June 29, 2009 @ 8:35 pm

VIBE 365: June 29, 1999, Michael Jackson Takes A Fall During A Benefit Concert

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Remembering yesterday, one day at a time

On this day in 1999 at the Olympic stadium in Munich, Germany, Michael Jackson fell more than 50 feet, after the bridge that he was performing on collapsed. His set for the Michael and Friends benefit concert, titled “Bridge of No Return,” symbolized the refugee children. The bridge was supposed to drop during Jackson’s performance, but it separated too soon and the middle section fell into the pit of the stage as Michael sang his environmental awareness song “Earth Song.” With typical gumption, Jackson moved past the unexpected malfunction and continued performing for the 62,000 fans attending. After the show, he was taken to a Munich hospital suffering from a few bruises and minor burns. Despite Jackson’s tumble, his eight-hour benefit concert raised $1.6 million with proceeds donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s fund, Red Cross, and UNESCO. 

Article tags: Michael Jackson 

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