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Fan Protest of Sony Attendance / "Killer Thriller" Party Attendance
Date of “Killer Thriller” party confirmed on ticket (“15th June 2002”)
Jackson made an impromptu appearance in London's West End, where fans were protesting against Sony's threats.
Jackson waved from an open-topped bus and joined in chants of "Sony sucks.:
The fans seemed thrilled as the star started to lark about on the bus, pretending to climb off it.
Charlie Reed, 21, a student who travelled from Folkestone to catch a glimpse of Jackson after the star visited Exeter City's ground for a fundraising event, said: "It was amazing.
"He was dancing on the bus and chanting. The crowd went wild. He travelled up Great Marlborough Street and Oxford Street.
"It's the happiest I've seen him."
Michael Jackson, “Killer Thriller” party speech, transcript
I want to thank all the great, incredible talents. [DJ plays "Speechless"] As long as you play the music, I want to dance! I want to thank this guy for a wonderful performance [referring to Ernest Valentino] I thought Bryton McClure was amazing, too. He's a great singer as well.
Anyway, I first wanted to say, I really don't like to talk that much. I really don't. I prefer performing than talking.
I really want you to know what I say. The tradition of great performers: from Sammy Davis Junior, James Brown, to Jackie Wilson, to Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly. The story is usually the same though. These guys worked really hard, and they're crabbed, for the story ends the same. They are usually broken, torn and usually just sad, because the companies take advantage of them, they really do.
And being the artist that I am, at Sony I've generated several billion dollars for Sony, several billion. They really thought that my mind is always on music and dancing. It usually is, but they never thought that this performer - myself - would out think them.
So, we can't let them get away with what they're trying to do, because now I'm a free agent. I just owe Sony one more album. It's just a box set, really, with two new songs which I've written ages ago. Because for every album that I record, I write - literally, I'm telling you the truth - I write at least 120 songs every album I do. So I can do the box set, just giving them any two songs.
So I'm leaving Sony, a free agent, owning half of Sony. I own half of Sony's Publishing. I'm leaving them, and they're very angry at me, because I just did good business, you know.
So the way they get revenge is to try and destroy my album. But I've always said, you know, art - good art - never dies. Thank you.
And Tommy Mottola is a devil! I'm not supposed to say what I'm going to say right now, but I have let you know this. [Points to crowd] Please don't videotape what I am going to say, ok? Turn it off, please. Do it, do it, I don't mind! Tape it!
Mariah Carey, after divorcing Tommy, came to me crying. Crying. She was crying so badly I had to hold her. She said to me, "This is an evil man, and Michael, this man follows me." He taps her phones, and he's very, very evil. She doesn't trust him.
We have to continue our drive until he is terminated. We can't allow him to do this to great artists, we just can't.
I just wanted to let you know, I appreciate everything you've done, you've been amazing.
You're so loyal! [Scanning the audience] Diana, everybody, Waldo, all the people here! I love you all. You've been amazing, I love you!
Worldpop.com (June 17, 2002) (mirror archive)
"Michael Jackson has confirmed that after over 25 years on the label, he has parted with his record company Sony. Speaking at a Michael Jackson fan club day at London's Equinox club on Saturday, Jackson appeared before thousands of screaming fans and made a surprisingly eloquent speech about the nature of record company politics and artist contracts.
'It's true I have left Sony,' Jackson told the fans. Referring to the perceived poor promotion of his last album, Invincible, Jackson said: 'A record company leaves you no choice when they virtually give up on promoting your album. But I've always said that great art never dies and this isn't the end of Michael Jackson.'
Jackson is rumoured to be discussing releasing his next album on a label set up by Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.
Sony Music have released a statement confirming Jackson's split with the label
Jackson's official website, www.michaeljackson.com hasn't been updated for over a year and a scheduled release for his next single, Unbreakable, was recently cancelled by his record label.
In the US, Jackson recently aligned himself with the Rev Al Sharpton and attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr, who have formed a coalition to investigate whether artists are being financially exploited by record labels.
'Record companies have to start treating their artists with respect, honor and financial justice, said Jackson at the launch of the coalition. 'Therefore, I am proud to join this coalition which represents all artists.'
