The Years 1999 to 2001
[Michael on Wetten dass]
More details about this program (click here)
It was announced on this show that these two charity concerts, titled “Michael Jackson and Friends,” would be held on 25 June 1999 in Seoul — South Korea, and on 27 June 1999 in Munich — Germany.
By appearing on this show, Michael, just like his first appearance on 4 November 1995, once again broke a record.
His presence on this show was a very important event for both fans and the press, and just like the first time, he put eighteen million people in front of their television sets—only in Germany.
In the final court session that had begun in 1995, Michael was finally completely cleared of the charges of literary theft that had been brought against him by the Italian songwriter Albano, in 1992. The Rome court announced that Michael had not used Albano’s song, titled «I Cigni Di Balaka», released in 1987, in the making of his own song «Will You Be There».
In 1999, a lower court found Michael guilty of literary theft and imposed a cash fine on him. Michael’s lawyers requested an appeal. In the end, the Milan court also ruled that Michael was not guilty.
In the same year, Michael was invited to South Africa by Nelson Mandela to take part in his wedding ceremony.
On 10 June 1999, Michael Jackson’s first dance studio—referred to in the news as “Michael Jackson’s Fun School”—was inaugurated in Tokyo — Japan.
Two days later, on 12 June, Michael bought the small Oscar statue that had been awarded at the 1939 Academy Awards to the classic film Gone with the Wind, as the best classic film of all time, at Sotheby’s auction in New York for the amount of 1,542,500 US dollars.
This Oscar award had been given to David O. Selznick, the producer of Gone with the Wind (released in 1939).
The person in charge of the Sotheby’s auction, quoting Michael—who had announced his bid amount by phone—said that he had always wanted to have this Oscar award.
For that reason, Michael offered the highest price ever paid for Hollywood memorabilia.
[The previous record was from 1996. The amount of 607,500 US dollars was paid for an Oscar award given to Clark Gable for the film It Happened One Night.]
The concert “Michael Jackson and Friends” — [The Power of Humanity / What More Can I Give — Part Two] — filled the Enchanted Stadiums with crowds. All the tickets for the first concert in Seoul [25 June] and the second concert in Munich [27 June] sold out, as expected.
[Michael Jackson and Friends concert in Seoul — South Korea]
In Munich, Michael performed in front of a crowd of sixty thousand people—equal to the maximum capacity of the Munich stadium—and in the Seoul stadium, in front of the maximum capacity of forty-five thousand people.
Mariah Carey, Vanessa Mae, Slash, Ringo Starr, Boyz II Men, and Andre Bocelli were among the people who performed in this concert.
And this was the 1999 charity concert.
[Michael Jackson and Friends concert in Munich — Germany]
Many national and international stars, such as Oprah Winfrey, were among the audience, as well as many of the stars who had performed in this concert. And all of them were waiting to see Michael Jackson “the King of Pop” walk onstage.
This charity concert was able to raise 3.3 million US dollars to help needy children around the world. This money was delivered to UNESCO organizations, Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund, the World Red Cross, and the Red Crescent.
By streaming the film of the concert “Michael Jackson and Friends” on the internet, Michael once again set a new record in history.
The site M.C.W., the company that had obtained exclusive internet broadcasting rights for the concert “Michael Jackson and Friends” in Germany, announced in the press that the internet broadcast of the concert had more than ten million viewers and had broken the world record that belonged to the broadcast of a single music single.
It had been reported in the press: “Until now, there has never been a case where an internet broadcast of a program attracted this many viewers.”
In order to share in the charitable intentions of this concert, the site M.C.W. donated financial aid to UNESCO organizations, the Red Cross, and Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Support Fund, [the organizations involved in this charity concert].
On 9 October 1999, Howard Rubenstein, Michael Jackson’s spokesperson, announced that Michael and Debbie had separated from each other.
Rubenstein: “Michael and Debbie continue their friendship and ask the public to respect their request that there be no further comments or stirring up of rumors about the reason behind this decision.”
Michael Jackson and Debbie were married on 14 November 1996 in Sydney — Australia. And the result of this marriage was a son named Prince Michael Junior and a daughter named Paris Michael Katherine.
In the late 20th century, MTV and TV Guide, the most important television music network and the best-selling magazine in the United States, selected Michael Jackson’s «Thriller» as the greatest music video of all time from among one hundred top clips broadcast on MTV over eighteen years.
The criteria for choosing this video were creativity and innovation, the length of time it spent among the top ten songs on the charts, performance, music, and cultural impact.
Lisa Bernhard, editor-in-chief of TV Guide, who had also interviewed Michael, listed the reason for choosing «Thriller» as follows: that this video “was innovative and ambitious for its time.”
“You could see many images in Michael’s videos that you couldn’t imagine having any meaning for them. He took music videos to a new stage. He changed the course of making the videos, and the result of his work—from film B to scary stories and dancing—ultimately returned to the traditional style. He opened the doors for music videos.”
[TV Guide magazine]
Michael agreed to have an interview with TV Guide and MTV about the important news of «Thriller» being chosen as the greatest music video of all time. In addition, he appeared in this interview with a new face. MTV broadcast this exclusive interview as part of a segment announcing the top video from among one hundred top videos of all time.
[MTV’s American TV network interview with Michael]
And for Michael, this was an excellent way to wrap up 1999 and begin the new century.
The big news on 4 January 2000 was:
MTV Asia celebrated the end of the 20th century in a grand way by selecting two thousand of the best music videos and choosing «Thriller» as the top music video. All these two thousand videos, whose number one was «Thriller», were shown on this network.
On 10 February 2000, it was reported that Michael had chosen “Firm” as his new management company.
The Firm, led by Jeff Yentins and Michael Green, while it had been operating for two years, was considered one of the most popular music management teams in the world.
John McClain, a longtime family ally and a former high-ranking executive member of EMI, remained on Michael Jackson’s management team.
On 10 May 2000, at the International Music Awards ceremony in Monaco, Michael was awarded the prize for “the best-selling artist of the century.” This award is unique because it is given solely based on the sales amount of music recordings.
And now this news has been officially confirmed. To date, no artist [whether female or male] has sold more music recordings than Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.
[WMA\'s \'00]
Michael, in the remarks he made when receiving this award, thanked Prince Albert of Monaco, and especially his fans, and promised the people of the world: “You haven’t seen anything yet!”
And now the world is waiting for the release of Michael’s new album—one that has been promised for a long time and might be his last album. Michael describes his new album, which still has no chosen name, as joyful, containing dance tracks, and having social themes.
Some members of the media and people who had heard some of the songs from this album praised it.
Both the music industry and the fans are waiting for the return of the King of Pop.
No matter what the media says about Michael Jackson, they all agree on one thing: “There has never been a bigger star than Michael, and maybe there never will be. Without a doubt, Michael Jackson is the biggest star in the world.”
TV Guide, the best-selling magazine in the United States, in an article it published in the late 20th century, put it best: “This legendary man is almost incomprehensible. But he never fails to captivate others. Michael Jackson is a king who comes only once in history—and remains forever.”
On 4 October 2000, it was reported that Michael had finished recording the album and that the album was in the mixing stage. Michael Jackson and Bruce Swaden, the recording engineer, hope that this important and final stage will be completed by late January 2001. Provided everything goes according to this work schedule, the recording stages will be completed from the master version in spring 2001, and the album will be ready for release in summer 2001.
On 28 October 2000, Michael, along with his friend Elizabeth Taylor, and with a new look, attended the charity event “Carousel of Hope,” held at a hotel in Beverly Hills — California.
[Carousel of Hope charity event]
At this event, hosted by the famous comedian Jay Leno; more than fifty plates designed by celebrities—one of whom was also Michael—were auctioned.
The Carousel of Hope event raised more than six million US dollars to help organizations supporting children with diabetes.
Marvin and Barbara Davis, the founders of this charity event, had arranged an extravagant lunch for the guests and participants.
Barbara Davis had told Michael that Ricky Martin wanted to see him. At the end of the ceremony, Michael appeared onstage and, before being cheered by the audience, congratulated Ricky Martin for his live performance.
[Michael congratulating Ricky Martin]
Among the people standing to hug Michael were faces such as Barry Gardi Junior, Michael’s discoverer, and Susan De Pas, his childhood teacher.
Shirley MacLaine, Carrie Fisher, Joan Collins, David Foster, Toni Braxton, Sydney Poitier, Gregory Peck, Neil Diamond, Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Pierce Brosnan, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sylvester Stallone, and Charlotte Church were among the other famous people who attended this charity event.
On 31 October 2000, more news was released about the film Nightmare of Edgar Allan Poe that Michael Jackson was considering making. Gary Podney, in an interview with the “Columbus Dispatch,” said: “Michael Jackson will go to Montreal in early 2001 with his two children to prepare for filming the movie he has had planned in his mind for a long time.”
It had been announced that production of this film would begin in March 2001. And Michael would play the lead role in this film, and along with Gary Podney and Jim Green, would be one of the film’s executive producers.
In a conversation with Marlene Beck, Gary Podney said: “Michael in this film doesn’t look exactly like Edgar Poe. But you won’t be able to tell the difference between the two. It’s really amazing. This film is full of captivating and scary scenes. And in addition to the ghosts that Poe wrote about, they return at the time of his death to hunt him.
We will also use six to eight other professional actors to help Michael. During the filming and production process, he will have an acting coach.”
In the news, it was said that Michael is currently working on the music for the film’s soundtrack, and he himself will sing this song.
Gary Podney: “Michael wants to focus on the films. We are currently working on making more films of ‘Edgar Allan Poe.’ And we are also in discussions about several other films. Michael is interested in working with people like Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, and they are also willing to do this.”
Exciting news about Michael’s first appearance in the role of “Edgar Allan Poe” was published in an interview with TV Guide magazine, and from 4 to 10 December 1999.On 20 November 2000, Michael Jackson attended the birthday celebration of Robbie Shwilly Batich, held in Englewood — New Jersey — United States. For Elisa Mengino, a seven-year-old girl suffering from leukemia, meeting her favorite singer, Michael Jackson, was a dream come true.
Ten days later, on 30 November 2000, Michael received the “Angel of Hope” award at the “Angel Celebration” ceremony held in New York. During the dinner attended by many celebrities—Bill Clinton, the then President of the United States, Michael Jackson, and Anwar Sadat, the Queen of Jordan—were all honored for their efforts in fighting cancer. At this ceremony, four million dollars were raised to help cancer patients.
[Michael at the Angel Celebration]
[Michael — Dennis Richards]
At this event, Michael was introduced to the attendees by Lance and J.C., members of the musical group Incink.
“No artist has tried as hard as Michael to make the world better, and no famous person is as humble as Michael about the work he has done. What else can I say about him? He’s bad—he’s a thriller. And now he’s here.
The biggest living music artist in the world. Number one superstar. The King of Pop. On behalf of the J.P. charity organization, this honor has been given to us to present the ‘Angel of Hope’ award to Mr. Michael Jackson.”
Michael Jackson: “Mr. President, it is an honor for me to receive this award in your presence. And I want to thank you for all the services you have provided to the people of America. You were an incredible president, and I love you...
... Cancer is the number one killer of children. And nights like tonight, when we come together, are the only time we can give ourselves the courage and decide not to let this disease deprive another child of the precious gift of life—or deprive parents of the joy of watching their child grow up. God bless all of you for all the love and support you offered tonight. I love you all so much. Thank you.”
On 2 December 2000, at the wedding ceremony of Tommy Mottola, the head of one of the Sony distribution companies, and Talia Saday; held in St. Patrick’s Church in New York, Michael was seated in the front row of the church seats. Michael did not attend the celebration after the wedding.
[Michael at Tommy Mottola’s wedding]
Among the one thousand two hundred friends invited to this ceremony were Dana Sommer, Gloria Stefani, Rosie O’Donnell, Mark Anthony, Emilio Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Robert De Niro, Saul Kerzner, Danny DeVito, Joe Pesci, Ricky Martin, Bruce Springsteen, Julio Iglesias, and Tony Bennett.
On 13 December 2000, it was reported that Michael Jackson would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 19 March 2001, for his great achievements as a solo artist.
Michael: “I’m truly excited and humble about this great honor. I couldn’t have wished for being on a list better than this. Each of the names on this list are masters from whom I learned. I offer my sincere thanks to all the Rock and Roll historians and the experts who chose me.”
Musicians become eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after the release of their first album.
Michael was first inducted in 1997, along with his brothers, as members of the Jackson Five group, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On 19 December 2000, Michael Jackson, with a beautiful and attractive appearance, surprisingly appeared at the charity concert “A Miracle on 34th Street,” held at Madison Square Garden in New York, delighting thousands of attendees.
[Michael in New York]
As a fitting finale to the program, all the singers lined up onstage, and the band played «Shake You\'re Body/Down To The Ground», one of the best songs by the Jacksons.
Amid the relentless and intense cheers of the people and their joyful shouts, Michael entered from the corner of the stage. Unfortunately, he did not perform and told the audience that he had laryngitis. And in the end, he wished everyone happy holidays.
The host of this program, Whitney Houston, who was hard to believe and was very surprised, jumped up and down and hugged Michael.
[Michael — Whitney Houston]
Before leaving the stage, Michael promised the hall that was exploding with the intensity of the crowd: “The best is yet to come.”
Singers who performed in this charity concert included: Whitney Houston, Mark Anthony, the Destiny’s Child group, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Brian McKnight, Melanie C, the 98 Degrees group, Lara Fabian, Gloria Gaynor, Dennis Williams, John Escada, and Toni Braxton, who was the host.
In the late 2000, Michael’s name was recorded in the Guinness World Records book as the person who had provided the most support to charitable organizations. He has financially supported thirty-nine charitable institutions and participated in their charitable programs.
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