Magazine Scans: Michael Goes To Africa, Ebony Magazine

In 1992, Michael went to Africa, specifically Gabon, west of the African nation of Senegal, to participate in a historic ceremony in which he was made King of Sani (Michael also received the Medal of Honor). During that time he was in Africa, the media had a field day covering the events and as usual, when it came to Michael, created falsehoods about his trip. Luckily, Ebony magazine accompanied Michael to the trip and got the real story. This blog entry is about Michael's time in Africa and the wonderful cover story that Ebony done for the event. I posted the article on tumblr and got under 20 notes. I guess I did not have the leaked videos of Michael hanging out with those Casicsos family members. Dang! Anyway, enjoy this great article. 

Michael in the early 1990s working on the classic Dangerous album. 

Magazine Scans: Michael on the Cover of Ebony Magazine in 1984

I was given this issue of Ebony magazine by a fan back in 2005 and I love the issue. I have always liked the fact that Ebony magazine featured Michael in their magazine because they witnessed his career from the beginning up until the present day. In 1984, the magazine's founder, the late Robert E. Johnson, did an exclusive interview with Michael to discuss one of the biggest years of his life. Can you believe that 1984 is 30 years ago? Michael was on top of the world winning eight American Music Awards and Grammys at one night, his 1982 classic, Thriller, was breaking records and the very popular Victory tour showcased the last time he would tour with his brothers. When I look back at that time in his life, I do not think Michael, or anyone, would ever imagine what would have happened to him nine years after this issue was released. Even with all of the nonsense that has happened to him, the fact that he continues to get new fans and his music still making and impact shows that the media's attempts to taint Michael's legacy just isn't working. Maybe the media need to give it up and deal with the greatness that is Michael. I will also discuss the Hologram mess and Michael making history on the billboard charts. 

Michael in 1984. 

Magazine Scans: Ebony Magazine 1990

The Civil Case between the Jackson Family V. AEG is making headlines almost everyday. This case will determine if AEG are liable and responsible for the murder of Michael Jackson. The case will also make the Jacksons billionaires and one of the richest families in America and the world. The fascination with the Jacksons have been in existence since 1970 and 43 years later, people all over the world want to know what is going on with the the first family of popular music. Back in 1990, Katherine Jackson wrote a book about her famous family called My Family: The Jacksons and Ebony magazine did a cover page article that featured the excerpts from the book. During that time, Michael and Janet ruled the Billboard charts with hit songs and record breaking tours, LaToya was starting to cause problems and the family was slowly becoming tabloid fodder. I wanted to post the article to remind people that at the end of the day, the Jacksons are a family and in all families there is dysfunction. So, please sit back and enjoy this cover story of the Jacksons from the archives of Ebony magazine. 

My Family: The Jacksons, 1990

Magazine Scans: Michael in Ebony Magazine in 1988

Michael was on top of the world in 1988 when he was on the cover of Ebony. He was enjoying his successful Bad tour and was beginning to be known for his now legendary humanitarian work . In these series of scans, Ebony magazine takes a revealing look at this side of Michael that we have all come to know and love about him. Enjoy. 

Michael during his Bad tour in 1988.

Magazine Scans: Michael and Diana Ross on the Cover of Ebony in 1983

I have a huge collection of magazines from the early 1980s up to the present day and I am in the process of either giving the items away or selling them on ebay. However, with the exception of the eight Michael theme items that I am giving away, I am going to keep the remaining Michael items. I have scanned a few of the items to my laptop a few years ago and I rarely shared the items up until recently when I posted a few of them on a facebook group that I am a member of called "Michael Jackson Archives". I want to start off the month of April by posting these classic items that I have. To give you a background of the item, it is a issue of Ebony magazine from 1983 with Michael and Diana Ross on the cover. The article is a profile about how each performer were ruling the entertainment world. At that time, Diana Ross was celebrating the success of her 1980 self titled and last album for Motown records called Diana. 

Diana Ross' last album with Motown called Diana.

Michael was riding high on the success of his legendary album Thriller and breaking racial barriers on the new MTV network at the time. 

Michael at an event in 1983.