Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration

You know, I have listened to MJ critics for years, I'm a fan from the 60's , but because everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, I will let the haters, hate. He was from the beginning, a stunning performer, and remained so until the end. I am so glad we have footage like this to keep those of us who appreciate his magic, and dedication to the art forms of music and dance. I, unlike some of the other's, loved the footage of the fans. It's always great to see the real reactions of the folks who were there live. The electricity of being in the moment, adds to the footage. You can't stage that. I love to see the fans in the US, going wild for a change, we always see footage of other countries. He belonged to the world, but he came from us. We can be proud, he was, and will continue to be an American Icon. I love you Michael, I have since 1969. Thank you, and I love you Jackson 5; for all the memories of my youth, thank you Michael for the music as we grew into adults, I am forever a fan!!!

Michael Jackson organized this two hour spectacular that was proposed to be an audio trip down memory lane of his past hits as a solo singer in a somewhat bizarre dedication to himself. Presented over two nights in September 2001 at Madison Square Garden, New York, Michael Jackson was to make a noticeable comeback to perform a few of his own hits and to reunite and perform with the original Jackson 5 line-up for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Popular pop acts of today such as Destiny's Child, N*Sync, Usher, Mya, Whitney Houston and Shaggy graced the stage to perform some of their own hits along with some of Michael's. The biggest highlight of the show was Billy Gilman performing "Ben", and the strangest highlight of the show can be awarded to Liza Minelli for performing a rather haunting and shaky rendition of "You Are Not Alone".

Playing to a sold-out audience, Destiny's Child also performed "Bootylicious" and Shaggy performed "It Wasn't Me" - two chart hits personally requested by Michael Jackson himself.

While this two-hour special was to also prepare the world for the release of Michael's latest album "INVINCIBLE", it also showcased the talents of the original Jackson 5 line-up as they performed such hits as "ABC" and "I Want You Back". Perhaps the biggest roar in the audience went up when Michael performed his famous dance moves in his solo acts such as the 'Moonwalk' and 'grabbing his crotch'.

The concert closed out with Michael performing his latest hit from "INVINCIBLE", "You Rock My World" with Chris Tucker providing a few un-choreographed dance moves for laughs. Other highlights of the night would include the 'unification' of three former child stars of separate generations, Michael, Elizabeth Taylor and Macauley Culkin who sat together in the audience while enjoying the concert.

Unfortunately, other highlights of the two-night concert were left on the cutting room floor, including Marlon Brandon's infamous 'couch speech', a performance by Britney Spears (who apparently could not be shown on this television special due to legal reasons surrounding her recently aired concert special on HBO) and special presentations given by Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse and Jennifer Jones.

Overall, this was a spectacular showcase for both Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 and was widely received by his fans and critics alike with lots of praise and admiration for the man who gave us such timeless hits as "Thriller", "Beat It" and "Bad".

This concert gets a special 'gloved' thumb up!

If anyone know's of where i could get this DVD please let me know,i would love 2 own this DVD. It's got way too many fond memories of the King himself, to actually see him perform with his brothers for the very last time no words can describe what that prob felt like for them it was just a very priceless moment. And to see all those many many famous people and to also see the late Luther, this is truly a gift that will always be cherished. To just watch the way he dances and sings he's truly one of a kind,he has opened up so many doors for so many people. It's still so very hard to grasp the concept that he's actually gone, but i know that his memories and what he has accomplished in this world will always live for ever in our hearts. he will forever be missed and loved so much. He will forever be the King Of Pop!

I saw this in 2004 when it was on TV and absolutely HAD to find out where I could get a copy.---I went to e-bay that night and ordered it on VHS for 35.00.---I would have paid 50.00.----Now what I would like to do is have it transferred to CD.---Hands down a truly remarkable show----I would so much have loved to have been there in person--Did anybody get a glimpse of the young girl that was awestruck during Michael's performance of Billy Jean.---Totally perfect dancing by Michael. He wasn't even breathing hard at all-GEEEEEZ.--Only thing I didn't like in it was Liza Minelli which I don't care for at all anyway.--On a scale of 1- 10, I rate this a 10 being perfect.

Highlights of the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary celebration which took place in September 2001 in New York City and reunites the Jackson family for the first time since the 1984 Victory tour. Features artists such as Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, 98 degrees, N*Sync, Destiny's Child and lots more. The Michael Jackson performance is spectacular, but the constant close up shots of the audience members crying and screaming is very distracting and makes viewing this excellent concert a little awkward, but enjoyable none the less.