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Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Special Edition) - Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983) - HQ

Posted: Mar 17, 2010
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!!!Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever!!! Recorded: "Pasadena Civic Auditorium" Pasadena, California (March 25, 1983) Broadcasted by: "NBC" (May 16, 1983) Produced & Sponsored by: Suzanne de Passe for "Motown Records" Record Label: Motown Records. Niceties by: Synopsis! "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" was a 1983 television special produced by Suzanne de Passe for Motown Records, to commemorate Motown's twenty-fifth year of existence. (Motown was founded in January 1959, meaning that a twenty-fifth anniversary special should have aired in 1984, not 1983. One could argue that Gordy's vision of what would become "Hitsville U.S.A." was conceived in 1958, considering the month of Motown's founding.) The show was also co-written by de Passe along with Ruth Adkins Robinson who would go on to write shows with de Passe for the next 25 years, including the follow up label tributes—through "Motown 40," Buz Kohan was the head writer of the threesome. The program was taped before a live studio audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983, and broadcast on NBC on May 16. Among its highlights were Michael Jackson's iconic performance of "Billie Jean", a Temptations/Four Tops "battle of the bands", Marvin Gaye's inspired speech about black music history and his memorable performance of "What's Going On", a Jackson 5 reunion, and an abbreviated reunion of Diana Ross & the Supremes, who performed their final #1 hit, "Someday We'll Be Together" from 1969. "Michael Jackson & The Jackson Five" Michael reunited with his brothers Jackie, Marlon, Jermaine, and Tito on stage for the first time in eight years for a medley of their greatest hits, "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," "Never Can Say Goodbye," and "I'll Be There." Brother Randy, who was not a part of the original Jackson 5, but was a part of the later group The Jacksons (minus Jermaine), also joined the group for the melody. As the other members of the Jackson 5 left the stage, Michael transitioned dramatically into his own solo spot. Widely hailed as Michael's breakthrough performance as a solo artist, he performed "Billie Jean", which at the time was in the middle of a seven-week run atop the Billboard Hot 100 music charts. Michael Jackson's concert performances of "Billie Jean" in the years since Motown 25 were always formatted on his performance on this special, from the opening pose with the fedora to the moonwalk routine in the song's bridge. A VHS recording was released by MGM/UA Home Video on July 1, 1991. In December of 2009, Motown announced plans for a 50th anniversary special. There have been speculations about a tribute to the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson.

URL: http://www.celebritynetworth.com/watch/wne_AgYgCQk/michael-jackson-billie-jean-special/

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