25 years of Michael Jackson’s Bad

The miners have struck the mother lode in the estate of Michael Jackson and now ready for the harvest are treasures from the private archives. These might need some cleaning or restoration. After all, these have been in storage for several years. But once restored to its original state or better yet after being enhanced by new technology, these will be ready to be revealed and enjoyed by the whole world.

You all know what happens with the possessions of departed pop idols. Fans will willingly pay an arm and a leg for souvenirs or some audio or video footage they had not seen before. Why do you think Elizabeth Taylor is richer now than when she was alive? Why do you think some recording by Elvis Presley is released every year? And so, two years after Michael tragically died in that rented L.A. mansion, the process of mining his possessions began.

The first to be taken out and released into the market is Michael Jackson Live At Wembley, July 16, 1988 and this is one fantastic discovery. This was a VHS copy of his historic one-night only performance at the Wembley Stadium in London for a sold-out crowd of 72,000 fans that included Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It was the only video of that show in existence. It was made up of the footage projected on the large screens in the arena during the show, now wonderfully restored and enhanced for the DVD release.

Most noticeable here is the fact that unlike other concert videos, there are no shots of the audience. This is clearly because Michael never intended it to be released. It was just for his personal records. You might think then that the overall impact of the show suffers because there is an obvious lack of direction. But on the other hand, all that you will see is Michael and what a sight he is. This is Michael at the peak of his powers as a singer, dancer and total entertainer. Those who came in late into the MJ fold and who only remember the grotesque facial features and thin, ravaged body should watch this DVD. He was truly magnificent.

The show was actually part of his world tour for the album Bad. That is why most of the songs are from that album. They are Man In The Mirror, which is the best of the set, Bad, Another Part Of Me, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal. The Way You Make Me Feel, my favorite song in the album, was added as a bonus track plus versions of I Just Can’t Stop Loving You and Bad from the Yokohama Stadium concert in Japan.

Also included are Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, This Place Hotel, She’s Out Of My Life, a medley of Jackson Five hits I Want You Back/ The Love You Save and I’ll Be There, plus Rock With You, Human Nature, Thriller, Bad Groove, the band jam, Working Day And Night, Beat It and Billie Jean.

This year also happens to be the 25th anniversary of the release of Bad, Michael’s follow-up to the phenomenal Thriller album. Now available is the Bad 25th Anniversary Edition which includes 13 rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks like Don’t Be Messin’ Around, I’m So Blue and the French and Spanish versions of I Just Can’t Stop Loving You by Michael himself. There are also rare and exclusive photographs and the remastered original Bad album with all the songs.

I like Bad, because there is something so relaxed about it. It feels like MJ was just having a good time and was not under any pressure to prove himself anymore. Of course, it also includes Leave Me Alone, which I believe was a sign that he was becoming aware that his problems have begun. But all those were still in the future and Bad can be enjoyed now as a fun album. This is also an excellent companion piece to the Wembley DVD.

Something that all MJ fans will surely love having and what I was so happy to find in both the Wembley DVD and the Bad anniversary CD are the pictures. Found in both are rare photographs of Michael at work and with friends, and he looks so handsome and so happy.

Maybe that was, indeed, his happiest period, the time when he was young, enjoying his independence, his huge success and still without the fears and insecurities that would hound him later in his life.