2001
The news said: ”The concert continues with the presence of forty rock and blues singers and traditional American songs, sung collectively in tribute to Michael.“
Michael’s spokesperson said: ”This concert will be filmed for television broadcast.“
On June 6, 2001, news spread worldwide that Michael had finished work on his new album.
On June 13, Michael’s friend and co-producer David Gest confirmed that: ”Michael’s thirtieth-year celebration as a solo artist will be held soon. In the two concerts scheduled for September 7 and 10, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York, more than two hundred music stars will be present.“
The CBS television network reported that these incredible concerts, along with a two-hour special program, would be broadcast on the network in the fall season.
The next day, on June 14, the New York radio station W.K.T.U. unexpectedly revealed the name of Michael’s new album: «Invincible».
On June 15, Michael and Sony’s company mentioned the final release date for the «Invincible» album as September 25, 2001. Later, it was postponed until October 29 of that same year.
On June 19, it was reported that Michael had chosen the song «You Rock My World» as the first single from his new album.
On June 28, Jay-Z surprised the people who had gathered to watch his performance at the Nassau Coliseum by calling Michael onto the stage. Although Michael did not perform, his mere presence was enough to send the loudest crowd screams of that night into the sky.
[Michael – Jay-Z]
Michael’s only words to the crowd were: ”I love you all“
Rock ‘n’ Roll recording company FLA reported that Michael would make a special appearance on Jay-Z’s next album. Although Jay tried to repay Michael’s kindness, appearing on his new album was not part of his schedule.
On July 11, it was reported that «You Rock My World», the first single from Michael’s new album, would not be released in the United States.
On July 31, in less than five hours, all tickets for both concerts of ”Michael Jackson’s Thirtieth Anniversary as a Solo Artist“ were sold out. Ticket prices ranged from forty-five to two thousand five hundred US dollars.
On August 1, Michael launched his first official website.
On August 17, «You Rock My World» was played on a US radio station, as the first single from the long-promised «Invincible» album. An anonymous source had provided the song to the radio station Jemin 105.1 without having a license from Sony or from Michael himself.
On August 30, Michael rang the opening bell of the Nasdaq stock market by pressing a button. Shortly after that, on the occasion of his forty-third birthday, he received a huge birthday cake and an old poster of Shirley Temple. Michael said: ”Right now, I’m deeply thrilled at this special moment. Thank you, David, Wyk, and Nasdaq. Thank you all. I love you and all my fans. Thank you.“
A prize was also presented to Michael by Hardwick Simmons, the executive director of Nasdaq.
[Nasdaq]
On September 6, in a surprising onstage appearance at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, where the MTV music video awards ceremony was held, Michael performed the song «POP» together with Incink. Michael surprised the crowd with a short but dazzling piece of his dancing. His brief appearance at the event was the top headline across the world, and was considered by viewers and critics as the best part of the show.
[MTV Awards Ceremony]
On September 7 and 10, 2001, Michael performed two incredible concerts at Madison Square Garden.
On September 8, the New York Daily newspaper wrote about the previous day’s concert in an article titled ”His return to the stage made the Garden overflow with crowds“:
Michael Jackson went onstage at Madison Square Garden last night to show everyone that he still knows how to be the King of Pop.
With the magic that placed «Thriller» and «Bad» among the best-selling albums in history, along with many music stars, he performed in America for the first time in eleven years.
Onstage, Michael joined his brothers to perform a medley of the Jackson Five’s best songs with them. He, along with Britney Spears, who wore a short skirt, presented an exciting version of the song «The Way You Make Me Feel» and, by delighting his audience, shook their world again.