MJ's Hollywood Star & The Broken Heart Stone ♥

“Speak of others in LOVE lest you break their heart.” ~  Dawn Wilson

**  This is a rewrite of the 'Broken Heart Stone' article originally posted from March 2012...
  The 'Immortalization of Michael Jackson Hand and Footprint Ceremony'
spearheaded by the MJ Estate and held on Hollywood Blvd 
on Jan. 26, 2012 and the exciting delivery that day of 'The Broken Heart Stone.' **
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I have recently started listening to my Christian music again and there is a line in a song I love that goes: "I am just a tear on a crowded street." Every time I visit MJ's Hollywood Star this is how I feel. Even in the most joyous times my heart still breaks... when I'm there near his star I'm just a 'tear' on the boulevard... for the emptiness, the loss, the missing what could have been... the longing, the yearning for more of Michael Jackson seems to never leave... will last For All Time.

God can do anything, far more than you could ever think or ask or
imagine in your wildest dreams!    ~ Ephesians 3:20

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It was dark, very dark... I don’t even remember there being a moon that night. Finally and gratefully I had time off work. Just in time too as I was looking so forward to the ceremony. I had no idea what was in store on this Michaeling adventure. I have learned to just stay open to what ever God has for me. I make the plans and put the results in God’s hands. He just places me where he wants me to be. One day I may know why but for now I stand in awe of my most precious Lord and thank him constantly for he knows the deepest desires of our hearts.

Robyn and I had discussed the time... an announcement had been posted stating the earliest time to line up would be 6:00 in the morning. I am a night person, not an early riser but have trained my body clock to rise at 5:30 every day for work just like a responsible grownup. However my true heart and body clock are more that of a wild child. I’d choose to stay up all night rather than rise early. I wanted to be fresh and full of energy for this day so I forced myself to bed early in order to rise early to enjoy all the Michaelness God had in store. In mapping out our plans we decided to be on Hollywood Blvd. and in line at 5:30a.m. I needed to wake up at 3:30a.m. WHAT?

So it was for this Michael adventure in the dark of night I rose and drove bleary eyed to pick up Robyn. She hopped in the car bright eyed and far too full of energy than the hour called for. Immediately we were laughing like giddy teenagers sneaking out at night. If my grand kids are reading this: "Yes, my bad... and No, don’t even think about it!" For everyone else... Yes life does come full circle.

There we were up way before dawn, playing, thinking, singing, breathing Break of Dawn. Unable to shake that feeling of ‘If only Michael was here on this earth to sing it to us.’ I have come to accept this longing, the missing, that this empty feeling will just NEVER pass. It is part of me now. Michael’s songs, his genius music are the continual musical score of our lives and helps to fill that emptiness. I think there is a Michael song for every moment and experience in life. Now Break of Dawn plays as Michael is forever in our minds and hearts. We drive on down the 101 Freeway on to Hollywood... She’s Going Hollywood.

Hollywood Blvd deserted... 5am view from over hang
at the then Kodak Theater (now Dolby Theater)

Only the set up crew here on a
deserted Hollywood Blvd. - street level

We arrived in Hollywood in the still of the night. Hollywood to me is like Vegas - a place that never sleeps. So I am very surprised when entering the Kodak Theater parking structure to find the entire theater building and parking structure were basically empty with just a few scattered cars and workers here and there which allowed us the luxury I have never experienced to park where ever I wanted. The escalators were even shut off so we climbed several flights determined and committed to this day. Weaving our way through the empty Kodak building we emerged out on to an eerie Hollywood Blvd. The entire street was abandoned except for the workers and scaffolding as they set up for the ceremony. There seemed to be a haze hanging in the air as the bright lights from the crews cut into the uncharacteristic dark stillness of the night. It was an odd, sad sensation I’d never seen or felt on the normally bustling Hollywood Blvd. As I looked out over the Kodak balcony and down on to the street I froze. The sight and feeling took me short, as if all of Hollywood were giving a moment of silence for our fallen King. There it was again... that emptiness.

Not wanting to land too far down the line we then quickly moved down to the corner of Highland Ave. and Hollywood Blvd. across from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, the one with the dinosaur on the roof or is that Godzilla? Anyway... there they were gathered in the dark of night. The die hard MJ fans standing in line even before 5:30 in the morning. We greeted the fans. Some we have known now for the last two and half years. Michael’s loss brought us together from all different generations, religions and races. Some are brand new MJ friends. Some have traveled from other countries and great distances to stand on this corner. We shared hugs and LOVE and took our place in line. I found myself having a very difficult time standing still, so moved up and down the line talking and mingling losing my place in line several times but I didn’t care. Today I could feel the energy in the air. The unmistakable, absolute LOVE of Michael Jackson. This was a special day I could just feel it. I had felt it for weeks. It’s a power that takes over when I just know I have to be there to support something for Michael.

In the past I have risen in the wee hours many times to make the trek to the court house for the trial as one of MJ’s Soldiers of LOVE, raising my voice for JUSTICE for Michael, fighting for Conrat Murderer to be found GUILTY! I felt privileged and honored to do so, to be a part of JUSTICE for Michael Jackson. However this early day was different. This day was a celebration of Michael Jackson. A much different day in HIStory. This day we would witness Michael’s wish come to fruition as he would forever be immortalized with foot prints and handprints being placed in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. His beautiful children would be here today to accomplish this and honor their father. Yes the energy was running very high on that corner of Hollywood Blvd. as we all anticipated the day and talked excitedly about Michael.

All generations love & respect Michael Jackson

We stood in line for a while and then official looking men in suits, security, showed up and said we were there too early and needed to disperse for about 20 minutes but then could line up again. So in compliance I immediately walked to the curb. Now I could have walked anywhere but I walked over to the curb... not to the corner to cross or the other way down the sidewalk but straight to the curb. As if pre-planned at the very same moment a van pulled up in front of me and a man hopped out and approached. He looked me in the eye and asked what I felt was obvious... “Are you Michael Jackson fans?” I looked at him confused wondering what planet he just arrived from as I laughingly looked back wondering if he saw what I saw and gestured to all the fans still in line with their fedoras, military jackets, Thriller and Bad jackets, some with hoodies on where Michael’s face was on the side of the hoods, which really took me back several times because in the wee morning hours my heart would jump as I kept feeling like Michael was looking back at me when they moved their heads, some in MJ shirts and some even with gold pants and sparkly gloves. As if we needed no explanation I questioningly said, “Yessssss... we are MJ fans.” Robyn and I shared a look and eyed him suspiciously as we both protectively wondered, ‘What does he want? Is he selling posters or t-shirts?’ Then I immediately asked, “Why?”

I looked closer at this straw fedora, sporting man dressed in a spiffy suit and he seemed somehow familiar to me... I told him so... he smiled at me and said, “Well I am the owner of 'The Broken Heart Stone’ and I have it in the back of my van and was wondering if the MJ fans would like to see it.” Now why I would have doubted at this point with all that has happened in my life concerning Michael Jackson I have no idea... but my next words were, “Really? Well open up so we can see.” It was about this time I realized why he looked familiar. I had read about him and ‘THE’ Broken Heart Stone that MJ had made in Las Vegas at the Rivera when the hotel had plans in place to create their own walk of fame. MJ had placed his beautiful loafer adorned magical feet in the cement in a three point dance position, made his ‘heart’ hand print in the stone and signed his name with the famous star at the end. His left hand had left a heart shape which only Michael could have done. The stone had cracked while in storage and the crack ran directly through the heart but not through the entire stone... keeping the stone intact. Robyn stood next to me, we looked again at one another, no words needed to be spoken as we both moved toward the now open back hatch of the van as if a magnetic force pulled us in. There it was lovingly covered with red velvet. We were anxious as this man, Andrew Wilson, told the fans about the stone. The excitement grew in the MJ crowd as we both stood there at the back of his van looking down on the only piece of cement in the entire world that had Michael Jackson’s actual footprints, hand print and signature embedded in it. The stone that Michael himself personally made and was very excited to show the world.

We were huddled close at the back of the van as I excitedly asked, “Can we see it without the cover?  Please uncover it.” I was snapping pictures of each step. Andy, much too slowly for me, gently and carefully removed the red velvet from the stone and there in the dim light of the van was “Michael’s Broken Heart Stone” with the amazing heart palm print, there right before my very eyes. I leaned inside the van to get a closer look. For sometime after that moment it all seemed to move in slow motion, feeling alone and yet in a crowd as I heard in what seemed to be the distance, but later realized was right behind me, the high pitch sound of fans squealing, buzzing and laughing in high anticipation and pressing in. I felt the force of the fans pushing against me from behind so I leaned in further and asked in awe and respect, “Can we touch it?” Andy who was now standing at the side door looking in at us crazy fans smiled and verbally released the onslaught with an “Of course!” So I literally crawled up into the van and touched Michael’s shoe prints. I could hear Robyn laughing near me to my left and then saw her hand with the sweet turquoise nails reach out and tenderly touch Michael’s hand print. My heart paused and I took a deep breath as I knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling in that moment, Speechless. I then stretched my fingers out over the handprint of MJ’s fingers visualizing in my mind his long fingers against mine. His hand had been there where mine now rested... I didn’t want to leave that spot.

I lost my balance as the force of the fans suddenly pushing in landed me on top of the stone. I was literally laying on top of the stone! It seemed the place for me to be somehow. So I took full advantage of my position thinking, “Well I’m here now... I might as well touch every area of Michael’s fabulous three point, dancer’s pose, loafer, shoe prints.” So I ran my hands over every single inch of the foot prints and his beautiful signature, even the special star burst at the end, all the while laying on my stomach with my feet dangling out the back of the van as MJ fans crowded around me. In my mind I was alone there with Michael while he painstakingly signed his name in the wet cement. I could see his beautiful face and his hand moving slowly deliberately as he signed his name and drew the final flourish of the star burst at the end.

The clamoring and screeching of the fans burst my bubble and I reluctantly had to release my hold on the stone to let others have a look and a touch. I tried to move but the press of the fans made it almost impossible. Pushing against the flow I put my head down and forged out backwards through the crowd asking, “Hey guys please let me out.” Literally crawling backwards I popped out of the back of the van and landed on my feet, found my bearings on the solid ground once again.  Then began immediately talking with Andy who had come around to meet us as the other fans moved in to get their look. I knew who he was now and wanted to know more as I just knew he had a wonderful story to tell... and anyone who knows me knows how I simply LOVE a Michael Jackson story, my Best Of Joy. Yes, God knows the desires of our hearts.

In our conversation I learned that by God’s divine intervention Andy first became aware of the existence of The Broken Heart Stone the day that Michael died. The stone many thought was lost forever until it was discovered stored in the basement of the Rivera Hotel in Las Vegas not long before it was demolished. An amazing story of God’s hand and direction on Andy’s life as God chose him to deliver this wonderful gift, ‘the most famous hand print in entertainment history’ rightfully to the Jackson family and so doing also blessed Michael Jackson fans. Andy shared he had heard of La Toya’s story of Paris sharing the broken heart necklace with her daddy. As shared by La Toya she went with Paris and purchased a broken heart and two necklace chains. One for Paris and one for her daddy, each having one half of the broken heart. One Paris wrapped around her daddy’s wrist and the other she kept. It was this story that motivated Andy to realize that the Jackson family MUST have the stone. God bless you Andrew Wilson for following God’s leading and your heart of LOVE for Michael and his children.

Clearly even the police are MJ fans at heart, stood in awe, interested and enthralled by The Broken Heart Stone.

This day was a marvelous, high spirited celebration of LOVE for Michael.  Tito and Jackie Jackson acknowledged Andrew and Dawn Wilson for making the stone available to the Jackson family. In this statement The Broken Heart Stone was publicly back in the hands of those who deserved to have it the most, Michael’s children and the Jackson family.

The celebration that day was  beautiful. It was just so touching to see Michael’s children so happy. I  just know Michael is looking down from heaven and is so proud of them.  They are all three just beautiful examples of his amazing parenting skills. Their confidence and respect for their father and the enormous glowing smiles lit up the children’s faces and the stage just as their father used to.

MJ fans have always known it was Michael’s desire to have his footprints and handprints in the cement at Grauman’s, his beautiful children proudly and gratefully confirmed this during the  ceremony, and God used Andrew Wilson and his lovely wife, Dawn, to make this happen. Andy shared that only the day before the ceremony the contract had been finalized and signed. Leaving frantic last minute  arrangements to deliver the Broken Heart Stone to Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the 'Immortalization of Michael Jackson in the Hand and Footprint Ceremony'.

It was later in talking to John Branca at the MJIWT Los Angeles premier at Staples that I learned that the negotiations to garner 'The Broken Heart Stone' for the Jackson family on this special day had gone on for almost a year and he felt very happy negotiantions had been finalized in time for the ceremony and that every one was happy with the end result. Michael Jackson fans around the world can thank John Branca and Howard Weitzman for their loving commitment and hard work to Michael and his family which enabled this wonderful piece of Michael HIStory to go public.

Video screen pic of the Jackson family, celebs
and MJ Estate members in attendance

MJ Immortal Cirque dancers entertain the crowd

If you look carefully you can see the image of a fedora above the studded glove imprint in the wet cement.

        So like Michael to be there with his children and to make some magic.

Paris fittingly writes her father's name with a heart in the middle, 'Michael ♥ Jackson.' Watching her at the  ceremony write her father's name in the cement I see Michael in so many ways, with all three I see Michael, but here on this day I see Michael in 1984 on his knee writing his name so carefully in the cement.

A week or two later after the Grauman's cement stone had dried enough for installation both stones were installed in the center of the main Grauman's Chinese Theater patio, directly in front of the main theater doors, only steps from Michael's original Hollywood Star on the sidewalk.

The two stones next to each other center court in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.  

HOME at last! MJ's wish comes to fruition.

Whose hands? Rachael, Gi, Nicky, Betty.
A great memory!

Fans from around the globe can now visit Grauman’s and touch a piece of Michael’s heart and history. It’s a beautiful thing! So fittingly and assuredly the most important element to Michael, as we were always so accustomed to seeing, was Michael holding hands with his children. Michael’s stone sits right next to his children's hand print stone. All their hands forever immortalized connected For All Time.

Michael’s original star, the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, with the Broken Heart Stone in the background awaiting it's presentation. The original MJ Hollywood Star where not long after Michael had received it and while in the process of writing his book 'Moonwalker' was riding in a car down busy Hollywood Blvd. with one of the editors discussing his book when suddenly he asked the driver to pull over and stop the car. He jumped out did one of his famous spins and dance moves, sang a short bit of a song and then jumped back in the car giggling and laughing as they drove away. You can read this story in the editor's notes of 'Moonwalker'.

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** Credit for top picture and several other pictures to Andrew and Dawn Wilson

 ♥ Robyn's video The Broken Heart Stone.
   Thank you Robyn. Just Beautiful!


 

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  Psalm 139:9-10

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Xscape... L.A. Listening Party

We were a party of eleven global MJ fans... ranging in age from early twenties to over sixty... all hardcore MJ fans... for some it was a journey of 20 hours with overlays... for others less time in flight from their homes on the other side of the globe or across the states... for me it was a familiar hour drive in L.A. traffic. For all of us it is a journey to the unknown... filled with MJ Butterflies. I’m feeling very nervous and anxious... filled with so many thoughts and feelings. I end up blathering on like a magpie... not ever sure what I’m talking about but so happy to be meeting new MJ fans who share my heart. Some I know by name only on Face Book and others I’ve never met. I love that moment when the Face Book name registers with the face and hugs ensue.

Although very anxious for a long awaited new MJ CD... always in the back of my mind I’m thinking, “A new album from Michael Jackson... how good could it possibly be without the man himself here to give it the final nod?” I personally felt some deep trepidation since the invite arrived. We weren’t told what the invite was for... everything was top secret... however deducing there had been listening parties in Paris, London and N.Y... my guess was L.A. had to be next. What if I didn’t really like this album? As an MJ fan I resigned myself to being very grateful there are original untouched demos on the deluxe version. No one can screw those up... Michael at his bare bones finest. Any true MJ fan has been listening to leaked versions of songs for years now... sorry but it’s true. We all drink in Michael’s voice in any version... grateful to hear his genius. I had decided one way or another... although grateful for the invite I would be honest about what I thought and felt. I may never be invited back to such an event but... I have to be loyal to my truth! I mean really without Michael’s personal touch, work ethic, excellence of product, his quiet, tender, kind, humble and respectful way of accepting only the best of himself and others, the masterful way in which he drove all who worked for him and studied under him to strive for depths of excellence they never knew existed... without him here... how good could it really be? Soooo many questions had been running through my mind and heart.

Heartbreakingly over the last five long years the world has had to deal with the devastating fact... Michael is gone... the King is gone... leaving a huge void in our hearts and the music industry. There is not a day that goes by for me that I do not play, watch and hear Michael Jackson sing. There just aren’t any other artists, although very talented, that consistently touch my heart the way Michael continues to with his timeless music.



Around the world it is agreed upon by music critics and fans alike Michael’s unfinished demos are masters of high quality better than most finished product out there today. The music stars of today although many are amazingly talented only attempt to rise to MJ's artistic level. Only MJ can fill his shoes and this is a fact which will forever remain concrete!  


So then what does happen when Michael’s beautifully layered vocals which he anointed with his genius are touched by producers who once worked with the KOP one on one... those highly respected in the business who STILL deeply love and respect Michael... who listened diligently and learned from Michael’s example and tutelage one on one when he still walked this earth? 



The answer...
Michael reaches out from the universe, from his heavenly home and works his magic from the biospheres! The King is back! Just as he wished... his music... his art LIVES on! 


That special perfect voice... no one can touch or duplicate... the depth of emotion in vocal story telling... the growl in his voice... the vocals layered over and over one another.... the ecstatic Hee Hees... blissfulness... escapism... Xscape!!

 I felt the same chills while listening to this new album as I felt years ago when I used to watch each new MTV MJ short film or listen to each new MJ album. Yes it's all there!!

Spirits run high when we all realize we are being taken to the Henson Studios, home of the Muppets, formerly A&M Studios which holds within its walls great Michael history. This is a place on my Michaeling bucket list which has been untouchable... a closed, secure, working studio. So for me it’s a mission complete and an amazingly wonderful surprise! We are escorted into a very special place... Studio A. Directed to sit in chairs in the middle of the room where giant multi-level speakers focus on us. We take a seat and as I look around realize this is a very familiar place... a very MICHAEL place. A place where music history was made in the '80s.

In my nervousness I am talking up a storm... sorry everyone... that is what I do when I am nervous... suddenly it all registers and I see Michael before me... and blurt out... “This is the studio where Michael recorded ‘We Are The World’!" Yes along with so many 80’s music stars... directed by Q to ‘Leave your egos at the door.’ I feel myself hoping that many on this new MJ album followed suite with Q's directive as well. 

As I look around the room I realize the chairs are set up just about where Michael stood when he recorded the masters for all the stars to learn their part on the song. MJ perfectly singing every range of the song for each of them. I picture Quincy at his music stand and Frank Delio with his cigar where now sits a computer and a sound board table. I look around the room and yes there is the wall! The wall where Michael sat on the floor, leaned up against it as he worked with Lionel Richie on that ground breaking charity based anthem. As thoughts of the magic and history of 'We Are The World' flood my mind I am reminded again with Michael everything was innovative and groundbreaking. I wonder how can anyone meet that expectation with him gone? How good could this album possibly be?

We are told that LA Reid who produced with Baby Face, and now the CEO of Epic Studios will be our personal DJ. What? YES! He himself will be playing the Xscape album for us. Cool bring it on!!

Sylvia Rhone - President of Sony Music Epic Records
LA Reid - Chairman & CEO of Epic Records

Xcitement and anticipation builds... many Epic and Sony executives enter the room including Sylvia Rhone, president of Sony, a slight lady in a spring dress with a perky attitude and very warm and friendly spirit. They shake our hands... we whisper to each other asking who many of them are. Shake our heads... we have no idea. No suits... all casual in tennis shoes and jeans... some are looser than others... some clearly are uncomfortable and look like they have more important things to do... well it’s the corporate world so yeah that is to be expected... we exchange friendly hellos and handshakes with some and learn these people are very down to earth and many are MJ fans like us. Wait???? What???? These are Sony/Epic executives... right? I’m confused... this is not jelling with all I’ve heard about Sony... evil Sony... Sony Sucks... Sony is phoney! Yes... THAT Sony. The Sony of Tommy Matolla and years gone by... the Sony that Michael passionately spoke out about. I feel a big “Yeah whatever” come over me... I know the two faced corporate world.... we’ll see how this all plays out. 


Instead while we wait I focus on the fans... many are those I interact with from the other side of the world... now connecting Face Book names and emails with real life faces. Navi who eerily has Michael’s deep round brown eyes is here and happily we reunite. Hugs ensue all around... especially for, beautiful, April, my dear friend Bonnie’s daughter from Boston. Bonnie has run MJ-Upbeat website in LOVE for Michael since 2003. After Michael’s death she was the loving person the Lord provided who became my life buoy in an ocean of grief. A lovely lady from Japan, Michiko, shows me her wonderful MJ jacket and purse... they have the best MJ clothes in Japan. I’m so happy to meet Mickie Qbee, a fun loving lady who is staff on MJJ Community. I’ve been asked to support a very shy fan from Germany, Jasmina, I look for her. Shy? I chuckle as I see she is chatting away with other MJ fans totally at home with those around her. What a privilege to be apart of such a gathering of MJ fans from the UK, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the USA. It’s so astonishing to me that we barely know one another and yet through Michael Jackson’s music we instantly bond, quickly become friends in person. Michael the heart hook, the glue which draws us together as ONE.

John Branca and Karen Langford who are committed to excellence and protecting Michael’s legacy and his children confirm now we are indeed at the L.A. Xscape listening party. John Branca speaks to us about many songs Michael worked on that were not released as intended such as ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” was originally recorded for ‘Off The Wall’ but used three years later on ‘Thriller.’ ‘Earth Song’ and ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ were originally recorded for ‘Dangerous’, but eventually used four years later on ‘HIStory.’ He explained that the songs left over from recording for certain albums, although recorded in full, aren’t necessarily finished but nor are they necessarily songs Michael had disregarded as unreleasable. They just didn't fit on to that particular album.

We all sit in Michael’s ‘We Are The World’ studio on the Henson lot anxiously anticipating Michael's voice when LA Reid enters the room and John introduces him. An amiable, warm and friendly man he talks about his deep, committed responsibility to Michael with this album. Sharing his heart he explains from the very start he let John Branca and John McClain know there is no way he would even consider touching Michael’s work unless he personally felt it was already at a stage where Michael had shown he loved the songs. He explains that as he personally listened to the demos the Estate provided him... with an open mind to say No... the songs with the layers of continued work are the ones which clearly had Michael’s nod of approval... showing him the way... that Michael loved those songs. If Michael never continued to work on something... if he only sang the chorus and he never worked on it again... that demo was out. Clearly and humbly he explained that he loves and respects Michael Jackson and has been a very long time fan and was privileged and awed to work with Michael in the later years but with Michael's passing their projects were never completed. I relate... wait... I relate to LA Reid? What? Well we all have regrets in the area of Michael... on a different level completely... I regret never attending a concert... never meeting Michael... but God had other plans for me. Here this man who regrets never finishing his work with MJ... God had other plans for him as well.

He is beaming like a kid at Christmas... clearly anxious to play the album for us... we are all on the edge of our seats... very anxious. The first song on the album “Love Never Felt So Good” begins... and Michael’s voice, an undeniable beat of Michael’s heart fills the room. The true test of a Michael song is if you feel it throughout your body... into your bones... giving you chills... if it moves you and there is just no sitting still. We are all moving to the beat in our chairs. It’s GOOD! YES it’s REALLY, REALLY GOOD!! I glance over at Navi with a knowing smile and we nod. YES! We agree... it’s true to MICHAEL... at least for this first song... THE KING IS BACK!! 

With each song... the same feeling overwhelms us... soon I can’t stay in my chair... I’m up and dancing... and I do NOT dance in public. I move to the middle of the room where the speakers focus all sound. Many of the executives are dancing and enjoying even more so than the fans. Well we are after all listening for the first time... yet it is undeniably EXCELLENT so far. Soon all the fans are smiling and up... NO one is still seated. All are moving to the beat... Michael’s voice filling our hearts and souls. All 8 songs are played for us. I simply can’t tell you which one is my favorite... I love them all! Everyone is so far superior to the majority of empty, soulless, shallow songs out there today. Sorry Bruno and JT... you are still awesome!!

Another true test of a great Michael album... each one could be a single... a hit! Yet they all cohesively work together and speak to one another. Too soon all eight songs are played and it’s over. LA Reid who has been grooving, dancing and playing virtual drums, piano and directing an invisible spherical orchestra returns to the sound table and asks,“Again?” We all nod with a resounding, “YES!” So one song at a time he plays the album for us again... After the first or second song replays he asks, “What do you think? Let it play or is that it!” I burst out with, “Let it play!” I NEED to hear these Michael songs again... I need to listen deeper. Yes the true test... if an MJ album is listened to over and over and over... will it still be current, relevant and amazing the 2nd or 1000th time? 



I have this deep heartfelt pang wishing for the millionth time that Michael was still here to be the one to finish these songs himself. Although ecstatic that they are absolutely excellent... I wonder what they would sound like with his masterful genius finishing touch.  I’ve come to accept this thought will never leave... it just won’t. Of course we all wish he was still with us... fact is he’s not. Truth is... gratefully we are so very, very blessed that he left a treasure trove and his music still lives on! 



The album finishes a full second play and LA pulls his chair from behind the sound table for a one on one Q&A. Comfortably relaxed and open to us he crosses one leg over another as he explains about his resistance at first to complete any MJ demo. He is CEO of Epic records... he no longer needs to spend endless hours in a studio mixing and adding just the right elements to a song. Yet with Michael’s demos... Michael’s music... it was a chance to bring things full circle... to find healing from the loss of Michael.... for him it was an opportunity to bring to fruition unfinished work. A chance to honor the KOP in his house Sony/Epic Music bringing Michael the honor he so sorely deserves. He let it be known that no other company than Epic should be the one to produce this album after all Epic was Michael’s home and all his albums were produced by Epic.  He shared about working with Michael and that MJ had told him, “LA it’s not about the money with me. It’s about being the best... being at the top.”

For LA Reid, as well, it’s clearly not about the money. As we prod him with questions as to why he decided to work on this MJ album he digs deeper. Sharing his heartfelt personal thoughts about his own life. That since his appointment as CEO of Epic he has thought in his heart, “Why am I here... really here? I mean I know logistically how I got here... what circumstances happened to get me to this place... but really... why am I here?” His answer is revealed once John Branca asks him to take a look at the demos. After listening to them he now understands why he is here... why he is CEO of Epic... it’s to do this for Michael... bring him full circle at Sony... back to the top of the charts. Honored once again.

LA reveals that he did little research on the demos but went with what appealed to his heart. That was how he decided which ones to work on. He shared that it was only after he'd extensively worked on and recorded the mixes to the level of excellence he felt they deserved and played the songs at a listening party was he told by an MJ fan that the MJ fans had been listening to many of these leaked songs for years. At first he felt shocked and panicked a bit wondering what the response from fans would be... but then calmed down knowing he had done his best giving each one the justice Michael deserved.

He expressed what a privilege it was for each of the producers to finish what they started with Michael... a true labor of LOVE for each... a healing journey. LA decided early on that not just anyone would be working on this album... only those that knew what it was like to work with Michael. That they MUST approach this work with commitment to total excellence to honor MJ’s legacy.



He became very sincere as he looked at Branca and then back at us hesitating at first and then sharing, “I know this is NOT the place... really to bring up the media and all that they have spread...” as he slapped his leg and loudly exclaimed, “I just HAVE to say, MICHAEL WAS INNOCENT!!” Which brought a round of applause from the fans and others in the room as he was preaching to the choir. Then proceeded to tell us about his personal time with Michael and his children relaying one of the most beautiful memories for him with Michael was witnessing Michael’s loving fathering skills and hearing Michael and the children randomly singing a Disney song together as they interacted one night at home. As a father himself LA said there was no denying MJ’s love for his children. 



I’m very impressed with LA Reid as a person... he is humble, down to earth and very approachable with a great contagious smile. He shared about keeping an open mind while listening to the demos always keeping in mind he would not touch any demo that MJ had not brought to a level of excellence. Also how John Branca told him he’d over looked a song, ‘A Place With No Name.’ How he’d listened closely to this song again and realized John was correct. It was definitely a great song and needed to be on the album. I absolutely have to agree this song is one of my absolute favs on this album. I really thought I’d like the demos better than the mixed versions but I have to say I absolutely love everyone of these songs. Each tells a different story... each show cases Michael’s historic genius with a contemporized approach which truly compliments Michael completely. The younger of the audience, April, admitted she is hard to please with new songs and was ready to not like it. She simply beamed as she did not hesitate to share she loved everyone of the songs. I am so excited to know that there will be new generations of fans appreciating Michael Jackson's genius and music for generations to come. Another gentleman fan said he is very shy yet the music and Michael’s voice had him up out of his seat and moving to the music which he normally does not do, especially in public.



We decide to take a group picture and discuss the light and where to stand... Navi suggests the view with the sound booth in the background. LA Reid suggests farther out into the room where there is better light... and then I say, "Why don't we all stand where Michael stood?" LA turns to me and says, "Where is that?" I point, smile, saying, "Right here where he recorded, 'We Are The World'." He laughs and puts his hand on my shoulder and exclaims, "Well there is NO way I can fill Michael's shoes but let's all stand right here where Michael stood!" I respond with, "No way... No one ever will!" He gives me a knowing look, smile and nod. Then we line up on Michael's spot for our pic.

Karen shares with us a gem was found in Michael’s own notes as they discovered Michael's inspiration behind “Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” In the '60s through the '90s there was a TV campaign for child safety that would come on TV each evening asking parents everywhere this very question. Only Michael could take a TV safety campaign and turn it into genius, rhythmic music and song writing.  Soooo Michael... soooo freaking amazing! 



We leave the the Henson Studios on foot to walk to the Roosevelt Hotel a few city blocks away... allowing the MJ fans to experience the Hollywood walk of fame experience. They are thrilled and take many pictures of the stars on the sidewalk along the way. Once at the hotel we are escorted to a large table in the side grotto and dine on delicious and healthy appetizers, dinner and amazing gourmet desserts compliments of LA Reid and Epic Studios.

The Sony phoney stuff is still bothering me so I ask Jeff about it... he states that was all dealt with when Michael was still alive and Michael was happy to sign another contract with Sony/Epic in 2008. There is not one person remaining at Sony who was there during the Invincible debacle. I am grateful to hear this and I feel Michael would be happy to know that his focused efforts conquered the devilishness that once ran Sony. His fight not only had been won when he was here on this earth but now those at the helm of Sony have come full circle... the result? MJ is King!

We all seem overwhelming relieved and agree that this album is FANTASTIC. We are asked which song is our favorite. I find it hard to choose. There is one song that is good; however did not move me like the others. Yet as we talk and bounce around our reaction to the songs I find that many absolutely love the one I am not that moved by. Yet I know with Michael’s music I can’t wait for the chance to listen closer over and over again with the albums release on May 13th. Then I can allow Michael's music to sink into my blood... hear what maybe I was missing on that particular song and totally drink in all the others I love so much.  



This superbly mixed and engineered album for each of them especially LA Reid is a Labor of LOVE... spending endless hours, days and nights in the studio... striving for the perfection that they felt Michael was spurning them towards. Truly it shows in the end result... this album will be a huge HIT! It will be so wonderful to see Michael back up at the top of the charts where he so deservedly  belongs. 



We gather the next day and are taken by van to Sony Music studios for breakfast in a conference room. We are asked to candidly share our likes, dislikes and concerns. The Sony president, Sylvia Rhone, along with John Branca and Karen Langford and other executives from N.Y are present in person and by video conference. We bandy around our thoughts and impressions of the album... it is unanimous... we all LOVE the Xscape album and are very eager for it’s release! We are told there are more surprises tucked into the Deluxe version!

 Although we heard eight songs we are told there is still yet another song... a 9th which will be a total surprise to the entire world along with several other surprises in the Deluxe version, as well as, two videos of all the producers speaking about the heartfelt process of making this album and their journey with Michael in this process. 

The subject of Mr. Brainwash comes up and John shares that as he drives to work everyday there is a liquor store he passes. He must have driven by it literally 1,000s of times and never really noticed anything special about it but this one day he sees a painting of Marilyn Monroe in the window and thinks, “That is really different.” Each day after he continues to notice that painting... it seems to jump out at him. Then on a subsequent day he passes a billboard on the same route and there is the most interesting painting which he is very drawn to. Finally he stops at the liquor store to inquire who did the painting... he researches the billboard for the same answer and learns the same artist did them both... Mr. Brainwash. They contact Mr. Brainwash to come in for a meeting asking him to bring samples of his work. He begins to tell Mr. Branca that he is so thrilled because Michael Jackson was one of his first clients. John is totally taken aback... he asks him, “What? What do you mean Michael Jackson was one of your first customers?” Mr. Brainwash relays the story of Michael approaching him and buying many of his paintings. John shaking his head at what he has heard as he remembers and relays the story needed not to verbally complete the connection for me... as I sat there with 'Michael chills' all over my body. Clearly Michael was in charge of connecting Mr. Branca with Mr. Brainwash for the promo Xscape artwork... for me there are no coincidences. Once again Michael has reached out from the heavenly spheres to put his touch, his final nod, guidance on this... his own album. 


Epic and the MJ Estate are committed to reveal this album the way that Michael would want it done... with magic and surprise! 

So yes there will be more exciting Xscape surprises! Stay tuned!! There is more to come and I just truly feel we won't be disappointed.

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*** THANK YOU to the MJ Online team Jeff, Alicia and Lindsey for all your hard work and your kindness and patience. Thank you to John Branca, John McClain and Karen Langford for your steadfast commitment to excellence in all you do for Michael’s legacy, memory and Estate. Thank you so much for caring what the MJ fans think, appreciating and listening to us and allowing us to have a say and input into Michael’s legacy.

An interview by Matt Blank from MJWN (an MJ fan who attended the L.A. Xscape listening party)  with the creator and artist of the Xscape album cover Mat Maitland:

http://www.mjworld.net/news/2014/04/02/exclusive-interview-with-xscape-artwork-designer/


Other reviews from fans who attended the Xscape L.A. Listening Party:

MJWN(Michael Jackson World Net) - Matt Blank
http://www.mjworld.net/news/2014/04/12/xscape-an-album-listening-like-no-other/

LMJ (Legendary Michael Jackson) - Sjoerd Roijenga
http://www.legendarymichaeljackson.nl/news/exclusive-lmj-listening-to-xscape-with-the-mj-estate-in-los-angeles/

Truthnow.com
http://mjtruthnow1.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/xscape-listening-session-los-angeles/

MALIBU (Michael Jackson & Family Fan Club) - Jasmina
http://www.malibufanclub.de/hp/index.php/malibuforum/news/852-malibu-beim-xscape-listening-in-la#24270

MJ-Upbeat.com - April Lamrock
http://home.mj-upbeat.com/2014/04/15/xscape-with-the-king-of-pop-new-album-review/

MJJCommunity - Mickie Qbee
http://im4mj.blogspot.fr/2014/04/xscape-to-la-special-invite-to-pre.html?spref=fb

Navi
http://www.cairoscene.com/ViewArticle.aspx?AId=2895