Overview
- On November 4, 1995 in Duisburg, Michael Jackson performed “Dangerous” and premiered “Earth Song” on ZDF’s “Wetten, dass..?”.
- The “Earth Song” number featured a CGI globe, a shirt-tearing crescendo, a lift hoisting Jackson above the stage, wind machines, fog and a gospel choir.
- Roughly 18 million people watched for a market share of about 52%, with 1,500 in the hall and about 2,000 more following on a big screen outside.
- The post-performance exchange was limited to a few words — “I love you all … I love it” — with NRZ reporting management had curtailed a longer interview.
- Minutes after the broadcast, dpa alerts reported shots fired at Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and then his death, shaping how the night is remembered.