May 2020 Sharing MJ news and comment from the World Wide Web
Editorial
At a time when we’ve all been stuck at home guarding against catching the coronavirus, the media have been searching their vaults for stories to keep Michael Jackson’s name in circulation. This invariably means old tales like his interest in buying Marvel Comics and his love of Spiderman have been treated as surprising news when fans have known about it for years.
There’s also been an MJ v. Prince ‘battle’ which, of course, proves nothing and is a bit like comparing apples with oranges. In amongst the whimsical and nonsensical comes wonderful tributes in the form of “Heal the World” recordings by UNRocks and “Earth Song” by cast members of Thriller Live, and many, many wonderful fan-made projects.
With legal matters delayed by COVID-19 lock-downs, we have enjoyed a bit of a hiatus from controversy while more people acknowledge and discover the power and relevance of Michael’s music. We’ve known it all along, of course, but it’s always reassuring to have others discover it. Too bad it’s taken a global pandemic in this instance.
Continue to stay safe and healthy, and keep on Michaeling. • Babyface’s MJ, Halle Berry and Madonna stories Kerry Hennigan Babyface and Teddy Riley have been engaging in Instagram live streams during which they have played timeless hits they Kerry Hennigan have been involved with and stories of the artists – Michael Global MJ Pilgrim (“I’m with the doll”) being one of them. Babyface recalled the time that MJ Editor 'A Candle for Michael Newsletter' Admin: Michael Jackson's short film 'Ghosts' fan group asked him if he could approach actress Halle Berry about Blog: https://kerryhennigan.wordpress.com going out on a date with him. “One time, Michael called me and said, 'Babyface, do you know who Halle Berry is?'" he told Teddy Riley during their live stream. "I said, 'Yeah, I Calendar of MJ Events know Halle Berry.' [Michael] said, 'Could you do me a favor? I want you to call her because I want to take her out on a (NB: all dates subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions) date.' I said, 'What?' and he said, 'Call her, I want to take her out on a date.' So I reached out for him." He told Riley that "I 2 May – ‘Mickey, Michael and Martinis – In the Studio with MJ live can’t tell you exactly what Halle said, but I imagine it trivia game with Brad Sundberg on Facebook, 2 pm NY time @ probably would have been something like this …” That's https://www.facebook.com/inthestudiowithmj/ when Babyface cut to a movie clip of Berry saying, "You 25 May – Major Love Prayer day www.majorloveprayer.org know, what do you know about love? What do you possibly think you know about love?" 25 Jun – Major Love Prayer day & World Cry Day. In a subsequent session, after Teddy Riley played “In the 26-28 Jun - In the Studio with MJ 2020 Closet,” Babyface said that Madonna was originally set to (Bottrell/Vibberts/Sundberg – Los Angeles [Note: May be POSTPONED] play the love interest in the music video, but was replaced by Naomi Campbell after she suggested that the King of Pop 6 July – Preview performances of MJ: The Musical, NYC dress as a woman! He recalls MJ being upset about https://mjthemusical.com/ Madonna’s request. “‘Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?’ He was like, ‘I’ll never do that. 13 Aug – Official opening of MJ: The Musical, NYC That’s not gonna happen.’ He said, ‘She was trying to change it all up. It was crazy’. He was really mad about it.” 28-30 Aug - In the Studio with MJ 2020 Watch a video of this segment here.
(Bottrell/Vibberts/Sundberg – Brussels • Mumbai Police – moonwalking is ‘Dangerous’ Please Note: at the time of publication of this newsletter, Cirque Du Soleil’s Mumbai police used a snippet of Michael's song 'Dangerous' Las Vegas shows, including MJ ONE remain closed due to COVID-19. to make people aware of the importance of staying at home Broadway shows are also closed, but it is unknown how this will impact July amid COVID-19. Republic World reported that the Mumbai preview dates for MJ: The Musical. Forest Lawn, Glendale, is still open for police suggested via Twitter that 'moonwalking' on the visitors with reduced hours, but all FL flower shops are closed. For details streets during coronavirus lockdown can be 'dangerous', visit the FL website. Some In the Studio with MJ seminars have been referring to the song and using an excerpt from the “Black or postponed, and no ticket sales are currently offered until travel and White” panther dance footage. The post had garnered over gatherings are deemed safe. Follow the ITSWMJ on Facebook to stay 9,600 views in a single afternoon on the day it was posted on Twitter. informed.
• Square One on Amazon Prime in Germany News of Note Danny Wu’s “Square One” documentary on the 1993 allegations is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime • Santa Marta Favela and MJ’s statue cleaned Video in Germany. World wide release will follow on a roll- Santa Marta Favela in Rio where Michael filmed part of his out basis. Follow Danny on Twitter to stay informed. “They Don’t Care About Us” video is taking action against Meantime, in China, Square One had reached 1 million COVID-19. The favela is home to some 4,000 people, some views within the first 2 days of streaming early last month. of whom have formed an initiative to disinfect the common Danny reported on Twitter that many notable people have areas of the favela. Michael was posthumously immortalized been sharing the documentary. MJJsourceEU also reports in a bronze statue that has also now been thoroughly that Square One had scored a 97% viewer rating on the cleaned and sanitized by Firmino, who was a local tour guide biggest Czech and Slovak Film Database. prior to the pandemic and now leads the cleaning initiative. After gaining world fame because of the King of Pop, Santa • In the Studio with MJ when you can’t be Marta was visited by other celebrities, such as Madonna and With a couple of his In the Studio with MJ seminars having to Alicia Keys. Read the article here. View photos on MJ be postponed due to current restrictions on travel and Vibe’s blog. The open space where Michael’s statue is gatherings, Brad Sundberg has been entertaining us with located is known as Michael’s Lookout and includes a giant Q&A videos and ‘audio mixer basics’ lessons on YouTube. mosaic mural of Michael by Romero Britto. He has a treat planned for 2 pm New York time on Sat 2nd May – a live trivia quiz called “Mickey, Michael and Martinis” • Thriller Live says ‘Thank You’ with Earth Song on the ITSWMJ Facebook page. Questions will be on Cast of the Thriller Live shows in London and on tour, whose Disney, MJ, ITSWMJ Seminars and More. Bring a notepad, shows have been forced to close due to the coronavirus pen and some serious trivia skills! Brad confesses that while pandemic, paid tribute to the fans and the UK National martinis are optional, he’ll have one! Health Service with a stirring rendition of Michael Jackson’s Earth Song. “To our fans and colleagues, as well all frontline workers, carers and NHS staff, thank you. Stay home, save For those who enjoyed the links lives. ❤️”⠀The timing of Earth Song could hardly have to fan remixes in our 7th birthday been more appropriate with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day issue last month, here’s being celebrated on 22 April. Watch the video here. another, Ghosts [UMJ Radio Mix] #HIStory25 (Audio HQ) • Desecration of Munich memorial, Germany from UniversMJ on Youtube. There was some upsetting news from Munich last month when the long-standing Michael Jackson street memorial • Prince on his dad, philanthropy and Heal LA was desecrated in the afternoon or evening of 24 April. The In an interview with ET's Keltie Knight, Michael’s eldest son memorial was completely cleared by persons unknown Prince talked about how he's giving back amid the except for a single flower pot. Nena Snezana Akhtar from coronavirus pandemic, and the charitable spirit instilled in the association MJ's Legacy eV, which has been taking care him by his dad. "I would like to think that [my dad would be] of the monument for 11 years, took immediate measures on be very proud, because I think this was one of his main Saturday afternoon and began redecoratingit. View video of goals -- not only to spread his message of positivity and Nena talking to the media here. The association MJ’s happiness, but to see it enacted in his kids," Prince shared. Legacy e.V. has put out an urgent call to all MJ fans who are "As a father, I think that's what you want to do when you able to please send decorations, pictures and posters, old raise kids. You're preparing them for the world and the type calendars etc. of Michael for the memorial as soon as of person they're going to be." Prince continued: "I'm very possible so that everything can be set up afresh. The postal grateful that I have this feeling that it's this collaborative address is: ecosystem -- we all need to help each other -- and that MJ’s Legacy e.V, c / o Café Michl, Häberlstr. 19th, 80337 came from the way that he raised us. I was very fortunate Munich, Germany. [Paypal address: [email protected]] to have him as a father. I had a lot of unique experiences growing up, and what I'm trying to do with my platform and • Paris’ new movie role in thriller “Habit” the non-profit or the charity organization is to share those Paris Jackson has joined the cast of the thriller “Habit” experiences." Prince’s charity the Heal LA Foundation has directed by Janell Shirtcliff. Screen Daily reports that Paris teamed up with Fresh N Lean to hand out meals to those in will play Jesus in the feature movie about a street-smart need. Read the article and watch a video of part of Prince’s party girl with a Jesus fetish who gets mixed up in a violent on-line interview here. Follow Heal LA and support their drug deal and finds a possible way out by masquerading as activities via their Facebook page. a nun. Producer Cassian Elwes tweeted that "Paris Jackson Earlier in the month Prince spoke to students around the was a delight to have on the set and terrific in the movie". world about philanthropy and the importance of kindness through an Edutainment video conference. Watch it here. • Taj on Hugging the Cactus & Popcorn Planet Last month Michael’s nephew Taj spoke at length with Andy • Jennifer Batten’s tour stories on YouTube Signore on his YouTube channels Hugging the Cactus and We’ve been enjoying Jennifer Batten’s stories in interviews Popcorn Planet. The interview ranges from the truth behind and articles for years now, but with social distancing she Leaving Neverland; media myths about Michael using an has taken to Youtube with a series of videos telling stories article by Maureen Orth in Vanity Fair as its starting point; from her illustrious career playing and touring with Michael MJ’s favourite movies and the story of his wanting to buy Jackson. She explains how she went from the girl with the Marvel Comics. The interview is conducted over 3 videos: glasses at her audition [a rare clip from it is included in one - Video 1: Truth About Leaving Neverland & Michael Jackson of the videos] to the girl with the giant mohawk on the Bad - Taj Jackson Interview tour. She talks about costume and prop mishaps and - Video 2: Disputing "Facts" About Michael Jackson - Taj playing with Bubbles. Visit Jennifer’s channel on YouTube Jackson Interview Part 2 or access her stories via MJ Vibe’s blog post. - Video 3: Michael Jackson Almost Bought Marvel - Exclusive Interview. • United Nations rocks to Heal the World In April, UNRocks and ambassador friends took part in a beautiful music video, singing none other than Michael’s “Heal the World.” The following statement accompanied their video on UN Web TV: “Under these challenging circumstances, during the year when we mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, there is a message of solidarity that 26 former and current ambassadors to the UN want to send to the world, launching a music video with a cover of Michael Jackson’s song “Heal the World”. This video is a tribute to all those who contribute to healing the world – doctors, nurses, healthcare workers. It also wants to encourage donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for World Health Organization, which can be made at www.COVID19ResponseFund.org. Watch the video here. The music project is an initiative of Simona-Mirela Miculescu, founding member of UNRocks, the first ever music group composed of ambassadors to the UN.”
A Candle for Michael Newsletter – May 2020, Issue #85 Stan Lee and Michael on the set of ‘Ghosts’. Editorial comment, layout and design © Kerry Hennigan 2020