| Concert byMichael Jackson | |
 Promotional poster for Jackson's New York City show | |
| Associated album | Invincible |
|---|---|
| Start date | September 7, 2001 |
| End date | September 10, 2001 |
| No. of shows | 2 |
| Box office | $10,072,105 |
| Michael Jackson concert chronology | |
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TheMichael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration was a 2001 concert show and television special byMichael Jackson. It was staged inMadison Square Garden inNew York City on September 7 and 10, 2001. On November 13, 2001, theCBS television network aired the concerts as a two-hour special in honor of Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo entertainer (his first solo single, "Got to Be There", was recorded and released in1971). The show was edited from footage of the two performances. Nielsen Media Research reported that an estimated 45 million people watched all or part of the special, making it one of the highest-rated musical specials in television history.[1] Coincidentally, the 30th anniversary concert was also watched by 30 million viewers, on CBS, when it aired later the same year.[2]
The shows sold out in two hours. Ticket prices were among the most expensive ever for an event; the best seats (with VIP access) cost $10,000, but included a dinner with Jackson and a signed poster. The show was choreographed byGlenn Douglas Packard and Brian Thomas, who were nominated for anEmmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. It was presented byDavid Gest,World Events LLC, andClear Channel Entertainment. Jackson reportedly earned $7.5 million for each of the two concerts. The concert's official box-office taking was $10,072,105 for both concerts.[3]
To some fans, Jackson appeared more disoriented in the first concert, as he only did one shortmoonwalk and improvised the ending of the "Billie Jean" performance. In 2011, presenter David Gest claimed that Jackson was on drugs during the concerts, in the documentaryMichael Jackson: The Life of an Icon; however, despite taking pain medication, Jackson himself explained that he merely had not rehearsed for the first concert and was self-conscious of his performance. Contradictorily, in his bookYou Are Not Alone: Michael Through a Brother's Eyes, Michael's brotherJermaine Jackson said that during this time, Michael was takingDemerol, a pain-relieving medicine with reportedpsychotropic effects.
Regardless, the show was a major success, with appearances by numerous celebrities, athletes and actors, and performances with/by other musicians; Jackson himself performed "The Way You Make Me Feel" withBritney Spears, andMya,Usher andWhitney Houston gave a rousing performance of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".[4] The two concerts were the only times Jackson performed any song from his albumInvincible live.
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7, 2001 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden |
| September 10, 2001 |
Notes: The September 10 show was added two days earlier due to high demand.
According to some sources, onSeptember 11, 2001, Jackson, along with his personal assistant, Frank Cascio, were scheduled for a meeting at theWorld Trade Center, to return a "two million" dollar watch Jackson used for the concert, and a diamond necklace for Elizabeth Taylor, but overslept and did not make it.[8] In a 2002 Interview, Jackson made no mention of a meeting, and said he "got a call from friends in Saudi Arabia" of the attacks and turned the TV on to see the twin towers falling. A claim that Jackson fled the city with Taylor and Marlon Brando has been disputed; he simply got his children packed for New Jersey. He also arranged to have dozens of standard fans relocated and taken care of.[9] In the aftermath of the attacks, Jackson sponsored a charity concert titledUnited We Stand: What More Can I Give. The concerts were held inWashington, D.C. Other featured artists that also performed in the benefit concert were theBackstreet Boys,Slash,Krystal Harris,Huey Lewis and the News,James Brown,Billy Gilman,O-Town,Usher,Christina Milian,Carole King,Al Green,Pink,Bette Midler,CeCe Peniston,Aerosmith,America,P. Diddy,NSYNC,Destiny's Child,Rod Stewart,Goo Goo Dolls,Train,Britney Spears,Mariah Carey, andMary J. Blige. In addition, his sisterJanet Jackson performed with him.
This event also markedRandy Jackson's final concert with his brothers. He would contribute backup vocals for Michael's posthumous 2009 song, "This Is It", along with his brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, before announcing his retirement from entertainment. From 2012 to 2013, the remaining brothers (without Randy) reunited for theUnity Tour, which was held inNorth America,Europe,Asia,Africa, andOceania.
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Head of makeup department: Sajata Robinson
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