I have seen the commercials on TV promoting the Michael Jackson movie This Is It, where they put together all the rehearsal footage and made it into a movie. I have been debating if I wanted to go see it on October 28th. It would be bittersweet. On one hand I could see part of the concert I would never get a chance to have seen if he were alive and on the other he’s not here anymore and some of the footage was taken only days before he died.
To build up the hype of the movie they released more footage from it where he is rehearsing with Ken Ortega (who was the choreographer for the High School Musical movies). I love Ken’s work and this concert would have been amazing. This footage shows Ken practicing with Michael to the song, Human Nature. His vocals were amazing and his dancing reminded me of the old days. He would have rocked that concert.
I know that some of you may think, that we are late in writing a more in depth post about Michael Jackson, but I beg to differ. I know that the family, friends, and fans around the world still have not had ample time to mourn, but I did wish to show them a high degree of respect, and allow them a reprieve from the constant coverage, if only on this site, if only by my hand.
Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29,1958, and it was almost as if he were destined to sing, because I have never seen another person with such a fierce purpose, or calling, to be quite honest.
His career began in 1968, when he was a boy of ten years old, and it lasted damn near FOUR DECADES. Wrap your mind around that.
In his time as an entertainer, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice, which is a rare feat indeed. His achievements included, but were definitely not limited to multiple Guinness World Records, such as “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time”, thirteen Grammy Awards, thirteen number one singles, and the sale of over 750 million records. More importantly,and definitely most admirably to me, he was a notable philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to the thirty nine charities he supported. Some of which are listed here:
* AIDS Project Los Angeles
* American Cancer Society
* Big Brothers Big Sisters
* Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America
* Childhelp USA
* Children’s Defense Fund
* Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
* End Hunger Network
* Great Ormond Street Hospital
* Jane Goodall Institute
* Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
* Make-A-Wish Foundation
* Prince’s Trust
* Ronald McDonald House Charities
* Starlight Children’s Foundation
* Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation
* TJ Martell Foundation
* United Negro College Fund
plus he founded, and raised more through his own Heal the World Foundation Which you can visit HERE .
It breaks my heart, to know that a man has done so much good in his life, has made such an impact on so many people, both personally and professionally, yet the only thing people want to discuss are his faults, his accused flaws.
Whatever transgressions he may have made while on this Earth, nobody has to take judgment for them but him, and we should not be his judge and jury. We haven’t the right.
Like one of my dear friends,Whit, told me the other day. Most of her childhood memories, include some tie to Michael Jackson and his music. I feel it is that way for many, and I, for one, choose to remember the contributions he made to this world.
Michael Jackson was a performer, an artist, and a legend, but beneath all of that, he was just a man.
John Mayer contributed the song, Human Nature, to the Michael Jackson Memorial Service today. I was out with my family today and didn’t get to see the service. I’m catching up by watching clips right now. But I had to include John’s contribution because it moved my soul.
“I’m honored to have been asked to play at MJ’s memorial service. I will be representing all of us who can’t be there. Going to say goodbye from all us kids. I also want you to know that I’m going not to ‘perform’ but to contribute… Proud to be a musician.â€
Thanks John for being there for the ones that couldn’t. It’s still so hard to believe that Michael is gone. Hopefully, we will all be able to move on now and just remember the good things.
This footage obtained by CNN is from the last of Michael Jackson’s rehearsals two days before he died. He was letting loose at the Staples Center. And as you can see, he still had all the right moves. It’s amazing watching this, you get a real feeling of happiness knowing that he would have shown all the doubters he could do it…and then reality sets in and you realize that that is the closest we’ll ever get to seeing his comeback tour.
Entertainment Weekly has really impressed me this year. Or maybe I am biased because I subscribe to this magazine. But I am continually excited to get the issues in the mail. On Friday they are putting out a tribute issue for Michael Jackson and unlike other magazines I think that EW has their heart in the right place. They are celebrating with four different covers, and you know you have to buy every cover don’t you?
Some of the tribute things that can be found in this issue?
* a plethora of rare photos
* a complete timeline
* a comprehensive discography (including his earliest work with the Jackson 5) and videography
* a playlist of his essential tracks
* an essay by our columnist Stephen King, who writes about working with Jackson on the 1997 video “Ghosts.”
Now you do know when you hear the word plethora it has to be alot! And Stephen King is even getting in on the action. And that playlist, it will be an awesome one. Can’t wait for this one in my mailbox on Monday.
I thought that this Michael Jackson tribute that NKOTB did at their Detroit show on June 25. They started with showing pictures of Michael performing with Man In The Mirror playing in the background. It was very moving to hear the audience singing along with the song.
After Donnie Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre saying a few words they sang the song that I loved hearing Joey sing at their live concerts way back when, I’ll Be There. What fitting words that every one seems to need to hear right now.
