Music

“My friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years. My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry.” 


Michael Jackson thanking his Japanese fans and reiterating how much he’s looking forward to his planned ‘fan appreciation day‘ in Tokyo next month.

In fact, so grateful is the ghoulish gloved one, that the event he’ll attend on March 8th will cost an almost criminally cut-price 400,000 yen (1,680 pound) per person. And whilst those in attendance will only get to hear Jackson’s music on CD, they will be listening with the singer himself; plus there’ll also be a chance to meet him face to face for between 30 seconds and a minute — possibly even longer for those under 14.

A meeting that in many ways may not match the man’s musical milestones, but as far as mercenary money grabbing goes, it certainly takes some beating.

There’s no denying that Japanese second-hand goods outlet, Hard Off, has a comical and often commented upon name.

However whilst a variety of bargains can be had in such stores, there’s a certain sadness about the shops too, as although many people do unload the likes of consoles and computers after updating to faster and fancier machines, countless others are forced to sell due to financial problems or drastic changes in circumstances. Such partings being painfully obvious when precious collections, painstakingly built over long periods of time, are seen waiting patiently to be jerked off the shelves and taken to new homes.

One particularly heartbreaking story is the case of the unique Doraemon-themed death metal outfit, Cataclysmic Cat. After early critical praise, the band seemed destined for greatness with their manga-inspired metal, but constant in-fighting regarding direction and favourite characters led to the group’s early demise. An event that hit chief songwriter Satan’s Spawn particularly hard, with the resultant emotional and financial problems forcing the young musician to sell his beloved Doraemon guitar.

(click image for double-sized Doraemon)

Belinda Carlisle’s 1987 hit single, Heaven is a Place on Earth, was a clear-cut winner, wowing danceable ditty devotees the world over. Yet whilst there can be no doubts concerning the record’s success, where exactly the song’s ‘heaven on earth’ might be found remains elusive, with Ms Carlisle’s frustratingly fuzzy lyrics giving little away in regards to a particular spot or even address:

Oohh baby do you know what that’s worth?

Oohh, heaven is a place on earth.

That said, somewhat controversially several potential locations have been highlighted in Tokyo, with this previously posted picture becoming a place of pilgrimage of sorts for many enthusiasts. A venue however that has now garnered some stiff competition in the capital’s western suburbs, with a recently opened establishment making a bold claim for the heaven on earth honour.

And whilst the club’s saucy sirens may appear to cast aspersions on the 48-year-old singer-songwriter’s sexuality*, its name leaves little doubt in regards to its declaration.

(click images for heightened heavenliness)

*As of writing, Ms Carlisle has yet to return a call in reference to confirming a specific location — or indeed to comment on her sexual preferences.