Today's random piece of music history is dedicated to Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles. ⁠ ⁠ The Austin-born chimp entered the world as part of an animal-testing research facility, but soon found a home with MJ in 1983. Jackson once said he considered raising Bubbles like raising a first child, as he reportedly taught him how to moonwalk, do chores, and brought him to press conferences. And who could forget the Jeff Koons sculpture, or his appearance on Dick Clark? ⁠ ⁠ Jackson even wrote Clark a letter during Bubbles' appearance, sharing “I’m giving Bubbles the night off so he can come and play on your show.”⁠ ⁠ But Bubbles has also had his industry beef. Author David Wigg once reported that Freddie Mercury was frustrated with Jackson for letting the chimp join them in the studio for their 1985 collab "There Must Be More to Life Than This,” when Jackson would periodically ask Bubbles if he thought the song was going well. Mercury ended up cutting Jackson’s verse on his solo debut album, but Queen shared the song with Jackson’s vocals years later as part of a collection. ⁠ ⁠ Primatologist Jane Goodall alleged to TMZ reporters in 2014 that the animal was beaten in Jackson’s care, calling owning a pet chimp “one of the worst things you can possibly do.” Her allegations have not been confirmed. ⁠ ⁠ Michael had to let go of Bubbles in 2003, as the animal had grown too big to stay at Neverland Ranch. He was initially sent to a ranch in Sylmar, California, where he had been reported to have attempted suicide, but has since been relocated to the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida. It is unclear how often Jackson visited his old friend before his 2009 death.⁠ ⁠ Bubbles is indeed still alive at 39-years-old and now apparently weighs an impressive 185 pounds, but has remained “sweet,” per animal keepers. His name will forever be ingrained in celebrity-animal infamy, and he’s still kicking it–enjoying the music of the flute, and painting as an artist himself. ⁠ ⁠ -⁠ slide 2: YouTube/DangerouslyBad58⁠ slide 5: YouTube/MJJLoveForever1958⁠ slide 7: Center For Great Apes⁠