Tag Archives: Sammy Davis Jr.

178: Jeff Margolis Special

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Jeff Margolis joins Jamon Bull for a powerful, deep-dive interview about Margolis’ incredible career in television, and his work with The King of Pop.

Margolis is one of the most successful live TV event directors of all time, having worked on the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the American Music Awards. He has created TV specials with the likes of Cher, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra, Kenny Rogers and Richard Pryor; made movies with Ringo Starr and Quincy Jones; directed a music video for Whitney Houston. The roster of talent across his many TV projects has also included Ella Fitzgerald, Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach, Gene Kelly, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Prince, and many, many more.

Margolis’ career led him to cross paths with Michael Jackson numerous times. In 1989, he directed Sammy Davis Jr’s “60th Anniversary Special”, where Michael performed a specially written tribute song called “You Were There”. In 1993, Jeff directed the 20th annual American Music Awards, where Michael performed “Dangerous” for the first time, and won the inaugural International Artist Award, which was thereafter given annually in Michael’s name. In 1995, Margolis signed on as the director of Michael’s ill-fated “One Night Only” HBO special, which fell apart after Michael collapsed in rehearsals. Two years later, he directed “Happy Birthday Elizabeth” at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, where Michael once again performed a specially written song, “Elizabeth, I Love You”.

Michael and Margolis would collaborate again in 2001 for the hastily assembled United We Stand concert, organized within weeks to raise funds for the victims of the 9/11 terror attack in New York. Michael headlined the show, performing “Man in the Mirror” and assembling a glittering line-up for the only time “What More Can I Give” was performed in front of an audience. It would be the last time Michael Jackson ever performed for a stadium audience.

Margolis’ autobiography “We’re Live in 5: My Extraordinary Life in Television” has recently been released, and features many brilliantly told stories, with an entire chapter dedicated to Jeff’s work with Michael Jackson.

This episode was edited by Jamon Bull.

Additional Links
• Jeff Margolis’ website.
• Jeff’s autobiography, We’re Live in 5.
• Damien Shields’ article on “Michael Jackson: One Night Only”.

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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

070: Nobody Gonna be Payin’ Us

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Q and Jamon are back in the saddle and ready to discuss all things Michael Jackson and the Jackson family! The fellas kick things off with some discussion around a previously unseen version of the Victory album cover, Michael’s influence across the hip-hop genre, Tito Jackson’s interview around unreleased Michael music and a recent Dee Dee Jackson Foundation and Heal Los Angeles Fundraiser. Q and Jamon then delve into the new Blood on the Dancefloor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-up) remix, Paris Jackson’s Melbourne Cup visit, Janet’s State of the World Tour and Out100 Gala appearance and Austin Brown’s new EP Canyon Sessions. To round out the news, the boys update listeners on Katherine Jackson’s position as guardian of Bigi ‘Blanket’ Jackson, Mike Smallcombe and Andy Healy’s book announcements and the Dangerous World Tour (Live in Oslo) leak. The main discussion topic for this episode is all around Q and Jamon’s thoughts on the CBS TV special Michael Jackson’s Halloween.

P.s. We apologise for the audio issues on Jamon’s vocal throughout this episode. He needs a new mic chord!

News
• Michael Whelan, illustrator of the Victory album cover, has revealed two early concepts for the design
• MJ’s influence across hip-hop video
• Tito Jackson gives an interview around unreleased Michael Jackson music
• Dee Dee Jackson/Heal Los Angeles fundraiser event takes place at Hayvenhurst for Halloween
• Sony have released a new mash-up video for Blood on the Dance Floor X Dangerous (The White Panda Mash-up)
• Paris Jackson visits Australia for the Melbourne Cup and suffers terrible treatment by Australian media, and also some great media here, here and here.
• Janet Jackson attends official LA #SOTW Tour after-party and performs at Hollywood Bowl with Jackson’s in attendance. Reunites with previous dancers for If, Scream & Rhythm Nation medley.
• Janet Jackson honoured with the 2017 music icon award at the Out100 Gala
• Austin Brown releases a new EP titled Canyon Sessions
• Katherine Jackson resigns as guardian of Bigi Jackson
• Mike Smallcombe is set to release a revised version of Making Michael
• Andy Healy’s Bad 30 101 is available for download
• Michael Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour (Live in Oslo, 1992) has leaked
• LaVelle Smith Jr shares footage of Michael’s 2002 “A Night at the Apollo” lip-synced performance of Heal the World
• Stance launches official Thriller socks range
• Director John Singleton shares memories of working with Michael
• Jermaine Jackson performs on Dutch TV show Tijd voor MAX as well as engaging in some interviews while in the Netherlands.

Main Discussion Topic
• Michael Jackson’s Halloween

Finds of the Week
• Q – Sammy Davis Jr. Sings Michael Jackson’s Bad
• Jamon – Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone (Full Length Mix)

Additional Links
• Moranbah. Where Jamon lives.
• Did Prince Cause The Jacksons to Remove Dove from Victory Album Cover?
• Michael Jackson at HOT 97’s Summer Jam with Jay-Z in 2002
• The Notorious BIG – Unbelievable
• The Jackson’s Legacy book

Music Breaks & Ads
• Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (BlkPanther SOLO Orchestral Mix)
• Janet Jackson – No Sleeep (Even When You Sleep ’86 Remix)
• Moonwalk TV ad
• Michael Jackson – Workin’ Day and Night (Live in Oslo, 1992)

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!