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June 15, 2002 : Michael attends a fan-club event with Uri Geller at the Equinox nightclub in London where he speaks for the first time of his problems with Sony and his CEO Tommy Mottolla.

Anyway, I first let me say, I really don’t like to talk that much. I really don’t. I prefer performing than talking.

Let me just say this… The tradition of great performers… the tradition of great performers from — I really want you to know what I say! — from Sammy Davis Junior, to James Brown, to Jackie Wilson, to Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly. The story is usually the same though. These guys worked really hard at their craft, for the story ends the same. They are usually broken, torn and usually just sad, because the companies take advantage of them, they really do.

And… Sony…Sony… Being the artist that I am, at Sony I’ve generated several billion dollars for Sony, several billon. They really thought that my mind is always on music and dancing. It usually is, but they never thought that this performer — myself — would out think them.

So, we can’t let them get away with what they’re trying to do, because now I’m a free agent… I just owe Sony one more album. It’s just a box set, really, with two new songs which I’ve written ages ago. Because for every album that I record, I write — literally, I’m telling you the truth — I write at least 120 songs every album I do. So I can do the box set, just giving them any two songs.

So I’m leaving Sony, a free agent,… owning half of Sony! I own half of Sony’s Publishing. I’m leaving them, and they’re very angry at me, because I just did good business, you know.

So the way they get revenge is to try and destroy my album! But I’ve always said, you know, art — good art — never dies. …Thank you.

And Tommy Mottola is a devil!

I’m not supposed to say what I’m going to say right now, but I have let you know this. Please don’t videotape what I am going to say, ok? Turn that off please. Do it, do it, I don’t mind! Tape it!

Mariah Carey, after divorcing Tommy, came to me crying. Crying. She was crying so badly I had to hold her. She said to me, “This is an evil man, and Michael, this man follows me.” He taps her phones, and he’s very, very evil. She doesn’t trust him. He’s a horrible human being. And we have to continue our drive until he is terminated. We can’t allow him to do this to great artists, we just can’t.

I just wanted to let you know, I appreciate everything you’ve done, you’ve been amazing.

You’re so loyal! Diana, everybody, Waldo, all the people here! I love you all. You’ve been amazing, I love you!

But still, but still, I promise you, the best is yet to come!

July 9, 2002 : Michael goes to Al Sharpton’s National Action Network headquaters in Harlem where he speaks again of a conspiracy in the record industry against black artists.

Michael’s speech against racism!
Sharpton’s National Action Network headquarters in the Harlem neighborhood of New York

… I remember a long time ago in Indiana, [when I was] like 6 or 7 years old, and I had a dream that I wanted to be a performer, you know, an entertainer and whenever I’d be asleep at night, and my mother would wake me up and say, ‘Michael, Michael, James Brown is on TV!’ I would jump out of bed and I’d just stare at the screen and I’d do every twist, every turn, every bump, every grind.

And it was Jackie Wilson; the list goes on and on you know, just phenomenal, unlimited, great talent.

It’s very sad to see that these artists really are penniless because they created so much joy for the world. And the system, beginning with the record companies, totally took advantage of them. And it’s not like they always say: ‘they built a big house,’ ‘they spent a lot of money,’ ‘they bought a lot of cars’ — that’s stupid, it’s an excuse. That’s nothing compared to what artists make.

And I just need you to know that this is very important, what we’re fighting for because I’m tired. I’m really, really tired of the manipulation.

I’m tired of how the press is manipulating everything that’s been happening in this situation. They do not tell the truth, they’re liars. And they manipulate our history books. Our history books are not true, it’s a lie. The history books are lies, you need to know that. You must know that.

All the forms of popular music from Jazz, to Hip Hop to Bebop to Soul, you know, to talking about the different dances from the Cake Walk to the Jitter Bug to the Charleston to Break Dancing — all these are forms of Black dancing!

What’s more important than giving people a sense of escapism, and escapism meaning entertainment? What would we be like without a song? What would we be like without a dance, joy and laughter and music?

These things are very important, but if we go to the bookstore down on the corner, you won’t see one Black person on the cover. You’ll see Elvis Presley. You’ll see the Rolling Stones. But where are the real pioneers who started it?

Otis Blackwell was a prolific phenomenal writer. He wrote some of the greatest Elvis Presley songs ever. And this was a Black man. He died penniless and no one knows about this man, that is, they didn’t write one book about him that I know of because I’ve searched all over the world. And I met his daughter today, and I was honored. To me it was on the same level of meeting the Queen of England when I met her.

But I’m here to speak for all injustice. You gotta remember something, the minute I started breaking the all-time record in record sales — I broke Elvis’s records, I broke the Beatles’ records — the minute [they] became the all-time best selling albums in the history of the Guinness Book of World Records, overnight they called me a freak, they called me a homosexual, they called me a child molester, they said I tried to bleach my skin. They did everything to try to turn the public against me. This is all a complete conspiracy, you have to know that.

I know my race. I just look in the mirror, I know I’m Black.

It’s time for a change. And let’s not leave this building and forget what has been said. Put it into your heart, put it into your subconscious mind, and let’s do something about it. We have to! It’s been a long, long time coming and a change has got to come. So let’s hold our torches high and get the respect that we deserve. I love you. I love you.

Please don’t put this in your heart today and forget it tomorrow. We will have not accomplished our purpose if that happens. This has got to stop! It’s got to stop, that’s why I’m here with the best to make sure that it stops. I love you folks. And remember: we’re all brothers and sisters, no matter what color we are.

August 29, 2002 : Michael goes to New York City to appear at the MTV Video Awards Ceremony, held at Radio City Music Hall, where Britney Spears presents him a birthday cake for his 44th birthday but Michael misundetstands and gives a thanking speech for the Artist of the Millenium award.

Britney Spears started with the following words:

I am thrilled to be here with you in New York on such a special night. And it’s more special because it just so happens to be someone special’s birthday. This is someone who’s inspired me and just about everyone in this room and the world. I consider him the artist of the millennium. He’s a true innovator who pioneered the true art of music video, broke down countless barriers and sold more records than any other artist along the way. So, happy birthday my friend, the King Of Pop.

Then Michael came on stage to the intro to Billie Jean and received a standing ovation from the audience. He hugged Britney Spears, took the award from the table with the cake and walked to the microphone for his acceptance speech:

Well…um…God Bless you. Um…I love you too [to the fans yelling at him]. Thank you very much, Britney Spears you’re wonderful. If… when I was a little boy in Indiana, if someone had told me… if someone had told me that one day I would be getting, as a musician, the ‘Artist Of The Millennium’ award I wouldn’t have believed it [laughs]. This is really amazing. I can’t believe it. Thank you so very much.

But there’s a couple of people I have to thank who made this possible [he reaches into his pocket for a piece of paper, and unfolds it]. First I’d like to thank God who makes all things possible. My mother, Joseph Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Trudy Green, Howard Koffman, the genius of John McClain, John Branca, Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Quincy Jones, I love you. David Blaine your magic is real and I believe in you. And I’d like to thank… I think James Brown is a genius. And all the fans around the world, I love you. God bless you. Thank you.

November 21, 2002 : Michael attends the Bambi Awards with Wiesner & Bashir where Boris Becker presents him the Pop Artist Of The Millenium award. During the ceremony, the video for “What More Can I Give” is premiered.

Dear Dr. Burda, dear Dr. Turnhofer, ladies and gentlemen, I have many good reasons for my visit to Germany. Coming back to Berlin, so full of energy, it’s very special to me. Berlin, Ich liebe Dich [Berlin I love you].

September 11th has changed our world. Not long ago the Berlin wall came down, but recently new walls were built. In 1989 people in Germany said: “Wir sind ein Volk.” [We are one people].*

We are Germans, we are Armenians, French, Italians, Russians, Americans, Asians, Africans and many other nationalities.

We’re Christians, Jewish, Muslims, Hindus.

We’re black, we’re white.

We are a community of so many differences. So complex, and yet so simple.

We do not need to have war.

And to the children of Germany I want to say this: We need you. The world needs you. Please go for it. Go after your dreams. Go after your ideals. You can become everything you wanna become. Become an astronaut, become a scientist, a great doctor, and of course, become an artist. Maybe you get a Bambi award like me then.

I want you to know, I love Germany! You are very special in my heart, so much really. Always appreciate the gift of life. Be happy and have fun.

I love you.
Thank you very much.

The November 28, 2002 (No. 49) issue of German magazine, Bunte, featured an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson. Michael had been in Berlin beforehand to receive a special Bambi award. Below are excerpts from the interview which was conducted from his hotel room.

Michael speaking about wearing his new glasses in public at last week’s Bambi Awards:

That was embarrassing. I wore my new reading glasses for the first time in public.”

Michael explains how his children respond with having to have security accompany them everywhere and why people scream for them:

Paris is imitating me now. When I call ‘I love you’ to the fans she also calls ‘I love you,’ ‘I love you too from the bottom of my heart.'”

Michael discusses his children’s love for the ‘Spiderman’ movie:

They love the Spiderman clothes. They have seen the movie about a dozen times. It is terrible. I already know the movie by heart. I’m trying to vary the cinema program a bit by showing them Disney movies, but they always only want to see ‘Spiderman.'”

And Michael finally speaking out on his recent music shopping experience in Berlin:

Incredible. It doesn’t matter where I am, I am always followed. I would like to buy some more CDs in Berlin.”

December 9, 2002 : Live from Neverland, Chris Tucker presents Michael a special award to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Thriller during the Billboard Awards.

Cedric: All right everybody, it’s that time. We’re about to take a trip to the Neverland Ranch with my friend, Chris Tucker-y’all.

Chris Tucker: Twenty years ago Michael Jackson was already a successful artist with seven number one hits to his name, four with the Jackson 5 and three on his own. But nobody was prepared for what would come next … [in Michael’s voice] ’cause this is Thriller, Thriller … [vocal sound effects]

Michael Jackson: [laughing]

Chris Tucker: Sorry. ‘Thriller’ stayed on the Billboard 200 for nearly two years, spending a record 37 weeks at number one. It won dozens of awards including a record 8 Grammies. He gave me one of them. It set another Billboard record when seven of his nine tracks reached the top ten and Michael became the first artist at Billboard chart history to simultaneously and single handily album charts both on black and pop charts. I messed that up, I know y’all seen it but that’s all right.

Chris Tucker: Quite simply, ‘Thriller’ still remains the biggest selling album in the history of the world, period. That’s why I’m thrilled to present this award to the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson: Thank you so much. I’m very honored. I’m very happy. I thank all of the people that appreciate my work. I thank the Billboard Awards. I’ve always admired you. And to the fans around the world, I love you. I couldn’t be me without you. Thank to God. Chris Tucker your my favorite.

Chris Tucker: Could I keep the award for a couple days?

Michael Jackson: Yeah, we gotta share it.

Chris Tucker: At my house?

Michael Jackson: No, we have to share it.

Chris Tucker: Where can I stay at Neverland?

Michael Jackson: Anywhere you wanna stay.

Chris Tucker: All right, I’m in cabin three.

Michael Jackson: [laughing] Okay. Thank you so much!

Chris Tucker: Thanks y’all.

Cedric: Hey, what’s up y’all? They told me they still have Michael Jackson on the wire. Where Mike at? What’s up, Michael?

Michael Jackson: I’m here.

Cedric: Hey what’s up, Michael?

Michael Jackson: Hey, how are you?

Cedric: That’s the King right there, bro. How you doin’ man? Mike, I just wanna ask a question that’s been on everybody’s mind I’m sure, I know it’s on mine. Mike, where’s Bubbles at Mike? How the monkey doin’? Ain’t nobody heard from the monkey in a while Mike. How the monkey doin’ Mike?

Michael Jackson: [laughing] He’s at Chris Tucker’s house.

Cedric: Chris Tucker got the monkey. Man, right on man.

Chris Tucker: What’s up brother?

Michael Jackson: I’m a big fan of yours by the way.

Cedric: Right on Mike, big fan here too Mike. I know all the songs.

Chris Tucker: [talking like Michael] Me too Cedric, I love you!

Cedric: You know this maaaaaaan.

Michael Jackson: [laughing quietly] You know this man.

Cedric: Right on, Chris Tucker and Michael Jackson, the new ‘Rush Hour’.

Chris Tucker: Let’s do it! Forget Jackie!!

Michael Jackson: [laughing]

December 23, 2002 : Michael makes a Christmas televised message via The German channel ZDF to his fans and the world asking us to not only love but to care for those in need and continue to help him in his efforts to HEAL THE WORLD for children.

In December 2002, Michael Jackson recorded a Christmas message and sent it to German magazine ‘Bunte’.

Good evening children and Merry Christmas,

When I create music I always hope that my music will give joy to many people. If that happens I am very happy. Giving joy makes one happy. Unfortunately there are many children that are not happy. In Germany and in other countries.

During Christmas this is especially hard for those children because it is on Christmas when they see what they miss. For some it may be just a small present, for some it may be a warm meal, for some it may be a family, for some it may be just a little bit of love.

That is why I need you! I need your help. Let us work together and help those children. Let us reach out to those who are alone – Let us all tell them: “You are not alone”.

This year it is I, only I speaking to you, children in Germany and sending you a few little gifts. If you help me, then next year, we will do the same but in many more countries. We will speak together – maybe we will sing together – and we will give gifts together. Let us think big. Let us find many people to join our effort.

Here and all over Europe and then all over the world. We can do it! I know we can do it!

To all of the grown ups I like to say this: To us, so many things seem important. Sometimes, we think we are important. We are not important. Nothing is more important than our children! They are the future. They can heal the world. It is our obligation to be there for them. To advise them. To motivate them. To help them and to love them. Let us encourage them to go for their dreams. And let us as parents, friends and relatives help them to have good dreams.

I look forward to the new year, to working with you children and to create an organization that will help other children.

I promise, I promise you, if you come along, it will make you feel good and it will be so much fun!

Merry Christmas! I love you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you so much!”

June 13, 2003 : For the first time, Michael takes on the role of interviewer for the August 2003 edition of Interview Magazine. He interviews producer Pharrell Williams (of The Neptunes) in a telephone conversation.

Pharrell Williams: Music’s Hottest Hitmaker Talks To The Thriller
(August 2003)

Michael Jackson: Hello?

Pharell Williams: Hello! How are you, man?

MJ: You must forgive me, but Gregory Peck, who died yesterday, was a very dear friend of mine, and I’ve been helping his wife prepare the memorial and all those things. So please forgive me for being late with this call.

PW: No, listen, man, I can’t believe I’m on the phone with you.

MJ: Oh, God bless you.

PW: Thank you, sir. You too.

MJ: Thank you. So, I’m interviewing you, right? And I think it’s seven questions, or something like that?

PW: Sure. Whatever you like.

MJ: Okay. What would you say inspires you in your music? What is it that inspires you to create your music?

PW: It’s a feeling. You treat the air as a canvas and the paint is the chords that come through your fingers, out of the keyboard. So when I’m playing, I’m sort of painting a feeling in the air. I know that might sound corny, but

MJ: -No. No, that’s a perfect analogy.

PW: And when you know it’s done, you know it’s done. It’s like painting or sculpting. When you let it go it’s because you know that it’s finished. It’s completed. And vice versa-it tells you, “Hey, I’m not done.”

MJ: Yeah. And it refuses to let you sleep until it’s finished.

PW: That’s right.

MJ: Yeah, I go through the same thing. [laughs] And what do you think of the music today-are you into the new sounds that are being created and the direction that music is going?

PW: Well, personally, I kind of feel like I’m taking notes from people like yourself and Stevie [Wonder] and Donny [Hathaway], and just sort of doing what feels right.

MJ: Right.

PW: You know, like when everyone was going one way, you went Off the Wall [1979].

MJ: Right, [laughs]

PW: And when everyone else was going another way, you went Thriller [1982]. You just did it your way. And I’m taking notes from people like yourself, like not being afraid to listen to your feelings and turn your aspirations and ambitions into material. Making it happen, making it materialize.

MJ: That’s beautiful. That’s lovely. You said that very well. I wanted to ask you-do you feel, the way I do, that it’s almost like a pregnancy, giving birth? Writing a song is like having a child, and once the song is finished, it’s like letting the child into the world. Do you ever feel like that, like it’s hard to let go?

PW: You know what? I did an interview the other day to present a video, and I was afraid to let it go. That was for a video, but the video to me is like the second part of the song because it is the interpretation given in a visual perspective. So, yes, I completely feel that way. And it’s like sometimes if you play something to people and they don’t get it, it’s kind of like your child who’s done something and everyone is pointing fingers and you’re like, “Wait! This is my kid!” Now, I’m not a father, but I imagine that’s the way it would be-at least that’s how I feel about my songs.

MJ: Right. Now the different forms of music-popular-culture music-that the black race has been responsible for bringing in, ushering in, from jazz to pop to rock ‘n’ roll to hiphop, you name it, what do you think that is all about? Is it given from God?

PW: I think all music is a gift from God. And-[a fan interrupts] Michael, can you hold on for one second? [Williams talks to fan for a few seconds, then resumes talking to Jackson] Sorry.

MJ: [laughs] Blues, rock ‘n’ roll, all the different forms of popular-cultural music-like rock ‘n’ roll was invented by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino.

PW: Absolutely.

MJ: Even the dances from the cakewalk to the Charleston, the popping, the breaking, the locking. Don’t you think they’re a gift from God?

PW: Absolutely. God gave us that gift when he gave us the gift of interpretation. I mean, when you write your lyrics, you’re writing to someone, or to the world. When you’re playing, you’re playing something for the world to hear. When you’re dancing, you’re dancing for people to see. It’s just a form of expression. And then there are times when you might be a little more introverted about it, when you’re dancing, writing, or playing for yourself, and you have no idea how amazing what you’re doing looks, sounds, or feels, until somebody else tells you, or until you record it and go back and look at it.

MJ: That’s right. Who are some of the older artists-not the artists on the radio today who inspired you when you were younger? Like the artists your father listened to, did you learn anything from those artists?

PW: Absolutely. The Isley Brothers.

MJ: Yeah, me too. I love the Isley Brothers. And I love Sly and the Family Stone.

PW: Donny [Hathaway], Stevie [Wonder] . . .

MJ: You like all the people I like. [laughs]

PW: Those chord changes. They take you away.

MJ: Beautiful, beautiful. Okay, well, where are you? In New York?

PW: I’m in Virginia Beach, Virginia, sir.

MJ: Virginia! Oh, beautiful. Will you give my love to Virginia?

PW: Yes. Thank you.

MJ: And your mother and your parents? Because God has blessed you with special gifts.

PW: Thank you, sir. And I just want to say something, and I don’t know if you want to hear this, but I just have to say it because it’s on my heart. But people bother you

MJ: -Yeah.

PW: -Because they love you. That’s the only reason why. When you do something that people don’t necessarily understand, they’re going to make it into a bigger problem than they would for anybody else because you’re one of the most amazing talents that’s ever lived. You’ve accomplished and achieved more in this century than most any other men.

MJ: Well, thank you very much. That’s very kind of you.

PW: What you do is so amazing. When you are 100 years old, and they’re still making up things about what you’ve done to this and what you’ve done to that on your body-please believe me, if you decided you wanted to dip your whole body in chrome, you are so amazing that the world, no matter what they say, is going to be right there to see it. And that is because of what you have achieved in the music world, and in changing people’s lives. People are having children to your songs. You’ve affected the world.

MJ: Thank you very much. It’s like the bigger the star, the bigger the target. You know when you’re-and I’m not being a braggadocio or anything like that-but you know you’re on top when they start throwing arrows at you. Even Jesus was crucified. People who bring light to the world, from Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King to Jesus Christ, even myself. And my motto has been Heal the World, We are the World, Earth Song, Save Our Children, Help Our Planet. And people want to persecute me for it, but it never hurts, because the fan base becomes stronger. And the more you hit something hard, the more hardened it becomes-the stronger it becomes. And that’s what’s happened: I’m resilient. I have rhinoceros skin. Nothing can hurt me. Nothing.

PW: Well, that’s precisely my point. I just want to let you know you’re amazing, man. What you do to music, what you’ve done to music, from “Billie Jean” to “That’s What You Get (For Being Polite)”-[sings “That’s what you get for being polite” ].

MJ: Oh, you know that one? [laughs]

PW: [sings “Jack still sits all alone”]

MJ: Boy, you know all those ones.

PW: When you do that, you do that to the world, [resumes singing “Jack still sits all alone”]

MJ: [hums a guitar riff]

PW: If I never work with you, just know that you are unstoppable. That’s why I said, when you’re 100 years old and you decide to dip your entire body in chrome, as much as they say things-and I don’t care what they say about you, sir-they’re going to be right there to see it.

MJ: There’s a lot of jealousy there. I love all races, I love all people, but sometimes there’s a devil in people, and they get jealous. Every time there’s a luminary that goes beyond the heights of his field of endeavor, people tend to get jealous and try to bring him down. But they can’t with me because I’m very, very, very strong, [laughs] They don’t know that, though.

PW: They know! Please believe me, they know!

MJ: Anybody else would’ve cracked by now; they can’t crack me. I’m very strong.

PW: Of course. They couldn’t crack you when you were 10, because you were destroying grown men doing what you did with your voice and your talent. And when you were 20, you were outdoing people that had been doing it for 20 or 30 years. And nowadays they’re still waiting to see where you’re at. They want to see your kids, they want to see your world. You’re amazing, and I just wanted to tell you that, man. And I hope that this all gets printed because it’s very important to me. I hope that I can be half as dope as you one day.

MJ: Oh, God bless you. You’re wonderful, too. Thank you so much.

PW: Thank you, man.

MJ: Have a lovely day.

PW: You too, sir.

MJ: Thank you. Bye.

PW: Bye.

Michael Jackson celebrated his birthday at a giant party thrown by his friends and fans. In a speech that evening, Michael told the party-goers about his dreams for the future and his new work. What follows is a transcript of Michael’s remarks:

“What a performance… this is amazing — don’t you think?

I would like to thank my wonderful fans so very much for this event. I cannot believe what enormous effort you have put into this. Thank you for putting together this fabulous party and for traveling from over 30 countries. I am deeply moved and touched by your love.

I want you to know that I appreciate my fans not just on occasions like this — but every day of my life. It is your presence, your faith and your loyalty that has given me great strength during difficult times, and it was you who inspired me to work hard and deliver, I owe you.

Over the years we became a family. You are all my family. My children are your children and all children of the world are our children and our responsibility.

This is a time when a person reflects on the child that will always live inside him, but more importantly, the grown man that continues to emerge intellectually, but never lost his child-like innocence.

A lot of what you’ll be seeing from me in the future will celebrate the youthful imagination that has always been a part of who I am, but also the adult perspective of a father and artist and member of our community.

My birthday wish is that you, my fans, will join me in some new undertakings and that we all travel into a bright future together.

I feel young enough to look into the future with great optimism:

— I have assembled a fresh team of good-hearted, loyal and competent people from quite different backgrounds. They are working in great harmony and with a true team spirit. And they have you, the fans, on the top of their list.

Give them some time and you will see:

— A new official Web site, a variety of official merchandise, an “MJ” clothing line for all ages, a fan communication center and — perhaps a surprise.
— We promise to make “Neverland” more accessible to the fans and to work something out so we can stay in touch.
— We also want your input, ideas and criticism.

Whenever there was injustice to me, you were always there and I love you forever for this.

A few hours ago I left the studio. I am working on new music … and new short and feature films … and … you’ll see!

All I can promise you is that I will make you all proud of being a Michael Jackson fan.

Before I say good-bye, I wish to tell my fans about a new philanthropic project that is close to my heart:

It is aimed to help young people, it is about mentoring.

Today’s world has many problems. Many of them are hard to solve. They require money, manpower, expertise, equipment and so on but what they require most is people who have the will to take them on. People that will not give up until the job is done.

I trust the young generations (those way below 45) to address those problems and to find solutions. Solutions nobody ever thought about before.

That is why I urge all young people to “go for their dreams.” If they do, many problems will be solved.

In partnership with several highly accomplished people we will — before year end — launch a new philanthropic organization. While I am not yet able to give you more details, I can tell you its name:

“GO FOR YOUR DREAMS!”

I am telling you first because I hope that you will join me and make this undertaking a worldwide success. It would make me extremely proud if you, the fans, would become ambassadors for “Go for your dreams!” all over the world.

But now, I hope you all enjoy the party and have fun.

Life is terrific!

You are the best — but remember the best is yet to come!

Thank you so much again.

I love you from the bottom of my heart.”

September 10, 2003 : Michael gives a telephone interview to DJ Rick Dees of US radio station KISS FM.

On Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at 8:45 am, Michael Jackson granted KIIS FM personality Rick Dees an exclusive on-air interview. He phoned in to the Los Angeles based radio station from Toronto, Canada to discuss his charity event and after party, both being held at his Neverland Valley Ranch on September 13, 2003.

The after party, which is being hosted and broadcast live by Klub Kiss (KIIS FM 102.7), will follow Michael’s charity event and run from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am. KISS FM awarded 12 lucky winners free tickets to the party. Other party-goers paid $2500 for a ticket for four guests, or $725 per individual ticket. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the ‘Make a Wish Foundation.’

Rick: Michael, it’s Rick Dees!

Michael: Rick, how are you?

Rick: How are you?

Michael: How you been doin’?

Rick: Couldn’t be better, sir. And you’re in Toronto now?

Michael: Yes, I’m in Toronto. I just decided to come up here and write music.

Rick: You know who else is living in Toronto now? Prince. Prince decided to move from Minneapolis to Toronto.

Michael: The singer?

Rick: Yes, Prince the singer.

Michael: You’re kidding!

Rick: And he and his wife…in fact, Jimmy Jam told me they’re living there now.

Michael: Jimmy Jam is so nice.

Rick: Isn’t he the best?

Michael: Yeah…

Rick: I wanna thank you for what you’re doing on Saturday. Everybody is so incredibly jazzed. Now I have seen your wonderful, beautiful ranch. But most people just fantasize about what it would be like to just walk the grounds…and now we’re going to get a chance. Now will you be there?

Michael: Uh…yes, I will be there.

Rick: Alright!

Girl in background: That’s what we wanted to hear.

Michael: Yep, I will be there.

Rick: Commander Chuck Street said that he really enjoyed taking you up in the helicopter.

Michael: Aww, that guy is so nice. He’s wonderful.

Rick: He had 20,000 hours and he said that it was just a wonderful experience and that you had wanted to see the ranch from a mountain, like in the back where the forest is.

Michael: Right, Mount Katherine.

Rick: He said that Mount Katherine is almost 29,000 feet…No, no, I’m just saying…but uh, how tall is she?

Michael: Personally, I don’t know…really tall…

Rick: It’s quiet…you know when I was there, Sophia Loren’s sons were there that afternoon…

Michael: They were riding quads.

Rick: Yes, we were riding quads and that was the first time anybody ever saw an ATV. And it was wonderful but um, at the same time I didn’t want to leave…that’s probably how you feel when you leave, isn’t it?

Michael: Aaw, God Bless you. Thank you. Well, you know you’re always welcome. You know that.

Rick: What a nice thing to say Michael. And you know Saturday is very special too because I don’t think that people understand that there are different ways to raise money for great causes, but for you to open your home for Make A Wish and other foundations is really special to us.

Michael: Aw, God Bless you. Thank you so much.

Rick: Can you catch us up to speed, now, over the last few months. First of all, how are the kids, are they doing alright?

Michael: All the children are fine.

Rick: They were… um… in the helicopter the other night and Chuck Street said that they were just absolutely so well behaved and the nicest…but at the same time of the last 6 or 7 months or so, how busy have you been?

Michael: I’m always busy. I never stop. I’m a workaholic. I love working.

Rick: You really do love it, don’t you?

Michael: Yes, I love it.

Rick: So you’ve been in Toronto…have you written any songs?

Michael: Yes, very much.

Rick: I’d like you to meet Ellen Kaye who just walked in…

Ellen Kaye: I was waiting for my formal introduction.

Rick: Michael, this is Ellen Kaye…

Michael: Hello, Ellen, how are you?

Ellen Kaye: Hi, Michael, it’s nice to meet you, finally.

Michael: You too.

Ellen Kaye: I hope one day you can come in the studio cuz we’d love to just…be around you. And bring the kids.

Michael: Oh, I’d love that, that’ll be cool, I love this station…it’s wonderful.

Rick: The last we talked, you said you keep in shape solely by dancing. And when I saw the shot of you…I think it was about 2 or 3 weeks ago…you’re still in really good shape. It’s still just dance that keeps you in shape?

Michael: I just like to dance around to music that I like.

Rick: Hmm.

Ellen Kaye: And chasing two kids, that’ll keep you in shape.

Michael: Yes, running after the children.

Ellen Kaye: I have 2 toddlers myself and once they get those tennis shoes on, there’s no slowing down.

Michael: I know….it’s mainly that I enjoy dancing….and I walk around the lake at Neverland.

Rick: And I’d like to point out …the lake at Neverland, is absolutely, it’s right in the very front, at least one of them…and you just wanna dive in. It really is.

Michael: Thank you.

Rick: Now Prince and Paris, how are they different? What are their likes and dislikes? What can you tell, as a parent, you know, ‘Prince likes this, Paris likes this’.

Michael: Well they like, in truth, they like the same things. Prince, he doesn’t like girl toys. I always wanted a daughter, and through all the years I’ve toured, I bought all these dolls, and I filled the whole room up full of dolls for when I have a daughter….and that would be her bedroom. And the first time I brought her in there, when she was old enough to walk, she just walked right passed it. (laughs)…she likes boy! toys. ! She likes trucks, cars…whatever prince wants, she wants.

Rick: You’re kidding! And there’s a whole room of dolls and she just walks right through them?

Michael: Yeah…(laughs)

Rick: The first time I met Michael, Ellen, it was um, not in a, well first of all we we saw each other on a tv show, but the first time we got a chance to socialize it was at a place called “Robbies’ Hobbies” and we both got into little, uh, they’re radio controlled cars…

Ellen Kaye: I like those too.

Michael: Yeah….

Rick: And they were so much fun.

Michael: You have a great memory.

Rick: Well, thank you. So I had a jeep made up for Michael. And he would take it on tour. And he would hide behind like a curtain or something, and this car would just show up at someone’s feet. And it would stop, and they would jump around, and he’d bring the car back to him. They never knew it was Mike behind the controls! (laughs)

Michael: (laughs)

Rick: Great. So it was fun!

Ellen Kaye: That’s cool.

Michael: Great fun.

Rick: So now Michael, we’re gonna have a huge party, do you mind…obviously we’re not gonna tear up the house or anything but what rules should we put down?

Michael: Just to be kind to one another, and have a great time. I’ll be kinda watching from a distance and enjoying it. I hope I can get to say hi to you.

Rick: Oh, absolutely. When you go back to your bedroom, like really late?

Michael: Yes

Rick: I’ll be in your closet. (laughter)

Michael: Okay. (laughs)

Ellen Kaye: Oh, stop it! You don’t have to take that Michael! (laughs)

Rick: Again, on behalf of Make A Wish and all the people too, Michael thank you so much.

Michael: God bless you and say hi to your wonderful family.

Rick: Oh, I certainly will. Julie says ‘Hi’, too.

Michael: Aaww! Tell her I said ‘Hi’!

Rick: She knows so many little stories about Mike…they’re buddies.

Michael: Yeah…she’s a sweet person.

Ellen Kaye: I can’t wait to see your animals on the ranch, cuz I’m a huge animal lover so.

Michael: Oh, there are lots of animals.

Ellen Kaye: Yeah, cool.

Rick: You still have the trampoline?

Michael: Yes…we found the rattlesnake. (laughs)

Rick: Kevin Dees was asking about that.

Michael: We found that snake, remember?

Rick: Oh man! We went out in the woods, and this is way away from his home so don’t be afraid, but Michael and I found a baby rattlesnake.

Ellen Kaye: Ooooh, now those are really potent, cuz their poison is even stronger cuz it’s more concentrated.

Rick: So Mike is walking up to the snake and about four guys jump in front of him and say, “What? Are you crazy?? Not with your CD just released!”

Michael: (laughs)

Ellen Kaye: (laughs) Yeah, cause people will take a bite for him.

Rick: So a couple of guys took a hit lik! (punching noises)…”It didn’t hurt Michael” (punching noises)

Michael: Yeah, that was something. It was fun!

Rick: That was something else. They called him “Rattlin’ Rick”. Hey Mike, we’ll see ya on Saturday, okay?

Michael: Okay, Rick. God bless you.

Rick: God bless you.

Michael: And say “Hi” to everybody.

Rick: My best to Prince and Paris, too.

Michael: Oh, God bless you, thank you!

Rick: Michael Jackson. Rick Dees in the morning. That’s what it’s all about. The world exclusive interview – he’ll only do one – and thank you for choosing us Michael.