Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days / Review @pg8

[Petrarose]

I mean Mike worked for MJ right? Did they even mention Mike in the book? or I missed something? I am asking because the way they went to the ABC interview felt like they basically worked together at those LV, virginia, NJ period of time. However, in the book, it make people felt like only 2 people mainly worked for MJ. How come Mike just disappear? Initially, I thought MIke is the one who made the OJ comment and got fired (I am bad remembering last name). Then, I find out the Mike in the book is another guy. Then, where is Mike Garcia during those time of period? It felt like he just vanish. I know he dropped out this project but how come they didn't even mention him if they all work together so closely to protect MJ during that time?

I see what you are saying now. Maybe they made an arrangement with him that they would not mention his name and if they do there will be trouble? Maybe he was the guy the fans were asking if they should buy the book, and he told them he could not advise them and he was not involved in the book.

Someone who read that Mariority (spelling) book. Did she say some of the same things the bodyguards said in this book, since she got some of her information from their material. Also, didn't the bodyguards say that they met with some guy and he took their document--that was way back before they had a publisher.

Scaredofthemoon I know for me, there are a number of reasons which I listed before, but also, I generally don't like books where people talk about themselves on a personal level--I usually say in my head "who cares about what you did." Since I was about 6 I never liked books in the first person. As soon as I saw the "I" I would say oh no, boring. Back then, 6-year-olds could read very well. Also generally I don't like books people write about other people's private lives. In my head I feel they are gossiping or not creating anything, but just using what someone else create--you know like a parasite. (That is why I have a big bias against journalists/reporters which has nothing to do with how they treated Michael.) However, I would read books about people from other decades/centuries mainly to see what the daily life was like back then, or I would read a book about the professional challenges/achievements of a leader--you know a scholarly type of work that shows the person's accomplishments. I don't read as much as I used to.

I think some don't like the idea of "you work for me and then you talk about my personal situation which you uncovered while you were working for me."


Anyway, it seems those who read the book came away with something valuable and that is the most important thing to me.

 

[SheilaMJFan4Ever]

The fans who are against this book, is it just this book in particular or is it all books written on Michael that you're against?

Like I mentioned earlier I haven't bought any of the books (aside from this one) released on Michael after his death as I felt it was wrong for them to be released in the first place, I didn't particularly care for any of the authors of the books either. I don't get that feeling with this book though which is why I bought it.
My copy arrived earlier today so I'm gonna start reading it now.

Books invading his privacy (sharing intimate details about his life he himself didn't share with the public) are SCUM and disrespectful imho and I will not give my hard earned money to those behind it. Those latter subjects I listed could be studied in a college course on Mike (and are).

Books that discuss his music, dance, creative process, his business savvy and his humanitarian work without bias are ok (for the most part). Those subjects are a major part of his public persona and doesn't require a tabloid-ish tactic to discuss.

 

[Albion]

I have just finished reading the book and I found it very moving. It made me really upset at what has happened since he passed. How his poor childrens worlds been turned upside down. And what the estate are doing by creating an artificial Michael performing songs with music he never had any input in. I respect the views of those who are boycotting the book but if you are thinking of reading it I would really recommend that you do.

 

[Justthefacts]

How do you figure he had no input he singing the songs right?

 

[Spyce]

How do you figure he had no input he singing the songs right?

He sang the original/demo versions, but a little impossible for him to have had any input on the 'contemporized' versions. I could be wrong, but I think this is what Albion was alluding to.

 

[Albion]

^^
Michaels vocals were used but he did not create the music. When you think of the time Michael spent on his music it seems wrong that his vocals are now pasted on to somebody else's tunes. And then a hologram/special effect or however it is being described is used to create the illusion that he is singing one of these songs. But it's just that - an illusion. The estate can now make him perform whenever and however they want. It's like the vultures won in the end. I'm just grateful his demos still contain the magic and the wonder of the man.

 

[#MJforever57]

He sang the original/demo versions, but a little impossible for him to have had any input on the 'contemporized' versions. I could be wrong, but I think this is what Albion was alluding to.

You are right Michael would not have any input in the new songs all was done is Michael voice was adding to the new songs but the org remain the same the way Michael left them.

 

[#MJforever57]

Well i have read the first chapter of the book and it just blew i mean blew me away i knew in my heart that Michael didn't want to settle this case but he was told that he needed to settle and move on. I wish Michael could have clear his name there would not have been 2003. The ppls that advice Michael to settle was imo the one who destroy Michael life the one thing that was dear to Michael heart was his love for the children and that was turn against him and Michael was never the same after that.


Reading that first chapter was hard there was some good times and some bad times i felt bad for Michael now i understand why Michael felt the way he did.

Will started chapter 2 tomorrow.

 

[Tygger]

I absolutely agree, and regardless of profession, I think just morally one should not disclose anything about another individual without that individual's permission.

Spyce, not every profession relies on confidentiality however; these authors' profession (maybe ex-profession) does.

Even if Michael would have said these authors should relay everything they have seen and heard (much of which cannot be corroborated or proven it was seen and heard in a righteous manner), they would be going against the code of their profession to do so.

 

[AliCat]

^^
Michaels vocals were used but he did not create the music. When you think of the time Michael spent on his music it seems wrong that his vocals are now pasted on to somebody else's tunes. And then a hologram/special effect or however it is being described is used to create the illusion that he is singing one of these songs. But it's just that - an illusion. The estate can now make him perform whenever and however they want. It's like the vultures won in the end. I'm just grateful his demos still contain the magic and the wonder of the man.

Prince was on Arsenio Hall recently and he talked about how he works on songs and sometimes he would take a song as far as he could and that would be the end of the process. Prince has the right idea!

 

[bluesky]

Michael Jackson, We Barely Knew You


by TANYA BALLARD BROWN


<time datetime="2014-06-25" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">June 25, 2014 9:35 AM ET</time>




Remember The Time

Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days
by Bill Whitfield, Javon Beard and Tanner Colby
Hardcover, 323 pagespurchase




Just as there are those who seek to drag Mr. Jackson's name through the mud, there are those who insist that he was a saint, an angelic figure to be put on a pedestal. He was neither. Michael Jackson was, like all of us, a complicated human being. —"Remember The Time: Protecting Michael Jackson In His Final Days"
When my Code Switch cousins called me over and handed this book to me — telling me my whole Michael Jackson fan-life was preparing me for THIS book and this moment — I shifted to major side-eye mode. My fandom had prepared me for a Thrilleror Smooth Criminal dance-off in the NPR newsroom, not a book by two former security guards for Michael Jackson. You Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'?
So, I didn't push this to the top of my reading list. Not until Sunday, when I finally had a good chunk of time to sit down with the book and discovered ... I liked it. I was mad that I had to put it down Monday morning and come to work.


The story begins in December 2006, when Michael and his three kids, Prince, Paris and Blanket, return to the States after a long stint in Bahrain, and settle in Las Vegas for several months.
Two security guards — Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard — are assigned to protect him and, as you read along, it's obvious that they are fans and great admirers of the King of Pop. But still, their account (I should note here that they partnered with author Tanner Colby to write the book) of the day-to-day job of providing security for Michael Jackson is a fascinating peek at his sad and, honestly, depressing life:

• Michael insisted that his family members make appointments to see him, with the exception of his mom, who could come and go as she pleased. (Leave Me Alone!)
• Even though he was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, he celebrated Christmas because he wanted the kids to have the experience.
• Younger brother Randy Jackson rammed the security gate with his car because Michael wouldn't see him, and then cussed everybody out and refused to leave for hours until dad Joe Jackson came over and made him leave. (Who's Bad?)
• The kids wore masks when they were with him so that they wouldn't be recognized, which would allow them to be able to go out without him at other times with no masks and be "normal."
• Michael's business and financial affairs were messy, and he distrusted everyone around him. (Human Nature?)
• He refused to go back to his Neverland Ranch (which is still "frozen in time," apparently).
• The isolation. Michael had few friends. He didn't get calls from people just wanting to shoot the bull or inquire about his day. (You Are Not Alone)
• Because things would often get so out of control when he was spotted in public, he was rarely able to enter hotels or businesses through lobbies or the front door, or even during business hours, which means he was always escorted through these dark and dirty tunnels, and back elevators. (Ain't No Sunshine, indeed.)

This book is not what I expected. In fact, some of the lyrics from "Destiny," one of Michael's songs when he was still singing with his brothers, come to mind:

If it's the rich life, I don't want it
Happiness ain't always material things
I want destiny
It's the place for me
Give me the simple life
I'm getting away from here
Let me be me, c'mon let me feel free


​

Remember The Time describes a lonely man whose life — and the lives of his children — was severely limited because of his fame. I don't know if all of these stories are true but, even if just some of these things happened, it's more than many of us may ever have known (or even wanted to know) about the Man in the Mirror.
Tanya Ballard Brown is an editor for NPR.org who often sings Michael Jackson songs at her desk. Loudly. You can reach out to her onFacebook, Google+, Tumblr andTwitter.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2014/06/25/325195261/michael-jackson-we-barely-knew-you

 

[Bonnie Blue]

As far as I'm concerned it's a double standard for MJ fans. If we go around and saying "Michael was found not guilty", the same standard should apply to OJ, Casey Anthony, Zimmerman and so on. If you "feel" these other people were guilty despite the verdict, other people can also "feel" Michael was guilty despite the verdict.

I don't remotely feel there's any double standard for mj fans, i know i don't feel under any obligation whatsoever to start defending the not guilty verdict for oj and apparently for every other not guilty verdict in the american system. I think fans' arguments for mj's innocence are a little more sophisticated than 'he was found not guilty, end of' -the facts of the case provide the evidence of his innocence which were confirmed by the 14 not guilty verdicts on even misdemeanour counts. Whether you think it's fair or not, the oj verdict is seen by many as a byword for a bad jury decision. It's annoying to have haters continually throw this verdict up to downplay mj's, to imply it's another example of a celeb 'getting away with it'. It's annoying because there's simply no comparison between the 2 cases. The acquittal in oj's trial seems to have been down to the toxic distrust of the aa community with the lapd, rather than with the complete lack of merit or evidence in the prosecution case as was the case with mj. So no, i don't feel i need to treat everyone the american jury system decides to acquit as similar to mj.

[edit- just realised these partic posts re oj were posted ages ago, only just noticed them}

 

[#MJforever57]

I just finish reading the book 2 day ago and i felt in my heart that Michael didn't want to settle this he want to clear his name just like he told his mom but the ppls or as Bill and Javon would say (handler)their advice Michael to settle make this go away and as i was reading in the book this happen alot it begin to be a routine in Michael life make it go away it put Michael more and more in debt. IMO as much as Michael try to say he didn't do this the ppls didn't believe him because he settled out of court to the ppls he was guilty. I felt so bad for Michael to this was the downfall of Michael he was never the same and when it came up the second time he took it to court and was found not guilty on all counts. That still didn't make the ppls believe that he was innocent. Their minds was made up anywhere he was guilty and that was never gone to change.




This chapter was hard to read it took you to the begin of how This Is It came about. The news came that Michael was going back on the stage to do one more concert as i was reading this it was so out of control i don't think anybody knew what was going on really but because Michael was in debt he had to do it. Michael did agree to ten shows he felt he could do that but with what AEG put up in money that was not enough and then we had 30 shows then 50 shows. IMO Michael couldn't do 50 shows it has been 10 years sense Michael has been on stage but he had no choice but to do this no way out so Michael did it. Michael want to do it for his fans.


There was so much going on behind This Is It Bill and Javon was not around MJ and his kids that much now but was apart of the security that was going to London with Michael. Everythinhgs was happening fast new and old lawyers,mangers new security team i didn't know that at this time that Michael's brothers want him to do a forty reunion i might have miss that it was in the reatily show that the brothers did but as i read it more this is something Joe cook up. Michael had say that after the Victory tour that that would be it. Their promised this company that Michael would be apart of this but that never happen so their went to Michael mother always to ask her to to talk to Michael she want him to do this for the family i didn't see how that was possible with 50 shows.

I don't know it this is true or not but Bill and Javon mention like Michael had no control over things it like Michael didn't know what was going on who was in charge.


Bill said something that really stuck with me he said that Michael called and ask why are you guy not in LA Michael really trust them and he felt very comfort and relax around them he could be himself around them something was wrong and Bill felt that he said he should have when to LA him and Javon when Michael called i don't know if it would have made a different but just to find out what was going on. He really want them there so many change was going on in Michael life.


And we Billy said this at the memorial service st the Staple Center where would these ppls when Michael and his family was living out of a suitcase calls just to say hi how are but all that came around was mangers.Lawyers no friends. Bill said it should have be fill up with Michael fans because their were the true one who love Michael Jackson.


These two bodyguard made a different in Michael life their never left his side their were there for Michael and his kids and he was glad that their were there. Those two year Bill and Javon did protect and that was good to know.

 

[HIStoric]

• The isolation. Michael had few friends. He didn't get calls from people just wanting to shoot the bull or inquire about his day. (You Are Not Alone)

Reading this just tears me apart

Poor guy...

 

[#MJforever57]

And that is the part that really hurt no friends that why Bill said it felt fake to him none of these ppls were there for Michael he felt it should have been Michael fans to fill up the Staple Center.



There was this story that their saw a man walking down the street their didn't know who it was but it was odd to them so their got closer and their then knew it was Michael and their ask is everything okay boss and he said yes everything is find.

He was lonely alot no one to talk too.

 

[Word Smith Sr]

That part I just read made me laugh haha ! "It was like he'd decorated the bathroom to look like a Chinese restaurant." Golden sentence haha !

 

[marebear]

I am just glad that Michael had his children with him. They were his life and they kept him going.

 

[#MJforever57]

Yes their did.

 

[AliCat]

On November 15, 2006, in London, England, the "World Music Awards" were held. For Michael, winning the "Diamond Award" for selling more than 100,000,000 copies of "Thriller," which came out 25 year's ago, was part of the promotion that the bodyguard's must not have realized, because it wasn't included in their book. This was a spectacular night to remember, especially for the recipient of Michael's jacket, for Michael was truly loved by his fan's world wide!

 

[#MJforever57]

I posted it in the Xscape thread around release day--some time around the 13th. I sent it to michael on the day the album was released in the UK. Here it is:

This is my first time seeing this Petr you are so sweet that was nice of you.

 

[xrisx]

I'm half way through the book and I have mixed feelings so far. I'm surprised so many fans have latched on to this book in the way they have because some of the stuff makes me question these guys.
( I know most want to counter the negative books I get that and respect that, but just because most is positive doesn't make it the truth imo.)

They come across as very biased in some parts to me. Also some of their own doings just get glossed over.
Some examples: Bill was told to go pick up a kitten for Paris. He finds the guy that bought the cat and asked him how much he had to pay. The guy says I guess just what I paid for it, 25 dollars. Next sentence : 'I gave the man 300 dollars. I put down some of my own money too.' Why would you do that if he just wanted 25?? Makes no sense but doesn't get explained.

Also they seem to have a bit of an ego sometimes. Basically if you didn't welcome them with open arms or spend time talking to them, they will be negative. They write about the first meetings and the ones that weren't that great (Raymone, the other bodyguard - can't find his name right now.)get a bad rep yet the one that was nice to them (Grace) gets all the praise. The bias is especially noticeable when they mention the expensive apartments. They make a big deal about Raymone staying there yet later mention Grace was staying there too. So I guess Raymone spending too much money is bad but Grace spending the same large amount is no problem?

Then when they go to Virginia and these other guards are also there they sound very bitter. After spending about 6 months working for Michael it already sounds like they feel they are the only ones who can do the job right. (Which sounds a lot like what every other person in Michaels life started to believe after being with him. Seriously many throughout his life seem to feel like if they weren't around Michaels world would just crumble. I guess maybe Michael blurred the lines between employe and friend sometimes. That would explain why people would turn bitter against him when they got fired.)

If the anecdote is true and Bill told Michael he didn't feel right leaving, that he didn't trust these other guys and Michael replied: 'Bill, I've had security all of my life. Don't worry I'll be fine.' it is quite telling to me. I'm not doubting that Michael liked these guys but I'm pretty sure Michael had no problem switching bodyguards if needed. They even mention he had different bodyguards in Japan which was no problem since Michael told them he was gonna use different guys. Yet the mere thought of different guys in Virginia sents them off for some reason.
Funny how they don't trust anyone else to do their job yet they went against Michaels orders three times in the book (And I haven't even finished)

Honestly I think these guys were a bit starstruck and loved the idea of being his only trusted guards. They were not gonna let that job go to someone else. (They sound a little childish sometimes to me)
Now to be clear I'm not hating this book. The stories of Michael with his kids are wonderfull and some of the insight of what Michaels life was like during that time paints a broader picture. I can believe they wanted to show the different side of his life to the public.
I'm just not convinced that these guys are telling every side of the story here and I wouldn't be surprised if they love having all of these fans clinging to their every word.
They seem to inject a lot of their own thoughts of what Michael was doing and why as facts and I'm not a big fan of that. (Just in general I find that irritating)

Others have also pointed out that they seem to have missed certain events that happened during their time with him. Also they changed some of their stories from the older q & a's which seems a bit strange.
(They said he had a huge Phone bill, now all of a sudden they know Michael wasn't calling up people to just chat? From a free IPhone to couldn't afford to buy one? etc.)

Anyway, nice book so far but I'm gonna take most of it as just their opinion.
I don't regret buying it yet, I guess I just don't understand some of their thinking in this book sometimes.

(I hope I don't get attacked for this post, again I'm still gonna finish reading it. )

 

[Spyce]

I'm half way through the book and I have mixed feelings so far. I'm surprised so many fans have latched on to this book in the way they have because some of the stuff makes me question these guys.
( I know most want to counter the negative books I get that and respect that, but just because most is positive doesn't make it the truth imo.)

They come across as very biased in some parts to me. Also some of their own doings just get glossed over.
Some examples: Bill was told to go pick up a kitten for Paris. He finds the guy that bought the cat and asked him how much he had to pay. The guy says I guess just what I paid for it, 25 dollars. Next sentence : 'I gave the man 300 dollars. I put down some of my own money too.' Why would you do that if he just wanted 25?? Makes no sense but doesn't get explained.

I'll be honest, I didn't even notice that. Perhaps it was just typo and was supposed to be $30? If not and he really did pay $300 for it, you're right, it seems odd he'd give somebody $300 for a $25 cat, lol.

 

[Tygger]

Xrisx, you have found that no tale has a logical conclusion only a dismissive (and often illogical and/or ridiculous) ending. The contradictions that continue throughout the book are indeed frustrating. I found Colby only summarizes events as per the media reports readers most likely already know before the bodyguards tell their version of each tale.

The bodyguard was told where the person who previously adopted the kitten residence was which is illegal. No matter as Michael&#8217;s daughter wanted the kitten and Michael could not bother with the adoption so it is up to this bodyguard to become surrogate father. There are a number of tales where the bodyguards assume the surrogate father role. Please also note this is not the only illegal activity the bodyguards admit to when attempting to satisfy any one of Michael&#8217;s requests which often makes them unbelievable.

Note this same bodyguard was living mostly per diem and yet gave this person 12 times more than what they requested for the kitten. Why? Michael supposedly had several hundreds of thousands in cash at any time and yet he did not reimburse the bodyguard. Michael supposedly gave the same bodyguard $1000 for Christmas decorations but, did not have $1500 for the two Iphone deposits. Apologies, I forgot the two to three hour drive the bodyguard took to retrieve said kitten while his own daughter often cried because her father was absent.

They are most definitely star struck and extremely jealous of others in Michael&#8217;s professional life which interestingly places them on the same level as the vultures they often refer to. Whitfield in particular seems to be quite proud when he has Michael&#8217;s ear as he often refers to that fabled position of power. He responds as a disgruntled child when others take on that role.

I am inclined to believe they were released because they refused to sign NDAs (as they felt it was beneath them) as per Tohme which meant they could not be trusted around Michael. They have since proven they could not be trusted around Michael. What power could they have publicly among Michael's fans without spinning these tales?

 

[Spyce]

I am inclined to believe they were released because they refused to sign NDAs (as they felt it was beneath them) as per Tohme which meant they could not be trusted around Michael. They have since proven they could not be trusted around Michael. What power could they have publicly among Michael's fans without spinning these tales?

Might I ask where you are getting this from, or is it just your own opinion? The only thing I have ever heard about a non-disclosure agreement was when they said they didn't sign any. Nothing more- that I've heard anyway- was ever said about it, much less that they were fired because they refused to sign such documents.

 

[Tygger]

Spyce, read Chapter 16.

 

[Spyce]

Spyce, read Chapter 16.

Ah. Gotcha. I guess that part didn't leave a huge impression on me. Still it doesn't say they were let go for this reason though. Were they fired or did they just lose their jobs- as most did- when Michael died? I'll be perfectly honest, there's a lot I don't know. I'm still learning things.

 

[#MJforever57]

On November 15, 2006, in London, England, the "World Music Awards" were held. For Michael, winning the "Diamond Award" for selling more than 100,000,000 copies of "Thriller," which came out 25 year's ago, was part of the promotion that the bodyguard's must not have realized, because it wasn't included in their book. This was a spectacular night to remember, especially for the recipient of Michael's jacket, for Michael was truly loved by his fan's world wide!

You are right it was not and it should have.

 

[#MJforever57]

After reading the book the stories are what got my attention and other things but i mean Michael has his BG doing alot of things and Tygger like you said about the kitten story that was wrong of that man to give that information but he did and my first thought was he going to often this man more money for this kitten then what he paid for it. These BG told stories of how their took their own money to take care of the things Michael want their went above and beyond the call of duty but their did it Michael had money he would give the BG money when he send this out on errands. I don't know why is was hard for them to get paid who know but this was their job guarding Michael and his kids.


I don't know what really happen that the BG didn't go with Michael to LA their have been with him all this time and all of sudden their are not. Michael called and ask them why are you guys not here in LA no clear answer to really what happen were these BG fired? Bill said that him and Javon was part of the security team going to London. The way i see it it was out of control you really didn't know who was in charge it was all a mess imo.

 

[#MJforever57]

Ah. Gotcha. I guess that part didn't leave a huge impression on me. Still it doesn't say they were let go for this reason though. Were they fired or did they just lose their jobs- as most did- when Michael died? I'll be perfectly honest, there's a lot I don't know. I'm still learning things.

That what i don't get what happen>? Bill felt their still working for Michael but in a different way.

Another thing Bill was in charge of lot of things important papers, documents, fax all thing that he need to give to Michael and that all change when Michael A came on it all went to him. I don't know why Bill was doing that that should have been done by lawyers or mangers i find that odd that the BG would do it. Like i said out of control who was in charge and i don't know if Michael even knew what was going on.

 

[Tygger]

Spyce, no tale has a logical conclusion only a dismissive (and often illogical and/or ridiculous) ending. When Michael went to Los Angeles, U.S. and these authors stayed in Las Vegas, U.S., it most likely meant they were not working for Michael despite their being purposefully vague about their employment.

When Tohme arrived, the Nation of Islam (NOI) bodyguards arrived as well. There was no true need for these authors as they refused to sign NDAs that Tohme wanted them to sign (for good reason). They admit they took on part-time employment as they were only doing a detail at random in Las Vegas then, none at all as Michael remained in Los Angeles. I am not sure if Beard was contact afterwards the way Whitfield was in securing Michael&#8217;s possessions in Las Vegas and having them transferred to Los Angeles. I have no clue why and if they truly were contacted for work in London as that would have been through AEG.

To show their continued importance through to Michael&#8217;s passing although not being employed by him at that time, they discuss testifying at the doctor&#8217;s criminal trial. They most likely completed depositions as they did not testify during the televised trial. They were not working for Michael in Los Angeles despite their unwillingness to simply admit that.