HISteria -- Michael Jackson World News

Current news in the world of Michael Jackson.
Thanks to the Michael Jackson Internet Fan Club for some articles posted here.

30 Sep 97: Michael Wins Best International Videoclip of 1997
30 Sep 97: MTV Europe Shows TDCAU (Prison Version)
22 Sep 97: Michael Denies Report Of Debbie Being Pregnant Again
22 Sep 97: HIMJFC Unleashed!
20 Sep 97: Debbie Rowe Pregnant Again?
19 Sep 97: Ghosts Video To Be Released
19 Sep 97: Ghosts and HIStory To Be Shown on Israel TV Oct 1st
19 Sep 97: Michael Nominated For Three MTV Europe Music Awards
18 Sep 97: HIStory Statue Heads For South Africa
16 Sep 97: Sony Music, Michael Jackson and HRH Prince Alwaleed Form a New Joint Venture
13 Sep 97: Michael Back In The USA For Princess Di Memorial Service
10 Sep 97: Plans For Michael's 40th Birthday Bash Already In Planning
09 Sep 97: Michael Is The 23rd Highest Paid Performer
09 Sep 97: Ginuwine Credits Michael
06 Sep 97: Michael To Compose Songs For Todd Bridges
06 Sep 97: LIFE Magazine Includes Michael
05 Sep 97: HIStory Continues Successful Trek Across Europe
05 Sep 97: Compilation Album To Include MONEY
04 Sep 97: Belgium Concert Dedicated To Lady Di
04 Sep 97: Details On The Barcelona Cancellation
04 Sep 97: Sony Press Release: MICHAEL JACKSON HISTORY WORLD TOUR BARCELONA CONCERT CANCELLED
04 Sep 97: Is It Scary Single To Only Be Released In Japan
01 Sep 97: Michael's Official Statement on the Death of Princess Diana
01 Sep 97: Michael Cancels Belgian Concert Due To Death Of Princess Of Wales
30 Aug 97: Michael Celebrates Birthday ONSTAGE
28 Aug 97: The HIStory World Tour is a Record Breaker
25 Aug 97: Man Arrested For Trying To Set Fire To Michael's Stage
25 Aug 97: Fifth Concert Added to the South African Leg
25 Aug 97: GHOSTS To Be Shown in Germany on Michael's Birthday
23 Aug 97: Middle East Dates Cancelled, IIS Video Cancelled, SMILE will be next single
21 Aug 97: MJJ Productions Hire Atlantic Records Executive
21 Aug 97: LL Cool J to receive this years "Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award"
20 Aug 97: Michael To Record NEW Album This Fall
12 Aug 97: Possible January Concerts in Cyprus and South America
11 Aug 97: Michael Completes German Tour
09 Aug 97: "Is It Scary" will be released September 8th
08 Aug 97: Blood on the Dance Floor certified GOLD
08 Aug 97: "Ghosts" shown at International Short Film Festival
08 Aug 97: Q Magazine reviews Blood on the Dance Floor
06 Aug 97: Slovenia Concert Postponed
02 Aug 97: More on SA Concerts
01 Aug 97: Fans flock to SA to buy tickets for HIStory
01 Aug 97: Poland cracks down on pirated CDs/Tapes
31 Jul 97: More on "JFH" Lawsuit
31 Jul 97: Tour highlights from Epic/Sony

HIMJFC Staff Members--------------------Director:             Sophie Wehr         (sophie@histeria.com)Co-Director:          Andrew Hudson       (andy@histeria.com)Graphics Design:      Arif Majothi        (arif@histeria.com)Contributing Writers: Kok Ee Lin          (eelin@histeria.com)                      Jonathan R. Palma   (jpalma@histeria.com)                      Alex Neo            (alex@histeria.com)

These are the people who will be directly working with Phase 1 of the fan club, and they have the entire staff of HISteria Productions backing them, so you can guarantee we will do our best to bring the fans, closer to the world of Michael Jackson.

Debbie Rowe Pregnant Again?

20 Sep 97
JACKSON DADDY AGAIN?: Singer Michael Jackson may be once again getting ready to be a ``pop'' star. According to today's New York Post, Jackson's wife, Debbie Rowe, is five to sixmonths pregnant with his child. Rowe was reportedly caught on camera in Los Angelesyesterday wearing baggy clothes or a bulging stomach. Patting her tummy proudly, the38-year-old Rowe refused to answer any questions about her condition. But entertainmentindustry insiders confirm she's pregnant with Jackson's second baby. In February, Rowe gavebirth to a son Prince Michael Jackson. The couple hastily married a month later during hisconcert tour in Australia. [Source UPI]

Ghosts Video To Be Released

19 Sep 97
Ghosts video to be released in Europe in November: According to Captain Eo, SonyMusic Europe will release the Ghosts video inEurope in the end of November; limited editionwill be released 2 weeks prior. SonyMusic-France is also planning to release inNovember a special video pack containing "Video Greatest Hits HIStory " & "HIStory OnFilm Volume 2. "

Ghosts and HIStory To Be Shown on Israel TV Oct 1st

19 Sep 97
Ghosts and HIStory concert to be shown in Israel - on October 1, Channel 3 inIsrael will show Ghosts and the last HIStoryconcert taped in Spain.

Michael Nominated For Three MTV Europe Music Awards

19 Sep 97
Three MTV 1997 Europe Music Awards nominations for MichaelJackson - ceremony to be held on November6 at 20.00 GMT/21.00 CET at the AhoyStadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Nominees were chosen by MTV Europe's``academy'' of 800 voters - 400 key figuresfrom the European music industry and 400MTV viewers selected at random. Awardswinners are voted on by viewers. MTVEurope expects 1 billion viewers to watch theawards show that will be broadcast live acrossthe various MTV networks around the world.Michael's nominations are for the followingcategories:

Best Male Artist nominees : Michael Jackson, Babyface, Beck, Jon Bon Jovi, and George Michael

Top R&B; Act nominees : Michael Jackson, BLACKstreet, Toni Braxton, Ginuwine, and R. Kelly

Best Live Act nominees : Michael Jackson (for HIStory), Skunk Anansie, U2, Radiohead, and Aerosmith

MTV Europe told viewers today that Michael is favourite to win the Best Male award and that it isunknown at this time if Michael will attend the ceremony.

TICKETS for the "MTV Europe Music Awards" will be on sale to the general public for the firsttime this year and can be purchased by telephone only at the Box Office: Within The Netherlands: 0900 9203 Outside The Netherlands: +31 10 59 27040

VOTE - Viewers are invited to cast their votes via telephone, fax, post, email or on-line: on-airannouncements inviting viewers to vote will be transmitted on MTV Europe from Oct. 13 to Nov.2, 1997. Votes can also be cast at over 3,000 computer retail outlets throughout Europe whereCompaq -- a "1997 MTV Europe Music Awards" sponsor -- will make its Presario range availablefor music fans to register their vote in-store, by simply pressing the Presario's Internet Access buttonand hooking up to the MTV Compaq Voting Site. The site opened on Sept. 17 and will continue tobe open up until the awards show. [sources: Billboard, Reuters, MTV-Europe, Entertainment Wire]

HIStory Statue Heads For South Africa

18 Sep 97
Michael Jackson's HIStory statue is heading for South Africa. The 100-foot fiberglass statue is being transported from Australia where it is on display and will arrive in South Africa onFriday in two airplanes. The HIStory statue, which was commissioned in June 1995 tocommemorate the release of Michael's HIStory double album, is now being used to promote hisworld tour. It has in the past been erected in several locations, including Prague, Budapest andSydney, and has floated down the Thames River in London. Michael begins his South African leg ofthe HIStory tour on October 4, his first ever concert in South Africa. Originally, 3 concerts werescheduled, but 2 more were added due to high demand. The tour runs from October 4 throughOctober 15, 1997. [some parts of this report were based on AFP]

Sony Music, Michael Jackson and HRH Prince Alwaleed Form a New Joint Venture

16 Sep 97
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1997--Sony Music Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Thomas D. Mottola, Michael Jackson and His Royal Highness PrinceAlwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud today announced the formation of a new joint venturecompany which will encompass MJJ Music, the Sony Music Entertainment/Michael Jackson jointventure label launched in 1994.

"This venture brings together the resources of a global music company, a global superstar, and aglobal investor," remarked Mr. Mottola. "This is a long term strategic investment for all of us. I amgratified that the Prince recognizes the value of MJJ Music and its potential to grow into a labelcapable of influencing an entire generation."

As part of the new venture, MJJ Music plans to expand its music and publishing operations toextend the company's reach on a global scale.

"Our new association allows MJJ Music to expand its horizons beyond my wildest dreams," statedMichael Jackson. "The success the label has enjoyed in the past three years is proof that we arecommitted, along with my partners, to making MJJ Music a full service label of internationalsignificance."

MJJ Music's releases will now be marketed, publicized and promoted by the WORK Groupthrough Epic Records Group, and manufactured and distributed worldwide by Sony Music.

"Michael's intensified involvement with MJJ Music will help focus the label on the next stage in itsdevelopment," commented Epic Records Group Chairman David R. Glew. "With the expertise andreach of Sony Music, Epic Records Group, the WORK Group and MJJ President JerryGreenberg, and with Michael's creative guidance, there's no limit to what MJJ Music can achieve."

Kingdom Holding is the investment company owned by HRH Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin AbdulazizAlsaud, a private entrepreneur and international investor with significant holdings in Citicorp,DisneyLand Paris, Apple, TWA, Saks Fifth Avenue, Planet Hollywood, The Fairmont, FourSeasons - Regent Hotels & Resorts, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, among other investments.Kingdom Entertainment, a joint venture between Michael Jackson and the Prince, was formed inMarch 1996 and in little more than a year already has a major presence in theme parks (withLandmark Entertainment Group) and music (with MJJ Music). The Prince has also played a largerole in the success of Michael Jackson's current HIStory tour, and his associate, Tarak Ben Ammar,now manages Mr. Jackson.

"This new venture further solidifies the successful relationship established between my company andMichael Jackson with the formation last year of Kingdom Entertainment," said The Prince. "I havestudied a number of music companies, and found Sony Music to be the best. With Michael's artisticguidance, and Sony Music's excellent management, I believe that MJJ Music will experiencetremendous growth over the next five years."

MJJ Music has released seven albums since its launch in 1994, three of which have sold more thanone million copies. MJJ Music's first release, the soundtrack to Free Willy, surpassed sales of morethan a million units in the label's first months of operation. Brownstone was among MJJ Music's firstsignings, and their debut single, "If You Love Me," went gold. Their debut album, From The BottomUp, went on to sell more than a million copies around the world. Brownstone's second album, StillClimbing, was released this year and is approaching gold.

"With this new venture," adds MJJ Music President and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Greenberg,"MJJ Music now has the financial capability to attract marquee artists on the same footing as amajor. We intend to broaden both our roster and our operations to accommodate our growingsuccess, and plan to build MJJ into a major global franchise encompassing every element ofentertainment."

Another early MJJ Music singing, 3T, saw their first single, "Anything," go gold as their debut album,Brotherhood, went on to sell more than 1.5 million units worldwide. 3T's follow-up album will bereleased early 1998.

"Michael and the Prince have signaled their intent to accelerate the growth of MJJ Music," said RonSweeney, Epic's Executive Vice President of Black Music. "Michael has a clear vision for MJJ;Epic and the Prince share and support that vision. This venture will greatly benefit MJJ's artists andraise the label's profile throughout the world." CONTACT: Sony Music Entertainment, New York

Michael Back In The USA For Princess Di Memorial Service

13 Sep 97
Michael is back in the USA, in California. He attended a memorial churchservice to Princess Diana today (Saturday)at the St. James episcopal church in LosAngeles. Michael Jackson was one of over800 people who came to pay final respectsto Diana at the afternoon service. Also inattendance were Los Angeles mayor,Richard Riordan, hundreds of localresidents, and actor Michael York, whodelivered the eulogy. Consul-General ofGreat Britain Merrick Baker-Jones whohelped arrange the service, said that theservice was initially meant to be private butwas opened to the public after hundreds ofEnglish ex-patriates and locals signed 22condolence books at the Consulate for the late Princess Diana. [based on Reuters]

Plans For Michael's 40th Birthday Bash Already In Planning

10 Sep 97
Michael will turn 40-years-old next year and it seems that plans are already underway for a big celebration. According to mediareports from Warsaw, Polish authorities arecompiling a list of small palaces and manorswhere Michael could blow out his 40 candleson August 29, 1998. The possibility of theceremony being broadcast live on television throughout the world is also mentioned. Jacques Tourel,president of the World Trade Center Warsaw, said that this event would bring a welcome publicityto Poland. This certainly would be a great event for Michael's fans too. [based on AFP]

Michael Is The 23rd Highest Paid Performer

09 Sep 97
Michael Jackson is the 23rd highest paid entertainer in the world, according to Forbes magazine' annual ranking of the 40 highest-paid entertainers and their estimated gross income for1996-97. According to the current issue of Forbes, Michael earned an estimated $55 million duringthat time period. [based on Forbes, 9/22/97 issue]

Ginuwine Credits Michael

09 Sep 97
Ginuwine, a new R&B; singer, credits Michael Jackson as the great influence in his own career and on careers of many of today's young musicians. He tells Jerry McCormick ofKnight-Ridder Newspapers that, "If it weren't for Michael Jackson, a lot of us wouldn't be here.People talk all this junk about Michael, but he's cool with me. He opened a lot of doors for the restof us.'' The career of Ginuwine (22) began on May 16, 1983, the night Michael Jackson performedon the NBC special ``Motown 25: Today, Tonight Forever.'' Ginuwine says: "[I] knew what Iwanted to do this the night I saw Michael Jackson on the 'Motown 25' TV special. He's the onethat made me realize that was what I wanted to do."

Michael To Compose Songs For Todd Bridges

06 Sep 97
Michael Jackson has reportedly agreed to compose two songs for an upcoming movie by onetime "Diff'rentStrokes" child star, Todd Bridges.

The movie is called "Diamonds From The Bantiooze," and it's also reportedthat it will mark the acting debuts of Michael's father Joe Jackson, and ofTina Turner's ex, Ike Turner.

No word yet on when the film or soundtrack might be out.

LIFE Magazine Includes Michael

06 Sep 97
Michael is included in Life magazine's September 1997 special issue titled, "Life Legends : the Century's Most Unforgettable Faces." Michael'sfull page photo is included in the "Eccentrics" section and is accompanied bythe following quote from Quincy Jones: "Introverted, shy and nonassertive. Hewasn't at all sure he could make a name for himself on his own. Neither wasI." The preceding page shows a photo of his famous "Thriller" jacket,autographed by Michael. The 'Eccentrics" section begins with a quote byMichael de Montaigne - "It is absolute perfection to get the most out of onesindividuality."

HIStory Continues Successful Trek Across Europe

05 Sep 97
"...Michael Jackson continues his successful "HIStory" trek across Europe, adding nearly $11 million to his 1997 total in five shows in Estoniaand the Scandinavian countries. Jackson's high for the week was the$4,166,735 from two shows at Helsinki, Finland's Olympic Stadium attended by91,106 ticketholders. His Aug. 29 show at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen,Denmark, was his second appearance there in two weeks. Jackson's Aug. 14appearance grossed $2,681,644 from 47,402 tickets. When added to the50,161-seat sellout and gross of $2,614,933 this week, the Jackson totals atParken Stadium come to $5,296,577 and 97,563. Jackson's current tour [secondleg] total stands at $72,005,088, with attendance at 1,709,399 - an averageof $2,183,488 gross and 51,800 attendance per show. " -- [ from BoxscoreNotes by Marie Ratliff, Amusement Business, Sept 8 '97 issue]

Compilation Album To Include MONEY

05 Sep 97
A remix version of Michael Jackson's song "Money" will appear on a new compilation album 'Hits Heaven '97' to be released in Europe. Moneyoriginally appeared on the HIStory album and a remix version on Blood on theDance Floor: HIStory in the Mix. [MJIFC/PKaur].

Belgium Concert Dedicated To Lady Di

04 Sep 97
Michael Jackson dedicated last night's concert in Belgium to Princess Diana.Moments before the concert began in front ofmore than 60,000 people at the Ostendracetrack, 21 foot images of Princess Dianawearing a tiara lit up on either side of the giantstage. Michael's recording of "Smile" filled theair, as the crowd applauded and held lightersabove their heads, swaying to the soft music.At one point during the concert, Michael worea white costume and black armband as a signof mourning. Later, he sang another songwearing a black costume and a white armband.Yesterday's concert replaced a show originallyscheduled for Sunday, 8/31, which wascancelled due to Michael's grief over theprincesses death. Diana was killed in an auto accident in Paris, in the early hours on Sunday, the dayof the originally scheduled concert. But Michael's fans understood his decision.

Tine Decock, 19, said people who had lines up -- in some cases for days -- for Sunday's canceledconcert had been deeply disappointed, but they understood Michael's reason and were grateful thathe had rescheduled the show so quickly. ''It is good of him to come back so soon,'' she said.

''It is human,'' mother of two Christiane Deweerdt said when asked what she felt about thecancellation of the original show. ''Probably she was a friend. If I had a good friend like that then Iwould do the same. I understand.'' ''This is the only thing he can do for her,'' said Riet Lambrecht,20. ''It is a really nice thing to do,'' echoed her friend Annemie Strobbe, also 20.

Referring to the tabloid press and it's consumers, some fans in the concert crowd held a banner thatread: ''You readers of the yellow press are in some way responsible for this.'' [sources: Reuters,Nando, AFP]

Details On The Barcelona Cancellation

04 Sep 97
From HISteria's Spain Correspondant, Javier Altieri
[©Norte; de Castilla]: Michael Jackson cancels his show in Barcelona and confirms Valladolid.The City Hall assures that his performance in Zorrilla Stadium will be hisonly show in Spain.

The canceled concert Michael Jackson was due to play next Thursday inBarcelona, actually confirmed by the world tour organization, will benefitValladolid�s concert, as the result of being the only spanish date in thetour. That is at least what the spokesman of the mayorlty in Valladolidclaimed, who informed of the possibility of exchanging the tickets ofBarcelona�s concert for those of next Saturday�s recital in the ZorrillaStadium.

The producer Pino Sagliocco, in charge of the technical production of theshow Michael Jackson was to offer next 4 Sept. in the Olympic Stadium ofBarcelona, reported yesterday about the cancelation.

In a press release, Pino Sagliocco announced that "History Tours II Inc andQuinta Communications Ltd." organizers of Michael Jackson�s World Tour"History Tour II" and the singer himself, has been forced to cancel theconcert in Barcelona. According to the same source, the reason to thesuspension is "the systematic breach of contract obligations on the localTS Special SL promoter company�s behalf, even to the World Tour organizersas to the Stadium "Barcelona Promoci�"- so as to other involved companiesin the local production of the concert."TS Special SL is a german promoter, directed by Norbert Schuller, who hadbought the concert in Barcelona, while the other show foreseen in Spain, 6Sept in Valladolid, is Pino Sagliocco�s property, who also confirmedyesterday that it will take place in Zorrilla Stadium, where Jackson is"anxious" for singing, according to a message he sent.

The same announcement was received yesterday in Valladolid�s City Hall. Amunicipal spokesman afirmed being "calm" about the perspective for theconcert, although the singer�s World Tour has already suffered, at least,the postponement of Ostende�s Concert (Belgium).

`We can�t say that we are happy with the cancelation of Barcelona�s concert-announced the stated sources- but the truth is that Valladolid is the onlyrecital in Spain and that will make many people, who had planned to go fromthe Basque Country, Valencia, or other communities, will finally decide toassist to Zorrilla Stadium.�

The organization also contemplates the possibility of, at the moment ofrefunding the money for the tickets of the concert in the Olympic Stadiumin Barcelona, for those who wishes, exchange them for tickets of theValladolid concert.

Those in charge of the show didn�t want to reveal the amount of ticketssold at the moment. `We usually don�t hand that information -affirmed thespokesman- because we do not know what effect could that produce on thepotential spectators, but we are happy.

The same sources confirmed the intensification of the advertisementcampaign from now until next Saturday, foreseen date of the show.

The King of Pop presents in this World Tour his last record Blood on theDance Floor.