Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," left an indelible mark on the world, not only through his music and dance but also through his cultural impact and humanitarian efforts. Among the many places he touched, Egypt held a special allure, both for the artist and for his global fanbase.
Michael Jackson performing during HIStory World Tour
The HIStory World Tour and Global Reach
The HIStory World Tour, which took place from September 7, 1996, to October 15, 1997, was a testament to Michael Jackson's global appeal. This tour comprised 83 shows in 35 countries and was attended by around 4.5 million people. The average attendance per show was approximately 54,878.
This tour grossed around $165,000,000 and was the most successful solo tour of the 1990s. While a concert in Seoul, South Korea, was recorded and made available on VHS, no other official recording of the tour has been released for purchase, although many professional recordings have surfaced online or been broadcast on TV.
It would be easier to say what countries he hasn't been to. How many percent of the worlds countries have he visited? 49 divided into 195 = 25.12% or just over a quarter of all the countries in the world. The 195 includes Vatican City, Palestine and Taiwan as a separate country from China, even though China does not recognise Taiwans independence and will actually bomb the crap out of it, if they declare full independence.
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Michael Jackson's impact extended far beyond the stage. As one news story recounted, missionaries in Chad found that even a 5-year-old child recognized Michael Jackson, saying, "Michael Jackson, he is love."
Michael Jackson mural in Port-au-Prince, Haïti
Michael Jackson's Humanitarian Side
During one of his tours, Michael Jackson visited Haiti. The experience deeply affected him, as he was devastated by the poverty-stricken conditions he witnessed.
As Mavis Staples of the Staples Singers noted, "Without a shadow of a doubt, Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer ever to grace the face of this earth... a man who had a good and kind soul."
Egypt in Music and Culture
The allure of Egypt has long fascinated people, inspiring numerous songs and cultural references. Here are a few examples:
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- Go Down Moses: This African American spiritual, dating back to the 1850s, references the Hebrew Exodus from Egypt.
- You Belong To Me (1952): Covered by Jo Stafford and others, this song mentions the pyramids along the Nile.
- Egypt (1979) by Kate Bush: Described as “an attempted audial animation of the romantic and realistic visions of a country”.
- Night Boat to Cairo (1979) by Madness: A ska/pop song with a low-budget video filmed in a studio.
- Inshalla (2009) by Eskimo Joe: This song mentions the Nile and Fishawy cafe, reflecting on fate and experiences in Egypt.
- The Nile Song (1969) by Pink Floyd.
- Cleopatra (2014) by Weezer.
- Schnappi - Das Kleine Krokodil (2004): A children's song featuring an animated crocodile.
In 1966, Barbra Streisand dressed as Egyptian queen Nefertiti in her television special “Color Me Barbra”, for her performance of the song “Where or When”.
There are also many songs about places in Egypt and with Egyptian themes were written in Arabic, such as:
- Boshret Kheir / Good Omen (2014): Sung by Hussain Al Jassmi, this song names many places in Egypt and aims to unite Egyptians.
- Luxor Baladna: A tribute song and dance performance at the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut.
- Ya Banat El Eskandiria / The Girls of Alexandria: A song recorded by many artists, celebrating the city of Alexandria.
One traveler recounted meeting a homeless man in Alexandria who, despite having only one leg, was incredibly happy.
Michael Jackson's Name in the Middle East
Michael’s popularity in the Middle East should not be underestimated. Even though it is geographically part of North Africa, Egypt is generally considered to be culturally a part of the Middle East. In Yemen, a British travel writer noted that his fellow passengers understood his reference to Michael Jackson, highlighting his status as a global superstar.
| Song Title | Artist | Year | Theme/Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go Down Moses | Louis Armstrong (version) | 1850s (original) | Hebrew Exodus from Egypt |
| You Belong To Me | Jo Stafford | 1952 | Pyramids along the Nile |
| Egypt | Kate Bush | 1979 | Romantic and realistic visions of Egypt |
| Night Boat to Cairo | Madness | 1979 | Egyptian-themed ska/pop song |
| Inshalla | Eskimo Joe | 2009 | Mentions the Nile and Fishawy cafe |
| The Nile Song | Pink Floyd | 1969 | References to the Nile River |
| Cleopatra | Weezer | 2014 | References to Cleopatra |
| Boshret Kheir / Good Omen | Hussain Al Jassmi | 2014 | Names places in Egypt, uniting Egyptians |
| Ya Banat El Eskandiria / The Girls of Alexandria | Tamer Abdo, Mohammed El Bakkar, Ramy Adly | Various | Celebrates the city of Alexandria |
Musical References to Egypt
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One author recounted a humorous anecdote of riding a camel in Egypt named Michael Jackson, illustrating the singer's widespread recognition and affection.
Michael Jackson's Dangerous Tour Stage
Michael's attraction to the art and culture of Ancient Egypt appears to have been reciprocated by his admirers in present-day Egypt.
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