Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special

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In late November of 2001, the CBS television network aired a two-hour special in honor of Michael Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo entertainer (his first solo single, "Got to Be There", was recorded in 1971). The show was edited from footage of two separate concerts Michael had orchestrated in New York City's Madison Square Garden. The shows sold out in five hours. Ticket prices were pop's most expensive ever; the best seats cost $5,000 and included a dinner with Michael Jackson and a signed poster. The cheapest seats cost $1600, which included just a dinner following the concert. Jackson reportedly earned $7.5 million for each of the two concerts, which is over $150,000 per minute.

Opening the show was Samuel L. Jackson's presentation of Usher, Whitney Houston & Mýa, performing a rendition of Michael's hit song "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", from his 1982 album, Thriller. Among other performers and guests were Liza Minnelli singing "You Are Not Alone"; young Billy Gilman's performance of Jackson's 1972 #1 U.S. hit "Ben"; and James Ingram with Gloria Estefan singing Mike's 1987 ballad, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (another #1 U.S. hit).

The second hour of the show is by far the best remembered, featuring the exciting reunion of Michael and his brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Randy, Marlon, and Tito for a "greatest hits" medley, including their headlining songs "ABC", "I Want You Back", "Can You Feel It", "The Love You Save", "I'll Be There" and "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)". As the crowd roared, it was evident that the Jackson brothers were enjoying themselves, possibly even more than the adoring fans of past and present. Following the reunion, Michael announced surprise guests for the Jackson 5 hit "Dancing Machine" - *NSYNC.

Following a short intermission, Chris Tucker then appeared onstage, to announce a live performance of what is arguably Jackson's most well-known tune: "Billie Jean". The superstar once again hit the stage, this time flanked by scores of dancers dressed as gang members for a explosive version of "Beat It". As Michael glided and danced his way across the floor, the crowd roared all the louder in appreciation. Immediately afterward, Slash was properly introduced for a powerful, whirlwind rendition of "Black or White". Then, to wind things down, Jackson joined Britney Spears for a performance of "The Way You Make Me Feel". The cut version that aired featured a different dancer than Spears. After, he performed his newest single, "You Rock My World", from the recently-released album Invincible. Michael was joined at the end of the song by Usher, who performed a smooth robotic dance routine.^{[citation needed]} Near the end of the final song, Jackson and Co. sang "We Are the World" onstage in an otherwise elaborate finale. Marc Anthony also sang "She's out of my life".