12 Feb. In History

Rainlotus

In The News - On This Day... 19 Years Ago --- Jennifer Holliday At Work Rebuilding Grammy Dream Chicago Tribune February 12, 1987 Jennifer Holliday has a peculiar predicament: She has already won a Grammy award but knows she must improve as a recording artist. Holliday's Grammy award (as well as a Tony award) resulted from her sterling work in the 1981 Broadway smash "Dreamgirls." The song that turned the trick was the show-stopping "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." Holliday has since recorded two albums for Geffen Records, "Feel My Soul" and "Say You Love Me." Although both albums include collaborations with the likes of Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Ashford & Simpson and even Michael Jackson, neither set the world on its ear as "Dreamgirls" did. --- 18 Years Ago --- Menagerie May Be Moved Los Angeles Times February 12, 1988 Pop star Michael Jackson may move his menagerie from Encino to the Santa Ynez Valley, a picturesque region of ranches and wineries, a real estate executive said. Some of Jackson's neighbors in Encino have been miffed by his animal collection, which has included swans, snakes, a giraffe and Bubbles, his chimpanzee. So Jackson has been looking at some houses in the Santa Ynez Valley and Hope Ranch areas about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County, said Brooks Barton, vice president of the Previews Inc. real estate company. Several months ago, Jackson placed a bid on a $30-million Santa Ynez Valley ranch of several thousand acres, but the offer was rejected, Barton said. President Reagan's mountaintop ranch overlooks the Santa Ynez Valley. --- --- Senors Of Rock USA Today February 12, 1988 Michael Jackson and Sting are releasing Spanish-language versions of their latest hits. Tuesday, A&M releases Sting's Nada Como el Sol - Selecciones Especiales en Espanol y Portugues. The six-song EP features Spanish- and Portuguese-language versions of songs from ... Nothing Like the Sun. And Jackson's Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (I Just Can't Stop Loving You), already released in Mexico, comes to the USA as a 12-inch single in March. --- 13 Years Ago --- Michael Jackson's Contract Irrelevant To Suit, Judge Rules Chicago Tribune February 12, 1993 A Los Angeles judge ruled that Michael Jackson's top-secret recording contract will remain under wraps. --- --- Baylor Doctors Think They Know What Jackson's Skin Affliction Is Houston Post February 12, 1993 According to two Houston dermatologists, Michael Jackson probably has vitiligo, an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks melanin-producing cells, resulting in skin patches that have lost their original color. --- --- Jackson Interview Ratings Rival Super Bowl Houston Post February 12, 1993 Michael Jackson's live interview with Oprah Winfrey captured a 40.9% raiting and a 57 share nationally, according to overnight Nielsen ratings from 29 cities. In Houston, the program earned a 50.7% rating and a 64 share, rivialing the ratings for the 1993 Super Bowl. --- --- Jackson Interview Seen By 90 Million, ABC Says Los Angeles Times February 12, 1993 ABC estimated on Feb 11, 1993 that 90 million people watched at least part of its Michael Jackson interview (with Oprah Winfrey) on Feb 10. The show earned a tremendous 39.3 Nielsen share. --- 9 Years Ago --- Jackson Swans In To Deny Claim That He Is Guilty Of Plagiarism The Guardian February 12, 1997 Michael Jackson versus Al Bano, round six. This time the king of pop appeared in the ring, flying into Rome in his private jet last week to defend himself against the accusation that his song, Will You Be There, plagiarised the Italian singer-songwriter Al Bano's I Cigni Di Balaka (The Swans of Balaka). Mr Jackson arrived punctually for his appointment with Italian justice. He was wrapped in a silver-emblazoned coat, over black satin trousers and a burgundy shirt, which matched the burgundy trimming on his moccasins. He had dispensed with the usual layer of heavy foundation. The singer addressed Al Bano consistently as maestro - whether out of politeness or on his lawyer's advice. He reasserted, as in previous court hearings (which he has not graced in person), that he had never heard of I Cigni Di Balaka or its composer. Speaking very softly but smiling, he said he had noticed the similarity between the two songs. "It was a coincidence," he said. "I have never stolen anything from anyone, the accusations are false." Both the prosecution and defence are sticking to their stories, which are backed by countless musical experts. A civil case is also under way in Rome to establish the size of any compensation awarded. The distribution of Mr Jackson's song in Italy was blocked by a magistrate two years ago. At stake is not just a question of principle, but also millions of dollars in royalties paid over the years for the American star's song, which the civil case may decide are due to Al Bano. "That will wipe the smile off his face," said Al Bano's lawyer, Francesco Caroleo Grimaldi. During the hearing, the judge extended the accusations against Mr Jackson, who will now be tried not only for violating copyright law, but also for having performed the incriminating tune in public in 1992. Alberto Seganti, the singer's lawyer, denied that Mr Jackson's trip to Rome spelt fear of being convicted. "Michael Jackson came to speak in the courtroom expressly to show his own innocence and to reclaim the authorship of his song," he said. But the prosecution persisted, noting that Mr Jackson risks up to six months in jail if convicted. "The songs are identical," said Mr Grimaldi. "It was startling in the previous hearing, when the two songs were played together: where one finished the other started, and vice versa." There are said to be 37 incriminating notes in Will You Be There. "In fact," said Mr Seganti for the defence, "there are only five. It is an ornate scale, in which the same notes are repeated in the tune, with variations. "If we want to be serious, we must also recognise that there was a 1939 song, I bless you, much more similar to Jackson's than I Cigni Di Balaka". Mr Seganti also brushed aside accusations of plagiarism in the lyrics. "In Al Bano's song there is a reference to the Ganges; Michael Jackson refers in his to the Jordan, which is typical of the gospel chants which are a part of my client's cultural heritage." --- 8 Years Ago --- Jackson Concert Killed Off By Costs South China Morning Post February 12, 1998 Michael Jackson will be unable to perform at the Hong Kong Stadium because of the high cost of noise-control tests. Promoters were considering paying for tests of a sound system which would keep noise outside the arena below 70 decibels without compromising sound quality for fans. Urban Councillors refuse to allow concerts at the arena because of noise restrictions and have rejected calls for waivers. But stadium manager Wembley International said more than $10 million might be needed to conduct the tests. Most of the money would have to be spent on the purchase, hiring and shipping of equipment along with hiring independent sound analysts. Spokesman Terence Lee Chi-hang said the investment would be in jeopardy because promoters had been unable to confirm a performance by Jackson. The star's management would not consider a show until the venue was confirmed, but the Urban Council would not approve the booking unless sound tests proved successful. "Considering the testing could cost over $10 million, it is a very expensive risk for the promoter to pay for the tests as they may not satisfy Urban Councillors," Mr Lee said, adding the show would have to be scrapped. The system would involve scattering about 100 small speakers and temporary soundproof walls around the 40,000-seat arena. Mr Lee said Wembley would continue looking into noise-reducing equipment. Noise restrictions have prevented performances at the stadium by artists such as Elton John and the Rolling Stones. --- 5 Years Ago --- Lyrics, Sound Great On 'Thriller' (REVIEW) Spokesman Review February 12, 2001 Michael Jackson's second solo album, "Thriller," set a standard for all the albums that followed. His catchy beats and lyrical substance are fully demonstrated on this album. Rather than just reworking his previously successful beats and funk sound, he cooks up new beats, giving the album a sound unlike anything he'd done before. His ability to vary his sound ensured his success for years to come. The album's biggest hit, "Thriller," was, is and always will be a great song - probably one of the best of his career. The dark lyrics show his progression from a boy to a man, in the musical sense. Other hits on the album include "Billie Jean," in which the message is quite clear when he says "She says I am the one/But the kid is not my son." The song is almost sad, but it really shows how he felt at the time. The last great song on the album is "Beat It." The song talks about gang life, urging people to avoid it because it will just bring them down. Another great thing about the album is the videos that came from it. The "Thriller" video won several awards. The acting and crazy choreography complement the song, making the video hard to rival. The video for "Beat It" shows rival gangs meeting for a fight, but Jackson intervenes and shows them it isn't worth it. The album is very good. It includes everything you would expect from Jackson. The beats were new, and the lyrics show he had gone beyond the hey-let's-hustle sentiments that dominated 1979's "Off the Wall." --- 4 Years Ago --- Postcard From Salt Lake City Florida Times Union February 12, 2002 I got off the bus at Snowbasin, looked up and had one thought. No way. TV doesn't do this Olympic venue justice. Not for beauty. Not for fear... The men will perform short programs tonight, and the storyline there is whether the U.S. tandem of Timothy Goebel and Todd Eldredge can put a dent in the Soviet block of Alexei Yagudin and Evgeni Plushenko. Look for Plushenko to skate to Michael Jackson music, though the highlight element of his program won't be the moonwalk. Plushenko might try a quadruple lutz jump for the first time in competition. Skaters are limited to one quadruple jump in the short program... --- 3 Years Ago --- Jackson Punished For Being Weird Or Uppity? Miami Times February 12, 2003 Yes, he is weird. But we would do well to avoid our objections playing into the hands of those who wish to vilify pop star Michael Jackson for transgressions far more threatening to mainstream America than mere eccentricity. It should be abundantly clear to anyone who watched last week's so-called documentary interview of the usually-reclusive Jackson that the mainstream is out to get him. They sneaked in suggestions of unfit parenthood, tried to associate plastic surgery addiction with pedophilia, and denied the star's enduring public appeal despite the screaming crowds. In so doing, the interviewer and ABC network commentators like Barbara Walters all flouted principles of objective journalism to convince viewers to see Jackson as a monster. ...But in our condemnation, have we stopped to ask, "What is white America so upset about?" Even with all his surgeries, Jackson can't have outpaced Barbara Walters. And she won't admit to hers either. His personal theme park Neverland is no more outlandish than Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion. Some say it's the children thing. Here, there's only suspicion. It has never been proven that Jackson has done anything sexually inappropriate with a child. Meanwhile, there are white celebrities -- Kelsey Grammar and Rob Lowe, for instance -- whose confirmed sexual liaisons with the underaged have been forgiven and forgotten. So, it would have to be Jackson's unrepentant nature. This perhaps modern-day uppity Negro demonstrates again and again that his material privilege and enduring appeal actually can mean that the rules don't apply to him. Not the rules about race or nationality, not the ones about about age- or gender-appropriate behavior, not even the ones about fair share of the limelight. In this country that wishes to insist on Elvis as king, Jackson is a disturbing suggestion to the media establishment that they don't call all the shots. Maybe Jackson's crime is quite simple: being Black and having the nerve to create his own reality. --- 3 Years Ago --- Your Letters: Kids OK Evening Mail February 12, 2003 I felt sorry for Michael Jackson. I do not agree with his behaviour with his children, but if they were unhappy they would let him know and they seemed happy. - Mrs Maureen Beale, Bromsgrove --- --- Lisa Backs Ex-Jackson The Daily Mirror February 12, 2003 Michael Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley came to his defence yesterday after Sharon Osbourne said he was "nuts". Presley called a radio station in LA to say she believed Jackson had been conned by interviewer Martin Bashir in the documentary shown last week. She told listeners: "That's not the person that I knew. So I just called to say, dude, that was messed up." --- --- Jackson Film Plan The Patriot News February 12, 2003 Cable's USA Network is looking into making a movie about the life of eccentric pop star Michael Jackson. The project has been in the works for several months, but it has moved to the front burner recently in the wake of the success of "Living with Michael Jackson," a documentary that aired on ABC Feb. 6. The movie would focus on Jackson's present-day life, with flashbacks to his earlier years, according to news reports. --- --- How That Bad Man Made Michael Think He Was Nice The Washington Post February 12, 2003 Mike Darnell has done it again. The brains behind Fox's reality programming has secured U.S. broadcast rights to a private video that Michael Jackson says shows British journalist Martin Bashir praising his parenting skills to the hilt. Fox will broadcast "Michael Jackson Take 2: The Interview They Wouldn't Show You" on Feb. 20 from 8 to 10 p.m. -- the same time period in which ABC News broadcast Bashir's damning documentary "Living With Michael Jackson" two weeks earlier and snagged 27 million viewers. According to Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman, the pop star's private video includes footage shot four or five days after the interview process with Bashir began, and footage from the very last interview with Jackson, during which Bashir quizzed him about allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1993. In the documentary, Bashir said he became concerned about Jackson's behavior toward his children while in Berlin, where Jackson made front-page news when he dangled his youngest child from the fourth-floor balcony of his hotel room. But Backerman says footage Jackson had shot from their final interview, conducted some time after the Berlin trip, shows Bashir continuing to praise Jackson's parenting skills. "I predict this will change ABC's policy on how they receive this stuff in the future," Backerman told The TV Column. "It's going to blow [viewers'] minds as to what Bashir said relative to what came out in the '20/20' special." "MJ Take 2" also includes an extensive interview with Debbie Rowe, who is mom to Jackson's two older children. That interview, conducted after the Bashir documentary aired, was by an "outside journalist we brought in to ensure objectivity," Backerman said. Jackson's reps were swamped with phone calls from various TV networks and programs trying to snag the rights to his video. Darnell "presented the best package that would support Michael's position," Backerman said. "Fox was "extremely sympathetic as to how he was initially portrayed and in essence gave us what we felt was the best exposure possibility. "He's been treated extremely shabbily by the press in general but particularly by Bashir, and we wanted to get a company that would be able to . . . show the full details of the situation, so the general public all over the world would get a very clear, no- discrepancy picture. "He thought it was going to be a beautiful thing," Backerman said of the Bashir documentary. "When you see this on the 20th, you see Bashir led him to believe they were friends, close... Believe me, when you look at this tape, it's clear [Jackson] must have thought, for the first time somebody has been there for me. Which is why he was so blown out subsequently." --- 2 Years Ago --- Jackson Special To Be Released On DVD Rocky Mountain News February 12, 2004 The Michael Jackson special that aired Jan. 2 on CBS will be released March 9 on DVD. The One (Epic) is an hourlong retrospective that draws on highlights from throughout Jackson's career. Among the clips included are a rendition of Ben on American Bandstand, a live clip of Rock With You from a Japan stop on the Bad tour, Jackson's iconic performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special and a run through The Way You Make Me Feel at the 1988 Grammys. The special was scheduled to run Nov. 26 in conjunction with the release of Jackson's greatest-hits disc Number Ones, but was pulled before its scheduled premiere when the latest child-molestation allegations against Jackson surfaced. At the time, CBS cited the "gravity" of the charges leveled against the singer, though the network reserved the right to reconsider running the special "after the due process of the legal system runs its course."