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Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days / Review @pg8
- Thread starter Paris78
- Start date
qbee
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
^ ^ We can only judge after we read it or see the reviews. Of course we know the media will sensationalize it and write anything they see as juicy or negative - So we cant judge any book by what they write. But being much of the information will be things we were not privy to, whether it is truthful or not will be up to the reader to decide. They wrote about their experience and they may have seen or heard things that others who knew MJ didn't see, hear or experience.
^ ^ We can only judge after we read it or see the reviews. Of course we know the media will sensationalize it and write anything they see as juicy or negative - So we cant judge any book by what they write. But being much of the information will be things we were not privy to, whether it is truthful or not will be up to the reader to decide. They wrote about their experience and they may have seen or heard things that others who knew MJ didn't see, hear or experience.
Mneme
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
I also prefer accurate and objektive books/articles/comments much more then biased.
But what I not understand in your posting: Why is it negative for MJ that he has had pornographic magazines at home?
From what I know there were no hardcore or sadistic magazines found but magazines with "normal" pornographic pictures as it is in possession by very much people around all over the world.
I think that is a part of his privacy and we should not judge about something what is not our business.
Hope MJ has had much fun when he was looking on his magazines....
I also prefer accurate and objektive books/articles/comments much more then biased.
But what I not understand in your posting: Why is it negative for MJ that he has had pornographic magazines at home?
From what I know there were no hardcore or sadistic magazines found but magazines with "normal" pornographic pictures as it is in possession by very much people around all over the world.
I think that is a part of his privacy and we should not judge about something what is not our business.
Hope MJ has had much fun when he was looking on his magazines....
kreen
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
I personally detest pornography. Like MJ would say about tabloids, "we should take all of it and set fire to it and make a bonfire!"
It also certainly clashes with the image of a very naive, very pure, very sex-shy MJ, that he himself liked to project to his fans. Like when he would refuse to even say the F-word, "because that's so bad". Turns out he wasn't so angelic...
I personally detest pornography. Like MJ would say about tabloids, "we should take all of it and set fire to it and make a bonfire!"
It also certainly clashes with the image of a very naive, very pure, very sex-shy MJ, that he himself liked to project to his fans. Like when he would refuse to even say the F-word, "because that's so bad". Turns out he wasn't so angelic...
Ashtanga
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Well.... :fear: It is so ironic today looking for these stories that these people tell these books and I think about it (being ironic): Wow, Michael had thousands of women attending his bed, had sex with all women who gave up on it, it was a great stallion and bla bla blaaaaa
.... BUT at the end of his life WHO was there for him? :scratch: The great love of his life/the woman he was living a torrid romance? :thinking: Not! -_- No lover or anyone else. :nono: Nobody. :bugeyed He was completely alone. Tragic and sad end huh?! *big sigh *
Evvy Tavasci is someone who we will never see out there giving interviews or writing book. What does she know, she will take with her to the grave. I applaud her for that.
Well.... :fear: It is so ironic today looking for these stories that these people tell these books and I think about it (being ironic): Wow, Michael had thousands of women attending his bed, had sex with all women who gave up on it, it was a great stallion and bla bla blaaaaa
.... BUT at the end of his life WHO was there for him? :scratch: The great love of his life/the woman he was living a torrid romance? :thinking: Not! -_- No lover or anyone else. :nono: Nobody. :bugeyed He was completely alone. Tragic and sad end huh?! *big sigh *Evvy Tavasci is someone who we will never see out there giving interviews or writing book. What does she know, she will take with her to the grave. I applaud her for that.
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Petrarose
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
For this book to get a publisher, after the bodyguards said years ago that they could not get one, it has to have a hook, which is usually something that will grip the media and make them salivate. I expect they will come up with one or more juicy stories or images about Michael. Whether these stories are true/false/or embellished we may not know. Anyway as usual some will love it and some will not because we don't all like the same things.
For this book to get a publisher, after the bodyguards said years ago that they could not get one, it has to have a hook, which is usually something that will grip the media and make them salivate. I expect they will come up with one or more juicy stories or images about Michael. Whether these stories are true/false/or embellished we may not know. Anyway as usual some will love it and some will not because we don't all like the same things.
Ashtanga
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Scary.... :bugeyed
:fear:
Scary.... :bugeyed
Amaya
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
I think people flip over him having porn because it can very easily be turned into something bad by the media. It happened in 2005 and it could happen again with this book, especially that Playboy suite bit (which I hadn't heard of until I read this thread). People out there will no doubt be asking why he bothered to stay in that suite if he had the children with him and let their paranoia guide them from there, even if he had the nude pictures covered.
I think people flip over him having porn because it can very easily be turned into something bad by the media. It happened in 2005 and it could happen again with this book, especially that Playboy suite bit (which I hadn't heard of until I read this thread). People out there will no doubt be asking why he bothered to stay in that suite if he had the children with him and let their paranoia guide them from there, even if he had the nude pictures covered.
qbee
Proud Member
This story is nothing new. . Michael was hiding out in Vegas with his children while recording "Hold My Hand" There was a valid reason he was placed in the "Hugh Hefner Suite" and he didn't stay in the room long . He moved to a different room. I doubt any one would question and make a big deal out of what room he stayed in anyway. They didn't when the article was posted and circulating in 2010. I n fact it will only show what a conscientious, caring parent he was. IMO
HIStory
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Maybe that image only exists in your head. I mean when MJ grabbed his crotch or put on Gold Pants or moved his hips on stage or sang something like In The Closet or 2000 Watts he did not exactly "project a very naive, very pure, very sex-shy" image. I never understood how could people miss that and say things like he projected a naive, asexual/sex-shy image. He did NOT!
I personally do not think there is anything dirty about sex with consenting adults, so I don't think him having having adult magazines and reading them in the privacy of his bedroom makes him any less pure or "angelic".
As for the book, I personally do not think such books are needed. I don't think as a fan I need to know about his finances in 2008, or whether he kissed girls on the backseat of his car or not. It's gossip and we will never know what part is true and what is not. I think sometimes friends telling little anecdotes about him have their place and do not harm, but these people weren't even his friends. They were just his bodyguards for a couple of months. Who most probably signed a confidentiality agreement. And now they are writing a book and try to make profit of it. Idk, something rubs me in a wrong way about it. I just wish the focus would go back on the music and not on gossip. Because whether it's positive or negative it's still gossip.
Maybe that image only exists in your head. I mean when MJ grabbed his crotch or put on Gold Pants or moved his hips on stage or sang something like In The Closet or 2000 Watts he did not exactly "project a very naive, very pure, very sex-shy" image. I never understood how could people miss that and say things like he projected a naive, asexual/sex-shy image. He did NOT!
I personally do not think there is anything dirty about sex with consenting adults, so I don't think him having having adult magazines and reading them in the privacy of his bedroom makes him any less pure or "angelic".
As for the book, I personally do not think such books are needed. I don't think as a fan I need to know about his finances in 2008, or whether he kissed girls on the backseat of his car or not. It's gossip and we will never know what part is true and what is not. I think sometimes friends telling little anecdotes about him have their place and do not harm, but these people weren't even his friends. They were just his bodyguards for a couple of months. Who most probably signed a confidentiality agreement. And now they are writing a book and try to make profit of it. Idk, something rubs me in a wrong way about it. I just wish the focus would go back on the music and not on gossip. Because whether it's positive or negative it's still gossip.
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Ashtanga
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
And that's the point of the whole thing :fear: .... And I wonder: If Michael was still here, these guys (and others) dare to write a book telling stories? :blink: Of course not.... :nono:
And that's the point of the whole thing :fear: .... And I wonder: If Michael was still here, these guys (and others) dare to write a book telling stories? :blink: Of course not.... :nono:
Spyce
Guests
Re: Another book -the Bodyguards...
I know I'm a little late to this thread but you are 100% right. As much as I love reading and learning new things about Michael, he would not want his dirty laundry aired like this. I think it is a show of complete and total disrespect.
If you wouldn't have written/published this book while he was alive, don't do it when he's gone.
PS: Thank you for sharing that gif. I love it
And here we go again .... :sigh: Now is the time these guys make some extra money (or not? :smilerolleyes
I do not support this crap. :nono: I support books like "Man in the music". -_- The world has enough about the private life of Michael. Leave the man alone!
By Amazon:
:wtf2
Financial crises????? :lmao: :blink: :fear: These guys can only be kidding! :bugeyed: Now they are also experts on the financial life of Michael!? :smilerolleyes: What do these guys know? :blink: Maybe Michael shared about his financial life with them!
I know I'm a little late to this thread but you are 100% right. As much as I love reading and learning new things about Michael, he would not want his dirty laundry aired like this. I think it is a show of complete and total disrespect.
If you wouldn't have written/published this book while he was alive, don't do it when he's gone.
PS: Thank you for sharing that gif. I love it
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Bill Whitfield@MJBODYGUARDS 18 h.
@MJJStreet I respect your feedback, I assure you we are not selling MJ out nor will we disrespect him.
Bill Whitfield@MJBODYGUARDS 18 h.
@MJJStreet I respect your feedback, I assure you we are not selling MJ out nor will we disrespect him.
Amaya
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Here's hoping they live up to that. >.> We need something positive about him right now!
Here's hoping they live up to that. >.> We need something positive about him right now!
Annita
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Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Well, that`s his interpretation. I am sure Frank Cascio said and thinks he did nothing disrespecting with his book.
Well, that`s his interpretation. I am sure Frank Cascio said and thinks he did nothing disrespecting with his book.
Spyce
Guests
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Then my question is, why did they wait until after he was gone to publish this book? Why not have done it while he was alive?
Then my question is, why did they wait until after he was gone to publish this book? Why not have done it while he was alive?
qbee
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Becuause they were writing the book to correct rumors and bad press after his death about Michael and the last years of his life. They wanted to show the man he really was. They were saddened by all the trash being reported about him. The wanted to defend him. The first book title was "Defending the King." but was taken over by their co- writer who wanted to dive into more historical facts that they were not involved in. They wanted a book to tell of their first hand experiences with Michael . They lived with him for near 2 years. 2006 -2008. There were no handlers or others around. to help him. They had great respect for Michael or Mr Jackson as they called him. That is the general idea for it of it whether any agrees with this book being published or not.. I don't see writing a book as disrespectful. I'm looking forward to reading it.. We really cant judge until we read it..
Becuause they were writing the book to correct rumors and bad press after his death about Michael and the last years of his life. They wanted to show the man he really was. They were saddened by all the trash being reported about him. The wanted to defend him. The first book title was "Defending the King." but was taken over by their co- writer who wanted to dive into more historical facts that they were not involved in. They wanted a book to tell of their first hand experiences with Michael . They lived with him for near 2 years. 2006 -2008. There were no handlers or others around. to help him. They had great respect for Michael or Mr Jackson as they called him. That is the general idea for it of it whether any agrees with this book being published or not.. I don't see writing a book as disrespectful. I'm looking forward to reading it.. We really cant judge until we read it..
Spyce
Guests
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
You make a good point. I just get weary when people share their stories of Michael; like are you being real, are you telling the truth? Or are you just trying to make a buck off his name? It's hard to trust what people say anymore, ya know? I do hope this turns out to be a good book. Any idea when it comes out?
You make a good point. I just get weary when people share their stories of Michael; like are you being real, are you telling the truth? Or are you just trying to make a buck off his name? It's hard to trust what people say anymore, ya know? I do hope this turns out to be a good book. Any idea when it comes out?
Member Service
Staff
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
Thread Cleaned: Let's keep this thread on topic. Its easy to derail this thread if you go outside the topic of this book and the Body Guards who wrote it. A mention of something related for comparison doesn't mean to take the whole discussion in that direction. Leaving the book behind. Please take these off topic side discussions to it's own thread if you want to continue discussing it.
Thread Cleaned: Let's keep this thread on topic. Its easy to derail this thread if you go outside the topic of this book and the Body Guards who wrote it. A mention of something related for comparison doesn't mean to take the whole discussion in that direction. Leaving the book behind. Please take these off topic side discussions to it's own thread if you want to continue discussing it.
PurdyYungThang84
Guests
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
A few things about this book and issues around it...
I know that there are some fans out there (or here lol) that feel very protective of Michael's privacy. I get it, and I understand that this was a lifelong pebble in his shoe if not an absolute nuisance. That said, this whole thing of "only concentrating on Michael's body of work" simply isn't realistic. Now I'm not condoning (speaking in past tense of course) people planting hidden cameras in hotel rooms and rummaging through his garbage as ok to do just because he's famous. Of course not. There's always a line, which was definitely crossed more than a few times in his life. But as with any celebrity, especially with the level of fame and notoriety that Michael had, people of high visibility become interesting to the public. This interest and curiosity, with some fans more than others, extends past his work. This is a fact of show business, hate it or love it. Michael grew up in the business, I'm sure that he understood that that very (sometimes unwanted) curiosity was tied in very intricately with his success as an artist; meaning that for many consumers, their interest in his work is married to their interest in him as a person. Not EVERYONE feels that obviously, and that's fine too, but it is what it is. I don't feel there's anything wrong with wanting to know more about MJ "off the clock", as long as the inquiring minds stay respectful.
All this posthumous business is another animal altogether. He's not here to filter what information is released. But he was such a high profile celebrity, sadly I'd have been surprised if there wasn't a free-for-all. I don't like confidentiality contracts being breached, but none of us can say what the terms of those agreements were. If those agreements don't articulate that the terms must be maintained even after death, then people give themselves the license to be blabbermouths because of this loophole. Not the classiest thing to do, I'm sure Michael would've been pissed off lol, but if the estate isn't/planning to sue the panties off of them, then they might legally be in the clear to do so as long as what is printed aren't complete lies or defaming his character. **edit** I also don't feel that his financial information should be of any consequence to anyone except for the estate and his kids. No one needs to know what his bank statements are looking like unless they are directly tied to such information.** Which brings me to my last thought...
No one can say what Michael did, didn't, would or wouldn't have done except for Michael himself lol. Unless you were physically there to see things happen or not happen, none of us can say ANYTHING past our own personal opinions regarding Michael's personal life. Although that's not to say that second-hand stories are all false either, specifically the "confirmed" stories. But Michael was human, an adult man living his life in the entertainment industry. He owes not one of us any explanation or confirmation of what he did or did not do in his private time. He very well may have done things that would surprise some of us fans, some things may have even upset some fans. But I don't see how even the "worst" of any of the MJ tales that I've heard over the years, be they the ones in this book or any other second-hand accounts, take away from his integrity as a man or his devotion to his purpose. To me, most stories actually seem more probable than not if you see them through the lens of MJ as a MAN, and not a child or a eunuch. IF Michael made out (or *gasp* possibly more than that!!! lol ;P) with a couple of chicks, or did shots of tequila, or had a cigarette or two, or WHATEVER, those things don't make him any less a good man or a good father, he just simply had some adult experiences in his adult life. These sort of trivial things don't take anything away from his monumental body of work, all they do is add to his human experience. In other words, so what if they're true? lol
His bodyguards got to see him in moments away from the public's and fan's eyes, that can't be denied. It was the nature of their jobs. Sure it's wrong to want to spill the beans on private moments just cuz Michael isn't here to stop them doing so anymore, at the very least it's extremely distasteful. But that doesn't necessarily mean that what they have to say is made-up or exaggerated. Doesn't make it the gospel either. Frankly, we'll never really know. So if things like this are worth any energy of thought to you particularly, just know that what you take away from these tell-alls and inside looks (outside of confirmed happenings and facts) pretty much boils down to your own deductive reasoning.
Where there is fame, there are vultures. They aren't going to go away. But the power of the purse is strong. If you feel that it's bullsh-t, then don't give them your money. If you feel the means by which the book came to be is bullsh-t, then don't give them your money. The best way to get buzzards to buzz off is to not feed them. But this crusade to stop books or tell-alls like these in order to "preserve his legacy" is kind of an exercise in Don Quixote honestly. Just about nobody cares about if Michael spotted a prostitute on the street or kissed a girl in the back of his limo except for his hardcore fans lol. Casual fans only think that "'Thrilller' was cool' and don't give two sh-ts either way lol... ::shrugs::
A few things about this book and issues around it...
I know that there are some fans out there (or here lol) that feel very protective of Michael's privacy. I get it, and I understand that this was a lifelong pebble in his shoe if not an absolute nuisance. That said, this whole thing of "only concentrating on Michael's body of work" simply isn't realistic. Now I'm not condoning (speaking in past tense of course
) people planting hidden cameras in hotel rooms and rummaging through his garbage as ok to do just because he's famous. Of course not. There's always a line, which was definitely crossed more than a few times in his life. But as with any celebrity, especially with the level of fame and notoriety that Michael had, people of high visibility become interesting to the public. This interest and curiosity, with some fans more than others, extends past his work. This is a fact of show business, hate it or love it. Michael grew up in the business, I'm sure that he understood that that very (sometimes unwanted) curiosity was tied in very intricately with his success as an artist; meaning that for many consumers, their interest in his work is married to their interest in him as a person. Not EVERYONE feels that obviously, and that's fine too, but it is what it is. I don't feel there's anything wrong with wanting to know more about MJ "off the clock", as long as the inquiring minds stay respectful.All this posthumous business is another animal altogether. He's not here to filter what information is released. But he was such a high profile celebrity, sadly I'd have been surprised if there wasn't a free-for-all. I don't like confidentiality contracts being breached, but none of us can say what the terms of those agreements were. If those agreements don't articulate that the terms must be maintained even after death, then people give themselves the license to be blabbermouths because of this loophole. Not the classiest thing to do, I'm sure Michael would've been pissed off lol, but if the estate isn't/planning to sue the panties off of them, then they might legally be in the clear to do so as long as what is printed aren't complete lies or defaming his character. **edit** I also don't feel that his financial information should be of any consequence to anyone except for the estate and his kids. No one needs to know what his bank statements are looking like unless they are directly tied to such information.** Which brings me to my last thought...
No one can say what Michael did, didn't, would or wouldn't have done except for Michael himself lol. Unless you were physically there to see things happen or not happen, none of us can say ANYTHING past our own personal opinions regarding Michael's personal life. Although that's not to say that second-hand stories are all false either, specifically the "confirmed" stories. But Michael was human, an adult man living his life in the entertainment industry. He owes not one of us any explanation or confirmation of what he did or did not do in his private time. He very well may have done things that would surprise some of us fans, some things may have even upset some fans. But I don't see how even the "worst" of any of the MJ tales that I've heard over the years, be they the ones in this book or any other second-hand accounts, take away from his integrity as a man or his devotion to his purpose. To me, most stories actually seem more probable than not if you see them through the lens of MJ as a MAN, and not a child or a eunuch. IF Michael made out (or *gasp* possibly more than that!!! lol ;P) with a couple of chicks, or did shots of tequila, or had a cigarette or two, or WHATEVER, those things don't make him any less a good man or a good father, he just simply had some adult experiences in his adult life. These sort of trivial things don't take anything away from his monumental body of work, all they do is add to his human experience. In other words, so what if they're true? lol
His bodyguards got to see him in moments away from the public's and fan's eyes, that can't be denied. It was the nature of their jobs. Sure it's wrong to want to spill the beans on private moments just cuz Michael isn't here to stop them doing so anymore, at the very least it's extremely distasteful. But that doesn't necessarily mean that what they have to say is made-up or exaggerated. Doesn't make it the gospel either. Frankly, we'll never really know. So if things like this are worth any energy of thought to you particularly, just know that what you take away from these tell-alls and inside looks (outside of confirmed happenings and facts) pretty much boils down to your own deductive reasoning.
Where there is fame, there are vultures. They aren't going to go away. But the power of the purse is strong. If you feel that it's bullsh-t, then don't give them your money. If you feel the means by which the book came to be is bullsh-t, then don't give them your money. The best way to get buzzards to buzz off is to not feed them. But this crusade to stop books or tell-alls like these in order to "preserve his legacy" is kind of an exercise in Don Quixote honestly. Just about nobody cares about if Michael spotted a prostitute on the street or kissed a girl in the back of his limo except for his hardcore fans lol. Casual fans only think that "'Thrilller' was cool' and don't give two sh-ts either way lol... ::shrugs::
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AliCat
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
If there truly was someone that dated Michael and has lived not to tell, bravo for them. Why the bodyguards feel it their civic duty to capitalize off his indiscretion is unethical.
Michael kissed women on stage, big deal!
If there truly was someone that dated Michael and has lived not to tell, bravo for them. Why the bodyguards feel it their civic duty to capitalize off his indiscretion is unethical.
Michael kissed women on stage, big deal!
qbee
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
an act or remark that shows a lack of good judgment
an act at variance with the accepted morality of a society
I wouldnt call Michael's date an indiscretion on his part ? The BG didn't seem to think he showed lack of good judgment or morals and neither do I. It was just a cute story about him kissing his date behind a privacy screen in the car, I don't see anything unethical in telling or writing about it . I was kind of cute and sweet IMO.
Maybe the public needs to hear he was a normal hetrosexual man who liked women, especially after books written after his death stating he solicited gay partners ( Construction workers) for sex in back alleys and seedy motels etc etc. after that .. This is sweet and a breath a fresh air .. IMO
indiscretion ?
an act or remark that shows a lack of good judgment
an act at variance with the accepted morality of a society
I wouldnt call Michael's date an indiscretion on his part ? The BG didn't seem to think he showed lack of good judgment or morals and neither do I. It was just a cute story about him kissing his date behind a privacy screen in the car, I don't see anything unethical in telling or writing about it . I was kind of cute and sweet IMO.
Maybe the public needs to hear he was a normal hetrosexual man who liked women, especially after books written after his death stating he solicited gay partners ( Construction workers) for sex in back alleys and seedy motels etc etc. after that .. This is sweet and a breath a fresh air .. IMO
AliCat
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
behavior or speech that is indiscreet or displays a lack of good judgment.
Perhaps the bodyguards interpretation of Michael's date, whether it be good judgement or not, still just leaves me to wonder why? Perhaps our taste runs different Qbees.
behavior or speech that is indiscreet or displays a lack of good judgment.
Perhaps the bodyguards interpretation of Michael's date, whether it be good judgement or not, still just leaves me to wonder why? Perhaps our taste runs different Qbees.
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
What books said that about Michael? The seedy hotels and back alleys? That is just crazy.
I am 50/50 when it comes to books about Michael. At the one hand I want Michael to have some privacy. But then you wish someone would defend Michael. There are so many lies and ridiculous things people say about Michael. You just want people to see him as a real person. I don't want to judge anything until we know what exactly they will say.
What books said that about Michael? The seedy hotels and back alleys? That is just crazy.
I am 50/50 when it comes to books about Michael. At the one hand I want Michael to have some privacy. But then you wish someone would defend Michael. There are so many lies and ridiculous things people say about Michael. You just want people to see him as a real person. I don't want to judge anything until we know what exactly they will say.
AliCat
Proud Member
Re: Book: Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
When I visualize Michael and his purpose of why he bought "Neverland," I see wholesomeness and innocence.
Michael saw himself as "Peter Pan," because in his heart, he was. Michael wanted children to experience this kind of a childhood, not one that was tainted and where a child had to grow up in a hurry and grow to become a bitter, resentful adult.
This is why I believe, also, why Michael read the Bible everyday. And why he read those 10,000 books that were in his library at "Neverland." Michael knew that if you kept learning new things everyday, kept that childlike wonder with you all your life, you'd be a wiser person.
From all of this, I believe Michael was a lot more serious about a relationship, than what these bodyguard's want you to believe, it is more their fantasy than Michael's. It's as if they are living vicariously through Michael and what they wish had been their opportunities with females. The bodyguards give this appearance of something more innocent, but I am not buying this!
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When I visualize Michael and his purpose of why he bought "Neverland," I see wholesomeness and innocence.
Michael saw himself as "Peter Pan," because in his heart, he was. Michael wanted children to experience this kind of a childhood, not one that was tainted and where a child had to grow up in a hurry and grow to become a bitter, resentful adult.
This is why I believe, also, why Michael read the Bible everyday. And why he read those 10,000 books that were in his library at "Neverland." Michael knew that if you kept learning new things everyday, kept that childlike wonder with you all your life, you'd be a wiser person.
From all of this, I believe Michael was a lot more serious about a relationship, than what these bodyguard's want you to believe, it is more their fantasy than Michael's. It's as if they are living vicariously through Michael and what they wish had been their opportunities with females. The bodyguards give this appearance of something more innocent, but I am not buying this!
I was given an advance copy of the "Remember the Time : Protecting Michael Jackson in his final days" by MJ's bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard.
Below is my review and brief summary.
As a MJ fan who has read all the books written about him, I look for unique and interesting books about him. This book delivers on that front. It's not the same old stuff you read a million times before, it's the unique and first hand experiences of Bill and Javon. Just this could be enough reason to get the book.
The book covers December 2006 (when Michael returned to US) to June 2009 (his death). Although Bill and Javon worked for Michael till the day he died, the bulk of the book covers the period between December 2006 to early 2009 when Michael moved to LA. (Bill and Javon did not go to LA but was supposed to join Michael at London). Book talks about Michael's stay at Las Vegas, Virginia, New Jersey and back at Las Vegas.
The book has several heartwarming, funny and interesting and at times unbelievable stories. Michael Jackson the father is always nice to read. His interactions with his children, their love towards each other gives you warm feelings. So stuff like Michael doing laundry, Michael taking his kids to Chuck E. Cheese, fast food drive through events, after hour store visits to toy stores, go kart place, Krispy Kreme to see how donuts are made, Michael giving responsibility talk to Prince about his dog Kenya, Blanket asking for a hippopotamus as a pet after Prince got his dog Kenya and Paris got her cat Katie, Michael giving money and food to homeless people,ordering a large Tinkerbell statue from eBay, asking bodyguards to get(cough steal) a lifesize Spiderman figurines on the lampposts outside Burger King stores, Michael getting stopped by Secret Service as his car with tinted windows drove around White House etc is interesting and fun stories to read. The book also mentions visits by "Friend" and "Flower", two woman from overseas and yes Michael kissing "Friend". I don't want to give much away for the people who might buy the book.
Book mentions Michael's staff, business people, family and friends as well. Some of them are mentioned negatively (most of Michael's business associates including Bain, Feldman, Cross and Sony, as well as some of his family members such as Randy Jackson), some of them mentioned positively (such as Miko Brando and Cascios) and some just neutral.
Knowing that how some people would be interested in above, I'll provide brief details below:
Raymone Bain : generally mentioned negatively for not paying bodyguards salaries while she was paying herself and others, renting a luxury apartment for herself with what looks like MJ's money, Michael thinking he had an office in DC while Bain was working out of her home and such.
Jacksons: Bodyguards mention that Michael did not want to see his family - his orders. The only person he would see and could come unannounced was Katherine. He refused to see other family members when they came and required them to make appointments. Michael refused to see Joe once, refused to see Randy, Rebbie and Jackie (when they got in by following the chef), refused to see Randy (when he smashed his car to the gate) and only agreed to see his brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine) in the security trailer after making sure Randy wasn't with them and didn't want to see Janet. Bodyguards impressions about Jacksons are mostly positive to neutral with the exception of Randy (see below) and Jermaine who they said always had an angle or some sort of deal he was working on.
Randy crashing the gate: Details of the event is provided in the book. It turns out the gate crashing event happened on Elizabeth Taylor's 75th birthday. Her people had reached out to Michael and he would attend her birthday as a surprise to her. Michael spent 2 weeks preparing to that day. Before they were supposed to leave for Taylor's birthday, bodyguards take the car to fill it with gas. When the bodyguard returns, Randy follows the car, crashes the closing gate, forces his way into the property. Bodyguards rush to the car with their guns out and see Randy with a woman passenger. Randy tells them "Get that gun out my face before I call the press.” and screaming and cursing “Michael owe me money! I want my ****in’ money! I ain’t ****in’ moving ’til I get my ****in’ money! ”. They tell Michael that Randy is there and what he's saying, he tells the bodyguard to get rid of him. But they can't make him leave so Michael decides he won't go to Elizabeth's birthday and goes to bed. Randy refused to leave and stayed at the driveway for hours. Bodyguards had to call Joe Jackson. When Joe came Randy told him he would call the press to tell them he was there for his money. Joe eventually convinced Randy to leave.
Sony: Mottola is mentioned as devil and Michael mentioned not really wanting to work with Sony and on Thriller 25. There's a story about Michael breaking Sony headphones. They say he didn't work on Thriller 25 with enthusiasm and did everything the last minute. Bodyguards also state that Michael eventually was paid $12 Million for the sales of Thriller 25. (Sony initially planned to take the money from Thriller 25 sales and apply it to pay MJ's debt on Sony/ATV catalog. Apparently Tohme got them to pay the $12 Million to Michael so that he could use that money as a down payment for the Las Vegas house he wanted to buy).
One of the sad thing to read that there wasn't many friends or visitors that would visit Michael. They mention nanny Grace telling them some people wouldn't take or return MJ's calls after the 2005 trial. Book mentions Miko Brando, Eddie Griffin (comedian), Chris Tucker, Jesse Jackson and Cascios as people who visited Michael and/or Michael met with. He talked with Nelson Mandela on the phone several times. Eddie Griffin mentioned as a regular visitor, Miko Brando brought his kids to play with Michael's kids, Chris Tucker and Michael went to movies together and Eddie Cascio visited Michael in Vegas and Cascio house was the only place Michael would feel safe to stay without bodyguards in front of the door. Brad Buxer visited to work on music with Michael. (unidentified) choreographers were also coming to work with him regularly as well as a Chinese film professor from USC.
The second half of the book mentions financial troubles. Although they don't blame Michael for such troubles, it's not a pretty picture. Staff not being paid, not having a house to stay, friends/business associates paying for hotels for a while and when they stop hotels were asking them leave and even locking them out. It's obvious there was some frustration on the bodyguards part in regards to not being paid. Like I said they don't blame Michael for it but the finances isn't a pretty picture.
Conrad Murray is briefly mentioned as a doctor that made a housecall when the kids were sick and occasionally came to check up on them. Only a few visits, at day time and for a short amount of time. They mention Michael's insomnia, how sometimes he would have a good day's sleep and sometimes wont. How sometimes he would be up all night and the night security would watch him move around the house - his room, studio/dance room, kitchen and such. There's almost no drug talk. Just once going to a doctor middle of the night for pain and just one time his behavior didn't seem normal / seemed like under the influence of something. That's all. No doctors, no nightly visits and no propofol - given that Michael seemed to be not sleeping most of the time.
Overall I liked the book and I recommend purchase. It's interesting and definitely unique. I enjoyed all the little stories about Michael very much and financials wasn't a pretty picture as I said before. I can't say I liked that part. Book is written in an every day language. It feels like you are sitting with Bill and Javon and they are recapping their day to you. So that's interesting too. I guess it's possible that some fans might have a trouble with this book if they feel overly protective of Michael's privacy. Yes the book mentions Michael's everyday life, stuff that wasn't known before hence private but I thought they were nicely balanced. I personally like positive stories about Michael and/or stories that show him as a normal person. But like I said it's possible that some might think this is an invasion of privacy.
Finally some quotes:
"Michael Jackson had an effect on people. It’s hard to describe. Once he let people in, they started feeling possessive of him. Like, He’s mine! People didn't do it on purpose; he brought it out of them because he was bigger than life. He’s calling them personally, giving them leeway to dictate certain stuff, and they start to feel like, Okay, he trusts me. They see how vulnerable and hurt he is. They see all these other people trying to use him and take advantage of him. So they start to think, If I’m the one in control, I’ll make sure he’s okay.
So once he lets someone in, pretty soon they’re starting to speak on his behalf, as opposed to letting him make his own decisions. They know if they do it, they won’t get that much flak, because they know Mr. Jackson doesn't question things. They start to feel like they’re in control, but to keep that control, they've got to manipulate everybody else that’s trying to get at Mr. Jackson. So they’re spreading lies about this person or telling Mr. Jackson not to trust that person."
---------------------------
"It wasn't necessarily that those other people were bad people. There was just a force that dictated a lot of this madness. But the way it was around Mr. Jackson, nobody trusting anybody, so much money and power in play, it just sucked you into all this drama. "
--------------------
" People look at what happened to Mr. Jackson and they want to blame somebody. “It was Dr. Murray.” “It was Tohme Tohme.” “It was his family.” Nah. That wasn’t it. It wasn't any one person. It was everything."
------------------------------------------
"As we drove back to the house, everyone was being real quiet in the backseat. Then Blanket looked up at his daddy and said, “Daddy, can we go back to the other house? Can we go back to Neverland?” Mr. Jackson shook his head and said, “No. We can’t ever go back there. That place has been contaminated by evil.”
-------------------
One time, we were driving and Blanket started to say something, and Mr. Jackson kinda shushed him. The kids kept giggling and Mr. Jackson kept going, “Shhh! No, I didn’t! No, I didn’t!”
Blanket said, “Yes, you did, Daddy. You said that Bill looked like—”
“Shhh! ”
So now I was curious. I said, “Bill looks like what?”
I looked in the rearview mirror. Blanket and Mr. Jackson were both staring at each other like, Who’s gonna tell him?
Blanket looked at me and said, “Bill, Daddy says you look like the Thing!”
“The Thing? What’s the Thing?”
“You know,” Blanket said, “the guy from the Fantastic Four! Daddy said you look like the Thing from the Fantastic Four.”
And I was like, Wow. Okay. The brother’s got jokes. Then Blanket said, “And Javon looks like Frozone from The Incredibles!”
We all had a good laugh about it.
---------------------------
Michael to Bill
“I just want my kids to have a better life than me,” he said. “I never want them to go through what I had to go through. How would you guys feel if your kids asked you for something and you had to send someone out to get it? I appreciate what you guys do for my kids, but I’m their father. I should be the one doing those things, but I can’t just get in the car and go. There are so many things I can’t do for them because those people out there won’t let me. You have no idea how that feels. You really don’t. I just wanna live my life with my kids.”
-------------------------------------------------
Ps: the name of "Friend" is mentioned towards the end of the book and the name reminds you of a certain person. However the physical description of "Friend" doesn't fit with the person known to fans. So it looks like they are two different people with the same name.
Below is my review and brief summary.
As a MJ fan who has read all the books written about him, I look for unique and interesting books about him. This book delivers on that front. It's not the same old stuff you read a million times before, it's the unique and first hand experiences of Bill and Javon. Just this could be enough reason to get the book.
The book covers December 2006 (when Michael returned to US) to June 2009 (his death). Although Bill and Javon worked for Michael till the day he died, the bulk of the book covers the period between December 2006 to early 2009 when Michael moved to LA. (Bill and Javon did not go to LA but was supposed to join Michael at London). Book talks about Michael's stay at Las Vegas, Virginia, New Jersey and back at Las Vegas.
The book has several heartwarming, funny and interesting and at times unbelievable stories. Michael Jackson the father is always nice to read. His interactions with his children, their love towards each other gives you warm feelings. So stuff like Michael doing laundry, Michael taking his kids to Chuck E. Cheese, fast food drive through events, after hour store visits to toy stores, go kart place, Krispy Kreme to see how donuts are made, Michael giving responsibility talk to Prince about his dog Kenya, Blanket asking for a hippopotamus as a pet after Prince got his dog Kenya and Paris got her cat Katie, Michael giving money and food to homeless people,ordering a large Tinkerbell statue from eBay, asking bodyguards to get(cough steal) a lifesize Spiderman figurines on the lampposts outside Burger King stores, Michael getting stopped by Secret Service as his car with tinted windows drove around White House etc is interesting and fun stories to read. The book also mentions visits by "Friend" and "Flower", two woman from overseas and yes Michael kissing "Friend". I don't want to give much away for the people who might buy the book.
Book mentions Michael's staff, business people, family and friends as well. Some of them are mentioned negatively (most of Michael's business associates including Bain, Feldman, Cross and Sony, as well as some of his family members such as Randy Jackson), some of them mentioned positively (such as Miko Brando and Cascios) and some just neutral.
Knowing that how some people would be interested in above, I'll provide brief details below:
Raymone Bain : generally mentioned negatively for not paying bodyguards salaries while she was paying herself and others, renting a luxury apartment for herself with what looks like MJ's money, Michael thinking he had an office in DC while Bain was working out of her home and such.
Jacksons: Bodyguards mention that Michael did not want to see his family - his orders. The only person he would see and could come unannounced was Katherine. He refused to see other family members when they came and required them to make appointments. Michael refused to see Joe once, refused to see Randy, Rebbie and Jackie (when they got in by following the chef), refused to see Randy (when he smashed his car to the gate) and only agreed to see his brothers (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine) in the security trailer after making sure Randy wasn't with them and didn't want to see Janet. Bodyguards impressions about Jacksons are mostly positive to neutral with the exception of Randy (see below) and Jermaine who they said always had an angle or some sort of deal he was working on.
Randy crashing the gate: Details of the event is provided in the book. It turns out the gate crashing event happened on Elizabeth Taylor's 75th birthday. Her people had reached out to Michael and he would attend her birthday as a surprise to her. Michael spent 2 weeks preparing to that day. Before they were supposed to leave for Taylor's birthday, bodyguards take the car to fill it with gas. When the bodyguard returns, Randy follows the car, crashes the closing gate, forces his way into the property. Bodyguards rush to the car with their guns out and see Randy with a woman passenger. Randy tells them "Get that gun out my face before I call the press.” and screaming and cursing “Michael owe me money! I want my ****in’ money! I ain’t ****in’ moving ’til I get my ****in’ money! ”. They tell Michael that Randy is there and what he's saying, he tells the bodyguard to get rid of him. But they can't make him leave so Michael decides he won't go to Elizabeth's birthday and goes to bed. Randy refused to leave and stayed at the driveway for hours. Bodyguards had to call Joe Jackson. When Joe came Randy told him he would call the press to tell them he was there for his money. Joe eventually convinced Randy to leave.
Sony: Mottola is mentioned as devil and Michael mentioned not really wanting to work with Sony and on Thriller 25. There's a story about Michael breaking Sony headphones. They say he didn't work on Thriller 25 with enthusiasm and did everything the last minute. Bodyguards also state that Michael eventually was paid $12 Million for the sales of Thriller 25. (Sony initially planned to take the money from Thriller 25 sales and apply it to pay MJ's debt on Sony/ATV catalog. Apparently Tohme got them to pay the $12 Million to Michael so that he could use that money as a down payment for the Las Vegas house he wanted to buy).
One of the sad thing to read that there wasn't many friends or visitors that would visit Michael. They mention nanny Grace telling them some people wouldn't take or return MJ's calls after the 2005 trial. Book mentions Miko Brando, Eddie Griffin (comedian), Chris Tucker, Jesse Jackson and Cascios as people who visited Michael and/or Michael met with. He talked with Nelson Mandela on the phone several times. Eddie Griffin mentioned as a regular visitor, Miko Brando brought his kids to play with Michael's kids, Chris Tucker and Michael went to movies together and Eddie Cascio visited Michael in Vegas and Cascio house was the only place Michael would feel safe to stay without bodyguards in front of the door. Brad Buxer visited to work on music with Michael. (unidentified) choreographers were also coming to work with him regularly as well as a Chinese film professor from USC.
The second half of the book mentions financial troubles. Although they don't blame Michael for such troubles, it's not a pretty picture. Staff not being paid, not having a house to stay, friends/business associates paying for hotels for a while and when they stop hotels were asking them leave and even locking them out. It's obvious there was some frustration on the bodyguards part in regards to not being paid. Like I said they don't blame Michael for it but the finances isn't a pretty picture.
Conrad Murray is briefly mentioned as a doctor that made a housecall when the kids were sick and occasionally came to check up on them. Only a few visits, at day time and for a short amount of time. They mention Michael's insomnia, how sometimes he would have a good day's sleep and sometimes wont. How sometimes he would be up all night and the night security would watch him move around the house - his room, studio/dance room, kitchen and such. There's almost no drug talk. Just once going to a doctor middle of the night for pain and just one time his behavior didn't seem normal / seemed like under the influence of something. That's all. No doctors, no nightly visits and no propofol - given that Michael seemed to be not sleeping most of the time.
Overall I liked the book and I recommend purchase. It's interesting and definitely unique. I enjoyed all the little stories about Michael very much and financials wasn't a pretty picture as I said before. I can't say I liked that part. Book is written in an every day language. It feels like you are sitting with Bill and Javon and they are recapping their day to you. So that's interesting too. I guess it's possible that some fans might have a trouble with this book if they feel overly protective of Michael's privacy. Yes the book mentions Michael's everyday life, stuff that wasn't known before hence private but I thought they were nicely balanced. I personally like positive stories about Michael and/or stories that show him as a normal person. But like I said it's possible that some might think this is an invasion of privacy.
Finally some quotes:
"Michael Jackson had an effect on people. It’s hard to describe. Once he let people in, they started feeling possessive of him. Like, He’s mine! People didn't do it on purpose; he brought it out of them because he was bigger than life. He’s calling them personally, giving them leeway to dictate certain stuff, and they start to feel like, Okay, he trusts me. They see how vulnerable and hurt he is. They see all these other people trying to use him and take advantage of him. So they start to think, If I’m the one in control, I’ll make sure he’s okay.
So once he lets someone in, pretty soon they’re starting to speak on his behalf, as opposed to letting him make his own decisions. They know if they do it, they won’t get that much flak, because they know Mr. Jackson doesn't question things. They start to feel like they’re in control, but to keep that control, they've got to manipulate everybody else that’s trying to get at Mr. Jackson. So they’re spreading lies about this person or telling Mr. Jackson not to trust that person."
---------------------------
"It wasn't necessarily that those other people were bad people. There was just a force that dictated a lot of this madness. But the way it was around Mr. Jackson, nobody trusting anybody, so much money and power in play, it just sucked you into all this drama. "
--------------------
" People look at what happened to Mr. Jackson and they want to blame somebody. “It was Dr. Murray.” “It was Tohme Tohme.” “It was his family.” Nah. That wasn’t it. It wasn't any one person. It was everything."
------------------------------------------
"As we drove back to the house, everyone was being real quiet in the backseat. Then Blanket looked up at his daddy and said, “Daddy, can we go back to the other house? Can we go back to Neverland?” Mr. Jackson shook his head and said, “No. We can’t ever go back there. That place has been contaminated by evil.”
-------------------
One time, we were driving and Blanket started to say something, and Mr. Jackson kinda shushed him. The kids kept giggling and Mr. Jackson kept going, “Shhh! No, I didn’t! No, I didn’t!”
Blanket said, “Yes, you did, Daddy. You said that Bill looked like—”
“Shhh! ”
So now I was curious. I said, “Bill looks like what?”
I looked in the rearview mirror. Blanket and Mr. Jackson were both staring at each other like, Who’s gonna tell him?
Blanket looked at me and said, “Bill, Daddy says you look like the Thing!”
“The Thing? What’s the Thing?”
“You know,” Blanket said, “the guy from the Fantastic Four! Daddy said you look like the Thing from the Fantastic Four.”
And I was like, Wow. Okay. The brother’s got jokes. Then Blanket said, “And Javon looks like Frozone from The Incredibles!”
We all had a good laugh about it.
---------------------------
Michael to Bill
“I just want my kids to have a better life than me,” he said. “I never want them to go through what I had to go through. How would you guys feel if your kids asked you for something and you had to send someone out to get it? I appreciate what you guys do for my kids, but I’m their father. I should be the one doing those things, but I can’t just get in the car and go. There are so many things I can’t do for them because those people out there won’t let me. You have no idea how that feels. You really don’t. I just wanna live my life with my kids.”
-------------------------------------------------
Ps: the name of "Friend" is mentioned towards the end of the book and the name reminds you of a certain person. However the physical description of "Friend" doesn't fit with the person known to fans. So it looks like they are two different people with the same name.
Petrarose
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^^You do wonderful reviews. I won't buy the book, but it seems it will make a lot of people happy. It is sad about him not having a place to stay and locked doors are so embarrassing. How does that make a proud man feel is another question.
QUESTIONS: When the bodyguards talk about Michael during the time when they did not work for him, do they say who their source is? Did they say how they got access to his financial papers? Was one of them his personal assistant and thus was able to get personal papers?
About Bain: I wonder if she was charging Michael for that office that was really her house. The bodyguards might have some good information for the estate about the Bain case. She has expensive hotel rooms and Michael can't find a place to stay--very sad.
Remember Randy said the crash gate was about doing a drug intervention. It is such a pity that came out in court and there was no one to refute it.
QUESTIONS: When the bodyguards talk about Michael during the time when they did not work for him, do they say who their source is? Did they say how they got access to his financial papers? Was one of them his personal assistant and thus was able to get personal papers?
About Bain: I wonder if she was charging Michael for that office that was really her house. The bodyguards might have some good information for the estate about the Bain case. She has expensive hotel rooms and Michael can't find a place to stay--very sad.
Remember Randy said the crash gate was about doing a drug intervention. It is such a pity that came out in court and there was no one to refute it.