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Jermaine Jackson will be reuniting with the Jackson 5 for the "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years," after all.
After feuding for the last month with the show's producer, David Gest, over ticket prices, guest list and lineups for the all-star events, Jermaine agreed on Friday (August 10) to perform at the September 7 and 10 shows in New York.
Both the Jackson 5 (Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Jermaine) and the Jacksons (Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Randy) will perform at the concerts, to be held at Madison Square Garden.
Mary J. Blige, who was scheduled to perform September 10, is no longer on the bill — she had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict, her spokesperson said. Newcomer Nelly Furtado has been added to the lineup, as has former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and veteran singer/actress Liza Minnelli.
On July 20, Jermaine sent a letter to the media complaining about the events (see "Michael Jackson Gala Criticized By Jermaine, Randy Jackson"). Randy's name was also on the letter, though he later denied signing it (see "Randy Says 'I'll Be There' For Jacksons Reunion, Jermaine Says 'Maybe Tomorrow' ").
Three days later, Gest announced that Jermaine would not be performing.
"Having been accused of not wanting to be a part of my brother's 30th anniversary concert for publicity reasons is not right," Jermaine Jackson said in a statement Friday. "My concern was that our loyal fans were not invited nor able to attend because of excessive prices.
"It was also my hope that charities, that helped the less fortunate, be part of this important event and that my children be invited to attend. To do this, I myself was willing to forgo any payment. But, instead of accepting my statement with the good will with which it was intended, I have been accused of being self-serving.
"I place my family above all else and I would like to perform with my brothers in spite of all that has gone on," he added. "I'm sorry that loyalty to my fans and family has been perceived as betrayal."
Gest also issued a statement on Friday. "I am delighted [Jermaine] has signed his contract and will be joining his brother for these very special evenings," he said. "All the brothers and I have been friends since our early teens and it is very gratifying that a dream will become reality as we celebrate these events together."
The Jackson brothers convened in Los Angeles on Friday to begin rehearsing for the shows, which will also feature A-list pop stars such as 'NSYNC, Britney Spears, Destiny's Child, Ricky Martin and Whitney Houston (see "Missy Elliott, Ricky Martin, Mary J. Blige Added To Michael Jackson Tribute").
The concerts will be filmed for a two-hour television special.
The lineups for the two concerts, according to the event's publicists:
September 7:
Marc Anthony
Ray Charles
Deborah Cox
Destiny's Child
Gloria Estefan
Billy Gilman
Whitney Houston
James Ingram
Quincy Jones and the Legends of Jazz, including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David "Fathead" Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry and Cassandra Wilson
Liza Minnelli
Monica
Mya
'NSYNC
Jill Scott
Shaggy featuring Ricardo "RikRok" Ducent and Rayvon
Britney Spears
Tamia
3T
Usher
September 10:
Marc Anthony
Deborah Cox
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
Nelly Furtado
Gloria Gaynor
Al Jarreau
Gladys Knight
Lil' Romeo
Ricky Martin
Liza Minnelli
Monica
Mya
98 Degrees
Jill Scott
Usher
Luther Vandross
Dionne Warwick
Michael Jackson Striving For Perfect
Comeback Disc, Producer Says
Pop king's first all-original album since 1992 expected by end of year.
Michael Jackson, whose 1982 blockbuster Thriller is one of the best-selling albums of all time, is trying to come
back from a long absence with an album that will evoke the lean, danceable pop-
R&B of his prime, according to producers who've worked on the project."We think we've
got the next Thriller," former Jodeci member DeVante said. DeVante worked on
several possible tracks for the new disc with Jackson.Producer Rodney Jerkins, who's
been working on the album for more than two years, said the pop icon is
painstakingly assembling the project. "It's a big process when you're striving for
perfection, trying to make the best record in the world," he said. "It's not one, two,
three with Michael."
Jackson has compiled a huge collection of possible tracks for the LP, according to DeVante
(born Donald DeGrate). "He has, like, 10,000 songs," he said.The finished
product will be released before the end of the year, Jerkins said. "If you love
[1979's] Off the Wall, if you love Thriller, you'll love this one," he said. "I'm just
trying to take it back to where it was."After Off the Wall established the former child
star as a major solo artist, with the #1 singles "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
(RealAudio excerpt) and "Rock With You," Thriller turned him into the world's
pre-eminent pop star. It spawned seven top-10 singles, including "Billie Jean" ,
and throughout the past two decades has sold 25 million copies in the U.S., making it the second-best-selling album ever which recently was certified 26 times platinum.Jerkins, 22, who wrote and
produced Brandy and Monica's hit duet "The Boy Is Mine" and has worked with
Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton, said he was impressed by Jackson's skill in the
studio, calling the singer "a genius.""He's really everything I thought ... he's on a
whole 'nother level than everyone else," Jerkins said. "Most people I work with, I gotta
give a lot of direction to. But he's the only one who knows exactly what needs to
be done. When I'm thinking about something, he'll do it before I can spit it
out."Jackson's publicist and his production company did not return calls for comment on the
album.In recent years, controversies surrounding Jackson's personal life and career
often have overshadowed his music. He has not released a full-length album of
new music since 1992's Dangerous, which featured the hit "Black or White" (RealAudio
excerpt). In 1994, the singer reached a million out-of-court settlement
with a young boy who alleged that Jackson molested him, though the singer
has continued to maintain his innocence.The next year, Jackson was accused of
anti-Semitism after he used the lines "Jew me, sue me" and "Kick me, kike me," in
"They Don't Care About Us" a then-new song recorded for his compilation album
HIStory. He apologized and re-recorded the track without the offending
words.Record retailers said despite Jackson's troubles, his next album could be a major hit."His
fans still like him despite all that," said Jennifer Sitgo, a buyer at a Las Vegas
Tower Records. "His catalog still sells really well."Retailers expressed doubt that
Jackson could return to the heights of mega-stardom he enjoyed in the '80s
however. "It would do OK, but it wouldn't sell like he used to," Kobi Raskin, rock
buyer for a Denver Tower Records, said.Jackson began his career as a child
prodigy on Motown Records with the Jackson 5, singing lead on such classic hits as "I Want You
Back" (). Though Jackson released solo albums early on, his solo career began in
earnest with the disco-influenced Off the Wall.
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MORE NEWS
16/02/2001 Release Dates - Update
Sony Music has rescheduled the release of the remastered upgraded editions of "Off The Wall," "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous."
The four albums are now slated for a global release on May 22nd, 2001.
"Greatest Hits - HIStory - Volume I" has also been rescheduled. The CD will be released 2 months before the new album, which would currently mean by the end of April.
As of now, the new album is still scheduled for a release on June 25th, 2001 in Europe and June 26th in the USA.
From Planet Jackson Whats Up / Calendar
2001
March
6th
Michael Jackson and Rabbi Shmuley Botteach join for a lecture at Oxford University, England (8:30pm).
April
18-19th
Heal The Kids conference at Michael Jackson s Neverland Ranch, California.
Release of Greatest Hits - HIStory - Volume 1.
May
22nd
Working release date of "Off The Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," and "Dangerous" expanded versions in the USA.
June
25th
Working release date of the new album in Europe.
26th
Working release date of the new album in the USA.
Sony Music confirmed that "Greatest Hits HIStory Volume 1" (Epic) will be released as a single disc CD. The CD will feature 15 remastered classic Michael Jackson tracks (72 minutes of great music), brand new artwork, and a 28 page color booklet.
Tracklisting:
Billie Jean
The Way You Make Me Feel
Black Or White
Rock With You
She s Out Of My Life
Bad
I Just Can t Stop Loving You
Man In The Mirror
Thriller
Beat It
The Girl Is Mine
Remember The Time
Don t Stop Til You Get Enough
Wanna Be Startin Somethin
Heal The World
The songs had been previously released as disc 1 ("HIStory Begins: The Greatest Hits") of the two-CD set History, Past, Present and Future - Book 1 in June 1995.
From MJIFC
More News
25/01/2001 New Album - New Release Date
Sony Music have rescheduled the new Michael Jackson album to June 26th in the USA and June 25th in Europe (2001).
In order to meet this release date, the recording of the new album will have to be over by the end of March.
From Planet Jackson
13/02/2001 Greatest Hits Album Postponed
Due to a new marketing plan, Sony Music has postponed the release of HIStory Greatest Hits Vol. 1!
The record will not be available this month as previously planned. A new release date should be communicated soon.
From Planet Jackson
18/01/2001 Classic Reissues - Complete Tracklistings
Sony Music has released today the official tracklisting information for Michael Jackson's remastered editions of "Off The Wall," "Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous."
Bonus Tracks:
OFF THE WALL
Don t Stop Til You Get Enough
Sunset Driver
You Can t Win
THRILLER
Vincent Price
Got The Hots
Carousel
Someone In The Dark
BAD
Bumper Snippet
Streetwalker
Someone Put Your Hand Out
I Just Can t Stop Loving You
Fly Away
DANGEROUS
Bumper Snippet (Kid)
Monkey Business
Work That Body
If You Don t Love Me
Serious Effect
Happy Birthday, Lisa
She Got It
Black Or White (Remix)
Dangerous (Alternate Version)
Who Is It (Remix)
The self-titled "King of Pop," Michael Jackson has led a troubled and controversial private life while releasing a string of hit albums, including Thriller, currently the most popular record of all time with total sales of 46 million. Born on August 29, 1958 to a strict, working-class family in Gary, Ind., Michael showed an early interest in music, as did most of the family -- his mother sang frequently, and his father played guitar in a small-time R&B band, while his older brothers often sang and played with their father's guitar. Joseph Jackson, Michael's controlling, allegedly abusive father, pushed his sons into forming a group called the Jackson 5, which quickly rose from playing local talent shows to landing a contract with the renown Motown label. During the early '70s the group became well-known, with "baby" Michael as the cute lead singer of the group. The Jackson 5 released 13 albums in only seven years, charted several No. 1 R&B hits, and toured constantly. Michael Jackson also recorded a few solo albums with Motown, but in 1976 the entire Jackson family split with the label over creative issues -- Joseph Jackson felt producer Berry Gordy was spending too much time with Diana Ross, and not enough with the Jackson 5. Signing with Epic later that year, the Jackson 5 became the Jacksons, with Randy replacing Jermaine (who stayed with Motown), and continued recording, though they were not quite as popular as before. In 1979 Michael landed the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway musical The Wiz, and moved to New York to start an independent life. Collaborating with his friend Quincy Jones, already an established R&B hitmaker, Jackson recorded his first solo album, Off the Wall, later that year. The album eclipsed the declining success of the Jacksons, reaching No. 3 and spawning four Top 10 hits. After returning to his brothers for another album and tour, Jackson released his second solo effort, 1982's Thriller. Michael's following swelled overnight, transforming him from another pop star to one of the biggest artists in pop history. Thriller spent 37 weeks at No. 1 and sold 24 million copies, spinning off MTV hits like "Beat It" and "Billy Jean," and the title single, which was accompanied by an innovative half-hour-long video which was also released in movie theaters. Jackson became a media icon thanks to his trademarks: stunning break-dancing moves (especially the "Moonwalk"), a shy, girlish voice, a single white sequined glove, sunglasses and untied shoe laces. Teenagers copied his style and fans screamed and passed out at his sold-out concerts, known for their elaborate pageantry. Michael also used his new status to raise money for numerous charities, especially children's causes; he also became a pitchman for Pepsi, sustaining severe burns during an accident filming a commercial for the soft drink. Despite his new superstar solo status, Jackson performed and toured once more with his brothers in 1984, a gracious move which boosted each of the other Jackson's solo careers, none of which was very successful. Sister Janet also got into the act, eventually becoming a superstar in her own right; his older sister LaToya also began performing. The reclusive Jackson bought an enormous California ranch, which he dubbed Neverland, and filled the grounds with amusement park rides, inviting children to visit and even stay with him. His penchant for plastic surgery, mysteriously lightening skin tone, and often bizarre behavior (such as wearing a surgical mask in public Howard Hughes-style) made him a frequent target for tabloids. Furthermore, Jackson's reluctance to grant interviews encouraged groundless gossip, such as stories that he slept in an oxygen chamber and tried to purchase the Elephant Man's skeleton. In 1985 he did buy ATV Publishing, which owned the rights to many Beatles songs (as well as material from Elvis, Little Richard, and others), a profitable business decision but a move which ruined his friendship with Paul McCartney. That same year Jackson was instrumental in the USA for Africa famine relief operation, recording the No. 1 "We Are the World" single with an all-star ensemble of musicians. Michael Jackson released his long-awaited follow-up, Bad, in 1987. Though it naturally reached No. 1 and sold around eight million copies, spawning five No. 1 singles, it failed to match the commercial success of Thriller. Another elaborate world tour followed; although he drew tens of thousands overseas, his U.S. concerts were troubled by allegations that Jackson lip-synched most of his material, which he later admitted in interviews. 1991's Dangerous was another No. 1 success for Jackson, though it once again failed to match the success of its predecessor, perhaps because it was symbolically knocked out of No. 1 by Nirvana's Nevermind, marking the shift from pop music to "grunge." Following the release of Dangerous, Jackson remained an international superstar, but in the United States his image was being eroded by continued rumors of erratic behavior and child molestation. In 1993 a child "friend" of Jackson's went to his father with reports that Jackson had molested him. The boy's father brought the case to the police, who began an investigation of the pop star but were unable to press charges when his main accuser received an undisclosed settlement from Jackson and subsequently declined to testify. On May 26, 1994, Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, a move which many observers saw as an attempt to downplay pedophilia rumors.The couple divorced in early 1996; Jackson married acquaintance Debbie Rowe later that year, and the couple had their first child (also the subject of rumors) in February 1997. Jackson's most recent record, HIStory, was released in 1995, accompanied by unprecedented hype, such as videos of hundred-foot statues of Jackson being pulled through the streets of Eastern Europe. The double-album consisted of one disc of "greatest hits" and another of new material, including the Top 5 single "Scream" (a duet with sister Janet) and the song "They Don't Care About U.S.," which became the subject of controversy due to anti-Semitic lyrics (the song was later changed). The release was supported by another over-the-top world tour. HIStory sold respectably despite Jackson's personal troubles, but the disgraced artist now finds himself far more popular overseas than in the U.S.
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