Music Promoter in Taiwan Remembers Michael

Yu Kuang is a pop music promoter and concert agent, who invited Michael Jackson to Taiwan for the Dangerous tour in 1993. He appeared visibly upset during a TV news appearance when the news of Michael Jackson's death broke last June. He expressed that he was in shock and very upset at the news of Michael's passing. and paid his tribute to Michael Jackson as one of most iconic and influential artist in the music world. A rare talent that may not happen again for generations.

Dangerous tour Taipei promotional poster

During Yu's career, he was the first person to bring Western pop music to Taiwan since the 1960's. He began with radio and television and also had a music magazine. From 1982 onwards the government began to liberalise the political system, rules were gradually more relaxed in various social and culture aspects. Yu started to bring in European and American big name pop and rock bands. However, he's best remembered for bringing Michael Jackson to Taipei for the Dangerous tour in 1993, in which time, the culture climate was ready to embrace him.

Yu put in great effort to secure the opportunity of Michael Jackson coming to Taiwan for the first time. He did everything he could to meet all the requirements including sorting out a large capacity stadium, and sponsors, which convinced the agent and finally enabled the concerts to take place and be a huge success.

However, the Dangerous tour in Asia was eventful. Just after Michael kicked off the Asian leg of the tour in Bangkok on the 24th August, the first child abuse accusation against him was made public. Two performances in Thailand and Singapore had to be cancelled because Michael suffered from acute dehydration and exhaustion due to the emotional stress cause by the accusation. Though the tour was heavily insured. Yu was relieved when Michael finally landed at the airport in Taipei on 3rd September, with his friend Elizabeth Taylor who had flown out to support him. The original dates for the Dangerous tour concerts in Taipei were rescheduled for the 4th and 5th September.

Yu Kuang music magazine MJ's Taipei
Dangerous tour special edition

Being the most iconic pop star to ever visit the country at the time, the media frenzy and coverage was unprecedented. Screaming fans surrounded Michael's hotel, calling his name and pursuing him everywhere he went, hoping to get a glimpse of him. Michael's amazing super stardom and presence had made a real impression, he was back at his best in Taipei. His outstanding live performances set a new standard in the country and he certainly lived up the name 'King of Pop'. Even after the event, Michael was talked about in the media for 3 months!

After the Dangerous tour in Taipei, Michael showed his appreciation by sending Yu a copy of his favourite portrait of himself 'The Book' as a gift to thank Yu for all his effort and help. Michael came back for the History tour 3 years later in October 1996, which was then organized by anther agent in Taiwan. There were two performances in Taipei, and one in Kaohsiung, which was to become Michael's final world tour.

Yu met Michael on 3 different occasions. He recalled when meeting Michael for the first time, noticing his nose was just like the Disney cartoon character Peter Pan's, with the tip of nose slightly tilted, Michael did refer to himself as Peter Pan in the past. "He was very friendly with a very soft voice, like a whisper, and very shy, like a little boy." The Michael Jackson he knew was simple, pure and had a childlike innocence, but on stage Michael was a super star. He remembered that Michael especially requested the 'King of Pop' title had to be included on the promotional posters, clearly showing that Michael was very confident that he was definitely the 'King of Pop'! Yu remember bringing some children to meet Michael after he expressed his wish to meet some local children. With the children Michael has a "natural, heartfelt joy that came from within" said Yu.

Yu even met with Michael's family, when his parents and brothers flew out to Taiwan to offer support due to the accusation. Yu recalled how he waited in a room with Michael's Dad and brothers for 'an appointment', which was the extent of protection from his bodyguards. To Yu, loneliness seemed to play a prominent part in Michael's life.

After Michael's sudden death, Yu's biggest regret was that he was not able to help Michael tour China, Yu felt he had let Michael down. Michael had briefly visited mainland China and Hong Kong as a tourist during the Bad Tour back in the late 80's, he was fascinated by the culture and people. According to Yu, Michael had very strong desire to perform in China, during his 93' Dangerous tour in Taiwan, Michael had personally asked for Yu's assistance to help him achieve this ambition. When Michael returned to Taiwan 3 years later for the History tour, he arranged to meet with Yu, again raising the proposal of going into China, and even signed contract with Yu as indefinite priority agent to co-ordinate his future performance in China.

In fact, according to insiders there was a Chinese Mainland company in close contact with the Dangerous tour organizer. Beijing was going to be one of the stops along side Taipei, (even Hong Kong was on the list but was later cancelled, the reasons may have been because of not having a big enough stadium, or the noise concern by local residents) in the end, the Beijing tour did not happen. It was in a different time and there was lots of speculation as to why, but one reason known to Yu was that after the relevant authority had seen Michael's music video and material that had forwarded to them, the response was that they didn't think that one of Michael's dance routines (grabbing his crouch) was in line with Chinese Custom! Yu exclusively told the Chinese Nanfang Daily reporter during an interview.

Since the announcement of Michael's O2 'This is it' concert, Yu had been in talks with a Chinese concert agent that intended to bring the show to the mainland. Yu suggested to wait until the end of the London concerts before pursuing it further. Yu never thought Michael would pass away so suddenly, the Chinese tour would sadly never become a reality for Michael. Taiwan turned out to be the only Chinese country and region that Michael had performed in. Millions of mainland Chinese fans regretfully will never see the King of Pop live in concert on Chinese soil.

Rest in peace, forever the King of Pop!

©2010 PeiLing

Source: Taiwan CTI News, Taiwan Liberty Times. Chinese Nanfang Daily

Relevant reading : When Michael Jackson Visited Mainland China

                

                          

The story as told 14 years ago...

                        

A Taiwanese newspaper article was published 14 years ago on 21st October about Michael Jackson with Mrs. Ma's family. It was the Ma's family 2nd encounter with Michael since the Dangerous Tour in 1993. I have translated the main part of the article here:

Remember the moving story of lucky twins Prety and Morlys' meeting with the King of Pop in his pyjama's at the Taipei Grand Formosa Hotel room 3 years ago?

This time, the family are invited to follow the King of Pop on tour in the country after the couple made contact with Michael after his arrival in Taipei to begin his 3 History tour concerts. He immediately arranged to meet the family, Michael said, 'the girls have grown up!'

Ma and her husband touched Michael with their sincerity 3 years ago, not only had they met Michael in his private hotel room, he also invited their twin babies to meet him. The couple gave Michael a wooden caved leopard artwork as a thank you gift for his kindness, ever since then, they had built up the friendship by keeping in touch. Michael has never forgotten them, he even invited them on holiday in the U.S, but because the twins were so little at the time, and due to Mrs. Ma's husband's busy work schedule they were not able to make the trip. 

The lovely twins are mixture of Indian and Chinese. They had an early birthday present from Michael by joining him on stage in his Kaohsiung concert yesterday. The most special moment has to be that Michael personally celebrated the twins' 4th birthday in his hotel room after the concert, as they had previously arranged. The couple were said to be overwhelmed by Michael's kindness toward their family, which made the twins the envy of all the MJ fans in the country!

©2010 PeiLing

Source: Min-Shang News 
Photo: dyuisu73

My Blog So Far....

After all the chaos of moving house, I've finally got a bit of time to come back to my blog.

Before writing more stories about Michael, maybe I should mention the background to this blog.

I was watching a Taiwanese TV talk show via the internet, about Michael Jackson's passing and his legacy last year. One of the guests was Mrs. Ma who knew Michael personally and had formed a long lasting friendship with him. Due to the TV's tight schedule she only talked briefly about her family's amazing encounter with the King of Pop. That was when I started to dig deeper into her story, I found her another TV appearance and news articles that provided more insight to her story.

I had hoped to share this story on Michael Jackson.com, but it was not easy, as there was no links in English. When the first anniversary of MJ's passing was approaching, I decided to translate and share this largely unknown story with the MJ community, as my tribute to the King of Pop.

I posted it on Michael Jackson.com forum on June 26 this year, title " A fan's beautiful memories of Michael as a friend", got some great reactions from fans. But two days later when the forum was still on going, the story was pretty much copied and pasted to someone's Twitpic that I happened to follow! And further more it was credited to the person who had forwarded the story! It was difficult not to feel annoyed by it, when it had taken me time and effort to put it all together. So after a few emails the situation finally got resolved a week later, she responded with an apology, and updated the credit and redirect people to my link on the forum.

That was when I realised that more and more people started reading my original post on the forum, I must admit that the story that I had written wasn't in perfect English. When my husband knew about it, he suggested that I put it in a blog, and with a bit of help with my English. (He's English and not a big fan of MJ) So all of a sudden I found myself writing a blog about Michael Jackson. It's been a challenge, and a bit of leaning curve for me, but the blog allowed me to go deeper into the story.

Thank you all for your comments here and on twitter, I'll continue to write about Michael as long as I've got something to contribute to remembering him as this amazing human being that sadly had gone too soon.

Jocy Ma's heartfelt letter to Michael ( 5/5 )

Dear Michael,

Words can not even begin to describe how much we've missed you, ever since that moment that you magically gave us a big surprise, we know you love surprises! Remember that once we were all sitting together in your movie theatre in Neverland watching your MV "Ghost". Just before the movie finished you suddenly disappeared in front of everyone, your love of magic always brought the kids lots of happiness, we'll never forget your kindness and hospitality.

We will also never forget your performance in Durban South Africa on 15 October,1997, the last concert of your History tour. (Never thought that it would be your last ever performance!)

You were having your make up backstage getting ready for the show, as you looked up in the mirror, you saw the twins Prety and Morly that you had said goodbye to a few hours ago at the airport, reappear at your make-up room. You were so surprised, your expression was exactly like Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone', " WOW! " You jumped out of your chair, shy with your hands covering your face, you had only just applied the make up…

The last song "History", you invited the lucky twins onstage with you to end the concert and said your farewell to hundred of thousands of the live audience, and all the fans around the world. No one knew this was going to be your final curtain call - The End. It became History.

Feeling particularly sad at this moment, looking at the concert photos that you sent us in the past. You led Prety and Morly's on stage to end the show. A smile on your face, in your favourite white military jacket, waving goodbye to everyone, it turned out to be your last appearance on stage.

My Lord, we sincerely pray to you that our beloved King of Pop, Michael Jackson is in your safe hands. His purity, kindness, humbleness, love and his beautiful laughter will remain with him, with your blessing, he is forever free from worries and pain in this world, and is free to be the real Peter Pan in Neverland.

Dear Michael, we were planning to give you another surprise at the London O2 show before Father's day and your 51st birthday. Remember our secret password for meeting you: "can you dancing?" you may be laughing out loud hearing it!

Rest now, everyone who loved you will pray for your family and your mother Katherine and especially your children Prince, Paris, Blanket. We sincerely thank you for your sincere love and all the wonderful memories you left us, despite our grief and pain of losing you, you will forever be in our hearts.

Forever missing you from your family friend in Taiwan.

Love from - Prety, Morly, Jocy(Ma Qi Zhen) and Hairess 17/07/2009

p.s While immunised with emotion writing this letter, felt a sudden tremor, sensing a very familiar scent in the air, it was your favourite perfume, was it really you…

We shouldn't be sad, as you once said, you would never wanted anyone who cared for you to be sad. We hope you are truly free now. Rest in peace Michael!

©2010 PeiLing

Source

The Michael Jackson Money Bank ( 4/5 )

Michael had issued Mrs. Ma the rights for the MJ Money bank trade mark 'Family Friend', designed by Ma's company 'Reema International' and licensed by Michael company 'Triumph International Inc'.

The phases 'All for one = One for all', 'All for World = World for all' on the packaging was Michael's concept of an ideal world of an universal mutual love for all.

After inserting the first coin, you will hear Michael's message:" I love you very much!", when inserting the second coin, wait for the first coin to drop, you will then hear "Let us all heal the world!"

Michael wanted to encourage people to save, to help the world's disadvantaged children. He even thought of a letter displayed on the packaging as an gift idea to spread the message. (see photo below)

More information can be found in the photos below, which show the packaging of MJ money bank. The background also shows images of Michael and the twins on the History tour in Durban, South Africa.

©2010 PeiLing

Part 5. Jocy Ma's heartfelt letter to Michael

                             

Michael came up with the message

            


          

Source: nownews.com

Michael was a big kid ( 3/5 )

Michael loved magic he knew lots of magic tricks and used them to entertain children, even adults were amazed by his tricks. He also loved playing a disappearing game using a secret passage in Neverland Ranch to make himself disappear in an instant in front of everyone, and reappeared somewhere else.

Ma remembered once Michael was sitting among children watching the short film 'Ghost'. When the movie finished the light came on, 'Where's Michael?' the children puzzled, even the adults sitting in the back had no ideas how this had happened. Michael had simply disappeared from his seat! While everyone was trying to figure out why, Michael had already collapsed with laughters by the door.

But one thing that Ma particularly remembers was his dedication to sick children. Michael's specially designed cinema enabled sick children to enjoy movies like everybody else. Beds were provided in many rooms with medical facilities and even the presence of medical staff.

One particular example of Michael's childlike quality was the 'Michael Jackson Money Bank'. Michael was planning another world tour in the year 2000, and the theme of the tour was to save the children and heal the world. Ma had an idea to use Michael's portrait to help raise money for disadvantaged children all over the world. This was to be launched in Michael's Millennium world tour, to encourage the fans to help. During the development stage meeting, Michael thought of a even better idea that the Michael Jackson money bank 'Talks!' Then right at there and then, Michael just grabbed the voice recorder and and quickly left the room, 3 minutes later he rushed back all excited, " I've done the recording!'

Ma realised that Michael had just rushed into his bathroom to record his own voice, the message said 'I love you very much! Let us all heal the world.' So the message on the MJ money bank was in fact recorded in his bathroom!

But at the time Michael was surrounded by court cases dispute, in the end, he wasn't able to fulfil his wish of a Millennium world tour, so after the first batch of 700 MJ money banks was produced, the production had to be cancelled. The original mould was also since destroyed, there are over 600 MJ money banks owned by fans round the world. The History tour turned out to be his last ever world tour. To remember and honour Michael, Ma had donated 17 MJ money banks in his name for auction to raise money for disadvantaged children in Taiwan.

Below video is a translated vision with English subtitle that featured Mrs Ma and her twin daughters' TV appearance in Taiwan, sharing their memories of Michael, photos and the MJ money bank. 

©2010 PeiLing

Part 4. The Michael Jackson Money Bank

            

July 2011 Update: 

Mrs. Ma has recently resumed the production of Michael Jackson Money Bank with new model to continue Michael's legacy to heal the world. Aiming to set up a foundation in Taiwan to raise money in his memory to help the disadvantaged children.

Remembering Michael ( 2/5 )

For 17 years Ma and her family had never spoken of their family friendship with the King of Pop, it wasn't because of a confidential agreement with Michael, but was to do with mutual trust between friends. Now she has chosen to share her story about their friendship to let everyone know the real Michael in a more personal way.

The first time that the Ma family visited Michael's home, the Neverland Ranch, Ma recalled that it was a much bigger place than she had imagined and very well protected by security. A confidential agreement had to be signed before entering and no cameras were allowed. The facilities in the ranch and conversations between Michael and his family had to be kept confidential.

It would be any fans dream to visit the Neverland Ranch, the Ma family were invited six times. Each time they visited they stayed for a few days and even once spent Christmas with the King of Pop! The Ma family also became good friends with Michael's family and relatives.

We all know Michael loved entertaining children with magic, and his incredible ability and energy to lead the world on stage with his music and dance. When offstage, he wasn't seem as confident, his kind and trusting nature was often betrayed by so called friends, also led to his financial problems as speculated. As well as his fun side he had a more serious side, he was very much concerned with international affairs and often willing to offer his help. Just before his passing, two Korean American journalists were arrested in North Korea accused of espionage. When he heard about this, Michael called a senior media personnel for the phone number of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, he hoped to plead with him for the release of the two journalists.

Later Ma learnt that Michael thought Kim Jong Il maybe a fan, as he often wore military uniforms, which Michael also loved. This was an example of Michael's innocence, caring side of him.

Apart from his kind nature and childlike innocence, Michael's image had always been in the public eye, especially when Michael's skin started to turn white nearly two decades ago. This led to the speculation that Michael was bleaching his skin to look white. After witnessing his skin condition Ma realised that people had misunderstood Michael.

Michael was diagnosed with vitiligo back in the 80's, the early symptoms appeared on his hands. That was the reason why Michael started to wear gloves. In order to co-ordinate with his stage performances, he asked his stylist to design his glove and never thought that the bright sequinned white glove would soon take over from his black hat, white socks and black loafers or even his red leather jacket, as his most iconic trademark.

At his home Michael never avoided them seeing his skin condition, he even rolled up his sleeves to show them, and lifted up his shirt to show his back. There were indeed patches of white marks. This was the reason why he wore heavy make up, masks and gloves.

Apart from his iconic white glove, which was simply a result of him trying to hide his skin condition. The black hat was his real favourite, and he was inseparable from it, even at his home, whether he was paragliding or jet skiing. Once Michael and some children were messing around in his swimming pool, everyone was having a great time, for Michael it was as if he was back in his childhood. Being the tallest among the children, all children got together and pushed him into the pool, Michael also went along with it, pretending to be pushed into the pool, and all they can see was his hat floating in the pool.

When they didn't see Michael re-emerge, all the children started to worry. Only to see Michael reappeared at the other end of pool with a cheeky grin and laughing out loud.

©2010 PeiLing

Part 3. Michael was a big kid

Source: nownews.com

A Taiwanese Family's Friendship with Michael Jackson (1/5)

Michael's first meeting of the Ma family at his hotel room in Taipei, 1993

At this one year anniversary of Michael Jackson's passing, I'd like to share this beautiful story which emerged last Summer in Taiwan, soon after Michael's sudden death that shocked the world. It touched many people in the Far East, but for the rest of the world, it's still remains widely unknown. Apart from this story, I'm hoping to translate and share as much as I know about Michael, as well as my thoughts.

Below article was first shared on MichaelJackson.com on 26/06/2010 (http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/871501) before I created this blog and posted more updates on the story, see part 2-5 links at the end of the article.


A Taiwanese fan Mrs. Ma Qi Zhen not only met Michael along with her family, but also become a close friend of Michael for many years. Mrs. Ma has always kept a low profile of their 17 year family friendship, until Michael's sudden passing last June. She has spoken out for the first time in the media last Summer, paying her tribute to how incredible kind, loving and approachable the King of Pop was. She has shared her memories of an extraordinary friend, deeply saddened by his passing and frustrated by how mis-understood Michael was.

The friendship began through a simple fax. Like thousand of others, Mrs. Ma simply wanted to see Michael perform in a concert. It was Michael's first time in Taiwan on the Dangerous Tour, in September 1993, the first ever mega star to visit Taiwan at the time. However, Mrs. Ma and her husband had trouble getting tickets for their nine month old twin daughters, as ticket were denied for safety reasons. Mrs. Ma wouldn't settle for this so decided to fax to the hotel that Michael was staying in Taipei. Addressed to Michael Jackson and asking him directly to allow her twins to go to the concert, she didn't expect Michael to even see it. To their surprise, Michael had read the fax and responded! As soon as he saw twins's photo on the fax, he immediately send down his secretary with VIP passes for the family to be able to come to the concert and meet him personally backstage before the concert began.

Never in a million years had they thought a fax would lead to the meeting of Michael Jackson. However, thing didn't go according to plan, when it was time to meet Michael, they were stuck in traffic, full of thousand of fans going to the concert. By the time they arrived, the concert had started.

Fortunately the Ma family was able to meet Michael at his hotels presidential suite after the concert. Although he was already changed into his pyjamas ready for bed. Unlike his super star image, he was very kind and approachable, Ma recalled that he was so fascinated by the twins and wanted to know everything about bringing up babies. The twins were crawling around in his room, at one point one of the twins grabbed his CD player and started to bite it. Michael immediately went to pick her up and softly said, 'don't bite, it'll hurt.' Ma recalled that although at the time he was not yet a parent himself, he was very protective of children. This also happened to be the darkest and lonely time of his life, as he was just being accused of child abuse for the first time by Evan Chandler, which made headline worldwide, but it didn't stop him continue to care for children.

When they said goodbye, Michael personally walked them to the lift (elevator) and promised to invite them to come and visit him when he returned too America. Ma family never took his words seriously, but Michael meant it! During their 17 year friendship the family were invited 6 times to be guests at his Neverland home, they even travelled to places in other parts of world with him. even attending his wedding to Debbie Rowe in Australia. Every time they said goodbye, he would cuddle them and whispering "always love", and "promise that you will love me always". He simply wanted to be loved.

Michael adored the twins Prety and Morly, when he returned to Taiwan for the History tour in 1996, he invited them onstage for the 'Heal the world' song. He even invited the family to follow the History Tour with him. The twins also featured in 'Heal the World' along with Michael in Durban, South Africa, which was said to be his last ever concert.

Michael had confided things about himself, like his iconic sequin glove, was first used to hide his skin problem vitiligo that first appeared on his hand. The glove become more iconic than his hat, in truth the hat was his favourite! He even referred to himself as Chinese. As according to Michael his mother Katherine is a quarter Chinese descent. Ma never asked Katherine about it, but Michael often expressed his strong desire to perform in China.

According to the Taiwanese concert organiser Mr.Yu, during both his Dangerous and History tours in Taiwan in the 90's, Michael asked him to help him to perform in China. Yu did his best but at the time China was a very different country, not yet ready to open up to Western pop culture. It did not happen in time for Michael.

Ma had often seen a very sincere and caring side to Michael. During the History Tour in Taiwan, when in a car being pursued by fans on their scooters, Michael was so concerned about their safety he asked the driver to slow down, and asked her to speak to fans in Chinese. As soon as she wound down the window the fans went crazy when they saw Michael! Another fun memory was when Michael took them and other children to visit a haunted house in Universal Studios one Halloween. As soon as all the 'ghosts' realised it was Michael Jackson, they were shocked and stopped pretending to be ghosts. This frightened the children and some started to cry, Michael stood between them, blocking all the 'ghosts' away from the children, "Stand back!" he told the 'ghosts'!

Ma remembers Michael, as pure and innocent, like a big kid, he loved surprises, magic tricks, he was very compassionate, very trusting and very caring. With Ma's observation of being a mother over the years seeing Michael's interaction with children that he sincerely loved and cared for children with all his heart, and not what some elements of the press have portrayed.

Sadly Michael's gone, by sharing her story it lets the world know the true nature of Michael Jackson, and at the same time they just feel so fortunate for all the precious memories that Michael has left them. The world had sadly lost a greatest music icon and a beautiful soul.

The video below was sent by Michael to the Ma family after the History tour. It features the twins with Michael sining 'Heal the World' in Ma's home city Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan. Towards the end of the song, Michael made a special effort to say, "I love you" in Mandarin to the  audience. This he had asked the twins to teach him before the performance. His interactions with the twins was just so sweet.

Rest in peace, Michael, we'll miss you.

©2010 PeiLing


Part 2. Remembering Michael



For more photos please check out: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.209981939059047.53824.208660372524537&type=3

                       

Michael celebrated the twins 4th birthday in his hotel room in Taipei, 1996

The twins at the Neverland Ranch with Michael and Omer Bhatti

The grown up twins showing the calendar that Michael sent to the family

                                     

Michael asked to have photos of the twins posted to him
every year, so he could see how they were growing up.

                                 

Source : nownews.com, TV Media: TVBS, CTV
                   Taiwan News report