Why couldn’t Michael Jackson’s older siblings simply allow Detroit to honor the late King of Pop?
Last month, the Detroit City Council announced that surviving members of the Jackson 5 – Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, and Marlon – would headline this year’s Detroit Music Weekend festival. Michael Jackson would appear at the 75-minute production through an ‘interactive performance’ in the background. At the event, Mayor Mike Duggan would present the Jackson 5 with a key to the city.
Then, Stephen Grady, the City Council’s Chief of Staff, made a surprise announcement. In honor of the late ‘King of Pop,’ Detroit would rename a street after the artist.
The decision to rename the street first ran into major hurdle – namely a legislative one. The Detroit City Council has recently passed a controversial ordinance prohibiting street designations after a group or an organization.
That wasn’t a problem, said Grady. Based on Michael Jackson’s contributions to the world, the decision to rename the street was a “compromise.” After all, at the festival last year, the City Council unveiled Aretha Franklin Avenue.
Michael Jackson Avenue would’ve run close to the street named after the Queen of Soul. Both streets would run along the heart of the city’s entertainment district. Nearby venues include the Detroit Opera House, Music Hall, the Gem Theatre, and the Carr Center.
There was also another major problem the Detroit City Council hadn’t expected. Make that four. Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, and Marlon sharply disagreed with the decision. Taken aback by the announcement, they assumed the city would name the street after the whole group, not just its youngest – and most popular – member. Their complaint quickly went public ahead of their upcoming performance.
Now, Detroit has abruptly canceled the honorary street designation for Michael Jackson. The ceremony would’ve taken place this Friday at 4 pm. The move is likely an attempt to appease the furious Jackson 5 members.
In fact, Grady told the Detroit Free Press that the City Council would ultimately name the street after the entire group. Clearly walking back from his earlier ‘compromise’ argument, he said,
“We’re still working through the process. The amendment to the ordinance is fairly new, and we’re trying to understand what we can do. We still plan to do something for the Jackson 5.”
Just a reminder of what the Jackson 4 have been telling for a while now: “There would be no Michael Jackson without the Jackson 5”
Well, paps, maybe this is just a question of point of view but I see it like that (like millions of people around the world): there would be no Jackson 5 without Michael Jackson! And I think you all know it and that’s why you have been touring since Michael passed, singing his own songs like “Gone too Soon”, “Can’t Let her Get away” or even doing back up singers (yeap, that is right, back up) on “This is it”. Not to mention a 45 minutes of “Shake your Body” (written by Michael and Randy Only) which is a bit disturbing!
So I think you should apologise to the people of Detroit and let them pay tribute and respect to your little brother and let them have a “Michael Jackson Avenue”! Put your little egos on the side (cannot say to put them on a shelf as this is already taken by the hundreds of rewards that Michael Jackson accumulated during his career). Just saying!
SOURCE: Detroit Free Press
I agree with the writer 100% It’s easy for me though, never having been a Jackson 5 or Jackson’s fan. I’ve only ever been a Michael Jackson fan. But really, this comes across as petty jealousy… which is not a good look.
I agree too ! .. An there would’n be Jackson 5 Without Michael ! They try to diminish his significance
I think they should grow up and get past their petty jealousy. They have always been jealous and they always will. I agree also…….there would be no Jackson 5 without Michael. Be made the group what it was not them.
I totally agree with the writer, the brothers 4 need to stop being so petty about it and let Michael have this. Michael was an amazing artist and human being, he was blessed with an amazing talent. The brothers could not deal with Michael who’s career overshadowed them. Grow up brothers 4 and let it go!
I agree
[…] In mid May 2018, the MJGlobal family celebrated the announcement that the City of Detroit was planning to dedicate a portion of Randolph Street, in the theatre district, by renaming it Michael Jackson Avenue. However, quite unexpectedly, by mid June 2018,we were heartbroken when according to Detroit Free Press city announced the plans were suddenly scrapped. Seems it was his own siblings that threw a wrench into these plans to honor Michael, their own brother. A sad and shameful display of shortsightedness and ego. See MJVibe article. […]
I agree with the write, the fellows have it all wrong , I see jealousy here which have been every since Joe, their father put Michael out in front of that group, for he was the leader of the group, everyone loved that little person that was dancing and singing, so I think he made that Jackson 5 what they became out to be, Joe their father and Michael, the rest of them had nothing to do with it, they were back up singers only, They couldn’t get a show or job without Michael, if he said no to it , no job for them, unless their mother talked him in to doing it with them, So no , He made them not the other way around, they did nothing for him. So please give Michael Jackson that street, and not them, they did nothing for that honor.
I agree with the writer. Michael Jackson’s music will live forever! He put his life and soul into his music!