speaking of opportunists

[ms.peachy]

So I just read that Michael Jackson has been "moved" to write and record a song for the hurricane victims.

Now, didn't he just put out an album that no one wanted to buy? But of course, people will feel obliged to buy this single - I mean , hey it's for charridee, right? - and then oh look, it's the triumphant return for the King of Pop.

Great.

[YoungRemy]

how dare someone express themselves through an artistic medium!!!

thats the last thing this country needs, a bunch of SINGING AMERICANS :eek:


the next thing you know, this country will be full of child molesting , song singing CRAZY PEOPLE !!!!

[enree erzweglle]

I hate to disagree, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he's being an opportunist.

I think a lot of people watched the coverage and their first reactions were strong ones of wanting to help in whatever way they could. You think beyond money and in terms of what you do for a living, what you're skilled at doing, what you can do to help, and maybe what you could do that might just uplift someone. MJ could well have been doing just that.

I haven't bought any of his albums because I'm not a huge fan of his music. But I would support his song if the proceeds went to Katrina-related charity in the same way that I'm buying so damn many katrina-fundraising cookies and brownies. I'm not eating them all but I'm buying them whenever I see them; I wouldn't necessarily listen to the song, but I'd buy it to support the cause.

[Kid Presentable]

What was the new album called?

[g-mile7]

I hate to disagree, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he's being an opportunist.

I think a lot of people watched the coverage and their first reactions were strong ones of wanting to help in whatever way they could. You think beyond money and in terms of what you do for a living, what you're skilled at doing, what you can do to help, and maybe what you could do that might just uplift someone. MJ could well have been doing just that.

I haven't bought any of his albums because I'm not a huge fan of his music. But I would support his song if the proceeds went to Katrina-related charity in the same way that I'm buying so damn many katrina-fundraising cookies and brownies. I'm not eating them all but I'm buying them whenever I see them; I wouldn't necessarily listen to the song, but I'd buy it to support the cause.


not to mention he has done shit like this before people forget how much a humantarin he was in the mid/late 80's and how much he has donated without feeling obligated. No matter what people perceive he has done alot of good.

[g-mile7]

What was the new album called?


Invincible was his last studio LP, the latest one was Number 1's a collection of his greatest hits with one new track and The Essetials collection which came out 2 months ago I think another greatest hits

[ToucanSpam]

I hate to disagree, but I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he's being an opportunist.

I think a lot of people watched the coverage and their first reactions were strong ones of wanting to help in whatever way they could. You think beyond money and in terms of what you do for a living, what you're skilled at doing, what you can do to help, and maybe what you could do that might just uplift someone. MJ could well have been doing just that.

I haven't bought any of his albums because I'm not a huge fan of his music. But I would support his song if the proceeds went to Katrina-related charity in the same way that I'm buying so damn many katrina-fundraising cookies and brownies. I'm not eating them all but I'm buying them whenever I see them; I wouldn't necessarily listen to the song, but I'd buy it to support the cause.


I think that's a pretty fair assessment. Just because someone famous wants to help out, people automatically assume that 100% of the time the only thing on the famous person's mind is to gain more popularity/sell more records. Isn't that dealing a bit of an extreme? Is it possible that MJ is human and wants to help out with a noble cause? If anything, I think seeing celebs use their star power to help out those people in need of helping is a good thing.

Ughhhhh this reminds me of Live 8, back when people were bitching like babies 'ohhhhh they are just there to look good'. For fuck's sake , don't be so jaded.



OK, I'm coolin out. I'm good.

[Kid Presentable]

Invincible was his last studio LP, the latest one was Number 1's a collection of his greatest hits with one new track and The Essetials collection which came out 2 months ago I think another greatest hits

Didn't he use a Biggie vocal on that 'Invincible' album?

lol at that, if I may.

[g-mile7]

Didn't he use a Biggie vocal on that 'Invincible' album?

lol at that, if I may.


I dont know I didnt buy the LP but I heard it wasnt THAT bad (sold 2+million which is a failure though by Jackson numbers)

[Kid Presentable]

I dont know I didnt buy the LP but I heard it wasnt THAT bad (sold 2+million which is a failure though by Jackson numbers)

I lived with an African dude who had it, hidden behind a bunch of music anybody would much rather hear.

He gave me 'Things fall Apart', the book.

[YoungRemy]

"We Are The World" sold over 10 million copies and raised about 50 million for famine relief...


and that was in 1985

[abcdefz]

Michael Jackson tried to put out some relief single a couple of years ago which (Columbia?) kindly turned down. I'm not sure he's an entirely altrustic talent, myself.

But, you know... if you WANT to donate to charity and stuff, just donate to organizations which don't skim any overhead off the donations. I doubt that any record company in the world is kicking in pressing plant costs, album cover printing, etc.

It's the charity equivalent of "Buy things at our sale this weekend to save money!!!"

[abcdefz]

"We Are The World" sold over 10 million copies and raised about 50 million for famine relief...


and that was in 1985



..which, if we're talking about LP and CD sales, means that people spent roughly 120 million dollars to donate 50.

[enree erzweglle]

"We Are The World" sold over 10 million copies and raised about 50 million for famine relief...


and that was in 1985
I liked and still like Man in the Mirror (and the video). Nice message, well delivered.

Plus, who knows what he does for charity when the world isn't looking (although this must be tough to do when you're a celebrity).

I'm not saying that he's a saint and that he hasn't made odd decisions, but I have this gut feeling that he's not the bad guy everyone makes him out to be. There are very few people in the world that I know well enough to judge their motives. (Awkward sentence but I'm in a rush.)

[abcdefz]

Plus, who knows what he does for charity when the world isn't looking (although this must be tough to do when you're a celebrity).






...I'm being a grumpy little prick, but:

Back in the day (pre- we-are-the-world), there was some publicity op of Jackson presenting some children's organization with a check for $70,000 or something.

A friend and I did the math. At this point, Jackson had been earning an average of about seven dollars per minute since the moment he was born. His $70,000 check was the equivalent of my friend of me tossing someone twenty cents or so.

Just a little perspective.

[YoungRemy]

..which, if we're talking about LP and CD sales, means that people spent roughly 120 million dollars to donate 50.

just curious, how did you come up with that math?

it was 7 million singles sold and 3 million copies of the album.

wouldnt the correct calculation be the people spent 50 million to raise 50 million?

[abcdefz]

just curious, how did you come up with that math?

it was 7 million singles sold and 3 million copies of the album.

wouldnt the correct calculation be the people spent 50 million to raise 50 million?




...like I said: I assumed you were talking about sales of full-length recordings.

If they're trying to suggest that the LP and CD only sold 3 million copies TOTAL worldwide, somebody is very, very high.

[YoungRemy]

...like I said: I assumed you were talking about sales of full-length recordings.

If they're trying to suggest that the LP and CD only sold 3 million copies TOTAL worldwide, somebody is very, very high.

"Ultimately, the single sold 7.5 million copies in the US. It was released on an album, USA for Africa: We Are the World, which sold over 3 million copies.
Including revenues from the single, the album, the video and related merchandise, "We Are the World" raised about $50 million for famine relief."

[abcdefz]

"Ultimately, the single sold 7.5 million copies in the US. It was released on an album, USA for Africa: We Are the World, which sold over 3 million copies.
Including revenues from the single, the album, the video and related merchandise, "We Are the World" raised about $50 million for famine relief."



..that's just in the United States, and isn't including sales of the video. I'd suggest some journalist keep looking.

...and the idea that the LP/CD only sold 3 million copies in the US is pretty fucking crazy. That thing was out the door whenever we could get it in stock.

As far as Jackson goes, I'm curious: when 9/11 happened and he started his project ("What More Can I Give?"), he was invited onto a different project -- Niles Rogers' -- and declined. Just curious where his selflessness and altruism went. Maybe they were too busy trying to rescue his failing solo album which was drastically underperforming.

[enree erzweglle]

...I'm being a grumpy little prick, but:

Back in the day (pre- we-are-the-world), there was some publicity op of Jackson presenting some children's organization with a check for $70,000 or something.

A friend and I did the math. At this point, Jackson had been earning an average of about seven dollars per minute since the moment he was born. His $70,000 check was the equivalent of my friend of me tossing someone twenty cents or so.

Just a little perspective.

I don't care how much a person gives relative to their income. Actually, I don't care to really know what anyone gives--that should be as private as it can be. In the case of celebrities, though, I'm thinking that that's a tough battle to win.

[abcdefz]

I don't care how much a person gives relative to their income. Actually, I don't care to really know what anyone gives--that should be as private as it can be. In the case of celebrities, though, I'm thinking that that's a tough battle to win.



I would say, then: don't make a publicity stunt out of your charitable offerings, that's all. Pretty simple not to stand in front of a photographer with a huge oversized check shaking hands with someone in a suit.

My point is that such things are really, really cheap publicity for someone with pockets that deep. The money is almost nothing AND a good chunk is tax deductible, and I'm willing to bet that if you can provide a publicity photo, some can be written off as a business (advertising) expense as well. It's just cheap.

[enree erzweglle]

As far as Jackson goes, I'm curious: when 9/11 happened and he started his project ("What More Can I Give?"), he was invited onto a different project -- Niles Rogers' -- and declined. Just curious where his selflessness and altruism went. Maybe they were too busy trying to rescue his failing solo album which was drastically underperforming.

Damn, I hope I'm not judged this harshly in this life or after. Most people can't be selfless and altruistic 24/7. I don't care if he was trying to rescue his failing album/career/whatever--in my eyes, none of that would undo the good that he did already or that he would do again.

[avignon]

He did songs/projects for charities when he was still very popular and making megabucks off his albums.

[abcdefz]

Damn, I hope I'm not judged this harshly in this life or after. Most people can't be selfless and altruistic 24/7. I don't care if he was trying to rescue his failing album/career/whatever--in my eyes, none of that would undo the good that he did already or that he would do again.




I think it's more about discernment than judgment.

[enree erzweglle]

I would say, then: don't make a publicity stunt out of your charitable offerings, that's all. Pretty simple not to stand in front of a photographer with a huge oversized check shaking hands with someone in a suit.

My point is that such things are really, really cheap publicity for someone with pockets that deep. The money is almost nothing AND a good chunk is tax deductible, and I'm willing to bet that if you can provide a publicity photo, some can be written off as a business (advertising) expense as well. It's just cheap.
That's the battle that I think some celebrities can't win. I am thinking that a lot of decisions that celebrities appear to make are not actually made by them at all. (Besides, I think charity should be private, but not everyone agrees. Someone on MJ's team disagrees with me or there wouldn't have been publicity surrounding that. Some amount of publicity surrounding chartity can be good, motivating, inspiring. I try not to see the negative side of that and I try not to judge that they're doing it for publicity.)

[yeahwho]

I would like to take this oppurtunity to say Michael Jackson looks like a swamp creature IMHO.

[YoungRemy]

absdefz, I can give you some insight. around 9/11, MJ was planning his MJ30 Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden. there was a show on Friday the 7th and then Monday the 10th... you are correct, his PR people were trying to save whatever dignity he had left... i was interning at a PR firm that repped him at the time...

the album was not selling, he was far from "INVINCIBLE" and the concert itself was a fiasco. Whitney Houston was cracked out and her appearance was actually digitally airbrushed for TV.

MJ himself was as strange as ever, stumbling in on the red carpet clutching Liz Taylor, it was just surreal.

then, Marlon Brando came out and gave the most oddball speech I had ever heard, talking about women getting their hands chopped off in a faraway country, he criticized the audience for being apathetic. they started booing Brando, and MJ, from his throne, pled with the Garden crowd to let him speak...


I'll look into those numbers for you...

[abcdefz]

absdefz, I can give you some insight. around 9/11, MJ was planning his MJ30 Anniversary Special at Madison Square Garden. there was a show on Friday the 7th and then Monday the 10th... you are correct, his PR people were trying to save whatever dignity he had left... i was interning at a PR firm that repped him at the time...

the album was not selling, he was far from "INVINCIBLE" and the concert itself was a fiasco. Whitney Houston was cracked out and her appearance was actually digitally airbrushed for TV.

MJ himself was as strange as ever, stumbling in on the red carpet clutching Liz Taylor, it was just surreal.

then, Marlon Brando came out and gave the most oddball speech I had ever heard, talking about women getting their hands chopped off in a faraway country, he criticized the audience for being apathetic. they started booing Brando, and MJ, from his throne, pled with the Garden crowd to let him speak...


I'll look into those numbers for you...



It's cool. I don't know why the guy irks me so much. He's clearly sick.

To me, the We are the World thing always seemed to be more about another jewel in his crown than about helping others. (For God's sake -- just look at the lyrics! Not that far a cry from "What More Can I Do?" are they?)

So then, the rescue-me-fiasco 9/11 project, then the post-lawsuit Katrina-project... I don't like it when poliiticians are opportunistic, and I don't like it when culture stars do it, either. It's just insulting.

As far as "those numbers" go... I mean... this is the same community that famously insist that Batman never made a profit. Bob Dylan's first album notwithstanding, I've never seen Columbia Records as a beacon of charity in the humanities...