Bubbles (chimpanzee)

From Jackopedia

Bubbles the chimpanzee being held by Michael Jackson

Bubbles is a Common Chimpanzee, known for his association with Michael Jackson. Jackson rescued the three-year-old chimp from a cancer research clinic in Texas in 1985.^[1] Despite the pair enjoying a close relationship, many media sources mocked the friendship. The public thought of Jackson as a bizarre eccentric, obsessed with recapturing his childhood, and he was subsequently dubbed "Wacko Jacko". Bubbles sat in for the recording sessions of the Bad album and escorted Jackson for the filming of the "Bad" music video. During the Bad World Tour, he and the singer shared a two-bedroom hotel suite in Tokyo.

Bubbles initially resided at the Jackson family's Encino home, but moved to Neverland Ranch in 1988, where he slept in a crib at the corner of Jackson's bedroom. Bubbles was allowed to use Jackson's private toilet, although the chimp sometimes wore a diaper. In a 2003 documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, the singer revealed to journalist Martin Bashir that Bubbles had become overly aggressive, and had been moved to an animal sanctuary.^[2]

[edit] Early life and adoption

In 1985, three-year-old Bubbles was rescued from a cancer research clinic in Texas by Michael Jackson.^[1] The pair enjoyed an extremely close relationship, but many media sources mocked their friendship.^[4] The public's perception of Jackson was that of a bizarre eccentric, obsessed with recapturing his childhood.^[5] "This is when the weirdness began to reach mythic proportions", wrote Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University.^[6] The media dubbed the singer "Wacko Jacko", a nickname he would eventually come to despise.^[7] News organisations reported many false stories on the pair, including an allegation that Bubbles was a series of apes.^[8][9] Another story, reported in The National Enquirer, claimed that Jackson's longtime rival Prince had used extrasensory perception to turn Bubbles crazy. "What kind of sicko would mess with a monkey?", Jackson was reported to have said. "This is the final straw. Poor, poor Bubbles." Jackson found the story hilarious, his camp never having seen the singer laugh so much.^[10]

Jackson and Bubbles accompanied each other on outings and talked together.^[11] The singer later taught the chimp how to moonwalk.^[11] Bubbles, who had an agent, was also rumoured to have his own bodyguard.^[12][13] Jackson said of his pet, "My chimp Bubbles is a constant delight".^[14] Bubbles sat in for the recording of the Bad album—Jackson had insisted that the chimp and his pet snake attend as spectators—and accompanied Jackson for the filming of the "Bad" music video.^[12][15] In the short film for "Liberian Girl", Bubbles made a cameo appearance.^[16] The Bad World Tour kicked off in September, 1987. During the tour, he and the singer shared a two-bedroom hotel suite in Tokyo.^[12] At a party to celebrate and promote Bad, Bubbles reportedly "worked the room" and was "the life of the party".^[12] Jackson and his chimpanzee were photographed in 1986 by Kenny Rogers for his book, Your Friends and Mine.^[17] The photo shows Jackson holding Bubbles on his hip, and has been cited as one of the best taken of the singer.^[17] In the black and white photograph, Jackson is dressed casually; he wears jeans and a simple shirt. Bubbles is also dressed casually in a long sleeved shirt and overalls. Rogers said of the animal, "Bubbles was so human it was almost frightening. He would take Christopher [Rogers' son] by the hand, walk over to the refrigerator, open it, take out a banana, and hand it to him. Christopher was amazed... we all were".^[17]

Having initially resided at the Jackson family's Encino home, Bubbles moved to Neverland Ranch in 1988, after Jackson purchased it for $17 million.^[18] The chimp slept in a crib at the corner of the singer's bedroom.^[12] Bubbles would frequently sit with Jackson in the property's cinema, eating candy.^[19] He also ate at the dining table.^[12] Jackson allowed Bubbles to use his private toilet, although the chimp sometimes wore a diaper.^[19][20] Jackson's maids stated that they were not impressed with the behaviour of the various chimps Jackson had kept over the years. One housekeeper told of how she had to clean up the droppings of one of the chimps, after it hurled its feces at the bedroom wall.^[20] Another maid described a chimp called Max tearing off his diaper before crawling into Jackson's bed.^[20] When Jackson's longtime friend Elizabeth Taylor attended the opening of the Whitman-Walker Clinic's Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, she was accompanied by the singer and Bubbles. Jackson and the ape wore matching military uniforms.^[21] On another occasion, Jackson and his friend went to Taylor's house for tea. The actress did not mind the fact that the singer had brought a chimpanzee.^[22] Taylor's eighth wedding was held at Neverland Ranch. The media reported that Bubbles would be the ring bearer.^[23] The story was untrue but was an idea that some newspapers found too delightful not to report.^[23]

After rumors spread in 1990 of the death of Bubbles, Jackson's press agent Lee Solters told the press that "When Bubbles heard about his demise he went bananas".^[24]

[edit] Later life

In a 2003 documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, the singer revealed to journalist Martin Bashir that Bubbles had become overly aggressive.^[25] He was removed to an animal sanctuary over fears he may attack Jackson's newborn son, Prince Michael II.^[26][27] The singer stated he regretted having to remove the chimp, as they can live to 60 years old.^[27] During the interview, Jackson also told Bashir of how he had planned to hold a "celebrity animal party" for Bubbles. Cheeta, the chimp from Tarzan, Benji and Lassie were to be invited.^[27] The idea garnered much laughter from the media.^[27] Bubbles lived at a ranch in Sylmar, California until 2004.^[28][29] "Bubbles is an adult chimp and a wild animal," animal trainer Bob Dunn stated. "We don't let him out to play."^[29] Jackson and his children used to visit the chimp, and also play with the other animals.^[29] "He still acts like a kid around them," Dunn added.^[29] In December 2003, the rumour that Bubbles had tried to commit suicide was reported.^[30][31][32] The chimp was supposedly taken to a hospital in time to be saved.^[31]

In June 2009, Jackson died at the age of 50, after suffering a cardiac arrest.^[33] Animal trainer Dunn, speaking to the News of the World, stated that the 26 year old chimp would miss the singer.^[30] "Bubbles definitely missed him when they parted and will miss him now. Chimpanzees are intelligent. They remember people and stuff. Bubbles and Michael were close friends and playmates. The last time Michael visited, Bubbles definitely recognized and remembered him."^[30] He revealed that Jackson thought of Bubbles as his first child.^[30] Dunn added that he hoped Jackson's children would keep in touch with their "stepbrother", following their father's death.^[30] Bubbles did not go to Michael Jackson's funeral, but instead stayed at home.^[34]

Bubbles currently resides at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida.^[28]

[edit] In popular culture

Jackson launched Michael's Pets, a range of soft toys based upon the animals the singer owned, in November 1986. The toys consisted of a frog, dog, rabbit, snake, ostrich, giraffe, llama and Bubbles the chimp.^[1] Jackson also appeared, as a bear wearing sunglasses and a fedora.^[1] "He [Jackson] was very instrumental in designing the toys", said Bob Michaelson, who was responsible for developing them.^[1] "He was very instrumental in how it should be programmed... he's got tremendous intuition."^[1] Jackson, in approving the toys, stipulated that the manufacturers donate $1 per sale to a children's charity.^[1]

In 1988, Jeff Koons made three identical porcelain sculptures of Bubbles and Jackson.^[35] At the time, each sculpture was alleged to be worth $250,000.^[36] Koons once said of the pop star, "If I could be one other living person, it would probably be Michael Jackson".^[35] The art piece went on to become one of Koons' best known works.^[37] The figure shows Jackson and the chimp wearing gold military-style suits.^[35] In 2001, one of the figures was put up for auction and was expected to fetch between $3 million and $4 million.^[38] The figure sold to an anonymous telephone bidder for $5.6 million.^[35] The sale was a record for a work by Koons.^[39]

Bubbles also appears in Michael Jackson's Moonwalker video games.^[40]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Campbell, Lisa (1993). Michael Jackson: The King of Pop. Branden. ISBN 082831957X. 
• Halstead, Craig (2003). Michael Jackson the Solo Years. Authors On Line. ISBN 0755200918. 
• Jones, Aphrodite (2007). Michael Jackson Conspiracy. Ingram Pub Services. ISBN 0979549809. 
• Sager, Mike (2008). Deviant Behavior. Black Cat. ISBN 080217048X. 
• Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4. 

[edit] External links

• Bubbles profiles at the Center for Great Apes