Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Janet, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Beyoncé, Mariah, Prince, Sade, & more • Rare photos, videos & the stories behind them
Tommy Mottola blaming Michael Jackson for not touring in the aftermath of 9/11 will never sit right with me. Janet canceled her European tour. Destiny’s Child postponed theirs. Michael was raising two young children, and according to Jermaine, an Invincible tour was planned for spring 2002. Why was touring treated like the answer to everything when there were still songs from that album worth promoting?
Jermaine says that Michael was willing to do a tour for Invincible but then came 9/11:
“It was reported that INVINCIBLE didn't max out on sales because Michael didn't want to take it on tour, but that was never true. An album tour was planned, designed, and he was ready and willing to go on the road in spring 2002, nationally and overseas. But then 9/11 happened, and it was cancelled at Michael's request. I know this led to a bust-up over the phone with Tommy Mottola. Michael blamed him for not promoting his album, and Tommy blamed him for not doing the tour that would have promoted the album. I didn't understand Sony's argument because my brother was one of countless artists who cancelled tours that year, including our sister Janet; the mood at that time was not to travel within the heightened sense of alert.”
Reason that year for music was so fab was because the newbies were in legit competition with the legends and you can hear it in how they adapted to the teen pop craze and even started working with them
Michael Jackson’s “Invincible” was released on this date in 2001 and the 16-track set continues to live up to its title over the past 25 years. From the album, “You Rock My World” and “Heaven Can Wait” continue to trend on TikTok -
Michael Jackson opening Invincible with “Unbreakable” was a STATEMENT. That hard-hitting Rodney Jerkins production, the layered vocals, Brandy on background vocals, and a Biggie verse pulled from Shaq’s “You Can’t Stop the Reign.” 25 years later, this opening track STILL goes hard.