Never Can Say Goodbye (Michael Jackson. Vintage Pop Katherine Jackson Archives) (Michael Jackson Coffee Table Book)

73 Pages·2010·11.95 MB·English

by  Katherine Jackson

1
The Katherine Jackson Story
This book is dedicated to the loving memory of Michael was generous, kind, considerate, funny, breaking his spirit. Michael loved children and
my son, Michael Jackson. These pages contain intelligent, warm and extremely humble. His acts he worked diligently and passionately to better
A Vintage Pop Media Group LLC. Production
photographs from our private family collection, of kindness and generosity were something he the lives of the less fortunate … the last thing he
20434 S. Sante Fe Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
and are illustrated with my personal stories hardly spoke about; when in fact he was truly would do is harm an innocent child.
about Michael from his early childhood, right up one Gouf inthnee sgs rBeoaoteks to fp Rheilcaonrtdhsropists of our time.
Copyright© 2010 Vintage Pop Media LLC, and Vintage Pop Inc., All rights reserved. through his remarkable career. Over the course of At one point, he was active in 39 charities, and The second reason for writing this book is to
Published by Vintage Pop Media Group LLC 2010 Michael’s life, I’ve reserved my comments about the recognized him for celebrate the remarkable artist my son Michael
my son. Now, after his death, I have decided to his donations in the philanthropic world. Michael was, and to acknowledge the contribution he
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address: Vintage Pop Media Group LLC. share my story for two reasons. often saw the good in people and trusted many in made throughout his life to music, arts, people,
20434 S. Sante Fe Ave. Long Beach, CA 90810
2 the early part of his career, sometimes leading to and the planet. Michael was a true artist with a 3
Firstly, I hope this book sheds insight into pain and betrayal in his life. vision to heal the world through music. Being on
First hardcover edition June 2010.
the person that Michael truly was, the person stage was what he loved to do, and I am happy
who I’ve always known him to be. Sharing my Most of what I’ve read or heard about Michael that he shared his gifts with his fans who he loved
Created by Howard Mann & Sonia Lowe
Publisher: Howard Mann c/o Vintage Pop Media Group LLC memories with Michael’s fans is my way of in the media was not the truth - especially the very deeply.
Creative Director/Designer/Editor: Sonia Lowe c/o Vintage Pop Media Group LLC passing on his message and legacy in a way that allegations of child abuse.
he would approve. And it is my hope that his fans Beyond our hardships, our family loved Michael
Narration: Katherine Jackson come to know ‘the real’ Michael, rather than the Evan Chandler, the father of Michael’s first dearly, and each of us shares a special bond with
person that the media portrayed him to be. Those accuser, recently committed suicide. Though him. Through our memories, we will always
Co-Publishers: Michael Klipper & Robert Creel
who knew my son well will attest that Michael I can’t comment on why, I want to believe his cherish Michael.
Copy Editors: Jim Tykoliz, Denise Holtby, Alexis Ungerer Katherine Jackson
was one of the best persons you’d ever want to conscience finally caught up with him and he
Print Production/Editing: Bryan Hughes c/o Zigbot Media
meet and be around. He loved everyone; he was a was not able to live with himself after
Logo/Branding: Miguel St Giovanni
good father and a very good son. destroying an innocent person’s career and
Artist (Katherine Jackson Painting): Ronald S. McDowell
Special thanks to: Lowell Henry, Trent Jackson, Joe Jackson and The Estate of Michael Jackson.
Manufactured in the United States of America
ISBN 978-0-9828000-0-3 5559
Vintage Pop Media LLC holds exclusive license to the assets of Jackson Communications Inc., which combines photos, videos, music, personal items and memorabilia assets, purchased by way
of bankruptcy liquefication before a United States court. Attempts to plagiarize, unlawfully reproduce or copy will result in prosecution.
Original MJ art: “Bubbles Chair”, “Key III”, “Happy Gate” and “We The People” (Pgs. 5,45,85 and 123) are exclusive property of Jackson-Strong Alliance and are not for reprint, duplicaton or
subsequent commercialization. All rights reserved. Jackson-Strong Alliance and the beneficiaries of the Michael Jackson Estate.
4
Early
Years
Bubbles Chair ~MJ
“You are so beautiful to me” ~ Michael Jackson
The Temptations.
always felt that Michael had talent, but I had no acts like With his background
idea that he would achieve the level of success in music, and my days playing clarinet in my high
he did. Both myself and my husband Joseph school band, Joe and I always had instruments
grew up with a great love for music. As a child, I lying around the house. Our kids were encouraged
enjoyed singing with my sister, and Joe performed to experiment with music at a young age.
in a band with his brother. Soon after we got It was Tito’s talent that got noticed first. He would
married, our home in Gary, Indiana was buzzing to borrow the guitar to practice on while Joe worked
I
the harmony of country, blues and jazz, all of which late shifts at the steel mill. The boys took turns
our nine children took a liking too. on the instruments, intuitively learning how to
compose music and vocals.
Michael was born with rhythm. As a baby, it was The Jackson Brothers
obvious that he loved music and dance. We had It was not long before Joseph discovered his sons’
6 7
a broken down washing machine that made a talents and decided to form ,
racketing sound when set to a rinse cycle. Michael with our three oldest sons, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine
would sit on top of the machine with a bottle in on lead vocals. Marlon and Michael soon becaTmhee
his mouth, bopping and grooving to the rhythmic oJaldck esnoonu Fgihve to join their brothers on back-up vocals
racket. Even before he could say his first words, he and percussion. Joseph renamed the boys
responded very well to sound. I knew then that the in 1964.
music was in him.
After realizing the talent that was brewing, my
Ours was a musical family. It was not unusual to husband reduced his shifts at the mill so he could
find Joseph and I singing country songs around dedicate more time into developing the group.
the house when we were newlyweds. We didn’t Michael’s vocal range was evolving naturally
have much money to entertain ourselves back toward what is now known as the signature sound
then. I remember the time our television set broke of the group. At the time, Joseph was hesitant to let
down. We could not afford to get it fixed, so to his young son bear the weight of center stage, but
entertain the kids, we encouraged the family to with my persuasion, he eventually allowed Michael
sing together with influences of popular musical to assist Jermaine on lead vocals.
8 9
Left: Joe, Randy and Michael; Middle: (clockwise): Jackie, Tito, Michael, Marlon, Jermaine; Right: Michael (center) and family.
10 11
Left to Right: Michael, Marlon, Tito and Jermaine. Left to Right: Michael, Marlon, Jackie, Randy and Tito.
ith Joseph’s direction, the boys practiced of the boys’ professional careers. I often found
three times per week and performed at myself wishing we were back in Gary so I could
local gigs in the Gary and Chicago areas. spend more time with all my children. We didn’t
Joseph and I knew that once we found the right have much money then, but we had each other.
contacts in the entertainment business, the boys Early in the boys’ career, we still struggled to
would rise to stardom. Sure enough, the group make ends meet. I enjoyed sewing as a hobby,
began to get noticed and soon after, a few offers and designed the group’s earlier costumes. As
W
started coming in. sJaocokns oans Fwivee could afford it, we hired the talented
Motown Records. Ruthie West to design the right outfits for the
One of the major labels showing interest was ’s soulful, squeaky-Mcloetaonw inmage.
12 Always a skeptical business man, Epic Records 13
Joe initially resisted the deal, but once the terms Shortly after the group left in 1975,
were in the best interest for the family, he eventually they signed with (GCaBmSb) laen adn wdo Hrkuefdf
collaborated with Bobby Taylor. Following that withE rpeiccord production duo Kenny Gamble aTnhde
decision, the boys found themselves in the studio, LJaecokns oHnsu.ff, better known as .
creating their first record. We moved the family The deal included a variety show titled,
from Indiana to California in 1968. Joseph and The boys’ time soon became divided
the boys immediately hit the road, touring all among weekly rehearsals and the preparation of
over the country. I stayed at home with Janet, skits and performThaen cJaecsk fsoorn tse lVeavriiseitoyn S. hTohwe .entire
Latoya, Rebbie and Randy (until he eventually family, including Janet, Rebbie and Latoya made
joined his brothers officially in 1975). appearances on
A quiet house was a drastic change for me ... I After only one season, Joseph and the boys
missed having dinner with the entire family decided it would be best to just focus their time
every night like we used to before the beginning and energy on music and touring.
Left: 2300 Jackson Street, Gary, Indiana; Right: Me and my husband, Joseph, backstage at a Jackson Five Concert.
14 15
Left: Tito, Jackie, Marlon, Leon Huff, Kenneth Gamble, Michael and Randy
16 17
Left to Right: Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Michael and Jermaine. The Jaskson Variety Show (Left to Right): Rebbie, Tito, Janet, Latoya, Michael and Randy.
ven though most people saw him as musically Michael grew to regret most of the years he spent
gifted and mature for his age, Michael was working as a child. He felt like he missed out on some
also as gregarious as most other children. Our aspects that he deemed as a “normal childhood”. He
neighbors, who babysat for him periodically, often was always considerably passionate about his music,
cjeo nmem cee nqtu ooins. how “different” Michael was and that even back then. It was what he loved to do and we
there was something special about him ... a certain supported him. Michael knew that he would not
have accomplished the level of stardom he did if it
E
weren’t for his commitment as a child. He remained
I was especially proud of watching my son’s early grateful in his accomplishments, and though I’ve
development into stardom, because he did a lot of heard him complain about his sacrifices, I know
things that you wouldn’t expect a child his age to he believed strongly in his purpose: to inspire the
18 19
do. For instance, at a mere six years old, Michael world with his art.
was able to pick up choreography quickly. He was
a natural. He also surprised and impressed musical Once their popularity grew, my boys took on a
coaches with his ability to sing in harmony without hectic touring schedule which involved regular
any formal training. travel abroad. Not able to attend school, we hired
Mrs. Fines, a private tutor who went on tour with
Growing up, Michael invested several hours in the band. Michael’s best subject was Geography. He
the studio to record both background and lead also had a fascination with Art, History and Culture.
vocals. Even at a young age his perfectionist While his brothers would go out to celebrate, Michael
nature was a force driving him to commit ventured out to museums and galleries, immersing
additional studio time to post-production editing. himself in the culture of the cities they visited. Both
He knew how he wanted the music to sound Mrs. Fines and her husband, a pianist, formed a
and shared the responsibility of production. bond with Michael and inspired him to appreciate
As his mother, I felt the career pressure put upon literature. When Mr. Fines passed away, he left his
Michael was premature, and I’m sad to learn that prized piano as a gift for Michael.
Left to Right: Jackie, Tito, Michael, Marlon, Jermaine.