March 05, 2010, (Sawf News) - One year ago today Michael Jackson announced his 'This Is It' concert run in a press conference at London's O2 arena. To mark the anniversary, Charles Thomson sat down with Jackson's long-serving guitarist Jennifer Batten, who told us what it was really like behind the scenes on a Michael Jackson tour.
Jennifer Batten... It might not ring any bells at first, but you'd probably recognize her if you saw her. She's not really a household name but she's an icon nonetheless.
Throughout the eighties and nineties she played in sold out stadiums all around the world. Her image was beamed into sitting rooms to audiences totaling several billion. Young girls everywhere wanted to be Jennifer Batten.
If you ever went to a Michael Jackson concert, watched his performances on TV or bought a ticket for Moonwalker then you'll know Jennifer Batten. She's Jackson's tall, slender, arresting guitarist, perhaps best known for her enormous mane of bright white hair.
"It was Michael's idea to have my hair turned snow white and big," Batten once said. "Often all you can see in the photos is Michael Jackson and my hair!"
Batten was Jackson's lead guitarist for a decade, accompanying the star on all three of his record-breaking world tours. At 29 years old she was plucked by the King of Pop from complete obscurity. Despite announcing to her mother at age 12 that she would become a professional guitarist, before Batten joined Jackson her touring experience was limited almost exclusively to a brief spell with an Elvis impersonator.
"We played down in American Samoa of all places," she laughs. "He had a brother that was a missionary on the island, so he set up the gig. Then we did another stint in Colorado because he had a brother there too. That was it."
Inspired by blues legends like BB King and Brownie McGee, Batten began playing guitar at the tender age of eight. As a young woman she attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.
"I was the only woman with 60 guys," she says. "I didn't have a problem with it. I could go practice in the bathroom because you get the natural reverb in there and I knew I wouldn't be bothered."
Audition for Bad Tour
After the Elvis gigs she lived for several years in San Diego, playing in cover bands. But soon she grew restless so she upped sticks and moved to Los Angeles in search of success on the music scene. It wasn't long before she fell into teaching at her former school, the Musicians Institute, and it was there - on one fateful day in 1987 - that Michael Jackson's representatives called asking for musicians to attend tour auditions.
"They were auditioning about a hundred people so it was pretty intense," she recalls. "When I went, there was just a video camera, no band. The only guidance I was given was to play some funk rhythm stuff so I did that, then I finished off with the Beat It solo because I had been playing that for years in cover bands. I think ultimately that's what got me the gig."
Winning her place on Jackson's Bad Tour in 1987 changed her life, she says. "It was like a paid vacation. I had been teaching and gigging pretty much seven nights a week and all of a sudden I'm on the biggest tour in the world making ten times the money and only working two or three days a week!"
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the Bad Tour. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Bad Tour Rehearsal
Rehearsals began almost immediately and they were punishing; seven days a week for two solid months. For the first month the band, singers and dancers rehearsed separately. For the second they converged in a production studio, where every element of the show came together. It was here that Batten first met Michael Jackson.
"We heard that if he liked the music he'd start dancing and he did as soon as he walked through the door. We stopped and people who hadn't met him before were introduced to him. I remember seeing his manager Frank Dileo come in with the ponytail and the cigar. It was kind of surreal seeing the two of them together. I just remember Michael looked gorgeous close up. He was just beautiful.
"He was very much hands on and he was an extremely hard worker. By the end of rehearsals we were running the show a minimum of once a day, sometimes twice. I would say that's the number one thing I learned from him: the value of rehearsing that much and that intensely, because by the time we hit the stage everybody was relaxed."
Bad Tour
Opening night in Tokyo, she says, was 'very, very exciting'. "I'd never played for that many people before. On the road Michael took it up another notch. I mean, he was pretty full out at the last rehearsals anyway but that extra excitement of knowing there are people going nuts watching you... There's an extra amount of fire that you can feel onstage with everybody doing their best and trying to give 110%."
But soon after hitting the road, Batten discovered a more sinister side to working with Michael Jackson. "I was approached in the beginning by somebody who said I could make a lot of money by talking to the National Enquirer," she reveals. "I was just appalled. I thought 'that is just sick', you know? I just got this great gig. Why would I sabotage it like that? It seemed like a really evil thing to do."
Michael Jackson's Isolation
Batten grew to feel sorry for Jackson, who she says was trapped by his celebrity.
"If he wanted to go anywhere he had to alert the security and he had to really have it planned in advance. If he wanted to go to a store they would have to be called and shut it down for him. He was a prisoner of the hotel room, really."
Jackson compensated for this, she says, by treating himself and his entourage to special excursions. Sometimes he had theme parks closed to the public so that he and his team could enjoy them without being hounded.
"He did it first at the Tokyo Disneyland. That was just unbelievable. We would go on the rollercoaster rides and when we were done they would just ask us, 'Do you want to go around again?' We were very, very spoiled."
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the Bad Tour. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Post Bad Tour
The Bad Tour wound up in January 1989 and the group disbanded. In later years Sheryl Crow, a backing singer on the tour, would make several disparaging remarks about Jackson during interviews publicizing her own material. She said he was a diva, never bothering to learn people's names.
Batten refutes this. "I think singers in general are just nuts and ultra-sensitive. One night Michael called Sheryl 'Jennifer'," she giggles, "and I know that pissed her off. But it's like, so what? I mean, you got the biggest gig in the world and it's not like Michael was unaware of who was onstage with him. We were with him for a friggin' year and a half."
When the Bad Tour ended, Jackson retreated to the studio to begin work on the Dangerous album. Batten used this time to capitalize on the exposure that Jackson had given her, beginning work on her debut album.
Produced by Stevie Wonder alumnus Michael Sembello, 'Above, Below and Beyond' was released in 1992.
Dangerous Tour
In the same year, Batten was called back to work on Jackson's Dangerous Tour, giving her a perfect platform to market her solo work.
Despite widespread debate about his appearance and wellbeing, Batten says Jackson seemed like 'the same Michael', if slightly more fatigued.
"I noticed that he was busier and I remember that one time he came to rehearsals and just apologized for not having been there the last few days. He said, 'I was just showered with meetings' and he just repeated it with emotion, 'meeting after meeting after meeting'."
Jackson's heavy schedule dictated that he was 'limited in his rehearsal time', meaning that much of the set list was simply carried over from the Bad Tour. This was 'kind of disappointing' says Batten, because 'we all wanted to play the new stuff'. One of the few new tracks - Remember The Time - was cut from the show after a wardrobe malfunction.
"They had Egyptian costumes and the male dancers had these skirt kind of things. The first time we did it one of the dancers' costumes fell off," she cackles. "That was a little disturbing to Michael."
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the Dangerous Tour. Photo Credit: Sawf News
The wardrobe malfunctions weren't limited to rehearsals, either. On tour Batten would appear every night wearing an enormous fibre-optic headdress. "At the end of Beat It everybody would run out on the stage," she remembers. "Invariably, I would be running at full force and somebody would step on my fibre-optic cable - it would pretty much knock my head off. That was kind of a drag."
At the end of each show, Jackson would exit the stage on a jet pack, floating over the audience's heads.
"He wanted to come out with the biggest show on earth," says Batten. "He wanted it to be like Christmas for people. His imagination was like a creative tornado. He would come up with his wildest dreams and then hire people to carry it out. It was really amazing to be a part of that."
Super Bowl performance
In January 1993 Batten accompanied Jackson for his legendary Super Bowl performance, which was watched by 1.5 billion people.
"I'll tell you, it was the only time I ever saw Michael nervous. It's live and there's only the time of a couple of potato chip commercials to get the stage out into the field. There's one scene where I'm on the corner of the stage with Michael and there's so much fog coming out that we both get lost for a second, but that's the beauty of live gigs. You never know what's going to happen. That was one of my favorite times because it was a one-off special thing that will never be repeated."
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the 1993 Super Bowl performance. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Child Molestation Allegations
After the Super Bowl there was a long break before the second leg of the Dangerous Tour. Batten got antsy and left to pursue personal projects. It was during the second leg that allegations of child abuse were leveled at Jackson.
"I figured it was an extortion case, which I still figure it is," she says matter-of-factly. "Everybody was concerned about him. I think it pains all of us that he was so attacked and so unfairly. Most artists are sensitive and he was talented times ten, so ultra sensitive, and to be slung that kind of stuff... I mean, you can hear it in his lyrics. It's a real drag because you wonder what kind of music he would have come up with if people weren't attacking him like that."
The media, says Batten, has a lot to answer for over its coverage of the 1993 allegations.
"Honestly, I think it would have been considered uncool amongst the press to take Michael's side. I think it would take a brave soul to do that, which is really sad. Really pathetic. Even at the 2005 trial... I know people who were inside the courtroom and then they would watch the news at night and it was complete lies."
HIStory Tour
The case was settled in January 1994 and Jackson began work on his HIStory album. In 1996 Batten was brought back onboard for the accompanying HIStory Tour, although she recalls that it was 'very last minute':
"I got hired a week before I was supposed to start rehearsals, which was a real scramble. It was just nuts. I had to cancel some work."
The tour brought with it more costume problems for Batten, who describes her black latex get-up as 'just dreadful'.
"That mask I had to wear was just ugh... ghastly. Somebody had shown Michael an art book that was kind of S&M based and all the paintings looked really beautiful. So he had that in mind but when it came to real life it wasn't too beautiful anymore," she laughs. "I just had to remind myself that it was all about the theatre, you know? It's not just about the music."
Indeed, the tour provoked criticism from some fans who said that there was too much emphasis on theatre and not enough on the music, with much of each concert appearing to be lip-synched.
Fans' explanations have ranged from nodules to laryngitis, but while she won't be drawn on the subject of miming, Batten says she never heard anything about Jackson suffering from any throat problems.
"In fact," she adds, "every night he'd be warming up with his vocal coach. You could hear him doing arpeggios from his dressing room."
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the HIStory tour. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Michael's on stage appearances with children
Batten says that initially she was alarmed by Jackson's decision to end each concert flanked on either side by young children.
"At the end of the show he would disappear down an elevator in the stage with a little boy and a little girl. At first I thought, 'God, because of the allegations you'd think he wouldn't do that'. But then I thought, 'You know what, he hasn't done anything wrong so why the hell should he change his life?' I think that was a little bit of giving a finger to his critics."
The HIStory Tour lasted into the Summer of 1997 and would mark the end of the pair's working relationship, but Batten says she never felt disappointed that he didn't bring her back.
"I would just go off and work on my own career. If he calls, great, and if he doesn't, great. It's been a great ride with him anyway."
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten performing during the HIStory tour. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Michael's Death
Batten says she was out driving on June 25, 2009 when an acquaintance called to tell her about rumors of Jackson's death.
"I didn't really believe it when he told me because I had heard so many rumors about Michael over the years, false alarms about everything. I thought, 'Yea, right'. I saw it was true when I got home and I had mixed feelings. I was sad but in a way I thought power to him for going to the other side, because of all the torture that had come at him. I just can't imagine living with that."
In the weeks after Jackson's death Batten says she was unable to watch the media coverage, knowing how much of it was false.
"They were respectful for about two or three hours and then they turned it into a tabloid festival," she laments.
"I just couldn't watch it. There were a lot of specials on about him and once in a while I would turn one on and it was just sh*t. I guess it makes money to just bring up negativity and stir up controversy but it's pathetic and I just can't watch it. It's all about money now, not about truth. People can be very cold."
This Is It movie
But unlike some of Jackson's friends, Batten says she was able to bring herself to watch This Is It, even if she did have mixed feelings about it.
"I hadn't seen any video of him for years and just to see his talent, even when he wasn't going full out, the way he sang Human Nature was just chilling. The way his body moves - there was just no other dancer in the world that was like that. So I enjoyed it."
But thanks to a close friendship with Jackson's make-up artist Karen Faye, who worked with the star during his This Is It rehearsals, Batten says she's able to see the other side of the coin. Since Jackson's death Faye has written on her facebook page that Jackson was frail, cold to the touch and losing weight rapidly.
"She was closer to Michael than anyone," says Batten, "She warned people that he was not well but everybody ignored her. You didn't see it on the screen because they took every day that he rehearsed and pieced together the best bits. You didn't see him when he was struggling up a ramp because he didn't have any energy and he hadn't eaten for two days. They're not going to put that in the film. I mean, one of the songs he was wearing four different costumes. That just tells me that he never sang the song fully through."
Nowadays Batten is focusing on her own career. As well as writing new music ("I'm getting into acoustic stuff, which I haven't done since I was 14") she has spent much of 2010 touring the world with her pioneering one-woman multimedia show. Last month she performed all over the UK and she's currently on the road in Japan.
Michael Jackson and Jennifer Batten. Photo Credit: Sawf News
Batten post Michael Jackson
"I've been doing a multimedia tour for a couple of years now where all of my tracks are cut to film," she explains. "I thought about what it would take to get a band together and the expense involved. I thought, 'Well, there's got to be a way I can do this myself'. So I came up with the idea of film. If people want to just watch my fingers then fine but it's not all that entertaining for 90 minutes.
"I had four filmmakers contribute films and that's it. One of them showed me how to do it myself and now most of the films are ones that I've made. So I've been really obsessed with that part of it as well."
When she's not overseas Batten has taken to exploring territory closer to home. "I bought a motor home so I can travel around America doing my show," she says. "I've got 40,000 miles on it already and it's kind of cool to see my own country for a change.
"I'm just taking things into my own hands and not waiting for the phone to ring. I'm having a ball!"
http://www.sawfnews.com/Entertainment/62954.aspx
mercoledì 10 marzo 2010
Michael Jackson had girlfriends, wanted a normal life, bodyguards claim
Michael Jackson's bodyguards in the last years of his life describe the pop icon as a prisoner of fame who enjoyed going through the fast-food drive-through and just wanted to go to a bar and order a beer like anyone else, according to ABC's Ashley Banfield, who spent three days with the men. (The men were not paid for the interview, Banfield makes sure to say, but they are angling for a book contract.)
The men say that Jackson, acquitted in 2005 of molestation, was not a pedophile -- "Being a father myself and being a man, men know men," guard Bill Whitfield says. "He had desires for women" -- and that, in fact, he dated at least two women, making out with them behind a curtain in the backseat of his car. Well, either that, Whitfield says, "or chewing loud gum."
They described Jackson's three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket as smart and exceedingly well-mannered, and says Jackson hid the "Wacko Jacko" headlines from them as best he could. When Banfield asks whether Jackson considered his own behavior "weird," Whitfield says, "Different. I'd use the world different. Weird, no."
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2010/03/michael_jackson_had_girlfriend.html
The men say that Jackson, acquitted in 2005 of molestation, was not a pedophile -- "Being a father myself and being a man, men know men," guard Bill Whitfield says. "He had desires for women" -- and that, in fact, he dated at least two women, making out with them behind a curtain in the backseat of his car. Well, either that, Whitfield says, "or chewing loud gum."
They described Jackson's three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket as smart and exceedingly well-mannered, and says Jackson hid the "Wacko Jacko" headlines from them as best he could. When Banfield asks whether Jackson considered his own behavior "weird," Whitfield says, "Different. I'd use the world different. Weird, no."
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2010/03/michael_jackson_had_girlfriend.html
Michael Jackson’s Bodyguards: Singer Had Girlfriends, Was An ‘Awesome’ Dad
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
Three of Michael Jackson’s former bodyguards are speaking out about the late pop star’s private life and revealing details about his girlfriends and what kind of father he was.
Mike Garcia, Bill Whitfield and Javon “BJ” Beard appeared on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday and called Jackson – who died on June 25 – an “awesome” dad.
“The kids were constantly saying, ‘I love you, Daddy…They were like four buddies,” Garcia said, explaining that one of the activities that Jackson loved to do was take his three kids – Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket – to fast food drive-throughs. The guards said the singer would often get a kick out of ordering himself.
Whitfield described Jackson’s three children as “polite” and “well mannered”
Beard noted that Jackson and his kids were very isolated, explaining that at the kids’ birthday parties, no other children were present and only Jackson, the nanny, the teacher and the bodyguards would attend.
Beard described some of the isolated moments of Jackon’s life as “sad.”
The three men were asked if they believed Jackson was as pedophile, to which all three said, “No.”
“Being a man…men know men…and we [were] around him long enough to know…he was a man,” Whitfield said.
Garcia said the singer had “desires of women like we do. He had lovers.”
According to the guards, Jackson had two girlfriends from 2007 to 2009 and they often witnessed the pop star being romantic with them.
“In the cars that we had, we had a curtain that covered the back seat…you couldn’t see in the back seat. They talked back there…they didn’t do nothing out of bounds…you can hear the kissing,” Whitfield explained.
http://www.accesshollywood.com/_article_29929
Three of Michael Jackson’s former bodyguards are speaking out about the late pop star’s private life and revealing details about his girlfriends and what kind of father he was.
Mike Garcia, Bill Whitfield and Javon “BJ” Beard appeared on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday and called Jackson – who died on June 25 – an “awesome” dad.
“The kids were constantly saying, ‘I love you, Daddy…They were like four buddies,” Garcia said, explaining that one of the activities that Jackson loved to do was take his three kids – Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket – to fast food drive-throughs. The guards said the singer would often get a kick out of ordering himself.
Whitfield described Jackson’s three children as “polite” and “well mannered”
Beard noted that Jackson and his kids were very isolated, explaining that at the kids’ birthday parties, no other children were present and only Jackson, the nanny, the teacher and the bodyguards would attend.
Beard described some of the isolated moments of Jackon’s life as “sad.”
The three men were asked if they believed Jackson was as pedophile, to which all three said, “No.”
“Being a man…men know men…and we [were] around him long enough to know…he was a man,” Whitfield said.
Garcia said the singer had “desires of women like we do. He had lovers.”
According to the guards, Jackson had two girlfriends from 2007 to 2009 and they often witnessed the pop star being romantic with them.
“In the cars that we had, we had a curtain that covered the back seat…you couldn’t see in the back seat. They talked back there…they didn’t do nothing out of bounds…you can hear the kissing,” Whitfield explained.
http://www.accesshollywood.com/_article_29929
A Message from one of Michael's techs on TII..
"Hi,
My name is jhon. I will spare a second name as i do not want any lawsuits brought against me by AEG or any company affiliated with them.
I worked as part of the technical team on Michaels This is it production.
Firstly let me just say, Michael was a good man, i bare him no ill will or malice, but the reason for this posting is for a few simple reasons--I am publicly not permitted to talk about any aspect of the this is it production. Everyone who worked on that has been told not to give any kind of public statement, only officials or people who are granted permission by AEG are allowed to discuss publicly about the production. People who are allowed are the obvious ones, such as directors(Kenny etc.) Dancers, a few people from production(set, costume designers), musical director etc, the dancers etc...
Understand this...everything that is being said by these people has been vetted and checked. They are told which details to reveal.
MY main anger and point of this article is 3 main things, that i witnessed but did not see in the dvd movie(that my nephew purchased)
1. Many of the vocals used in this is it movie are not the vocals i heard. Please hear me out.
I heard Michael sing ALL of his songs without playback, in the rehearsals we NEVER USE PLAYBACK. When i was younger and starting out i got a job on Michaels earlier tour in 1991. I worked as a junior in productions, and i witnessed 2 rehearsal sessions.--there was no playback, even though when he had taken the show out of rehearsals and onto the road there was a playback. I am sure you can find rehearsals from an earlier tour on the INTERNET--just look into it-he never uses playback on rehearsals-it is pointless because there is no audience .
Basically from my experience with Michael, he never uses playback in rehearsals.--it is a waste, as there is no audience.
I am unhappy that Kenny did not show Michaels real voice on a few songs.
2. My second problem is that some performances from Michael has been left out. He turned up for around 3 rehearsals a week, out of a 6 day week. And in the end had done around 4 full rehearsals before june 25th.
How it worked was like this---Michael spent time learning the moves with his choreographer, and would come in and rehearse with the dancers on average 1-2 times a week, the 3rd day when he was at rehersals he looked into productions and had costume fittings etc.. When Michael was absent there would be a double, just to step in(so the dancers could rehearse). I blatantly saw this double in the movie, in the Smooth criminal performance. You see, that background(with the towers and building)was fully completed after his death. Any footage of him in-front of those building in smooth criminal is not him, HOWEVER IT IS MICHAEL WHEN THE BACKGROUND IS WHITE. That particular scene was confusing, as they mixed the 2 footages together-the footage of the buildings is used with a Michael step in( a double), and when he is in-front of a white screen that is him.-confusing but watch that scene again and you will know what i mean.--it is him when he says POW and he is in front of a WHITE screen, BUT IT IS THE DOUBLE WHEN HE IS IN-FRONT OF A 3D BACKGROUND OF BUILDINGS.
Other performances that, after researching it, has been denied. MICHAEL did perform dirty Diana--it was a masterpiece.---granted Michael did not sound all that good, it was only rehearsal.--he did it twice. The set up was excellent.---why AEG are denying it had taken place i do not know.
We are the world was also performed, and heal the world and a few others.
iNFACT IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND FANS THAT HAVE RECORDED HIM PERFORMING DIRTY DIANA(ON THERE PHONES OUTSIDE STAPLE CENTRE), BUT KENNY HAS DENIED THAT HE PERFORMED IT.
I just wanted to let you guys, the real fans, that there is the real footage out there somewhere and one day you will hopefully get to see it.
3. MY third problem with the movie is it did not address the health concerns that we all saw. Not the thinness, Michael, if my memory serves me well has always been thin-this was not a problem. The problems that i saw, was basically Michael had some problem with his feet. After his rehearsal with the dancers, he would usually be in a great deal of pain, from his feet. I don't know if any one can shed some light on this, but someone on set said his skin on his feel tears easily and has become very sensitive-after years of putting them to use i guessed-this is why Michaels dancers were going to do a large number of the heavy routines, with Michael only participating in a few dance routines(such as beat it the way you make me feel), the rest of the time he would be just walking around stage, filling the room with his presence
He was also in great pain from his back. Although this is not in the movie, but on days that Michael was not there randy, don't know his second name but from my understanding at the time, he was the man who was funding this elaborate show, randy was always talking to Kenny about Michaels and his worries about him not completing 50. Randy and Kenny were talking a lot, and made alot of plans in-case his health fails, Randy also hired a doctor for Michael.
Kenny, as instructed by Randy, always made sure the camera's were rolling on the days mj turned up for rehearsals, although he denies this, but these film footages were made as a guarantee, that if something happened he would have something get his investment back on. I don't know if you fans know this, or whether it is common knowledge or not, but Kenny and Randy are cousins(i think distant)
In fact we were all told that if we saw Michael and his entourage we were to send word to Kenny immediately so as he could instruct the camera men to film.
Well i have said my peace...
http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/645790
My name is jhon. I will spare a second name as i do not want any lawsuits brought against me by AEG or any company affiliated with them.
I worked as part of the technical team on Michaels This is it production.
Firstly let me just say, Michael was a good man, i bare him no ill will or malice, but the reason for this posting is for a few simple reasons--I am publicly not permitted to talk about any aspect of the this is it production. Everyone who worked on that has been told not to give any kind of public statement, only officials or people who are granted permission by AEG are allowed to discuss publicly about the production. People who are allowed are the obvious ones, such as directors(Kenny etc.) Dancers, a few people from production(set, costume designers), musical director etc, the dancers etc...
Understand this...everything that is being said by these people has been vetted and checked. They are told which details to reveal.
MY main anger and point of this article is 3 main things, that i witnessed but did not see in the dvd movie(that my nephew purchased)
1. Many of the vocals used in this is it movie are not the vocals i heard. Please hear me out.
I heard Michael sing ALL of his songs without playback, in the rehearsals we NEVER USE PLAYBACK. When i was younger and starting out i got a job on Michaels earlier tour in 1991. I worked as a junior in productions, and i witnessed 2 rehearsal sessions.--there was no playback, even though when he had taken the show out of rehearsals and onto the road there was a playback. I am sure you can find rehearsals from an earlier tour on the INTERNET--just look into it-he never uses playback on rehearsals-it is pointless because there is no audience .
Basically from my experience with Michael, he never uses playback in rehearsals.--it is a waste, as there is no audience.
I am unhappy that Kenny did not show Michaels real voice on a few songs.
2. My second problem is that some performances from Michael has been left out. He turned up for around 3 rehearsals a week, out of a 6 day week. And in the end had done around 4 full rehearsals before june 25th.
How it worked was like this---Michael spent time learning the moves with his choreographer, and would come in and rehearse with the dancers on average 1-2 times a week, the 3rd day when he was at rehersals he looked into productions and had costume fittings etc.. When Michael was absent there would be a double, just to step in(so the dancers could rehearse). I blatantly saw this double in the movie, in the Smooth criminal performance. You see, that background(with the towers and building)was fully completed after his death. Any footage of him in-front of those building in smooth criminal is not him, HOWEVER IT IS MICHAEL WHEN THE BACKGROUND IS WHITE. That particular scene was confusing, as they mixed the 2 footages together-the footage of the buildings is used with a Michael step in( a double), and when he is in-front of a white screen that is him.-confusing but watch that scene again and you will know what i mean.--it is him when he says POW and he is in front of a WHITE screen, BUT IT IS THE DOUBLE WHEN HE IS IN-FRONT OF A 3D BACKGROUND OF BUILDINGS.
Other performances that, after researching it, has been denied. MICHAEL did perform dirty Diana--it was a masterpiece.---granted Michael did not sound all that good, it was only rehearsal.--he did it twice. The set up was excellent.---why AEG are denying it had taken place i do not know.
We are the world was also performed, and heal the world and a few others.
iNFACT IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND FANS THAT HAVE RECORDED HIM PERFORMING DIRTY DIANA(ON THERE PHONES OUTSIDE STAPLE CENTRE), BUT KENNY HAS DENIED THAT HE PERFORMED IT.
I just wanted to let you guys, the real fans, that there is the real footage out there somewhere and one day you will hopefully get to see it.
3. MY third problem with the movie is it did not address the health concerns that we all saw. Not the thinness, Michael, if my memory serves me well has always been thin-this was not a problem. The problems that i saw, was basically Michael had some problem with his feet. After his rehearsal with the dancers, he would usually be in a great deal of pain, from his feet. I don't know if any one can shed some light on this, but someone on set said his skin on his feel tears easily and has become very sensitive-after years of putting them to use i guessed-this is why Michaels dancers were going to do a large number of the heavy routines, with Michael only participating in a few dance routines(such as beat it the way you make me feel), the rest of the time he would be just walking around stage, filling the room with his presence
He was also in great pain from his back. Although this is not in the movie, but on days that Michael was not there randy, don't know his second name but from my understanding at the time, he was the man who was funding this elaborate show, randy was always talking to Kenny about Michaels and his worries about him not completing 50. Randy and Kenny were talking a lot, and made alot of plans in-case his health fails, Randy also hired a doctor for Michael.
Kenny, as instructed by Randy, always made sure the camera's were rolling on the days mj turned up for rehearsals, although he denies this, but these film footages were made as a guarantee, that if something happened he would have something get his investment back on. I don't know if you fans know this, or whether it is common knowledge or not, but Kenny and Randy are cousins(i think distant)
In fact we were all told that if we saw Michael and his entourage we were to send word to Kenny immediately so as he could instruct the camera men to film.
Well i have said my peace...
http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/645790
The Real "This Is It"
martedì, novembre 03, 2009
Read this, you all- The REAL This is It
The Real "This Is It"
My Conversation With Someone Who Was There
Yesterday I had the amazing chance to speak to someone who worked on This Is It. This person has worked with Michael in the past, I've seen him before on TV close to Michael, and I also saw him in the movie and his name appears at the end. He is here in Miami on vacation with family and a good friend of mine knows him. I begged him to let me meet him and he was the sweetest person, and he loved Michael.
He gave me the ok to share with you what he told me, however with the condition that I would name provide his name. He is under contract with AEG/Sony and is only allowed to officially talk good about the movie and the concert. As he told me "hey, I also gotta pay my bills, so I have to do what they say."
However, at the same time he told me to "share with fans what I said, because it is important that some things are known."
He has great respect and admiration for Michael and has known him for over 20 years.
Here's the most important things he told me:
- Michael has always been a very sweet, humble person, since the first time they met 20 years ago, however he noticed that during these rehearsals, he looked even more humble than usual, to the point that he actually felt Michael was incredibly insecure this time around, he saw him very vulnerable and everyone automatically tried to make him feel ok, everyone wanted to bring the spark in him that old Michael Jackson had. According to this person a combination of the 2005 trial and the long absence from the spotlight made Michael feel very insecure.
-Michael did not get along at all with Randy Phillips. Everyone knew it, even Phillips knew it. Phillips had a very arrogant way of dealing with Michael, he was terrified that Michael would not get ready for the shows and AEG would lose a lot of money. According to this person, Phillips made it clear to several people that these concerts had to happen, no matter what, because he "had to personally convince everyone at AEG that this was a good deal" therefore his job was at risk if anything went wrong. On many occasions Phillips would go to Michael's house with Ortega and Travis Payne whenever Michael would not show up. At times they would come back with him, at times no. The official explanations to the crew was "Michael is not feeling well today," "Michael rehearsed at home" or "Michael is rehearsing with his vocal coach."
At first the crew believed it, but after a few weeks everyone started realizing something was up because even though Ortega and Payne would say everything was fine, it was obvious that they were very frustrated and nervous, and there were several heated discussions between Ortega, Phillips and Payne, but what exactly was being discussed was not clear since they always ade sure they would be far enough for anyone to hear. During these conversations one of them would always be on a cellphone, and then the would pass it aroud to themselves. This person believes they were talking to Michael.
-Michael, and this is shown in the movie, did not want to wear the ear monitors. As this person told me, "look at any footage from Michael in concerts in the past, and you will never find him wearing ear monitors, he did not like them, did not need them." According to him, Ortega got upset at one time at Michael, and in front of everyone told him "you have to understand that here you do not have an option, you have to wear them, this is going to be a closed arena, not an open stadium, and the sound is different." He said his tone was very nasty and everyone was shocked, especially since Michael looked very upset, but mostly hurt, by it.
Interestingly, yesterday Karen Faye wrote on her facebook that Michael always complained to her that he did not like ear monitors, and asked her to tell Ortega. According to her, she did and Ortega told her "well, he has to wear them!"
-This is very interesting. According to this person, there was absolutely no way the concert was going to be ready for opening night on July 13th, and everyone kenw it. He asked me the following "when you saw the movie, you do realize right that they had to show the best scenes, the best performances, right ?" I said "yes, of course" to which he replied "so do you realize that what you have seen, most of it came from June 24th, 23rd and 22nd ? Based on what you saw, did it feel as if everything was going to be ready in 2 weeks ?" He said that Michael did not have his clothes ready, and that there was "pathetic" @#$%$ing around from different stylists that were trying to come up with ideas. But nothing was ready, no clothes, not even for the dancers. Michael wanted Michael Bush, but Travis Payne brought in that Zaldy guy, and AEG was behind Zaldy, rather than Michael Bush.
The opening number for the concert was only done on the computer, just like we saw in the movie. It was never rehearsed, and the robot that Michael would have come out from was not ever ready. Also the closing of the show was just a concept.
He also confirmed that they never had a full rehearsal. In other words, they never practiced the whole concert, it would always be a few songs on several days, but it was never put all together, therefore they were also very concerned that once everything was gonna put together, it would take much longer that the 2 hours originally planned. This was going to be a huge problem for AEG and the O2 arena, because of an agreement they had with time. Also, Michael did not want to have long shows, for obvious reasons.
Also, they never rehearsed with implementing the videos for Smooth, Thriller and Earth as we saw in the movie, those were edited in the movie, but they never rehearsed using them, and it was still unclear how they would be used with the songs, especially Smooth Criminal.
-For the most part, Michael looked well, however this person did unfortunately confirm to me that there were days that something was "wrong" and everybody knew it. He worked with Michael in the past and Michael never wore sunglasses while rehearsing the dark like that, especially since Michael in the past would always want to see how the lights looked and for that reason did not like using shades. But he said "don't expect them to talk about it on tv of course, same with me, I won't and I can't." He said that at first everybody thought Michael was just eccentric and stuff, especially the dancers, they were just excited to see him, but he said for those who knew him for many years, including him, started realizing alarming signs.
However, he said, this just shows how vulnerable Michael was and he does not like how people associate this behavior with something negative. He said "he went through so much poor thing, I perfectly understand why this was happening." Oh and btw, he said that some of the crew members started checking TMZ with their IPHONES to find out whether or not Michael had seen Dr. Klein during the day. It would usually warn them on what to expect when he showed up.
-Michael had fun when performing, it appeared as if it was what he needed, however off stage Michael did no look happy, he rarely interacted with the crew, other than Karen Faye and at times with Michael Bush. According to this person, Michael stayed as far as he could from Ortega, Payne and Phillips off stage, because he always felt he was being chased by them to do more, perform more and give more. He said that the crew in general felt Ortega was being too demanding, especially when it was obvious nothing was ready on time. But they mostly felt Ortega was being pressured by Phillips, and that it was Phillips who was just going crazy because was in a position of losing everything with these shows.
-The day after the news came out that some fans claimed Michael told them he did not want to do 50 concerts, everyone was instructed not to talk to anybody from the media, not to let in anyone who was not authorized to attend rehearsals, especially fans. When Michael came in that day, the atmosphere was tense and he did not look happy at all. Before working that day, Phillips and Ortega met with Michael and, interestingly, with his bodyguards. They spoke for about 20 minutes, but once again this person could not hear what was being said. However everyone had the feeling Michael indeed did not want to do 50 shows and believed Michael did talk to those fans.
This is pretty much it. This guy said that it is a shame that Michael died while being extremely stressed out. He said that a lot of pressure was put on Michael, but the truth is that the concerts were not going to be ready not because of him, but because the there was simply not enough time to accomplish all they had planned. He said he is sure Michael would have been 100% ready by July 13th, because "he did those songs hundreds of times before during his career, he knew exactly what to do" but everything else around was not ready.
He also says he personally felt Michael sometimes did not show up because he knew things were moving slowly and sort of felt disappointed. He was a perfectionist, and when things were obviously not going in the right direction, he would get frustrated and sort of lose interest, instead of becoming upset at someone. Yet they made him believe it was him, that things were moving slowly because of him. But this person told me that Michael had nothing to do with all the technical stuff, like lighting, fireworks etc, therefore it was not his fault, but he was the easy target.
According to him, if the concerts were not going to be ready, it would have been easier for AEG to blame it on Michael, than blame themselves and their lack of timing skills.
Once again, do not ask me for his name, I will never tell, not even via PM. He was brutally honest with me and I will honor his request.
A lot of things make sense now, especially the concerts not being ready based on what we saw in the movie. No way in two weeks they were going to be ready. Also, he said, don't forget that a lot of days would have been lost during the move to London and setting up the stage there and get adjusted to the arena.
This is very sad, especially to think that Michael was somehow made feel responsible for this.
Source : Mrfuture@Kop Board
Read this, you all- The REAL This is It
The Real "This Is It"
My Conversation With Someone Who Was There
Yesterday I had the amazing chance to speak to someone who worked on This Is It. This person has worked with Michael in the past, I've seen him before on TV close to Michael, and I also saw him in the movie and his name appears at the end. He is here in Miami on vacation with family and a good friend of mine knows him. I begged him to let me meet him and he was the sweetest person, and he loved Michael.
He gave me the ok to share with you what he told me, however with the condition that I would name provide his name. He is under contract with AEG/Sony and is only allowed to officially talk good about the movie and the concert. As he told me "hey, I also gotta pay my bills, so I have to do what they say."
However, at the same time he told me to "share with fans what I said, because it is important that some things are known."
He has great respect and admiration for Michael and has known him for over 20 years.
Here's the most important things he told me:
- Michael has always been a very sweet, humble person, since the first time they met 20 years ago, however he noticed that during these rehearsals, he looked even more humble than usual, to the point that he actually felt Michael was incredibly insecure this time around, he saw him very vulnerable and everyone automatically tried to make him feel ok, everyone wanted to bring the spark in him that old Michael Jackson had. According to this person a combination of the 2005 trial and the long absence from the spotlight made Michael feel very insecure.
-Michael did not get along at all with Randy Phillips. Everyone knew it, even Phillips knew it. Phillips had a very arrogant way of dealing with Michael, he was terrified that Michael would not get ready for the shows and AEG would lose a lot of money. According to this person, Phillips made it clear to several people that these concerts had to happen, no matter what, because he "had to personally convince everyone at AEG that this was a good deal" therefore his job was at risk if anything went wrong. On many occasions Phillips would go to Michael's house with Ortega and Travis Payne whenever Michael would not show up. At times they would come back with him, at times no. The official explanations to the crew was "Michael is not feeling well today," "Michael rehearsed at home" or "Michael is rehearsing with his vocal coach."
At first the crew believed it, but after a few weeks everyone started realizing something was up because even though Ortega and Payne would say everything was fine, it was obvious that they were very frustrated and nervous, and there were several heated discussions between Ortega, Phillips and Payne, but what exactly was being discussed was not clear since they always ade sure they would be far enough for anyone to hear. During these conversations one of them would always be on a cellphone, and then the would pass it aroud to themselves. This person believes they were talking to Michael.
-Michael, and this is shown in the movie, did not want to wear the ear monitors. As this person told me, "look at any footage from Michael in concerts in the past, and you will never find him wearing ear monitors, he did not like them, did not need them." According to him, Ortega got upset at one time at Michael, and in front of everyone told him "you have to understand that here you do not have an option, you have to wear them, this is going to be a closed arena, not an open stadium, and the sound is different." He said his tone was very nasty and everyone was shocked, especially since Michael looked very upset, but mostly hurt, by it.
Interestingly, yesterday Karen Faye wrote on her facebook that Michael always complained to her that he did not like ear monitors, and asked her to tell Ortega. According to her, she did and Ortega told her "well, he has to wear them!"
-This is very interesting. According to this person, there was absolutely no way the concert was going to be ready for opening night on July 13th, and everyone kenw it. He asked me the following "when you saw the movie, you do realize right that they had to show the best scenes, the best performances, right ?" I said "yes, of course" to which he replied "so do you realize that what you have seen, most of it came from June 24th, 23rd and 22nd ? Based on what you saw, did it feel as if everything was going to be ready in 2 weeks ?" He said that Michael did not have his clothes ready, and that there was "pathetic" @#$%$ing around from different stylists that were trying to come up with ideas. But nothing was ready, no clothes, not even for the dancers. Michael wanted Michael Bush, but Travis Payne brought in that Zaldy guy, and AEG was behind Zaldy, rather than Michael Bush.
The opening number for the concert was only done on the computer, just like we saw in the movie. It was never rehearsed, and the robot that Michael would have come out from was not ever ready. Also the closing of the show was just a concept.
He also confirmed that they never had a full rehearsal. In other words, they never practiced the whole concert, it would always be a few songs on several days, but it was never put all together, therefore they were also very concerned that once everything was gonna put together, it would take much longer that the 2 hours originally planned. This was going to be a huge problem for AEG and the O2 arena, because of an agreement they had with time. Also, Michael did not want to have long shows, for obvious reasons.
Also, they never rehearsed with implementing the videos for Smooth, Thriller and Earth as we saw in the movie, those were edited in the movie, but they never rehearsed using them, and it was still unclear how they would be used with the songs, especially Smooth Criminal.
-For the most part, Michael looked well, however this person did unfortunately confirm to me that there were days that something was "wrong" and everybody knew it. He worked with Michael in the past and Michael never wore sunglasses while rehearsing the dark like that, especially since Michael in the past would always want to see how the lights looked and for that reason did not like using shades. But he said "don't expect them to talk about it on tv of course, same with me, I won't and I can't." He said that at first everybody thought Michael was just eccentric and stuff, especially the dancers, they were just excited to see him, but he said for those who knew him for many years, including him, started realizing alarming signs.
However, he said, this just shows how vulnerable Michael was and he does not like how people associate this behavior with something negative. He said "he went through so much poor thing, I perfectly understand why this was happening." Oh and btw, he said that some of the crew members started checking TMZ with their IPHONES to find out whether or not Michael had seen Dr. Klein during the day. It would usually warn them on what to expect when he showed up.
-Michael had fun when performing, it appeared as if it was what he needed, however off stage Michael did no look happy, he rarely interacted with the crew, other than Karen Faye and at times with Michael Bush. According to this person, Michael stayed as far as he could from Ortega, Payne and Phillips off stage, because he always felt he was being chased by them to do more, perform more and give more. He said that the crew in general felt Ortega was being too demanding, especially when it was obvious nothing was ready on time. But they mostly felt Ortega was being pressured by Phillips, and that it was Phillips who was just going crazy because was in a position of losing everything with these shows.
-The day after the news came out that some fans claimed Michael told them he did not want to do 50 concerts, everyone was instructed not to talk to anybody from the media, not to let in anyone who was not authorized to attend rehearsals, especially fans. When Michael came in that day, the atmosphere was tense and he did not look happy at all. Before working that day, Phillips and Ortega met with Michael and, interestingly, with his bodyguards. They spoke for about 20 minutes, but once again this person could not hear what was being said. However everyone had the feeling Michael indeed did not want to do 50 shows and believed Michael did talk to those fans.
This is pretty much it. This guy said that it is a shame that Michael died while being extremely stressed out. He said that a lot of pressure was put on Michael, but the truth is that the concerts were not going to be ready not because of him, but because the there was simply not enough time to accomplish all they had planned. He said he is sure Michael would have been 100% ready by July 13th, because "he did those songs hundreds of times before during his career, he knew exactly what to do" but everything else around was not ready.
He also says he personally felt Michael sometimes did not show up because he knew things were moving slowly and sort of felt disappointed. He was a perfectionist, and when things were obviously not going in the right direction, he would get frustrated and sort of lose interest, instead of becoming upset at someone. Yet they made him believe it was him, that things were moving slowly because of him. But this person told me that Michael had nothing to do with all the technical stuff, like lighting, fireworks etc, therefore it was not his fault, but he was the easy target.
According to him, if the concerts were not going to be ready, it would have been easier for AEG to blame it on Michael, than blame themselves and their lack of timing skills.
Once again, do not ask me for his name, I will never tell, not even via PM. He was brutally honest with me and I will honor his request.
A lot of things make sense now, especially the concerts not being ready based on what we saw in the movie. No way in two weeks they were going to be ready. Also, he said, don't forget that a lot of days would have been lost during the move to London and setting up the stage there and get adjusted to the arena.
This is very sad, especially to think that Michael was somehow made feel responsible for this.
Source : Mrfuture@Kop Board
mercoledì 17 febbraio 2010
Michael e Jordan Chandler: quello che non vi hanno urlato!
Ci sono tante cose che non vi hanno detto. E' per questo che ho deciso di aprire questo blog! Io ricordo il 1993...tutti quei titoli che urlavano contro di lui, che lo definivano con le parole più offensive. Così facile farlo divenire un mito e troppo appetitoso scaraventarlo all'inferno.Voi direte: tu sei una fan non puoi essere oggetiva. Potrei darvi ragione, perciò mi limiterò a darvi delle notizie che non sono state gridate come quelle che lo hanno messo in cattiva luce.
Parliamo del primo caso di accuse ai danni di Michael.
La vittima, presunta, è Jordan Chandler.
All'epoca Jordan, meglio conosciuto come Jordy, Jordie o JC, aveva 14 anni!
Aveva conosciuto MJ grazie al padre, Evan. Evan, incontrò Michael in un posto dove si noleggiano auto. L'auto di Jackson si era rotta. Evan, chiese ed ottenne di far incontrare Michael e suo figlio. Da quel giorno Michael e Jordan diventarono molto uniti e dato che Michael era impegnato in giro per il mondo con il suo "Dangerous Tuor" del 1992, si sentivano spesso per telefono.
Jordan si affezionò al suo idolo e spesso passava giorni a Neverland. Michael sembra che dormì a casa Chandler per un totale di 30 notti.
Jackson cominciò a portarsi dietro lui, la sua sorellastra più piccina, Lily e la madre June, che si era ormai separata dal marito Evan.
Possiamo vederli spesso insieme, persino ai "World Music Award" tenutisi a Montecarlo.
Io vidi quell'evento in diretta in televisione e ricordo perfettamente Michael e Jordy, che cantavano insieme la canzone dei Boyz II men "The end of the road".
Sorridevano, giocavano. Michael teneva in braccio Jordy e la sorellina, ma June era sempre con loro.
Sembravano davvero tutti molto affiatati e sereni.
Guardate questo video e soprattutto al minuto 3.00.
Invece:
1-Jordy raccontò poi, che quel giorno lui e Michael avevano la febbre. Jordy si mise nella vasca del bagno di Michael e poi Michael si infilò nella stessa vasca e fece delle cose orribili. Era il primo approccio sessuale ai danni di Jordy. Questo prima degli awards. Guardate il video e ditemi se il ragazzo sembra stranito.
Ecco quello che però non vi hanno detto:
1-Jordie nel 1997 ha scritto un libro: "Michael Jackson was my lover". Un diario su cui pare il ragazzo avesse appuntato tutti i dettagli dei suoi contatti sessuali con il Re del Pop. Nel 1997 Jordie aveva 20 anni circa. Siamo sicuri che una persona molestata in modo così deprorevole, abbia la forza di esternare certi particolari?
2-Anche lo zio di Jordan, Raymond (che non parlava più col nipote da oltre 10 anni) e la sorella Lily hanno scritto un libro ciascuno!!!
3-Nel 1996 Evan Chandler chiese altri 60 milioni di dollari (oltre ai 20 ottenuti con l'accordo) a Michael, per prodursi un album "EvanStory". Non richiama "hiStory", l'album di MJ?. Fortunatamente tale richiesta fu respinta dalla Corte.
3-JC disse che Michael era circonciso, ma la perizia fotografica di 25 minuti al ranch di MJ, smentì questa informazione. L'accusa dichiara che la descrizione del ragazzo coincide perfettamente, ma i dottori e alcune agenzie di stampa (Reuters, ad esempio), dicono al contrario, che non ci sono similitudini!
4-JC nel 2006 aveva denunciato suo padre per averlo quasi ucciso! Anche il patrigno di Jordan accusò Evan di tentato omicidio. Dopo poco Evan denunciò suo figlio, ma non è dato sapere perché.
5-La denuncia contro Michael non fu fatta alla polizia, ma inizialmente solo ad un legale civile!
6-Non fu Michael ha volere l'accordo, ma la sua compagnia di assicurazione, i suoi soci in affari. Ci sono i documenti depositati a testimonianza!
Inizialmente infatti, Michael alla richiesta di soldi rispose "Vai al diavolo!" Ci furono altre trattative che fallirono, così Chandler portò il figlio da uno psichiatra e cominciarono le indagini.
7-Evan voleva soldi per produrre dei film, aveva chiesto a Michael di farlo lavorare come produttore, ma Michael se ne guardò bene! Inoltre Jordy si era affezionato a MJ e questo rese suo padre molto geloso.
8-FBI ha pubblicato poche settimane fa i file con le indagini condotte su Michael riguardo altri eventi, ad insaputa dello stesso Jackson. Una pazzoide minacciava di morte il presidente degli Stati Uniti e Michael. Da quella indagine incrociata con l'accusa di molestie, non risultò nulla di scorretto da parte di Jackson.
9-C'è una cassetta audio di un'intercettazione telefonica relativa ad una conversazione tra il padre e lo zio di Jordie: "Jackson non mi ha più chiamato, senza un motivo. Ho un avvocato, un figlio di putt...dobbiamo umiliarlo pubblicamente, il più possibile, velocemente. Tutto sta andando secondo i miei piani. Basta che faccio una telefonata e lo disturggeremo nel modo più crudele. Fatto questo avrò il mio momento di gloria. Non perderò. Io ottengo sempre quello che voglio. E lui sarà distrutto per sempre! la sua carriera è finita! "E Jordan come la prenderà?" chiese lo zio. "Per me non ha importanza. Sarà un massacro se non otterrò quello che chiedo! Quest'uomo sarà umiliato oltre qualunque aspettativa. Non venderà più un disco! Ci sono altre persone coinvolte in certe posizioni, le ho pagate per coinvolgerle."
10-Negli anni successivi JC riuscì ad ottenere un'ordine di restrizione verso il padre. Cioè Evan non poteva avvicinarsi al figlio e per 11 anni JC non ha avuto alcun rapporto con i genitori!
11-Evan estorse l'accusa di Jordan contro Michael nel momento in cui gli stava estraendo un dente (Evan era dentista) e somministrandogli sodium amytal, un potente barbiturico, usato nell'ipnosi, in terapie di immaginazione guidata, ed è certo che provoca falsi ricordi o distorce la realtà e altera i pensieri.
12-JC si rifiutò di testimoniare in aula (anche nel 2005). Però dopo l'accordo. Così senza la sua testimonianza l'indagine fu sospesa.
13-Furono interrogati decine di bambini che frequentavano Jackson e tutti negarono che Michael fosse un molestatore.
14-Evan all'epoca era indietro con i pagamenti per il mantenimento del figlio, per 70.000 dollari
15-A casa di Jackson non fu trovato nulla di rilevante dalla polizia
16-LaToya, sorella di Michael, accusò suo fratello, oltre che di pedofilia, anche di tentato sequestro e omicidio! Eppure non si frequentavano da anni! Dopo qualche anno LaToya disse che fu costretta da suo marito ad accusare Michael. Lei denuciò poi il marito per aggressione.
FINE PRIMA PARTE
giovedì 11 febbraio 2010
Oddities (stranezze) - J5 su twitter
Prima di leggere, cliccate sulle immagini per vederle in dimensioni più grandi!
Before reading, enlarge the pictures, clicking on them.
Sì, anche i fratelli Jackson sono su twitter con un account cumulativo dove i 4 J5 postano regolarmente...4 J5???? Non saprei...giudicate voi!
Michael Jackson's 4 bros are on twitter. They're now the 4 Jackson 5...4 J5??? Not exactly! Look at the pictures and then judge!
E sopra a tutti i fratellini, chi c'è in ombra?
AHAHAHAH!!!
A Michael piace giocare!
On the top of the 4 bros, who's hiding in the shadow? Guess!
MJ likes playing!
:-)
Before reading, enlarge the pictures, clicking on them.Sì, anche i fratelli Jackson sono su twitter con un account cumulativo dove i 4 J5 postano regolarmente...4 J5???? Non saprei...giudicate voi!
Michael Jackson's 4 bros are on twitter. They're now the 4 Jackson 5...4 J5??? Not exactly! Look at the pictures and then judge!
E sopra a tutti i fratellini, chi c'è in ombra?
AHAHAHAH!!!
A Michael piace giocare!
On the top of the 4 bros, who's hiding in the shadow? Guess!MJ likes playing!
:-)
domenica 7 febbraio 2010
His FAMILY: Jermaine, non mi convinci!!!
Oggi vi presento Jermaine, perchè devo confessarlo, a me non piace per niente. In realtà nella grande famiglia Jackson mi fiderei solo di Rebbie, se fossi Michael. Ognuno di loro ha infatti degli scheletrucci negli armadi!Torniamo a Jermaine.
Nasce nel 1954 e quindi è più grande di Michael di 4 anni.
Era il bassista nei J(ackson)5!
In realtà era il cantante principale del gruppo, ma poi è arrivato quel moccioso di Michael e lui si è visto offuscare.
Vi dico perchè non mi piace:
E' un tipo incoerente per i seguenti eventi:
1-Era testimone di Geova poi è diventato musulmano
2-ha sposato la figlia di Berry Gordy, il padrone della Motown. La Motown è l'etichetta discografica della black music e all'epoca dei J5!! Questo sì che è amore...
3-ha avuto 10 figli ufficiali da quattro donne diverse, a volte mettendone incinta due contemporaneamente
4-Una delle madri dei suoi figli è la ex-moglie di suo fratello Randy! I figli in questo caso sono figli e nipoti della madre allo stesso tempo???
5-In passato ha scritto canzoni contro suo fratello Michael:
"Word to the badd"Ricostruito
stato portato via
Non so chi sei
Potrebbero amarti
ma non ti conoscono
Superstar solitaria
non pensi mai a chi ti ama
pensi solo al numero 1
ti sei dimenticato da dove hai iniziato
tu pensi solo a quello che vuoi
non ti importa di come è fatto
tu pensi solo a te, al tuo trono
che sia giusto o sia sbagliato
non riguarda il tuo mondo
non riguarda le cose che fai
se non ti importa, non mi importa
perchè tu continui a pensare a te stesso
non riguarda il fatto che tu stai prendendo la mia torta
te la prendi da tanto tempo
se non ti importa, non mi importa
se vai avanti così
bene, io non penserò a te
What up yo, word to the badd
Una volta tu eri fatto in un modo
ora hai cambiato le tue sembianze
che ha di sbagliato il tuo colore?
non potrai tornare indietro
è un fatto risaputo
sei andato troppo lontano
lo sai che ho cercato di stare lì per te
come un fratello, io ti voglio bene
non importò che tu mi escludevi sempre
pensando a quella fetta di torta che hai preso da me
tra fratelli è difficile da credere
perso, non so se ancora ti farai vedere
dare sembra essere più difficile che ricevere
il vetro si è oscurato, è ora di farlo tornare chiaro
puliscilo e comincia con l'uomo nello specchio
C'è tristezza fratello, non mi sbaglio
Frena perchè sei sul punto di romperlo
Penso a quei tempi quando eravamo così vicini
Non dovrei usare il passato, perchè nessuno sa,
che riseva il futuro, cosa potrà portare domani
Non c'è garanzia che tu possa spiegare le tue ali
ma nel frattempo, io continuo a sorridere, perchè nei meandri della mia testa,
so che sei ancora un bambino
tu dici di essere un uomo, ma non lo sarai mai
ti sei allontanato troppo, meglio che torni indietro, io so chi sei
tu sai dove sono, triste ma vero, da me a te
alza il telefono, non stare solo, scendi dal trono, torna a casa,
--------------------------------------------------------------------
6-Voleva convertire suo fratello Michael all'Islam e ad oggi non sappiamo con certezza se ci sia riuscito. Non c'è mai stata una dichiarazione ufficiale ed è lo stesso Jermaine che lo disse alla tv al Jazeera dopo la "morte" di Michael. Jernaine aveva dato molti libri sull'Islam a Michael e Michael era stato in Baharain per molti mesi ed aveva molti amici musulmani e islamici. Però Michael non ha mai confidato a nessuno se si fosse realmente convertito all'Islam.
Ora, a me importa poco, rispetto tutte le religioni, ma tentare di convertire qualcuno è una cosa che non mi piace. Sono scelte così delicate e personali che credo sarebbe stato più giusto che fosse un'iniziativa dell'interessato.
7-In passato si parlò insistentemente di un'autobiografia di Jermaine in pubblicazione nella quale il caro fratellone sparava a zero su Michael:
"Mio fratello beve, si droga, dice bugie, ha cambiato il colore della sua pelle e soprattutto, è un essere umano. Attrae i gay e respinge le donne. Sposò una donna perchè era incinta e stava facendo accordi con i Musulmani e i Musulmani non fanno affari con chi ha figli senza essere sposato. Michael ha un debole per i ragazzini".
Ovviamente Jermaine ora dice che tutto fu inventato dall'altra autrice del libro e che infatti non fu mai pubblicato perchè lui non diede mai il consenso.Lei però ha ricordato a Jermaine che ha tutto il materiale registrato su casseta!
8-Dal 25 giugno 2009 Jernaine non si è fatto sfuggire un'occasione per essere al centro dell'attenzione. Fu proprio lui a dichiarare "morto" Michael. Di solito non lo fa il personale medico dell'ospedale???? Tra interviste, tributi e reality se l'è battuta con l'altra sorella LaToya. Peccato che sembra sempre che prende in giro chi lo guarda!!! A me almeno fa questo effetto...
Comunque dato che Michael è un uomo cattivo ed insensibile, lo ha perdonato!!!
Voi, cosa ne pensate di Jernaine?
English version:Today I’m going to introduce to you Jermaine, because I must confess, I don’t like him at all!
To be honest, If I was Michael, I’d never trust anyone in that big family, except of Debbie,.
Each everyone of them has his/her skeletons in the armchair!
Let’s go back to the subject.Jermaine was born in 1954, so he’s 4 years older than Michael.
He was the J(ackson)5 bass player.
Most of all he was the main vocalist in that group until his little brother snotty kid Michael join them who overshadowed him.
Now I’m going to tell you the reasons I don’t like him:
He’s a incoherent man for the following events:
1-He was a Jehova’s witness and then he became an Islamic.
2- He married Berry Gordy’s daughter. Berry was the founder of Motown. Motown is the most important black music label in the world. At that time J5 worked for Motown. This is true love, isn’t it?
3- He has 10 children from 4 different women, and sometimes he had a contemporary affair with 2 of them.
4-One of those mothers was the ex-wife of his brothe Randy. In that case, the children are sons and nephews of her at the same time probably.
5-He wrote a song against his brother Michael:
"Word to the badd"Reconstructed
Been abducted
Don’t know who you are
They may love you
they don’t know you
Lonely superstar
never think about who you love
only think about number one
You forget about where you started from
You only think about what you want
don’t care about how it’s done
you only think about you, your throne
Be it right or be it wrong
It ain’t about your world
It ain’t about the things that you do
If you don’t care, I don’t care
Cause you keep thinkin’ ’bout you
It ain’t about you takin’ my pie
You been takin’ for a long time
If you don’t care, I don’t care
If you keep
Well I ain’t thinkin’ ’bout you
What up yo, word to the badd
Once you were made
You changed your shade
Was your color wrong?
Could not turn back
It’s a known fact
You were too far gone
You know I tried to be there for you
Like a brother I care for you
It didn’t matter you always play me off
You only care about what you want
You don’t care about how it’s done
You only think about you, your throne
Be it right or wrong
What up yo, word to the badd
Thinkin’ about that pie that you’ve been takin’ from me
From a brother to another brother hard to believe
Lost and don’t know it yet you still show it
Givin’ seems to be harder than it is to receive
The glass has gotten shady, time to make it clearer,
Clean it up and lets start with the Man in the mirror.
Theres sadness there brother, aint no mistaken it,
Get a grip cause youre not far from breakin it.
Thinkin about the time when we used to be close,
It shouldnt be past tense, cause nobody knows,
What the future may hold, what tomorrow might bring,
Its not guaranteed that youll be spreading your wings
But meanwhile, I continue to smile, cause in the back of my head,
I know you’re still a child
You say that your a man, but that will never be
Gone too far, ya better turn back, I know who you are
You know where Im at, sad but its true, from me to you.
Pick up the phone, Dont be alone, step off the throne, come back home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
6-He wanted to convert Michael to Islam and today none knows if he succeded in his intention.
Michael never said it officially and as Jermaine himself told to “Al Jazeera” tv, after Michael “passing”. Jermaine gave Michael many books about Muslim and Islam and Michael spent some months in Baharain and had lot of muslim and Islamic friends. Any way Michael never confided if he converted or not.
Just to be clear: I’m not interested in which God Michael prayed. I do respect all the religions. I just don’t like that someone pushes someone else to believe in something different.I think these decisions are too personal and delicate to be suggested by someone else even if he’s your brother.
7-During the past years, they were talking about an autobiography by Jermaine in which he hardly attacked Michael.
"My brother drinks, do drugs, says lies, changed his color and most of all, he’s a human.
He always attracts gay men and avoids women. He married a woman only because he was trying to do business with Muslim and they don’t do business with the ones who have kids without being married. Michael has a child thing.”
Obviously, now Jermaine is telling that that they are all bullshit and faked by the co-author of that book. This autobiography was never published because he never allowed. The co-author insists that she has all the recorded tapes about.
8-Since 25 June of 2009 Jermaine never lose a chance to be in the spot light. He was the one who officially declared Michael “dead”. Is the medical personnel that usually give this information???? Interviews, reality shows, tributes. Jermaine and LaToya were always busy to get the world’s attention.
Besides, he always looks like he’s teasing you, to me.
By the way, Michael, as a very “BAD” man, have forgiven him!!!!
And you, what do you think about Jermaine?
venerdì 5 febbraio 2010
His FAMILY: Siamo tutti fratelli...e sorelle...JACKSON!
Michael è il 7° di 9 figli:Maureen Reillette Brown detta "Rebbie" (29 maggio 1950)
Sigmund Esco detto "Jackie" Jackson (4 dicembre 1951)
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (15 ottobre 1953)
Jermaine LaJaune Jackson (11 dicembre 1954)
La Toya Yvonne Jackson (29 maggio 1956)
Marlon David Jackson (12 marzo 1957)
*(Brandon Jackson (12 marzo 1957))
Michael Joseph Jackson (29 agosto 1958, dichiarato "morto" il 25 giugno 2009)
Steven Randall detto "Randy" Jackson (29 ottobre 1961)
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (16 maggio 1966)
LaToya e Debbie condividono il compleanno.
*Marlon aveva un gemello, Brandon, morto poco dopo il parto.
I fratelli battono le sorelline, 6 a 3.
"Fortunatamente" sembra siano testimoni di Geova e quindi, non festeggiando compleanni e Natale, non avranno speso capitali per farsi i regali!!!!
English version
Michael is the seventh of nine children:Maureen Reillette Brown nicknamed "Rebbie" (born May 29, 1950)
Sigmund Esco nicknamed "Jackie" Jackson (born December 4, 1951)
Toriano Adaryll Jackson nicknamed "Tito" (born October 15, 1953)
Jermaine LaJaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954)
La Toya Yvonne Jackson (born May 29, 1956)
Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957)
*(Brandon Jackson (born March 12, 1957))
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958, declared "dead" on June 25, 2009)
Steven Randall nicknamed "Randy" Jackson (October 29, 1961)
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (may 16 , 1966)
LaToya e Debbie share the date of their birthday.
*Marlon had a twin brother, Brandon, who died at birth.
Brothers Vs sister 6 - 3.
“Fortunately” it seems they are Jehovah's Witnesses and they don’t celebrate birthdays and Christmas holidays. So they didn’t have to spend too much money buying presents, at least!
giovedì 4 febbraio 2010
His MUSIC: Heal the world 25° - vers. 2010
I soliti ben informati ci avvisano che Janet ha registrato la parte che fu di Michael nella canzone "We are the world". Sarà vero?E' notizia ancora in cerca di conferme anche quella che gira in rete da ieri: Paris, Blanket e Prince hanno registrato una poesia come introduzione del brano.
English versionThe usual well informed ones are telling that Janet Jackson has recorded the lines his big brother Michael sang in "We are the world" song. This is not confirmed yet.
The three Michael Jackson's kids have recorded a poem as intro of that song. This has to be confirmed too.
NEWS: Michael Jackson aveva un "dottore"...
Ormai tutti sapete che un tizio di nome Conrad (Robert) Murray è indagato per la scomparsa di Jackson. Su TMZ, il sito che per primo diede la notizia del Re del Pop (anzi con un anticipo di sei minuti), è convinto che venerdì sarà il "giorno". Cosa succederà? Se lo chiedono in molti. Anche perchè troppi quesiti attendono risposta.Si dice che potrebbe essere condannato a massino 4 anni di detenzione. Pochi? Sì, pochi se avesse ucciso (involontariamente, pare) Michael.
Aspettiamo!
English version:You all know that a man named Conrad (Robert) Murray is investigated for MJ's disappearance. TMZ, the site who gave the world the news of Michael Jackson's death before anyone else (6 minutes before he passed away), is telling us that "Friday is the day!" What will happen? Lots of people are wondering about. There are still so many questions awaiting an answer. They say that he probably will be charged to Jail for 4 years. Only four years? Is it too short for someone who have killed MJ? Definitely yes, if it's true he killed the King of Pop.
Let's see!
lunedì 1 febbraio 2010
His FAMILY: Figli di papà ai GRAMMY! Prince e Paris...
Ieri i piccoli Jackson, Prince e Paris, sono saliti sul palco tenendosi per mano e seguiti dai cugini figli di zio Tito, dimostrando tanto coraggio e anche di essere dei ragazzi per bene. Prince, tenendo in mano il premio "Lifetime Achievement Award" del papà ha detto: "Siamo fieri di essere qui per accettare questo premio a nome di nostro padre, Michael Jackson. Prima di tutto vogliamo ringraziare Dio per aver vegliato su di noi in questi ultimi sette mesi e nostra nonna e nonno per il loro amore e supporto. Vogliamo anche ringraziare i fans, nostro padre vi amava talmente tanto perchè siete sempre stati presenti per lui. Nostro padre si è sempre preoccupato del mondo e dell'umanità. Attraverso il suo duro lavoro e dedizione, ha aiutato molte associazioni di beneficenza e fatto loro molte donazioni. In tutte le sue canzoni, il suo messaggio era semplice: Amore. Continueremo a divulgare il suo messaggio e ad aiutare il mondo. Grazie. Ti vogliamo bene, papà".
Poi il turno di Paris, breve ma toccante come al solito: ":"Papà avrebbe dovuto essere qui. Papà avrebbe dovuto esibirsi, ma non ha potuto esibirsi lo scorso anno. Grazie, ti vogliamo bene papà". Ai Grammy era presente anche il fratellino minore, Blanket, che però non è salito sul palco. Davvero bravi e forti, questi ragazzi, per essersi mostrati ad una platea così importante e agli occhi del mondo intero. In omaggio al padre indossavano dei pantaloni con una banda laterale rossa e una fascia sul braccio come solitamente faceva Michael.
Bel lavoro, papà Michael!!
English version:Yesterday the young Jackson Prince and Paris went on the stage of Grammy’s awards, holding each other’s hands, followed by their cousins, uncle Tito’s sons, showing us how courageous they are. Prince, holding the "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his dear daddy, said:
'We are proud to be here to accept this award on behalf of our father, Michael Jackson. First of all we'd like to thank God for watching over us these last seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support.'We'd also like to thank the fans, our father loved you so much because you were always there for him. 'Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity, through all his hard work and dedication he has helped through many charities and donated to all of them. 'Through all his songs, his message was simple: love. 'We will continue to spread his message and help the world.' Paris added: 'Daddy was supposed to be here. Daddy was going to perform this year but couldn't.'Thank you, we love you daddy.'
Blanket were there too, but he was too shy to show himself on the stage.
They were great and strong, these guys, to have the courage to show in that important event with all the world’s eyes on them.
They were wearing clothes as their father, with the band on the arm and on their trousers.
Great job, daddy Michael!!!
venerdì 29 gennaio 2010
giovedì 28 gennaio 2010
His MUSIC: We are the world oggi compie 25 anni
English Version belowLa notte del 28 gennaio del 1985 numerose star, sotto il nome di "USA for Africa" si riunirono ad Hollywood per registrare "We are the world". L'idea venne a Harry Belafonte. Michael Jackson e Lionel Richie la scrissero. Michael raccontò diversi aneddoti al riguardo.
La canzone fu composta nella casa di Jackson in un paio di settimane. Sembra sia stato Michael a fare la maggior parte del lavoro. Era così entusiasta che non aspettava Lionel. Qualcuno criticò il fatto che Michael si fosse vestito in quel modo per il video (con occhiali scuri, calzini e guanto luccicanti), ma lui si giustificò dicendo che voleva essere riconosciuto dai suoi fans. Nel video cominciano ad inquadrarlo dai piedi fino a risalire e soffermarsi sul suo viso. Al momento della ripresa Michael disse scherzosamente:"Provate ad inquadrare i calzini di Springsteen per vedere chi lo riconosce. Invece così, con questi calzini, alla prima inquadratura sui piedi, i miei fans mi riconoseranno!"
La sua realizzazione velocissima però non fu immune da problemi prima e dopo.
Stevie Wonder doveva aiutare nella composizione, ma per impegni vari, rinunciò. Sempre Stevie aveva proposto una frase in Swahili, ma Waylon Jennings se ne andò dopo tale idea. Qualcuno criticò alcuni versi del brano ritenuti presuntuosi ed egoisti "We saving our own lives".
La melodia per altri ricordava il jingle della Pepsi.
Prince invitato a fare parte del gruppo, non accettò.
Bruce Springsteen ebbe da ridire sulle performance di Tina Turner e Cyndi Lauper.
Una parte del brano fu registrata una seconda volta perchè i gioielli di Cyndi Lauper muovendosi fecero rumore.
Nonostante tutti questi inconvenienti, le registrazioni si tennero dalle 22.30 del 27 gennaio (e Michael arrivò per primo, registrando subito le sue parti) fino alle 8 del 28 gennaio.All'ingresso dello studio, ogni artista veniva invitato a lasciare il proprio ego fuori la porta. Parteciparono circa 45 artisi e 50 non furono accettati. Molti di loro arrivarono allo studio direttamente dagli American Music Awards, in svolgimento quella stessa notte.
Si scambiarono autografi e numeri di telefono tra di loro a testimoniare l'armonia del gruppo.
Madonna sembra che non fu invitata.
Al coro si unirono anche due donne etiopi facendo commuovere molti dei presenti.Ad un anno dalla sua pubblicazione furono raccolti 44.5 milioni di dollari.
Ad oggi sono 63 milioni e il 90% è stato devoluto alle popolazioni africane e il restante 10% impiegato a favore dei poveri negli Stati Uniti.
Il primo febbraio 2010 verrà registrata una nuova versione della canzone a favore dei terremotati di Haiti.
English version:On the night of 28 Jan, 1985 many stars, joined in “Usa for Africa” name, met in Holywood for the recording of “we are the world” song.
Harry Belafonte had the idea fist. Michael Jackson and Linel Richie wrote it. Michael told sone anecdotes about that project.
The song was composed in Jackson family house in Encino in 2 weeks. It’s said that Michael did the most of the work. He was so excited that couldn’t wait Lionel. Some criticised Michael the way he appeared in the video shoot, with his dark sunglasses and his glittering glove and socks.
Michael explained that it was the right way to be recognised by his fans.
The camera starts to film him from his toes to his face. He said ironically: “Show someone the shoot of Springsteen’s socks. Nobody would recognise him without looking at his face. In this case my fans will know it’s me at once when they watch my socks!”
Even if the creation of this song was fast, it was difficult:The super-group had many problems, any way before and after the release of the song.
Stevie Wonder was asked to co-compose the song but has other commitments.
Stevie suggested to insert some lines in Swahili, so Waylon Jennings went away and never returned. Then the Swahili part were abandoned.
Some said that the melody of the song was too similar to a Pepsi Jingle.
Prince was called to take part of the session but he didn’t.
Bruce Springsteen complained Tina turner and Cyndi Lauper performance’.
The recording was repeated again because of some noise of Cyndi Lauper Jewellery
Nonetheless, the recording began at 22.30 of 27th January (Michael was the first one to arrive and record his lines) and ended at 8am of the day after.At the entrance of the studio the artists were invited to check their ego.
There were 45 artists and 50 were not allowed to participate.
Many of them get there from the American Music Awards held that night.
The stars interchanged autographs and telephone numbers, so the atmosphere was good.
Madonna was not there and it was told they didn’t invite her.
Two etiopic women joined the super group and some cried.
After one year from his release, the profits were of 44.5 million dollars and today they gained 63 million dollars.
90% of this amount was devolved to African people and the remaining was used to help the poor people in US.
On 1st of Feb. 2010 “we are the world” will be recorded again to support the Haitian population.
Michael Jackson in poche parole
English version belowNasce a Gary nell’Indiana negli USA il 29.08.1958
E’ il 7° di 9 fratelli
A 5 anni comincia a cantare con i Jackson 5.
Nel 1971 pubblica il suo primo album solista
Nel 1982 esce Thriller, l’album più venduto al mondo fino ad ora
Ha avuto due mogli:
Debbie Rowe e Lisa Marie Presley (figlia di Elvis)
Ha 3 figli:
2 da Debbie Rowe:
Prince and Paris
1 da madre ignota tramite inseminazione artificiale, comunemente noto con il nome di Blanket.
Un probabile quarto figlio, non ufficiale:
Omer Bhetti
Il 25.06.2009 Michael viene dichiarato morto da suo fratello Jermaine.
——————————————————————————————–
English version hereHe was born in Gary (Indiana, USA) on Ago 29th, 1958
He is the seventh of 9 brothers
He started singing at 5 with Jackson 5 family band
In 1971 he recorded his first solo album
In 1982 Thriller went out and it is the best selling album in musica history
He had married 2 women:
Debbier Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley (Elvis’ daughter)
He has 3 children:
2 from Debbie: Prince and Paris
1 from anonymous woman, Blanket
Omer Bhetti is said to be his unofficial son.
On 25th of June, 2009, Jermaine Jackson, one of his brothers, told the world Michael died.
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