August 2019 Sharing MJ News and Comment from the World Wide Web

August 2019 Sharing MJ news and comment from the World Wide Web

Editorial

In this era of media-promoted cancel culture and erasing people from history, it was a thrill to hear an entire album of Michael Jackson’s music being broadcast over the PA system in the gaming room of a local resort complex I was visiting recently here in Adelaide, South Australia.

As fellow MJ fan, tribute artist and Twitter user Kent Olaf from Norway says in his video in defence of Michael, it is impossible to cancel him on the basis of the false allegations or for any other reason. If you haven’t done so already, I heartily recommend Kent’s video for reassurance on the impossibility of “muting” MJ.

Have fun celebrating Michael’s birthday this month; some birthday events are included in the calendar listing below.

Above all, keep on Michaeling.

Kerry Hennigan Kerry Hennigan Global MJ Pilgrim (“I’m with the doll”) Editor 'A Candle for Michael Newsletter' Admin: Michael Jackson's short film 'Ghosts' fan group Blog: https://kerryhennigan.wordpress.com

Calendar of MJ Events

Until 1 Sept - Exposicion Michael Jackson – the Legend 2019 at Centro Commercial Las Arenas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

21 Aug–26 Jan - Michael Jackson On the Wall, Espoo, Finland

25 Aug – Major Love Prayer Day www.majorloveprayer.org • Forthcoming MJ-related books and reissues * A newly revised edition of Joe Vogel’s “Michael Jackson The 25 Aug – Lima Jackson Fest, Cinestar Cinema, Lima, Peru Man In The Music” is being released in paperback Aug 27. It is available through Amazon. 28 - 31 Aug – MJ HIS_story exhibition and collectors’ event, * A new book in Italian called “Michael Jackson: History and Gallery Different, London Artistic Heritage” by Luca Izzo and Michelangelo Iossa traces 29 Aug – Michael Jackson ONE celebration of the King of Michael’s career through his artistry. Read about it here. Pop’s Birthday – Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas * Spanish author Concha Calleja’s book “Objective: Michael Jackson”, about Michael’s death, was recently interviewed 29 Aug – “Moonwalker” in Zepp Cinemas, Osaka and Tokyo about the book which is due out in the US in Sept. * Lisa Marie Presley has signed a contract for what the media 30 Aug -1 Sept – In the Studio with MJ - Brad Really Brad x 2, has described as a “tell-all” book about her marriage to Michael Brussels. Tickets at http://inthestudiowithmj.com and about her father, Elvis Presley. However, the MJ fan community suspects it is more likely to be an autobiography as 21 Sep –KINGVENTION – The Shaw Theatre, London she has always been pro-Michael. Read about it here.

• Amphitheatre in Poland removes Michael’s name News of Note The name of the Bemowo Amphitheatre in Poland has been changed in the wake of Leaving Neverland, with Michael’s • Demand for Michael’s music has increased in 2019 name being removed from the title. The amphitheatre was built According to BuzzAngle, the Music Industry Report on in 2008 and Michael’s name was added to it following his death Consumption, Michael Jackson’s music has enjoyed an in 2009. Local authorities wanted to commemorate the first and increase of 15% in album sales (including streaming, only concert of the King of Pop in Poland, which took place in downloads and CDs) since this time last year – from 425,330 1996 at the Bemowo airport. Source: MJJC to 498, 806. While CD sales are down slightly, as they are throughout the industry, his steaming figures, which include • Legal Updates – Robson Appeal and Estate v HBO audio and video, are up by 339.7% since this time last year. * Robson’s attorney lodged his appeal papers mid July. The His total streaming so far in 2019 is 1,127,200,908. Roughly a matter now goes to the appeals panel for review. A decision third of his album sales this year come from “Thriller” and its could be some months away and will be made public, unless singles and individual tracks. Showbiz411 reports that the the panel requests oral arguments. Source: @MJJRepository increase in MJ’s figures “should come as good news to the * The MJ Estate’s quest for public arbitration with HBO over Jackson estate. They’ve still got a Broadway musical cooking Leaving Neverland has stalled with the judge allowing HBO to for next year. It was briefly derailed, but with Jackson’s address possible First Amendment issues by lodging an Anti- music’s popularity on the rise, they should feel emboldened to SLAPP motion. A hearing on said motion is scheduled for move ahead.” Source: MJVibe. September 16. Read the details on MJ Vibe.

* The case brought by the French fans against Leaving • Emmy Nominations – the MJ Estate Responds Neverland prompted a statement of support from Michael’s Following the announcement that Leaving Neverland had Estate last month. Read the full text of their email here. This been nominated for four Emmy Awards the MJ Estate’s online case has been heard and a decision is expected Oct 4. team issued a statement for Michael’s international fan community advising that, “We share your outrage and • Michael on DJ playlists for weddings and parties disappointment that the disgraceful one-sided smear Leaving MJ Vibe reports that DJ Intelligence which has been collecting Neverland was nominated for potential Creative Arts Emmys data on what songs are being played at weddings and party by the Television Academy.” The statement detailed what the functions, shows that Michael has 6 songs in their top 200 Estate has been doing to combat the faux documentary, and tunes, plus another 2 Jackson 5 songs. They are as follows: advised, “there are and will continue to be things that we do 48. Billie Jean by Michael Jackson behind the scenes (including support offered to Taj Jackson), 65. P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson most of which will never become public… HBO and the film’s 76. Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough by Michael Jackson 109. Thriller by Michael Jackson director were hoping they would mute Michael Jackson. They 112. The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson didn’t. No nominations or potential awards will change that. 125. I Want You Back by the Jackson 5 We also want to take this opportunity to thank the fans for all 149. Beat It by Michael Jackson of the time, energy and, in some cases, money you have 160. ABC by the Jackson 5 invested in the defense of Michael. You can be assured that we are aware of those efforts and genuinely appreciate • MTV to cut Michael’s name from Video Vanguard Award? everything you do to support Michael and his legacy. Media reports suggest there has been a lot of discussion at — The Estate of Michael Jackson MTV about removing Michael’s name from the Video (Edited extracts – access the full statement here.) Vanguard award. Michael received the Vanguard Award in

1988, and MTV renamed it in his honor in 1991. They • Nominate Michael for a star on Dubai Walk of Fame awarded it as the Lifetime Achievement Award from 2003 and Fans can nominate Michael for a Dubai Star in a new project reinstated it in Michael’s name following his death. There is planned for downtown Dubai. Michael visited Dubai while no nominee in this category for this year’s VMAs which take living in Bahrain and he is fondly remembered there. The place this month. A recent online poll saw nearly 90% of project will be a walkable tribute saluting eminent personalities participants vote for Michael’s name to be retained. Some who have positively contributed to the world through their work fans have suggested it should be removed simply because in various fields. Nominate Michael here. MTV does not deserve to use it.

• King of Pop internet domain name now where it belongs • Latest update from Taj on his documentary The estate of Michael Jackson now owns KingOfPop.com Recently Taj Jackson posted an update on his campaign after a legal battle. It sued Gourmet Gift Baskets in 2016, fundraiser for his documentary vindicating his uncle Michael. alleging that the company’s use of KingOfPop.com for a He informed us that Charles Thomson has officially joined the website selling popcorn infringed on Michael’s nickname. team as an Investigative Consultant and Writer for the project. According to court records, the two parties settled in 2017, but Charles is an award winning journalist who has also been the MJ Estate only recently got control of the domain name. instrumental in providing written sources and facts to fight the An article on the Domain Name Wire website suggests that various false allegations and lies. Taj also reported that he the confidential settlement had about a two year transition had been looking for investors to help complete the funding. period to allow Gourmet Gift Baskets to transition its use of the He wrote: “Unfortunately I have heard from multiple trusted domain. sources that the typical ‘Hollywood investors’ were specifically told to stay away from this project and in no way participate. • Kenny Ortega receivea Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame That is strange because usually investors are only interested Kenny Ortega, Michael’s friend and creative partner has been in their returns and profit. I don’t know who is behind this yet, honoured with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. but it is a reality we face.” Taj is currently looking for investors Kenny has had a long and illustrious career as a outside the Hollywood system. “I kind of expected that to be choreographer and a director of live shows and movies. His the case,” he said, “as there has been a lot going on behind star was unveiled 24 July adjacent to the Pantages Theater on the scenes to try and make this project not happen.” Taj Hollywood Boulevard, which happens to be one of the assures everyone “with 100% certainty” that the project is locations from Michael’s “You Are Not Alone” short film and is happening, “whether they wanted it to or not. The truth cannot also featured prominently in the “Hollywood Tonight” video. be hidden.” Work has already began on the film some time Kenny is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. ago, thanks to the funds raised so far. To read Taj’s full update and contribute to the campaign, click here. • “Billie Jean” on NASA’s Moon playlist th As part of the 50 anniversary of the moon landing in 1969, • Re-Mix of “I Want You Back” released for Motown 60th NASA asked music fans to submit tracks that they’d like to A remix of the Jackson 5 hit “I Want You Back” by DJ Lead hear if they were making the trip to the moon. MJ fans duly was released last month as part of the 60th birthday jumped into action, with “Billie Jean” making it on the final celebrations for Motown. You can listen to it here. Third Rock Radio NASA Moon Tunes Playlist – July, 2019. which you can access here. • Birthday Fundraiser organised by fan charity groups Charity groups “Heal the MJ World” and “Michael Jackson • Sailors MJ-style jacket re-issued in Japan Fans for Charity” have combined to fundraise for SOS The Sailors clothing brand in Japan has reissued a varsity Chidren’s Villages UK throughout the month of August. To style red jacket with the name ‘Michael’ on it as a tribute to the learn more and donate visit their JustGiving page. jacket made especially for Michael and presented to him by company president Miura (pictured below). The new ultra • Kingvention announces its Special Guests for 2019 collector’s edition costs 98,000 JPY which is approximately Guests for Kingvention in London on 21 Sept include Larry USD$900.00. View the jacket and access ordering details via Stessel, Marketing Director for ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and MJ Vibe or on Sailors’ Facebook page. ‘BAD’; and Darryl Phinnessess, vocalist on all Michael’s solo world tours. Both have recorded short videos which you can

view on MJ Vibe. The Kingvention Team plans to have a 3- storey-high picture of Michael outside the venue in central London but they need help to make this a reality! Visit the fundraising page to donate.

• Show “Ten” in Trieste, Italy, honors Michael Jackson A show held on 29 July in the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi in the Italian city of Trieste honored MJ ten years after his passing. The show, called “Ten”, was part of the 2019 annual festival organized by the local municipality to animate summer evenings in the city. Featured songs included Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Black or White, Bad and many others. View the original article here.