I happen to be colorblind. I don’t hire color, I hire competence! … Racism is not my motto. One day, I strongly expect every color to love as one family.
Michael Jackson c. 1984
“I met Michael on the first day of rehearsal, and I was stunned - even though, obviously, I knew his image very well - at how incredibly sweet and how modest and how innocent he was. And fragile too. In person you felt he was almost breakable. But then this thing happened when he would start to work: your heart would beat faster, and the hair on your arms and the back of your neck would stick up as he literally took your breath away. I think he was the most electrifying performer I’ve ever seen.”
— Anjelica Huston, speaking about her first meeting with Michael on the
set of ‘Captain Eo’
(Source: pie-jesu)
On this day, in 1993, Michael Jackson picks up an honor from the Guinness World of Records Museum, Hollywood, L.A., who presents him with the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is in recognition of his many world records: the best selling album in history (“Thriller”, which wins eight Grammy awards in 1984), the biggest concert (with an audience of 500, 000 people in four shows at London’s Wembley Stadium), the biggest contract in the history of show business (signed with Sony in 1991), and performing before the largest ever television audience (133, 4 million during his halftime performance for the 1993 Superbowl).
The master of ceremonies for the event is Casey Kasem and the founding editor of the Guinness Book of World Records, Norris McWhirter, flies to Los Angeles from London especially to present the honor to Jackson. On accepting his award, the entertainer graciously says: “I love you all and thank you very much for coming.” Lori Byner, then president of the Michael Jackson Observer Fan Club, presents Jackson with a second award, a plaque acknowledging his work with children, its inscription reading:
“In deepest appreciation for all you have done for the children of the world, because of your great love and sensitivity towards all children, they now have a chance to live a happy and normal life. Without other great humanitarians like yourself, the lives and future of our children the world over is hopeless. All of us wish to join hands with you, Michael, to help Heal The World and to preserve the future for all the children of the world. We, the members of the Michael Jackson Observer Fan Club, wish to offer you our support, love, loyalty and appreciation for everything you have done for our children, and for all of us. With our deepest respect and love, The Michael Jackson Observer Fan Club of the United States and around the world.”
After the award ceremonies, Jackson enters the Museum to unveil an updated life-size likeness of himself being added to the museum’s display, the figure standing on top of a giant 45 rpm record in recognition of his unprecedented world records in entertainment. Also as part of the display are the entertainer’s albums, memorabilia and video monitors playing highlights from his entire career.
