Michael Jackson Attends Elizabeth Taylor A Musical Celebration                                                           London May 2000

23/05/2000   Michael Jackson in London

Today, a spokesman for Michael Jackson announced that the King of Pop is currently in London, staying at a private location, and not planning on making a public appearance before Thursday May 25th. Michael Jackson's spokesman also confirmed that Michael Jackson will be at the Elizabeth Taylor tribute at the Albert Hall on May 26th.

25/05/2000   Michael Jackson Arrives at the Dorchester

Today, at 5:20 pm (CET), Michael Jackson arrived at the Dorchester Hotel in London.Before entering the lobby through the main entrance, he greeted the numerous fans that had gathered in front of the building.

25/05/2000   Michael Jackson Visits Harrods

This evening, at 9 pm (CET) Michael Jackson left the Dorchester Hotel and went to Harrods. The famous Londonian department store, owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, was especially open for the occasion.

26/05/2000   Michael & Elizabeth Go to the Albert Hall

This evening, at 8 pm (London time), Michael Jackson and Liz Taylor left the Dorchester Hotel together and went to the Albert Hall.

26/05/2000   Michael & Elizabeth Attend Tribute Concert

8:30 pm (London time). The Elizabeth Taylor tribute concert just started at the Albert Hall.Michael Jackson is sitting next to Elizabeth Taylor in a first-tier box located near the stage.The King of Pop is wearing black trousers, a white shirt and a black jacket.

26/05/2000   Michael & Elizabeth Attend Tribute Concert - Update

9:30 pm (London Time). Michael Jackson and Liz Taylor left their box in the Albert Hall for a short break. They went out for some refreshments and came back a few minutes later. Michael Jackson is expected to appear on stage by the end of the evening.

26/05/2000   Michael & Elizabeth On Stage at Tribute Concert

10:15 pm (London time). As the tribute concert came to an end. Liz Taylor appeared on stage to address the crowd. After her speech, Michael joined her on stage and presented her with a huge bunch of flowers. He then hugged her.Then, Joan Collins came and Michael kissed her. The rest of the night's performers joined them on stage for the evening finale.The evening was quiet for Michael and Liz. They both enjoyed the performances, participating in the standing ovation that ended Andrea Bocelli's number.

27/05/2000   Michael & Elizabeth Return to the Dorchester Hotel

10:30 pm (London time). Michael Jackson and Liz Taylor returned to the Dorchester Hotel together. Before going to their suites, Liz and Michael spent some time in the hotel shopping gallery, looking at the jewelry showcases.

27/05/2000   Michael Jackson Leaves London

Early this morning, at 6 am (London time), Michael Jackson left the Dorchester Hotel.Last night, around 2 am, he went out on his own for a shopping spree at Harrods'. The department store was especially opened for him to buy presents for Elizabeth Taylor.

27/05/2000   Michael Jackson Sends Messages to Fans

Last night, around 3:30 am (London time), Michael Jackson threw several written messages to his fans from the balcony of his suite at the Dorchester Hotel.The messages read as follows:

"Make sure all fans read this. Let s have a tabloid burning.""I love you. I miss you all. Let s destroy all tabloid. I hate them. Burn them."

http://www.michael-jackson-trader.com/news/2000/May/index.html

May 25, 2000 Fans Go Hysterical

Central London today became the scene of mass hysteria when fans waiting outside the Dorchester Hotel for a glimpse of the King of Pop, tried to get closer to the object of their affection.

Michael Jackson, who is in town to help his friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor celebrate at an AIDS gala in her honor, arrived at the Dorchester in a black van with blacked out windows. The fans, who had been waiting outside the hotel for a number of hours, went bizerk upon his arrival. Several had to be restrained by police and hotel officials while one over zealous fan was physically carried away in hysterics by security after they latched onto the vehicle and refused to let go.

One eyewitness told a reporter from nme.com, "It was unbelievable, I couldn't believe how hysterical everyone became, how they changed when they saw him. People were running and hitting the car, trying to get a better view. I know Michael Jackson fans have a reputation as obsessive, but this was totally outrageous."

The King of Pop did take a few moments after emerging from the van to wave to the adoring crowd.

(Source: nme.com)

May 26, 2000 Elizabeth's Night

After weeks of speculation on whether or not the King of Pop would accompany his best friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor on her big night in London, the wait is finally over. Michael did indeed escort the Hollywood legend to a tribute concert in her honor.

The pair arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in London arm in arm and stopped briefly to pose for a few pictures before heading inside. They sat in a private box on a first tier balcony and Michael stayed at her side the entire evening.

According to MJWN, reporting from the scene, the two looked stunning. Elizabeth wore a lilac sequined pants suit trimmed in Marabou feathers while Michael sported black trousers with a long, black coat embroidered with a gold crest across the front.

The event, which was called "Elizabeth Taylor: A Musical Celebration," boasted a wide variety of musical genres. Performers taking part in the tribute included Tony Bennett, Jamiroquai, Reba McEntire, and Andrea Bocelli. Between performances, a giant screen showed clips from some of Elizabeth's greatest movies.

MJWN reported that Michael and Elizabeth seemed to really enjoy themselves. At one point they participated in a standing ovation given to Andrea Bocelli after his performance.

At the end of the show, Elizabeth took the stage to address the crowd. After giving her speech she was joined onstage by Michael. He spoke not a word. He simply handed her a large bouquet of white flowers and gave her a big hug. He was very respectful of the fact that this was Elizabeth's night and he was obviously very proud of his friend.

All proceeds from the tribute concert will go towards the Red Hot AIDS Charitable Trust and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Source: MJWN/MJFC

http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=133:2000-may&catid=163:2000&Itemid=75

Saturday, 27 May, 2000, 01:59 GMT 02:59 UK

Stars honour Liz Taylor

Dame Elizabeth Taylor has been showered with tributes at a gala musical evening held in her honour. The Hollywood legend, who arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in London arm in arm with pop superstar Michael Jackson, was given a standing ovation by the celebrity audience.

A host of stars performed at the charity bash, including veteran crooners Charles Aznavour and Tony Bennett.

Fans waited in the rain for a glimpse of the stars And actress Joan Collins gave a glowing introduction as the frail screen siren took the stage.

"Elizabeth Taylor has crammed more adventure into one life than Indiana Jones, had more perils than Pauline, been married more times than Henry VIII and through tireless charity work saved more lives than Florence Nightingale and James Bond," she said.

The audience rose to their feet as Dame Elizabeth, 68, stepped forward to make a speech.

She returned to her familiar theme of raising Aids awareness, telling them: "Although we've made tremendous strides in terms of treating this terrible disease, sadly the benefits of that research are only available to a few."

As she took a second ovation, Jackson walked onto the stage with a huge bouquet of white flowers.He did not perform but looked relaxed in his first appearance on a British stage in three years.

Artists taking part in the show included Martine McCutcheon, Debbie Harry, Jamiroquai and Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli.

Former Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow used the occasion to make his stage comeback after spending time in a rehab clinic.He performed his hit Love Is All Around, which like most of the songs during the concert was drawn from a film.

The gala comes just two days after Dame Elizabeth was awarded the British Film Institute Fellowship in a lavish ceremony at the city's Dorchester Hotel.

Jackson's fans have been camped outside the hotel, where the singer is reported to be staying.

Health worries

Friday's show, like the BFI dinner, is to benefit the Red Hot Aids Charitable Trust and the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.

Dame Elizabeth has made a series of public appearances since her arrival at Buckingham Palace in a wheelchair last week to be invested as a Dame by the Queen.The British double Oscar winner, who has lived in the United States for years, also flew into Cannes to make a speech at a Cinema Against Aids dinner and gave a rare TV interview earlier this week.She has been plagued by ill health in recent years, retired early after both dinners, after complaining of feeling unwell.