Michael Jackson and Katerina Witt as Celebrity Spies?News this weekend from Germany reveals another aspect of Michael Jackson’s mystique. According to a report from Das Spiegel, Jackson and other western performers were spied on by East German secret police Stasi. According to the news Jackson’s 1988 concert in Berlin was cause for more than a stir from fans there, as the then communist regime was apparently dealing with an already restive East German youth movement. Files from the former East German secret police also suggest that Ice Skating double Gold Medalist Katerina Witt and other stars may have been used in “diverting” attention from Jackson’s and other concerts during this time.
Katarina hosted a concert featuring Brian Adams during this time, which actually did draw some attention away from what were feared to be “influential” performances from the west. Ironically, Katarina gave an exhibition in late 88 in the midst of her Calgary Gold Medal quest featuring none other than Michael’s song Bad. Was this performance the Stasi thumbing its nose at the west and Jackson, declaring who was really bad? The Stasi evidently put forth considerable effort to watch Michael before his concert on 19 June, 1988. The documents obtained also revealed the Stasi’s fear of unrest from young people who apparently intended to listen to the concert from over the Berlin Wall or from in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Michael’s West Berlin performances of Bad below, reveal a little of the power these celebrities exuded.
At the time of this “Bad espionage” crisis, the LA Times and other newspapers billed the Jackson – Witt performances as something of a match of ideals, calling Michael’s and Katerina’s relative concerts an “East-West battle of the bands”, which according to the numbers of people at each, Katarina and Brian Adams likely won, given there were nearly 3 times as many fans attending Witt’s extravaganza.
Interestingly, in the Winter Olympics of 88 East German athletes won more Gold Medals than the Americans. Talk about a war of the wills! Perhaps the CIA (if they were using stars for democracy) fought a losing battle in this “fact or fiction” cold war.
Below, Katarina’s version of “Bad” before a packed house at the 88 Calgary Olympics
In all seriousness, it is fairly evident that governments play all the cards in the deck when playing “hard ball” for power. However, though Katarina could play Mata Hari pretty well for the East, Michael never did really come off as the James Bond type for me. The real impact Michael had however, cannot be underestimated. This is just another peripheral example of the appeal and power of such personalities.
Michael in Berlin 1988
August 1, 2009
Michael Jackson and Katerina Witt as Celebrity Spies?
Ivorian villagers claim the body of Michael Jackson, their son and prince
décès(223) - Michael Jackson(37) - cérémonie(2) death (223) - Michael Jackson (37) - Ceremony (2)
Des villageois ivoiriens réclament le corps de Michael Jackson, leur fils et prince Ivorian villagers claim the body of Michael Jackson, their son and prince
En 1992, Michael JAckson est couronné Amalaman Anoh, du nom d'un ancien prince du royaume © AFP In 1992, Michael Jackson was crowned Amalaman Anoh, named after a former prince of the kingdom © AFP
La star de la pop, décédée le 25 juin dernier, avait visité Krindjabo, village ivoirien, en 1992. The pop star, who died June 25 last, had visited Krindjabo, ivoirien village in 1992. il y avait été fait prince et avait souhaité y retrouver ses "racines africaines". there had been prince and had wanted to regain its "African roots". Le village estime qu'il devrait y être enterré, parmi les siens. The village believes that there should be buried among his own.
"Il était notre fils, nous réclamons son corps": les notables de Krindjabo, capitale du royaume du Sanwi (sud-est ivoirien), demandent que Michael Jackson soit enterré dans ce village qu'il avait visité en 1992 et où il avait été intronisé "prince". "It was our son, we call her body" means significant Krindjabo, the capital of the Kingdom of Sanwi (south-eastern Ivory Coast), requested that Michael Jackson is buried in the village he had visited in 1992 and where he was inducted "prince".
"Nous réclamons que son corps arrive pour qu'il soit enterré dignement à Krindjabo", explique Ahissan Nogbou, porte-parole du roi des Sanwi, un royaume des Akan, grand groupe ethnique qui s'étend de la Côte d'Ivoire au Togo. "We demand that his body happens to be buried with dignity Krindjabo," says Ahissan Nogbou, spokesman for the King of Sanwi, a kingdom of the Akan ethnic group which extends from the Ivory Coast in Togo .
Alors qu'aux Etats-Unis l'incertitude règne sur la destination de la dépouille de la star décédée le 25 juin à Los Angeles - l'hypothèse Krindjabo apparaissant toutefois des plus improbables - le notable ivoirien ne veut pas croire que le corps puisse être transféré ailleurs qu'au village. While in the United States there is uncertainty about the destination of the remains of the star who died June 25 in Los Angeles - the assumption Krindjabo appears most unlikely, however - in the Ivory Coast does not believe that the body can be transferred outside of the village.
"Ce serait une honte, car dans la tradition akan un prince est toujours enterré chez lui", fait-il valoir, drapé d'un pagne noir, couleur du deuil, sous le regard du roi Amon N'douffou V qui, selon la coutume, ne parle jamais en public. "It would be a shame, because in the Akan tradition is still a prince buried with him", he argues, draped in a black cloth, the color of mourning, under the gaze of King Amon N'douffou V, according to the custom, never speaks in public.
Le prince couronné The crown prince
Le 13 février 1992, le chanteur de "Thriller", en tournée sur le continent africain, était venu dans ce gros village au coeur de la forêt pour retrouver ses racines africaines. On 13 February 1992, the singer of "Thriller", on tour on the African continent, came in this big village in the heart of the forest to find his African roots.
Tano Koutoua, un planteur octogénaire, faisait partie des notables qui avaient participé à l'événement, sous l'égide du roi précédent, Amon N'Douffou IV. Koutou Tano, an octogenarian farmer, was among the notables who attended the event, under the previous king, Amon N'Douffou IV.
"Son séjour dura 30 minutes. Il avait été couronné Amalaman Anoh, du nom d'un ancien prince du royaume, sous l'arbre à palabres" qui se dresse majestueusement au milieu du village, se souvient M. Koutoua, une photo de la cérémonie à la main. "His stay lasted 30 minutes. He was crowned Amalaman Anoh, named after a former prince of the kingdom, under the palaver tree" that stands majestically in the middle of the village, remembers Mr. Koutou, a photo of the ceremony at hand.
Michael Jackson "avait expliqué à l'assistance que ses origines proviendraient de ce royaume Sanwi, avant de dire merci en langue agni (ethnie locale, ndlr)", raconte-t-il, disant pleurer "un enfant du village". Michael Jackson "was explained to the audience that its origins come from this kingdom Sanwi before to say thank you language agni (local ethnicity, ed)," he says, crying saying "a child of the village".
Collégien à l'époque, Fulbert N'Douba, 30 ans, se rappelle que la superstar avait promis "la construction d'un foyer de jeunes qui devait être une pépinière des vedettes de la chanson". College at the time, Fulbert N'Douba, 30, remembers that the superstar had promised "to build a home for young people who should be an incubator of famous singers.
Las, "le projet n'a pu être réalisé en raison de la politique destructrice des fils du terroir", se lamente Fulbert N'Douba, désignant les quatre hectares de terrain réservés, désormais envahis par les herbes. Las, "the project could not be achieved because of the destructive policy of the son of the soil," laments Fulbert N'Douba designating the four hectares of land reserved, now overgrown with weeds.
Selon lui, l'artiste avait été déçu par la suite de recevoir dans son ranch californien de Neverland, pour évoquer le projet, "une délégation de notables autre que celle qui l'avait accueillie en Côte d'Ivoire". According to him, the artist was disappointed by the result of receiving in his Neverland ranch in California to discuss the project, "a delegation of notable other than that which had greeted in Côte d'Ivoire."
Mort du "fils adoptif" Death of "adopted son"
Pour l'heure, les habitants du village ont décidé cependant de mettre en sourdine leurs querelles pour rendre un hommage princier au "roi de la pop". For now, the villagers have decided however to mute their quarrels to pay a tribute to Prince's "king of pop".
La Mutuelle des originaires du canton de Krindjabo (Amok), association des cadres de la localité, a annoncé mardi la mort du "fils adoptif" dans la rubrique nécrologique du journal pro-gouvernemental, Fraternité-Matin. La Mutuelle des originaires Township Krindjabo (Amok), an association of managers of the resort, announced Tuesday the death of "adopted son" in the obituary section of the pro-government newspaper, Fraternité Matin.
Un comité travaille sur le programme de la cérémonie, qui comprendrait une exposition de photographies et d'oeuvres discographiques dans la grande cour royale. A committee working on the program of the ceremony, which includes an exhibition of photographs and recordings in the great royal court.
L'un des temps forts devrait être une parade de sosies de Michael Jackson sur la place principale du village. A highlight will be a parade of look-alikes of Michael Jackson on the main square of the village. Et une causerie-débat sur "l'influence de l'artiste sur la musique du XXe siècle" réunira journalistes et musicologues. And a talk and discussion on the influence of the artist on the music of the twentieth century "will bring together journalists and musicologists.
Mais malgré l'hommage prévu, les villageois expriment d'une même voix un regret. But despite the planned tribute, villagers express with one voice a regret. "Michael Jackson est mort sans laisser aucun souvenir dans son village", déplore une vieille dame, Thérèse Somian Affala. "Michael Jackson has died without leaving any memory in his village," says an old lady, Teresa Somian slumped.
Prince Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh (prince of Sanwi) will be buried in Côte d'Ivoire
Prince Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh (prince of Sanwi) will be buried in Côte d'Ivoire
APA - Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) - La Côte d'Ivoire s'apprête à organiser des funérailles pour le roi de la pop, Michael Jackson, décédé le 25 juin dernier à Los Angeles, aux Etats Unis. APA - Abidjan (Ivory Coast) - The Ivory Coast is preparing to hold a funeral for the king of pop, Michael Jackson, who died last June 25 in Los Angeles, USA.
« Nous attendons près d'un million de personnes qui viendront d'Afrique, d'Europe et d'Amérique pour rendre cet hommage méritoire au roi de la pop que nous avons intronisé prince en 1992 à la faveur de son voyage en Afrique », explique le président du comité d'organisation, Olivier Kattié. "We expect nearly one million people who come from Africa, Europe and America to make this worthy tribute to the king of pop that we have enthroned prince in 1992 through his trip to Africa" says the chairman of the organizing committee, Olivier Katt.
En visite en Côte d'Ivoire en 1992, Michael Jackson avait été intronisé prince du royaume de Sanwi, dont Krindjabo est la capitale. On a visit Côte d'Ivoire in 1992, Michael Jackson was inducted prince of the kingdom of Sanwi, Krindjabo which is the capital. Or, les princes Sanwi sont toujours enterrés chez eux. But the princes are buried Sanwi home. C'est suivant cette tradition que les notables du royaume vont organiser les funéraires, en dépit de l'absence de sa dépouille qu'ils ont réclamée à sa famille. It is following this tradition that the notables of the kingdom will organize the funeral, despite the absence of the remains they claimed to his family.
La désignation du successeur de Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh (prince du Sanwi), conformément aux us et coutumes, des danses traditionnelles, la projection de films, constitueront les temps forts de ces funérailles. The appointment of the successor to Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh (prince of Sanwi) in accordance with the customs, traditional dances, film shows, will be the highlights of the funeral.
Michael Jackson est décédé le 25 juin dernier à Los Angeles, d'un arrêt cardiaque, à l'âge de 50 ans. Michael Jackson died last June 25 in Los Angeles of cardiac arrest at age 50.
L'Amérique et le monde lui ont rendu un hommage émouvant, le 7 juillet dernier au Staples Center de Los Angeles. America and the world have made him an emotional tribute on 7 July at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Prince Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh of the Anyi Other Funeral
Michael Jackson's other funeral
| By John James BBC News, Krindjabo, Ivory Coast |
 The village will be in mourning until a new prince is announced on Sunday |
A "funeral" for pop star Michael Jackson has been taking place in the village of Krindjabo, where he was crowned a prince of the Anyi people on a visit to the country in 1992.
The village has been in mourning since his death on 25 June.
The villagers appealed without success to have the body returned, but since his official funeral in Los Angeles they have decided he also needs to be properly buried according to the customs in the Sanwi kingdom.
The village football pitch here has been transformed into a green square surrounded on all sides by tents full of what I guess is around 1,000 people from the village and - like us - from Abidjan to formally say goodbye to one of the biggest pop music stars of the last 50 years.
You may know him as Michael Jackson, but here he is Prince Michael Amalaman Anoh.
One of the organisers of the event, Emmanuel Kassy Kofi, said they had appealed through the international media and the US embassy in Abidjan for Michael Jackson's body to be returned.
 Michael Jackson was enthroned as a "king-in-waiting" |
Michael Jackson was enthroned as a king-in-waiting and should normally be buried in a river.
"If for example the Americans or his family permitted for us to bring the body here we'd do what needs to be done," Mr Kofi said.
"We asked for the body - it's for us. It was Michael Jackson himself who tested his DNA and said it'd be good to find his family.
"And by certain signs the King also recognised certain signs that he was part of the dynasty. And the royal seat that the king's sitting on - Michael Jackson sat on it too."
The organisers say his spirit is already here and will be put to rest.
The whole village is in mourning here until Sunday when the successor to Prince Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh will be announced.
Until then, the party and memorials will continue well into the night.
As Elvis, Robert Patrick wanted to pay tribute, restore 'dignity' to the King : commercialappeal.com
As Elvis, Robert Patrick wanted to pay tribute, restore 'dignity' to the King : commercialappeal.comAs Elvis, Robert Patrick wanted to pay tribute, restore 'dignity' to the King
By John Beifuss
Saturday, August 1, 2009
For his role as the shape-shifting, Schwarzenegger-slashing android assassin in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," actor Robert Patrick is guaranteed a prominent place in the modern movie hall of fame.
But as entertainment icons go, even the T-1000 can't compare with the character Patrick portrays in the new comic murder mystery, "Lonely Street."
The film's title, which alludes to the lyrics of "Heartbreak Hotel," is the tip-off: In "Lonely Street," Patrick portrays Elvis Presley.
In this case, however, Elvis is a 75-year-old man preparing a surprise comeback after faking his death, hiding out in Albuquerque for three decades (as a reclusive millionaire named "Mr. Aaron"), and giving up prescription drugs and fried peanut butter-and-banana sandwiches for smoothies, wheat-grass shooters and tai chi.
"This is a man that's sure of himself," said Patrick, 50, of his onscreen interpretation of Elvis. "He's confident, he knows who he is, he's got a sense of humor about himself. It's kind of what we all wish would have happened if Elvis had stayed alive. He's making protein drinks and he's a fit man."
He also unwittingly launches a murder investigation when he hires New Mexico-via-Mississippi private eye Bubba Mabry (Jay Mohr, one of the film's producers) to protect him from a zealous tabloid reporter.
To become a gray-haired and somewhat wrinkly but still handsome, easily recognizable and convincing Elvis, Patrick had to spend about five hours in the makeup chair to begin each of his five days of shooting. (The makeup was developed by the famous team of Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, known for their work in "Alien" and "X-Men" movies.) Despite this ordeal, Patrick was eager to star in "Lonely Street" because he wanted to restore "dignity" to Elvis, and not parody or mock the singer, who died on Aug. 16, 1977, at the age of 42.
"That's the most important reason why I did the movie," said Patrick, who shot a scene as Elvis with Mohr several years ago as a teaser to help the producers raise money for the film. "I didn't want to play into any stereotypes. I wanted to do it as a tribute to him.
"I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, I was raised in the South, and I remember Elvis Presley and the impact he had on the people I knew," said Patrick (who said he was speaking on the phone from "my car in a parking lot in Hollywood, California").
"So I felt like I wanted to do it in a way that honored the man, and I also felt like we had a unique opportunity to portray him as what he would have evolved into as a human being, not necessarily where he ended, stuck in time in the '70s."
Said Peter Ettinger, the film's writer and director: "Robert and I were very much on the same page about not wanting it to be too outlandish -- to make it an interpretation of Elvis rather than an imitation."
Often cast as a steely-eyed tough guy in such films as "The Marine" and "Die Hard 2," Patrick already had a professional relationship, so to speak, with Elvis and other Sun Records artists. He portrayed Elvis' father, Vernon Presley, in the 2005 CBS miniseries "Elvis" (with Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Presley); and he was Johnny Cash's daddy, Ray Cash, in 2005's "Walk the Line." (Somebody please cast Patrick in movies about Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, so he can wrap up Sun's entire Million Dollar Quartet.)
The production of "Walk the Line" brought Patrick to Memphis for 15 weeks.
"I really got to immerse myself in the whole Memphis life," he said.
Did he visit Graceland while he was here?
"Hell, yeah. I've done Graceland like three times, and that was before I even knew I was gonna play Elvis.
"I love Elvis, the whole Elvis story, who he is, where he came from. I mean, I've been to his (childhood) house in Tupelo, I've been to his teenage residence in Memphis, that (Lauderdale Courts) public housing apartment. I mean, he was so frickin' cool."
Patrick said he eats barbecue at Rendezvous every year when he passes through Memphis on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, on his way to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where he visits "the troops."
Said Patrick: "I'd love to live in Memphis."
Patrick said he "constantly" watched concert footage of Elvis while shooting "Lonely Street," to "get a concentration of what it must have been like to have been that man. You know, I don't sing, and I've never had the ability to have that many people in the palm of my hand."
For the performance scene at the end of "Lonely Street," Patrick said, "the producers got me this jumpsuit, and I said, 'You're out of your (ever-loving) mind,' I said, '(Forget) that.' I said, 'I want to see the guy in an elegant suit, like Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett.' He's a 75-year-old man, and there's an elegance to him. Otherwise it becomes a caricature."
Patrick said he's disappointed "Lonely Street" didn't get a theatrical release, but he believes it will find appreciative viewers on DVD. "I want this project to get as wide an audience as possible. I'm really proud of what I did, and I'd really like for people to see it."