Episode 044 – World Music Awards 2006 10th Anniversary Special

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When I realised that the 10th anniversary of Michael’s appearance at the 2006 World Music Awards was fast approaching, I contacted Jamon and Q to suggest they include a segment about it in an upcoming episode. They replied suggesting I should make my own stand-alone episode, over which I would have complete creative control. It was a scary prospect – I am far from being the techno-whizz Jamon is, and it’s fair to say my attempts to record and edit his episode have been haphazard. Two interviews had to be completely re-recorded due to technical failures, the causes of which I have yet to discern and doubt I ever shall.

But despite the technological trauma, this has been an exciting project. The awards ceremony – and its aftermath – have troubled me ever since they occurred. A few years ago I told my own story in a blog entry, so with this show I knew immediately what I wanted to do; interview others who attended the ceremony and let them tell their own stories.

For too long, the dominant story about the World Music Awards has been one which was simply not true. The lie that Michael was booed off stage has been immortalised in at least one substantial biography. My hope is that this show might become a reference point for those wishing to write about or investigate the event in the future.

This show retraces my blog entry to some extent, but includes brand new research, as well as excerpts from four exclusive interviews I have conducted in the last month. My interviewees for this show were Michael’s former manager Raymone Bain, his long-time photographer Harrison Funk, and two long-time UK fans, Angela Kande and Greg Spinks.

Each was incredibly candid and generous with their time, for which I am extremely grateful. Some of their revelations and observations are really very poignant – particularly Raymone’s story about trying to find somebody who would present Michael with his award, which paints a truly sad picture of Michael’s post-acquittal existence. A lot of these stories are ones I have never heard told anywhere else. The interviewees do not all share the same recollections on certain matters, but where they contradict one another I have ensured both points of view are reflected.

All four contributors were incredibly engaging and any one of their interviews could have been released in full on its own merit (but for the extensive damage inflicted on the audio by my ham-fisted recording efforts). Some brilliant stories and observations were sadly left on the proverbial cutting room floor, purely because they diverted from the trajectory of the episode (or because I didn’t record them properly).

Perhaps on the 20th anniversary of the ceremony I will release a director’s cut. Or perhaps, as a homage to Sony, I’ll wait and release the 20th anniversary re-release on the 23rd anniversary, with no new content at all, and in inferior audio quality, with all the best bits of Raymone’s interview remixed by Pitbull so they don’t make sense anymore.

I hope you all enjoy the episode. Let’s spread some truth.

Huge thanks to Jamon and Q for this amazing and exhausting opportunity.

Charles Thomson.

Links

Harrison Funk is releasing a 10th anniversary World Music Awards photo box set, containing several exclusive images he took at the ceremony. Anybody wishing to contact him about purchasing one can do so via the email form at www.harrisonfunk.com.

Angela Kande is the author of ‘Legacy’, a spoken word poem about the Michael Jackson fan community, which can be found here.

Charles Thomson’s original blog about the World Music Awards can be read here.

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About Jamon Bull

Aussie teacher who loves tech, music, film, history and being a dad. I host a Michael Jackson podcast called The MJCast.

6 Replies to “Episode 044 – World Music Awards 2006 10th Anniversary Special”

  1. Des

    Thank you again for spreading the truth about this man,we need to do it we have too for the sake of the truth. I watch this show many times and I actually like how he looks there and the love he received from the crowd.How is it possible for the media to go so far ones more when all you have to do just watch what happens on the show.But like Michael said the lie becomes the truth if you say it again and again but we should never keep silent if we know the truth no matter what no matter who it is the truth will set us free.Thank again for saying it as it is.

    Reply
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  5. Kostas

    Hello, I was there in Earls Court that day and I confirm the reaction was phenomenal. Every time an artist finished people were shouting “Michael Michael”. Besides that I agree with the witnesses, there are two points to mention:
    1. Michael came back on stage holding his award ! No way any artist would perform holding their award. I gives me the impression it was an impromptu reaction from MJ.
    2. I remember some of the press attacking Rihanna as she received. The boos from the audience disappointment that 8t was not Michael to come on stage at that time. I vaguely remember some reports that Rihanna was on drugs and making comments about her eyes (which were about to shed a tear because of the negative, unjustified, audience behaviour)

    Reply
  6. Michela

    Omg, I did not know about this…

    However, media lies aside, I saw a Michael absolutely calm and self confident. And I am happy he felt the support and love coming from the public. Even if the papers were full of lies, he knew the truth!

    Reply

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