Michael places around the world

morinen

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I want to dedicate a thread to memorials honoring Michael Jackson and places associated with him around the world. It is an important part of his legacy because it shows how much he is respected, missed and loved equally in all corners of our big planet by all the diverse nations. These are the places that will remind people what a unique star he was, let them remember him with L.O.V.E. and inspire younger generation to listen to his music and discover his magic.

Also, I would like this thread to serve as a tourist guide to MJ places in different countries, so that when fans travel, they can use it as a reference. Wherever in the world you find yourself, you can always have a little heartwarming Michael experience and feel that you are not alone. :)

Basic principles I’m going to follow:
1) no one-time events, tributes or temporary expositions. No announcements. Only permanent or long-term memorials and exhibits that already exist;
2) provide informative description: directions, videos, photos, background info, etc.;
2) one post = one country/city.

Below is the initial list of the places I know of. I will update slowly, bear with me.

USA: Los Angeles
USA: New York City
USA: Las Vegas
USA: Gary, IN
USA: Detroit
USA: Cleveland
USA: Saratoga Springs, NY
USA: Overland Park, KS
UK: London
Germany: Munich, Brühl
Switzerland
Italy: Rome
Spain
Hungary: Budapest
Russia
China (link)
Hong Kong (1, 2)
to be continued…​


If you heard about other places, please add whatever you know. Even a short tip will do. The purpose is to collect everything from around the world in one place.
 
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Los Angeles (and its area) was Michael's home for most of his life, so naturally there are lots of memorable Michael-related places here.
Click on pictures to see them bigger.

The farewell places...

FOREST LAWN, HOLLY TERRACE
Michael's final resting place

1712 S. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA 91205
Opening hours: http://www.forestlawn.com/Visitors-Guide/Index.asp


From the Forest Lawn gates drive up and to the right to Great Mausoleum. After you pass the archways, Holly Terrace will be on the left.

Only close friends and family members may enter the Mausoleum. Usually the administration allows fans to go up to the door and leave flowers, gifts and cards there. However keep in mind that only flowers ordered from Forest Lawn flower shop will be delivered inside, to Michael's tomb.

Elizabeth Taylor's resting place is close by, in the Memorial Terrace of the Great Mausoleum.
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MICHAEL JACKSON'S HOLMBY HILLS HOME
The home where Michael Jackson passed away. Michael began renting this home in January, 2009, at a reported cost of $100,000 per month. The LA Times described it as a French chateau with “seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and a theater.”

100 N Carolwood Dr., Los Angeles

6 minutes away from Carolwood home is UCLA Medical Center - the place where Michael was pronounced dead that awful afternoon.


STAPLES CENTER
World famous Staples Center where Michael's last rehearsals took place and on July 7, 2009, his globally televised memorial was held.

1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles


Museums, Expositions, Tributes

MICHAEL JACKSON’S STAR ON THE WALK OF FAME
The star is located in front of the Chinese Theater forecourt, near the sourvenir shop. It's hard to miss, as there are always people gathered around it. Video of Michael at the unveiling of the star in 1984.

"I remember him taking his friend and advisor Karen Langford and me to the L.A. County Children’s Museum, which they kept open for us after hours. We exhausted ourselves leaping against Velcro walls, standing in front of spinning lights, and throwing ourselves into pools of plastic balls. On the way home, he asked the driver to pull over somewhere near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine and jumped from the car to dance on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, singing some perfect little bit of a song before leaping back in, and off we went into the night. It was exhilarating to be in his presence. He was exciting and funny and brilliant.”
-- Shaye Areheart (afterword to the 2009 edition of "Moonwalk")

6927 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood

THE JACKSONS' STAR ON THE WALK OF FAME
At the northeast corner of one of the world’s most famous intersections, Sunset and Vine, is this star to the artists formerly known as The Jackson 5.
1500 N. Vine St., Hollywood

MICHAEL'S GLOVE- AND FOOTPRINTS IN FRONT OF THE CHINESE THEATRE
Right in front of the Chinese Theatre, among many plates with famous actors' footprints, you will see a plate with the prints of his boots and sequined glove, as well as handprints of his three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket. This area in front of the Chinese Theatre was historically used to commemorate Hollywood motion picture personalities. Michael is the only singer who has the honor. The prints were made by Michael's children on a celebratory ceremony in January 2012.

6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood


MADAME TUSSAUD'S
Michael Jackson wax figure is the most widely exhibited figure in the Madame Tussauds worldwide empire - another record of his. The LA Madame Tussaud's museum is located on the Hollywood walk of fame right near Michael's star. Besides the figure, the Hollywood museum also displays Michael's handprint.

6933 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood

GUINNESS WORLD OF RECORDS MUSEUM
Located just a block east of the Chinese Theater, Guinness World of Records museum features a substantial (comparing to the small size of the museum) exposition dedicated to Michael. They have a sad-looking (I wonder why, with all those records) wax figure of Bad-era Michael and display his famous platinum albums that made it into the Guinness book. A small TV screen shows a documentary about Michael's achievements.

6764 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood

WALL MURALS
An unknown artist painted a mural of Michael, in his famous Super Bowl half-time performance stance, arms outstretched, mouth open saying "Ho!"- on the side of a building, about 4 stories tall. The place is in the walking distance from the Chinese Theater.

1720 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles


A quarter of a mile west of the Staples Center in Downton Los Angeles, on the west wall of The Graff Lab headquarters there is another mural picturing Michael at This Is It press-conference. The mural was painted by artist Rudy "Rude" Martinez and unveiled on MJ's birthday, August 29, 2010.

S. Union Avenue & Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles

MJ EXHIBIT AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM
Around the corner from the Nokia theatre and down the road a block from the Staples center in Downtown L.A., you'll find the Grammy museum. A special exhibit dedicated to MJ debuted in June 2011. You will be able to take a close look at Michael's real jackets and stage clothes, his sequined gloves, as well as some of the hand-written lyrics and sheet music. No pictures are officially allowed inside.
About the exhibit on the museum web-site: http://www.grammymuseum.org/interior.php?section=exhibits&page=mj_artifacts

800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. A245
Los Angeles


MJ'S GRAMMY AWARD MEDALLIONS
Not far from the Staples Center, on the sidewalk opposite the LA Convention Center you'll find all of Michael's Grammy Award bronze medallions. There are about 4 or 5 of them: 1979, 1984, 1985, 1993...



MICHAEL JACKSON HIKING TRAIL AT COLDWATER CANYON PARK

This dedicated to MJ hiking trail (adopted thanks to the MJ Conventioneers and the Make a Better World Foundation) is located in the Hills overlooking the San Fernando valley on one side, with views to the ocean in the distance on the other. It is spectacular, natural, and serene. Complete with dedication plaque. Great place to say a prayer, sit and contemplate, meditate, hike, jog, picnic... cry. The trail is maintained by the non-profit organisation Tree People.
12601 N. Mulholland Dr., Beverly Hills


CAPTAIN EO AT DISNEYLAND
"Captain EO" is a 3D sci-fi film starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola that was shown at Disney theme parks from 1986 through the 1990s. The attraction returned to the Disney Parks in 2010, as a tribute after Michael Jackson's passing. Its popularity never subsides.

Michael loooved Disneyland. It was probably his favourite place in the whole world. Miko Bando shared these touching memories of their favorite pastime:
'Some of the best times I spent with Michael were just sitting on a bench at Disneyland's "Main Street." We would just sit there and people watch. Sometimes Michael would be in a getup so people wouldn't recognize him - but they always did. When he was in a bad mood or a little down, I'd just say "Michael, the bench," and that would bring him out of it. If I knew he wanted to have fun, or just get away, I'd say "let's go to the bench," and we were gone.'
Experience Disneyland through the eyes of your inner child, like Michael did. Maybe you'll be lucky to sit on a bench he once sat on. ;)

In Disneyland's Haunted Mansion you'll meet some very familiar characters. The flying brides and grooms from This Is It show and the evil night watchman from the "Thiller" featurette - all live in there! Disneyland was always a great inspiration to Michael.
Disneyland vs. Neverland:

1313 S. Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim


Famous Sets, Recording Studios

THRILLER HOUSE
Legendary creepy house from the "Thriller" video. In reality it is standing in a nice quiet neighbourhood. Don't blast "Thriller" out of the car when you get there - you can bother people living across the street! The house itself seems uninhabited though.

1345 Carroll Ave, Los Angeles

ZOMBIE ALLEY
Do a few zombie moves in that spooky alley.

Union Pacific Ave. & South Calzona St., Los Angeles

PALACE THEATRE (Thriller video, outside filming)
This is the theatre where Michael and his date, played by Ola Ray, are watching the werewolf movie starring Michael.

630 S. Broadway, Los Angeles

RIALTO THEATRE (Thriller video, inside filming)
1023 South Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena

MONTE CARLO RESTAURANT (Beat It video)
It is said that the owner of the bar has been running the place for over 30 years, and still remembers the day of the "Beat It" filming. But be careful wandering the streets out there, that is not a nice area of the city...

109 E 5th Street, Los Angeles

BEAT IT WAREHOUSE (Beat It video)

Los Angeles, 5th Street & Alameda

WESTLAKE RECORDING STUDIOS
The sound of Michael Jackson's voice practically echoes in these legendary walls. Westlake Studio A on Beverly boulevard is where he recorded his two most iconic albums, OFF THE WALL (1979) and THRILLER (1982).

8447 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood

In Westlake D on Santa Monica boulevard Michael and Quincy Jones worked on album BAD. This studio building was created specifically with Michael and Quincy in mind.

7265 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

The studio staff offers a guided tour around both buildings at certain times of the year (usually, around the anniversary of MJ's passing). Check it out if you can. It's spectacular!

MOTOWN RECORDS
This is the former home of Motown's Hollywood recording studios. The Jackson 5 and Michael recorded here. Across the street from the studio there is a park where Michael longed to go out and play instead of recording.

"And I remember going to the record studio and there was a park across the street, and I'd see all the children playing and I would cry because it would make me sad that I would have to work instead."
--Michael Jackson to Oprah
The building still belongs to Motown, but the artists don't work here now.

7317 Romaine Street, Los Angeles

A&M RECORDS
The studio where in 1985, the hit single and video, "We Are the World" was recorded by a cast that included Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen.
The studio set is especially interesting because it was built by the legendary Charlie Chaplin in 1917 and originally known as Charlie Chaplin Studios. Some of the Chaplin's most famous movies were filmed there, including: "The Kid" (1921), "The Gold Rush" (1925), "City Lights" (1931), "Modern Times" (1936) and others. After being sold by Chaplin in 1953, the property went through several changes in ownership and in 1966 became the headquarters for A&M Records. The old stages and facilities were rebuilt into recording rooms. Michael must have been thrilled by the chance to work in the same studio where his greatest idol created so many masterpieces.
Nowadays, the place is considered a historical and cultural monument and belongs to The Jim Henson Company.

1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles

PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM
On May 16, 1983, Michael Jackson was catapulted to superstar status wth his now-mythic performance of his hit "Billie Jean" at Motown's 25th Anniversary celebration "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever". This is where MJ's moonwalk performance went out to over 50 million viewers around the world. A dance movement and a star were born.

300 East Green Street, Pasadena




Childhood places


GARDNER STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Michael attended this school for a short period of time after his family moved to LA in the 70s. In 1989, Gardner Street Elementary named a school auditorium after Michael. Gleaming silver letters across the front of the building read: "The Michael Jackson Auditorium". Michael himself showed up for the unveiling. In return, Jackson sort of adopted his old school; he paid the salary for the school's music teacher, he planted memorial rose bushes near the playground, and even left his famous signature on the wall of his old 6th grade schoolroom.
After Michael was arrested on charges of child molestation in 2003, the school disassociated themselves from him by covering up his name on the auditorium. Unfortunately, they did not rehabilitate him even when he was fully acquitted two years later. Upon his passing, a group of fans appealed to the school board, and in 2010 the boards covering Michael's name were finally removed.

The school is located in the very heart of Hollywood. However, hidden on a quiet street between Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, it is not easy to spot for a casual tourist. The entrance to MJ auditorium is seen from the parking lot. If you are lucky to get inside, you'll be able to sneak a look at the halls and classrooms where Michael Jackson used to study.
7450 Hawthorn Avenue, Los Angeles

ENCINO COMPOUND
Michael Jackson's childhood home that he rebuilt completely into a Tudor-style mansion in the early 80s. He lived in the house up until 1988 when he moved out to Neverland, and later continued paying the bills for the house that was occupied by his parents and siblings. Now the Jackson family and Michael's children live in there.
The house is hidden from view behind the high fence and dense trees. From the road you can only see the gates.

4641 Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino


Outside of LA

NEVERLAND
2,700 acre ranch Michael called home from 1988 to 2005. Home away from the world...
A MUST see... The best time is late afternoon, until dusk. You can then await the moon to rise over the mountain range. Or maybe sunrise would be glorious too! It's so peaceful and serene. So Michael. If there is a place in the world where his spirit still alive, it's there. He used to say, "Neverland represents the totality of who I am". It really does, you will feel it.

Neverland is 2-3 hour drive north of LA city limits. You can only get there by car, no public transport stops nearby.
The drive up there in the Santa Ynez mountains is breathtaking! Make sure to stop at the lookout at the top. There's no stopping allowed the rest of the route, but if you have a passenger with a fast and stable camera, you can get some great shots out the window while you're moving, prior to the lookout! Once you've turned onto Figueroa Mountain Rd. in 10-15 mintues watch for the wooden gates on the left. They are unremarkable and easy to miss! Make sure you go to a restroom/eat something somewhere else along the way BEFORE getting to Neverland... there's NOTHING there but private ranches!

5225 Figueroa Mountain Rd., Los Olivos

Los Olivos is a TINY (as in about 4 blocks long, with a flagpole in the center intersection!) picturesque town just before you turn onto the road to Neverland... where MJ would wander into sometimes, to check out the antiques, go to the country store for ice cream... maybe get some wine! Its really charming in the evening, with tiny white lights rimming the shops and restaurant.
Some places in Los Olivos that Michael was rumored to have patronized or had some connection with:
- Jedlicka's, where he bought a tricycle for the children;
- Young's Gallery, where he had some custom art framed;
- Mattei's Tavern/Brother's Restaurant, where he may have occasionally dined;
- "R Country Store," a tiny little store where a local real estate agent wrote that he and some other locals watched the verdict read;
- and of course, the flag pole--in the intersection of the main street there is an American flag. This flag is always lowered to half mast whenever any past or present resident of Los Olivos dies. The flag was lowered on the day Michael died.


SANTA MARIA COURTHOUSE
The place where in spring-summer of 2005 Michal endured the hardest trial of his life and was ultimately acquitted of all charges.

312-G East Cook Street, Santa Maria


Sources: http://www.iamnotastalker.com/category/this-and-that/michael-jackson-locations-this-and-that/, http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/node/913384, http://www.mjfsc.org/mj-in-la/, fans' photos and my own experience and photos.
 
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Michael stayed and worked in New York at various times of his life. The most notable places associated with him in the city:

APOLLO THEATER IN HARLEM
This is where it all began. In 1967, the Jackson 5 won a competition during the Amateur Night showdown at the Apollo, impressing Gladys Knight who then introduced them to Berry Gordy, owner of the Motown Records. Berry Gordy gave the group a chance at the audition, and the rest is history.
It's from the wings of the Apollo young Michael Jackson closely watched performances of James Brown and Jackie Wilson, soaking their mastery and learning how to conquer the audience.

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There are daily guided tours inside the theater. During the tour you may be allowed to come up on stage and even perform a song there, so come prepared! At the side of the stage there is the trunk of a tree which is said to bestow luck on anyone who touches it. The legend has it that in the 60s, before the Jackson 5 performance, Michael touched the trunk not once, but twice. It was the second touch that gave him extra magic he carried his entire life.

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Apollo still holds amateur nights for beginner artists every Wednesday. Check it our if you have time. Who knows, maybe you'll be lucky to witness the birth of a new legend...
253 West 125th Street, New York


HOYT-SCHERMERHORN SUBWAY STATION
The station's mezzanine was the main setting for the filming of music video "Bad". Part of the area of the station was used at the time because it was abandoned and now is inaccessible to visitors. The old turnstiles have been replaced, so you won't have a chance to practice "the jump". But the staircases where the gang danced and MJ once took a couple of photos still look exactly the same.

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The station was also featured in movie "The Wiz" in which the characters find themselves in a strange Emerald city subway with evil monsters such as chomping trashcans and subway columns that move and try to trap the characters.
You can get to the station by taking the A or C subway lines from Penn Station.

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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Many pop and rock legends from Led Zeppelin to Britney Spears have graced the stage of Madison Square Garden. Jackson 5 made their TV debut in MSG in 1969. The Jacksons' first and only live album titled Live featured the group's performance at MSG during the Triumph Tour on September 1981. Later Michael performed here solo during the BAD Tour and gave two famous concerts of the 30th Anniversary Celebration in September 2001.
46 Pennsylvania Plaza (8th Avenue & 33rd Street), Manhattan

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CARNEGIE HALL
On February 14 of 2001, Michael gave a moving speech in Carnegie Hall in pormotion of his Heal The Kids initiative. The event went largely unreported, and it's a shame that to this day no good-quality recording of the whole speech exists. Read the transcript of the speech.
881 7th Ave, Manhattan

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EX-STUDIO 54
"Studio 54", the legendary disco nightclub of the late 70s, opened on April 26, 1977 and closed in March 1986. During his stay in NYC for the filming of "The Wiz", Michael used to visit the club frequently, hang out with celebrities and soak in disco music that would influence his future Off The Wall album. He was often escorted to the club by Liza Minnelli and always taken to the basement where there were no rules at all. Michael adamantly turned down all drugs, but sources say, he would sometimes watch the sexual action in the shadows not unlike the way he watched James Brown.

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Since 1998, the place has been a venue for the Roundabout Theatre Company. On weeks when plays are not being staged, the second floor of the theater is used as a nightclub operating under the name "Upstairs at Studio 54".
254 West 54th Street, Manhattan

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HIT FACTORY RECORDING STUDIO
This is the recording studio where HIStory sessions were held. Many great memories of recording engineers and producers from those sessions can be found on Gearslutz.com board.
The New York location of the Hit Factory studio was closed in 2005 and converted into condominiums, but you can still see the building with the name above the front door.
421 W 54th St, New York

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TRUMP TOWER
Michael stayed in the Trump Tower on 5th Avenue while recording songs for HIStory album in 1994. This was where his romance with Lisa Marie evolved:

"Jackson, who is worth an estimated $100 million, and Presley, whose own fortune tops out at $100 million, have been seen together around New York City for at least six months. Lisa Marie, according to one source, is a regular visitor to Jackson&#8217;s duplex apartment in Trump Tower, just beneath Donald and Maria Trump&#8217;s triplex home. The romance first came to light early this year [...]. Jackson was spotted dining with his friends the Trumps at Manhattan&#8217;s Le Cirque restaurant. Apropos of nothing, Jackson suddenly said, &#8220;You know what? I&#8217;m in love. Her name is Lisa." -- People, 1994

725 5th Avenue, New York

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MADAME TUSSAUD'S MUSEUM
Every Madame Tussaud's museum in the world has a figure of Michael Jackson, and New York is no exception. The figure doesn't look much like Michael though. It seems that his features are very hard to sculpt.
234 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, Times Square


ANNUAL MJ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IN BROOKLYN
Spike Lee, the director of MJ's music videos for "They Don't Care About Us," hosts an MJ birthday party annually in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. It's a 6-hour celebration full of joy, music and L.O.V.E., with free admission. The party usually falls on the weekend closest to August 29. Check Spike Lee's website http://www.40acres.com/ and facebook https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynLovesMichaelJackson for the latest info and directions.

[video=youtube_share;sh9TzpNh3UQ]http://youtu.be/sh9TzpNh3UQ[/video]

Spike's party is international. If you are coming from abroad, take you country flag with you! It will get you a lot of attention and positive reactions from people around. ;) Also make sure you have something to sit on and a cover for your head and shoulders. On a sunny day it is extremely hot, and there is almost no shadow around there.


Sources: NYDailyNews.com, Wikipedia and my own experience and photos.
 
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Thank you morinen
for all the work you put into finding all these places
associated with Michael. Great work :)
 
Michael is presented with a key to the City of Las Vegas in 2003:

[video=youtube_share;sAbzXbPmuHA]http://youtu.be/sAbzXbPmuHA[/video]

"I like the entertainment. It's a fun place to visit." -- MJ on what he likes about Las Vegas.


MJ-related places on the Strip

"MICHAEL JACKSON ONE" AT MANDALAY BAY
A spectacular extravaganza produced jointly by Cirque du Soleil and the Michael Jackson Estate and staged in Mandalay Bay resort theater. If you are in Las Vegas and you are an MJ fan, you have to see it. Check Cirque du Soleil website for tickets! The show premiered in March 2013 and has enjoyed huge success since. It is entertaining, cutting edge, and truly embodies the spirit of Michael and his music. Near the theater entrance there are a few items of Michael&#8217;s show clothes on display. There is also a Michael Jackson One boutique, which will undoubtedly leave a dent on your credit card.

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BALLY'S AND MGM GRAND
In April 1974, The Jackson family starred in their own show at the MGM Grand (now known as Bally's) in Las Vegas. The show boasted a variety of song and dance numbers from the Jackson 5 and other family members Janet, La Toya and Randy. The show had a different format and presentation to The Jackson 5&#8217;s usual performances for Motown and the family had total control of the show&#8217;s content. The show was extremely well received with stunning reviews and after their first series of shows in April, the family went back to Las Vegas to perform in August and then again in November. Michael Jackson later reflected on that experience:

&#8220;The brothers thought hangin&#8217; out in hotels with white people would be no fun. But I wanted to play Las Vegas. To me, Las Vegas was part of show business tradition. At that meeting, our father told us two things : first he said he was trying to show the world that we were every bit as good as The Osmonds; then he told us about Sammy Davis and what he went through so that guys like us could play Las Vegas... I wanted more than anything to be a part of that great tradition. To me, it was very important. It was a giant step."

In 1985, the hotel was sold and renamed to Bally's. The MGM Grand name was transferred to the former Marina Hotel, now known as MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Here, at the new MGM Grand, the ill-fated Jackson Family Honors show was held in 1994. The show, first envisaged as an annual event, ended up with a lawsuit and was never repeated in subsequent years. But the event is still memorable if only because that night Michael was extra cute and looked absolutely stunning.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
The hotel where Michael stayed during the trip to Vegas with Martin Bashir in 2002, and where part of the documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" was filmed.
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is situated within the Mandalay Bay Hotel&Casino complex, yet the Hotel is completely independent, featuring its own private driveway, lobby and amenities.

THE VENETIAN HOTEL (ANTIQUE SHOP, HOUDINI'S MAGIC SHOP and MADAME TUSSAUD'S)
The infamous antique shop Regis Galerie where Michael went on a lavish shopping spree with Martin Bashir is located in Grand Canal Shops Gallery in hotel Venetian. The owner of the shop doesn't like to brag about his hight-profile customers, however if you manage to get him talking he might give you some interesting insights. For example, he says that Michael's behavior during the filming was not typical for him - it seemed to be somewhat a show-off. Usually Michael was more attentive to things he wanted to buy and loved to bargain. He also liked ho have a glass of champaign to celebrate a good purchase. The rumor is, being upset by how negative the documentary had turned out, Michael later returned all the things he bought on that day.

Not far from Regis Galerie, also among the Grand Canal Shops, is Houdini's Magic Shop owned by magician Geoffrey Hansen. Michael was a frequent customer, and, according to Geoffrey, &#8220;very serious" about the craft of magic.

Also in the Venetian hotel is Las Vegas Madame Tussaud's museum where you can see a wax figure of MJ.

RECORDING STUDIO AT THE PALMS HOTEL
Michael worked at the Palms recording studio when he was staying in Vegas in 2008.
4321 Flamingo Road, Las Vegas


Other places on the Strip connected to Michael include Bellagio hotel where he stayed with Elizabeth Taylor, and Mirage hotel where he was staying in 2003 during the filming of "One More Chance" video and was asked to leave after the sudden police raid in Neverland.


Off the Strip


MICHAEL'S LAS VEGAS HOME
The house Michael Jackson leased in Las Vegas from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, in this house he celebrated his last, 50th birthday, accepting congratulations from devoted fans that gathered outside the gates with presents and balloons.
2710 Palomino Lane, Las Vegas

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USA: Gray, IN

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Michael Jackson and all of his siblings were born in the town of Gary, Indiana. Gary is about 30 miles southeast of Chicago. Many of the buildings that were there when Michael was born are still standing today and look much like they did throughout the 1960s, when Michael lived in Gary. You may see the photos below and not see much beauty--but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the beauty contained within these buildings is a beauty of history, a subject that was fond to Michael's heart, too. It is an amazing ability to essentially go back in time when Michael was a little boy and see the things he saw, walk where he once walked, and in some way feel what he once felt.


1. The Jackson Home
2300 W Jackson Street

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This is where it all began. Michael lived here the first decade of his life. It is a small house, so tiny it's hard to imagine 11 members of the Jackson family living there. It sits on a corner lot, located on a one-way street. Until 2009 the house didn't really stand out among other buildings on the street, but the renewed interest in Michael Jackson's history led to it being renovated and surrounded by a fence. Now you can't go up to the front door or peek in the windows anymore. A memorial for Michael has been installed in front of the house.


2. Garnett Elementary School
2131 Jackson Street

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Follow Michael's footsteps from the house to Garnett Elementary School that he attended with some of his siblings. This school is just two blocks away. It is in this school he sang "Climb Ev'ry Moutain" with his mother, father and grandfather (Joseph's father) in attendance. It is said Michael's performance brought even his stoic grandfather to tears. The school was closed, then reopened as an adult education center called Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy. In 2001, it was closed again, but appeared to be reopened as of March, 2010 as Images of Hope, Inc.


3. Little League Park
directly across the street from the former Garnett Elementary School
This is where some of Michael's siblings, including Jermaine and Tito, likely played baseball. The fields are still and used by the children in the neighborhood.


4. Roosevelt High School
730 W 25th Avenue

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Michael's older siblings attended Roosevelt High School, and the school is still open today. Michael wasn't a student there, but he did perform on local talent shows held in the school. The Jackson Brothers won the first prize there in 1966. In "Moonwalk", his autobiography, Michael talks about the competition: "We won the citywide talent show when I was eight with our version of the Temptations' song "My Girl." The contest was held just a few blocks away at Roosevelt High. From Jermaine's opening bass notes and Tito's first guitar licks to all of us singing the chorus, we had people on their feet for the whole song. Jermaine and I traded verses while Marlon and Jackie spun like tops. It was a wonderful feeling for all of us to pass that trophy, our biggest yet, back and forth between us. Eventually it was propped on the front seat like a baby and we drove home with Dad telling us, 'When you do it like you did tonight they can't not give it to you.'"


5. West Side High School
West 9th Street and Gerry Street

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Michael and his brothers gave a concert here in 1971, after having signed with Motown and relocated to California.


6. Steeltown Records
West 10th Avenue and Taney Street

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The private house of Gordon Keith, owner of Steeltown Records, is located west of Mr. Lucky's bar, at the corner of West 10th Avenue and Taney Street. This is where some of the earliest, if not first "official" Jackson 5 recordings took place. Gordon Keith and the Jacksons engaged a contract in 1967, which allowed them to release their first 45, "Big Boy". Their presence in Steeltown ended shortly after - in 1969, they were signed by Motown.
Please note that this house is still a residence. Please respect the privacy of the occupants.


7. Mr. Lucky's Lounge
1100 Grant Street

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Not far from the Jackson house, on the corner of West 11th Avenue and Grant Street, there is a red brick building with covered windows. A black and white sign indicates "Mr Lucky's Liquor," and the next door is marked as "Mr Lucky's Lounge." This is where Michael and his brother received their first paying gig as the Jackson 5. The place was the venue for shows and comic strip, and when the Jacksons played there, the place was full. Michael later reminiscenced about the nights at Mr. Lucky's:
"We even had some fun... on one number, the Joe Tex song "Skinny Legs and All." We'd start the song and somewhere in the middle I'd go out into the audience, crawl under the tables, and pull up the ladies' skirts to look under. People would throw money as I scurried by, and when I began to dance, I'd scoop up all the dollars and coins that had hit the floor earlier and push them into the pockets of my jacket."
Nowadays the lounge is closed because of the fire that happened a few years ago and destroyed the roof and a part of the second floor. The owner is selling stage bricks to everyone who wants to own a part of history.


8. Horace Mann High School
524 Garfield Street

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Horace Mann High School is reported to have housed the only contest in which the Jackson 5 lost. The school appears to be vacant now.


9. (St. Mary's) Mercy Hospital
555 Polk Street (original address 540 Tyler Street)

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This is where Michael and his siblings were born. The building is now vacant. It was built in 1907, originally with 20 beds. In 1993, it had 300 beds. The hospital was typically referred to "Mercy Hospital" though it was officially St. Mary's Mercy Hospital, with a subsequent name to St. Mary's Medical Center in 1974. Above is a recent photo and a post card of the hospital and its appearance in 1921. The buildings look somewhat different but do share some similarities, too.


10. Palace Theater
791 Broadway

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The Jackson 5 never performed at the Palace Theatre--the marquee simply honors them. The building is vacant with a fake ticket attendent in the window.


11. Sears
813 Broadway

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Katherine, Michael's mother, worked at Sears in the late 1950s/early 1960s. The building appears to be vacant but looks exactly as it did when the store first opened. The second photo provided by Sears Archives was taken when the store opened in 1947.


12. Gilroy Stadium
301 W 30th Avenue

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The Jackson 5 performed and won an annual talent search contest here. The stadium is no longer in use but still remains for now.


U.S. Steel
1 North Broadway, Gary, IN

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This was Michael's father, Joseph's, place of work as a crane operator. Be careful, the territory is watched by the police and photographing is prohibited there.


Places to eventually locate in Gary

Salvation Army
address unknown, appears to have been 2427 Broadway or 1401 Madison Street
Katherine and the children would buy items, usually clothing, from this store. Michael loved it for its bargain prices. :)

San Remo's Restaurant
Industrial Highway near the Gary/Chicago Airport
It has been said the Jackson 5 performed here for a high school prom in 1968.

Candy Store
address unknown
Michael enjoyed buying candy which then used to have his own make-shift candy store in the neighborhood.

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Outside Gary

Regal Theater
1641 East 79th Street, Chicago, IL 60619

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Michael and his brothers performed at the Regal Theater located in South Chicago.


Sources: http://someoneputyourhandout.com/The_Gary__Indiana_Tour.html, http://www.jackson5abc.com/dossiers/trip/, my own experience
Photos: someoneputyourhandout.com
 
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thank you morinen! This is a really nice idea!

I know about "Colorado Adventure - the Michael Jackson thrill ride" in Phantasialand in Brühl, Germany.
http://www.themeparkreview.com/minieurope2007/phantasialand/phantasialand205.jpg

Well, we all know about Michael's love for roller coasters :) He visited Phantasialand many times and even his children were there recently.. It's his 'favourite park in Europe'...
That roller coaster was named in honour of him and on May 11th 1996 he inaugurated it!
[video=youtube;XLMqcjjmSRQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLMqcjjmSRQ[/video]
 
I can add something to the list :)
In Bucharest, Romania, we have an alley in Herastrau Park (the largest park of the city) named after Michael. There's also a little memorial on this alley. You can see for yourselves in the pictures below.


 
"Hitsville U.S.A." Motown Museum
2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208

Detroit is the home of the world famous Motown Records, the record label that brought black music to the worldwide audience, and in 1968, gave the start to the young Jackson 5.

Motown records was founded by Berry Gordy in his personal modest two-story house in quiet Detroit neighborhood. After a few years, when the record label became popular, Berry Gordy moved it to LA, and the Detroit house has been since turned into the Motown Museum. The museum offers daily guided tours.



Although the tour guide will tell you a little bit about every Motown artist, it&#8217;s quite clear that Michael is the star of the museum. In the late 80s, he made a generous financial contribution to the museum, and donated the hat and the glove from his Motown 25 performance &#8211; the most famous of all his hats and gloves.

In the basement of the house you will visit a soundproof recording studio, where Michael and his brothers recorded their first songs with Motown.




<b>WOODLAWN CEMETERY</B>
<i>19975 Woodward Ave, Detroit</i>

When Michael passed away, many toys and memorabilia were left outside the Motown Museum. Several days later the memorial was dismantled and the memorabilia was ceremoniously buried at Woodlawn Cemetary, where a symbolic granite headstone is now seen at the burial site.

<img src="http://theworldremembers.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/533526_403729103028822_1480437856_n.jpg" />
 
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The Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114

Cleveland, of course, is primarily famous for the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. This place is a must-visit not only for MJ fans, but for any music fan. It possesses a wealth of historical artifacts connected to the history of world rock, from Elvis to modern artists and bands. Michael was inducted into Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997, and as a solo artist in 2001.

[video=youtube_share;KgkAil-qdq0]http://youtu.be/KgkAil-qdq0[/video]

The Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame features 5 of Michael’s famous costumes, including his Billie Jean outfit from the Dangerous tour (complete with white socks and worn-out shoes!), the torn zombie jacket from the “Thriller” short film, and the blue-gold sequined jacket from the famous 1984 Grammy Awards. There is no protection glass in front of the costumes, so you can see them up close and personal.

 
National Museum of Dance, The Hall of Fame
99 S Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Although not as famous as the Rock&#8217;n&#8217;Roll Hall of Fame, the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs is worth a visit if you are in the area. Michael was inducted in the Dance Hall of Fame posthumously, in August 2010. The exhibit dedicated to MJ is displaying props from his &#8220;This Is It&#8221; show, which he was rehearsing for when he died, and screens showing his classic videos, and a panel with his photos and quotes. The Hall of Fame also honors famous American dancers who were Michael's idols, such as Fred Astaire and Alvin Ailey.




Near the museum, there is a beautiful Memorial Garden created in Michael's honor at the initiative of fans.

<img src="http://theworldremembers.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/179421_484128134988918_1894173130_n.jpg" alt="179421_484128134988918_1894173130_n" width="640" height="480" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-104" />

<i><small>Sources used: http://www.saratogian.com, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=484128134988918&amp;set=a.122158921185843.20499.116222408446161&amp;type=1&amp;permPage=1">UK loves MJ</a></small></i>
 
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A Statue of Michael Jackson
Overland Park Arboretum Botanical Garden
8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS&#65292;USA


This statue is one of the most successful and beautiful attempts in the world to reproduce Michael’s likeness in sculpture. The project was sponsored by the Chinese and Hong Kong fan clubs, which have first installed a statue of Michael in Guangzhou, China, and then commissioned a copy of it for Overland Park Arboretum Botanical Garden in Kansas, USA. The statue was donated among several other pieces created by the same Chinese sculptor ZengKang Lu. Unveiled on November 5, 2011.



Source: http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...s-Michael-Jackson-statue-in-the-United-States
 
Lyric Theatre - Home to the West End tribute show Thriller Live UK

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Today, at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End, a special commemorative plaque to mark the anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson was unveiled. London's Lyric theatre is the home to "Thriller Live", a live multimedia stage and video production celebrating Michael Jackson's music.
Performers from the "Thriller Live" show unveiled the plaque which shows a Thriller-era photo of Michael Jackson along with his birth and death dates and a tribute message from "Thriller Live." The musical features 18 cast members representing Michael Jackson at different points in his career performing over 30 songs ranging from "I Want You Back" to "Bad." The show, which premiered in London in January 2009 was scheduled to close later that year, but has extended its run due to popular demand.
Meanwhile, in Munich, Germany, a memorial to Michael Jackson has been erected by fans featuring figurines, flowers and photos. The death of Jackson, one year later, continues to captivate the world.


Thriller Live has been extended yet again into 2014! :D
 
What a great thread. Lot's of wonderful places fans can visit and schedule into to their fan event itinerary this yr.
 
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