Flashback: Michael Jackson at the 1988 Grammys
Here's proof that Michael Jackson was robbed at the Grammy ceremony held in 1988 when he gave such a wow-pow performance of record of the year nominee "Man in the Mirror" that audience members including Billy Joel, Little Richard and Stevie Wonder leaped to their feet, cheering. He lost the top Grammy that year to Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy," a bouncy, feel-good novelty tune so popular that Vice President George H.W. Bush tried (unsuccessfully) to appropriate it for his presidential campaign.
The other losing nominees: "Giving You the Best That I Got" (Anita Baker), "Fast Car" (Tracy Chapman) and "Roll with It" (Steve Winwood).
Maybe Michael Jackson didn't really have much hope of winning, since "Man in the Mirror" wasn't up for best song (bestowed to songwriters; best record goes to recording artists). Usually, that's required. In fact, "Man in the Mirror" was his only Grammy bid that year. Its parent disc, "Bad," had been released during the previous Grammy eligibility period, reaping five nominations, including best album. It lost them all. Thus Jackson was skunked at the Grammys two years in a row. But just a few years earlier, he'd swept the music industry's highest honor, setting a new Grammy record for "Thriller."
Below, Jacko's socko turn at the 1988 Grammycast.
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Yes, he was definitely robbed, Man In The Mirror should have won over Don't Worry Be Happy.
Posted by: sc341 | April 19, 2010 at 11:33 PM
I think he should have won it! Nobody comes close to the energy he gave that audience. We should all look in the mirror and realize he was right . . . . if we want change it has to start with one person at a time being honest with the one that's in the mirror looking back. He obviously was a performer that exuded a higher level of achievement than even the Grammy's could offer. His performance was pure.
Posted by: Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Michael Jackson was the sexiest,most loving,most talented, genius songwriter and singer/dancer we have ever known thus far. He was a giving and generous soul who helped to make this world a better place through song and dance. no matter what anyone says he was extorted for his money,he wad innocent and will always be so. He has given to more charities than any other star. He deserved that award, and should have gotten it. God bless michael Jackson and may he finnally rest in peace.
Posted by: Mjsgrrlfriend | February 12, 2010 at 07:09 PM
What a great performance, gosh, it gives me chills everytime, this is one of the BEST performances I have ever seen and he surely gives it his all, everytime. so graceful at every little move, even when he jumps! I am a huge Michael fan and i don't think that this is pre-recorded, he is definitely singing LIVE, it is, he is just that good, (unlike britney etc...)
Michael, you have an absolutely wonderful talent and you never seeses to amaze us, you are a gift from God.
we love and miss you , you'll always be my inspiration.
love, macy
Posted by: Macy | January 10, 2010 at 02:14 PM
@poncho
hey, im a huge MJ fan. i really am, but i do think this performance was prerecorded. there are times when the words happen when the mic is away from his face, or they dont match up. i wish i could agree with you, but thats just the way it goes.
RIP MJ, we miss you
Posted by: Rosie | January 03, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Michael Jackson was a
gift from God to the world!
He needed help like most
human beings at some time in their lives. Michael
was awesome in talent,
generosity, love, humility!
May Michael rest in the peace he deserves!!
Posted by: mattie ramos | July 28, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Ok, Decent article.
Only one thing. It is Jackson, not Jacko. MJ was taking it as an offense when somebody was calling him this.
Michael Jackson, don't follow yellow press here with names.
Posted by: zima | July 26, 2009 at 08:59 PM
No offense to Disgruntled, but I don't think Michael is lip synching here, at least not at the end, It's also possible that he sang the entire lead vocal live. The harmonies and background vocals were obviously pre-recorded, at least at the beginning of the song.
There are at least a couple of times when the microphone apparently was not working, and it was hard to hear Michael. If he were lipsynching, you would have heard him no matter what was going on with the microphone.
Posted by: poncho | July 02, 2009 at 06:11 AM
He was an awesome man, I loved the way he mood made me feel like I could dance. Just looking at him, wanted to dance all the time. I love you Micheal rest in peace, you were the man
Posted by: Regina | June 29, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I'm so tired of people praising lip synched performances. This is EXACTLY the studio single. I'm not dogging Michael; it's a general statement for all lip synched performances (Britney, etc.)
Posted by: Disgruntled | June 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Micheal Jackson was truly the King of Pop and even though he might be absent from this world his legacy lives on. In my own words you can't tell me that you don't have a cousin, little brother or sister in your family that swear they can get the moonwalk like mike.Or a relative in your family that know mike and don't have at least one albulm or know one of his songs? All I can say to his loved ones is he'll never be forgotten so stand strong for him because the king lives on!
Posted by: Bobbie Anne Clark | June 26, 2009 at 11:38 AM