Michael Jackson Exhibit to Remain at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Following the new HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will not revoke Michael Jackson’s inductions or remove his memorabilia from display at its Cleveland museum, TMZ reports and Pitchfork can confirm. A representative for the Rock Hall shared the following statement with Pitchfork:
Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1997 and as a solo artist in 2001. As with all of our inductees, Jackson was recognized for musical excellence and talent as well as having a significant impact on rock’n’roll, and was elected by a diverse voting body of historians, fellow musicians, and music industry professionals. Original artifacts and memorabilia from many artists’ lives and performances are on display in our exhibits. There are no plans for this to change.
Leaving Neverland aired on March 4 and 5—a four-hour film where Wade Robson and James Safechuck alleged that they were sexually abused by Jackson when they were children. The Jackson Estate sued HBO and called the film “unvetted propaganda.” The Jackson Family has made multiple statements criticizing the film.
The Rock Hall has multiple pieces of Jackson’s wardrobe on display in its Cleveland museum. Jackson was inducted into the Rock Hall twice—once as a solo artist in 2001 and once with the Jackson 5 in 1997. Janet Jackson is being inducted into the Rock Hall’s Class of 2019 later this week.
Following Leaving Neverland, Louis Vuitton removed Michael Jackson-themed clothing from a Virgil Abloh-designed collection. Producers of “The Simpsons” pulled a 1991 episode featuring Jackson from syndication and physical release. A children’s museum in Indiana removed multiple pieces of Jackson memorabilia from display.
