The following press release has been distributed by the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands:
On June 25, the 5th anniversary of his death, a large memorial billboard will be revealed in memory of Michael Jackson on the Amsterdam Zuidas. The billboard displays the world-famous photo, made by photographer Claude Vanheye in 1977 of Michael Jackson in the Amsterdam Jordaan neighborhood.
The unveiling will take place at 17:00 hrs on the Gustav Mahlerplein in Amsterdam.
This event will be attended by various Dutch celebrities and Claude Vanheye, exclusive photographer of The Jacksons.
With the memorial billboard we create a memorial place at the Zuidas for thousands of national and international Michael Jackson fans. Zuidas is not only a business district, but also a place for lots of young people who study, work and live there.
The billboard will remain until mid-August.
Information about the photo of Michael Jackson in the Amsterdam Jordaan neighborhood:
In 1977 Claude Vanheye photographed Michael Jackson and The Jacksons in his studio in the Amsterdam Hazenstraat. After a photo session of about four hours the brothers, Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Randy went back to their hotel rooms. Michael stayed, he wanted to see more of Amsterdam. Claude showed Michael around in his picturesque neighborhood De Jordaan, where they also photographed each other in the street. The now famous picture of Michael in Amsterdam is made on the Lauriergracht, corner of Hanzenstraat. The photo is owned by the Jackson family. Claude Vanheye is the exclusive designer/photographer of all official publicity and merchandise photos of The Jacksons and can tell all about his work and friendship with the Jackson family.
SOURCE: LMJ
