COMETOGETHER

Nipsey Russell, who played the Tin Man alongside Diana Ross and Michael Jackson in "The Wiz" as part of a decades-long career in stage, television and film, has died. He was 80.

The actor, who had been suffering from cancer, died Sunday afternoon at Lenox Hill Hospital, said his longtime manager Joseph Rapp.

Born in Atlanta, Russell launched his television career as Officer Anderson in the 1961 television series "Car 54, Where are You?" He also appeared in the 1994 film version.

He became a fixture on popular television game and talk shows, where he was welcomed for his poetic delivery that earned him the moniker the "poet laureate of television." He also took his signature four-line poetry on the road for readings and performances.

Russell also appeared in the films "Nemo" in 1984, "Wildcats" in 1986 and "Posse" in 1993.

He settled in New York after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and serving as an Army captain in Europe during World War II, Rapp said.

Russell never married. "He always said, 'I have trouble living with myself, how could I live with anyone else,'" Rapp said. "But he was a wonderful guy, very quiet, never bragged."


Source: Associated Press 

MICHAEL JACKSON will reportedly step out of hiding in the Middle East next week to record his charity single THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART in Britain. The THRILLER singer has been residing in Bahrain with his friend PRINCE ABDULLA since he was acquitted of child molestation charges in a Santa Maria, California, court in June (05). Earlier this month (SEP05), Jackson announced his plans to enlist celebrity friends, including JAY-Z, JAMES BROWN, MARIAH CAREY and MARY J BLIGE, to record a charity song, with proceeds going to the victims of Hurricane Katrina (29AUG05) on America's Gulf Coast. British newspaper The Sun claims Jackson is flying to London next week to begin the recording process. A source says, "Michael has been working on the lyrics since the hurricane happened and wants to release it in the next fortnight. "He can't wait to visit London. He's always had incredible support from fans in England and he admires some of the top producers based there." Source: Contact Music / Sun

Cash it in, 50 Cent. Shrivel up, Slim Shady. Michael Jackson may be ready to rap. Having once anointed himself the King of Pop, the singer now wants to reinvent himself as a booty-chasing hip-hopper, we hear. The move toward a harder-edged sound is said to be part of a plan to put his child-molestation trial behind him. "Soon you will see him surrounded by all kinds of beautiful women," says "Alien Rock" author Michael Luckman, who's tapped into the Jackson camp. He's already trying to surround himself with Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige and other bona fide hip-hop stars, whom Jackson's rep says have promised to perform on his hurricane relief single, "From the Bottom of My Heart." "Despite everything, Michael still commands a great deal of respect from younger artists he influenced," says another source. Andre Van Pier thinks he has just the outfit for a Vegas show Jackson is said to be hatching. Van Pier, who created costumes for several Jackson videos, envisions the Gloved One as a "Space Warrior," complete with Roman legion helmet and illuminated white leather jumpsuit. "I want to transform Michael [into] a man with power on a level that we've never seen before," says Van Pier. Source: NY Post

Pop star Lionel Richie said Wednesday he would team up with Michael Jackson on a song to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, if he could just get in touch with him. The two stars famously co-wrote “We Are the World,” in the 1980s, a project that ultimately garnered more than $50 million for African famine relief. Featuring artists such as Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan, the charity song won the Grammy award for best song of the year. Jackson has recently said he is working on another charity song to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Richie did not say whether he has spoken to Jackson specifically about the Katrina project, but did say he is interested in the project. “We would do it, but what we would want to know right now is who is running it,” Richie said. Jackson has been staying overseas since he was cleared of molestation charges earlier in the summer. Jackson’s extended stay in the Middle East, and Richie’s hectic schedule, has made communication between the two musicians difficult, Richie said. Outside a conference supporting minority business in Montgomery, Richie confirmed the two pop stars have been playing “phone tag” recently. He also said a number of factors must be overcome before such a project could materialize. “If you know anything about Lionel Richie, if you know anything about Michael Jackson, if you know anything about all of us as artists, we can’t run it,” Richie said. “Because we are in every part of the world. Somebody has to be the point person, and we need to find out who that point person is.” Gathering all the talent to one central location to do the song will be a major obstacle to overcome, Richie said. The “We Are the World” project was centered around the American Music Awards, Richie said, because all the artists “had a reason to be in town.” “This project may be a monster. It’s not that it can’t be done . . . but we need one galvanizing point where everyone can come together,” Richie said. Source: MA

In his first interview since being cleared of child-molestation charges, Michael Jackson said he's hard at work on his Hurricane Katrina benefit song, "From the Bottom of My Heart," and that he's feeling well after several health scares during the trial. Jackson told The Associated Press during the brief interview that he's "moving full speed ahead" on the single. But unlike "We Are the World" — the 1985 charity hit co-written by Jackson that quickly drew participation from such heavy hitters as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel and Paul Simon — so far, no artists have confirmed participation in the recording of the single to aid victims of the August 29 disaster. "I'm constantly working on it," Jackson said of the song, which he first announced on September 6. At the time, Jackson said in a statement that he had written the song and intended to contact artists within days and record it within two weeks. Spokespeople for R. Kelly, Jay-Z, Ciara, Wyclef Jean, Mariah Carey and Lauryn Hill said those artists have been contacted but have not yet agreed to participate. Missy Elliott's rep said she and Jackson are in discussions about the song but have not yet reached any agreement. Spokespeople for Lenny Kravitz, James Brown, Yolanda Adams, Babyface and the O'Jays could not be reached by press time. Jackson's spokesperson, Raymone Bain — who last week confirmed the participation of Brown, Jay-Z, Blige, Elliott, Kravitz, Kelly, Snoop and Ciara — could not be reached for comment. Four years ago, Jackson announced plans for a benefit song for the victims of the September 11 terror attacks. "What More Can I Give" featured vocals by Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan and Reba McEntire (see " 'NSYNC Join Jackson's Charity Single; Mariah, Celine Sing In Spanish"). The song was shelved and never officially saw the light of day. Source: MTV

Pop star Michael Jackson has broken his silence on his child abuse trial, describing it as "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life". The singer has not spoken publicly since sending a message to fans in June, shortly after being cleared of molesting a young boy. In a brief interview with the Associated Press news agency, he said he was still "resting and recovering". The star is staying in Bahrain and said he was "feeling good". He added he was "moving full speed ahead" with plans to record a charity single for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 'Constantly working' Jackson's spokeswoman has said Mariah Carey, James Brown and Snoop Dogg are among the big names set to appear on the song, although the line-up has not been finalised. "I'm constantly working on it," Jackson told the Associated Press. He travelled to Bahrain shortly after the verdict and was recently photographed smiling in Dubai. The star's 19-month legal ordeal ended in June when he was found not guilty on 10 charges of plying a teenage boy with alcohol and abusing him. He made several trips to hospital during and after the trial, complaining of "flu-like symptoms", dehydration and back problems. In June, he told fans: "Your ever-present love held me, dried my tears, and carried me through." Source: BBC

In his first talk with a reporter since the end of his criminal trial, pop superstar Michael Jackson said Saturday he is "moving full speed ahead" on plans to record a song for the benefit of Hurricane Katrina victims and feels that his creative juices are flowing again. In a telephone call to The Associated Press, Jackson said the trial was "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life" and that he and his children were still in Bahrain "resting and recovering" from the ordeal. Jackson said he has been at work on the charity song, tentatively titled, "From the Bottom of My Heart." "I'm constantly working on it," he said. Also on the line was Raymone K. Bain, Jackson's spokeswoman. She said the call would not be a full- fledged interview, and that Jackson just wanted to make contact to express his thanks for what he said was the AP's fair coverage of his trial. Jackson has been staying in Bahrain as the guest of Prince Abdulla, the son of the king of Bahrain. Of his friend Prince Abdulla, he said, "He's the very best, amazing, so kind." Asked about his health, Jackson said, "I'm feeling good." The singer had said during his trial that he was plagued by back problems. Jackson was acquitted of child molestation in June after a five-month trial in Santa Maria, Calif. He has not appeared in public since and has spent much of his time in Bahrain. Jackson wants the charity anthem to follow the success of the 1984 worldwide hit "We Are the World," which he co-wrote to benefit African starvation victims. Bain has said many artists have agreed to join the project, but the lineup hasn't been finalized. Source: AP..

Michael Jackson's publicist says eight performers so far have agreed to join a song to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. Raymone K. Bain said artists who will appear on Jackson's song, tentatively titled "From the Bottom of My Heart," include James Brown, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Lenny Kravitz, R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg and Ciara. But representatives for some of the artists said it was premature to say their clients were committed to the charity single, which hopes to duplicate the 1984 worldwide hit "We Are the World," which Jackson co-wrote to benefit African starvation victims. Representatives for Snoop Dogg said he would take part. But Jay-Z's publicist, Jana Fleishman, said the rapper had "been approached, but Jay told me directly he is not yet confirmed to be on that song." Several other publicists said their clients were in talks and had yet to confirm. Bain, however, insisted during a telephone interview Wednesday that Jackson had personally contacted all the artists himself. She said Jackson will record the tune on 2 Seas Records, the label owned by Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of the king of Bahrain. Jackson, who was acquitted after a grueling child molestation trial four months ago, has been a guest of Sheik Abdulla for the past several weeks. To confirm her account, Bain handed the phone to Sheik Abdulla, who said that he and Jackson had had talked to each artist personally. "He made every single call himself," the sheik said. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Jackson tried unsuccessfully to put together a benefit song called "What More Can I Give." For now, Bain said, the Katrina relief song is "a work in progress," with a time, date and place of recording yet to be scheduled. Source: Yahoo

Whilst Michael Jackson enlists various stars to appear on his forthcoming single, a spokesperson for R&B star Wyclef confirmed that he will be taking part in the recording of the song, "From the Bottom of My Heart,". Source: Rolling Stone

R&B superstar Usher is calling on Madonna and Michael Jackson to join the line-up for his upcoming Hurricane Katrina benefit concert in Houston, Texas. The Yeah! Hitmaker admits he has already been in negotiations with Jackson about the odd couple doing "something together", but he refuses to confirm that will be a duet onstage on October 2. He says: "We haven't spoken but our people have been speaking." Source: IR

Blender magazine have circulated a list of Top 500 songs which features Michael's Billie Jean at the number one spot. The list, titled The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born only features songs released since 1980 and was created to rival Rolling Stone magazine's similar list after Blender complained about the amount of older songs in their particular selection, according to the New York Times. Source:MJNI..

Michael Jackson is indeed serious about recording that charity single with an all-star cast. But he knows it won’t be easy to convince other stars that his stigma is gone. What to do? Jackson, I am told, is making a full court press on R&B star Usher to be first to say yes. Sources say Jackson feels if Usher agrees, everyone else will follow. Jackson has already spoken with Usher’s manager, his mom, Jonetta Patton. Now he has to pitch the idea to the young singer himself. Meantime, I’m also told that the usual chaos is occurring in the Jackson camp over who’s organizing this project. So far no one seems to be in charge of rounding up the talent for this new “We Are the World,” or even deciding how or where it will get done. I’m told that Michael’s father, Joseph Jackson, has appointed himself quarterback. He spent a full day in meetings recently in Las Vegas, presumably to help Michael. But he also could have been making plans for his movie debut. (See yesterday’s column.) My sources say that Michael may be arriving in New York shortly to start pitching his charity single idea to other performers. Of course, he will then be moonwalking fast to avoid process servers in the lawsuit brought against him here by Prescient Partners for $48 million. Sha-mone! Source: Fox News / Roger Friedman

One of the two jurors who went on a media blitz last month alleging that they were pressured into voting not guilty to acquit Michael Jackson on child molestation charges is now suing to get out of a book deal. Ray Hultman and his wife Darlene wants to break their publishing contract with Larry Garrison, owner of the Lake Sherwood-based SilverCreek Entertainment, stating that they did not know what they were doing when they signed the pact. Hultman is also suing Stacy Brown, former Jackson Family pal and co-author of another book written with Bob Jones, alleging that he is the source of plagiarizing material for the book proposal from an article written by Maureen Orth for Vanity Fair. Hultman, 62, along with 81 year-old Jackson juror Eleanor Cook, went on a media promotion junket to hock upcoming books. Both jurors told stories of alleged jury tampering, rule breaking and that they were pressured into acquitting Jackson. Both have since claimed that they believe Jackson to be guilty of molesting a 13 year old boy in 2003. Hultman's suit is seeking unspecified damages for mental and emotional stress and claims that his reputation and deal was damaged by the alleged act committed by Brown. Furthermore, Hultman's attorney Santa Barbara lawyer James Nichols Jr., wrote in the lawsuit that his client should be released from the contract because California law barred him from capitalizing on his jury service until 90 days after the verdict. Brown called Hultman's actions 'laughable' and went on to say, "I think this is another attempt for Ray to keep himself in the media. No one is interested in his book. He was badly misguided. He'd be better off riding into the sunset and getting on with his life." Hultman signed two contracts with Garrison, one giving him 50% of book sales and another one that combined his contract with Cook's only giving him a 25% cut. Garrison would receive 50% in any case. Neither Hultman or Garrison was available to comment on this court filing. Source: Santa Maria Times

Michael Jackson announced yesterday that he has written a Katrina benefit anthem titled "From the Bottom of My Heart." Jackson says he'll record it for the label owned by his friend Sheikh Abdulla Hamad Al Khalifa, son of Bahrain's king. He hopes that the song will "rekindle the success of 'We Are the World." You have to hope that it will at least fare better than his 9/11 tribute, "What More Can I Give," which was shelved by Sony Music after it emerged that the song's producer, Marc Schaffel, also made gay porn. Still, there's the question of exactly which stars will want to team up with Jackson after his child-molestation trial. But Michael is undeterred. "He's in the process of making these calls now," says a Jackson assistant. With Ben Widdicombe, Jo Piazza and Chris Rovzar. Source: NY Daily

Michael Jackson to Record Hurricane Relief Song Fundraising Project titled: “From the Gulf to the Gulf” Within 24 hours, Mr. Jackson will be reaching out to other recording superstars asking that they join him in this project to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina Washington, D.C. ……. In response to the widespread devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, Recording Superstar Michael Jackson has been moved to pen a song, with the working title, “From the Bottom of My Heart.” Hoping to rekindle the success of “We Are the World,” which he wrote and produced, and which raised millions of dollars for aid to Africa, Mr. Jackson will be enlisting, within the next 24 hours, the involvement of other recording superstars to join him in this project. It is his intention to record this record within the next two weeks. “It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of my country,” says Mr. Jackson. “My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy. I will be reaching out to others within the music industry, to join me in helping to bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything.” The song will be recorded on 2 Seas Records, a label owned by Prince Abdulla Hamad Alkhalifa of Bahrain. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Further details will follow. Source: Raymone K. Bain

Kanye West, who was recently named the hottest number one star of the year, just might try and help resurrect Michael Jackson’s' career. In an interview with Sirius Satellite Radio, Kanye was asked about a very important phone call from one King Of Pop. "He called and asked you to produce and album for him? What's going on with that?" "Actually he has, I am just trying to figure out the time. It's a time thing, but I definitely want to do something. I may not have enough time to do the entire album all the way through. I am definitely gonna do some joints." Kanye West. For more details on Sirius Radio go to: http://www.sirius.com Source:MJSTAR

Michael Jackson's visit to Dubai has been a smash hit with the world's media who have delighted in reporting on his fun-in-the-sun holiday. Newspapers and websites from New York to New Delhi have given the megastar's sightseeing trip top billing. Dozens of papers have printed the pictures of a smiling Jackson posing with Bahrain's Shaikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and top UAE rally driver, Mohammad Ben Sulayem. The media frenzy has been particularly strong since it is one of Jackson's first public appearances since he was cleared of child abuse charges in the United States almost three months ago. Britain's Daily Mail commented on how happy Jackson looked as he visited the offices of developer Nakheel and saw The World and The Palm projects. "Wearing a bright blue shirt, his black trilby set at a jaunty angle, he looked a picture of health and happiness, every inch the star of old," wrote reporter Richard Simpson. The San Jose Mercury News told readers that Jackson had enjoyed a meal of buffalo wings at the Hard Rock Café in Dubai. Like the Daily Mail, the Mercury noted how happy and carefree Jackson was during his trip. "The king of pop appeared at ease during his visit to the Arabian Gulf country," the paper reported. Jackson, 47, flew into Dubai from Bahrain on August 20 and has been touring the city with Ben Sulayem, a multiple Middle East rally champion, and Shaikh Abdullah, son of the King of Bahrain. After taking a boat trip to The World and The Palm projects, Jackson is thought to be thinking about following in the footsteps of countless other celebrities and buying property in Dubai. During his visit, he has chatted to fans, posed for photographs and struck those accompanying him with his easy-going and happy demeanour. The BBC in London contrasted Jackson's "smiling" appearance in Dubai with his rather frail look of recent months. Entertainment website E Online praised Jackson's "snappy" dress sense during his visit and even speculated on what flavour buffalo wings he chose: Classic Rock (with medium dipping sauce), Tangy Bar-B-Que or Heavy Metal (hot). The Indianapolis Star described Jackson's trip as "a thriller" for Dubai while New York-based Newsday said Jackson was "relaxed and friendly". South Africa's Daily News said Jackson was "reportedly thrilled" by the amazing sights he has seen in Dubai, while Al Bawaba in Jordan said the city made "a big impression" on the singer. Other newspapers in India, Ireland and Lebanon have also written about the pop star's trip and there are more than 200 news reports on websites alone. SOurce:MJSTAR..

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - He ate Buffalo wings. He took a speedboat to a luxury villa on a manmade island. He buzzed around the Emirate with a race car driver and a prince. In contrast to the frail Michael Jackson cleared of child abuse charges in June, the king of pop appeared relaxed and friendly during his ongoing visit to this Gulf sheikdom. The 47-year-old performer was even been spotted looking over some of the world's most audacious real estate developments in flashy Dubai, a booming luxury resort and one of the world's fastest growing cities. "He wants to see more of this area. He likes it here," said Mohammed Bin Sulayem, the Emirates champion rally driver who escorted Jackson on sightseeing tours, alongside their mutual friend, Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of Bahrain's king. Local newspapers are flush with speculative articles about the singer taking up residence. Bin Sulayem said he wasn't yet sure whether Jackson was ready to join the other westerners buying up luxury villas in this seaside emirate. "I'm sure he won't have a problem finding something in Dubai," Bin Sulayem said. "I'm sure people are making him offers. He's just looking. I would love to see him come to this part of the world and live - or even just to have a second house." Dubai has lured a growing number of the world's rich and famous to bask in the over-the-top luxury of its resorts. Bin Sulayem noted that soccer star David Beckham and rally driver Michael Schumacher have already bought property here. Source: Associated Press

Michael Jackson feels "vindicated" by the charges against his accuser's mother. Janet Arvizo is alleged to have collected £10,000 in welfare payments and not told officials she had just won £80,000 in a lawsuit settlement. Sexual molestation claims by her son Gavin, 15, sparked the Jackson trial, which ended in the singer's acquittal in June. Yesterday, the superstar's lawyer, Brian Oxman, said: "Michael feels vindicated by this. "We do not wish this woman any ill will but we wanted to vindicate Michael and we have done." Oxman investigated Arvizo's finances to prepare the singer's defence case. After the trial finished, Oxman handed over his records to authorities. The attorney subpoenaed hundreds of bank account records and welfare records. The fraud charges against Arvizo, 37, cover a time she was claiming that Michael Jackson was holding her family against their will. Oxman added: "The existence of fraud at the same time that Michael Jackson was supposedly holding these people captive shows this was impossible." At Jackson's trial, Arvizo refused to testify about the welfare matter. The jury said afterwards that one reason for their decision was partly because they distrusted the boy's mother. Source:MJSTAR..

Michael Jackson has sailed around The World -- man-made islands in the shape of a world map -- on a trip to the Gulf emirate of Dubai where he is reportedly eyeing property, local newspapers said Monday. The superstar has secretly been in Dubai since August 20, arriving from the small Gulf kingdom of Bahrain where he has been staying since being acquitted of child molestation trial in the United States. Braving the summer heat, Jackson wore his signature black hat and sunglasses as he cruised in the hot waters off the coast of Dubai around The World and other palm tree-shaped islands. The papers published pictures of the self-styled King of Pop touring the city with Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of Bahrain's king, and UAE champion rally driver Mohamad bin Sulayem. "Why would one go around these top-of-the-shelf properties unless one had at least a fleeting interest in acquiring some? This is the million dollar question thats doing the rounds of the city," said the Khaleej Times. Source: AFP

Jackson's lead defense attorney, Tom Mesereau said Jackson had been informed of the charges. "I have always maintained that the case against Michael Jackson was a fraud and a disgrace and these charges confirm that," Mesereau said. "We brought this information to District Attorney Sneddon early on in the case hoping that he would dismiss the charges against Michael Jackson," he said. "Unfortunately he was stubborn and denied our request." According to court documents the investigation was prompted by a tip from a private investigator in February 2005, after jury selection began in the Jackson trial. But Gibbons said her office did not pursue the case because of the Jackson case. "We have a whole division devoted to filing these types of cases," Gibbons said. "(Someone) may say $18,000 is not a lot of money, but this is the taxpayers' money and it's supposed to go to people who can't afford to care for themselves or their children." Source: Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The mother of the teenage boy who accused Michael Jackson of sex abuse was charged with welfare fraud on Tuesday by prosecutors who said she lied about her finances when she applied for public assistance. The woman, who was called a liar and a welfare cheat by Jackson's attorneys as they successfully defended the pop star at his child molestation trial this summer, faces arrest if she fails to surrender by September 7, prosecutors said. "These charges are the result of a very careful investigation of allegations that she basically lied to receive aid," Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. "We felt the evidence was sufficient to file these counts. The charges stem from information the woman provided to welfare officials and do not relate to her testimony at the Jackson trial, which ended when the 46-year-old entertainer was cleared by a jury in June. The mother of three could face more than five years in prison if she is convicted on all five counts of perjury and seeking aid by misrepresentation. William Dickerman, an attorney who represented the woman at the time her son made the accusations against Jackson in 2003, could not immediately be reached for comment. The mother of three was called to the witness stand in that case by Santa Barbara County prosecutors, but refused to testify about her finances or welfare applications on the grounds that doing so could incriminate her. Prosecutors say the mother of three, whose name has been withheld by most U.S. news organisations to protect her son's identity, defrauded the welfare system out of more than $18,000 by lying about her assets. Court documents filed with the charges say the investigation was prompted by a tip from a private investigator in February 2005, shortly after jury selection began in the Jackson trial. But Gibbons said her office did not pursue the case because of her involvement in that matter. "We have a whole division devoted to filing these types of cases," Gibbons said. "(Someone) may say $18,000 is not a lot of money, but this is the taxpayers' money and it's supposed to go to people who can't afford to care for themselves or their children." Source:Yahoo News

Michael Jackson was here yesterday for a lunch at the Burj Al Arab along with a Bahraini delegation. Security was tight at the Burj where he stayed in the Royal suite with a retinue of his own personal bodyguards at hand, and a ring of the local police securing the outer perimeter of the hotel. Media was denied access to the VIP guest and it was not known whether Jackson stayed the night at the hotel, or had left for destinations unknown sometime during the evening. The pop star has been reported to be in Bahrain ever since he arrived alone in the kingdom aboard a private jet earlier last month after being acquitted of child molestation charges in the US. It is believed that Jackson owns a property in the Kingdom. He was reported to have been 'staying with a Bahraini VIP', a member of the royal family of Bahrain, whose guest he was. And quite in keeping with his lifestyle in the US, the self-confessed 'King of Pop' had been staying out of sight ever since arriving in Bahrain, which gave Jackson the 'privacy' that he craves for. More so after the high-profile child molestation case that threatened to send him to jail for a long spell. State-run television and radio in Bahrain had made no mention of Jackson's presence in the kingdom, and fans, even if they craved for a sight of the 'moon-walking' pop star, couldn't get a glimpse of him because there was just no way to know where exactly he was holed up. Source: Khalee Times

Michael Jackson, who had missed two court appearances in a sexual assault lawsuit, avoided arrest on Wednesday by sending an attorney to a hearing in New Orleans, a judge said. U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon slapped Jackson with a $10,000 fine for missing two previous summonses. The singer's lawyer, Charles Gay, told a hearing that clerical errors prevented Jackson from responding to the notices. "Somehow the order did not get conveyed to the right people," Gay told the court. Fallon said he would have ordered Jackson's arrest and possibly a default judgment in the plaintiff's favor had Gay not attended the hearing on Wednesday. The plaintiff is asking for unspecified damages. The plaintiff sued last November, saying he was lured into Jackson's limousine during the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and sexually assaulted. The assaults continued over eight days as the pair traveled to California, the suit alleges. The plaintiff said he was drugged, cut with a razor blade and bitten. The man waited to sue because the memories were repressed until news coverage of the child molestation charges against Jackson in California revived them, the suit said. In that case, a jury acquitted Jackson in June of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003. Gay told Reuters he believes the suit is invalid because of a one-year statute of limitations. The plaintiff's attorneys argue the one-year window opened only when the man, who was 18 at the time of the alleged attack, remembered it in 2003. Gay promised a vigorous defense. Fallon set a September 7 hearing to schedule a trial in the New Orleans case. Source: Reuters

Michael Jackson is so keen on settling in Bahrain that he has opened a bank account to complete the residence formalities that require a deposit in a Bahrain bank, sources close to the superstar told Gulf News. The action complements the earlier move of purchasing a plot to build a mansion and two adjacent luxury villas to host relatives and friends. "Michael is fond of Bahrain and he has been contemplating the idea of settling here shortly after his arrival for vacation. His three children have helped him make the residence decision after they told him often that they felt happy and secure and that they enjoyed the easygoing life in Bahrain where they do not have to face pushy crowds," the sources said. Jackson has been on the island since late June when he came to recuperate after a four-month trial on child molestation, conspiracy and alcohol charges. A California jury on June 13 exonerated him of all charges "Michael really loves the serene environment in Bahrain. He does not watch much television, and spends a lot of his time reading books and magazines. He selects his own books," the sources said. "He also enjoys being with his children." His sister Janet is expected to make a visit to Bahrain next month. "All his siblings are curious to see how relaxed Michael is in Bahrain's calm and tranquil environment," the sources said. Jackson has been guaranteed absolute privacy since his arrival on the island and has not spoken to the media. He has appeared twice in public. The sources denied reports that the King of Pop was moving with a heavy entourage and that he was driving a flashy red Ferrari. "We saw the report from a Western network. This is exactly what is resented: baseless gossip that is not in any way related to the truth. He has a limited entourage, and he moves in his Rolls Royce," the sources said. Source: Gulf News

Paul McCartney has slammed rumors he will take advantage of Michael Jackson's financial troubles to make a low offer for The Beatles song rights - because he will get them anyway. Reports of Jackson's dwindling financial prospects prompted speculation McCartney would buy back rights to his classic songs like Yesterday, but the rocker revealed a legality means the songs will soon be his anyway. And the superstar stresses his one time feud with Jackson is over because he is too happy to be angry with the fallen pop king. He says, "I don't think so. I've had people talk to me who are more concerned for me than I am about it. But the interesting thing is, there are actually things in the whole deal that actually revert to me anyway. "There are years approaching, there are dates approaching, that we never thought would approach, where things revert to me. So really, it's a waiting game rather than a big proactive buying game. "Which suits my personality: just hang on, be patient, it's cool. Don't get your knickers in a twist." Source: World News Network

No one's home at Neverland. Michael Jackson's 2,700-acre ranch and amusement park is empty of visitors, sources tell me. The once populated theme park has come to a standstill. Gone are the celebrities, the fans and the children's groups that used to come through on a steady basis. Jackson, of course, is in Bahrain, with no plans to return anytime soon. Up at the ranch, though, it's just the remaining employees who come and go on a daily basis. Their estimated number is down to around 50, down from a high of 120 in Jackson's heyday. Several employees quit during the last few weeks of the trial this spring. No family members are at Neverland, either. As I reported earlier this week, Jackson's protégé, Omer Bhatti, 20, has joined him in Bahrain as his assistant. Among the remaining Neverland employees is a new head of security. His name, ironically, is Bashir, same as the man whose documentary had a role in Jackson's trial. This Bashir, whose last name is Muhammad, is said to be a member of the Nation of Islam. He is not too popular among the staff, from what I'm told. Said one longtime staffer: "He thinks he knows everything and likes to stick his nose in where it's not wanted. At first he thought he was going to come in and clean house, but he's calmed down since then." Neverland regulars do not have any idea when their master may return from Bahrain. In the meantime, some repairs are going forward. But Neverland, according to my sources, is in bad shape, and really not spiffy enough to entertain anyone. One of the trains still doesn't work, for example. "We're all just waiting to see what happens," says one of the dwindled staff. Source: Roger Friedman / Fox News

According to several reports pop star Michael Jackson wants to sell his story about the molestation trial to the American version of Britain's OK! Magazine. Jackson had agreed to talk about this experience in an interview that will cost the OK! magazine $2 million. But apparently, Jackson wants his money before the interview, and the magazine wants the story before giving the money. A source told the website: "He won't sign until he gets the money and OK! won't give him the money until he signs. We thought it was a done deal, but at the last minute there were problems." Michael Jackson is not the only one who wants to sell his story. Two jurors from the trial announced yesterday they still believe the pop star is "guilty as sin" and plan to write a book about their deliberations. Source:MJSTAR..

MICHAEL Jackson has sold his first post-trial story to the new, U.S. version of Britain's OK! magazine for a whopping $2 million, sources say. Michael Jackson, now living in Bahrain with his three remarkably light-skinned children, has given an exclusive interview and pictorial to the just-launched weekly that makes no bones about paying celebs for interviews and pictures. But because negotiations took so long, the Jackson cover will run after OK!'s inaugural Jessica Simpson cover, set to hit local newsstands today. One source said, "Michael Jackson was given full approval over the interview, and the questions are very softball. He got to tell his side of the story the way he wanted to." The Jackson issue is to run next week. Source: NY Post

If Michael Jackson took Jermaine Dupri's advice, he'd be on TV flaunting his acquittal instead of retreating from the public eye. "I was him, I would have gone on `TRL' immediately and said look, `Everybody who wanna say something about me, good, y'all could say whatever y'all wanna say, there's nothing you can say about me at this point, no more than what just happened," said Dupri, who is based in Atlanta and is dating Jackson's sister Janet. Jackson was acquitted in June on child molestation charges. While other scandal-plagued stars have launched the comeback route with a teary-eyed interview with Oprah Winfrey or Barbara Walters, Dupri scoffed at the suggestion that Jackson should be remorseful. "He don't have to do that, because he didn't do nothing wrong. Everybody else did something wrong but him. What did he do wrong? Why should he come back and cry?" Dupri asked. And though some have doubted whether the pop star could make a successful comeback, Dupri says Jackson has a magical quality that will always keep people interested. "If Michael Jackson came in this room right now, there would be no one in this room who could not stop looking at him. As long as you've got that power, you're never damaged," Dupri told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "He has that power over anybody. If people can't stop looking at you, you're so interesting to people, there's no way you can be damaged." Source: Associated Press

JENNIFER LOPEZ's ex-husband CRIS JUDD is begging MICHAEL JACKSON to undertake another tour - because he wants to dance for him again. The choreographer, who was a staunch supporter of the King of Pop throughout his child molestation trial earlier this year (05), was one of Jackson's dancers on his last tour and would drop everything if his pal hit the road again. Judd, who is currently revamping a topless revue in Las Vegas, Nevada, says, "I had been dancing for a few years when I got the call to tour with Michael. It was a wonderful experience. I'd love to do it again." But Judd, who met Lopez when he was booked to dance in one of her videos and became her choreographer, fears the trial may have taken too much out the reclusive superstar. He adds, "I know the trial must have taken a lot out of Michael but I think he can bounce back. I haven't spoken to him since the trouble broke but I'd love to meet up with him again. I always knew he was innocent." Source: Contact Music

Rap newcomer THE GAME would be thrilled to sell just a quarter of records his hero MICHAEL JACKSON has in his career. The protege of DR DRE is stunned by Jackson's success, and admits he could never hope to come close to his 45 million career album sales. The Game - real name JAYCEON TAYLOR - says, "45 million? Goddamm, how the f**k do you do that? "What a mother f**ker. That's crazy. Ten million would be great. That's good for a rapper." Source: Contact Music

Michael Jackson may very well be a free man today thanks to Scott Ross, a private investigator who many believe found information that led Jackson to beat the charges of molestation. "My focus was very specific," Ross said. "It was to develop information on the accuser's mother." And after Ross put the accuser's mother in his cross hairs, he found that, "Lying, cheating and stealing seemed to be a way of life for her." Ross has a history turning the tables in high-profile cases. He was the guy who exposed the sordid past of Bonnie Lee Bakley in the Robert Blake case. Attorney Tom Mesereau had a blunt directive for Ross. "He said, 'You need to do to the accuser's mother what you did to Bonnie Lee Bakley,'" Ross revealed. And to do that, Ross needed his own Deep Throat. But unlike Watergate, we don't have to wait years to learn his identify. "The accuser's father was fully aware of and knew that these allegations were not true," Ross said. The father turned Ross on to celebrities like Chris Tucker. Ross got the reluctant actor to spill the beans. "Mr. Tucker, of all witnesses, was the first person to say to me, 'I don't really care that it's Michael Jackson. This is wrong. Someone is being falsely accused.'" Ross said. Ross also became privy to other witnesses like Jay Leno. As it turns out, the defense had no idea Leno was even involved until the prosecution handed over an audio tape of an interview with Leno that sheriffs had secretly recorded. "These people had to turn over the material to us, and that's how Jay Leno became a witness." Ross told us. Actor Macaulay Culkin proved to be even better for Jackson. And Ross said that contrary to media reports, Culkin was an easy witness. "Macaulay Culkin was never not going to testify," Ross insisted. "It was never an issue." But some witnesses weren't always available, like comedy shop owner Jamie Masada. So Ross showed up at Masada's press conference, cleverly blended in with the press corps, even asking questions, and then slapped him with a subpoena. When the trial got underway, Ross was in a unique position to observe Michael Jackson. He said the King of Pop became the king of Post-It notes. "He would grab Post-Its, write something down, " Ross revealed. "I don't know if he's writing a song or thinking about music or putting himself in another place." And as for those who consider Michael Jackson a "freak", Ross says they've got it all wrong. "I've been involved in hundreds of cases," Ross said. "He is one of three people who have thanked me. He doesn't sound like freak to me; he sounds like decent human being." Source:CJ

Michael Jackson went to hospital suffering from dehydration and weight loss after jurors acquitted the singer of child molestation last month, his lawyer said on Tuesday. "Michael Jackson was ill from time to time. In fact, people didn't realise he actually entered the hospital after the verdict," Jackson's lawyer Tom Mesereau told BBC radio in an interview. "He was dehydrated, he had lost a tremendous amount of weight, he was having trouble keeping food down, he was terrified about what was going happen to his children and he had a recurring back problem," he added. The child star turned superstar, whose "Thriller" album made him one of the world's best known entertainers, was visibly weak at the end of his four-month trial and his family said he had gone to bed after the verdict. Mesereau said he had not spoken to Jackson in the last few weeks although the two had been in touch after the trial. Jackson was acquitted last month of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003 as well as plying him with alcohol and conspiring to abduct the boy. The singer faced nearly 20 years in prison if convicted. Although cleared, music industry experts have questioned how the formerly unstoppable superstar can rebuild his career and work his way out of deep debt. Mesereau insisted Jackson would not settle out of court if further allegations were made against him. "I am concerned because he is a perpetual target. There still is a perception among some people that he ... doesn't want to go to court and will settle," said Mesereau. "We will be fighting any of these suits all the way if they happen." Jackson's success as a pop singer had faded even before the trial as he became more reclusive and the media turned its attention to his dramatic physical changes and eccentric lifestyle. Mesereau said he hoped nobody entered Jackson's home to spend the night to avoid future false claims. "I advised Mr Jackson not to let any families in his home again," said the lawyer. Source: Reuters

Michael Jackson Live In Concert In Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour [DVD] is now available to buy online through the official online Sony Music Store. DVD features live footage from Michael Jackson's performance in Bucharest during the Dangerous Tour. Playlist: 1. Jam 2. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 3. Human Nature 4. Smooth Criminal 5. I Just Can't Stop Loving You 6. She's Out Of My Life 7. I Want You Back 8. I'll Be There 9. Thriller 10. Billie Jean 11. Working Day And Night 12. Beat It 13. Will You Be There 14. Black Or White 15. Heal The World 16. Man In The Mirror. Source:Sony Music..

Jackson to get property back: A judge has ordered that Michael Jackson's confiscated property must be returned. Investigating authorities seized many items including magazines, books and computers in preparation for the trial which saw Jackson acquitted of ten counts of child molestation. Judge Rodney Melville, who handled the star's case, told District Attorney Tom Sneddon yesterday: "Anything you have seized that was not brought to court and was not contraband, should be returned to Mr. Jackson." Source:PV4MJJ.COM

Dear Friends and Fans, On behalf of Mr. Michael Jackson, MJJsource would like to extend Michael's sincere regrets that he will be unable to attend the Victory/Birthday Party, hosted by his father, Mr. Joseph Jackson, to take place in Berlin this coming weekend. However, Michael would like to wish his father a very heartfelt 'Happy Birthday' and he hopes that everyone attending the event has a truly wonderful time. As always, he extends his love and deepest appreciation to all of his fans and celebrates with everyone in his heart. Source: MJJsource

Berlin - Michael Jackson's father has confirmed that the best-known family in pop music will hold a party in Berlin on Friday but said he was uncertain whether Jackson himself would attend. Joseph Jackson told a press conference in the German capital on Wednesday that his sons and daughters including Michael's sister Janet, a global star in her own right, will come to the event in a Berlin hotel. He said the party was to celebrate his 76th birthday and also to thank Michael's European fans for their support during his trial in the Californian town of Santa Maria which ended last month in his acquittal on all charges including sexually abusing a young boy. "We have a lot of fans in Europe. They were in Santa Maria to support the family," said Joseph at the Estrel hotel where the party will take place. "It's about the European fans, those who care about the family." Speculation over whether Michael will attend But Joseph refused to be drawn on whether Michael would be making one of his rare appearances since the trial ended in mid-June. "We don't know yet exactly if he will be here or not," he said. "He is recovering from the trial." Ute Jacobs, the manager of the hotel, said it was "70% sure" Michael would make an appearance at the party. The Jackson family have reserved the 250 square metre presidential suite of the hotel in the unfashionable Berlin suburb of Neukoelln. The hotel specialises in package deals which include performances by show business impersonators. There will also be a party in the hotel's adjoining convention centre for around 1 000 Michael Jackson fans, organisers confirmed. It was in Berlin three years ago that Jackson infamously dangled his nine-month-old baby from the window of an upper storey window of a luxury hotel. Source:MJSTAR..

'Miss Cast Away': You Know It's Bad By Jen Chaney washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Tuesday, July 19, 2005; 12:00 AM "Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls" (Not rated; List price: $19.95) Release Date: July 26 In the more than two years I have spent reviewing DVDs for washingtonpost.com, I've certainly received my share of offbeat box sets and lame collections. The first two seasons of "Punky Brewster." Numerous Lifetime Original Movies. Almost any film starring Vin Diesel. But nothing prepared me for the beyond-bizarre DVD that recently arrived from the independent home video distributor Vanguard Cinema: "Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls," a schlocky comedy starring Eric Roberts, Evan Marriott (aka Joe Millionaire) and ... Michael Jackson. Yes, in the upper right-hand corner of the DVD's case, surrounded by beams of angelic light, lies the face of Mr. Thriller himself, promoting what Vanguard touts as "the first new Michael Jackson DVD in the retail marketplace since closure of the recent trial events." Normally I don't review straight-to-video titles, mainly because there are so many other high-profile (and typically more worthwhile) DVDs on the market. But this one seemed so out there (Evan Marriott and Michael Jackson??), so deserving of a place in the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" Hall of Fame, that I felt compelled to watch. When the train looks this crazy, you can't help but board. As expected, the 90-minute movie was terrible -- a disjointed mishmash of Zucker Brothers-style comedy and fantasy-adventure. The convoluted plot focuses on a batch of beauty pageant contestants who crash land on a deserted island that happens to house Noah's Ark and a huge wild boar named Jurassic Pork. Their mission -- along with that of their co-pilots, played by Roberts and Charlie Schlatter of TV's now-defunct "Diagnosis Murder" -- is to escape the island and stop the ark from sailing and creating a "Perfect Storm" that will somehow cause the Earth to be taken over by apes. And who is their spiritual adviser in this quest? That's right, Michael Jackson, who plays a secret agent commissioned by the pope to appear as an Obi-Wan Kenobi-esque hologram -- stay with me, people, I swear I'm not making this up -- and help the castaways save the planet. Of course, Jackson's role is a parody of his cameo in "Men in Black II." Indeed, when the movie isn't making lame, satirical references to other films -- including "Catch Me If You Can," "Miss Congeniality" and "Planet of the Apes" -- it employs amateurish special effects that would get laughed out of an episode of "Lost." Heck, they wouldn't even pass muster on "Land of the Lost." As for Jackson, he appears in the movie for a grand total of two minutes. Yet he does the most convincing acting job of the entire cast, which, of course, isn't saying much. The only reason to watch "Miss Cast Away" is for those surreal Jackson scenes, which don't come until 55 minutes into the movie. Fans of shlock cinema, the curious and the vaguely masochistic should definitely not buy this piece of tropical-island trash, but check it out on Netflix, fast-forward to the King of Pop portions and immediately send it back. In fairness, "Miss Cast Away" deserves a tiny (very tiny) bit of credit for not taking itself too seriously. The same can't be said of the DVD's extras, which include a few chintzy featurettes, all of which are rolled into one 25-minute documentary called "The Making of 'Miss Cast Away.'" The highlight is the "Top Secret Visit to Neverland Ranch" hosted by director Bryan Michael Stoller, a longtime friend of Jackson's and author of the book "Filmmaking for Dummies," which, come to think of it, wouldn't have been a bad title for this movie. The nearly seven-minute doc serves up behind-the-scenes footage of Jackson shooting his brief scenes in the library of his Santa Barbara County estate, accompanied by unintentionally hilarious comments from Stoller. While describing his working relationship with Jackson, the director notes, "It was important for him to understand the part, to know why he was saying certain lines and what had happened [in the movie] before." All of which gives the impression that maybe Jackson had no idea what he was getting himself into when he agreed to appear in this picture. If that's true, then Jackson just might be the least crazy passenger on the crazy, tacky train that is "Miss Cast Away." Most Absurd Bonus Point: A featurette on the film's special effects, which plays more like a gag reel than a window into the filmmakers' technical wizardry. Source: Washington Post

Michael Jackson biographer Stacy Brown is urging the pop superstar's family to continue their suicide vigil on him - because he's convinced the King Of Pop is keen to die. Both Jackson's father Joe and brother Jermaine have expressed their concerns about the pop star's failing health and pressures he faced during his four month child molestation trial earlier this year (05). But Brown, who penned new expose Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask with the singer's former sidekick Bob Jones, fears the superstar is still at risk. The writer says, "I don't think Michael Jackson will be alive in 10 years time. It's amazing to me that what happened to Elvis (Presley) hasn't happened to him. "He lives on the edge. He's bound to crash and burn. He's 87 pounds and six foot tall - that's unhealthy." But Brown doesn't think Jackson has the courage to take his own life in the conventional sense. He adds, "I don't think he has it in him to take his own life. I don't see him putting a gun to his head. It'll be an accidental overdose - something like that. "It's the most tragic story in pop music history - and he's not dead yet." Source: World Entertainment News Network

Apparently, Live 8 organizers and not only, are urging pop singer Michael Jackson to donate profits from the Beatles songs performed at Live 8. Michael, who has recently been acquitted of child molestation charges, owns the rights to most of the Beatles' songs. All the songs performed by Paul McCartney at the Live 8 concert earlier this month, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", "Get Back", "Drive My Car", "Helter Skelter", "The Long And Winding Road" and "Hey Jude" belong to Jackson now and the experts assess the profit made by Michael after the concert is huge. It is believed that if Michael keeps the money, he could clear his vast debts. An insider told Breakingnews.ie: "Even though the profits could be huge for Jackson, we hope he could give the money to Live 8." HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo declared they registered a massive increase sales after the Live 8 concerts, the record stores being assailed by hundreds of fans. Sales increase at HMV between Sunday June 26 and Sunday July 3 for Beatles were 1 – 71%. Source:MJSTAR..

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Following the terrorist attacks in London on Thursday, it is with deep regret that we have had to postpone this weekend’s Michael Jackson VICTORY party.

The party WILL now take place on SATURDAY 23rd JULY at the same venue.

We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause you, but we trust that you understand the grave situation that has taken place in London, and the problems it may cause with travel over the next couple of days. At this time our thoughts are very much with the friends and families of those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.

INNOCENT - THE MICHAEL JACKSON VICTORY CELEBRATION
Saturday 23rd July 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Hammersmith Palais, London, England

NEW ALBUM
Fans will have the chance to win copies of the new compilation album The Essential Michael Jackson.

LIVE ON STAGE
See NAVI - The world's number one look-alike
PATRICK ALAN and his amazing band
THE MJ EXPERIENCE - a fantastic MJ tribute act

VIDEO SHOW
Watch Captain Eo and other rare footage on a state of the art super-large video screen.

BOOK SIGNING
Adrian Grant will be signing copies of the NEW 'Visual Documentary'.

THE M-FACTOR
Can you sing like Michael? We doubt it, but hey why not give it a try and take part in our great M-FACTOR competition. You will be competing live on stage against other fans, and our panel of judges will vote for their favourite singer. Don't worry, Simon Cowell won't be there.

VENUE
The 'VICTORY' party will be held at the world famous Hammersmith Palais (home of the original MJ Days started in 1991). Le Palais has the most amazing sound and lighting system, which is just awesome for blasting out Michael's hit songs. With a large dance floor, super stage and incredible video wall. Le Palais - with its Moroccan themed bars and dressings, is the perfect venue in which to celebrate!

Advance tickets are FREE
(£5 entrance without a reservation)

MJWorld 

This summer is turning out to be a scorcher in the literary world… especially given the fact that two celebrity tell-all books just popped up at retail outlets last week, authored by “in-the-know” confidants of Black America’s rich and scandalous. First up is the hotly anticipated tome, “Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask” (SelectBooks, $21.95), which has created pandemonium in media outlets across the globe with salacious stories about the recently acquitted King Of Pop. But, what makes this book even more of an item is the fact that it was written by Mr. Jackson’s long-time image builder Bob Jones –who up until recently—may have been one of the most respected public relations practitioners in the music business. Now that’s a story! “What do you mean what was the motivation for me to pen this book project?,” was the way Mr. Jones defensively responded to the first question during an candid conversation with “The RU Report” this week. “First of all,” he continued, “I didn’t have a confidentiality agreement. And after working 16 and a half years and being let go without any notice or vacation pay, or nothing of that nature, I decided that I would write a book and tell a side that the public didn’t know.” “Man Behind the Mask,” which reportedly sold upwards to 25,000 copies since going on sale last week, provides an insider’s account behind the rumors, accusations, bedlam and mystery surrounding the beleaguered entertainment legend. Most likely the closest readers can get, the book is the story from Mr. Jackson’s own former flack—a man who has been by his side for the last 34 years. “What was my reason to defend him anymore?,” the sixty-something year old Fort Worth Texas native asked regarding the rationale for penning the expose. “I had been as loyal as you could be… Loyalty goes both ways.” Mr. Jones, a legend in his own right, has quite a history himself. He helped guide Mr. Jackson’s public relations image for more than three decades. The former journalist-cum-Motown Records staffer told us that he’s the one that christened the musician as “The King Of Pop.” He served Executive Vice President of Mr. Jackson’s entertainment company, MJJ. Having worked with him both as a solo artist and as a member of the Jackson 5, Mr. Jones has been the most visible and well-known representative for the superstar throughout his career. Because of their long-standing relationship, Mr. Jones is in the unique position of being able to offer a comprehensively revealing look behind the scenes and into the truth of what goes on in and around the infamous Neverland ranch. Source:MJSTAR..

Queen have beaten The Beatles to become the most successful music act in UK album chart history, according to Guinness World Records. The King Of Pop Michael Jackson made it into the top 10: 1. Queen (1,322 weeks) 2. The Beatles (1,293 weeks) 3. Elvis Presley (1,280 weeks) 4. U2 (1,150 weeks) 5. Dire Straits (1,136 weeks) 6. Simon and Garfunkel (1,114 weeks) 7. Madonna (1,032 weeks) 8. David Bowie (1,005 weeks) 9. Elton John (989 weeks) 10. Michael Jackson (966 weeks) Source: Guinness World Records

Grammy Award-winning singer Luther Vandross died yesterday, his publicist said. Vandross, 54, died at 1:47 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J., hospital spokesman Rob Cavanaugh said. He did not release the cause of death. Vandross, a New Yorker known as one of the top male vocalists of the modern age, suffered a stroke in April 2003 that left him in a coma for almost two months. Health problems ran in his family — Vandross also battled weight problems while suffering from diabetes and hypertension. He stopped making public appearances after the stroke but managed to continue his recording career and picked up four Grammys in 2004. Still in a wheelchair, he sent a videotaped message of thanks. Vandross became a household name in the '90s with his ballad hit single "Here and Now," but he'd been a cult hit in R&B circles for almost 20 years before that. He was discovered by David Bowie, who heard Vandross singing along to his hit "Young Americans." From there, Vandross went on to write songs for Bowie and the Broadway musical "The Wiz" and sang backup for Chaka Khan, Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, among others. He put out several platinum albums in the '80s, but it wasn't until "Here and Now" was released in 1990 that he became a mainstream star. Vandross was a four-time Grammy award winner for Best Male R&B Performance. His final album, "Dance With My Father," was released just after his stroke. He never married, saying his busy lifestyle made marriage difficult. His two sisters and brother died before him. Source:NewYorkPost..

Joseph Jackson, father of Michael Jackson, will celebrate his birthday with a long weekend celebration in Germany. Day 1: Friday - July 22nd 2005 A once in a life time celebration. The Patriach of the First Family of Music invites his close Friends, those who have inspired him and those who he continues toinspire, Fans around the world to join him in celebrating his Birthday celebrations at this Years Joseph Jackson day. Featuring Bands discovered by Mr. Joseph Jackson with Guests from various record companies, tv show producers, Business Enterpreneurs, commedians and hypnotists from around, the world July 22nd will be a night to remember. Live Entertainment, Drinks, Cocktails and snacks served Day 2: Saturday July 23rd 2005 Private Function for Specific Guests - Total 300 Day 3: Sunday July 24th 2005 V.I.P After Show Yacht around Berlin - Live Music Private Dinner Undisclosed location. The whole event will be filmed for T.V Source: Joe Jackson Management

Pop star Michael Jackson has travelled to the tiny Gulf kingdom of Bahrain as a guest of honour of the king's son, an official close to the royal circle said. Jackson's visit to Bahrain is his first trip overseas since he was found not guilty of child molestation on June 13. Jackson, who arrived on a private plane, was "here to relax," said the official. The official said Jackson was a guest of Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the king's son, who is a friend of Jackson's brother Jermaine. He described the visit as "very, very private". It was not immediately clear if any of Jackson's family accompanied him on the trip. Source:Yahoo..

Missy Elliott (left) took the stage at the 5th annual BET Awards last night performing her new duet with Ciara, Lose Control, sporting outfits displaying images of Michael Jackson. The show of support by Elliott will be no surprise to many of Michael's fans as she has continually proclaimed Michael to be her biggest influence. She also performed with Nelly Furtado at Michael's 30th Anniversary concerts at Madison Square Garden in 2001. Elliott's collaboration partner has also not been shy in showing her affection for Michael. In April, within an interview with Blender magazine, Ciara was quoted as saying, "He's the king of pop! He's one of a kind, a genius! I hate what is happening to him at the moment." As well as performing, Elliott and Ciara won an award at the ceremony for their earlier collaboration 1, 2 Step. Source:MJNI..

Michael Jackson is still laying low after his legal ordeal. "He is working to get his health better," Jackson's dad, Joe, revealed to Daily News contributor Daphne Barack over lunch at the Four Seasons. Some believe that billionaire pal Ron Burkle has provided the singer with sanctuary (though Burkle's rep says he hasn't). Papa Jackson will say only, "He isn't in Neverland right now." As for speculation that Michael might leave America, Joe says, "He did have difficult moments during the trial and talked that way. But I don't think he is leaving Neverland anytime soon. "Am I worried about his financial problems?" he asks. "Yes, I am! If he didn't trust the wrong people, he wouldn't have been in this situation." Joe believes his son "will bounce back," but says, "I don't see Michael doing any TV anytime soon. He wants to spend time with his kids." Joe denies talk that he and wife Katherine are plotting a reality show. "Katherine wants to take a vacation, and I am going soon to Germany for my birthday party." Source: NY Daily News

Following the not-guilty verdict in the three-month child abuse trial, Michael Jackson is said to be looking forward to rebuilding his career. With the controversies surrounding the trial behind him and his name cleared once again, Michael Jackson remains one of the greatest pop stars of all time. This definitive film tells his story and charts his glittering career, focusing on what made him famous – his music, his dancing, his genius for concept creation. Fast paced and packed with the most comprehensive collection of fantastic footage, video clips and stills going all the way back to his amazing childhood. It includes specially recorded interviews with his mother, Katherine, his sister LaToya, his brother Jermaine and with friends and associates, among them, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson and Liza Minnelli. The film will include exclusive, previously unseen interview material reflecting the outcome of the trial. For more information contact Digital Classics Distribution on +44 20 7636 1400. Source: Online Classics

Great news for Michael Jackson as four titles in his
catalog make a dent on this week's Billboard charts.
However, that's not the only good news to report as
ten titles in his catalog each post a 100%+ sales
increase. Cumulatively, Jackson's Top 12 sellers
jumped 138% in sales shifting 27,166 units last week
(up from 11,397 units sold the week before.)

Spending it's 27th week on the album charts, the
artist's platinum eligible Number Ones album posted a
138% increase selling 8,660 units. That figure was
good enough to land Jackson back on the Billboard 200
@ #134 and Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart @ #49.

Meanwhile, over on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog
Chart, Jackson also made significant strides as his
Thriller opus made a 141% increase moving into the Top
5 selling almost 6,000 units last week. Also making
it's re-entry into the Top 20, Jackson's Greatest Hits
- HIStory Volume I posted a 190% increase selling over
3,000 units. Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Chart
similarily bore good news for Jackson as Thriller and
Greatest Hits - HIStory Volume I each re-entered the
Top 50 respectively.

On this week's Billboard Comprehensive Music Videos
Chart, Jackson's Number Ones DVD also made a healthy
climb moving up from #19 to #13. The triple platinum
DVD made a whopping 108% increase selling almost 5,000
copies last week.

The United States wasn't the only territory to see a
surge in Jackson catalog sales as Number Ones and
Thriller each re-entered the UK Top 200 Album Chart.

Furthermore, based on mid week sales reports, Number
Ones looks set to crack next week's UK Top 50 Album
Chart while Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous
could also see similar chart gains since retailer HMV
is offering a special promotion on these Jackson
titles.

Ireland, Canada, and Australia also got into the
Jackon action last week as Number Ones along with
other albums made significant gains.

For the complete rundown, see chart information below.

USA

Neilsen SoundScan Sales For The Week Ending June 19th,
2005
Billboard Issue Date: July 2nd, 2005.

Rank, Title, Sales This Week, Sales Last Week, +/-
percentage

MICHAEL JACKSON - 27,166 units
(Does not include sales for The Ultimate Collection (4
CD/1 DVD), single sales, certain music DVD titles like
The One, Dangerous: The Short Films, etc., material
recorded with The Jacksons, and Motown era solo and
Jackson 5 albums.)

1. Number Ones: 8,660 (3,631) (+139%) (#134 on
Billboard 200, #49 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Chart, 27 weeks on the chart.)

2. Thriller (Special Edition): 5,839 (2,423) (+141%)
(Top 5 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Chart and
Top 30 on the Billboard Top Pop Catalog Chart.)

3. Number Ones (Video): 4,785 (2,300) (+108%) (#13 on
the Billboard Comprehensive Music Videos Chart, 65
weeks on the chart.)

4. Greatest Hits: HIStory Vol. 1: 3,064 (1,057)
(+190%)

5. Off the Wall (Special Edition): 1,603 (619) (+159%)

6. Greatest Hits: HIStory (Video): 719 (327) (+120%)

7. Bad (Special Edition): 704 (238) (195%)

8. HIStory on Film- Vol. 2 (Video): 615 (314) (+96%)

9. Dangerous (Special Edition): 494 (206) (+140%)

10. HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I (2-CD):
344 (123) (+180%)

11. Invincible: 271 (124) (+119%)

12. Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory In The Mix: 68
(35) (+94%)

Source:MJJF eNews

In the aftermath of his trial, one might expect Michael Jackson’s high-profile friends to back away at his limping approach. But not billionaire Democratic financier and grocery store kingpin Ron Burkle. A longtime friend of Jackson’s, Burkle reportedly helped the singer renegotiate his $300 million debt in a way that wouldn’t force him to sell his half of the Beatles’ song catalog. Now that Jackson’s been acquitted, Burkle has turned his attentions on his pale-faced pal’s declining mental health, we hear. “Michael is on his way to Switzerland for medical treatments, and then he’s off to spend time on Burkle’s yacht,” says a source close to Jackson. “Ron thinks that Michael needs time to relax and get away from all that kiddie porn and pedophile nonsense.” Our source says the yacht (which Burkle, who’s worth $2.3 billion, apparently leases) is the same one he uses to entertain former president Bill Clinton, his close friend and paid consultant. Burkle’s spokesman, Frank Quintero, declined to comment on his boss’s fondness for the radioactive singer. Source:MJSTAR..

The Essential Michael Jackson HH (Epic/Sony) THE dust has settled, the media continues with its daily routine, but Michael Jackson will probably never again experience the adulation he did through the 1970s, 80s and even 90s. His recent child molestation trial (or circus) is indication of how quick cynics are to act and how merciless they can be. Don't attempt to stand out of the spotlight, we number greatly! While this may seem inconceivable today, it's true; we've forgotten what a talent the gloved one was and how much entertainment he provided us through the years. Everyone has their favourite MJ era, be it the Off the Wall period, the Thriller days or the Bad age, but when you listen to this double CD, it's so apparent that this musical icon was well beyond those three albums. This double disc of MJ hits hopefully will set the record straight and remind us all what MJ's contribution to the world of pop was (and is). The songs on the CDs are chronologically listed, starting with his Jackson 5 hits and then moving along to his years as a solo artiste. When you listen to Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal (just to mention a few), you'll realise he remains one of the most inimitable artistes of all time. All the albums are well-represented, even the later ones – there are decent servings from Dangerous, HIStory and Invincible, too. It's all good here; almost every Jackson hit you can think of is on this one. This really is the best MJ collection to date and will serve as a one-stop compilation of the man's classics. For many of us, Michael Jackson will always be the greatest thing we ever experienced in our lifetime. – N. RAMA LOHAN

Michael Jackson has left his Neverland Ranch, where he holed up following his acquittal last week, and is aboard a friend's yacht moored in California, a family friend said. The source close to the famous clan also said that Jackson was planning a trip abroad. "Michael left Neverland about a week ago," the source told AFP. "His friend has a yacht and that's probably where he is right now," the source added. Jackson family spokeswoman Angel Howansky confirmed Jackson had left the sprawling, fantasy-inspired Neverland estate nestling in the rolling hills of central California, but could not say where he had gone. "He's not at Neverland, but I don't know where he is," she told AFP cautiously. The US television channel also said the star was either on board a private yacht anchored in the southern California city of San Diego or in the desert gambling hub of Las Vegas. Source: AFP

Michael Jackson fans have come up with a novel form of memorabilia to mark the singer's acquittal on child abuse charges - toast with his face on it. Slices of toast with the star's likeness and slogans such as "not guilty" have appeared on internet auction site eBay. Vendors claimed the slices were not faked - but popped out of their toasters before or during the verdicts. Toast said to look like the Virgin Mary sold for $28,000 (£15,400) last year. That appears to have sparked a craze for novelty toast on eBay. Slices currently on sale carry pictures of people ranging from Elvis Presley to Yoda, with a sideline in toast depicting jars of air breathed by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. One Michael Jackson fan promised: "This is a wonderful memento of this historic day that you will cherish for years to come." Another said: "As I was watched the jury's verdict being announced on June 13, 2005, my toast popped up just as Michael was acquitted." One vendor said a slice with "not guilty" written on it popped up just before the verdicts. "I was shocked, so I saved it and waited, and then today at 4.30pm my time it came on the news, and there it was - Michael Jackson is found not guilty," they wrote. Source: BBC

In a "Today" show exclusive, Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine, talked to MSNBC's Rita Cosby one week after her famous son's acquittal on all charges of child molestation. Katherine Jackson is considered to be "the rock" of the Jackson family. With nine children, including Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop." The Jackson matriarch told Cosby that the seven days she waited for the jury to come back were nail-biters. The whole trial took everything out of her son, physically and mentally, Cosby reported. "One of the reasons why it devastated him," Mrs. Jackson said, "he would tell me, 'Mother, when they say 'call your next witness,' and I look around and I'm surprised. It's people that I've helped, and they're up there trying to make money off of me by lying. I don't understand how people can do that.'" When asked if she felt Michael has shaken the allegations of child molestation once and for all, Mrs. Jackson said, "he'd been proven not to be a child molester, and they know he's not. But some people just believe what they believe and I can't stop that. But I wish they would stop and think about it. That he is not a child molester. He is not a pedophile. He doesn't give liquor to children. These kids were bad kids." Cosby asked Jackson, "If you could see the boy and the mother, what would you say to them?" "I could not even answer that right now," Mrs. Jackson said. "It all depends on what mood I am in when I see them. I feel sorry for them, too. From what I hear about their past, I feel sorry for their future if they don't change their way." Some of the jurors said that they believed Michael Jackson may have molested someone else before, but they didn't believe the words of this family. "I think there was one juror, I think they said juror No. 1 said that. I can't change his mind. He believed what he wants to believe," said Mrs. Jackson. Cosby said following Jackson's acquittal, Attorney Tom Sneddon was unapologetic and said he made no mistakes and would do it again. "Maybe he didn't make what he calls 'no mistakes,' but he made a big mistake. My son is not a pedophile," Mrs. Jackson said. "Are you angry at the way some perceived he targeted your son," Cosby asked. "I do. My son is a better person than he is," said Mrs. Jackson. "What he did to my son, my son would never do to anyone else." "Another thing, too," Mrs. Jackson continued, "that ranch was not built to lure little children just to molest them, as the prosecutors tried to say. When he let people come out there and enjoy the ranch, everything is free. He has always been taught to give and to share." Michael Jackson's mother said Michael told her if he had to help people from now on, he would help them from a distance. "Do you think from here on out, he will say, 'OK, no kids, no boys in the bedroom because I don't want to be accused of something,'" Cosby asked. "I am sure he won't do that now. Twice he's been accused of doing something he hasn't done," Mrs. Jackson said. When asked how the trial affected Michael Jackson's mother personally, she said, "I had anxiety sometimes, I prayed about all of that. He was my child and I loved him, and I was going to stick by him." Source: NBC

Another Michael Jackson greatest hits collection will be in stores by early next month. On July 5th (in the U.S.) SONY will release The Essential Michael Jackson, a 2-disc greatest hits set compiling songs from as early as 1969's I Want You Back with the Jackson 5 to 2001's Invincible release You Rock My World. The 37-song tracklisting is as follows; DISC 1 1. I Want You Back 2. ABC 3. The Love You Save 4. Got To Be There 5. Rockin' Robin 6. Ben 7. Enjoy Yourself 8. Blame It On The Boogie 9. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) 10. Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough 11. Rock With You 12. Off The Wall 13. She's Out Of My Life 14. The Girl Is Mine 15. Billie Jean 16. Beat It 17. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 18. Human Nature 19. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 20. Thriller DISC 2 1. Bad 2. I Just Can't Stop Loving You 3. Leave Me Alone 4. The Way You Make Me Feel 5. Man In The Mirror 6. Dirty Diana 7. Another Part Of Me 8. Smooth Criminal 9. Black Or White 10. Heal The World 11. Remember The Time 12. In The Closet 13. Who Is It 14. Will You Be There 15. Dangerous 16. You Are Not Alone 17. You Rock My World Source:MJNI..

That seems like the question that I am asked the most…. that, and the media begging for an interview or a sound bite. The answer to the second question is a radical “NO!” There is absolutely no way I want to give the media one second of anything that belongs to Michael, just so they can get one more minute of ratings, a job advancement for themselves, or some more money in their greedy little paws, even if it is just me. I am not what they want. They just want another piece of Michael, and they are NOT getting it from me. I hold every moment we spent together sacred and personal. That belongs to us. My silence is the ultimate allegiance to my friend and hero. The only one that has the authority and integrity to speak, at this time, is Thomas Messereau. He must speak in order to balance those scales of justice… remember that symbol? I have been at “ground zero” throughout the entire year and a half. From the second day of production of ONE MORE CHANCE shooting in Las Vegas when my wake up call was interrupted by a news alert and helicopter shots of a raid on Neverland; the airplane ride to Santa Barbara where I witnessed Michael’s arms being twisted behind his back to slam shackles on his wrists. My heart has been in shackles until I heard the words NOT GUILTY repeated over and over again. Now how do I feel? I AM FILLED WITH RAGE!!!!! I saw my dear friend go slowly from a vibrant, creative, loving man to a frail, broken hearted, human being. He was repeatedly raped (emotionally and mentally robbed and destroyed by force and violence). Day in and day out, in the courtroom and in the media, he was abused and violated in the worst possible manner in front the entire world, and me. How do I feel? I am glad that the jury finally came to the same conclusion we knew all along. And what was the purpose of torturing this beautiful human being not only by a few ignorant (lacking a sense of awareness) lawmen, but also by a media willing to participate in the crucifixion for greed? I am ENRAGED! I am trying to find the peace in my heart to forgive. Rage is a useless and horrible emotion to carry. Over this past week I have tried to cry it out. I went to the Neverland Gates on vindication day and tried to “hug” it out with all of my friends who marched beside Michael on this journey. I am still working on it. Michael shared so much with me every day, and I still can not even conceive of how his body and heart is feeling now. All I do know is that Michael needs to recover (reclaim, recuperate) from this most heinous act that anyone could have put him through. I know he needs to find peace. He did share with me his desire to be ALONE with his children… for him NOT to speak or see any one for a long time. I know he said this to also include me, not in any selfish or greedy manner, but for his own survival. I will respect this completely. But also in the same breath, he shared his love and gratitude for all of his friends that stood by his side. I know we have so many feelings deep within us that need to be expressed. Many of us feel elated and want to party, some want to bow their heads in prayer and give thanks, and I have my rage to work through. Whatever we may be experiencing, let us please be respectful of Michael’s healing process and give him the time he needs to be able to regain his spirit to the fullest. I have confidence that the artist, the God energy that dwells in Michael, will not be able to remain still. I am sure the music is still dancing in his mind. I am excited to know how his experiences will translate into his art. Please, all of his friends, be patient and let us learn, and put the negative behind us quickly. Let us turn this page with all the knowledge that we have gained. Let us leave Michael in peace. He KNOWS we are here… and waiting for him. Lets keep dancing. Karen Faye Source: MJJSource

Out of catastrophe comes fresh hope. Six months ago, my friend Michael Jackson was facing disaster in every area of his life - his career was flatlining, his finances were coming apart at the seams, his reputation was smeared by a television show that he had hoped would relaunch his image. Worst of all, he was facing a court case that could destroy him utterly. The courage he needed to withstand whatever fresh ordeals were in store was awesome. I felt deep sympathy and pity for him. Worse than this, I blamed myself. I had persuaded Michael to make the documentary with Martin Bashir that set off this appalling chain reaction. I couldn't have predicted that Michael would make such naive and damaging statements to Mr Bashir about his friendships with adolescent boys. And I couldn't believe that his legal team had not demanded complete editorial power over the documentary. I was shocked, during the long weeks of the trial, by the savage delight displayed by the media at the destruction of an artist whose music has given joy to millions. It was not so much a court as a Roman circus, and the world's press thrilled as a fallen idol was torn limb from limb. Still, I blamed myself. Sometimes my relentlessly positive outlook can blind me to the dangers of my decisions. For the record: in the many hours I have spent with Michael Jackson, both relaxing and chatting in private, and on show to the public, nothing in his demeanour ever made me suspect that a depraved nature lay concealed behind his face. The face is dreadfully scarred by plastic surgery, to many people's minds, but that seemed to reflect nothing more than the self-destructive tendency of American celebrity. We met during the recording of his album Invincible, a $30 million project that had also been intended to relaunch his career. Michael pleaded with me to focus my skills as a motivator and inject energy into the final sessions. I was amazed at the invitation, and flattered. When he confessed to me that he needed more than motivation, that he wanted to be hypnotised, I was surprised. I'd watched him in the recording studio, a commanding presence with dazzling musical inventiveness, and he seemed focused and healthy. But as everyone drifted away, his confidence seemed to collapse and I found myself talking to a man-child, an adult who spoke with the voice and the emotions of a little boy. I agreed to place him in a hypnotic trance and to manipulate his sub-conscious, to direct his mind. It's a technique I have used many times on heavy smokers who are trying to quit. He was a remarkably suggestible subject for hypnosis. Within a few seconds he had surrendered his will and was allowing me to lead him into a relaxed state of trance. I have hypnotised many people, and it's easy to tell if they are faking. A good subject can eat a whole onion in the belief that it's a sweet apple. Michael was an excellent subject. If I was to become this man's friend, if I was going to introduce him to my family and invite him to dine with us, there was something I had to discover, for my own peace of mind, while he was in a trance. "Michael Jackson," I said, "tell me with total honesty - what was the real story behind the allegations of sexual abuse made against you by the boy Jordie Chandler?" He answered without hesitation: "It was all made up. His family just wanted my money." "Why did you pay the family?" "It was the easiest thing to do." The statement was simple and unembroidered, made without sufficient pause to invent a lie. "I couldn't take it any more. I'd had enough." "Have you ever touched a child or a young person in a way that you shouldn't?" I asked. And he replied: "Never. I would never do that. My friendships with children are all very beautiful." Later, he told me that hypnosis had brought immediate benefits, of calmness and focus, but I am certain he did not remember the series of searching questions I raised at the end of the session. While he was still under hypnosis, I ordered him to forget I had ever asked. Maybe it was not ethical of me, but I had to know - and I believed what he told me. Sadly, it seemed as if many others did not believe his denials, despite an absence of real evidence which, I am told, would have ensured that in this country the case would have been thrown out of court. Thank God, the jury agreed with me. As the verdicts were delivered on Monday, Michael Jackson's life turned around. His headlong plunge became a soaring flight to freedom. At the same moment, the burden of guilt on my shoulders began to lift. I'm quietly proud of my part in relaunching Michael's career. This comeback of his is going to be the most dramatic ever seen in showbiz, more seismic than Elvis Presley's return from the US Army. In fact, the only thing that could beat this would be for Elvis to come back from the dead. The change in Michael's fortunes is literally rocking the world. Switch on your radio and turn to any music channel - they're all playing Billie Jean, Man In The Mirror, Bad, Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. Hundreds of millions of people are remembering that they love this music. America's music industry measures success in dollars, and over the next few days Michael is going to be its biggest star once more. If he feels strong enough to perform this year, he can name any price - the moguls of Las Vegas will risk anything to outdo their rivals and stage the biggest comeback performance possible. If Elton John and Celine Dion can command fees of around $50 million for their Vegas extravaganzas, think what Michael will be able to bank. Then count up the value of the DVD of the show, the live CD, the merchandise, the television special. And that's just for starters. If Michael commits to a world tour, he could shatter audience records on every continent. In Indonesia and Brazil, tens of millions love his music as fiercely as his fans in Europe and America. His back catalogue is equalled only by that of The Beatles (which he happens to own). We've seen the music of Queen, Abba and Rod Stewart conquer the West End… a musical starring Michael's galaxy of hits could be the biggest triumph ever seen on Broadway. But above all, the most positive aspect of this trial has been how the Jackson family closed ranks to protect Michael. We saw how dignified Joe and Katherine, his parents, looked as they accompanied their son into the courthouse on Monday, and how solid the support was from Janet and his other sisters and brothers. My friend has often spoken of the pain he has suffered with the people he loves best, but now he will never have cause to doubt again: his family loves him. With their strength behind him, he will quickly recuperate. The trial has been a physical ordeal almost too great to bear, but it's over now, and he's still standing: full health will follow. There's one more factor that every-one seems to be ignoring: Michael is a musical genius. His talent to create and inspire is awesome. I know he will fall back on music to heal himself. The results, I promise, will be fabulous. My only regret is that our relationship has been tarnished by the Bashir affair. My feelings of friendship towards him are unchanged, but inevitably he regrets trusting my judgment over the documentary. I don't blame him: my greatest relief is that, though I might have read Mr Bashir's intentions wrongly, I did not misjudge Michael's character. I have received assurances that our friendship is intact, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will be able to erase the scars between us. We were hoping to meet at the wedding of a mutual friend earlier this month: Michael was so sure that his trial would be over, and that the jury would clear his name, that he had booked a hotel in London. I know how much he loves England, and how much he values his privacy. I hope that very soon he will be staying in my home again, meditating in my glass pyramid and taking solace by the banks of the Thames. Source: Telegraph

Michael Jackson is throwing a thank-you concert this weekend for some of his most dedicated fans in acknowledgement of their support during his child sex abuse trial. The lucky few will be hand-picked by the Jackson family to attend the invitation-only bash at a California casino close to the singer's Neverland ranch. It is unclear whether the self-styled King of Pop will make an appearance. He has not been seen in public since walking free from court on Monday and is said to be exhausted from the 16-week ordeal. Frances Snyder, a spokeswoman for Chumash Casino, said security was being stepped in preparation for the celebration. "We don't know who will perform. We're just told the Jackson family is putting together an event for fans they have selected," she told the Los Angeles Times. The family is expected to choose a group of people who will receive invitations for Saturday night's event at the casino in Santa Ynez. Members of Jackson's family, including his father, Joe, have been staying at the casino hotel in recent weeks. The casino is a popular concert venue and the seating will be in standard concert format, suggesting the event will be a performance rather than a party, according to the newspaper. Ms Snyder said they were expecting a lot of interest but cautioned that it would be a private event and that cameras were banned inside. Jackson, 46, was cleared of 10 counts of molestation and conspiracy on Monday after a 14-week trial that attracted hundreds of dedicated fans to Santa Maria court, California. They travelled from countries across the globe, including the UK and Ireland, gave up jobs and spent thousands in order to support their idol. Whether Jackson would be capable of performing has become the subject of much speculation in recent weeks. The increasingly pallid and frail star made several hospital visits during his trial and was said to be suffering from excruciating back pain during jury deliberations. Source:Yahoo..

British journalist Martin Bashir could face legal action over his documentary Living With Michael Jackson following the pop star's acquittal. Jackson was found not guilty of all 10 charges against him, which included child molestation. Mr Bashir is now facing a High Court legal action over his pivotal documentary. Jackson sued Mr Bashir and Granada for alleged breach of contract after it was broadcast on ITV1 in February 2003. The documentary, in which Jackson admitted sharing his bed with young boys, sparked the criminal investigation which led to the star's 16-week trial. The singer's acquittal paves the way for his lawyers to turn their attentions back to Mr Bashir and reopen proceedings that were put on hold pending the end of the trial. An ITV spokesman said they were waiting to hear from Jackson's lawyers. Meanwhile, Mr Bashir also faces potential contempt of court proceedings in the US after giving evidence at the beginning of Jackson's trial. When he refused to answer a series of questions, Jackson's lawyer Tom Mesereau asked Judge Rodney Melville to find him in contempt of court. Mr Bashir invoked California's shield law which protects journalists from having to disclose their sources. Judge Melville said he would decide whether to instigate proceedings at the end of the trial. Source: Sky News

Less than 24 hours after he was cleared of child sex abuse charges, the pop star could be on course for a career comeback. Jackson is said to be keen on joining the line-up for the July 2 event, either in London or Philadelphia. And Live 8 promoter Harvey Goldsmith said he would consider adding Jackson to the bill. Interviewed on radio station Capital FM, he was asked: "If you were approached by Michael Jackson to perform at one of the Live 8 concerts either here or in the US, would you consider it?" Goldsmith said: "Obviously we`d consider it." He added: "Whether it`s appropriate or not is another issue, whether he`s in a fit state to work is another issue, whether he can work is another issue and whether he can work live is another issue." Jackson would be most likely to appear at the Philadelphia concert, which will take place at the city`s Museum of Art. Source: Capital FM

The gloved one still seems to be the loved one in New York. Michael Jackson fans around the city celebrated yesterday as they watched the verdict come in on television or on the Times Square Jumbotron or heard it on the radio. A gasp erupted from the crowd of hundreds watching the big screen in Times Square with the first "not guilty," followed by some modest whoops and applause. The cheers grew louder and longer, and when the full verdict was in fans shot victory fists in the air and hugged one another - and a few celebrated with dances and Jackson-inspired moonwalks. "Michael, if you ever want to have any more babies, contact me," gushed an ecstatic Odessa Hazley, 20, of the Bronx. "I've loved Michael since I was in day care." Will Roberson, 32, of Manhattan, declared the verdict was right on. The trial was "a witch hunt from the start," he said. But not everyone in the crowd was convinced justice was served. Pedro Martinez, 19, of Harlem, shrugged and said, "When you're famous you get away with more stuff." "He's no Martha Stewart. That's for sure," said Anthony Pan, 34, of the Bronx. "It's not like the public is going to think that he's innocent even with the acquittal." In Harlem, the reaction was low-key, although some applause and cheers came from stores and apartments. "I'm a little surprised," said airport shuttle operator Alonzo Macklin, 46. "I think a lot of it has to do with his popularity - even with the jury. They call him the King of Pop. How can you put Michael Jackson in jail?" Music promoter Radanes Reyes, 34, nodded in agreement, saying, "It pays to be rich?" Then he grinned, "That's why I'm leaving now to play the Mega Millions lottery." Tanya Dominguez, 31, said she was happy with the verdict. "I didn't think he was capable of it," said Dominguez, a bartender at Arleatha's Lounge on W. 123d St. "The truth is he touched us all with his music - children, adults, blacks and whites. He didn't discriminate." Source: NY Daily

Singer Michael Jackson has been found innocent on all charges at the end of his four-month child abuse trial. There were cheers from fans outside the court as the verdicts were read. The singer strenuously denied molesting a 13-year-old boy. He was also cleared of giving the child alcohol and conspiring to kidnap him and his family. The star left the court in Santa Maria, California, without speaking to the public. The BBC's Daniella Relph in Santa Maria said Jackson had been seen wiping his eyes in court as the verdicts were read. Of the jury's decision, she said: "They did not believe [accuser] Gavin Arvizo and did not trust his family." She said there was "complete hysteria" outside court with the star's music pumping out. Judge Rodney Melville told the singer before he left: "Bail has been exonerated, you are free to go." Jackson was in court with family members including father Joe, mother Katherine and sisters LaToya and Janet. His trial began in February and the jury retired on 3 June. More than 100 witnesses took the stand, including Gavin Arvizo and his mother Janet. The trial was sparked after British journalist Martin Bashir made a documentary in which Jackson admitted sharing his bed with children. Bashir gave evidence but refused to answer many of the questions put to him. Jackson's former wife Debbie Rowe spoke in favour of the pop star, but called his entourage "opportunistic vultures". And actor Macaulay Culkin denied being abused by Jackson when he was a child star. But Mr Jackson did not take the witness stand himself. Judge Melville, who presided over the trial, allowed past allegations against Jackson to be aired in court. Story from BBC NEWS:

THEY worship their idol with a religious fervour that is more cult than pop culture. Many of his disciples even dress from head to toe in white to show their belief. A flick of a V-for-victory sign from under his famous umbrella is enough to send them into rapture. And a word of doubt from a non-believer can whip them into an orgy of hate. Welcome to the church of Michael Jackson. Followers have given up jobs, left families thousands of miles away and put their lives on hold just to be here. During the 14 weeks of evidence, they pressed up against the fence every morning at 8.15 as Jacko's convoy pulled in, screaming: "Fight, Michael, fight" until they were hoarse, cheering as the star acknowledged them and then turning on prosecutors and Press. Now that the singer is holed up on his Neverland Valley Ranch awaiting one hour's notice of the verdict, they are split between his home and the court. In Santa Maria, fans in Jackson T-shirts wave flags among the white-robed and a smattering of terrifying lookalikes. Outside the main gates, some of the older followers listen to Off The Wall, the solo album that made Jackson a star in his own right, away from the Jackson 5. On a grassy verge a few metres away, the Japanese contingent blast out hits from the Bad album while they add glitter hearts to their posters. Younger fans bop along to Invincible. Their peace-loving slogans often get lost in angry clashes with religious zealots and child abuse victims. One carries a banner misquoting the Bible with the demand: "America, execute all homosexual paedophiles!" Everyone outside wants someone to burn in hell. All the fans have their own far-fetched conspiracy theories about Michael's "persecution". Many believe Sony Records is trying to break him to get back his half share of a Beatles back catalogue. Others, including the Rev Jesse Jackson, there to give "spiritual support", insist it is a racist plot. Outside Neverland, where fans dressed in white hold nightly vigils, the media are not welcome. I go to interview some Britons - and hastily decide to pose as a tourist instead when I'm met by a menacing posse demanding to know who I am. One British fan, who has left her children at home, tells me I have no right to be there because I do not "love and respect Michael". As she froths up into a lather, the huge Jackson tattoos on her arms dancing over her rippling muscles, I back away slowly, trying not to make any sudden moves. Another tells me: "I hope it doesn't go on too much longer because I am running out of money." Source: Mirror

Though some Jackson fans exchange pleasantries with the hundreds of journalists covering the case, others suspect the media is out to harm their hero. B.J. Hickman, a Jackson enthusiast from Tennessee, has attended the trial for months. Hickman spends much of his time hurling insults at reporters he views as unsympathetic to the pop star. The primary focus of his discontent is Court TV anchor Diane Dimond, who has reported on allegations of child molestation against Jackson since 1993. On Thursday, Hickman was served with a temporary restraining order, which requires that he stay 20 yards away from Dimond at all times. He is banned from communicating with her in any way until a June 29 court hearing. "Every day since early in the Jackson trial he comes to court and yells," Dimond wrote in her application for the order, noting that Court TV has hired private security guards for her protection. "He incites others to threaten me harm. He posts incendiary messages on various Web sites. I believe he wants people to attack me." Hickman was served with the order Thursday, and could not be reached for comment later that day. Source: Santa Maria Times

Jurors in the Michael Jackson child molestation case resumed deliberations Thursday, the day after the pop star made another trip to the hospital for follow-up treatment to his back problems. Jurors were scheduled to meet for only two and a half hours Thursday — their fifth day of deliberations. No reason for the short day was given, but the judge noted before the start of deliberations that he understood some jurors had obligations to attend graduation ceremonies for family members. Jackson had gone to the emergency room Sunday because of a back problem exacerbated by stress, spokeswoman Raymone Bain said. Wednesday's visit was a scheduled follow-up to that visit, she said in a statement. "Mr. Jackson is now at home with his family," she said. About the same time Bain released the statement late Wednesday, one of Jackson's black sport utility vehicles and one of his bodyguards pulled up at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. More than an hour later, the SUV pulled around the back of the hospital and sped off a few minutes later with its headlights off and curtains drawn. The departure was similar to one after Jackson's visit to the emergency room Sunday, when his bodyguards put up scaffolding around his SUV to block reporters' views before the vehicle sped off. Jackson has complained of a back problem since early March, when he made a morning emergency room visit and raced back to court in his pajama bottoms when the judge threatened to have him arrested. Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor in 2003, plying him with wine and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a damaging TV documentary about the entertainer. On Wednesday, a controversy over the gag order in the case arose when the singer's attorney issued a statement saying he had not authorized anyone to hold news conferences on the pop star's behalf. The court-approved statement from attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. appeared aimed at assuring the court that his defense team had not violated the judge's gag order. Mesereau did not name anyone, but his statement came shortly after Bain held a news conference indicating her comments had been approved by Mesereau. Others, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, also have spoken on the pop star's behalf recently. Bain insisted in the wake of Mesereau's statement that it had not been directed at her. She said she runs everything she says by Mesereau and does not violate the gag order because she talks about how Jackson is feeling and not about the case. Later Wednesday, Jesse Jackson said Mesereau's statement didn't stem from his public comments, either, but that Mesereau had also expressed concerns to him. "He made it very clear that he wanted to make sure the judge did not think he had a surrogate spokesperson," he told The Associated Press, saying he spoke to the media of his own volition. Source:Associated Press

A controversy over the gag order in the Michael Jackson case erupted Wednesday when Jackson's spokeswoman held a press conference and said it had been approved by his attorney. The attorney quickly responded, saying no one had been authorized to hold news conferences on Jackson's behalf. The development came as the jurors in Jackson's molestation trial wrapped up their third full day of deliberations. The statement from attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. appeared aimed at assuring the court that his defense team had not violated the gag order. Source:Associated Press.

As jurors prepare to enter their second full day of deliberation in the Michael Jackson child-molestation trial, a just-released audiotape from 2000 sheds more light on the singer's relationship with the teen at the center of the case. "He was cheated out of his childhood. And I think I can reflect a lot on that, because of my past." — Michael Jackson The tape obtained by ABC News has Jackson explaining that he was attempting to help the then-cancer-stricken boy regain some of the childhood he felt cheated out of due to his diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment. "I've had doctors, and his [Jackson's accuser's] doctors say it's a miracle how he's doing better, and that's why I know that this magic of love is so important," Jackson said in the tape, which was recorded by his former friend and spiritual adviser, "Kosher Sex" author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. "We — he's — he was cheated out of his childhood," Jackson said of the now 15-year-old boy. "And I think I can reflect a lot on that, because of my past." Jackson, 46, who has been a music star for most of his life, has often spoken about his feelings that he was denied a childhood because of constant touring and recording commitments. Jackson's spokespeople would not comment to ABC on the tape, but Boteach said he taped 30 hours of conversations with Jackson in 2000 for a proposed parenting book. Jackson discussed his friendship with the accuser and other children he's befriended as something of a calling. "I feel it's something really, really in my heart that I'm supposed to do," Jackson said. "And I feel so loved by giving my love, and I know that's what they need." As he has said before, Jackson also told Boteach that he believed he could not live if he was unable to spend time with children. "If you told me right now that 'Michael, you can never see another child,' I would kill myself, I swear to you ... I swear, because I [would] have nothing else to live for," Jackson said. Though Boteach and Jackson had a falling out after the tapes were recorded, the Rabbi said that he believed at the time that Jackson's empathy for children was sincere and that he had their best interests at heart. "This was a man with genuine feelings about kids and how they need to be loved," Boteach told ABC News. "He made me a better parent." Source: ABC / MTV

Wearing large black sunglasses while arriving Saturday at the MTV Movie Awards, Tucker also said he expected that Michael Jackson was "going to be cool" after the verdict was rendered in Jackson's child molestation trial. Tucker, 32, testified on behalf of the defense, telling jurors that he found the accuser to be unusually sophisticated and cunning for a 12-year-old. He met the boy at a benefit while the child was battling cancer in 2001. He said he was happy with his appearance in court. "It was cool because I didn't want them to bring up all the stuff I did," Tucker joked. Source: Associated Press

Jurors in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial completed their first full day of deliberations Monday without reaching a verdict. Little more than an hour into the day the jurors sent word to the judge that they had a question, but the query and its resolution were not publicly disclosed, drawing a protest from news media. Jackson fans waited outside the courthouse Monday holding signs saying such things as "Only love. No crime. He's innocent. Leave him alone," "We shall overcome" and "Peter Pan rules." A woman held a sign showing Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jackson. But the fans were outnumbered by an international throng of reporters, photographers and TV crews. At one point, Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, arrived and was mobbed by cameras. Source: Associated Press

Michael Jackson's jury returned to deliberations in the child molestation case Monday after a weekend that saw the pop star make another trip to the hospital. Jackson's defense team, which was told to be on 10-minute notice throughout deliberations, showed up to join those waiting at the courthouse. The singer did not need to be at court during deliberations. The defendant's father, Joe Jackson, dropped by at midmorning, and was met by a crush of journalists and fans. Accompanied by comedian-turned-nutritionist Dick Gregory, he went inside the courthouse for a few minutes and then left. The jurors had received the case Friday afternoon and deliberated for about two hours before adjourning for the weekend. The singer is charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003. He is also accused of plying him with wine and conspiring to hold the boy's family captive. Jackson, who has complained of back trouble through much of his trial, spent about six hours at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital in Solvang. He left late Sunday to the popping of flashbulbs and screams of fans. "He's in excruciating pain," the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who met with the singer, told CBS' "The Early Show" on Monday. "The physical pain is real. There's also a sense that he feels betrayed by those that he trusted and was betrayed before a jury." After leaving the hospital, Jackson returned to his Neverland ranch about five miles away to await the verdict with his family. Olivia Kennedy, switchboard operator at the hospital, said the staff had been asked not to release any information about Jackson. The singer's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, told CBS that he had been given muscle relaxants in the past for back spasms and probably got the same treatment Sunday. Bain said stress contributed to the entertainer's back problem Sunday. "He's under a tremendous amount of stress right now," she said. "Other than his back, he is doing fine." The apparent medical problem was one of several the 46-year-old singer has faced at key points in his trial. Jury selection was halted in February when he complained of flu-like symptoms. Later, he went to the emergency room after he said he fell, and he was forced to rush back to court wearing pajama bottoms when the judge threatened to have him arrested. Also Monday, ABC's "Good Morning America" played a tape recording of Michael Jackson that it said was made in 2000 by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, then a spiritual adviser for the star. In the tape, Jackson says he could not live without children, and if he was told he could "never see another child I would kill myself, I swear to you. Because I have nothing else to live for." He also referred to the young accuser, a cancer patient, saying: "He was cheated out of his childhood." Source:Associated Press

Michael Jackson was taken to an emergency room Sunday for treatment of a back problem that has plagued him throughout his molestation trial, a spokeswoman said. Jackson, accompanied by a bodyguard, arrived at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital about five miles from his Neverland ranch at about 2:30 p.m., spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. "Mr. Jackson's back has spurred up on him again," Bain said. "It's pretty serious. It was serious enough for him to come over here." Bain said stress contributed to the entertainer's back problem. "He's under a tremendous amount of stress right now," she said at an impromptu news conference outside the hospital. "Other than his back, he is doing fine." Jackson's health has been an issue throughout the trial. The 46-year-old pop star appeared gaunt in recent days, and officials at the hospital disclosed Friday that he had visited the emergency room overnight. Jackson's case was twice previously interrupted by hospital visits, once for treatment of flu symptoms. He first reported a back problem in early March, when he went to an emergency room on one of the days his accuser took the stand. Jackson arrived late, dressed in pajama bottoms, after the judge ordered him to come to court. Bain said Jackson planned to return to his family at Neverland when he is released from the hospital to wait for the verdict. "His mother is a rock of Gibraltar. So is his father," she said. Source;Yahoo...

A visibly shaken Michael Jackson dabbed away tears and was consoled by one of his lawyers moments after the jury retired to decide his fate on charges that could put him away for more than 18 years. The pop star's emotional moment came as he surveyed the empty jury box and judge's bench and as deputies shooed spectators and reporters out of the courtroom. The distraught Jackson stood stiffly at the defense table, then turned to his attorney Susan Yu for support. Yu placed her hand on Jackson's right arm and handed him tissues to wipe his eyes and nose. Then Jackson, 46, steeled himself to walk out of the courtroom and face the media outside. When a reporter asked how he was doing as he left the courthouse, the red-eyed singer put his hands together in a gesture of prayer as his lead lawyer, Tom Mesereau, shouted, "No comment." Source: NY Daily

The jury in the Michael Jackson child abuse trial has retired to consider its verdicts. After closing arguments by prosecution and defence, judge Rodney Melville sent the jurors out from the courtroom in Santa Monica, California. Michael Jackson's lawyer concluded his closing arguments in the star's child sex trial by accusing the boy's family of being out to con the star. Thomas Mesereau, stepped up his offensive on the credibility of the now 15-year-old alleged victim, his brother and the boys' mother, saying they see Jackson as a mark for a scam. "They are waiting for the biggest con of their careers," Mesereau told the jury, urging them to find Jackson not guilty of the charges against him and branding the family of the boy as liars and perjurers. They are just waiting for you to help them," he said looking straight at the jurors, he said referring to defense claims the family is planning to launch a huge civil suit against Jackson after the criminal trial. Mesereau said the family of the accuser had been "swimming around manipulations" for years. The family realized that "Michael would not be their benefactors for all their lives. That's where it all started," he said referring to the alleged scam. The testimony of the accuser and his now 14-year-old brother was unreliable and filled with lies and inconsistencies, Mesereau said, adding there was enough reasonable doubt to acquit the star on all charges. Mesereau, who is fighting to save the 46-year-old "King of Pop" from a potential jail term of more than 18 years if he is convicted on all counts, heaped scorn on prosecution claims that Jackson corrupted the boy and his brother, the only witness to the alleged sex abuse. He went through the brother's testimony to jurors line by line, punching holes in it and ridiculing claims that the boys knew nothing about sex and alcohol until Jackson initiated them. "Do you trust (the accuser's and his brother) that you are going take away (Jackson's) freedom and reputation? I don't think so, ladies and gentlemen. These are terrible witnesses." The prosecution will now present its final closing arguments and jurors are expected to begin deliberating Jackson's later. Jackson denies 10 counts, including child abuse, plying the then 13-year-old cancer patient with alcohol and plotting to kidnap him and his family. Source:SkyNews..

While Michael Jackson has been fighting for his life inside a California courtroom, outside the courthouse, a different sort of drama has been playing out for months, reports CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales. Every morning before dawn, a small group of diehard fans gathers hoping to hit the jackpot — winning a lottery for one of the few seats in the courtroom. "If you yell or scream for Jackson you are out of the room," said a fan named Maggie. Some have literally put their lives on hold for the man prosecutors say is a child molester. "He is part of who we are, part of my childhood, my heritage," said another fan. Tony Redburn came from Los Angeles with his mother. Born with cerebral palsy, he says it was only after his mother put on Jackson's "Thriller" album that he began to move. "She would put on the 'Thriller' album. My legs would kick and my arms would move with the music ... Today I am fine and moonwalking," he told Gonzales. Not everyone can claim that kind of MJ-miracle. But some Jackson fans do describe their passion as a moral duty. "MJ fans are truly warriors. To be a fan is hard. Like he says, every day is a battle," said another fan. "I had bone marrow cancer. He didn't cure heal me. I cured myself. But he soothed me," said Maggie. She left her nursing job in San Diego to spend a week in Santa Maria. She is 55 and has two kids. "To be honest, I ask myself if I am blinded," she said. She's followed the trial closely, but long ago reached her own verdict. "I know in my head he is innocent. It's tearing me apart." Still, she's one of the few even willing to consider the alternative. "If he is found guilty it will crush so many fans. If he was ever that way, he didn't get here by himself. Someone put him in that position." Despite the chance their hero may go to jail, true believers are still dancing, holding vigils outside his home, and getting together to auction memorabilia. "I can't believe I have his hat. Oh, my God," said Tony. And their devotion is rewarded. On a good day, Jackson invites fans who gather outside his gates into Neverland -- no cameras allowed. No matter what the jury decides, it's clear that in the eyes of these fans, Michael Jackson can do no wrong. Source: CBS News

With the King of Pop's judgment day drawing near, the Daily News turned to some famous faces for an all-star jury to predict the outcome of the case. Most of the lawyers, politicians and sex experts we contacted figure Michael Jackson is very unlikely to be convicted of child molestation; some think he may fall on some lesser charge, and many think the prosecution's case was weak. Here's our jury of 12: 1. Celebrity lawyer Raoul Felder: "He'll be convicted of something. ...[His] appearance sometimes speaks louder than anything anybody can say ...the lipstick, the makeup, all this stuff. You're basically telling [the jury] you don't care about them, [their] perceptions..." 2. The Rev. Al Sharpton: "I think it will be a hung jury because I think that there clearly was not enough direct evidence to convict....Whether he has some strange behavior, yeah, but I think that's about all he's proved." 3. Former Mayor and "People's Court" Judge Ed Koch: "Well, I believe he is guilty, [but] I think [the jury] will ultimately decide that the government failed to produce evidence beyond a reasonable doubt." 4. Defense lawyer Joseph Tacopina: "He should be acquitted in short order based on the evidence in this case." 5. Jami Floyd, anchor, Court TV: "I think they'll acquit and I think they'll come back quickly. The prosecution has made a very strong case with respect to some other boys, but the case with regard to this boy is very weak - and the case is about this boy." 6. Bruce Cutler, the late John Gotti's lawyer: "I just hope [Michael Jackson] wins. He's a wonderful person and he's a sweet man. Why they ever brought this case is beyond me...the case never should have been brought." 7. Defense lawyer Mickey Sherman, who represented convicted Kennedy kin Michael Skakel: "Not guilty....We know he is strange, we know he is weird and quite bizarre. He loves to sleep with young boys - but that oddly enough doesn't prove that he has molested them." 8. Sexpert Dr. Judy Kuriansky: "I think that he may get acquitted, but I do think that something did go on, and in my mind it's unfortunate, because he's probably one of those so-called pedophiles who has arrested development and probably doesn't really believe he did anything wrong." 9. Abner Louima lawyer Sanford Rubenstein: "My prediction is a hung jury. The question is whether he was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt - and that's a hard decision for a jury to come to." 10. Leslie Gold, "The Radio Chick," Sirius Radio Network: "I think he'll get off. I personally think he's guilty, but Macaulay Culkin testified that Michael Jackson didn't touch him, and he was a cute kid." 11. The Rev. Jesse Jackson: "He'll be acquitted. All of the [prosecution]witnesses seemed to melt under cross-examination about money as a motivation." 12. Sexpert Dr. Joyce Brothers: "He will be judged innocent. I think they have not proved anything - other than the possibility that the boy's family might have had ulterior motives in bringing this to trial." Source: NY Daily News

Jurors in Michael Jackson's child sex abuse trial will begin hearing closing arguments today. They have been told they should not be influenced by prejudice or pity for the singer when considering their verdicts. Jackson faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted of the 10 counts against him. The eight women and four men of the jury were given final instructions by Judge Rodney Melville at Santa Maria court in California. He said they must determine the facts from the testimony. "You've heard all of the evidence and you will hear the arguments of attorneys," he said. The chances of Jackson serving a prison term increased after the judge ruled the singer could be found guilty of giving alcohol to a minor. The offence carries a sentence of up to two years in prison. A spokesman for Jackson said the self-styled King of Pop was feeling "nervous and upset". "It's a very difficult situation to sit in there and know your life is in the balance," said Raymone Bain. Jackson is charged with four counts of sexually abusing Gavin Arvizo, then aged 13, and four counts of giving him alcohol. He is also accused of attempted sexual abuse and plotting to kidnap Arvizo's family. The singer denies all the charges. Source:Skynews..

Michael Jackson's trial has left him a broken man who barely eats and is reeling from the stress of the accusations against him, according to his father. Joe Jackson said his son now hardly ever eats or sleeps. He said: "We always mention to him about it but he says, 'I'm going to eat,' but he doesn't eat enough. "He takes a couple of bites. He doesn't sleep a bit and that bothers me. "He's taking it pretty hard because a lot of stories have been hurled at him." He also blamed the star's handlers for failing to look after the singer. Jackson faces four counts of molesting a 13-year-old boy, four counts of plying the young cancer patient with alcohol in order to abuse him, one count of conspiracy and one count of attempted molestation. The jury has heard 130 witnesses during three months of testimony that concluded last week with the playing of a taped interview Jackson's accuser. In the video, Gavin Arvizo said the singer had given him alcohol and touched him inappropriately. If convicted, Mr Jackson faces up to 20 years in prison. The jury are expected to start deliberating in the case at the end of this week. Source;Skynews..

Michael Jackson's Thriller has been acquired a new certification by selling 27 million copies in the U.S.A. Thriller is already the biggest selling album in the world, and despite the current problems Michael is facing record sales continue to soar! Source: Billboard

Michael Jackson wanted to testify in his own defence at his child sex trial, but his lawyers had talked him out of it, his spokeswoman said yesterday. Publicist Raymone Bain, speaking as the defence rested its case, said Jackson would have been a good witness, but his lawyers were opposed to the eccentric singing star taking the stand. "His attorneys did not feel at this point in time in the trial it was necessary," she said. "Michael listened to his defence team and he was not going to say `I just demand' on testifying. It was a group decision. At the end of the day, it was decided that it was not necessary for him to." But Ms Bain said Jackson would have made a good witness for his own defence. "I think he would have been good for the jury. I think we have spoken the truth. He's always maintained his innocence throughout this trial," she said, predicting that Jackson would be acquitted. She also insisted that the star, who she said had a "strong grip on reality," would never again put himself in a position where he could be accused of molesting children. "His love for children has been an innocent one. He's not done anything criminal or anything wrong." Source:MJSTAR..

The defence in the Michael Jackson case has rested its case, in a shock move. It was expected lawyers would recall some witnesses, including Jackson's accuser Gavin Arvizo, but Jackson's attorney Thomas Mesereau told the court their case was over. It means there will be no more evidence in the trial. Closing arguments by the prosecution and defence are now expected to begin on Wednesday. Earlier, the jury was shown a videotape of a police interview in which Gavin first told authorities of his allegations against the singer. Prosecutors began playing the tape after Judge Rodney S. Melville instructed jurors "only to observe the demeanor of the witness". Gavin, now 15, testified at the start of the trial. The prosecution asked to introduce the tape during its rebuttal case, which began after the defence rested earlier this week. After lengthy arguments, Judge Melville admitted the tape for limited purposes. With his head down and frequently pausing, the boy described the alleged molestation in a low voice. The account was similar to the one he gave on witness stand. On the tape he said Jackson masturbated him "five or so" times After jurors saw the tape the defence announced it would not present any witnesses. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, giving him wine and conspiring to hold his family captive at Neverland ranch. Source:SkyNews..

The investment company which recently took over Michael Jackson's $200 million loan from Bank of America has reached an agreement with the pop star that will give him "greater financial strength and flexibility," according to a statement released Thursday by a Jackson representative. In the statement released to The Associated Press by Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, Jackson and Fortress Investment Group jointly announced the agreement. They did not disclose details. Earlier reports suggested that the loan had been sold to the firm by Bank of America without Jackson's participation. Thursday's statement painted a different picture. "Michael Jackson and Fortress Investment Group are pleased to have reached an agreement that will provide greater financial strength and flexibility for Mr. Jackson," the statement said. "Mr. Jackson is pleased with the new relationship and looks forward to a positive ongoing relationship," it said. "The terms of the agreement will not be disclosed." Bain would say only that, "The new loan arrangement is more favorable to Mr. Jackson." Responding to reports that Jackson was being forced to sell his fairytale estate, Neverland, she said, "Michael was never in a position to lose Neverland." The rambling Santa Barbara County estate with an amusement park and zoo has been estimated to be worth between $50 million and $100 million. The statement, which comes in the wake of testimony about Jackson's finances during his child molestation trial, did not address questions about his cash flow and his half ownership with Sony of a music catalogue that includes the rights to works of numerous artists including the Beatles. Source: Associated Press

A contract for $20,000 between two British tabloid reporters and the mother and stepfather of Michael Jackson's accuser has surfaced. The reporters, Alec Byrne and David Gardner, had recently thought they would be called as defense witnesses in the Jackson child molestation case and were all set to bring in this vital document. When the accuser's mother, Janet Arvizo, testified for the prosecution, she told the jury she "wasn't the kind of person" to sell her story — but apparently she was indeed. In fact, Byrne and Gardner only got photographs of the Arvizo family, which were published abroad, because while looking for Janet Arvizo, they first went to her mother's house in El Monte, Calif., back on Feb. 4, 2003. That was the day after the Martin Bashir documentary "Living With Michael Jackson" aired in Britain. Arvizo's mother, Maria Ventura, who speaks only Spanish, put the reporters on the phone with her daughter. When Arvizo learned the men wanted to buy her story, she exclaimed, "You are my angels" and instructed her mother to give the men pictures she had of her grandchildren. Arvizo then gave the reporters a few quotes, which were used in the story that was published that weekend in the U.K. and in Australia. So why has this story not surfaced in the Jackson trial? After all, it would undermine the testimony of both Arvizo and her husband, Jay Jackson. That the sale of the story did not take place is a missing link which comedian Chris Tucker may explain today in court. Evidently, Arvizo called Tucker when she had the reporters up to $20,000. In his testimony, Jay Jackson said the offer was only $15,000, and that he turned it down. However, Tucker is likely to say that at that point in the negotiations, Arvizo wanted to find Michael Jackson. If her story was worth that much to the Brits, she might have figured her silence would be worth as much, or more, to Michael Jackson. The reporters say that when they came to meet Arvizo at the appointed time a couple of days later, she had vanished. Tucker should testify to his end of the story. The defense, which has not been strong on outlining the timeline in the case, may or may not be able to put this together for the weary jury. Why Byrne and Gardner were not called remains a mystery of this trial. They could have easily impeached the testimony of both Jay Jackson and Arvizo. The article published abroad would have been a damning bit of evidence. Source: Fox / Roger Friedman

The judge in Michael Jackson's trial on Thursday cleared the way for another possible courtroom face-off between the singer and the boy accusing him of molestation. The day after the defense rested, Judge Rodney S. Melville agreed to prosecutors' request that during their rebuttal case they be allowed to show the jury a videotape of a July 2003 law enforcement interview of the boy to show that his story has been consistent. The defense said they would then want to question the boy about the tape during the defense rebuttal. Defense attorneys said they may also want to question the boy's mother; a psychologist who interviewed the boy, Stan J. Katz; and Larry Feldman, the attorney who sent him to the psychologist. Defense attorneys did not say they would necessarily call all of those witnesses but said they wanted them available. The judge said the witnesses, who all testified earlier in the trial, should be alerted. The judge rejected a request from the prosecution to introduce photographs taken of Jackson's genitalia when a boy accused him of molestation in 1993. The pictures were supposed to show identifying markings. The 1993 allegations never led to criminal charges. Jackson made a multimillion-dollar settlement with that boy. The prosecution rebuttal began Wednesday after the defense rested its case without putting Jackson on the stand. Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the cancer survivor in February or March 2003. The pop star is also accused of giving the boy alcohol and conspiring to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a documentary in which the teenager appeared with Jackson as the entertainer said he let children into his bed for innocent sleepovers at his Neverland Ranch. Jurors had been expected to get the case as early as next week after the rebuttal presentations and closing arguments, but that became uncertain with the potential for extensive new testimony. Defense attorney Robert Sanger argued Wednesday that if prosecutors wanted to show the tape they should have done so when they were presenting their case against Jackson. They only want to show it now, he said, to try to end the trial with a dramatic flourish. "It's a way to have (the boy) come back and testify without cross-examination in front of the jury," Sanger said. The defense rested without testimony from Jackson, wrapping up a three-week, celebrity-studded defense presentation that portrayed Jackson's accuser as a cunning schemer and his mother as a mentally disturbed shakedown artist. Defense attorneys called witnesses that painted their client as the victim of false charges that surfaced only when the boy's mother realized she was being ousted from a lavish lifestyle the singer had financed. They portrayed the mother as a welfare cheat who preyed on gullible celebrities for money. Source:Yahoo..

Michael Jackson is an, ‘American Tragedy’ and regardless of the verdict of his molestation trial, “These proceedings have dealt a fatal blow to his overall image and future career goals that will next to impossible to recover.” This according to Los Angeles trauma psychologist Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D., who has extensive experience evaluating child abuse victims and perpetrators as well as observing first hand Michael Jackson interacting with his fans. Dr. Butterworth believes that career wise the nature of the verdict is irrelevant “The taint of this child abuse trial will haunt Jackson’s career for the rest of his life guilty or innocent.” Dr. Butterworth also believes that due to Michael Jackson’s, ‘fragile psyche’ a verdict of guilty could drive the superstar --Over the edge, towards a severe emotional breakdown and even suicide. “Michael Jackson has been able to establish emotional control by creating a, ‘Neverland state of mind’ by the use of money, power and superstar status. Incarceration would strip him of this ability to maintain this fantasy world, plunging him into a fierce reality that he may not have the emotional resilience to overcome.” Says the trauma expert. The psychologist views Jackson as a truly tragic figure, “A career that robbed him of his boyhood. A childhood lost that unfortunately Jackson has spent the rest of his life attempting to regain. “A boy/man conflict focused on living a lost youth by means of a fantasy existence.” Dr. Butterworth who has observed Michael Jackson firsthand interacting with his fans at his, public birthday party, feels that in order for any semblance of a career to be resurrected Jackson will have to move beyond cult figure status focused on a select group of devoted fans onto the music mainstream. “A task that may prove impossible for this reclusive, King of Pop.” Says the trauma expert. Source: News Press Release