2023 was an eventful year for Michael Jackson fans. So much has happened. The world of Michael Jackson was deeply affected when some of the people who knew or worked with the King of Pop passed away.
The year started with the sudden passing of Lisa Marie Presley who was only 54. She was once married to Michael and also featured in the short film “You Are Not Alone”.
Few days later, Bruce Gowers also passed away. He was known by the fans for directing the videos of “Rock With You” (1979), “She’s Out Of My Life” (1980) and the Jacksons’ super hit “Can You Feel It” (1980).
In February, Glória Maria Matta da Silva, Brazilian Journalist who interviewed Michael Jackson on the set of “They Don’t Care About Us” lost her battle to cancer.
Burt Bacharach also passed away in February. Michael and Burt co-produced the song “Just Friends” for the album which Michael also recorded background vocals.
Ed Winter, the Deputy L.A. County Coroner who handled some of the biggest celebrity fatalities, has died in March. Fans will know his name for handling Michael Jackson’s death.
Ryuichi Sakamoto who wrote “Behind The Mask”, passed away in April. Since “Thriller 40”, we have now the original demo of the song recorded by Michael Jackson.
Singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte has died at home in Manhattan aged 96. In 1985, he organised the charity single “We Are the World”, an all-star musical collaboration that raised money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Jordan Neely was well known in New York Michael Jackson Fan community for impersonating the King of Pop, mostly performing in Times Squares and in the subway. His death was largely covered by the media due to the circumstances. He was only 30 years old.
On May 24, Tina Turner passed away. The world remembered her legacy and music, and Michael Jackson fans thanked her for her contribution to “We Are the World”.
In June, Scott Ross passed away. Fans will recognised him for the 2005 trial and he was a key component to Michael Jackson’s acquittance.
Renowned rock photographer Mick “Hutch” Hutson has suddenly died in June. He photographed Michael mostly during the Dangerous Era and took amazing pictures of the Dangerous World Tour which many of us seen or love.
You might not know her but Coco Lee was a famous Hong Kong singer-songwriter who performed at the “Michael Jackson & Friends” concerts in Germany and Korea in 1999. The singer was a huge Michael Jackson fan among being famous in her country.
Paul Reubens, the actor best known as Pee-wee Herman, died in July. He had a cameo in Michael Jackson’s movie “Moonwalker”.
Clarence Avant, Former Motown Chairman and Bad Tour Promoter, Dies at 92 in August this year.
Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian-born businessman who owned the department store Harrods, has died last September. Mohamed was a great friend of Michael Jackson, they met numerous times and Mohamed even supported Michael during difficult times, commissioned a statue of Michael after his passing to put in the Fulham FC ground.
Jerry Kramer, the director of “The Making of Thriller”, “Moonwalker” including “Speed Demon” and “Leave Me Alone” short films, also passed away in September. He was currently talking to Pez Jax to appear on a mini-documentary on Moonwalker called “Walking On The Moon”.
Belgian composer François Glorieux dies at the age of 91 in September. Michael Jackson was a big fan of his and also met.
This year was also a difficult time for our family. We first lost our cousin Kevin in a tragic car accident. Despite that he wasn’t a huge Michael Jackson fan, I remember how much he loved the single “Will You Be There” and how many times he played it when he was a kid. At the end of October, I lost my dad who introduced me to Michael. My dad was a huge Disco fan and I remember listening to his 7″ single “Off The Wall”, which I still own in my collection and has become one of my most precious possession. I am also thankful to Pez Jax who dedicated ‘Walking On The Moon’, a Mini-Documentary on ‘Moonwalker’ to my dad.
For everyone who departed this year, you’ll forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we wish you peace wherever you may be.
