The Past and the Future Part 4

It is the end of the year and it is time to review the year that was 2015 in the MJ world. In this entry, I will spotlight the blogs and articles that were the best of the year. The sudden news of the ATV/Sony Music Catalogue being sold or being bought on the 30th anniversary of the purchase. I will explore the history of Michael's purchase and the video of comedian and activist Dick Gregory explaining the power of the catalogue that went viral. This year, the Jacksons did a reality show and it was the talk of the fan community. I will get into a subject that was mentioned on the show that shows that people will do anything for fame. I made a mistake doing a blog post that in hindsight was not suppose to be on this blog. I will explain why I feel that way and what I have decided to do with the entry. Michael's children are fighting back using social media and they don't care. I will tell you what I think. The upcoming events and milestones that will happen in 2016 and one was revealed this month that got me excited. Finally, the future of this blog has been bugging me for some time and I will finally get into what I am going to do with the blog.  I hope you enjoy this post as much as I did making it. 

Michael at the 1989 Soul Train Awards.

Q&A Session: With the Authors of Travelling With A King

Michael loved to travel all around the world. He practically visited every country in the world and along the way, he learn a lot of things about the countries and himself. Like many interesting things in Michael's life, Michael's travels was barely discussed. Things have drastically changed since Michael died in 2009 and all aspects of his life have been discussed and written about. Two fans name Antonie Cadinot and Christophe Charlot wrote a travel guide book on Michael's travels and famous stops called Travelling With a King Travel Guide For the Fans of Michael Jackson. This is the first edition of the English version of the book and it contains very interesting facts about the locations. This session is about the book, the inspiration behind the book, what it took to make the book and the dedication both men had in completing the book. I hope that this session you make you, a reader of this blog, to purchase the book and enjoy it. 

Travelling with a King, 2015.

Book Reviews on Xscape Origins and Dangerous

One of the most important aspects of Michael's legacy was his music and artistry and there are not a lot of books that discuss that side of Michael. Before his death, books on Michael were mostly tabloid based and the most popular one, The Magic and the Madness written by J. Randy Tarborelli, was used as a source for all types of articles and books on Michael. That book is now seen as tabloid foddler that has been pretty much ignored in the MJ fan community. (At least I think so.) After Michael's death, books were being released that discussed his music and his impact in popular culture. Even though these books were well over due, the books became some what a relief that, in the book department, Michael's music legacy is documented for all of the world to read. Two books that will be reviewed separately, in this post are about two albums of Michael's: one iconic and one of a retrospect, that shows the greatness that was Michael, his creativity, activism and impact. 

Michael filming "Black or White" short film in 1991. 

Random Thoughts Part 13

This is the 13th edition of Random Thoughts and there is so much to discuss. First up, there are plenty of books that are and have already come out dealing with or about Michael. A couple deal with his legacy and one book looks like it is going to get into Michael's personal life. I will tell you what I think about all of this. As I was on social media, I notice that the MJ fans are making unusual assumptions about certain things regarding the fans and the people in Michael's life. I feel that assumptions are dangerous and I am going to tell you why I feel that way. There have been people speaking for Michael and his legacy in the fan community and a couple of people should really stop doing that. Michael's children are growing rapidly and I will keep you updated on what is going on. The Off The Wall documentary is happening and pictures have been posted. I will tell you why I think this is the only documentary on Michael worth seeing this year. Finally, I have a few things to state that have been on my mind and I will tell you what they are and I will be dedicating this entry to three people who passed away this month. Read and enjoy this great blog post. 

Michael performing during the Dangerous tour in 1992. 

Remember the Time Protecting Michael Jackson: Book Review

When I got the book, Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days, that was basically written by New York Times writer, Tanner Colby, I did not want to read anything about the book until I read the whole book myself. I was really focus on reading the book and expecting this book to do "justice" for Michael. However, the more I read the book, the more it became more about the two former Bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard, wanting to get their money that Michael owed them, telling his family business, sacrificing a lot of things to protect Michael and proclaiming the the 2009 Memorial was a "show" and not a send off to Michael. After I read the book, I started to view these men differently and once I read the other former bodyguard, Mike Garcia's statement about the book, it made more sense to me. This is my review of the book and I will not hold anything back. I hope that if anyone is going to buy the book that they should read this review before making their own decision. 

The book.

Q&A Session: Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard, Michael Jackson's Bodyguards

When I read on Facebook that Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard's, better known in the MJ fan community as the MJ Bodyguards, were finally going to released their book, Remember the Time, Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days, I knew I had to get their book. I pre-ordered the book and reached out to them to do a Q & A Session for the blog. Luckily, they responded and immediately was interested. I have to admit, I did not know what to expect because there were fans who were against the whole idea of these men doing a book on Michael. However, unlike a lot of people who worked for and with Michael, these men never maliciously try to bash Michael or his children. I cannot ignore that fact. I hope that everyone, regardless of the their opinions about the book, read this session and come away with understanding their stance on their reasons. 

Michael in 2007. 

Things I Did Not Discuss/State on My Blog

When I do posts for this blog, I make a conscious decision whether or not I need to discuss certain topics or perform Q&A sessions on certain people. At the end of the day, I want the posts to get to the point of why I do this blog. I want the readers to know which blog post I did not do, which subjects in the blog posts I decided not to discuss and why I will not do a blog post on one of Michael's family members. So, I hope you enjoy and learn something about my thought process when it comes to my entries. 

Michael in 1989.

You Are Not Alone Michael: Through A Brother’s Eyes (Review)

Disclaimer: The opinions from this review are strictly my opinions and does not represent the opinions of the Michael Jackson fan community, the Jackson family, the Michael Jackson Estate or anyone that ever knew Michael Jackson.

When I first heard that Jermaine Jackson, the brother of the late, great Michael Jackson, was going to (seriously) do a book, I was excited. I thought that his book would be about his life and how certain things in his life happened to him. When I read the press release for the book, I was disappointed. I was wondering why Jermaine would want to write a book on his brother. What could he possibly tell the public what we already know? At that time, I was an MJ fan who was sympathetic with the Jackson family so I tend to defend, in a way, their every move.

The cover of Jermaine's book.