Jan. 16 in history

19 Years Ago --- Finding Comedy in Consuming Newsday January 16, 1987 Three Stars Cannes Goods: International Festival of Award-Winning Commercials. (Unrated) Feature-length compilation of more than 100 TV commercials from the Cannes Advertising Film Festival. At Film Forum 2, 57 Watts St., through Jan. 29. ... Among the memorable American commercials are two of the Jackson Five spots for Pepsi Cola that are as artful as Michael Jackson's music videos. There's a funny Cinzano commercial with the late Leonard Rossiter. Momentarily startled, Rossiter tosses his aperitif onto Joan Collins' gown - and three visiting Japanese businessmen, mistaking his gaffe for a suave European custom, empty their aperitifs onto poor Joan, too. The grand prize-winning commercial, for Apple's MacIntosh computer, is a stunning evocation of Orwell's "1984" compressed into a single minute. --- --- Short Takes Providence Journal January 16, 1987 Some unconfirmed reports are leaking out about Michael Jackson's first album since his 1982 monster hit, "Thriller." It supposedly will be out in March, with the first single available next month. Reportedly included on the album are a version of the Beatles' hit "Come Together" and a duet with Barbra Streisand. --- 18 Years Ago --- Jackson Gets Act Ready Orlando Sentinel January 16, 1988 It sounds too good to be true: singer Michael Jackson performing dozens of times over 26 days in the Pensacola Civic Center. But each performance will take place before 10,000 empty seats because Jackson will be rehearsing for his next cross-country concert tour. Jackson will begin rehearsing up to three times daily starting Jan. 22 before beginning a 13-city tour Feb. 23 in Kansas City, Mo., his New York public relations representative said. Pensacola will not be one of the stops. --- 17 Years Ago --- Michael vs. Michael Los Angeles Times January 16, 1989 Diet Coke is lining up pop singer George Michael to counter Michael Jackson in his Diet Pepsi commercials. Some scenes for a possible TV ad were shot Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York with British film maker Stephen Frears ("Dangerous Liaisons," "My Beautiful Launderette") directing. But Michael has a great deal of creative control and there may not be a commercial if he doesn't like the finished product. "Call it an engagement at this point," a Coca-Cola spokesman said. "We're mutually developing some concepts which may or may not lead us to the altar. We'll know more by the end of next week." If there is a marriage, the fruit of it will be unveiled Jan. 22 during the Super Bowl broadcast. --- 16 Years Ago --- Man Wants Home Where His Buffaloes Can Roam Orange County Register January 16, 1990 Joel Kaufmann has run newspaper ads in Trinity and Shasta counties offering to sell Bill, a 2,500-pound bull, and Lewi, his slightly smaller son, at $3,000 for the pair. Then last week a man claiming to represent pop superstar and well-known animal lover Michael Jackson inquired about the animals and said he would call back soon, Kaufmann said. The previous owner had used the bison to promote the restaurant. The menus plugged the site as "where the buffalo roam," Kaufmann said. --- 15 Years Ago --- On and Off the Road Los Angeles Times January 16, 1991 Michael Jackson is unpacking his suitcases after canceling a 10-day trip to Africa because of the Persian Gulf crisis. Jackson was to have left Monday for Gabon at the invitation of President Omar Bongo on a trip that also was to have taken him to Tanzania, Kenya and the Ivory Coast. A publicist for Jackson said that the singer had hoped there would be a satisfactory resolution to the crisis before he left. --- 14 Years Ago --- Billboard On The Charts Austin American Statesman January 16, 1992 * Gold (More than 500,000 units sold). ** Platinum (More than 1 million units sold). TOP SINGLES 1. Black or White, Michael Jackson (Epic)** 2. All 4 Love, Color Me Bad (Giant) 3. Can't Let Go, Mariah Carey (Columbia) 4. Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, George Michael & Elton John (Columbia) 5. Finally, Ce Ce Peniston (A&M) 6. Diamonds and Pearls, Prince and the N.P.G. (Paisley Park) 7. I Love Your Smile, Shanice (Motown) 8. It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, Boyz II Men (Motown)* 9. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana (DGC) 10. Addams Groove, Hammer (Capitol) 11. 2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer (Capitol)* 12. No Son of Mine, Genesis (Atlantic) 13. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss, P.M. Dawn (Gee Street-Island)* 14. Wildside, Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch (Interscope)* 15. Mysterious Ways, U2 (Island) 16. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, Tevin Campbell (Qwest) 17. The Way I Feel About You, Karyn White (Warner Bros.) 18. Blowing Kisses in the Wind, Paula Abdul (Captive) 19. When a Man Loves a Woman, Michael Bolton (Columbia) 20. That's What Love Is For, Amy Grant (A&M) --- --- Kitty Kelley Salt Lake Tribune January 16, 1992 Producers of "The Kitty Kelley Show" pilot offered three former members of Michael Jackson's entourage up to $20,000 to appear on the inaugural show. All three turned the offer down, but other guests accepted. The pilot, with guests LaToya Jackson, Jackie Jackson's ex-wife and parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, is being offered for syndication. --- 13 Years Ago --- Michael Jackson Tops Big League Talent Set Salt Lake Tribune January 16, 1993 Super Bowl XXVII is going Hollywood. Michael Jackson will perform at halftime, and Fleetwood Mac will do the pre-game tailgate party Jan. 31. The size and scope of the show-biz side of the big game took top billing at NBC's briefing for the Television Critics Association. Jackson will do a 10-minute live performance at halftime. For the last two years, Fox has lured halftime fans away with half-hour alternative comedy specials. By limiting halftime to 22 minutes instead of 30, NFL officials hope to keep fans in their NBC seats. ""The first six minutes will be setting up Michael Jackson's stage on the floor of the Rose Bowl," said NBC Sports executive producer Terry O'Neil. ""The next 10 will be Michael performing in a multimedia light and sound show." --- --- Inaugural Festivities Include Music Video With Jackson and Crosby The Oregonian January 16, 1993 Superstars Michael Jackson and David Crosby are featured on the official presidential inaugural video to be aired during the coming activities. "Portrait of Change," produced by Los Angeles-based Chromosohm Media, features Michael Jackson's mega-hit "Man in the Mirror" and David Crosby's rendition of "My Country 'Tis of Thee." The music video, which was commissioned by the committee, will premiere throughout the inaugural activities, including the seven balls, Lincoln Memorial concert pre-show and other events to be announced. --- 12 Years Ago --- Michael's Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Excursion Las Vegas Review January 16, 1994 Singer Michael Jackson hosted 100 inner-city youngsters at his California ranch Saturday during a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday excursion "these kids will never forget," a spokesman said. "He has just brightened the lives of 100 kids today," said Chilton Alphonse, founder of South Central Los Angeles' Community Youth Sports and Arts Foundation. Fifty youngsters represented his organization. Another 50 children from South Central's Second Baptist Church also spent the day at the 2,600-acre ranch, making the 140 mile trip on buses sponsored by Councilman Nate Holden and attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr., who is defending Jackson against child molestation allegations in a civil suit. "Michael has been a friend for the past five or six years and he's been very generous to us," Alphonse said by telephone from Neverland. "You hear all these negative things and I don't believe them. A man is innocent until proven guilty." The entertainer is accused in a civil lawsuit of molesting a boy, now 14, during a five-month relationship. Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County investigators began a sex probe but criminal charges haven't been filed. --- 11 Years Ago --- In Concert Tonight: Blackstreet's Rap Is Heavy R&B Providence Journal January 16, 1995 Not many people have been more influential - and busier - in contemporary black music than producer/performer Teddy Riley. Riley is considered the father of New Jack Swing, a mix of romantic R&B with the harder beat of hip-hop. In addition to his own band, Guy, Riley was behind the controls for many of the songs that defined the sound, like Bobby Brown's My Prerogative and Johnny Kemp's Just Got Paid. When Michael Jackson was looking to add a little street credibility to his music, he enlisted Riley to help produce Dangerous. ... Joy, co-written by Michael Jackson and Riley, was originally intended for Jackson's Dangerous album. When it didn't make the album, Riley asked if Blackstreet could use it, and Jackson gave the okay. Little said the Gloved One likes Blackstreet's version, and the song is slated to be the band's next single. --- 8 Years Ago --- Michael Accused of Plagiarism International Herald Tribune January 16, 1998 A Bulgarian songwriter has accused Michael Jackson of plagiarism. Atanas Atanassov said Jackson's 1997 hit "Blood on the Dance Floor" took its melody and rhythm from "New Year," a song he wrote in 1981, and he is seeking compensation. "I know they will call me crazy, but I cannot forgo my author's rights," he was quoted as saying in Trud newspaper in Sofia. Pending a court decision, he has demanded that Jackson's song be banned from Bulgaria's airwaves. --- 6 Years Ago --- Billy Crawford, Truly An International Star The Filipino Express January 16, 2000 ... Inspired by the singing and dancing of Michael Jackson, Billy become a regular member of the weekly variety show That's Entertainment, enjoying an eight-year run. He has appeared in 10 movies, winning a local Academy Award for Best Child Actor. At 12, Billy and family relocated to his father's home state of Texas, setting in Midland. For the first six months he contented himself with being a regular kid, but it wasn't long before the urge to perform again became impossible to ignore. Entering a Dallas talent show, he won first prize with a rendition of Michael Jackson's I'll Be There, subsequently teaming up with manager Vickie Frankmano, who introduced him to producers Eve Nelson and Bernadette O'Reilly. Moving with his family to New York, Billy shifted into high gear. In addition to writing songs with Nelson and O'Reilly - they would end up with 60 original tunes before cutting his album - he began working in commercials and expanding his resume in other ways. At the 1995 MTV Music Awards, he appeared with a troupe of dancers backing Michael Jackson. In the Children's Choice Awards which featured appearances by Brandy, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah and basketball star John Starks, he opened the show by singing the program's theme. --- 5 Years Ago --- Westlife In Line For Duet With Jackson The Irish Mirror January 16, 2001 King of Pop Michael Jackson is a Westlife fan and may ditch pop rivals A1 to work with them. The millionaire star has been listening to their new album and has even asked about meeting the Sligo boys when he visits the UK later this year. Last night singer Shane Filan told the Irish Mirror it would be a dream come true to sing with the Thriller star. He said: "If we get the chance it will be amazing for us - you don't get any bigger than that. We haven't heard too much about what he thinks of us because he is so secretive. But if he's listened to our album and wants to work with us then we would jump at the chance. Working with Mariah Carey was amazing, but to sing with Michael is the ultimate... As a kid I listened to his music and I'll be out to buy his album when it is released in March." --- 4 Years Ago --- J-Lo To Duet With Jackson The Mirror January 16, 2002 Jennifer Lopez is to team up with Michael Jackson for a duet, it emerged yesterday. The two will join forces and work on a song next month after they met at an awards ceremony in America. A source said: "J-Lo is a massive Michael Jackson fan and he could do with a chart hit. They have a few ideas they might release in the summer." --- 3 Years Ago --- Michael Jackson House Shops In South Florida South Florida Sun Sentinel January 16, 2003 Having trouble selling your luxury oceanfront estate in the downbeat economy? Don't worry, Michael Jackson is house shopping in South Florida. The reclusive pop star recently toured a $45 million mansion on the beach in Palm Beach, but decided 17,000 square feet of space wasn't enough room for him and kept looking, said James Meiskin, a New York broker who represents Jackson. Accompanied by six security guards, Jackson arrived two hours late for the visit, said real estate agent Nadine House. House said Jackson was more interested in relaxing on a couch and watching a TV show about the Academy Awards. "I told him, 'You can stretch out on the sofa when you own the house."' Jackson also seemed fascinated with the seagulls flying over the mansion. "He was calling the birds, running around in the yard after them," she said. "He would then laugh and say 'I'm sorry.'" --- 2 Years Ago --- Most Platinums In UK Daily Record January 16, 2004 Male artists with the most platinum albums in the UK: 1) Michael Jackson 38 2) Robbie Williams 32 3) Phil Collins 31 4) George Michael 23 5) Elton John 20 6) Meatloaf 17 7) Bon Jovi, Chris Rea, Rod Stewart 14 --- --- Michael Jackson Pleads Innocent Knight Ridder Tribune News January 16, 2004 In court, Jackson pleaded not guilty to seven counts of molesting a boy under 14 and two counts of giving the boy alcohol (reportedly wine) -- charges that could put him in prison for decades if convicted. Jackson was surrounded by relatives, including his parents, brother Jermaine and sister Janet. Two hours later, Jackson left the courthouse, walking slowly as he acknowledged a chaotic assembly of fans and photographers behind fencing. ---