Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
March 19, 2001
Intro by 'NSync |
Video narration |
MJ's speech
Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a
solo artist on Monday, Mar. 19, 2001. The induction ceremony took place at the
Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Popular music group 'N Sync paid a tribute
to Michael's illustrious career and then inducted him into the Hall of Fame in
the "performers" category.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their
first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artist’s
contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.
Michael is the youngest solo artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. This is also his second induction into the Hall of Fame, having
been previously inducted with the Jackson 5. The Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame is located
in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Introduction by 'NSync:
There are very few names in this business that can actually be considered
loyalty. From the King, Elvis Presley, to of course Queen, the King of Soul
R&B Salomon Burke. And we are very lucky tonight to induct the King of Pop,
Mr. Michael Jackson.
From that extremely cool and yet astonishingly talented little boy leading
the Jackson 5 to the solo artist, who knocked us out with hit after hit, until
he had not only racked up more awards than any musical artist in history, but
infiltrated the sounds of our lives. All this time we thought we knew him so
well, it was he who knew us. He knew what would move us emotionally, he knew
what would move us on the dance floor. [....] Fans imitate his amazing moves
and completely original dance steps. He knew the words we wanted to say and
the sounds we wanted to hear.
When the Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
Michael became the youngest living artist to be honored. Tonight, he's broken
his own record by becoming the youngest living solo artist to be inducted.
But that's far from the only record held by Michael. He's had the longest
span of number 1 hits in the US, he shares the record for most Grammys won in
a single year. He holds the record for an album going to #1 in more countries
than any other musician in history. He holds the record for the most #1
singles from an album. And he co-wrote the biggest selling single of all time
- We Are The World.
For more than 35 years, Michael Jackson has been the Man In the Mirror. He
thrilled us with "Thriller", the largest selling album of all time, beat us at
out own game with Beat It, he rocked us to our souls with Rock With You. He's
Bad, he's Dangerous.
And if he thinks we're gonna let him stop because we have enough, as they
often say in this city: forget about it. There ain't no stoppin', there ain't
no enough, he is the King of Pop, the one, the only, Michael Jackson.
Video clip introduction:
[A video montage is screened. It shows Michael at various stages of his
career.]
The video voice-over narration says:
Michael Jackson is the biggest pop star of his generation. He started
performing with his brothers at the age of five, displaying the dance moves
and the vocal ability of a talent far beyond his years. Michael and the
Jackson 5 achieved phenomenal success. But that was just the beginning.
With 1979's "Off The Wall", Jackson crafted a daring hybrid rock, pop, and
R&B, which generated 4 hit singles. That seemed an untoppable feat.
Jackson's next album changed the business forever and shattered barriers
between black and white music. The clip for "Thriller" marked the arrival of
the music video as a true art form, and Michael's inspired dancing raised the
bar for all performers.
"Thriller" became a 'greatest hits' album all by itself, spawning an
extraordinary seven top 10 singles, winning 8 Grammy awards, and becoming the
best selling album in history.
Jackson refused to rest on his laurels. He played to sell-out crowds around
the world and continued to release smash albums. He put his fame to work,
helping others. He co-wrote "We Are The World - the USA for Africa", and he
has raised millions of dollars for children's causes.
Michael Jackson's career has reached astonishing heights. He's made the
difficult seem effortless, and the magical seem real. [video ends].
'NSync:
Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson.
[Michael walks onto the stage with the aide of a cane. He receives a
standing ovation]
Michael Jackson's Acceptance Speech:
Hmm, can you hear me? OK. Thank you very much. Thank you 'NSync, I am so
proud to call you my friends, you're all so wonderful. Thank you.
This is such a tremendous honor and I am so happy to be here. As you can
see [pointing at his broken foot], there is not going to be any moonwalking
tonight, 'cause I broke my foot dancing. I fell down the stairs in California
and I broke my foot in two places. So, but I have like six more weeks with
this cast, so it's gonna come off soon.
I am honored to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's
a great blessing. For me, the gift of music has been a blessing from God from
the time I was a child. So, I first of all would like to thank my parents who
bequeathed me that gift. To my mother Katherine and to my father Joseph
Jackson, I love you both. To my brothers and to my sisters: thank you, you are
all wonderful. Rabbi Shmuley, I love you and thank you for helping me launch
Heal The Kids.
Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy! As it was in the
beginning to so many of us, I just want to say thank you. He was so important
in our lives. He is really my real inspiration and I owe him so much.
Quincy Jones, thank you. We talk about a thriller. Quincy, you are
incredible. I love you, Quincy. He's the man.
The glamorous and talented and beautiful Diana Ross, who is my second
mother. Thank you.
Tommy Mottola, Sony. I love you. Thank you fans. Thank you. Bye.
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