Reflections On The Dance
Michael Joseph Jackson Remembered
1958-2009
A celebration of love, spirit, truth & faith. Celebrating his life, his legacy, and his humanity
Michael...
Man of Character
Respectful
Man of God
Man of Faith
Humble
Musical Genius
Andrae' (Crouch) has now told Clifton Davis (when he saw him at MJ's family funeral on Sept. 4) that he is "confident that Michael Jackson knew the Lord." This was reported by Clifton on TBN's "Praise The Lord" on 9/8/09, Tuesday night to the world. (Dave)
From Andrae Crouch's Facebook page. Andrae was a friend of Michael's and worked with him on various albums.
Michael Jackson, Jesus and Me
David Pack, Grammy Award winning recording artist, producer and music director and member of Saddleback Church (he works with Rick Warren on special projects, including the PEACE Plan and AIDS & Worship Conferences), speaks about his time sharing faith with the King of Pop and Michael's meeting with famous composer Leonard Bernstein
Kind
*Michael's generosity: "No one talks about when he did the Victory tour. I remember as a kid Michael being on tour with the Victory tour right? And every night on the news they would announce that Michael Jackson donated his money from every city that he did, he donated it to a new charity. He donated his money from the Victory tour to charities. I thought that was amazing. I’m like, wow! This guys donating millions of dollars every night to a new charity. Then he would stop in every city and every city he would stop at a hospital and visit kids that were burned, ill or whatever. He took the time to do all that.”
Cory Rooney, who worked with Michael at Sony/Epic
Michael was a very humble, respectful person who, according to Cory Rooney, who worked with Michael at Sony/Epic, was not demanding as many artists are. Cory shared a story in a recent interview about Michael....
Cory: "...There’s other times where I sit there in the studio and say I cannot believe that I’m working with this person and this is what it is. And they all have the nerve to have attitudes.
Then you work with a guy like Michael Jackson who when he was late, he was supposed to be in the studio at twelve and he showed up about quarter to one. He felt so terrible for being late he apologized the whole session. The next day he sent a big giant basket because we’re talking about movies and how much I love movies. So he sent me this giant basket....Oh my goodness, it probably had 100 DVDs. It had popcorn, candy, all kinds of books and movie trivia, all kinds of stuff. Again the card said, ‘I’m very sorry for not respecting your time."....I would say Mike, what time do you want to start tomorrow? He said, ‘Cory, you’re the boss. You tell me what time. If you want me here seven in the morning, I will be here at seven in the morning.’ He said, ‘You are the boss. Whatever you tell me.’
Chris Yandek (Interviewer): What I find interesting about those comments is the way the mainstream media projects it is that he wanted to always do things his way.
Cory: “Not at all, not at all. That’s what I said. It’s like if the world would just stop and just really pay attention.”
"...But I will never stop helping and loving people
the way Jesus said to."
Michael Jackson
Giving of himself
"I believe in God.....I gain strength from God. I believe in Jehovah, God, very much.....I believe in God and love God."
Michael Jackson
"I truly care about children, and about the future for our children. I'm a little frightened about what the future is going to bring. I truly, truly love them and care about them. I will always help them. When I go on tour, I visit hospitals, terminally ill children. At my ranch at Neverland, we have many terminally ill children as our guests. We do this every few weeks. You do it because you truly love them and you care."
Answer to a question on the Heal the World website Q & A
"I'm trying to imitate Jesus in the fact that he said to be like children, to love children, to be as pure as children and to make yourself as innocent and to see the world through eyes of wonderment and the whole magical quality of it all."
Michael Jackson
Oprah Winfrey interview 1993.
"We would work on a track and then we’d meet at his house, play what we worked on, and he would say, ‘Smelly, let it talk to you.’ I’d go, ‘OK.’ He’d say, ‘If the song needs something, it’ll tell you. Let it talk to you.’ I’ve learned to do that. The key to being a wonderful writer is not to write. You just get out of the way. Leave room for God to walk in the room. And when I write something that I know is right, I get on my knees and say thank you. Thank you, Jehovah!"
Michael talking about working with Quincy Jones and how God was behind his creativity, from the Ebony magazine 2007 interview
"There was no shortage of 'I love you's, I'm so grateful, I appreciate you.' That was very much who he was and what he was about."
Choreographer Travis Payne on working with Michael on the 02 shows
Seth Riggs, a vocal teacher who worked with Michael for two hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week while Michael was recording Thriller and also on subsequent projects, commented on Michael's character in a Time Magazine article. "Michael is a very special man. He would come in for his lesson and sit down and we would have a prayer and then read the Bible and then have another prayer and start to work. That's the way he liked to begin his day. Can you imagine a performer as big as Michael Jackson turning around in a lesson and discussing how wonderful God has been to him and how much he loves God?"
Thankful
"Like the Bible says. A child should be leader of them all and to be led by that kind of innocence. Didn't Jesus say bring on the children? Be like the children. Not childish, but child-like. That kind of innocence.
Michael Jackson in the Martin Bashir outtakes
"I gain strength from God. I believe in Jehovah, God, very much. And I gain strength from the fact that I know that I am innocent. None of these stories are true. They are totally fabricated. It's very sad and it's very, very painful. I pray a lot and that's how I deal with it. I'm a strong person. I'm a warrior, and I know what is inside of me. I'm a fighter, but it's very painful and at the end of the day, I'm still human, you know? I'm still a human being, so it does hurt very, very, very much."
Michael Jackson in his interview with the Rev. Jesse Jackson during the 2005 child molestation trial
"With just a little love and a little caring, I have seen kids totally turn around. Where you can't find any cancer at all anymore in their body. I've done it a lot of times. I'm not trying to say I'm Jesus Christ. We should just give a little more attention to the power of love and caring and faith and prayer."
Michael Jackson in the Martin Bashir outtakes
"Know, in the end, I'll be vindicated, I pray, because I know the truth. I am an innocent person and I believe in God and love God."
"My level of trust will change. There's a lot of conspiracy going on, I'll say that much. A lot of it. All around me....It's a very, very serious thing......It's a delicate area. It's very delicate where we are now."
Michael Jackson speaking to Rev. Jesse Jackson during his 2005 child molestation trial on what he wants his fans to know.
Lou Ferrigno and Miko Brando, both long-time friends of Michael's, speak out about Michael to Larry King:
Lou: When he was with me, the mask came off, the glove came off. It was just me and Michael. We were alone together. He was just a real genuine guy. There was no bs, no eccentric, he was brilliant. We just had fun. He was just a regular guy like you and I talking.....The thing about Michael. He was a personal guy and all he cared about was being a close friend. Just enjoying life. I mean, I don't care what the media said because everybody wants to focus on sometimes the negativity. I like people for who they are. If there's some people I don't like, I disassociate myself from them, but Michael was just very genuine. He loved all people.
Miko: I'm angry (about the negative publicity) esepcially now because he's not here to defend himself. He is such a good person, a loving person. Every time....anyone who knew him or had any kind of relationship, you knew he always ended every conversation with "I love you, see you." It was always love.
Lou: He was just a regular guy. It was Michael. You and I (to Mike) see a side of him that most people don't see.
Miko: And never will.....and never will.
Lou: He never forgot friendship
Miko: It was very important
Lou: (on their sharing in common having grown up with a tough father)...Michael's escape was music, my escape was bodybuilding, to become a world champion, and it's funny how we both became extremists.
True Friend
Genuine
Son
Father
Brother
True professional
Consummate performer
Michael's lawyer Tom Mesereau speaks about Michael:
"Michael Jackson was one of the nicest, kindest people I’ve ever met. He really wanted to do more than just be a musical genius. He wanted to heal and change the world through love, through kindness, through art and through music and I do believe the world’s a better place because he was with us.
He was very gentle, very kind. There was, I sort of describe it as a universal Michael and Michael the individual. There was the universalist Michael who wanted to change the globe. Wanted to see the entire world focus on children and he felt that if children were properly loved and cared for that we would significantly reduce the violence in the world, significantly reduce the meanness in the world, significantly reduce poverty, and all of the world’s most important problems. He felt that the way to do that was to focus on the world’s children. So that’s the universalist Michael who thought he could heal the world through music, through love, through humanitarian measures. He was one of the greatest humanitarians in world history. He actually is in the Guiness Book of Records as one of the largest donors to children’s causes.
There also is in the individual Michael, who I dealt with, who was a person, and he loved to see a child smile. He built Neverland to see children happy. He was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He could have spent all of that money selfishly. Instead he had a zoo, he had an amusement park, a theatre, he had statues devoted to the world’s children. If you looked at the artwork in his house, a lot of it centered on children and seeing them happy and respecting them for who they were. Their race, their religion, what part of the world they were from, what kind of native traditions they had. This was someone who as a person, loved to see a child smile. Loved to see a child from the inner city who was growing up in poverty and violence come to Neverland and look at a giraffe and smile and look at an elephant and smile. Get some free ice cream and just be happy. It just meant a lot to Michael because he was a very good person.
For more insight into Michael's character, see also:
"Speechless"
off the "Invincible" album
Video by GigaAkalan on YouTube
Remember to turn off the "Speechless" audio to your left before watching the video :-)
Scroll down this page to see what inspired Michael to write "Speechless"
"I did not find Michael weird, messed up, or anything you’ve ever heard about him. I want to say that I feel all of the allegations ever charged against Michael were false, and that in my discernment, he did not have the capacity to ever do anything except love children and let them know he would do anything to stand up for them, and help them. Just look at the magnificent work he did on their behalf in writing and co-producing “We Are The World,” and the 39 charities for children he gave to generously. That was Michael. I believe that during his trials he related to the suffering of Christ, and prayed for intervention, because he was being accused over what he loved most—children. This caused him perhaps more pain than anything in his life."
David Pack
Grammy winning recording artist, producer, and music director
ANGEL
God saw what you had been through
Wanted to set you free
So he put his arms around you
And He whispered, "Come to Me"
Now nobody can hurt you
No-one can do you harm
I have something for you God said
It is my open arms
So now you have a Daddy
That won t cause you any pain
This loving Father adores you
You ll never hurt again
You walked the path of Jesus
And you probably knew the cost
But you were willing to suffer
To bring hope to the lost
We should be happy for you
But instead we feel such pain
We long for just one moment
To see your smile again
Oh! The guilt, regret and anger
The hopelessness, despair
The endless questions why and who
And what, and how, and where
We ve lost you but we had you
In our hearts you re not gone
We re vessels for the memories
Which through us, go on and on
I thank God for those precious times
The memories that we ve shared
You got me through my childhood
When no-one else had cared
This world needs you dear Angel
The needy, sick and poor, but
God broke our hearts to prove to us
That Heaven needs you more
By Dee "Wendy" Pfeiffer
Sept 3rd, 2009
In loving memory of Michael Jackson
Forever alive in my heart
Michael speaks about peace, love and hope
Michael visiting hospitals & speaking about Farkas, the boy who Michael helped find a liver for, essentially saving his life
Video by Mellye1973 on YouTube
"First of all, he was a very kind soul. A humble guy. Very Jesus in spirit who was caring, loving. A true person....he was just a very humble guy. For all his success, he was very, very kind.
Steve Manning
Tito Jackson's manager speaking with Larry King
Generous
"This was someone who as a person, loved to see a child smile. Loved to see a child from the inner city who was growing up in poverty and violence come to Neverland and look at a giraffe and smile and look at an elephant and smile. Get some free ice cream and just be happy. It just meant a lot to Michael because he was a very good person.
I happen to know there were kids all over the world he did this for. Disabled kids, children with illnesses and disabilities. Michael would write checks for them and nobody publicized it. He didn’t do it to become well known for doing it. He did it because that’s what his heart wanted him to do."
Tom Mesereau
Michael's attorney in the 2005 trial
"There are a thousand ways I could word this but frankly I am tired of trying to find just the right words. I have been following this site for weeks. I have read each of these posts as well as those on other sites. I have remained silent and wonder if I should continue to be silent. However, I believe as long as I am protecting Michael’s privacy, even posthumously, God and even Michael would want me to share the following. I have never and will never do interviews, I will never divulge my identity as I have not for many years. Some will believe what I will say here, some will not, that is between you and God. It is not my responsibility to convince anyone of anything. I believe that you are all my sisters (and brothers) here in the faith and for that I am thankful. I am grateful that we all agree and acknowledge Jesus Christ, as Savior, as Lord, as the only hope for our lives, as the very reason we live and breathe and share this good news as He asks we do.
There is not other way to says this than to just say it straight to all of your here “my family” in the body of Christ.
Michael and I were friends for many years. I was involved in the trial. I have witnessed, like others, the loving and devoted father he was. I have shared many times with him and his family. We have had many private conversations.
Although I have been asked, I apologize, but I would not share the details of those conversations any more than I would talks with any other friend as that would be gossip and betray the designed, intended intrinsic trust of friendship.
Based on the aforementioned and other details, I can tell you all with absolute certainty that Michael had accepted Jesus Christ, understood who He is and had given His life to Him.
I will not disclose dates, words or reasons that it may or may not match what the world saw publicly.
Just after his passing, it mattered to me that the world knew, that the church was made aware. Somehow, after much prayer, it doesn’t seem to matter anymore. It mattered at first to show the world, to convince the skeptics in the church who “didn’t see fruit” or doubted that someone like Michael could be saved. (absurdly like “someone” like any of us deserves it more) I ask that not as Pharisees or Sadducees but as people who have been saved by grace and not of ourselves. I ask that as redeemed people, each of us, respectively able to give unique testimony of how God reached to us in the mud and mire of our lives and never gave up on us, I ask that you accept this truth. If you want proof, you will have to wrestle with why you must have it and ask God why you must.
If someone told you that a neighbor you had known for years had died but was saved and you had not known that, you would rejoice and not doubt. But truly God’s own people wrongly and self righteously judged Michael on numerous occasions.
I miss him terribly and our family is beyond saddened as we grieve primarily for his children, his family and other friends who were blessed… not to have known a well known individual but to have shared this life with a beautiful, yet misunderstood human being.
I have peace in knowing that God in His mercy decided there would be no music ministry, no imminent public profession to be torn apart (by the church) and that God didn’t even deem it necessary that the world be notified of anything. God’s love for us is one on One. It is quintessentially personal and goes deeper than any love we can fathom. Glory only to God the Father that this unfathomable love took home a son, that Michael is now free from his chronic physical pain and emotional anguish. I thank God that I lived to witness his salvation, I am humbled beyond expression that God loves us as He does and asks that we do the same for each other. I praise Him for all of you that you faithfully continue to speak His words in a dark and dying world where the harvest is ripe and the workers are too few…… thanks for reading.
In All That Jesus Is
Jess (pseudonym)
Posted in response to the Sisters of the Faith website
Michael's long-time friends Miko Brando (son of Marlon Brando) and Dave Dave, speak to Larry King about Michael
Miko: When he heard of people in need, we'd watch the news together, he'd reach out to them, send them a basket, send them a note. Get well or whatever the incident would be. He'd always reach out to people to help people. Even around town he'd stop and help people.
Dave: He befriended me. He took me into his life, which is very rare for Michael to do, but he opened up his arms to me and accepted me as a very good friend of his and throughout the years, he never let me go. At that moment, when we met, we embraced, and that embrace never ended throughout our whole entire friendship. I believe what people fail to realize is that Michael was a human being. Throughout the years he was kind of stigmatized by the media and I believe that wasn't really helpful to him or to anybody around him. I believe that Michael was a great person. He has never hurt a soul. I am happy to have been through all of these years, a dedicated friend.
Miko: That's just the kind of human being he was. He's very loving, caring. That's the kind of person Michael was. He loved a lot of people. He'll be missed and loved by a lot of people.
Dave: Michael offered a lot of emotional support for me. He was there for me whenever I needed to talk to him. He opened up Neverland to me as a means to get away. Metaphorically, he was almost like a father that I never had.
Miko: The people that knew him would tell you the same stories. How much of a loving, caring human being he was. One of a king. People that didn't know him would make up stories about him. He was a private individual. He liked his privacy. He was a private man.
Dave Dave talks about Michael
Video uploaded by Giadea on YouTube
When asked if his late brother had converted to Islam before his death during the Q&A session, Marlon said he wasn't aware of that as all he knew was that his brother was a Christian until he died.
Marlon Jackson speaking in Nigeria about an upcoming project and his brother Michael
Source: Article Link
"I particularly admire how Michael Jackson REACTED to blatant injustice, sarcasm, hates, falsehood and so on. He showed that he was sad and hurt. But he never took revenge. I never heard a bad word coming out of his mouth. It seems he rather wept than said a curse or cusses. A man’s behavior when he comes under pressure reveals his true attitude. I believe this was the effect of his faith and the influence of Christ!
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23a
Manuela Seehofer
Austria
"Michael maintained his integrity, a Christian-like attitude, a sense of humbleness and kindness, even when he was being torn apart by the wolves. That says something. I believe that came from his faith and from the love of God that filled his heart."
Debbie Kunesh
“I’ve seen the very rich and the very poor, but I’m mainly interested in the poor. I want to appreciate what I have, and try to help others. When I go to other countries, I wish to see the ‘poorer’ parts. I want to see what it’s really like to starve. I don’t want to hear it, or read it. I want to see it." --MJ
From a 1977 interview with Timothy White.
Michael was 19 at the time. It was published in Rock Lives (1990) and republished in the Q/Omnibus Press Rock N' Roll Reader (1994).
A beautiful example of how far-reaching Michael's influence was and still is:
"I’ve just left a Chinese Michael Jackson forum, where some members are expressing interest in knowing Jesus because they want to see Michael Jackson again in afterlife. There are people who want to buy the Bible and who go to church for the first time because of Michael Jackson. Most Chinese forums I’ve been to are somewhat hostile towards Christians and Christianity. But now I see all over the MJ forum people are talking about God and Heaven. If you are familiar with Chinese culture you will know that ‘God’ (shang di) and ‘Heaven’ (tian tang) is not a common vocabulary among Chinese people. But it is all over the place now."
Xing
"I avoid using the term 'religion', because many people say 'my religion' this and 'my religion' that. Why should it be 'my' religion? I just believe what’s in the Bible with regard to which religion is involved. I simply believe.... I believe in it and I get down on my knees every night and thank God and ask Him to lead the way."
Michael Jackson in a 1979 Ebony Magazine interview
"I don’t criticize other entertainers, but I don’t see any reason for singing songs that are vulgar and sexually explicit.... I think entertainers are in a position today to change a lot about certain things, especially young people’s minds."
Michael Jackson
1979 Ebony Magazine
"I believe in the Bible and I try to follow the Bible. I know I’m an imperfect person… I’m not making myself an angel because I’m not an angel and I’m not a devil either. I try to be the best I can and I try to do what I think is right. It’s that simple…I don’t just pray at night. I pray at different times during the day. Whenever I see something beautiful, I say, "Oh, God, that’s beautiful." I say little prayers like that all through the day."
Michael Jackson
1979 JET Magazine
Man in the Mirror:
"It is my philosophy, too: "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make a change". People don’t look at themselves honestly. They don’t look at themselves and point the finger, it’s always the other guy’s fault. You should change yourself. Look at yourself, make better of yourself....I’m never totally satisfied, I always wish the world could be a better place. No, not at all!...Hopefully, that’s what I do with my music, and bring happiness to people...and to bring joy and some peace in their lives."
1987 Ebony/JET TV interview
"It brings tears to my eyes when I see any child who suffers....If I am guilty of anything, it is of believing what God said about children.
Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Michael Jackson
On Bela Farkas, a 4 year-old patient in need of a liver transplant:
"I saw this little kid (at a hospital in Budapest, Hungary), his name was Farkas. He was very sick. He was green in the face. But he had this glow, this sparkle in his eye. I asked his nurse, "What’s wrong with this kid?" She said that he needs a liver. So I said, "Does that mean he’s gonna die?" She said, "Yes, he’s gonna die unless he gets a liver". I said, I’m not gonna let him die. This sweet, sweet angel. No matter what it takes, I’m gonna find a liver for him. So I sent my ("Heal The World") organization around the world. We went all over the place and it took a long time. And I said, I’m not giving up. I’m not going to have the child die. I was so happy when I got a phone call. They told me, "We’ve found a liver!" And he has his life. I’m so proud that I could help him. God bless him. I love you, Farkas."
2003 Private Home Movies TV Special
"I will never stop helping and loving people the way Jesus said to. He said "Continue to love. Always love. Remember children. Imitate the children." Not childish, but childlike."
2003 60 Minutes TV interview with Ed Bradley
The Motivation for his relief efforts:
"Caring. And reading the Bible, learning about God, Jesus, love. He said, 'Bring on the children', 'Imitate the children', 'Be like the children' and 'Take care of others.' Take care of old people. And we were raised with those values. Those are very important values and my family and I we were raised with those values and they continue strong in us today."
2005 At Large with Geraldo Rivera TV Interview
The Source of his compassionate nature:
"It's important to love your neighbors. I truly think it comes from my mother and God. The way we were raised. The values my mother instilled in us in youth. She was always with the Bible teaching us - we’d go to service all the time. Four times a week, and I’m so glad we did that because those values are very important. I don’t know if I could have done as well without them."
How he views himself:
"I try to be kind and generous and to give to people and to do what I think God wants me to do. Sometimes I pray and say "where do you want me to go next, God? What do you want me to do from here?" I’ve always been very spiritual in that way. It’s nothing new. I always have been."
2005 At Large with Geraldo Rivera TV Interview
According to an article by the ABS/CBN News, Madonna spoke about Michael being careful of the lyrics he wanted to sing and not wanting to be provocative. Source
Here's an excerpt
Madonna thought Michael Jackson was "too shy."
The "Revolver" singer spent weeks working with the "King of Pop" several years ago, but never recorded a duet with him because Jackson was scared of Madonna's "provocative" music.
The 51-year-old star recalled: "We spent a chunk of time together, and became friends, but it never happened. I wrote a bunch of words and presented them to him, and he didn't want to go there.
"He didn't want to be provocative....."
Here are some words about song lyrics, from Michael himself:
"I don’t criticize other entertainers, but I don’t see any reason for singing songs that are vulgar and sexually explicit.... I think entertainers are in a position today to change a lot about certain things, especially young people’s minds."
From a 1979 Ebony Magazine interview
"Sometimes they go too far. They don’t leave anything for the imagination. If I just walked out on stage naked, there’s no imagination. I’m not letting them imagine what I look like without the clothes. But you see, they overdo it….We got to leave them something to imagine. People go too far at times. I think it’s important to set the right example, because there are so many kids who look up to us."
1984 Ebony Magazine
Gentleman
"He is very modest, shy and pure man. When you see him on stage, hitting the moves and doing his thing, you think 'wow!' That's all very spectacular. But face to face he's a sweet and soft man. Very easy to talk to, down to earth but also a very, very shy person.
I learned a lot from him. About dancing, about life experiences....everything. My goal is to go try to inspire other people like Michael did with me.
He is very humoristic. He loves to laugh and he enjoys life."
One of Michael's dancers, Timor Steffins, on Michael
One of Michael Jackson's recent bodyguards, Big E, speaks in a radio interview about working with Michael:
"Michael was just really an unbelievable person. He was just misunderstood by so many people.
He was an incredible, incredibly, incredibly sensitive person. He was just really sensitive to people.
Some of the guys that worked with him, one of the things that we can take away from MJ was just the fact that, you know in the short time we was around him, was just the fact that he really wanted people to be treated right.
Every single time we would come out and leave the house, if you can imagine, there's fans outside of his house every single, solitary day. He would always roll his window down. He would always stop and talk to people, these fans, every single time, to some point where I felt it could be detrimental to his safety. He's very serious, adamant and gracious to his fans.
Prince, Paris and Blanket are all really, really smart and beautiful children and they really love their father. (after Big E took them to the family compound after their father's death)....(the kids) were more concerned about us. It was really kind of shocking. But they're really mature, beautiful children. Paris turned back and said "Well, my Daddy's in Heaven."
Michael on his inspiration for creating the song "Speechless"
"Speechless was inspired to me by, um, I spend a lot of time in the forest. I like to go into the forest and I like to climb trees. My favorite thing is to climb trees, go all the way up to the top of a tree and I look down on the branches. Whenever I do that it inspires me for music.
There are these two sweet little kids, a girl and a boy, and they're so innocent; they're the quintessential form of innocence, and just being in their presence I felt completely speechless, 'cause I felt I was looking in the face of God whenever I saw them. They inspired me to write Speechless. "
2001 GetMusic online audio chat
"You'll be surprised. I was with these kids in Germany, and we had a big water balloon fight -- I'm serious -- and I was so happy after the fight that I ran upstairs in their house and wrote 'Speechless.' Fun inspires me. I hate to say that, because it's such a romantic song. But it was the fight that did it. I was happy, and I wrote it in its entirety right there."
Vibe Magazine interview
"I pray a lot. I see a beautiful sunset and I say "God, that’s beautiful…Thank you”, or a baby smile or butterfly wings or anything like that.”
1987 Ebony/JET TV Interview
"To a child, food is something special. It isn't just a delicious taste or the vitamins that build a healthy body. Food is love and caring, security and hope - all the things that a food family can provide.
Remember when you were little and your mother made a pie for you? When she cut a slice and put it on your plate, she was giving you a bit of herself, in the form of her love. She made you feel safe and wanted. She made your hunger go away, and when you were full and satisfied, everything seemed all right.
Because that satisfied feeling was in the pie, you were nourished from a deep level. Food is something we all need physically, but so is the love, the deeper nourishment, that turns us into who we are."
Michael Jackson foreward to a cookbook called "Pigtails and Frog Legs"
To see more on Michael's thoughts on caring for children and people all over the world, CLICK HERE
"I put a lot of mannequins in my room in the past. I still have mannequins in my room, because I used to be very lonely. Painfully lonely. So lonely. You have no idea. I used to walk the streets looking for people to talk to. I'm talking about the height of one's career. "Off the Wall," "Bad", "Thriller," and people...I would walk up to them, strangers, and say 'Will you be my friend?' They'd go 'Oh my God, it's Michael Jackson!' That's now what I wanted. I wanted somebody to love you or be my friend for me and not for the external me."
Michael Jackson
From the Martin Bashir documentary outtakes
ON GOD AND PRAYER: "During the meals I've had with him, he did pray silently. When he prayed out loud, it was always to God, but that doesn't mean he didn't use any other names. We would talk about god and grace and humility a lot. One day MJ and I were working on some new music, and during a break we started talking about the name Michael. He said "Hey, Bearden! Do you know what our name means?" I didn't know. He said it means "most like God." And then he said to me, "We can't be big-headed about it. We have to be humble or God could take our gifts away. Promise me you'll be humble!"
Michael Bearden, This Is It concert tour music director, speaking about Michael Jackson in Ebony
A lot can be learned about a man's character by what that man says, how he lives his life out, how much he gives of himself, how many people he affects and how far-reaching his effect is. A lot about a person's character can also be revealed by what those closest to him (and that would only include those who are true friends and not opportunists) say about him, and the words they use to describe that person. Here, listen to what Michael says, and what others who knew him best and just a small handful of the millions of those whose lives were affected by him, say about him and how they describe him. Michael was truly a man of character.
"I wholeheartedly believe that God gave Michael a mission and that was to bring joy, heal the lonely and the broken hearted and to provide for those less fortunate. He certainly helped me through my traumatic childhood.
My parents both passed away when I was six years of age and I grew up without the love that most children in the Western world take for granted. I would spend hours alone in my room, with no friends and finding little joy in life. I believe that when I became a Christian, God placed Michael in my life to get me through each day, and he did. But mine is not the only story like this. He did so much for so many people, often in secret and without recourse to attention or publicity.
I prayed after reading about him walking the streets at night looking for someone to talk to that I would one day become his friend, and God blessed me with many meetings which I will remember to this day.
He is the most humble, caring, sensitive, caring man you could ever imagine. What you hear about him from much of the media is either speculation or fabrication, but what you hear from those who have met him is absolutely the truth. Most will tell you, he has an aura that radiates warmth, love and tenderness, and most never ever forget such meetings.
When meeting or even around Michael, there was certainly an aura. It was quite incredible. And it wasn't just when meeting him, it often continued afterwards too. I distinctly remember after a meeting with him in Tenerife, I just had this tremendous sense of love for everyone. I just wanted to love people. Michael hadn't spoken directly about this to me, but it was almost as if that aura around him had somehow rubbed off on me, if that makes sense?
When I went to the US for the Memorial, I just wept on seeing so many notes and cards outside each of places of significance. From the Hollywood Star to Neverland; from Carolwood Drive to the Staples Centre, people from all over the world had come to place their condolences. And what an amazing impact he had on people's lives - every other note seemed to be thanking him for what he had done, how much he had inspired them to live their dreams, how much he had taught them. And, in amongst the notes and cards in every place were crucifixes and references to God. I was on my knees in tears. I had always, always known that this was a man of God, but I had never fully appreciated just how many ordinary lives he had changed.
Even those fans who never met Michael often felt a deep connection with him. He had that capacity to draw you close, to mesmerize you with his love and compassion, but also with his aura, which he always acknowledged was from God Almighty Himself.
Like Michael, I have vitiligo, although only small patches in unseen areas of the body. I also had a traumatic childhood, and have also suffered from loneliness, persecution, and have been used and abused. I am also attracted to innocence and purity, and have that intense desire to remain a child and to never grow up or grow old. Like Michael, I love music, animals and working to create a more positive world. The list of how much we had in common seems endless and I feel heartbroken because I have not just lost a superstar, but a friend, a soulmate, a twin soul. When Michael passed away, a part of me died with him. Now I often wake up crying for the part of me that is lost.
We are all so blessed to have lived in the era of Michael Jackson, to have learnt from him, to have experienced his magic, whether on screen or in person. Young, old, black, white, rich or poor - we are all blessed to have lived at a time such as this.
God gave us Michael for a purpose. He was a truly a gift from God and, like Jesus before him, he was vilified and persecuted for simply trying to make the world a better place, for being honest, innocent and naive.
I am devastated that he's gone, truly devastated, but I am so heartened by the thought that he is now in a much better place, free from all harm at last. Jesus said that unless we become like children, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. How much more childlike can an adult be than the fun loving, eternally young, often mischievous Michael Jackson? But whilst like a child, he also thought like an adult beyond his years, giving to causes and people without thinking twice and often imparting a wisdom far beyond his years.
Michael is alive in Heaven, probably singing with the angels, and he's alive here on earth, in the hearts of people like you and me and in the hearts of his beloved children. Let us continue to pray for them and to remember how blessed we are to have had the chance to live alongside this man of God, who sacrificed a normal comfortable life in order to bring joy and happiness to others."
Dee Pfeiffer
A friend of Michael's and one of the many thousands of people Michael helped throughout his lifetime
"We united and formed a circle, held hands and we started praying," Chase said. "It was myself and the children, nanny and housekeepers and we were crying frantically because we didn't know what was going on. Paramedics were upstairs, security was upstairs and we were just praying 'God, please let Mr. Jackson be OK.'"
"Were the children praying?" Bush asked. "Were they listening? Were they crying?"
"They were praying, they were crying and we were praying out loud," Chase said. "Prince joined in prayer, and Paris, she's crying and [saying] 'Yes, father, God. Yes, Jesus.' We were praying that the well-being, the safety of this man is OK. This is their dad."
Michael Jackson's personal chef Kai Chase speaks about that fateful day and about Michael's children praying for their Dad.
Access Hollywood interview
"Michael exhibited many of the specific "fruits of the spirit" that the Bible mentions. Long suffering, humility, joy, peace love, and of course, kindness."
Juliette Plimmer
Fitness expert Kathy Smith talks about meeting Michael Jackson in her recent BLOG
Photographer Harry Benson's first-person account of his visits with Michael Jackson at Neverland
I first met Michael on a hillside in Colorado in 1984. He was on the famous Victory Tour with his brothers.
Michael was the first to come running over to help when I slipped going up a steep muddy hill. I was fine, but a couple of lenses got covered in mud. That was the first time Michael took a liking to one of my brown Scottish tweed sports jackets, so I took it off and gave it to him. He seemed pleased by my gesture and immediately put it on, put both arms out and twirled around in the bright sunlight while I photographed him running and jumping. On stage that night he glittered in sequins. I flew back to New York with the photographs. ....
Read more HERE
Andrae Crouch was supposed to help arrange 2 songs on Michael Jackson's "This Is It" comeback tour before his death, that would have had a very "spiritual" sound to it.
Source: Andrae Crouch's Facebook
Michael's brother Marlon speaking about Michael at his memorial, about the memories, funny stories and about all that Michael did across the globe in the Lord's name:
Michael, I will treasure the good times, the fun we had, singing, dancing, laughing. I can remember when we used to come home from school and we would grab a quick bite to eat and we tried to watch the "Three Stooges" as much of it as possible before mother would come in and say, it's time to go to the recording studio.
I also, Michael, remember a time when I went into the record store and there was this man purchasing a lot of C.D.s. And he would go and grab another batch of C.D.s. He was an older gentleman. He had short afro, but crooked teeth, and his clothes were rumpled. I walked up behind him and said, "Michael, what are you doing in this store?"
He turned to me and said, "Marlon, how did you know it was me?" I told him, "You're my brother. I can spot you anywhere, regardless of your makeup. I know your walk. I know your body language. And those shoes did not help."
Michael wore the same shoes wherever we went. But I guess that was his way of trying to experience what we take for granted. We would never, never understand what he endured, not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering around him. Being judged, ridiculed, how much pain can one take.
Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone.
Michael, Michael was the voice of our angelic trumpets, and he will continue to be the voice, that angelic voice in heaven, nearest to our Creator and waiting on us when our day comes to pass. Michael, I love you. I will miss when we said our goodbyes. I will hug you and I say I love you. And your response was, "I love you more."
You know, the Lord has a purpose for everything. And sometimes we just can't see it or understand it but it will be made clear to us when we reach that ultimate, ultimate reward of being in his presence. And, Michael, you are there. You are right there. You have finished your work here on earth. And the Lord has called for you to come home with him.
So I thank you, Michael. I thank you for all the smiles that you've placed in many people's hearts and I thank you for everything that you've done for others across this globe in the Lord's name.
Michael's vocal coach and friend for 21 years, Seth Riggs, speaks about one of Michael's spiritual moments and his communication with God:
"You know, there was one moment. I was playing a piano, and he was standing next to me. All of a sudden, he stretched his hands, looking upwards. It seemed to me that it was very important to him. That’s why I left the room and switched the light off. After half an hour I came back to the room. He was whispering: “Thank you for my talent. Thank you for everything I’ve got. Thank you for all the people who love me. Tell me what I should do, and I’ll do it.” It seemed to me that it was the moment of his communication with God."
Read the interview HERE
Andrae Crouch speaks about Michael Jackson's experience with the Lord in this video interview. You can also read more HERE
"I have this dream" By Michael Jackson
(one of Michael's unpublished songs)
some people say
I live in a fantasy
because I see the world
differently
visions come to me
in my sleep
I closed my eyes
to see what God is showing me
close your eyes
and imagine with me
see the wonder
in every living thing
if we can life
the way it is in my dreams
love will take us to a place where
god can be seen
this is my dream
I have this dream
this i believe
the world a place for all humanity
if we could take love to it's highest level
more than the world has ever seen
I have this dream
verse 2
let's put Gods love on display
angel of love come my way
it really up to you and me
one world together in harmony
in my dream I see heaven
and the face of the one perfect being
I see people turning into angels
and God giving them their wings
chorus
I have this dream
this I believe
the world's a place
for all humanity
if we could take love
to it's highest level
more than the world has ever seen
I have this dream
"My bliss is in giving and sharing and having simple, innocent fun."
Michael Jackson
in his 2005 interview with Geraldo Rivera
"I enjoy taking care of my children myself. It's fun. It's why I had them, so I could take care of them. It's great relief for me. It's pleasure. It keeps me happy and laughing. They're wonderful, sweet, innocent children. They really are....it's hard to put in words, because they mean everything. They're the world for me. I wake up and I'm ready for the day because of them. I get them breakfast, I change diapers and if they want to read, we do a lot of reading. We play hide and seek, we play blind fold, and I have a wonderful time with them....I do my best, sure (to create normalcy for them). I want to be the best father in the world of course."
Michael Jackson speaking to Geraldo Rivera in 2005 about his children Prince, Paris and Blanket
If you look deeper, you realize that there was nothing traditional and "normal" about the life Michael had lived since he was young, but he strived for normalcy. Though the media tried to portray his lack of normalcy as something strange and negative, the truth is that the main thing that was out of the realm of normalcy in Michael's life was his continuously giving spirit and his perseverence to go through whatever he had to deal with, with incredible tact and a strong, unwavering faith."
Debbie Kunesh
"I want my work to help people rediscover the child that's hiding in them"
Michael Jackson in "Dancing the Dream"
"As corny as it sounds, natural highs are the greatest highs in the world. The stars, the mountains, children, babies smiling are just magic."
Michael Jackson
1979 JET Magazine
...."Like I said, he took his bumps, he took his bruises. He was one of the toughest men I ever met, and that’s the truth. He was a rugged tough guy. There was nothing timid about Michael Jackson.”
Cory Rooney speaking about Michael in a recent interview (see above)
Coping with Fame and Respecting & Having Time for His Fans:
"I cope with it in a way - and I’m not calling myself Jesus, because I would never even look at myself on the same level - , but I’m comparing it to Jesus, because what God gave to Him was for a reason, and he preached, and people came about him and he didn’t get angry and push them aside and say leave me alone, I ain’t got time."
1984 Ebony Magazine
On studying the Bible:
"Each day I take time out to study the Bible, no matter where I am. The teachings of the Bible have added a new dimension to my life. It, somehow, makes me whole."
Michael Jackson
1976 "Black Stars" Magazine interview
"I get a taste of poverty, too. When I go to a country – like in the Phillippines and in Trinidad and in Africa – I really get out and go to the poor sections and talk to the people. I sit in their little huts, their cardboard houses, and I make myself at home. I think it’s important to know how different people feel, especially in my field of endeavor."
Michael Jackson
1980 Melody Maker Music Newspaper
"What can I do but bring forth the talent that God gave me? That's all I wanted to do. To share the love and gift of entertainment. That's all I want to do. I don't want to hurt anybody."
Michael Jackson
2002 Radio interview with Steve Harvey
His reasons for inviting inner-city children to Neverland and winning God's smile of approval:
"I’ve traveled the world over 8 times. I do as many hospitals and orphanages as I do concerts. But, of course, it’s not covered (by the press). That’s not why I do it, for coverage. I do it because it’s from my heart. And there are so many children in the city who haven’t seen the mountains, who haven’t been on a carousel, who haven’t pet a horse or a llama, never seen them, so if I can open my gates and see that bliss, an explosion of screaming laughter from the children and they run on the rides, I say "Thank you, God." I feel I’ve won God’s smile of approval, because I’m doing something that brings joy and happiness to other people."
2005 At Large with Geraldo Rivera TV Interview
"I'm just very sensitive to their pain and I am very sensitive to the family, the human condition, you know? On that subject, it means a lot to me and I want to help. Whatever I can to help that..... Everything, in my heart, is for them."
2003 Living with Michael Jackson documentary with Michael talking about his sensitivity to children's pain and the break-up of family life and loss of childhood that so many kids experience nowadays.
On Helping Children:
"My fondest memory here (at Neverland) was one night (when) we had a houseful of bald-headed children. They all had cancer. And one little boy turned to me and said, "This is the best day of my life." You had to just hold back the tears."
1993 Who Weekly Magazine interview with Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, his brother Randy, Steve Harvey and Michael's attorney Tom Mesereau attended a church service together the day before Michael's trial was to begin.
The following excerpt is from mtv.com
"On his Web site, Jackson wrote of the visit: "It was wonderful to be received with so much love today by the First AME Church of Los Angeles. I thank my brother Randy and Pastor Cecil Murray for inviting me.
"God has always been in my heart and a part of my life and my family's lives," he continued. "It is through Him that we draw our strength. As a child, my mother taught me the value of prayer, and today it is still a part of my daily life."
Asked about his visit by ABC's "Good Morning America," Jackson said simply that he appeared at the church to "worship and see the children." One girl asked Jackson if the children could visit him at his Neverland Ranch, and Jackson told her, "You're welcome to come anytime."
Read the story HERE
"I thought I was going to marry Michael....You know what I want to say? Michael is very much a man. He was very loving, he was very caring, and all of that.....I used to do Michael's laundry....I would do his laundry and we would go down to the laundry together, so Michael was not what they all.....he's very real and he's very, just a regular kind of guy. We would do laundry together. (he was) very affectionate. I'll just say Michael is very much a man, not what they're trying to say."
Stephanie Mills
in a radio interview. Stephanie dated Michael Jackson when they worked together on The Wiz
"That really touched me.
Michael's a very sensitive human being and he'd ring my mum every day to see how she was coping.
He makes a big impression on everyone, and she really appreciated his best wishes. Thankfully Mum pulled through and is loving her retirement."
Matt Fiddes
One of Michael's former bodyguards, who speaks of Michael calling his Mom daily when he found out she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given only six months to live at the time.
"God was his guide. He was a Christian and believed in Christ. His life went through so much that his faith was what restored him and kept him. Michael was very spiritual and had enormous faith. He studied all religions and was open to a lot of different practices, however, ultimately, he was a Christian and believed in Christ fully."
Taymoor Marmarchi
On my second trip to Neverland, Michael Jackson hosted a private lunch. He asked us all to connect by holding hands and saying praise. He said a prayer, the peeping sun rays shot through the house setting in his honour, his energy was spiritually magnetic, encapsulating each of us with his engimatic aura leaving all of us in tears. He was an incredible light.
"THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR ME IN THE BOOKS. I HAVE PROVEN MY PART. NOW GOD WILL BE THEIR JUDGE" Michael Jackson said on the evil do-ers who lied, cheated and betrayed him.
"I BELIEVE GOD WAS HIS GUIDE, THAT IS HOW HE LIVED AND COPED IN THIS CRUEL WORLD"
Taymoor Marmarchi
Worked on humanitarian projects for Michael Jackson
MICHAEL JACKSON. THE LEGEND. THE ICON. THE MAGICAL ONE. THE KING. THE VOICE . THE DANCE. THE HUMANITARIAN. THE MAN IN THE MIRROR.
"For me, Michael was all the above and more over, an incredible human being. I was blessed to meet him, know him and visit Neverland when Michael still considered it his home.
I worked with Heal The World for several years in the '90s and joined Michael in different Humanitarian projects to help underprivileged children in war torn countries in the past years.
Other than being a loyal MJ fan for 25 years, I found ways to connect to Michael through mutual interests and respect for humanity. There was nothing more rewarding to Michael than being able to help a less fortunate or ill child, anywhere in the world.
I wrote a poem about my reflection of Neverland and gave it to Michael some years ago. Although incomplete, he expressed to me how much he loved it and how he really lived his creation through my description.
This is a short glimpse of the magical place that Michael created and loved:
‘Neverland’
Slowly driving through the welcoming oak gates of Neverland valley. You initially smile, you then open your eyes, and at that moment shed a tear of delight. Magically blood rushes to your head through all the veins in your body, like love through your heart. This is the entrance of Neverland. The first thing you see are two beautifully lit up archangels, hung in front of the house, blustering their trumpets with eminence, greeting you home.
The sound of free flowing water, droplets of fountains and the sweet whistles of birds all encapsulate the air with joy, as classical music and verses of Michael's 'Childhood' projects through the rocks creating a melody through the trees. Instruments of nature, all reflections of the man who lives here.
In the distance set on an island are dozens of elegantly placed pink flamingos flaunting eloquence, illuminating the path to your childhood. Lakes, fountains, water and dandelions all at peace with one another.
The sun, the glowing star shines over the surrounding mountains into the valley, creating sparkles and emulating images in the water, reminiscing on the life beyond.
Flowers of purple, blue, yellow, mauve and lavender all enrich the gardens of Neverland, releasing odours of freedom and peace. The different colours and shapes define nature’s beauty.
A red steam train transports you throughout the journey of your youth. First stop the train house on Katherine Street. The potent aroma of candy and sweets dominates all senses, taking you back to your first sweet delight. A beautiful retreat for all your childhood memories, with Santa’s Christmas gift list and a spiral stair case leading to a warm and cosy game room. Holograms are designed on the walls and an honorary plaque for a beloved mother titles the house and sets the sensation of love.
Next stop the stunning theme park. Here your jaw drops open and your soul emerges. The child exists in us all. Alice in Wonderland’s Cheshire cat awaits your arrival as all the rides are activated and alight. The songs of Disney fill your heart and lift up your spirit, commemorating visions of lost youth. Bumper cars, zipper, Ferris wheel, swings, the maiden of the sea all operate with Michael’s music energising the tranquillity.
To be continued...
I told Michael that I would only complete the poem when I revisited Neverland.
Sadly that would never happen. Michael, you will indeed live forever in my heart.
I will miss you immensely. God Bless and protect your sweet, innocent children.
You finally can rest in peace eternally, look after us all. x
Taymoor Marmarchi
Worked on humanitarian projects for Michael Jackson
The Conditions Some Children Endure and Michael's Mission To Save Them:
"....They would tie the babies to the bed or chain the children down. We'd go unchain....we'd go free all these babies. I hated that....Countries like Romania and Prague, Czechoslovakia and all that, Russia. You should see what they do to the children in those....you'd be shocked. They chain them to the wall like they're animals and they're naked and they slept in their tinkle and their feces too. It's just so sad, it made me sick. So we brought clothes and toys and just love and love. I love them and I went back every day visiting them, hugging them, wanting to take each one of them to Neverland."
Excerpted from The Michael Jackson Tapes
When asked in a 2005 interview with Geraldo Rivera, if he felt he would ever outgrow the choo choo train or llamas, and the like, at Neverland and would say, "this is silly"
"No, it's calling God silly if you do that, because God made all things great and small, so that would be wrong. Other men have their Ferraris or they have an airplane or a helicopter or whatever they find is their bliss and my bliss is in giving and sharing and having simple, innocent fun."
Michael's Children's Universal Bill of Rights from his Oxford University Speech:
1. The right to be loved without having to earn it.
2. The right to be protected, without having to deserve it.
3. The right to feel valuable, even if you came into the world with nothing.
4. The right to be listened to without having to be interesting.
5. The right to be read a bedtime story, without having to compete with the evening news (or East Enders)
6. The right to an education without having to dodge bullets at school.
7. The right to be thought of as adorable, even if you have a face that only a mother could love.
Friends, the foundation of all human knowledge, the beginning of human consciousness, must be that each and every one of us is an object of love. Before you know if you have red hair or brown, before you know if you are black or white, before you know what religion you are a part of , you have to know that you are loved.
If you enter this world knowing you are loved, and leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
A professor may degrade you, but you will not feel degraded. A boss may crush you, but you will not be crushed. A corporate gladiator may vanquish you, but you will still triumph. How could any of them pull you down? For you know you are an object worthy of love. The rest is just packaging."
Video by Richard Allan Kent
Shared by Mellye1973 on You Tube
