Why couldn’t Michael Jackson’s older siblings simply allow Detroit to honor the late King of Pop?
Last month, the Detroit City Council announced that surviving members of the Jackson 5 – Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, and Marlon – would headline this year’s Detroit Music Weekend festival. Michael Jackson would appear at the 75-minute production through an ‘interactive performance’ in the background. At the event, Mayor Mike Duggan would present the Jackson 5 with a key to the city.
Then, Stephen Grady, the City Council’s Chief of Staff, made a surprise announcement. In honor of the late ‘King of Pop,’ Detroit would rename a street after the artist.
The decision to rename the street first ran into major hurdle – namely a legislative one. The Detroit City Council has recently passed a controversial ordinance prohibiting street designations after a group or an organization.
That wasn’t a problem, said Grady. Based on Michael Jackson’s contributions to the world, the decision to rename the street was a “compromise.” After all, at the festival last year, the City Council unveiled Aretha Franklin Avenue.
Michael Jackson Avenue would’ve run close to the street named after the Queen of Soul. Both streets would run along the heart of the city’s entertainment district. Nearby venues include the Detroit Opera House, Music Hall, the Gem Theatre, and the Carr Center.
There was also another major problem the Detroit City Council hadn’t expected. Make that four. Jermaine, Jackie, Tito, and Marlon sharply disagreed with the decision. Taken aback by the announcement, they assumed the city would name the street after the whole group, not just its youngest – and most popular – member. Their complaint quickly went public ahead of their upcoming performance.
Now, Detroit has abruptly canceled the honorary street designation for Michael Jackson. The ceremony would’ve taken place this Friday at 4 pm. The move is likely an attempt to appease the furious Jackson 5 members.
In fact, Grady told the Detroit Free Press that the City Council would ultimately name the street after the entire group. Clearly walking back from his earlier ‘compromise’ argument, he said,
“We’re still working through the process. The amendment to the ordinance is fairly new, and we’re trying to understand what we can do. We still plan to do something for the Jackson 5.”
Unedited featured image by celebrityabc (CC by 2.0)
A shame. Though it was nice to read a Michael Jackson related article that wasn’t written by Paul Resnikoff with his personal anti-MJ babbling he usually does. Sacrilege.
Michael’s records and most of the Jackson 5 ones weren’t even cut in Detroit.
Put the Funk Brothers’ name on a street. Or Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier. Or Berry Gordy if they haven’t already done that.
Do not forget the checks that Michael left there helping Berry Gordy and Don Barnen
Oh brother, as if you would know? Plueeze, and by the way miserable mutt. Wacko’s left over money is none of your business. He didn’t leave anything to you rabid losers.
Michael Jackson is ALIVE and after the world finds out, this might be the last honor he and the group will have.
No he isn’t alive. That lame ass death hoax was pulled off by his family and the estate to cover up his own suicide brought on by overwhelming guilt he carried with him all these years. You just haven’t figured it out yet and/or are working as an operative for the cover up.
Said no one with a brain. Paranoid & delusional as always you are. MJ is rotting like your 2 brain cells. Sod off you miserable mutt.
I love how you agree with your sick self & think no one notices. Put the crack down, cracker. Idiot, the pedo junky offed himself. Now go seek mental help old bag.
Get your head checked fool. You sound like a danger to yourself & others. Wacko couldn’t stand you freaks.
I don’t understand the petty mess (see what I did there). The few articles I’ve read about always stated the street was being renamed only after MJ, not J5/The Jacksons.
I wonder if this is a cash grab on the bros’ part? Remember, they’re all elderly now in their 60s, and their baby brother aka cash cow left them out of his will.
Put it down!
Dumb@ss who trolls every article. The only sacrilege comes from you, flunatic. Freak stalker who claims to never come here again, yet never leaves. Miserable mutt as usual too.