Visionary: An Interactive Look into Michael Jackson's MJ Universe

by Dieter Wiesner, Yusuf Jah (Narrator)

ENJOY AS MICHAEL JACKSON'S FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER AND MANAGER, DIETER WIESNER, SHARES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED VOICEMAIL AND VIDEO MESSAGES FROM MICHAEL JACKSON TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO MICHAEL'S BUSINESS BRILLIANCE AND PLANS FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

You will learn about Michael Jackson's keen sense of the historical challenges faced by African-American entertainers, and Michael's feelings toward the inequitable relationship between entertainers and the professionals (i.e., lawyers, accountants) that often gain more financially than the artists themselves. And most compelling, listeners will gain an appreciation for Michael's business genius and the visionary purchases and partnerships he conceived, including with Marvel Comics and Disney.

Here fans and students of Michael Jackson will enjoy access to a side of him which they otherwise may not be aware of - the 'VISIONARY'. . .

©2019 Dieter Wiesner and Yusuf Jah (P)2019 Dieter Wiesner and Yusuf Jah

Audible Audio

First published December 2, 2019

Reviews

[NON · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Had Michael Jackson been left alone to execute the visionary purchases and partnerships that he desired, he would've been one of the wealthiest people in the world. Unfortunately, powerful forces were set against him and determined to bring him down.”

Visionary is an interactive audio-book by Michael Jackson's former business partner and manager, Dieter Wiesner, which focuses on the business side of the King of Pop. Michael Jackson was not a mere businessman, he was a visionary. MJ Universe is a project that Jackson initiated with the help of Wiesner to purchase and partner with companies such as Marvel, Disney, Universal, and Apple. Michael Jackson back in that time was already a co-owner of Sony/ATV catalog but that was not the end of it; he sought more business ventures that would've made him one of the wealthiest men in the world if only he was let to do so, and not preoccupied with the trouble he was pushed into. Now, we cannot say for sure if those ventures including the one he already co-owned were not a major factor that led one way or another powerful forces to conspire against him. It's notable that Jackson said not once but numerous times that there were people that had an agenda to bring him down.

“They really thought that my mind is always on music and dancing. It usually is, but they never thought that this performer — myself — would out-think them.” - Michael Jackson

I wasn't expecting anything specific when I purchased this audio-book via Audible but I'm glad I did because not only did Wiesner offer us a glimpse into what Michael Jackson had in store beyond music but also backed it up with voice notes from Michael Jackson himself explaining with gleefulness his business visions including what he offered Marvel, the negotiations with Disney, and the envisioned partnership with Steve Jobs. Not only these but also his creative contributions to Las Vegas, his plans to acquire another property to create Neverland 2, which according to Wiesner, would've been an accessible to the public amusement park but for a fee — unlike Neverland Ranch.

“All the black artists ended up penniless. They say ‘they spend too much and had too many parties’ they're lying; they robbed them; it's a conspiracy to break them. They know money is power, and as soon as they get the money; they're afraid they're going to lose their power. We have to be the pioneers, they innovators to break this terrible tradition.” -Michael Jackson, Chapter 1 - My Way

Michael Jackson revolutionized the entertainment industry as we know it today yet he was looking into something much bigger. He aimed to set the artists free from the “vultures” who are eating them alive. Wiesner details the plans they made regarding replacing the old system with a brand new one that ensured safety and freedom.

Visionary is much more suited to be a podcast than the typical audio-book, and I wished it was more organized because the story is told in a hasty manner that at times leave the listener wanting more context or to explain what happened regarding this matter or that.

However, the provided voice notes by Michael Jackson is the focal point of the whole thing because hearing him talk about his major plans is exciting yet heartbreaking. He was full of hope, he had it figured out, and he wasn't going to stop until he reached his ultimate goal. This one-hour audio-book offers a dose of that, and despite it flaws in terms of quality and arrangement, I was satisfied with it.

P.S. the photo cover is a bonus.