Michael Jackson, Andrae Crouch and Gospel Music

Andrae Crouch 

The Andrae Crouch Choir sang the hymn "Soon and Very Soon" at the Michael Jackson funeral. 

This is a  wonderful chorus, but it seemed like the song was possibly chosen because of a different definition of who the King is.

Interesting article here...

Gospel Artists Say They Did Not Lead Michael Jackson to Christ

By Josh Kimball

Christian Post Reporter

Thu, Jul. 02 2009 07:47 PM EDT

"According to Andrae, who was relaying to Verdine (Crouch's personal assistant)
to tell me over the phone just now, Andrae and Sandra did in fact visit with MJ
2 times, once ar (sic) the recording studio, and once at his home in the last 2
months, as recently as 3 weeks ago, asking for prayer concerning the anointing
of the Holy Spirit, and how he could make his music more `spiritual,'" reported
Nassaney in Crouch's fan page.

"He wanted to know what makes your hands go up, and makes you `come out of
yourself,' and what gives a `spirituality' to the music," Nassaney continued.

"So Andrae and Sandra explained to him about the `anointing' and about Jesus."

Afterward, Jackson reportedly asked the Crouches to sing to him his favorite
song.

"[S]o they sang that song to him, and joined hands and sang together, and he
(Jackson) said, `it was beautiful,'" Nassaney reported, according to Crouch's
account of the events.

Nassaney particularly emphasized the joining of hands   something untypical of
the "King of Pop," who was as well known for his eccentric behavior as he was
for his musical accolades.

Read entire article at:

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090702/gospel-artists-say-they-did-not-lead-michael-jackson-to-christ/index.html

Michael Jackson's gospel music ties

June 25, 6:55 PM

One of the most widely respected pioneers of contemporary gospel music, Andrae

Crouch worked as a producer or arranger with Michael Jackson on "The Essential

Michael Jackson" album, both "Man in the Mirror" and "and Will You Be There"

featured the Andrae  Crouch Choir.

www.examiner.com/x-11989-Nashville-Gospel-Music-Examiner~y2009m6d25-Michael-Jacksons-Gospel-Music-Ties

CCM-RADIO Interview with Jon Gibson
Interesting comments regarding similarities in Michael Jackson's and Stevie Wonder's music.
www.mevio.com/episode/160492/CCM-RADIO+Interview+with+Jon+Gibson-1

written before June 25, 2009

It might be interesting to look at what was written before June 25, 2009...

For instance...

To this financier, Michael Jackson is an undervalued asset
Others have tried to revive the onetime pop star's performing career. Tom Barrack is convinced he's the 'caretaker' to do it.
By Chris Lee and Harriet Ryan
May 31, 2009

Quote:

"I sat down with him and said, 'Look . . . we can buy the note and restructure your financial empire,' " Barrack said. But,  he told him, "what you need is a new caretaker. A new podium. A new engine."

Quote:

The concerts, Phillips acknowledged, are a do-or-die moment for Jackson. "If it doesn't happen, it would be a major problem  for him career-wise in a way that it hasn't been in the past," he said.

Read the entire article here:

www.wgntv.com/search/la-et-michael-jackson31-2009may31,0,5118693.story
www.wgntv.com/search/la-et-michael-jackson31-2009may31,0,5118693.story?page=2

Deepak Chopra, Gotham Chopra, Michael Jackson and Comic Books

If you watch the Larry King Live show, you'll notice that Deepak Chopra shows up quite a bit on this show.

It seems that he knows a lot of people in the news these days.

Forget about the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, 
there should be a "Six Degrees of Deepak Chopra" game.

It looks like he knew Michael Jackson, George Harrison,  Lisa Ling and Laura Ling, and many others.

I was wondering how he got to know Michael Jackson.
While at the local public library, I found a book for sale on Sleep by Deepak Chopra.



He has at least three books on the topic of sleep.
Perhaps that's how he was invited to meet Michael Jackson...I don't know.

The television audience met Deepak Chopra's son "Gotham Chopra" on the July 2, 2009 edition of the Larry King Show where Larry toured Neverland with Jermaine Jackson, Gotham Chopra and Miko Brando.

KING: We continue our prime time exclusive at Neverland Ranch with Gotham Chopra, a close friend of Michael Jackson. He worked with Michael on the multi-platinum albums "Dangerous" and "History." Of course, you know his father, Deepak.

This is, obviously, not your first visit here. How does it feel to be here without him?

GOTHAM CHOPRA, MICHAEL JACKSON'S LONG TIME FRIEND: You know, I was not sure how it was going to feel. It kind of feels nice, actually, certainly not without him. But the last few years, Michael had said this had turned into a house for him. It was no longer a home. I do think there is a tranquillity back to it, now that we're celebrating him again. I think you can feel that here.

You can read the transcript from that program here:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/02/lkl.01.html

In 2005, the Comics Journal reported that in the late 90s, Michael Jackson met with Stan Lee to discuss the possibility of a venture with Stan Lee Media to purchase Marvel Comics.

I read somewhere (can't find the link) that Gotham Chopra was involved with that.
It makes sense, since Gotham founded Virgin Comics which later became Liquid Comics.

Quote from article...

For once, the connection to Jackson came not through Paul's vast network but via SLM artist Aaron Sowd, who knew someone in the Jackson camp. According to Paul, "After we built SLM into a public company with a market cap almost twice Marvel's, we talked with Michael Jackson about teaming up to buy Marvel. I have a videotape of Michael in our offices for over two hours, seeing what we were doing."

http://www.tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=345&Itemid=48 


  There are some folks out there who think that this blog post by Gotham Chopra
is referring to Michael Jackson.  

The curtain being being the one shown behind Michael in this music video at the 5:21 point in the video.

Additional articles by Gotham and Deepak Chopra regarding Michael Jackson...

Writing Songs With My Friend Mike by Gotham Chopra
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gotham-chopra/my-friend-mike_b_221280.html

A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson by Deepak Chopra
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/a-tribute-to-my-friend-mi_b_221268.html

Comic Book Written By Michael Jackson On The Way?

The Latest Comic Creating Celebrity – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's Ghost music video

A few years ago I tuned into a music video channel in the middle of a video and saw a chubby middle aged white man and thought "that's Michael Jackson!"

Does anyone remember this music video?

Ghosts is a short film starring Michael Jackson and directed by film director and special effects guru Stan Winston which could also be classified as a long-form music video.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghosts_(1997_film)

Michael Jackson plays several rolls in this music video including the Maestro, the Mayor, the Ghoul Mayor, the Superghoul and the Skeleton.

Search for Michael Jackson Ghosts video at Youtube.com


In an article for contactmusic.com, Richie Alonzo is credited for the make-up that turned Michael Jackson into the Mayor in this video.

Make-up experts Michael Westmore and Steve Johnson have revealed they worked on elaborate disguises specifically for Jacko's shopping trips.

Johnson mentions that

"He was not comfortable with me taking pictures of him in the finished make-up... He had a lot of fun running rampant in public, with him totally unrecognisable."
And Westmore, who had helped to create disguises for government officials, admits he was called in to create "a variety of prosthetic noses and dentures" for Jackson.

Read entire article here.

Also see: The Many Faces of Michael Jackson
in Make-Up Artist Magazine.

Making Up Michael: Artists recall working with the King of Pop in this article by Joe Nazzaro, featuring never-before-published photos.

Musician Dan Huff talks about his first meeting with Michael Jackson as MJ was removing his disguise.

From a Larry King Interview with John Landis.
Aired June 29, 2009

KING: John, you said that despite his gifts, Michael Jackson was a tragic figure. Explain.

LANDIS: Well, I always found Michael -- he was -- first of all, let me say one thing way up front, which is that I have nothing but love and admiration for Mike, in terms of as a person and as a truly international and great star. I was aware of that from the beginning. But he often was sad and he was eccentric. You know.

Once we are at Universal at my office, and I said, let's go up to the Back to the Future ride. It's very cool. And he said, OK, but I have to put on a disguise. And I said, Mike, no one will bother. He said no, I have to put on a disguise. So he went to the car and he came back with a red satin surgical mask, this big impresario hat, and a cape. And I just said, OK, Mike, no one will notice you now.

He was really outrageous and very sweet. He was a very sweet guy.

KING: Why tragic?

LANDIS: Seriously? Look at what's going on right now. It's tragic. There's no reason for this person to be dead, and there's no reason for him to be break, and there's no reason for this bizarre thing that's going to go on now. He's a tragic guy. He was -- I mean -- you can tell that -- I mean, everyone who worked with Michael is very fond of him. He was a lovely person. But I find him --

Read the rest of this interview at:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/29/lkl.01.html

I wonder if people who think Michael Jackson is still alive watch the news interviews about MJ and wonder if the interviewed individual is actually Michael Jackson in costume and make-up...

The unreleased Michael Jackson music recordings

I've got to admit, when I first heard that there was a fantastic collection of unreleased Michael Jackson songs, I immediately thought of an old Superman comic book I had read ages ago.

I wonder if Michael Jackson was a Superman fan too?

June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson: secret library of 100 songs could be released

www.timesonline.co.uk

September 15, 2009
Legendary Engineer of Original Jackson Hits Mixing New Tracks Just Discovered in Motown Vaults

larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/15/legendary-engineer-of-original-jackson-hits-mixing-new-tracks-just-discovered-in-motown-vaults/

Jul 16 2009 1:41 PM EDT

Michael Jackson's Unreleased Music Could Date Back Decades

www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616388/20090716/jackson_michael.jhtml


Jul 2 2009 9:43 AM EDT

Michael Jackson Left 'Dozens' Of Unreleased Songs, Tommy Mottola Says

'There's just some genius and brilliance in there,' former Sony Music CEO says of recordings.
By Gil Kaufman

Since Jackson's death last Thursday, there have been numerous reports that he left behind more than 100 tracks, and the public thirst for his music has already resulted in a stampede to stores and the downloading of 2.3 million tracks in the U.S.

Despite being labeled a "racist" by Jackson in 2002 in a very public spat, Mottola told the AP that he considers himself the "shepherd and gatekeeper" of Jackson's catalog, claiming to be more familiar with what the pop icon left behind than anyone. He said that for every album Jackson made, including such classics as his solo breakthrough, 1979's Off the Wall and 1982's landmark Thriller, the singer recorded several tracks that didn't make it onto the albums, as is common with most artists.

www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615178/20090702/jackson_michael.jhtml


Michael Jackson's Missing Music: More to Come?

By BRYAN ALEXANDER / LOS ANGELES Monday, Jul. 06, 2009

www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1908803,00.html


Tommy Mottola's Wikipedia page

Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the former husband of singer Mariah Carey, and is currently married to Mexican singer Thalía. He headed Sony Music Entertainment, parent of the Columbia label, for nearly 15 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Mottola

Click on an image for a larger view.

If you're looking for this comic book, try Ebay.

Here's a couple more frames from this issue 

Keyword: Here's my bed of Roses all for you.

Update: October 23, 2009

On ExtraTV this week, I heard Kenny Ortega mention that there were 20 - I can't recall the word he used - promotional films - I figured he meant music videos - for the This is It project.

I tried to find the interview online with no success.  Let me know if you find the quote.

Comic Book Written By Michael Jackson On The Way?

The Latest Comic Creating Celebrity – Michael Jackson

 

Did Michael fake his own demise?

There are some websites out there
whose webmaster's seem to think that
Michael Jackson is still out there walking the earth.

Here are weblinks to some of those webpages and news articles...

Michael Jackson Death Hoax
www.michaeljacksonhoaxdeath.com

Michael Jackson sightings
www.michaeljacksonsightings.com

Michael Jackson Sighting Society
michaeljacksonsightingsociety.com

Michael Jackson Is NOT Dead

michaeljacksonnotdead.wordpress.com

and a really funny cartoon by Rob Smith, Jr.
www.robsright.com/tag/michael-jackson

and this blog...

MICHAEL JACKSON IS ALIVE!
Pop King faked his death, say sources,
adding, ‘Comeback tour will be biggest in music history’

and more on this topic...

Wacko theory that Jacko is 'alive'
From www.thesun.co.uk

Michael Jackson is latest star generating fan-fuled death conspiracy theories
by John Sinkevics | The Grand Rapids Press
Sunday August 02, 2009, 6:00 AM

On June 25, 2009 - 2.26PM (EST) Michael Jackson was pronounced dead. He was not pronounced dead by a doctor; he was pronounced dead by the media....

www.mj-conspiracy.com

Michael Jackson's Ghost music video research

Michael Jackson Still Alive At Coroner's Office?
Video purports to show Jackson exit coroner vehicle

I noticed some common facial habits/movies between MJ and his doctor.
The video linked below doesn't seem to point that out,
but instead points our similarities in their facial structure and more.

Michael Jackson could still be Alive (Sequel Part 7):
The World cracks the 'Real Thriller' code
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNu9wK_J3sQ

I think it would be interesting to watch people on tv being interviewed regarding Michael Jackson and ask yourself...could that actually be Michael Jackson with the right face makeup, prothetics, etc.?

----------

Will Michael Jackson Attend His Own Movie Premiere?

Tue., Oct. 27, 2009 6:30 AM PDT by JOAL RYAN

eonline.com/uberblog/b150605_will_michael_jackson_attend_his_own.html

The folks at mjjnewsonline offer a great selection of MJ related weblinks.
mjjnewsonline.com/mjjnewsonline_Page_2.html

Quote from the Larry King show...

You can't make this stuff up...

Quote from the Larry King show...

Quote:
KING: We're back. Mark Geragos, Robin Sax and Ted Rowlands remain. We're joined now by Dr. Vimal Lala, anesthesiologist, also a specialist in pain management and treatment of addiction. Ever heard of Diprivan in a home?

DR. VIMAL LALA, ANESTHESIOLOGIST, PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST: Never. There's no medical indication to use Diprivan outside of a hospital setting or an ambulatory surgery center.

Source:

transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0907/10/lkl.01.html

Yep, that's Dr. Lala, an anesthesiologist. His job is to send people to lala land.

The above comic strip is from comics.com

You'll probably need to click on the image to view the entire comic strip.
Click here for more Michael Jackson related comic strips.
(Not all comic strips are "nice". Just a warning.)