This Sticky post is bumped from June 25, 2009 — the day the world learned of the shocking news that pop icon Michael Jackson had passed away. It will remain at the top all day to commemorate the 1st anniversary of Michael’s passing.
The post is untouched except for one added photo and the addition of a rare video of the Jackson 5 rehearsing for a concert in 1970. The comments are closed.
Michael Jackson fans all over the world are stunned at the news of pop legend Michael Jackson’s death at the age of 50. I am not ashamed to admit I was a huge Michael Jackson fan for as long as I can remember.
As kids in 1974, my youngest brother and me were lucky enough to meet the legend up close and even dance with him in Miami, Florida.
I had a feeling Michael would die young because of all the abuse he put his body through and the drugs he ingested over the years. Still, the news of Michael’s untimely death came as a shock.
After the break, I posted my favorite photos of Michael Jackson, the way I want to remember him, before the surgeries and eccentric behavior.
All photos are courtesy of J5 Collector and MJsite.com.
Rare family photo of Michael at age 2 sitting on Jackie’s shoulders. L to r: Tito, Jermaine, Letoya and Marlon (far right)
Michael in an undated photo
School photo of Michael Jackson at age 7
School photo of Michael at age 8
Rare family photo of the Jackson family. L to r: back row – Katherine, Joseph, Rebbie, Randy sitting on Tito’s lap, Jermaine. Front row: Michael, Marlon and Latoya.
First known photo of Michael Jackson performing with his brothers when they were known as the Ripples and Waves. This photo was taken at the talent contest at Roosevelt High in Gary Indiana, 1966, with Marlon on tamborine, Tito on bass, Jackie and Jermaine dancing, and Michael on bongos (far right) at age 8. Jermaine was the lead singer of the Ripples and Waves at that time. Milford Hite is on drums, and lead guitarist was Reynaud Jones (not in photo). They were both classmates of Tito and were members of the original group.
Photo courtesy of J5 Collector
L to R: Marlon, Michael, Jackie and Jermaine in 1966 when Jermaine was the lead singer of the Jackson 5
Michael Jackson, left, at age 10 with his brothers and drummer Milford Hite when they played the adult nightclub circuit in 1968 before being discovered. By that time Michael was the lead singer of the group.
Early publicity still of the Jackson 5 in 1968
J5 and their drummer, Milford (right), backstage at the Regal Theater in Chicago, 1968, before they were discovered
Early publicity still of the Jackson 5 in 1969 after signing to Motown records
Photo in a 1971 issue of TCB magazine. Joe Jackson holds Randy and Michael holds Janet
Publicity still that was retouched to make Michael’s nose smaller
Michael and Marlon pose with Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, president of Motown Records at the first public appearance of the J5 at Berry Gordy’s mansion in 1969. Contrary to popular belief, Diana Ross did not discover the J5
The J5’s first TV appearance with Diana Ross when the family still lived in Gary, Indiana
Publicity still from an early photo shoot in 1969
Michael and Marlon meet the greatest, Muhammad Ali, when he was known as Cassius Clay
Sleeping on the bus in 1969
Michael and Jermaine in 1970
Michael and the J5 rehearsing for a TV special with Diana Ross in 1970
Michael alone in the studio in 1971
By the family pool in 1971
1971
1971
1972
1972
Making faces in an undated photo
Undated
1974
1974
In Japan, undated
Shirtless, undated
The Jackson 5 before Jermaine left the group, undated
Michael and Jermaine in their press and curl days
Janet always looked up to her brother Michael
Michael and Latoya on the cover of JET magazine in July 1980
Two legends: Michael and Whitney Houston
Rare 1970 footage of the Jackson 5 rehearsing for a concert that same night with their cousin Johnny Jackson on drums and Ronnie Rancifer on keyboards. Motown exec Suzanne DePasse is supervising the rehearsal. This footage is rare and has been removed from YouTube numerous times already. True Michael Jackson fans continue to upload it because it is a rare glimpse into the lives of Michael and his brothers when they are in their element.
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