR !

THIS IS IT AND BIBLICAL SYMBOLISM PART 1

2011-12-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

As my previous post Michael is an angle of the Most High .

since 2009 we have seen many changes in our planet. we must listen and heed the word of those

great messengers.

THIS IS IT

2009+4=2013

“Everyone’s doing a great job. Let’s continue and believe…

And have faith, and give me your all your endurance, your patience . . .

And your understanding. But . . . it’s an adventure . . .

(exhales with a laugh), it’s a great adventure . . .

There’s nothing to be nervous about. They just want wonderful

Experiences, they want escapism.

We want to take them places they've never been before.

We want to show them talent like they've never seen before.

So give your all . . . And, I love you all and we’re a family.

Just know that, we’re a family. And we’re bringing love back into the world.

To remind the world that love is important.

To love each other, that we’re all one . . .

The message is to take care of the planet.

We only got four years to get it right here

Or else it’s irreversible, the damage we've done.

So, we have an important message to give, okay?

It’s important, and I thank you for your cooperation so far.

Thank you – BIG thank you.”

Mattew 24:6
⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
⁸All these are the beginning of sorrows.

In the past 2 years we had more Global disasters such us Hurricane , earthquakes , floods and so on. Christ said on

Mat 24 :36 ³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
³⁸For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Significant Earthquakes of the World 2011

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/significant/sig_2011.php

Revelation 13:15-18

¹⁵And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
¹⁶And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
¹⁷And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

In The year 2013 there will be Mark of the Beast for every one RFID chip or two way radio.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Angel
Modern name/ digital angle/ RFID chip

Digital Angel, Inc. (NASDAQ: DIGA) develops global positioning satellite (GPS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology products for consumer, commercial, and government sectors worldwide. Headquartered in South St. Paul, Minnesota, their products offer security for people, animals, the food supply, government/military arena, and commercial assets. Included in this product line are RFID applications, end-to-end food safety systems, GPS/Satellite communications, and telecommunication, security infrastructure and the controversial Verichip human implant, a product which has caused concern among advocates of civil liberties.
Applications for this technology include pets, wildlife and livestock identification using implantable RFID microchips, scanners and antennas.
Digital Angel has also researched and developed GPS search and rescue beacons that integrate geosynchronous communications for use by the military and the private sector to track aircraft, ships and other high value assets.
Digital Angel GPS and RFID products enable the rapid and accurate identification, location tracking, and condition monitoring of people. Applications of their products include identification and monitoring of pets and fish with implantable RFID microchips, identification of livestock with ear tags, GPS based search and rescue beacons for aircraft, ships, boats, and individuals.
Animal Identification Segment

Destron Fearing - Leading US manufacture since 1945. Pioneered microchip technology for animals in 1980s.

Asset Identification Segment

Signature Industries LTD. - UK-based company since WWII, supplying electric safety products, and major supplier to the RAF.

SARBE - Encrypted GPS emergency beacons for military forces

McMurdo - Supplier of maritime emergency location beacons and navigational devices in Europe

Digital Angel owns a minority position (49%) in VeriChip.
Food shortage in 2011 world wide

Luke 21:8-12

⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
¹⁰Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Food Shortage begining of famine?
http://peakoil.com/consumption/food-crisis-2011-the-global-food-shortage-has-already-begun/

Will 2011 be the year that we point to as the beginning of the great global food crisis? Food prices are soaring, supplies are very tight and already we have seen some very intense food protests flare up around the globe this year. When people don’t have enough to eat, they tend to become very desperate, and unfortunately it looks like the global food situation is not going to improve much any time soon. Right now the world is really struggling to feed itself, and with each passing day there are even more mouths to feed. It is being projected that the population of the world will reach 9 billion people by the year 2050. There are already way too many people starving to death around the globe, and unfortunately starvation is only going to become more rampant as food supplies get even tighter. Some of the key food producing provinces in China are facing their worst drought in 200 years. Flooding has absolutely devastated agricultural production in Australia and Brazil this winter. Russia is still trying to recover from the horrific drought of last summer. Global weather patterns have gone haywire over the past 12 months, and this is putting immense pressure on a global food system that was already on the verge of a major breakdown.
Food stockpiles all over the world are disturbingly low at this point. If a major global famine broke out not even the United States would be able to last for long. The U.S. government is supposed to be keeping a lot of food stockpiled in the event of an emergency, but that is just not happening.
Right now a desperate scramble for food is beginning. Quite a few nations that used to be huge food exporters are now importing a lot of their food. Prices for staples such as wheat, corn and soybeans are absolutely soaring, and the UN is projecting that they will continue to rise rapidly throughout 2011.
Unless something dramatically changes, the global food situation is only going to get tighter and tighter and tighter as this decade rolls along.
So who is going to decide who gets fed and who doesn't?
As food prices continue to rise, will we start to see more food riots erupt all over the world as starving populations demand answers from their governments?
What is going to happen if weather patterns get even worse or if we have a string of really bad natural disasters?
What is going to happen if we experience a really bad global economic collapse?
Right now these are just the “birth pains”, but if things get much worse we could be looking at a horrific food shortage that will rock the globe.
The following are 14 facts that make you wonder if the coming global food shortage has already begun….
#1 According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. corn reserves will drop to a 15 year low by the end of 2011.
#2 The United Nations says that the global price of food hit another new all-time high in the month of January.
#3 The price of corn has doubled in the past six months.
#4 The price of wheat has roughly doubled since the middle of 2010.
#5 According to Forbes, the price of soybeans is up about 50% since last June.
#6 The United Nations is projecting that the global price of food will increase by another 30 percent by the end of 2011.
#7 Due to all of the unprecedented flooding, the winter wheat crop in Australia has been absolutely devastated.
#8 This winter Brazil was hit by some of the worst flooding that nation has ever seen. This has substantially hampered food production in that country.
#9 Russia, one of the largest wheat producers on the entire globe, is still feeling the effects of last summer’s scorching temperatures. In fact, Russia is actually importing wheat this winter to sustain its cattle herds.
#10 China is busy preparing for a “severe, long-lasting drought” that is projected to have a huge impact on several provinces. In fact, Chinese state media says that the eastern province of Shandong is dealing with the worst drought it has seen in 200 years. The provinces being affected by this severe drought grow approximately two-thirds of the wheat in China. The following is a very short video news report about the horrible drought that China is going through right now….
#11 It appears that Chinese imports of corn will be about 9 times larger than the U.S. Department of Agriculture originally projected them to be for 2011.
#12 Approximately 1 billion people around the world go to bed hungry each night.
#13 Somewhere in the world someone starves to death every 3.6 seconds, and 75 percent of those are children under the age of five.
#14 As food has become increasingly scarce around the world, many companies have started using whatever kinds of “fillers” that they can think of in their “food” products. For example, Raw Story is reporting that some companies in China have actually been mass producing “fake rice” that is made partly of plastic. According to one Chinese Restaurant Association official, eating three bowls of this fake rice is the equivalent of consuming an entire plastic bag.
Let us pray that this is not the beginning of a major global food crisis, because hunger and starvation are horrible things.
Starving to death is a fate that nobody should ever have to go through.
So, let us hope for the best, but let us also prepare as if we will be facing the worst.

Fresh water shortage please read the next article

http://voices.yahoo.com/water-shortages-may-affect-relocation-plans-60564.html

You can google Depopulation plan for the next few years.
We should listen to those who put their lives on the line to pass this information for us. Wake up

WILL YOU HELP TO HEAL THE WORLD? WHAT IS YOUR PART?

Michael Jackson's Speech July 6-2002 Harlem New-York!

2011-12-28T18:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.heeheeshamone.com/archives/40#more-40

On July 6, 2002, Michael Jackson spoke about racism within the entertainment industry to a crowd gathered at the headquarters of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network in Harlem, New York.

Thank you, Al Sharpton. Thank you, Johnnie Cochran. Thank you for inviting me here and all the lovely people here tonight.
I remember a long time ago, in Indiana—of course I was like six or seven years old—I had a dream that I wanted to be a performer, an entertainer.
Whenever I’d couldn’t get to to sleep at night, or my mother would wake me up and shout, “Michael, Michael, James Brown is on 2! Turn it on!”
I’d jump out of bed and I’d just stare at the screen and he’d twist and he’d turn and he’d bump and he’d grind. And then there was Jackie Wilson. He’d just go on and on, just phenomenal, unlimited, great talent. It’s very sad to see that these artists really are penniless. They created so much joy for the world, and the system, meaning the record companies, totally took advantage of them.

And it’s not like they always say, you know, “They built a big house, they spent a lot of money, they bought a lot of cars.” That’s stupid. That’s just an excuse. That’s nothing compared to what artists make. I just need you to know that this is very important, what we’re fighting for. Because I’m tired—I’m really, REALLY tired of the manipulation, I’m tired of how the press is manipulating everything that’s been happening in this situation. They do not tell the truth! They’re liars!

And they manipulate our history books. The history books are not true! It’s a lie! The history books are lying. You need to know that. You must know that. All the forms of popular music: From jazz to hip-hop, to bebop to soul. You talk about the different dances from the cake walk to the jitterbug to the Charleston to breakdancing. All these are forms of BLACK dancing!

What’s more important than giving people a sense of escapism, and escapism meaning entertainment. What would we be like without a song? What would we be like without a dance, joy, laughter, and music? These things are very important!
But if you go to the bookstore down at the corner, you won’t see ONE BLACK PERSON on the cover! You’ll see Elvis Presley. You’ll see the Rolling Stones. But where are the real pioneers who started it?
Otis Blackwell was a prolific, phenomenal writer. He wrote some of the greatest Elvis Presley songs. And this was a black man. He died penniless. And no one wrote about this man ever, they didn’t write one book about him at all. His songs were heard all over the world. I met his daughter today, and I was so honored. To me, meeting her was on the same level as meeting the Queen of England.

I’m here to speak for all injustice. You gotta remember something—the minute I started breaking the all-time record in record sales—I broke Elvis’s records, I broke Beatles records—the minute it became the all-time best-selling album in the Guinness Book of World Records, OVERNIGHT they called me a freak, they called me a homosexual, they called me a child molester, they said I bleached my skin! They made everything to turn the public against me!
And this is all a complete, complete conspiracy. You have to know that.
I know my race! I just look in a mirror. I know I’m black.
You know, it’s time for a change! Let’s not leave this building and forget what’s been said. Put it into your heart. Put it into your subconscious mind, and let’s do something about it. We have to. We have to.

Because this has been a long, long time coming. And a change has got to come!
So let’s hold our torches high, and get the respect that we deserve.
I love you. I looooove you!
PLEASE don’t put this in your heart today and forget it tomorrow, or we will have not have accomplished our purpose if that happens. This has got to stop. It has got to stop. That’s why I’m here with the best, to make sure it stops.
I love you folks! And remember, we’re all brothers and sisters, no matter what color we are.

(original transcript provided by theidolhands)

Michael Jackson Magazine Interview 1982

2011-12-23T15:28:00.000-08:00

1982, Andy Warhol, Bob Colacello, Interview magazine

10/1982
Michael Jackson
By Bob Colacello and Andy Warhol
Interview, October 1982
In August of 1982, Interview’s executive editor, Bob Colacello, interviewed Michael Jackson, then 23, at the condominium in the San Fernando Valley that the singer was renting with his family while their house nearby was being redecorated. (Andy Warhol called from New York midway through their conversation.) Jackson, of course, was already famous for his work with his brothers in the Jackson Five, but his first adult solo album, Off the Wall (1979), released three years earlier, had made him a star in his own right. When this interview took place, he was at work on a storybook companion record for the Steven Spielberg film E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)—hence the E.T. references—and was fielding an array of film-role offers. He was also finishing up recording Thriller (1982), which would go on to become the best-selling album of all time. The following is an excerpt from their interview as it originally appeared as the cover story of the October 1982 issue.
BOB COLACELLO: Did you like performing as a child? Did you always love it?

MICHAEL JACKSON: Always did. I always enjoyed the feeling of being onstage—the magic that comes. When I hit the stage it’s like all of a sudden a magic from somewhere just comes and the spirit just hits you and you just lose control of yourself. I came onstage at Quincy’s [Jones] concert at the Rose Bowl and I did not want to go onstage. I was ducking and hiding and hoping he wouldn’t see me hiding behind people when he called me on. Then I went up there and I just went crazy. I started climbing up the scaffold, the speakers, the light gear. The audience started getting into it and I started dancing and singing and that’s what happens.
COLACELLO: How do you compare acting to performing on the stage?
JACKSON: I love both. Acting is the cream of the crop. I love performing. It’s a phenomenal getaway. If you want to really let out everything you feel, that’s the time to do it. With acting, it’s like becoming another person. I think that’s neat, especially when you totally forget. If you totally forget, which I love to do, that’s when it’s magic. I love to create magic—to put something together that’s so unusual, so unexpected that it blows people’s heads off. Something ahead of the times. Five steps ahead of what people are thinking. So people see it and say, “Whoa I wasn’t expecting that.” I love surprising people with a present or a gift or a stage performance or anything. I love John Travolta, who came off that Kotter show. Nobody knew he could dance or do all those things. He is like—boom. Before he knew it, he was the next big Brando or something.

COLACELLO: He hasn’t done much lately.
JACKSON: I know. I think he’s choosing scripts and stuff. It’s always difficult for anyone trying to compete against their past achievements…
COLACELLO: It seems that what really motivates you is your desire to entertain people, to please people. What about fame and money? Could you imagine not being famous or does being famous bother you?
JACKSON: It never has bothered me except sometimes when you want peace. Like you go to the theater and you say, “Nobody’s bothering me tonight, I’m wearing my hat and glasses and I’m going to enjoy this film and that’s all there is to it.” You get in there and everybody’s watching and staring at you and at the climax of the film somebody taps you on the shoulder for an autograph. You just feel like you can’t get away…

COLACELLO: You’re very close to your parents. Do they live out here in L.A.?
JACKSON: Yes. My mother’s upstairs. My father’s at the office.
COLACELLO: What’s your typical day like?
JACKSON: Daydreaming most of the day. I get up early and get ready for whatever I’ve got to do, songwriting or whatever it is. Planning the future and stuff.
COLACELLO: Are you optimistic about the future?
JACKSON: Yes. I always like to plan ahead of time and follow up…
COLACELLO: Do you care about fashion much?
JACKSON: No, I care about what I wear onstage. You know what I love, though? I don’t care about everyday clothes. I love putting on an outfit or a costume and just looking at myself in the mirror. Baggy pants or some real funky shoes and a hat and just feeling the character of it. That’s fun to me.
COLACELLO: You like to act a lot just in everyday life?

JACKSON: I love it so much. It’s escape. It’s fun. It’s just neat to become another thing, another person. Especially when you really believe in it and it’s not like you’re acting. I always hated the word acting—to say, “I’m an actor.” It should be more than that. It should be more like a believer.
COLACELLO: But isn’t that a little frightening when you believe it totally?
JACKSON: No, that’s what I really love about it. I just like to really forget.
COLACELLO: Why do you want to forget so much? Do you think life is really hard?
JACKSON: No, maybe it’s because I just like jumping in other people’s lives and exploring. Like Charlie Chaplin. I just love him to death. The little tramp, the whole gear and everything, and his heart—everything he portrayed on the screen was a truism. It was his whole life. He was born in London, and his father died an alcoholic when he was six. He roamed the streets of England, begging, poor, hungry. All this reflects on the screen and that’s what I like to do, to bring all of those truths out…

COLACELLO: Do you sometimes feel as though you missed out on childhood because you’ve always been performing in the adult world?
JACKSON: Sometimes.
COLACELLO: But you like people older than yourself, experienced people.
JACKSON: I love experienced people. I love people who are phenomenally talented. I love people who’ve worked so hard and been so courageous and are the leaders in their fields. For me to meet somebody like that and learn from them and share words with them—to me that’s magic. To work together. I’m crazy about Steven Spielberg. Another inspiration for me, and I don’t know where it came from, is children. If I’m down, I’ll take a book with children’s pictures and look at it and it will just lift me up. Being around children is magic…

COLACELLO: Are you interested in art?
JACKSON: I love to draw—pencil, ink pen—I love art. When I go on tour and visit museums in Holland, Germany or England—you know those huge paintings?—I’m just amazed. You don’t think a painter could do something like that. I can look at a piece of sculpture or a painting and totally lose myself in it. Standing there watching it and becoming part of the scene. It can draw tears, it can touch you so much. See, that’s where I think the actor or performer should be—to touch that truth inside of the person. Touch that reality so much that they become a part of what you’re doing and you can take them anywhere you want to. You’re happy, they’re happy. Whatever the human emotions, they’re right there with you. I love realism. I don’t like plastics. Deep down inside we’re all the same. We all have the same emotions and that’s why a film like E.T. touches everybody. Who doesn’t want to fly like Peter Pan? Who doesn’t want to fly with some magic creature from outer space and be friends with him? Steven went straight to the heart. He knows—when in doubt, go for the heart…
[Andy Warhol calls from New York.]

ANDY WARHOL: Hello?
JACKSON: Hi.
WARHOL: Gosh, this is exciting. You know, every time I use my Walkman I play your cassette on it…How have you been?
JACKSON: I’ve been in the studio a lot, writing lyrics and working on songs and stuff.
WARHOL: I might go see an English rock group at the Ritz tonight called Duran Duran. Do you know them?
JACKSON: No.
WARHOL: I went to see Blondie at the Meadowlands last week.
JACKSON: How was Blondie?
WARHOL: She was great. She’s so terrific. Do you know her?
JACKSON: No, I never met her.

WARHOL: Well, when you come to New York I’ll introduce her. Going on tour is about the hardest thing to do in the world.
JACKSON: Tour is something—the pacing. But being onstage is the most magic thing about it…
WARHOL: Did you ever think you’d grow up to be a singer?
JACKSON: I don’t ever remember not singing, so I never dreamed of singing.
WARHOL: Do you go out a lot or stay home?
JACKSON: I stay home.
WARHOL: Why do you stay home? There’s so much fun out. When you come to New York we’ll take you out.

JACKSON: The only time I want to go out is when I’m in New York.
WARHOL: Do you go to the movies?
JACKSON: Oh, yes. We’re going to be working on the E.T. album. I had a picture session with E.T. and it was so wonderful…He’s hugging me and everything.

WARHOL: I like Tron. It’s like playing the video games. Have you seen it?
JACKSON: Yes. It didn’t move me.
WARHOL: Well, thanks a lot. See you soon.
JACKSON: I hope so…
10/1982
http://www.heeheeshamone.com/archives/333#more-333

OFF THE WALL ♪ ♫ Michael Jackson ♫ ♪ Tribute Written by Carmen

2011-12-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

OFF THE WALL ♪ ♫ Michael Jackson ♫ ♪ Tribute Number One
♪ ♫ A Tribute to showcase Michael’s first Solo Career album ♪ ♫
I share with you all the details plus a little ‘extra’ insight into all 10 songs from the album, taken from five different books. I also include a ‘you tube’ for each song for your viewing and listening pleasure .
This album is one of the many beautiful Gifts that Michael gave to us. May you treasure it too, and all of his music… forever keeping his Legacy ALIVE. 1958 - Forever..!!
♥ L.O.V.E. you Michael ♥ Thankx for ALL you’ve given us.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
USA August 1979
Don’t stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Rock With You
Working Day and Night
Get On The Floor
Off The Wall
Girlfriend
She’s Out Of My Life
I Can’t Help It
It’s The Falling In Love
Burn This Disco Out
‘Off The Wall’ (LP) is released August 1979, mixing Pop R & B and Jazz. This album breaks new ground vocally for Michael, with his most adventurous and mature vocals to date. It delivered jazzy disco-funk tunes with irresistibly clever pop hooks. It breaks music industry records by being the first album ever to spawn four Top Ten singles in the US, two of which become number 1 hits and are certified Gold. In Britain, for the first time in music history, a record five hit singles are released for one album, ‘Girlfriend’, written by Paul McCartney, being one of them.

The album exceeds all expectations and is hugely successful on both the Pop and Black album charts, eventually selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Some of the early copies of ‘Off The Wall’ feature a free 7” picture disc of ‘You can Win’.
Michael’s singing throughout the album is daring, personal, and unique - full of vocal ticks, squeals, and yelps that would become his trademark.
Off The Wall is an ecstatic, exhilarating pop soul album - considered by many to be one of the greatest albums ever released.
Produced by Quincy Jones; three songs co-produced by Michael, which he also wrote: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Working Day and Night and Get on the Floor. Michael having worked with him on the Wiz, approached Quincy for advice, when he’d decided he wanted to do a solo album but didn’t know any great producers. ‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Quincy, ‘why don’t you let me do it?’
Heatwave’s Rod Temperton also penned three songs for the album, and in so doing he tried to find out about Michael’s character. ‘I knew he loved Charlie Chaplin,’ he said, ‘and I thought Off The Wall was a nice thing for Michael…Rock With You was a rhythm section idea I’d had - I thought I’d go with this one, too, because he’s good at handling very melodic things.’

Mike Salisbury, the man behind the concept of the sleeve design, has revealed before he was brought in, ‘they had him (Michael) seated on a bale of straw, wearing cowboy clothes’. Salisbury wasn’t convinced this would work, so he ‘designed a person and created an identity for him…it’s a metaphor. He’s just a kid out from under his Dad, so I think the album cover should make a statement that his solo debut is as big as Sinatra coming on stage in Vegas.’
Album cover photo shoot took place at the Griffith Observatory at the Hollywood Planetarium. Michael liked Salisbury’s idea of a tuxedo (found in Yves St. Laurent), but insisted he wanted to wear white socks (custom made for him by top Hollywood designer Bob Mackie) and glove. But… the socks didn’t work, until Salisbury remembered Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Cary Grant, ‘They put their hands in their pockets to raise the trousers so you could see the socks,’ said Salisbury. ‘Michael! Put your hands in your pockets. Raise your thumbs and raise your trousers!’ And so a memorable album sleeve was created.
‘Off The Wall’ enters both the Black and Pop albums charts peaking at numbers 1 and 3 respectively and remains on the Pop charts for a mammoth 84 weeks. It holds its position at number 1 on the Black charts for a lengthy 16 weeks during a 61 week residence.
Michael becomes the first solo artist in America to chart Top 10 singles from one album.
August 29th Michael is 21 years old today and celebrates his birthday at Studio 54 in New York City.
Michael’s contract with his father Joe Jackson expires and he now takes control of his own career.
Michael worked to renegotiate his solo recording deal with Epic. In the process, he secured the highest royalty rate for any artist in the music industry.

December 10th ‘Off The Wall’ (LP) is certified Gold and Platinum. The album will go to sell 12 million worldwide.
Hit Singles: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Off The Wall, She’s Out Of My Life, and Girlfriend.
First solo album to produce four Top 10 hits on both side of the Atlantic, and to produce five hits in the UK.
On the album credits was: “I dedicate this to the year of the child and my mother, - Love M.J.”
American Music Awards:
Favorite Male Soul Singer.
Favorite Soul Album.
Favorite Soul Single: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Grammy Award:
Best R & B Vocal Performance, Male : Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.
February 27,1980 At the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Michael is awarded his first Grammy as a solo performer in the category Best R & B Vocal Performance - Male for ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’. Michael boycotts the event in disgust at being pigeon-holed into only R & B soul categories and is disappointed that ‘Off The Wall’ was overlooked for Best Album. He vows his next album won’t be ignored. It is widely accepted that the awards do not do justice to the hugely successful LP.
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
1st Song ~ Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yURRmWtbTbo
Song written and recorded by Michael.
This song is all swirling, symphonic strings and basslines supporting Michael’s falsetto melodies.
‘We had little arguments, nothing very serious, during the first record we made, which was Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ said Quincy Jones. ‘Most people at Motown didn’t sing low and I needed him to sing low. I wanted him to do a very sexy kind of sound at the bottom. At first, he was a little reluctant, but that’s okay. It was never contentious, and that’s where the trust comes in.’
Lyrical content shocked his mother, Katherine, who pointed out the title could easily be misinterpreted - Michael asserted it wasn’t a reference to sex, but that it could mean whatever people wanted it to mean.
Lead single from the album - heralded Michael’s arrival as an adult solo performer, and paved the way for a new beginning to his musical career.
Promo short film, directed by Nick Saxton, premiered in October 1979.
A music video released to promote the single features Michael in a tuxedo and showcases his advancing dance steps.
Hit no. 1 on the Hot 100 in the States, giving Michael his first chart topper since Ben, and gave him his first no. 1 on the R & B singles chart. Also no. 1 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway and South Africa, and no. 3 in the UK.
Michael’s first solo hit in Germany - it peaked at no. 13.
Official Versions:
Album Version.
Masters At Work Remix.
7” Edit.
7” Edit w/ Intro.
12” Version.
Original Demo Recording.
Roger’s Underground Club Solution.
Live version recorded at a concert at Madison Square Garden in September 1981, featured on the Jacksons album, LIVE, issued in November 1981. This version was included on the 12” single of Michael’s Beat It in the UK.
Impromptu performance by Michael at New York’s Peppermint Lounge on 25th March 1983 when, following a set by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, he took to the stage and surprised everyone by lip-synching to Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough and (10 minutes later) Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.
Introduction re-recorded for Michael’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1995.
Michael recorded a version with Chris Tucker for the latter’s movie , Rush Hour 2, in which Tucker was seen singing the song - remains unreleased.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
2nd Song ~ Rock With You ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0
Song Michael recorded for his album Off The Wall - written by Rod Temperton.
‘Rock With You was a rhythm section I’d had before,’ said Temperton. ‘I thought I’d go with this one because he’s (Michael’s) good at handling very melodic things.’
Hit no.1 on both American charts, and achieved no.7 in the UK.
RIAA Gold Record (USA million seller).
No.9 best selling single of 1980 in the States.
Promo short film, directed by Bruce Gowers, premiered in November 1979.
Video features Michael dressed in a silver sequined suit with matching boots.
Re-arranged version, slightly jazzed-up (jazzy guitar and added handclaps), dating from early 1980, was included on new pressings of Off The Wall, replacing the original recording. Original version featured on the original CD pressing issued in Japan, and on some later Japanese pressings.
Official Versions:
Album Version.
Single Version.
Frankie’s Favorite Club Mix.
Frankie’s Favorite Club Mix Radio Edit.
Masters At Work Remix.
Performed by Michael on two TV specials in the States in 1980, the charity event Because We Care and diana! - on the latter, he sang the song twice, solo and as a duet with Diana Ross.
Live version, recorded at a concert at Madison Square Garden in September 1981, featured on the Jacksons album, LIVE, issued in November 1981. This version was released on the B-side of Michael’s UK single, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.
Live performance part of a concert screened by Nippon TV in Japan.
Demo version included on the second acetate version of the expanded, special edition of Michael’s Off The Wall album in 2001 - later withdrawn.
Michael does his vocals on my drum platform ~ from Bruce Sweden : When we were recording “Rock With You” for the Off The Wall album, I wanted the drums in this incredible song to have their own unique acoustic space. After thinking about it for some time, the only answer was to have the studio carpenters build me a drum platform, eight feet square, ten inches off the floor. It is very heavily constructed, braced and counter-braced. The surface is natural wood and is unpainted and unvarnished.
In fact, not long after we recorded the drums on “Rock With You,” I put Michael on my drum platform to record his vocals. I’ve been using it for his vocals ever since! When Michael does his vocals he dances all through his vocal performances .
I use the unpainted plywood surface, of the drum platform to reflect Michael’s voice, or whatever sound source I’m recording, back to the microphone. In Michael’s case, this also preserves the rhythmic effect of him dancing happily away while he sings, as part of his sonic image.
I love to have Michael’s dancing sounds as part of the vocal sound. Keeping the platform unpainted maintains a surface as porous as possible, to keep some reflective surface in the sound-field.
Even when we do backgrounds, Michael does little vocal sounds, and snaps his fingers and taps his foot. I keep those sounds as part of the recording. I absolutely love those little sounds as a part of Michael’s sonic character. First of all, his time and his rhythm are flawless. I think those little dancing sounds are very important.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
3rd Song ~ Working Day and Night ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-NxkCgkwDg
Written by Michael, issued in 1979 - said by Michael to be very autobiographical in some ways, however, he wrote the song from a married man’s viewpoint.
This song has a deeply funky groove with complex, layered percussion and sharp brass.
Michael’s original demo recording featured as a bonus track on the expanded, special edition of Off The Wall, released in 2001.
B-side of Rock With You in the USA.
B-side of Off The Wall in the UK.
Live version, recorded at a concert at Madison Square Garden in September 1981, featured on the Jacksons album, LIVE, issued in November 1981.
Live performance by Michael, at his Dangerous Tour concert in Bucharest, Romania, on the 1st October 1992, featured on the DVD released as part of his box-set, The Ultimate Collection, issued in November 2004.
Different live performance screened on Nippon TV in Japan.
2008 Remix featured of the P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) mini CD single, part of the Thriller 25.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
4th Song ~ Get On The Floor ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqcidrADVw
Song written by Michael with Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson.
Developed from a song the Brothers Johnson were working on, for their Light Up The Night album. Michael heard the incomplete song, put a melody to it, and recorded it himself.
Re-arranged by Michael in early 1980 - this newer version - with a more prominent guitar sound - was included on the pressing of Off The Wall, in the place of the original recording.
Original version appeared on the CD single, Liberian Girl, and a variety of Japanese pressings of Off The Wall, including the original CD pressing.
Newer version featured as the B-side of Rock With You in the UK and Off The Wall in the States.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
5th Song ~ Off The Wall ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO821DPNJZ4
Title track of Michael’s first solo album released in August 1979.
Written by Rod Temperton in 1978, who submitted three songs for the album. ‘The one I thought would be their choice was Off The Wall,’ he said. ‘I tried to find out about Michael’s character. I knew he liked Charlie Chaplin, and I thought Off The Wall would be a nice thing for Michael.’
Charted at no.5 on the R &B singles chart and no.10 on the Hot 100 in the States, and no.7 in the UK.
Official Versions:
Album Version.
7” Remix.
Remix.
Junior Vasquez Mix.
Live concert performance screened by Nippon TV Japan.
Live version, recorded at a concert at Madison Square Garden in September 1981, featured on the Jacksons album, LIVE, issued in November 1981.
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
6th Song ~ Girlfriend ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92TvK5tc40w
Written by Paul McCartney, and mentioned to Michael at a Hollywood party in 1978, as a song he might like to record. Nothing happened, so Paul recorded the song himself, for the Wings album, London Town.
Brought to Michael’s attention again by producer Quincy Jones, when they were looking for songs for Michael’s first solo album as an adult. This time Michael did record the song, and included it on Off The Wall, released in August 1979.
Fifth single from the album in the UK (but not USA), where it gave Michael a then record fifth hit from one album, peaking at no.41.
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7th Song ~ She’s Out of My Life ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DQJPL9Yuq0&feature=fvst
Song Michael recorded for his solo album, Off The Wall.
Written by Tom Bahler - originally in E Flat, whereas Michael sang the song in E. Bahler couldn’t play the song in E, ‘so, Quincy recorded me playing it in my key and we made a tape for the pianist who was going to record it for the album. He took it home and studied it, in order to grasp whatever magic there was in my performance. When I listen to the record, I think - God, it sounds just like me!’
Inspired by Karen Carpenter, who broke up with Bahler, after she discovered he had fathered a child with another woman.
‘How Michael could do such a sincere interpretation of the lyric has always puzzled me, because I know it was an experience he had never even thought about,’ said Bruce Swedien. ‘It’s a very mature emotion, and Michael was only nineteen years old at the time… When we were recording Michael’s vocal, he broke down and cried at the end of every take. We recorded about six or seven takes. At the end of each take Michael was sobbing, actually crying. I know he was sincere, because when we finished the last take, Michael was too embarrassed to come in the control room. He just tippy-toed out the back door of the studio, got in his car, and left the studio building. Quincy said to me, “Hey - that’s supposed to be, leave it on there, leave it there”.’
It was the day that we were to record the music track for “She’s Out of My Life.” It was about 1:00 p.m. We were all in Studio Three at Cherokee Recording Studio. The musicians were slated to arrive at 5:00 p.m. We were rehearsing in the studio. Greg Phillinganes was there playing the Rhodes (perfectly, as usual). Quincy was busy, at the piano making arrangement notes for the song. I was in the studio setting up my mics and all.

Michael was seated at the drums, singing his heart out! Every time we came to the third verse, and the line “Damned indecision and cursed pride,” Michael couldn’t say the word “damned”. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it! He would stop singing and, with his foot, hit the bass drum foot pedal as loud as possible! He just couldn’t curse! When the rehearsal ended, Quincy quietly told Michael that he would absolutely have to sing the word “damned” for the recording. Michael nodded and said to Q, “I know.” He did.
Promo short film directed by Bruce Gowers - a simple affair with Michael sitting on a stool and singing, ended in tears as well.
Fourth single from the album - charted at no.3 in the UK, and no.10 on the Hot 100 and no.42 on the R&B singles chart in the States, making Off The Wall the first solo album to produce four top 10 singles on both sides of the Atlantic.
RIAA Gold Record (USA million seller)
Performed by Michael during his Bad World Tour - at each concert, one lucky girl was allowed up on stage, to dance with Michael as he sang the song to her.
Live version, recorded at a concert at Madison Square Garden in September 1981, featured on the Jacksons album, LIVE, issued in November 1981.

Live performance by Michael, at his Dangerous Tour concert in Bucharest Romania, on 1st October 1992, featured on the DVD released as part of his box-set, The Ultimate Collection issued in November 2004.
Different live performance screened as part of a concert televised by Nippon TV in Japan.
Planned performance, with Mariah Carey, at Michael’s ‘What More Can I Give?’ concert in Seoul, South Korea on 25th June 1999, cancelled as Mariah arrived too late.
Performed by Marc Anthony during the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years concerts, staged at New York’s Madison Square Garden on 7th and 10th September 2001.
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8th Song ~ I Can’t Help It ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnhWML43NI8&feature=related
Song written by Stevie Wonder and Susaye Greene , recorded by Michael for his album Off The Wall issued in 1979.
B-side of the album’s lead single, Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.
Performed as a tribute to Michael by Beyonce’ at a concert during her ‘I Am Tour’, staged in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 26th June 2009. On the opening day of the Essence Musical Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 3rd July 2009, Beyonce’ changed the lyrics to her hit, Halo, to pay further tribute to Michael (‘Michael, I can see your halo…’)
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9th Song ~ It’s the Falling In Love ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvaKLAO2hnw
Song Michael recorded for his Off The Wall album. Featured guest vocals by Patti Austin.
B-side of Billie Jean in the UK.
Reportedly, performed by Michael when he made a cameo appearance at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, CA, during the nine hour Budweiser Superfest on 1st August 1982 - unconfirmed.
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10th Song ~ Burn This Disco Out ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkYKU2PWs7I
One of three song’s Heatwave’s Rod Temperton wrote for Michael, around the same time as Rock With You, for his first solo album, Off The Wall.
Initially, Temperton was invited to deliver just one song, and was surprised when all three of his songs made the final selection. Michael recorded vocals for all three songs in one weekend, having already mastered the lyrics - professionalism that impressed Temperton.
B-side of Michael’s single Beat It in the UK (but not USA).
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In Closing ~
Michael Jackson, March 1980
“I love the whole world of dance, because dancing is really the emotions through bodily movement. And however you feel, you just bring out that inner feeling through your mood. A lot of people don’t think about the importance of it, but there’s a whole psychological thing to just letting everything loose.
Dancing is important, like laughing, to back off tension. Escapism…it’s great.
I really believe that each person has a destiny from the day he’s born, and certain people have a thing that they’re meant to do. There’s a reason why the Japanese are better at technology, and a reason why the Negro race are more into music - you go back to Africa and the tribes and the beating of the drums…
I love Studio 54 in New York, it’s so theatrical and dramatic. People come there as characters, and it’s like going to a play. You make yourself up to be this thing and just go crazy with the lights and the music, and you’re in another world. It’s very escapist…
Escapism and wonder is influence. It makes you feel good, and that allows you to do things. You just keep on moving ahead, and you say, ‘God, is this wonderful - do I appreciate it.’”
Michael Jackson
March 1980
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♪ ♫ ♥♥ MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON ~ OUR BELOVED KING OF POP ♥♥ ♪ ♫
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NOTE ~ be sure and check out all the replies in this thread too cause that's where I've added Photos, Interviews and more videos of Michael. They are all so gorgeous, dreamy and sooo Off The Wallicious...!!
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"Michael Jackson On Songwriting" Interview Quotes

2011-12-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

compiled by McClure & Trowbridge Publishing Ltd 10/29/02

TV Guide

TV Guide:

Did you ever imagine that Thriller and the videos from the album would

catapult your career into the stratosphere?

Michael: I didn't really think about how the album would do; I just wanted to
create what I would enjoy seeing. And my main goal for [the video] "Thriller" was
to do something that would be scary, fun and exciting.

 TV Guide:

 How do you look back on that era now?

Michael: I see it as a happy time and a sad time. Because it made a lot of my
dreams come true. The notoriety was wonderful.

TV Guide:

You also said it was a sad time.

Michael: Yeah. If I don't get exactly what I'm looking for, I get very depressed.

TV Guide:

You mean the album still didn't live up to what you had envisioned?
Michael: Not completely.

TV Guide:

Which songs disappointed you?

Michael: "Wanna Be Startin' Something." Songwriting is a very frustrating art form.
You have to get on tape exactly what's playing inside your head. When I hear it
up here [points to his head], it's wonderful. I have to transcribe that onto tape.
"The Girl Is Mine" [his duet with Paul McCartney] wasn't completely what I wanted,
but it's very nice. But "Billie Jean" is there. I worked so hard on that. I worked for
three weeks on the bass lick alone.

Online Audio Chat

Anthony:

Tell us about a couple of those tracks. You know, what was it like work...
I mean, were there special guests, or were you working with new producers, or how
you wrote them. You know, something that gives us some flavor. 

Michael: Well, the songwriting process is something very difficult to explain
because it's very spiritual. It's, uh...You really have it in the hands of God, and it's
as if its been written already - that's the real truth. As if its been written in its
entirety before were born and you're just really the source through which the songs
come. Really. Because there is...they just fall right into your lap in it's entirety.
You don't have to do much thinking about it. And I feel guilty having to put my
name, sometimes, on the songs that I - I do write them - I compose them, I write
them, I do the scoring, I do the lyrics, I do the melodies but still, it's a...it's a
work of God.

Michael:

It was, um, it's hard to explain. It was quite exciting, to feel the audience
and to see them and to be accepted so warmly by them. Um, it's just an incredible
feeling. It really is. They're there to support you and to love you and to hear their
favorite songs and you're just standing there and they're just giving you so much
adulation and love and the sprit is just full of love, it's wonderful. It's very
emotional. It, uh, brings me to tears. It's wonderful. 

Anthony:

I remember in your book you describe that like sometime on stage is
when you feel the most alive, that those are the moments that, you know, really
are the whole -- kind of the most transporting for you. 

Michael: It is. It's being offstage that's difficult for me. Uh, being on stage ...
either writing music or writing poetry, and being on stage, and watching cartoons
are my favorite things to do in the entire world. Um, that's what brings me to life.
I love that. That's what inspires me to do what I do, you know?

Michael: Well, I let the song pretty much speak to me and I get in a room and I
pretty much start making notes... You know, I'll speak to a writer -- like Stephen
King and myself, both of us wrote Ghosts, the short film Ghosts, and we just on
the telephone started writing it and let it create itself and go where it wants to go.
But we try to do things that are very unusual. And it's... it's not an easy thing to
do because you have to time it with the song, and you can't spend too much time,
and the special effects can take 5 months sometimes to execute. So, it's just ..
it's kinda difficult thing and the record company's saying, "Come on, come on,
come on, we have to go, we have to go." So, I understand. So we try to do the
best we can in the amount of time that we can execute it in. 

VH1 Interview

Question:

If you could spend one day in complete anonymity, where would you go
and what would you do?

Michael: Probably go to Neverland, or an isolated island somewhere. What would I
do? Probably write music or kind of create some music or stage play or something
something creative. I never stop working.

Question:

Does the real Billie Jean know about the song and if she did what was
her reaction?

Michael: There is a girl named Billie Jean, but it's not about that Billie Jean. Billie

Jean is kinda anonymous. It represents a lot of girls who used to - they used to
call them groupies in the '60s - they would hang around backstage doors and any
band that would come to town they would have a relationship with. And I think I
wrote this out of experience with my brothers when I was little. There were a lot of
Billie Jeans out there. Every girl claimed that their son was related to my brothers.

Question:

Which songs of yours are autobiographical?

Michael: Stranger in Moscow, Heal the World, We Are The World, I'll Be There.

Those type of songs.

Question:

What inspired the song Sranger in Moscow?

Michael: I wrote that in Moscow. The lyrics are totally autobiographical. When you
hear lines like, "Here abondoned in my fame...Armageddon of the brain" - at the
time, on the last tour when we were in Moscow - that's how I really felt. It kinda
created itself. It fell into my lap, because that's how I was feeling at the time. Just
alone in my hotel and it was raining and I just started writing it. 

Simulchat

Midway Gal:

How did you get into music

Michael: I don't think I can answer that without sounding philosophical. We never
had music or dance lessons. We were a family that sang all the time. We watched
TV. We would entertain ourselves...we would take the furniture out of the living
room and dance. I think you're pretty much born with a gift and you're compelled
to create. That is what I have always felt. I remember when I was really little there
was rain outside and we would make up songs. Janet and I would have a
songwriting game while we washed the dishes...while we were cleaning. I think
most kids don't do that these days. It was our destiny.

Even Beevu:

Do you come up with the ideas for all your videos?

Michael: A lot of them I do come up with. A lot of the concepts do originate with
me. After singing "Thriller" I knew that I wanted to do a short film. A simple guy
goes out on a date and confesses to her that he's different. I wanted to transform
into different things. It was fun. I had so much fun making that. "Beat It" is
another concept I came up with. Confrontaion - two gangs - West Side Story. I
wanted real gang members. I wanted to see real truisms...in the walk, in the
character, in the clothes. I think it came across. 

Pelon:

What has been your proudest musical achievement?

Michael: One of them - it is a really difficult question to answer because I am not
a woman, but writing a song is like concieving a child. I love all the songs. "We
Are the World" is one of the most favorite things that I've done. I am proud of
that...it has reached a lot of people, it has touched a lot of people. My secreatry
called when I was in the car and said pull over. And it was like a prayer when all of
the radio stations played it. I had tears.

MJJ: What is your process from going from creating a rhythm on your human voice
box to the album version, such as in songs "Who Is It" and "Tabloid Junkie"?

Michael: The process is creating a rhythm to a click track - which is a sound, a
timed beat. And you're doing these mouth sounds to that beat. These sounds can
be taped according to how you sample it in the computer again and again. This is
the foundation for the entire track - everything plays off this. It's the rhythm, like
a beatbox rhythm. Every song I've written since I was very little I've done that
way. I still do it that way.