InnocentMichael

Jackson and McCartney Will Continue To Thrill
by Paul Cashmere - December 30 2007

Reports that Michael Jackson has dumped Paul McCartney's voice from his 2008 25th anniversary reissue are clearly wrong.


Yesterday, a tabloid reporter in the USA reported that Michael Jackson had stripped Paul McCartney's vocals for 'The Girl Is Mine' on the forthcoming 'Thriller' reissue and replaced Sir Paul with will.i.am.

That is simply not true.

Yes, will.i.am has recorded new vocals for a remix of 'The Girl Is Mine' minus McCartney but the original version is still going to be on the anniversary album.

Sony's official site for the reissue, michaeljackson.com is also streaming the Jackson/McCartney original and clearly states McCartney's name on the tracklisting as 'The Girl Is Mine' (with Paul McCartney).

The tabloid journalist fabricated this "new" McCartney/Jackson feud, roger that!

McCartney certainly doesn't have any musical issues with Jackson. He has included the video for 'Say Say Say', the other Jackson/McCartney duet, on his 'The McCartney Years' DVD.

The 25th Anniversary edition of 'Thriller' will be released in February through Sony-BMG.

In related news Jackson is scheduled to appear on the next Usher album. The unnamed song will also feature T-Pain.

Usher has written the track but is yet to enter the studio to put it down.

Source:  Justice/Myspace....

Product Description:

Ease on down the yellow-brick road with the 30th Anniversary Edition of The Wiz, starring superstars Diana Ross and Michael Jackson! Relive all of the magic of this beloved musical when Dorothy is whisked away to the enchanting wonderland of Oz, where she encounters the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion. The Wiz features spectacular musical numbers from legendary producer Quincy Jones and an all-star cast including Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross. With a digitally remastered picture and the unforgettable soundtrack in new 5.1 surround sound, it's an experience of the land of Oz unlike anything you've seen before!

Region 1
Snap Case
Anamorphic Widescreen -
1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
Subtitles - English (SDH) - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette - WIZ ON DOWN THE ROAD
Trailer - Theatrical Trailer
Additional Products:
Includes 8-Track Bonus CD Featuring Songs by Michael Jackson & Diana Ross..


MJNO...

Hiya guys,Here is the artwork for the upcoming Michael Jackson release Thriller 25...

THRILLER - 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Thriller - original track listing - US Billboard Chart Peaks
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” - (#5 Hot 100, #5 R&B)
“Baby Be Mine”
“The Girl Is Mine” (with Paul McCartney) - (#2 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #1 Adult Contemporary)
Thriller” - (#4 Hot 10, #3 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks)
“Beat It” - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B)
“Billie Jean” - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #9 A/C)
“Human Nature” - (#7 Hot 100, #2 Adult Contemporary)
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” - (#10 Hot 100)
“The Lady in My Life”
Bonus Material:
10. Someone In the Dark ^
11. Billie Jean (Michael Jackson’s original demo recording) ^
12. Carousel ^
Previously Unreleased Tracks For 25th Anniversary Edition
13. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am*
14. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with Michael Jackson and will.i.am*
15. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am*
16. Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West*
17. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)*
^From 2001 Thriller Special Edition
*-previously unreleased
Bonus DVD
The Videos
1. Thriller
2. Beat It
3. Billie Jean
4. Billie Jean performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever
25th Anniversary Executive Producer: Michael Jackson
Original Album Produced by Quincy Jones for [Quincy Jones Productions logo]

Sony BMG


thanks to MJSTAR for this..

Twenty-five years ago - on Saturday, Dec. 1, 1982 - Jackson delivered “Thriller,” a terse nine-song set that threw so huge a boulder into the pop pool that it ripples to this day.

It wasn’t just the music: “Thriller’s” related products and performances affected video, dance and fashion on levels that had to do with everything from esthetics to race.
To commemorate such a startling divide, The News has learned, Jackson’s former record company, Sony, plans to issue a commemorative package of the classic work on Feb. 5.

The set will combine “Thriller’s” original songs with four remixes of its hits, overseen by Kanye West, will.i.am and Akon. An additional track, titled “For All Time” - cut back in the day but left out of the initial set - will be included, along with a DVD that collects the star’s most iconic video footage from the era.

NY Daily News

Jeramaine apparently confirms Jackson's tour next year

Michael Jackson is back in the studio and rehearsing for a forthcoming tour, his brother has revealed.

Jermaine Jackson admitted that the family were planning to go on the road together. And he said the troubled singer was determined to bounce back from all the controversy he has been surrounded by.

 He said: “He’s very strong, he’s in the studio now working, we’re working together and we’re planning a tour and getting things together.

“It’s very hard because Michael’s probably the most misunderstood person on this planet earth.

“He’s the most incredible, wonderful, giving person and he’s the number one donor throughout the world in just giving money to charities and burying people who can’t afford to be buried.

“He had a big heart. This whole thing was a conspiracy. It was all contrived to sort of try to bring him down.”

Jermaine Jackson was speaking on chat show Katie & Peter: Unleashed.

The last time The Jackson's toured together was the 1984 Victory Tour.


MJTKOP

It started with a howl (from the record company) and ended with latex, zombies and beansprout sandwiches. Twenty-five years after Michael Jackson turned into a werewolf, Peter Lyle talks to members of his inner circle about the making of a classic album - and the video that changed pop history

In April 1982, Michael Jackson was the former Motown child star who would sporadically reunite with his brothers for tours and albums, had famous friends and collaborators, and had one hit solo album, 1978's 'Off the Wall', to his name.

That month, recording began on an untitled follow-up which was to alter for ever Jackson's career, the concept of the pop video, and the record industry itself. Jackson has said that his inspiration was Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker Suite' because 'every song was a killer', and claimed last year that 'My dream was for it to be the biggest-selling album ever.'

Michael Jackson in the short film for Thriller

Bruce Swedien (engineer) When we started 'Thriller', the first day at Westlake [the studio on Santa Monica Boulevard where the album was recorded], we were all there and Quincy [Jones, the producer] walked in followed by me and Michael and Rod Temperton and some of the other people. Quincy turned to us and he said, 'OK guys, we're here to save the recording industry.' Now that's a pretty big responsibility - but he meant it. And that's why those albums, and especially 'Thriller', sound so incredible. The basic thing is, everybody who was involved gave 150 per cent … Quincy's like a director of a movie and I'm like a director of photography, and it's Quincy's job to cast [it]. Quincy can find the people and he gives us the inspiration to do what we do.

Brian Banks (synthesisers) [Michael] was definitely the star, he didn't interact a whole lot with us. I mean, he was around a bit, he did interact a bit … he would usually be practising his dance steps if he was in the studio, in the corner. When he got to singing, nobody was around - it was just him and Bruce Swedien and Quincy.

Bruce Swedien I tried all sorts of things with Michael - for instance, he would sing the main vocal part and we'd double it one time and then I'd ask him to step away from the mic and do it a third time and that really changed the acoustics in the room so it gave Michael's vocals a unique character … We recorded some of those background vocals in the shower stall at Westlake.

Quincy Jones (producer) Michael wrote Billie Jean - and that stuff, you know, it was just highly, highly personal. According to him, he said it was about a girl who climbed over [his] wall and he woke up one morning and she was laying out by the pool, lounging, hanging out with the shades on, bathing suit on... and Michael said she had accused him of being the father of one of her twins [laughs]. And Michael, on Billie Jean, he had an intro you could shave on it was so long. I said, 'It's too long, we gotta get to the melody quicker.' He said, 'But that's the jelly! That's what makes me wanna dance.' Now, when Michael Jackson tells you that's what makes him want to dance, the rest of us had to shut up.

Bruce Swedien When Michael liked a groove, he'd call it 'Smelly Jelly'. Also Michael doesn't curse, and when he wants to say a bad word, he'll simply call it 'smelly'.

Rod Temperton (songwriter/arranger) Originally, when I did my Thriller demo, I called it Starlight. Quincy said to me, 'You managed to come up with a title for the last album, see what you can do for this album.' I said, 'Oh great,' so I went back to the hotel, wrote two or three hundred titles, and came up with the title 'Midnight Man'. The next morning, I woke up, and I just said this word... Something in my head just said, this is the title. You could visualise it on the top of the Billboard charts. You could see the merchandising for this one word, how it jumped off the page as 'Thriller'.

Bruce Swedien [Temperton is] more like a classical composer than a pop composer - when he arrives, nothing is left to chance, and it's the same with his demos... When we were recording, Michael went home, stayed up all night, and memorised every one of [Rod Temperton's] demos, never had a piece of paper in front of him. Can you believe that?

Brian Banks It was late in the evening one night when we were working, and Quincy came to us. We all knew how Thriller was going, they were trying to get Vincent Price, they were doing all this stuff, but he wanted this huge chord sequence - he said, 'There's this sound that I've got in my head, there's this underground, this new artist, that nobody's ever really heard of but he's great, he's hot, he's got this great song.' And he pulled out the album and it was Prince, '1999'. And you know the opening sound on that? Duh-da da, Dur-duh-duh? Well that was the sound - that big, bitey chord sound at the opening of '1999' - he wanted that, but bigger, for Thriller.

Rod Temperton When I wrote Thriller I'd always envisioned this talking section at the end and didn't really know what we were going to do with it. But one thing I'd thought about was to have somebody, a famous voice, in the horror genre, to do this vocal. Quincy's [then] wife [Peggy Lipton] knew Vincent Price so Quincy said to me, how about if we got Vincent Price? And I said, 'Wow, that'd be amazing if we could get him...'

Quincy Jones Vincent did it in two takes - I'm telling you, it was so difficult [technically, to talk over the music track]... it was fabulous, man.

Bruce Cannon (sound effects) I was an assistant editor on the film E.T. Following that, Steven Spielberg and Kathy Kennedy had me help out on a record they were doing with Michael Jackson called 'The E.T. Storybook Record', which was produced by Quincy Jones, and Bruce Swedien was like his mixer. It was Michael narrating - I'm only laughing because he was very emotionally involved when he was performing, reading the lines - at times he almost breaks into tears telling parts of the E.T. story.

Following that, Quincy called me and said he was doing this Michael Jackson record and he needed sounds for the Thriller song. I went to as many sound editors as I could and listened, found - what was it? - a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds, howling dogs, all that. These were really good editors and I think they recorded some of the effects themselves. Things like the lightning may have come from old Hollywood movies - we'll never know which movies - but the best sound-effects editors do go out in the desert and find a coyote, so I have a feeling that was a real howl...


Quincy Jones The Girl is Mine was fun: Paul was in Tucson and we had to go down there and work with him for two or three days, which was fun, and rehearsing the song, and finding things to make them tailor-made for him, like the verse at the end and the rap that they had, fighting over the same girl.

David Paich (keyboards) Working with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson on a duet, The Girl is Mine: that was a very magical night. Even though I wished it had been a better piece of material, it was great working with those two people...

In between takes there is me, [guitarist] Lukather, [drummer] Jeff Porcaro, and we're jamming... with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, singing all these Stevie Wonder songs. Linda is about two inches away, snapping all these photographs of me and everybody else in the room.

Quincy Jones [Beat It] was really key to this record, with its power, with everything it has, because I said at the time, 'I need a song like [The Knack's 1979 hit] My Sharona - we need a black version.' That's a strong rock 'n' roll thing there - that has the power of everything else [Jackson] writes. And he says, 'I got something here but I don't have any voices on it.' It was just what we needed. I decided to call Eddie Van Halen, and I didn't know him, to come play the solo on Beat It.

Eddie Van Halen (guitar soloist) Everybody [from his band, Van Halen] was out of town and I figured, 'Who's gonna know if I play on this kid's record?'

Steve Lukather (guitars/bass) Quincy Jones [said Beat It] was way too heavy and to tone it down - it's Michael's record, not Led Zeppelin's. So I went back in and re-recorded it. Basically, me and [drummer] Jeff Porcaro remade that record to Michael's vocals, Eddie's solo and Michael playing two and four on a drum case. We spent a lot of time messing around with that song and to be honest, when we heard it I was like, 'This is rock 'n' roll? I don't think so.'

Quincy Jones Toto, whom I just adored - [writer/keyboard player Steve] Pocaro, all those guys, Lukather - they sent over two songs they thought might be right for Michael and we left the tape on and forgot to take it off, the tape with the first two songs - which were OK but we were not impressed, you know?

And all of a sudden, at the end, there was all this silence and then [sings the melody to Human Nature]: 'Why, why, da-dum dah dah da-dum dah dah, why, why...' Just a dummy lyric and a very skeletal thing and I get goosebumps talking about it. I said, 'This is where we wanna go 'cos it's got such a wonderful flavour.'

Brian Banks You gotta remember the time and place. The record business was in the dumps right then. I remember one night, when they were looking at a bunch of proofs, large blow-ups of the [eventual image for the vinyl] centrefold, spread out on the console, and I was just there in the background doing my thing while Quincy was talking. 'Off the Wall', I think it sold something like eight million records, and I remember Quincy saying - I'm paraphrasing here - 'the record business is not what it was a couple of years ago, and if we get six million out of ['Thriller'], I'm gonna declare that a success.' And what'd they do, 53 million or something? It was in that context that it did 53 million...

The Girl is Mine trailed the 'Thriller' album in 1982, and reached Number 2. It was followed by two Number 1 singles with great videos in 1983, Billie Jean and Beat It. Three more singles followed, each stalling lower down the charts ('Thriller' was the first album to spawn seven Top 10 hits; only Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' and Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814' have managed the same feat since), and without their own videos. Then Michael Jackson had an idea...

Walter Yetnikoff (then president, CBS/Columbia Records) I used to get calls from Michael in the middle of the night. 'Walter, the record is not Number 1 [anymore]' - and this is 'Thriller' - 'What are we going to do?' I said, 'We're going to go to sleep and deal with it tomorrow.'

John Landis (director, 'Thriller') 'Thriller', the album, had been in the Top 10 for a year, and maybe Number 1 for most of that year, but now it was going down - but still, in the Top 10 after a year! There had been two videos made, Billie Jean and Beat It, and both of those had been very successful.

MTV used to have a policy, no black acts, and Michael ended that because Walter Yetnikoff, he basically said, 'I'm pulling all the Columbia/CBS acts if you don't play [Jackson's videos]. Michael saw [Landis's film] An American Werewolf in London and he contacted me and asked me if I would make a video with him. And I said 'No,' actually - because they were basically commercials, right? But he persisted and said, 'No, no, no - I really wanna make it.' So when I returned to LA I called Rick Baker, who had done the make-up effects for American Werewolf? and said, 'Rick, Michael Jackson wants to become a monster.'

Rick Baker (make-up effects) John told me about the idea but I was reluctant. I got a call from John and he was like, 'You know who Michael Jackson is?' and I was like, 'Yeah, kinda. He's the guy from the Jackson 5, right?' And he said, 'Well he's got this song called Thriller and he wants to do this short film.' At first I said I didn't want to do it. It's not the most popular job - it's like being a dentist in a way: they have to sit still in a chair for hours while you work on them, it's uncomfortable - it's not something actors look forward to.

John Landis Basically, I thought about it and my intention was to exploit Michael's unbelievable celebrity at that point to make a theatrical short, a 14-minute short. George Folsey Jr, my producer and editor on a lot of things, and I, worked up the budget. I insisted it would be a union shoot - almost all videos at that time were non-union - and I also insisted the dancers have at least 10 days of rehearsal, which is also never done because it's so expensive, and we put it all down and the bottom line was that we worked out it would cost about half-a-million dollars. Which was a huge amount of money, because at that time the most a video had been was, I think, $100, 000.

[Jackson] called Walter Yetnikoff and he talked to him for a couple of minutes, telling him what I wanted to do, and then he handed me the phone. I said, 'Hello?' And then this, this blast of flaming - 'You motherf---er! What the f---'s the matter with you?' The one conversation I ever had with Walter Yetnikoff - you know in movies where they hold the phone away? It was like that. He was screaming.

The essence of Yetnikoff's rant was: the album had already become the most successful album, it's had a year at Number 1, it's now going down and it's still selling respectably, and f--- your video and f--- you. I handed Michael the phone back and he said, 'Oh that's OK, I'll pay.' And I said, 'Mike, I can't spend your money...'

George [Folsey Jr]'s idea was: why don't we film us filming it, and then we can make a 45-minute documentary called The Making of Thriller, then in total that's an hour. And then sell that [to cable television] to get the money to make Thriller. [In the end they initiated a bidding war between cable companies.] The record company had no money in it, Michael had no money in it; and MTV and Showtime each put up $250k, so now we had the money, and it was fun.

Kim Blank (dancer) I think Michael Peters, the choreographer, called me directly about Thriller... I remember Michael had already done Beat It and I remember him calling me about it and me being really thrilled about it, but that he said something to me to the effect of, 'This isn't going to be a glamour job.'

Rick Baker You start with the casting of the actor's face, then the latex, the contact lenses... Michael's make-up started more as a werewolf and then became more cat-like. Normally you would make a cast of every actor's face, but we'd only have three days from meeting the dancers to finishing their faces, so we couldn't do it that way. I wasn't too happy about that, but in the end we made three sizes of zombie mask.We couldn't do the teeth how we normally would, either. I suggested that myself and the crew be zombies, so that we could have a few that were done properly - because we could have more time to work on the make-up.

Michele Simmons (dancer) We rehearsed it in Debbie Reynolds's dance studio [in North Hollywood]. Michael Peters called me up and said, 'I'm getting ready to do Thriller with Michael and I want you and Lorraine [Fields] to flank him, to be on either side of him' - because Michael Jackson knew us. We worked on television with him all through the Seventies and early Eighties.

Vincent Peters (dancer/choreographer's assistant) Michael Peters just wanted great dancers. He was a wonderful choreographer and I think he captured the zombie aspects of the movement really well. His choreography had eclectic rhythms, a sense of humour and a finger on the pulse of what was coming ahead in the world of dance.

Rick Baker Michael was great and very shy. I remember the first time John came over to shoot us working on Michael's make-up for his behind-the-scenes stuff - which I wasn't too happy about and Michael wasn't too happy about - Michael was so nervous that, as soon as the cameras came in, he ran off and hid in the bathroom. So different to when he was performing - Thriller was happening during the making of the Motown Anniversary Special, when Michael first did the moonwalk, and one of the guys bought a tape of the show in and said, 'Watch this.' That was him, when he was performing; that was when he came alive.

Deborah Landis (née Nadoolman) (costume designer) It was a dance that took place in a graveyard setting, it was dark, foggy, and I needed Michael to pop out of that picture. The shoulders of that jacket gave him some virility - this man, Michael, only about 99lb, he's 5ft 6in or 7in - and then he wore the red jeans and his trademark white socks and black shoes... I can look at my career and know that I designed Indiana Jones and know that I designed the Michael Jackson Thriller look. Those two things just seemed to become part of the fabric of the culture.

Brian Greenberg (cameraman) This was a much bigger production than Beat It had been. It had a definite beginning, middle and end to it. Beat It was done by a commercial director, Thriller was done by John Landis, who'd directed all these movies. He really covered it, like, Old Hollywood style - we had all the toys we needed to do it with.

Marty Thomas (props assistant) It was a long job and it was secret, you know? I remember we had to sign a non-disclosure agreement and not to tell anybody what we were filming, not to tell family or anything... very, very rare for music videos back then. What they would do is print up maps to the location and leave them around, but they were false locations. Somebody from the press would sneak on set and steal these maps and they were just sort of locations of the shopping mall that's closed, way way out in the Valley.

We couldn't believe it was just for one music video. It was a small city everywhere we went. There was a lot of police, a lot of security. And Landis, he would let people who made it there get pretty close, but behind a barrier. They had third and fourth and fifth assistant directors handling the crowd, which would be in numbers of two, three to four hundred, who had figured out where to go or had heard from one of the film crew or whatever, there watching on the set.

Lorraine Fields (dancer) This was before the internet, so I don't know how people found out. It was like dancing on stage, it was like doing a concert. We didn't start taping until the middle of the night. Every night it was like, he came out and people were screaming. It was like being in concert with Michael Jackson - it was very exciting.

John Landis It was amazing working with Michael at the time because it was at the height - it was like working with The Beatles at the height of Beatlemania or something, it was extraordinary being with him, because he was just ridiculously famous. It was like being with Jesus I used to say, because people used to see him and go into hysterics. Also, Michael's friends - it was so nuts. It used to be like, 'Michael, William [son of Walt] Disney's on the phone,' or Fred Astaire, who Michael had known very well since he was a kid. 'Mike, Henry Kissinger's on the phone'; 'Mike, President Reagan's calling.' Bizarro shit all the time.

My favourite moment during the making of Thriller, and one of the few times in my life I've ever been speechless, was when we were shooting the graveyard set in a meatpacking plant in East LA, a dodgy neighbourhood, by a freightyard. And we're shooting away and Michael's assistant comes to me and he says, 'Michael would like to see you in his trailer.' And I was like, 'OK, I'll be out in 20 minutes.'

So I go out - and it's like 3.30 in the morning - and there's a Winnebago out there and there's loads of security there, so I step up and I knock, and Michael's like, 'John, do you know Mrs Onassis?' and it was Jackie Kennedy...

Marty Thomas I was having lunch and Michael came and sat at the head of our table to talk to somebody else. It was just a crew table, and usually he was pretty separated - in fact, they told us at the start of the shoot, if anybody talks to Michael, you're fired. So he sat down and we're like, 'Oh, God,' and he started talking with us, and he had with him a mayonnaise and beansprout sandwich, and he said, 'Anyone wanna finish this?' and I said, 'I'll finish it!' So he gave me half of his mayonnaise and beansprout sandwich.

I ate a few bites and after he left I didn't finish it, and one of the guys said, 'Why'd you take that?' I said, 'Actually, I just want to be able to say when I'm 80, I just want to say, I ate half of Michael Jackson's sandwich.' Like, mayonnaise is supposed to be so bad for you now - he won't eat meat, but he'll eat all that lard.

Kim Blank I was in make-up, dancing in the street, all night, all night, for two nights in a row. I remember it took, like, two hours to put the make-up on and it took a long time to get it off. And I remember the next night, coming to get that make-up off again, my face was literally swollen at least 50 per cent. I wasn't expecting to look cute...

Lorraine Fields I remember at one point they got some dirt on the floor and stuck it on my face - 'This looks good.'

Michele Simmons They took moulds of our teeth for the dentures that they put in our mouths. When they made the extra dentures, you put those in your mouth and now you can't close your mouth, and when you can't close your mouth, the saliva falls out. And they just said, 'This is great! Let's just put some food colour and dye in there and that'll make it really nasty-looking!' That was part of the deal.

Marty Thomas One day, they were yelling, 'No flash pictures, Michael is very, very sensitive to light.' And I was like, that's so funny, you know? He's more sensitive than I am? He's standing in front of these 10 kilowatt lights all night long, man - but he can't handle a flashbulb? So we're all set - everybody ready? - and 'OK Mike'; 'No flashbulbs when Michael comes out.'

Michael comes out and he's got this gigantic bodyguard walking with him. And as he walks out, somebody flashes a shot, 'Snap!' And Michael, you might as well have hit him with a whip. He cowers down and he's like 'Uh... I just... that was right in my eye' and he's talking and he's leaning on the bodyguard and the guard's holding him up because he might fall down in a pile and melt... and he's saying 'Uh... I just... I just' and he turns around, and he starts being helped back into the motorhome. We're like, what?

The bodyguard looks around, he opens the door and helps him in, and somebody else comes out of the motorhome and helps him up the stairs, and the bodyguard looks at everyone with a look of death: how dare you? And he goes in and he turns around and he slams the door - at which the entire crew burst out laughing... I think he was really tired and he was punchy and he didn't like it that the set wasn't controlled - and he didn't like his picture being taken, so he was making a point.

Mike Wilhoit (sound editor) They didn't have sound when they shot it, just the song and some dialogue. We had some of the dancers come into the recording studio [afterwards] and record the sound of their feet... The biggest thing was the sound of the monsters and the zombies, to get them to sound all scary and weird: voices were changed around, reversed, played slower...

John Landis We put all the footage together and we saw it was, like, only 26 minutes long. Oh shit... I said, 'Do you have any other footage you own? What do you own? I literally went into the closet at Mike's house. I said, 'Mrs Jackson, where do you keep all your home movies?' 'I don't know.' And I found a box of home movies - and now everyone's seen it, that amazing 8mm footage of Mike dancing at five years old. I found that in a closet so I said, 'OK, we own this too...' We called it 'The Making of Filler'.

Michele Simmons I knew it was gonna be fabulous, but I was also of that mindset that we shouldn't have done it as a video [contractually speaking]... they show Thriller, still, all the time, and we're not paid a dime because it was considered publicity for the record company. So it was a huge rip-off. For the amount of people that were in Thriller and the amount of money that was made from it, they could have easily paid us.

Marty Thomas In one day I made over $1,000, which back then was a lot of money.

John Landis Vincent [Price] called me about a year later and he said, 'Look, the kid made the most successful record of all time and I made less than $1,000 dollars... Michael won't take my calls... I'm very upset about it.'

Sales of 'Thriller', the album, tripled after the Thriller video aired, sending it on its way to its current certified worldwide tally of 55 million sales (though some estimates put that figure at double). In February 1984, it won eight of the 12 Grammys for which it was nominated, and in 1999 VH1 viewers voted it the greatest video of all time. A new version including remixes by Kanye West and others is due for release in February.

John Landis We had a première - which was a riot - because Michael wanted a première. I've been to the Oscars and I've been to the Baftas, I've been to the Emmys, I've been to the Golden Globes, and I've never been anywhere like this première. It was incredible. There was everyone from Diana Ross and Warren Beatty to Prince. It was nuts. Amazing... got a standing ovation and all that stuff and they're shouting, 'Encore, encore,' and I said 'Encore? There is no f---ing encore!'

Then Eddie Murphy got up and shouted, 'Show the goddamn thing again!' So they sat and they watched Thriller again. Why not? It was just amazing, it was just amazing...

[Afterwards] Walter Yetnikoff said, 'OK, we own this music,' and I understand why he did it for his company - they had technically fulfilled their obligation to me with the theatrical release - so it went on Showtime, and two weeks later it went on MTV - and they showed Thriller and The Making of Thriller, like, 24 f---ing hours a day. [Yetnikoff] then took Thriller and gave it to every TV station in the world...

And so that was so extraordinary that it made MTV, and it made the video business become a real business. They priced video very high then - to buy a movie then was like $85, and that is what created the video rental market. The way it worked then, video stores, Blockbuster and Broadway video - they'd buy thousands of copies and then they would rent them, so the studio got nothing from the renting but they got their money up-front.

A guy name Walter Furst, he ran this company called Vestron Video, he called me and said, 'I want to put it out on VHS.' I said, 'We can't sell it for $90, it's on TV for free every five seconds.' He said 'No, no, no - we'll price it for sell-through' - the first time I ever heard that expression - 'We'll sell it for $24.95.' I thought, who's gonna buy it for $24.95?' But they shipped a million of them just in the United States. And what Thriller did, it created the sell-through video. It changed everything.

Thriller by the numbers

55m Estimated total sales of 'Thriller'. It's the second-biggest-selling album ever, after 'Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975' by The Eagles.

24 Michael Jackson's age when 'Thriller' was released. It was already - counting his solo, Jackson 5 and The Jacksons work - his 19th studio album.

3 The number of tracks Freddie Mercury recorded with Jackson in the early 1980s. Yet, to Mercury's great regret, not one of their collaborations made it on to 'Thriller'.

2 The number of calendar years in which 'Thriller' was the world's biggest-selling album. It achieved this 'double', unmatched by any other record, in 1983 and 1984.

1,000 - 10,000 The estimated, one-off fee (in American dollars) that Horror film veteran Vincent Price received for his narration on the Thriller song and video. He had opted for this form of payment, rather than a percentage of all album sales.

0 The number of music videos better than Thriller, according to MTV's '100 Greatest Videos Ever Made' list. It beat Madonna's Vogue to top spot.

1 The number of Playboy spreads that actress Ola Ray had featured in, before starring as Jackson's lover in the Thriller video. According to John Landis, Jackson had no idea what Playboy was, at the time of casting.

14 The length of the Thriller video, in minutes. It remained the world's longest music video until 1996, when it was surpassed by another Jackson video, for Ghosts.

2 The number of Jackson's siblings to appear on the 'Thriller' album. Janet and LaToya sang backing vocals on 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)'. Guitarist Paul Jackson wasn't a relation.

4 The number of the album's nine songs written by Michael himself: The Girl Is Mine, Billie Jean, Beat It and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin. These were also the first four 'Thriller' tracks to be released as singles.


Source:Telegraph.co.uk   

A spokesperson for Michael Jackson has said that accusations that he has disowned his children’s nanny are a “hilarious rumour.”

Jackson was accused on Tuesday (October 9th) of disowning Grace Rwaramba who is understood to be suffering from Lupus disease.

A source told the New York Daily Post: "(Rwaramba) is not doing well. She's ill, and she could use his spiritual, mental and financial support right now.

"I do believe (Jackson) has affection for Grace, but he acts like a child. He could at least give her a call and say, 'How are you doing, Grace? Do you need more doctors?' But it's never like that. It's always taking."

Jackson’s spokesperson, Raymone Bain, has denied the claims however. Bain said: "(It's a) hilarious rumour. I can guarantee she is not very ill, I've spoken to her in the last two hours."

Last month it was reported that Jackson had married Rwaramba, although these claims were also denied.


Source:Gigwise/MJTKOP

According to rumours in the press and Michael Jackson fan community, the King Of Pop is currently in New York to be photographed for the cover of Italian Vogue magazine and spent hours having his hair styled to perfection.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Jackson has been holed up in a fancy Midtown hotel since Thursday (13.09.07) afternoon with an enormous entourage.

"Since he arrived he has only left once, at 5am, to take part in the 10-hour shoot for Italian Vogue.

Michael is believed to be appearing in a sprawling spread in the fashion magazine, however, it is still to be confirmed by Vogue.

As this story has came from the NY Post it should be taken as a rumour until it is confirmed.

MJTKOP will post any more news of MJ in New York as it becomes available.

Source:NY Post/MJTKOP.COM

A Brussels court has ruled that Michael Jackson's 1995 hit "You are not alone" is largely similar to a song penned by Belgian twins two years previously, local media reported Tuesday.

All the authorial rights of the Jackson number one hit, written by Robert Kelly, alias US singer-songwriter R. Kelly, therefore are switched to the brothers according to the court ruling handed down last week.

The twin composers have fought for 12 years to gain recognition for their work, however the judgment is only applicable in Belgium and getting hold of royalties may be no simple task.

"You are not alone" was released in August 1995, the second single off the multi-platinum Jackson album 'HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'.

It became the first-ever single to debut at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

On their website the Belgian composer-brothers said that the Belgian rights society SABAM had confirmed that "the most important and largest part" of the Jackson hit is "identical" to the Van Passels' work.


Source:AFP/MJTKOP

MJ and Will have done 3 or 4 songs 2 of them are finished

In an interview with KIIS FM last Thursday producer Will.I.Am revealed some more info about the new album, namely that him and Michael have done about 3 or 4 songs together and 2 of them are finished.

"We probably did like 3, 4 songs" Will.I.Am told KIIS FM, when asked if they where finished he replied "Two of them are"

According to speculation in the MJ fan community 2 possible titles for the songs are 'I'm Dreamin' and 'The Future'

Out of the four songs Will.I.Am has wrote two, Michael has wrote one and the both wrote one together.

Will also revealed that the songs are feel good songs and they aren't songs about Michael's life, "They're just feel good joints. Really feel good songs." Will told KIIS FM.

Will also revealed that Michael is doing great, he's in a great place and the vents of the last few years have not taken its toll on him. "When I was with him it was a super-duper place. You know? Flying to Ireland and being there for like a week in this great facility, great studios, great vibe, great atmosphere. It was just awesomeness."

Unfortunatley Will.I.Am did not hint at any release date as to the release of the new songs or indeed the release of a new album, "See I don't know when he's gonna put them out. That's up to him. It's his project. You know?, I'd put them out tomorrow. But I dunno dude. He'd probably be like, kinda angry" Will.I.Am told KIIS.

A transcript of the Will.I.Am interview can be found below.

Ryan Seacrest: It's 9:05am, five minutes after nine o'clock. How about Michael Jackson? Are you working with him?

will.i.am: Yeh, I went to Ireland to work with Mike. That was a great experience.

Ryan: What have you done so far with him?

Will: We probably did like 3, 4 songs.

Ryan: Are they finished?

Will: Two of them are.

Ryan: What are they like? When are they coming out? Tell us.

Will: See I don't know when he's gonna put them out. That's up to him. It's his project. You know?

Ryan: But they're done and it's up to him?

Will: I'd put them out tomorrow. But I dunno dude. He'd probably be like, kinda angry.

Ryan: How's he doing?

Will: Awesome.

Ryan: How is he to work with?

Will: The freshest.

Ryan: Really?

Will:Tabanackle.

Ryan: Has anything over the last few years, in your mind when you were working with him, taken its toll on him? Or is he in a good place mood right now?

Will: When I was with him it was a super-duper place. You know? Flying to Ireland and being there for like a week in this great facility, great studios, great vibe, great atmosphere. It was just awesomeness.

Ryan: Are the songs about his life?

Will: No, no. They're just feel good joints. Really feel good songs.

Co-host: Did you write them together? Did he write them? Did you write them?

Will: Um, a little bit of both. I wrote two songs, then he wrote one song and then we wrote one song together.


MJTKOP.COM

A judge in Santa Maria ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit filed against pop star Michael Jackson and Marian Medical Center cannot continue in court as filed.

The suit was filed by the family of a Santa Maria woman who died at the hospital shortly after she was moved to another room to make space for the entertainer to be examined.

Judge Rodney Melville of Santa Barbara County Superior Court, who was also the judge in Jackson's child-molestation case two and a half years ago, granted demurrers filed by attorneys for Jackson and Marian Medical Center. He also gave the attorney for the plaintiffs, San Luis Obispo-based James McKiernan, 30 days in which to file a re-drafted complaint.

McKiernan immediately said he would re-file the necessary documents.

A demurrer is a pleading that attacks the legal sufficiency of an opponent's pleadings.

The complaint, filed in February, alleges abuse of celebrity status and blames Marian Medical Center and Jackson for the “outrageous, circus-like atmosphere they orchestrated during the last hours of Manuela Ruiz's life and its obvious emotional and mental lasting effects upon the plaintiffs.”

The plaintiffs, mostly children of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, are seeking undetermined damages. They allege intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, elder abuse, false imprisonment and conspiracy on the part of Jackson, Marian Medical Center and Catholic Healthcare West, which owns the hospital.

During his trial, which ultimately resulted in his acquittal on child-molestation charges, Jackson was taken to Marian Feb. 15, 2005, complaining of flu-like symptoms.

Ruiz, a 73-year-old woman who was on life-support after a massive heart attack, was moved from a two-bed trauma room so that Jackson could privately occupy the room, according to the plaintiffs' complaint.

Ruiz was moved to an exam room, while kept alive by hand-pumped oxygen, until she could be reconnected to life-support machines. She had another heart attack, but milling crowds delayed her arrival at the critical-care unit, according to the complaint. She died later that evening.

During the hearing Tuesday, the attorney for the hospital, Santa Barbara-based Hugh Spackman, argued that facts alleged in the case were filed under an ill-fitting cause of action.

McKiernan, attorney for the plaintiffs, defended the allegations in the complaint as being based on an “outrageous set of facts,” and he described the events surrounding Jackson's hospital stay as “highly unusual.”

Outside court after Melville's granting of the demurrers, McKiernan said the judge didn't find that Jackson or the hospital had a duty to Ruiz's relatives.

McKiernan said he will file a re-drafted complaint in the case.

“We're always confident in our work,” he said.

Spackman and the attorney representing Jackson in the case, Timothy Gorry of Los Angeles, declined to comment on the judge's ruling.

Source: http://www.lompocrecord.com

Michael Jackson was in Washington DC yesterday touring the capital…

Michael Jackson touring the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space and American Indian museums yesterday. The reclusive pop star (trademark hat, sunglasses, striped pants), his kids (well behaved) and bodyguards arrived before the buildings opened to the public. At Air and Space, the 45-minute tour was led by 84-year-old Deputy Director Don Lopez, a World War II ace who gave Jackson a similar tour 25 years ago.

The singer lingered over the 1903 Wright Flyer, his kids loved R2-D2 and C-3PO. What’s he doing in D.C.? The tourist thing. “He wanted to show them the sights,” said rep Raymone Bain, who said Jackson will be in the area for a few days.

Washington Post

The matter ended up in court and the jet’s owner is now the target of a civil lawsuit. The jet company wants the judge to set punitive damages without hearing from witnesses who would have testified about his financial worth.

The judge has heard testimony in the two million dollar invasion-of-privacy suit, but hasn’t ruled on it yet.

Jackson was later acquitted on all charges.

Associated Press

Much of the rock ‘n’ roll and pop canon is well established.Buying the albums of `60s and `70s acts like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley is akin to a rite of passage for any young music fan. These are the artists that baby boomers love to keep buying, and with whom seemingly every teenager at some point experiments.

Now that the `80s and `90s are ancient history, what albums are people still buying from those decades? Do critical favorites like Radiohead and the Pixies grow more popular with time? Or do the Backstreet Boys and Madonna still rule the charts?

Michael Jackson, of course, still has one of the most desirable back catalogs. His best- selling “Thriller” moves over 60,000 copies a year and his “Number Ones” collection yielded 162,000 sales last year.

Associated Press

A clause in the existing agreement between the Thriller singer and the Japanese electronic giant prevents Sony backing a music publisher to rival their Sony/ATV venture, which has the copyrights to all 252 Beatles songs in its catalogue.

If Sony can persuade its volatile and cash-strapped business partner to relax or even erase the clause as part of the negotiations, that would allow Sony BMG, the recorded music concern, to become a part-competitor.

Sony BMG is desperate to enter the music publishing market because it would help to offset the collapse in recorded music and would allow the record label behind Justin Timberlake and Bob Dylan to sign up songwriters in tandem with acts.

Recorded music sales are expected to be off by as much as 11 per cent this year, but publishing has been more stable because it generates income from growing areas, such as radio airplay and use of music in advertising as well as CD and download sales.

Rolf Schmidt-Holz, Sony BMG’s chief executive, said in May that “we will do everything to reenter the market for music publishing”. His remarks surprised rival executives, who knew that a decision to go into publishing was not within his power. However, the existence of the previously unknown discussions explains his confidence.

Discussions between Sony and Jackson are at an early stage and could collapse. Relations between the two have been strained in the past. Sony/ATV has faced problems making acquisitions because contacting the controversial star quickly enough to agree bids has been difficult.

Jackson recently agreed to allow Sony/ATV to expand aggressively under Marty Bandier, the newly appointed chief executive. The company now also has an option, which it has so far declined to exercise, to buy a further 25 per cent of the business from its partner. It is unclear how far the shareholder agreement between the two parties will be relaxed. There are hopes that Jackson will not have to be paid, although if that is the case he is likely to insist that Sony BMG can only sign up a handful of songwriters.

Half-owned by Sony and Bertlesmann, of Germany, Sony BMG is the second-largest recorded music company in the world, but it is unique because the company does not include a publishing arm.

The music business is traditionally split into two halves. Recorded music operations find, develop and promote artists, while music publishing units handle and manage songwriter copyrights. Its rivals Universal, EMI and Warner Music all conduct both activities.

Sony and Sony BMG declined to comment.

Times Online.

Michael thanks hotel staff for their efforts.

Michael Jackson's children infuriated hotel staff by ordering fast food from room service at 4am, it has been claimed.

The 'Thriller' singer - who was staying at the Inn at Perry Cabin in the seaside town of St. Michael's, Maryland, last week - demanded finger food be brought to his room for ten-year-old Prince Michael, nine-year-old girl Paris and five-year-old Prince Michael II, who is known as 'Blanket'.

"We were getting calls at 4am from Jackson himself asking for all kinds of things, including chicken fingers and other types of kids' food."

However Jackson was apologetic for his requests, and thanked the staff for their efforts.

The source added: "He even called and blessed the manager."

The 'Beat It' singer is rumoured to be looking into buying a home in St. Michaels after it was made a "no-fly zone".

The picturesque town has become a property hot spot for stars wanting to escape paparazzi helicopters after US Vice President Dick Cheney imposed the ban when he bought a house there in 2005.

Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton enjoys yachting holidays in the town and both Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey are also said to be looking at beachfront homes.


Source: Monsters and Critics/MJTKOP.COM

Raymone Bain confirms Michael is visiting Maryland to "scout out some summer houses."

Local media reported that Jackson helicoptered last weekend into the 17th century Chesapeake Bay-front village on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where the US vice president and former defense secretary keep holiday getaways, to cruise the real estate market for his own digs.

Washington's Examiner newspaper reported Tuesday that he checked into the luxurious colonial manor house Inn at Perry Cabin -- though the innkeepers weren't talking -- while the local WBAL television showed footage from the air of a mysterious person hiding behind white sheets as he got into a stretch limousine at the hotel.

The Washington Post said Wednesday that Jackson's Washington-based publicist Raymone Bain confirmed the visit to "scout out some summer houses."

"He's always admired the properties on the East Coast because they have a lot of land. Neverland (Jackson's shuttered California estate) has 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) -- he likes privacy. You can't find as many properties like that on the West Coast," Bain said.

If he does buy in St. Michaels -- a romantic tourist town in an area of corn farmers, crab and oyster fishermen and duck hunters -- he will be trading the flashy Hollywood elite he knows well for Washington's grey-suited powerful and privileged.


Source:AFP/MJTKOP

The lawsuit by Prescient Acquisition, a Hackensack, New Jersey, firm, was settled just as jury selection was set to begin in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

Terms of the settlement were not released.

Steven Altman, a lawyer for businessman Darien Dash, who owns Prescient, said Dash was owed the money for helping Jackson refinance a $272 million (€202.9 million) bank loan and secure $573 million (€427.5 million) in financing to buy Sony’s half of the Beatles’ song catalog that Sony co-owned with Jackson.

Jackson had claimed he never heard of Dash and did not remember signing an agreement.

Associated Press

Michael Jackson says in a court deposition that the Rev. Jesse Jackson and billionaire Ron Burkle gave him advice to help save him from financial disaster when he was fighting child molestation charges.

The Daily News said in Sunday editions it reviewed seven hours of transcripts, finding that the singer believed disloyal advisers took advantage of him financially before a Santa Maria, Calif., jury acquitted him of child molestation in June 2005.

Michael Jackson said in a deposition taken last summer in Paris that the entertainment industry was "full of sharks, charlatans and impostors."

"Because there's a lot of money involved, there's a bunch of schmucks in there," Jackson said. "It's the entertainment world, full of thieves and crooks. That's not new. Everybody knows that."

Jackson testified that during his trial he received wise advice during bathroom break cell phone calls with Burkle, the billionaire friend of former President Clinton.

Burkle brought in Jesse Jackson, who has known Michael Jackson since he was a child, to help with the consultations, the newspaper said.

The deposition was made in preparation for a civil trial expected to begin this week in U.S. District Court. The case against Jackson was brought by a Hackensack, N.J. finance company that claims he cheated the company of $48 million.


Sorce:Associated Press/Yahoo! News

Justice are a hot new dance act from France and they will be releasing a Michael Jackson tribute song on their new album.

The tribute song is called D.A.N.C.E and the single will be released on June 11.

In a recent Q&A session with Scotland's Daily Record newspaper the dance act spoke about the song.

Q THERE'S a tribute song about Michael Jackson on the album. Why is that?

A BECAUSE we love him and he had so many law problems we just wanted to say: "Man, we're by your side." So we wrote lyrics about him and turned everything into a song called D.A.N.C.E.

Q AREN'T you worried there might be a backlash against this record with Michael Jackson's previous history?

A HOPEFULLY there won't be, but the thing is that this is a sincere love declaration to Michael, so there's no reason for one.

For the full Q&A goto: www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Click here to buy the D.A.N.C.E single from Amazon

Source:MJTKOP..

An auctioneer and seller disagreed Friday on how much money was made, but said they were satisfied with a two-day auction of Jackson family memorabilia conducted at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Auctioneer Arlan Ettinger, president of New York-based Guernsey's, estimated sales at about $1 million. The seller, Universal Express Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla., issued a statement estimating sales at $1.5 million to $2 million.

"It wasn't our biggest sale by a long shot, but in the end we're pleased," said Ettinger, who said that a final tally was yet to be made.

Universal Express chief executive Richard Altomare, declared the company "happy with the results of this first one," and announced tentative plans for a second auction of Jackson family items that were withheld, unsold or not offered this week. No date was set.

Ettinger said one of the priciest items to sell in the two-day event was a black, military style coat with an "M" crest that belonged to Michael Jackson. Altomare revised earlier reports and said the black crested jacket sold for $20,400.

"We still have tens of thousands of additional smaller items that we think will be exciting," Altomare said, including Michael Jackson gloves, master tapes and recordings of some never-released Jackson family songs.

Ettinger said almost all the 1,100 lots offered Wednesday and Thursday were sold, including family documents and gold and platinum record awards.

The auctioneer said he felt the Jackson auction drew fewer people than an auction of Elvis Presley/Graceland memorabilia he conducted in Las Vegas in 1999. But he said he thought thousands of bidders took part via the Internet.

Associated Press

Memorabilia From Michael, Janet, Jermaine, Tito, La Toya -- Acquired by Universal Express -- Will Be Sold at May 30-31 Auction With Some Proceeds Supporting Children in Need; King of Pop Invited to Sign Autographs on Items Sold for More Than $150K

Spanning decades of music and performances by Michael Jackson and his talented siblings, the upcoming Guernsey's auction of Jackson Family memorabilia will not only appeal to fans, it will also benefit children throughout the world. To help raise even more money, Universal Express, owner of the collection, has invited Michael Jackson to attend and personally autograph all memorabilia items that command more than $150,000.

Ten percent of the proceeds of the sale of the spectacular personal Jackson Family items will be donated by Universal Express. Charities benefiting from the auction include:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Save the Children

In recognition of this great event, Universal Express has invited celebrities affiliated with the charities, including Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Lee Curtis, Oscar De La Renta, Jeff Gordon, Grammy®-nominated Kelis, Marlo Thomas, Denzel Washington, and more, to be auctioneers for some of the items. Participation by these great luminaries would help increase awareness of their respective charities, as well as garner more money to support them.
"We are thrilled to be involved in auctioning one of the all-time greatest collections of music memorabilia," commented Richard Altomare, Chairman and CEO of Universal Express. "It is particularly gratifying to know that the generation who enjoyed the Jacksons' music from their first appearances as The Jackson Five through the early 1990s, can now help support today's children through their winning auction bids."

The Jackson Auction will take place at the famed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, on May 30th and 31st.


Source:Marketwire

Veteran producer Quincy Jones has snubbed the chance to work with Michael Jackson again.

The legend, who produced Jacko's 1982 album 'Thriller', still the best-selling LP of all time, said he had been in contact with the singer.

He told NME.COM: "Man please, I've got enough to do. We already did that. I have talked to him about working with him again but I've got too much to do. I've got 900 products, I'm 74 years old. Give me a break."

Jones, who picked up The Special International Award at the Ivor Novello Awards, also praised Amy Winehouse  and her producer Mark Ronson.

He added: "Mark Ronson is almost my son-in-law. He's a great producer and I'm a big fan of Amy's music."

As previously reported on NME.COM, Jackson had been rumoured to be working on tracks in Ireland with Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am.

The singer hasn't released a studio album since 2001's 'Invincible', but a new song recently surfaced on the web featuring Fugees member Pras.

Source:NME...

Pop superstar Michael Jackson made a surprise visit to Britain today. The singer flew in from Los Angeles and swept through Heathrow Airport with a police escort.

Dressed in a smart, blue-and-white pin-striped shirt with dark sunglasses, the King of Pop waved to fans before being whisked away by minders. There was no sign of his children Prince, 10, Paris, nine, and five-year-old "Blanket".

It is believed Jackson, 48, will be meeting record company executives in London and hooking up with old friend David Gest.

Source:Yahoo! Launch/MJTKOP.COM

Michael Jackson's spokewoman, Raymone Bain, released the follwing statement today stating that Michael would not personally attend a Las Vegas court to testify in the Universal Express Jackson Family auction items case.

Contrary to published reports, Mr. Michael Jackson will not be personally appearing in court in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, May 18, 2007, regarding the auction items issue.

 Raymone Bain

MJTKOP...

According to press releases released today Michael Jackson will attend a Las Vegas court on Friday to determine the ownership of millions of dolalrs worth of Jackson Family items which are due to be auctioned on May 30th and May 31st in Las Vegas.

The press release says that Michael Jackson and Universal Express' CEO Richard Altomare will give testimony to clarify the trail of ownership of thousands of purchased items of the Jackson family (www.usxp.com/jackson), which are scheduled to be auctioned this month.

Mr. Altomare said, "I have instructed our counsel to request cameras in this courtroom to clearly show our long held position of legal ownership.

"Emotions are understandable but actual possession, documentation and previous legal rulings present our case most soundly.

"Mr. Jackson will be questioned by Universal Express attorneys and asked to identify items, as our witnesses and documentation stands ready for exposure. I trust Mr. Jackson is equally prepared," concluded Richard A. Altomare.

It is yet to be confirmed or denied by any of Michael's team that he is actually due to appear in court to testify or whether he will be represented by someone else.

By the looks of it Universal Express may well legally own all of the items in question but there is no doubt there may be items in the collection which are of sentimental value to Michael Jackson, like his gold records perhaps or personal writings, MJTKOP thinks that if this is the case then Michael should be allowed to take possesion of any items that are of personal significance or sentimental value.

We'll keep you posted.

MJTKOP.COM

MJ contesting ownership of some of the Jackson Family auction items

Universal Express and the auction house Guernsey's have in the past few days received a hearing notice for early next week from Michael Jackson's attorneys contesting ownership of some of the legally purchased collection.

Universal Express and its attorney's have stated they will respond to the frivolous accusations of Mr. Jackson's attorneys.

"When the legal facts of this issue are presented we anticipate that the auction will continue as planned," said Mr. Richard Altomare, CEO and Chairman of Universal Express.

"We own the property definitively, and this unwarranted interference may result in substantial damages.

"Any damage, delay, lost momentum or anticipated lost revenues will result in several legal actions for this auction's full potential." concluded Mr. Altomare.

MJTKOP will try and keep you updated of any further developments in this case.


Source:Marketwire/Yahoo! News/MJTKOP.COM

King Of Pop a devoted father

Pop icon Michael Jackson's kids impressed journalist Jamie Foster Brown during a recent trip to Japan.

The 'Sister 2 Sister' publisher was staying with Jackson and his three kids - 10-year old Prince Michael, 9-year old Paris, and 5-year old Prince Michael II - in Tokyo to 'observe' the family.

And, from what he saw, Brown could not stop admiring the King of Pop's devotion as a father, who has brought up his kids to be polite and well behaved.

"Michael is a devoted father... He's raising them to be very polite, humble, and, believe it or not, pretty ordinary. They are calm, relaxed kids who play jokes on their dad," Contactmusic quoted Brown, as saying.

Brown revealed that the 'Black or White' singer takes care that his kids don't grow up as some spoiled arrogant kids of a famous man.

"At one point, Michael thought that his daughter had been rude to me and he got very upset," he said.

"He's raising them to be less pretentious than many children I have met," he added.


Source:ANI

The famous quintet (barring Michael Jackson) will be coming to India to sing for a Bollywood movie.

Indian composer Bappi Lahiri is learnt to have convinced the Jackson Five to record a song for a Hindi film.

Reportedly, Lahiri met Jermaine and Randy during the release of his album ‘Kavita’ in Los Angeles. The two Jacksons had come to release the album. While interacting with Lahiri, Jermaine and Randy expressed their desire to sing for a Hindi movie.

When Lahiri came back to India he contacted the Jacksons again and asked them to come down and record a song for one of his forthcoming movies as a music director.

Lahiri says the Jacksons agreed and will most likely be coming to Mumbai in July to record the song.

Michael Jackson will not be coming.

Source:mjtkop..

A June trial date has been set for Michael Jackson's multi-million pound monetary battle with cousin Damon Dash.

Damon Dash, who owns Prescient Acquisition Group of Hackensack, has claimed that Jackson owes his company 48 million dollars.

Dash's company had refinanced a 272 million dollar bank loan and arranged 537 million dollars for Jackson so that he could takeover Sony's half interest in The Beatles' catalog of songs in 2004.

At that time, Jackson, who is reportedly getting rid of his 2,700 acre Neverland estate to settle a debt of 200 million dollars, was fighting child molestation charges.

"Many business people were unwilling to risk public association with a man who was then widely viewed as the world's most notorious pedophile," Dash's attorney, Steven Altman told the New York Daily News.

But the Jackson's attorney Londell MCMillan is pleading his innocence, saying, "Michael is not going to be hijacked by the threat of fraudulent claims."

It's still unclear if the troubled singer will appear in Judge Kevin Castel's courtroom in New York on 18 June.

ANI

Ne Yo's latest album an attempt to channel Michael's early material
Singer and songwriter Ne-Yo (Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable'`, Rihanna's 'Unfaithful') has released his second album and it's very clear by whom he was inspired very much: the one and only Michael Jackson.

Executive producer Jay-Z gets right to the point, rapping, ''Ne-Yo's like young Michael/I'm Quincy Hov'' (''Crazy''). The album is an attempt to channel Michael Jackson's early Quincy Jones-helmed LPs — and according to Entertainment Weekly the effort often pays off beautifully:

"'Because of You's' polished string sections and muted horns could have been recorded in 1979, but they sound elegant, not dated. And Ne-Yo's lithe falsetto puts the countless others who've been dubbed Jackson-esque to shame. His lyrics have a gentlemanly feel that's reminiscent of Thriller-era Jackson too: ''Leaving Tonight,'' his lovely brink-of-a-breakup duet with Jennifer Hudson, unfolds as a civil dialogue in the vein of MJ's ''The Girl Is Mine.''

Unlike Jackson, Ne-Yo sometimes lets his polite style shade into stiffness. But when he finally gives his id room to breathe on ''Say It'' and ''Sex With My Ex,'' he shows he can handle racy themes and aggressive beats without dumbing down or sleazing up his songwriting."


Source:Entertainment Weekly/MJFC/MJTKOP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Three members of the Jackson musical clan are to take part in a US reality television show aimed at unearthing a new superstar pop family, entertainment media reported on Wednesday.

The daily Variety reported that former Jackson Five members Jermaine and Tito along with sister LaToya, will be the judges on the show, which will be titled "Pop Dynasty".

However the two highest-profile members of the Jackson family -- Michael and Janet -- were not expected to be involved with the series, the report said.

The show will be the latest project aiming to emulate the success of hit series "American Idol", the program which seeks to uncover new pop stars and is the most popular show on US television.


Source: AFP/Yahoo! News

Michael Jackson's Number Ones album is still going strong in the UK Top 40 Album charts this week, last week we reported that the album had re-entered the chart at number 39, this week it has gained two places and is sitting at number 37.

MJTKOP thinks the re-entry of Number Ones into the UK charts can be attributed to several reasons, the release of a new slide pack in February this year and a growing interest in Michael's music with younger music buyers due to increased media interest in Michael and the anticipation of a new album release.

MJTKOP.COM

Michael may take legal action to stop the sale

LAS VEGAS - More than 1,100 Jackson family items are set for auction in Las Vegas next month, but a representative for Michael Jackson says the pop star is considering legal action to stop the sale.

"Mr. Jackson was not aware and he is extremely upset that his memorabilia was included amongst the memorabilia that is being auctioned off," said spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain.

The Jacksons Auction is scheduled May 30-31 at the Hard Rock hotel resort.

Guernsey's auction house said items include Michael Jackson's gold record for his "Thriller" album, handwritten lyrics for The Jackson Five hit "ABC" and a "Victory Tour" program signed by Jackson family members.

Arlan Ettinger, founder and president of Guernsey's, compared the sale to an auction of Elvis Presley/Graceland memorabilia he conducted in Las Vegas in 1999.

"It certainly is in that sphere of landmark, high-profile, extraordinary auctions," Ettinger told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Michael Jackson, 48, has been living in Las Vegas while he evaluates proposals for a comeback after his 2005 acquittal in California on child molestation charges.

His father, former Jackson Five manager Joe Jackson, also lives in Las Vegas. He didn't respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Ettinger said the collection was owned by luggage transportation company Universal Express Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., which bought it last year from a New Jersey construction company owner.

The former owner, Henry Vaccaro, claimed a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court. Michael Jackson and his sister Janet Jackson sued to stop Vaccaro from taking ownership, but a Los Angeles judge threw out Michael Jackson's claim in 2006.

The status of Janet Jackson's claim was unclear Wednesday. Messages left with her publicist weren't immediately returned.

Other items include a test pressing of The Jackson Five's "I Want You Back," Marlon Jackson's glitter jacket, Randy Jackson's futuristic 1984 stage boots and a white fedora believed to be from Michael Jackson's "Bad" album music video.

The Today show got a preview of some of the memoriabilia up for sale in The Fabulous Jacksons Auction, to be held May 30 & 31 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas:

"I WANT YOU BACK," ORIGINAL TEST PRESSING, 1969
The Jackson 5 would score an early hit with their single "I Want You Back" in 1969. This original 45 rpm test pressing for the tune is dated 10/31/69 and has the names of the Jackson brothers, "The Jackson 5 Motown," and the song title inscribed in black ink on the plain white label. The handwriting is believed to be that of Tito Jackson as the 45 is also inscribed "Tito & Dee" at the bottom edge. Excellent condition. Running time: 2:44.

HANDWRITTEN "ABC" LYRICS BY TITO JACKSON
These handwritten "ABC" lyrics were drafted upon a sheet of notebook paper in blue ball-point pen. It is believed Tito Jackson sent these to his love, Dee Dee. The lyrics have been folded several times but remain in excellent condition. 11x8 1/2.

MICHAEL JACKSON "THRILLER" GOLD AWARD, 1982
This RIAA certified award for the sale of a half million copies of "Thriller" was presented to Michael Jackson. The gold single 45 and the presentation placard with hologram are mounted in black matting in a black laquered wood frame. Excellent condition. 17 1/2x13.

MARLON BRANDO TELEGRAM TO MICHAEL, 1984
This Western Union telegram is dated 07/06/84 and reads: "Dear Michael, Thinking about you this evening. Please try not to make an ass of yourself and please, for God's sake, don't fall in the orchestra pit. Marlon." Also has Brando's Beverly Hills address following. Shows age-related wear and discoloration. 7x8.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S BLACK FEDORA
This black fedora with black hatband was designed with the "King of Pop" in mind. "Michael Jackson" is printed on the interior sweatband. Made of 100% wool, in the USA. Size: Large. Excellent condition.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S AVIATOR SUNGLASSES
When Michael Jackson entered the ranks of pop royalty, he did so looking tres chic in these high fashion aviator-style sunglasses. Sparking in a world wide fashion trend, Michael was spotted in these style of Wings Bausch & Lomb gold-toned wire framed glasses, with protective tinted lenses. Markings on the right ear covering indicate: US PAT DCS 273 974. Excellent condition showing signs of wear consistent with use.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S BLACK CRESTED JACKET
This black silk jacket with gold embellishment was custom made for the King of Pop. The exterior left chest contains a large European crest with an "M" at center and sequined epaulettes have been attached at the shoulders. Numerous gold-toned buttons contain the phrase "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense," propagating the myth of Michael's royal status. Excellent condition.

"VICTORY TOUR" PROGRAM SIGNED INDIVIDUALLY BY THE JACKSON'S
Autographed in black marker by all members of the Jackson family. It is sealed in plastic and mounted on foam core, and is in near-mint condition.

JANET JACKSON'S "MAE WEST" COSTUME
The young (approximately 8-10 years old) Janet Jackson wore this tailored Mae West costume while performing with her family in a Las Vegas stage act. The bodice is fashioned in shades of a pink satin-like material and embellished with sequins and layers of tulle at the hemline. Complete with matching ornate hat. Excellent condition.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S HANDWRITTEN SONG LYRICS WITH NOTATIONS
This sheet of lined notebook paper contains Michael Jackson's handwritten lyrics to a song he has entitled "Little Susie." The words penned by the artist in blue ball point ink reveal a work in progress with a sketch on the verso. Also included, two sheets of white paper containing typed lyrics with a shift in the spelling of the title, "Little Suzie." One sheet bears changes and stylistic edits by presumably the songwriter. Excellent condition with folding creases at the center and slight discoloration resulting from age. 8 1/2 x 11.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S WIRELESS MICROPHONE
This all black style of NADY Systems wireless microphone with receiver was indispensable for Michael while performing his energetic dance moves. The receiver bears the markings: Model VHF 700, serial no 2898 0826, frequency 183.20. The mic shows signs of wear consistent with performance use. Microphone: 11x2, receiver: 10x9.

RANDY JACKSON'S STAGE WORN BOOTS, 1984
These custom made boots were designed as part of the elaborate stage costumes the brothers wore in the 1980s. The highly styled silver-toned leather boots are futuristic in appearance yet purposefully built for dance maneuvers. The body of each boot has been encased with black leather quilting to magnify their appearance. Embellished with silver-toned buckles throughout the design. "Randy" has been printed upon the soft suede interior of both boots in black marker. Excellent condition.

USA FOR AFRICA MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARD, 1985
This Moonman statue was presented to supergroup USA for Africa for the celebrated "We Are The World" video. The silver-toned "spaceman" is mounted on a black base with presentation plaque stating that this award honors the "Best Group Video." Excellent condition; light scratching to the base has resulted from handling. Statue: 9x5; base: 4 1/2x2.

MICHAEL JACKSON SIGNED CHARLIE CHAPLIN DRAWING
This black and white rendering of Charlie Chaplin as "Little Tramp" was executed by Michael Jackson in graphite, charcoal, and pink conte crayon. It is signed by Michael on the front and also on the paper backing. Custom framed in silver-colored metal with black matting. Excellent condition. Frame: 25x19, image: 19x13.

MARLON JACKSON GLITTER PERFORMANCE JACKET
This Bill Whitten cutaway jacket was custom made for Marlon Jackson. In silver brocade with quilted arabesque patterns, the piece is heavily embroidered with silver sequins and iridescent plastic beads. Edged in red mock gemstones. Excellent condition.

JACKSON 5 "SONY & CHER SHOW" COSTUMES, C.74
The hallmark of 1970's Jackson 5 performance wear was coordinated flash. These polyester outfits were worn for a 1974 performance on the "Sonny & Cher Show." They have matching embroidery and sprinkled rhinestones on the legs, lapels, and collars. The pants have cummerbund style waistbands. The pink and maroon suit belonged to Jackie, the orange and brown suit belonged to Tito, and a pair of green pants were part of Randy's suit. All garments show considerable performance and age-related wear.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S BILL WHITTEN RED & GOLD COAT, 80s
By the mid-1980's, Michael Jackson had become music royalty in the US, as well as abroad. His choice of clothing during this period reflected the magnitude of his fame. This ornate red coat designed by Bill Whitten is heavily embellished with gold-toned embroidery and buttons. A long braided rope is attached at the upper left shoulder and wraps around to the left chest. The interior tag reveals the designer's logo and suggests the item was custom made as it bears no tags or material information. Excellent condition; showing signs of wear.

MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPHED "ROCK WITH YOU" SHEET MUSIC
This is the sheet music for the Michael Jackson hit song "Rock With You." It is signed "Michael Jackson Love 81" in the upper right corner of the cover. Published by Almo Publications of A&M Records. Excellent condition, with signs of age. 12x9.

MICHAEL JACKSON AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO, 1998
This inscribed color photograph shows an introspective Michael in nautical style clothing positioned against a sky blue background. The inscription reads "To Kat I Love You, Michael Jackson, 1998." Excellent condition. 14x11.


Source:AP/MSNBC/MJTKOP.COM

As anticipation for Michael's new album to be released grows stronger UK music lovers are getting a taste of whats to come buy emptying music stores of Michael Jackson's 2003 compilation album 'Number Ones'.

Number Ones made an amazing re-entry into the official UK Top 40 Album charts this week at number 39, a sign that the music buying public just can't stop lovin' MJ. Number Ones hit number one in the charts on it's original release, the album contains 17 classic MJ tracks and one new song, 'One More Chance. The album was recently re-released in europe in a slide pack.


Michael Jackson's Number Ones in at 39 in the UK Top 40 album chart

Help keep Michael's Number Ones album in the charts buy buying a copy from Amazon. Click the link below to get the new Number Ones Slide Pack.

Buy Number Ones: Slide Pack


Source:MJTKOP.COM

It turns out that the London woman looking to have a say in Michael Jackson's custody arrangement wouldn't mind if a little child support was thrown her way, as well.

Nona Paris Lola Jackson kept on keepin' on Tuesday, filing papers in Los Angeles Superior Court in which she asks for child support payments and shared physical custody that would allow her and the King of Pop to both spend several hours a day with his three children, together. She even submitted a tentative schedule demonstrating how easy it would be to make that happen.

Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe

MJ Is Okay

Internet reports surfaced today of Michael Jackson being hospitalized with pneumonia in Las Vegas.

Not true, Jackson's publicist Raymone Bain tells Access Hollywood.

According to Bain, "MJ is not hospitalized. I spoke to him a couple of hours ago and he was at home conducting meetings."

When asked about the pneumonia by another reporter, Bain replied, "I toldhim that I did not know if the doctor The doctor had diagnosed him with pneumonia or a bad case of the flu, but he is not, nor has been hospitalized."

She adds: "Everyone was a bit under the weather due to changing climates and the traveling, but he's okay."


Source:Access Hollywood

Thriller Live UK Tour starts May 7th
THRILLER is the first audio visual spectacular specially created to celebrate the incredible career of the World's Greatest Entertainer - Michael Jackson.

This amazing show features over 40 performers including a full company of west end singers, children's ballet, gospel choir, live band and as you'd expect, fantastic dancers paying tribute to the true King of Pop!



THRILLER is above all else a celebration of the music of Michael Jackson. This sensational show features specially created choreography and brilliant vocal performances, in a brand new show that brings Michael Jackson's amazing songs and videos to life.

The show includes over two hours of hit songs such as I Want You Back, I'll Be There, Show You The Way To Go, Can You Feel It, Rock With You, She's Out Of My Life, Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Earth Song, and many more!

Thriller Live coming to Glasgow on May 20th
Thriller will be coming to Glasgow on May 20th at the Royal Concert Hall. Tickets are prices at £32.50, £30, £27.50, £22.50. The show will start at 7.30pm in the Auditorium.

To book online: http://www.grch.com/grch/index.cfm?&pid=600&EvNum=55772

Or telephone the box office on 0141 353 8000

Other UK Tour dates

For a list of all the UK Tour dates and links to the venues please visit the Thriller Live website

www.thrillerlive.com

Michael Jackson and his three children arrives in Los Angeles on Wednesday night after a two week trip that saw Michael attend fan events in Japan and a visit to London, England.

There where alot of fans at Los Angeles International Airport waiting to greet Michael upon his arrival and judging by the photos one lucky female fan got a hug from the King Of Pop himself.

Michael arrives in Los Angeles pictures

Source:MJTKOP.COM

Dear fans, AND FANCLUBs

JXN Entertainment proudly presents:

M-JOY, The Xscape party!

Their previous event (Jackie Jackson meeting) was so succesfull that they decided to do a follow up!

20th of May 2007 we will host the Jackson party of the Year!
Name of the Party: "M-Joy" The Xscape Party
Where: Utrecht, Netherlands (closer to Germany than Amsterdam)
Venue: Club Trianon
Times: 13.00 - 19.00 hrs

Expect:
A lot of Performers both NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL!
MUSIC, MERCHANDISE, VIDEO
COMPETITTIONS
Mini Museum
Photo 4 Michael oppertunity
Lecture/speech about Michaels life
Best dressed competittion
Goodie for foreign vistors!
DRESS CODE: GANGSTA! (or JACKSON STYLE)
And a lot more...

CHECK OUT: www.jxn-entertainment.com for more info and tickets

We will do our best in assisting you finding the right accommodation if you decide to stay for some days, also we will do our best to bring you into contact with other fans!

When you are a performer or a fan who has ideas for this event and wants to contribute let us know.

If there are fans with the idea of organising a Fanbus to travel together contact us, Fans coming with Fanbusses get a goodybag!

We look forward to see you at the event, let's have a party!!!

All the best,

JXN-Entertainment
www.jxn-entertainment.com

ABC (US) has produced a video segment covering the Japan visit and also looks at the come back road for Michael.

WATCH ABC VIDEO COVERAGE OF JAPAN VISIT

mjstar...

Michael Jackson greeted thousands of U.S. troops and their family members at a U.S. army base south of Tokyo Saturday, taking a break from days of parties with die-hard fans and well-heeled business people.

About 3,000 troops and their family members gathered at a fitness centre at Camp Zama and Jackson walked around shaking hands and exchanging words to thank them for their service.

"Those of you in here today are some of the most special people in the world." Jackson said to the crowd, reading from a statement. "It is because of you in here today, and others who so valiantly have given their lives to protect us, that we enjoy our freedom."

He also attended a ceremony at the camp held for a member of the army being promoted and put a pin on his uniform.

Jackson, 48, arrived in Japan last Sunday for his second trip in less than a year to attend parties including an extravagant gala held Thursday in Tokyo.

The reclusive pop icon was the guest of honour at the lavish party aimed at a well-heeled business crowd - though the roughly 400 people who showed up were mainly die-hard fans, and more than 100 orphans and handicapped children who were invited for free.

The paying guests each laid down US$3,500 for tickets, which included a buffet dinner, a show featuring several Japanese Michael Jackson impersonators and a chance to meet, greet and take photos with the Gloved One.

On Friday, he made an appearance at another party for his less affluent fans. More than 1,000 people crowded a popular night club.

He did not perform at either party.


Source:Associated Press

Pop star Michael Jackson's less wealthy fans got a chance to meet him at a "fan appreciation" event in Tokyo on Friday, a day after he posed for photos with those willing to pay 400,000 yen ($3,400) for the privilege.

Jackson was not expected to sing or dance at Friday's event, which cost a relatively modest 15,000 yen ($130) per head, but organizers said he would talk to all attendees. No cameras were to be allowed inside.

"I love his eyes, his nose and his dance," said 7-year-old Jun Sahs, waiting outside the Studio Coast venue.

The event was scheduled for March 9, because the date can be pronounced "san kyu," which sounds like "thank you" in Japanese, organizers said.

"I am simply happy that he's come to see us half-way around the globe and I will be able to breath the same air as he is," said Yoko Gomi, a 57-year-old housewife.

Since being acquitted of child molestation charges at a trial that ended in June 2005, Jackson has mostly kept a low profile, spending time in Bahrain and Ireland.

He last visited Japan, where he has a huge fan base, in May to accept a music award. Since arriving at the weekend, he has been mobbed by fans during a shopping trip and a visit to Disneyland.


Source:Reuters/Yahoo! News

A relaxed and comfortable looking Michael Jackson dispensed hugs and handshakes Thursday to Japanese fans, who spent thousands of dollars and an hour in the cold for a few seconds with the King of Pop.

Jackson showed up late for a party in Tokyo where several hundred fans paid 400,000 yen (3,400 dollars) a ticket for an exclusive dinner and a snapshot with the music legend.

Wearing dark sunglasses and a black suit with glitter, Jackson took each fan into a private cubicle for a brief photo shoot, a dinner guest said.

But Jackson did not perform and sat away from the fans during a show that featured gospel singers and dancers.

"He was giving out hugs and handshakes and he was very gentle with me. It was very nice," Sumi Yoshimi, in high heels and an elegant white coat, said as she clutched a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne outside the venue.

"But he didn't have anything particular to say and by the end he looked very tired, so we left," she told AFP.

The 36-year-old office worker said her date, an older man, invited her to the dinner, which included a buffet of gratin and other Western food. But she did not think the price tag was excessive.

"He looked really cool seeing him up this close," she said. "It was worth 400,000 yen."

Jackson is reported to be suffering serious financial problems as he struggles to rebuild his career following his sensational child molestation trial.

Promoters said they sold more than 300 tickets -- meaning the party would rake in at least 120 million yen (one million dollars).

But the guests, many wearing tuxedos and evening gowns, first had to stand in the chilly evening air outside the venue as they waited for the superstar to turn up.

Jackson arrived nearly an hour late in a black van and then disappeared into the club to a chorus of shrieks and screams.

A group of young women held up a banner reading "Michael" with the letters made up of drawings of the singer strutting his stuff.

Aya, a 20-year-old student, said she had been preparing the banner with her friends since November.

"Although we didn't get tickets, we'll be happy if he could just see our banner. I'm excited," said Aya, who declined to give her family name.

"I couldn't buy a ticket because of the price, but I don't think it's too expensive. It's just that I'm a student and can't afford it now."

Michael Jackson last visited Tokyo in May 2006 to receive a "Legends Award" at MTV Japan's Video Music Awards and to visit orphanages.


Source: AFP/MJTKOP.COM

Click to enlarge photo

The reclusive pop icon, in Tokyo for several "fan appreciation events," was the guest of honour at a lavish party in Tokyo aimed at a well-heeled business crowd - though the roughly 400 people who showed up were mainly die-hard fans and more than 100 orphans and handicapped children who were invited for free.

The paying guests laid down 400,000 yen for tickets, which included a buffet dinner, a show featuring several Japanese Michael Jackson impersonators and a chance to meet, greet and take photos with the singer.

Jackson appeared on the stage at the end of the six-hour party to read a brief thank you to the crowd.

He did not perform for the crowd.

Jackson reflected on his career, which he is trying to revive after his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges and a series of other legal battles over his personal finances.

"As Charles Dickens says, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career," he said.

Source:Yahoo..

Several news sites have begun to report on the possibilty of a Jackson 5 reunion, again. Several stories cropped up on various music news websites today.

Most of the sites are stating that discussions are currently taking place between the Jackson family and producer Jack Wishna. The 'deal' if any deal even exists, would, according to sources, include 250 shows in Las Vegas as well as a world tour, a best of album with 2 new tracks and product endorsements and merchandise.

A source tells British newspaper the Daily Mail, "Initially there will be a best of album, two new tracks will be recorded, there will be the stint in Las Vegas, then the US and the world. They are already talking through product endorsements.

"The only reason no announcement has come yet is because Michael is a notoriously erratic individual."

According to starpulse.com Michael Jackson is "on the brink" of signing a contract (for the J5 reunion) worth $487million. One source says: "The rest of the family were offered a deal to reform - for a much smaller payday - and told if they got Michael on board, the figure would skyrocket. The deal being thrashed out now is astronomical."

Although Most Jackson fans would love to see a Jackson 5 reunion along with a tour, it looks very doubtfull that it will actually happen, only last month Raymone Bain released a statement stating Michael was not planning any tours with his family and with a new solo album from Michael on the horizon it looks like the J5 rumours are just that rumours.

Theres no denying J5 comeback with Michael in the lineup would bring in big bucks in record sales and concert tickets but then again so would a solo album and a solo concert tour.

If your excited at the prospect of a Jackson 5 comeback don't get your hopes up, wait for Michael's new album instead.


MJTKOP.COM

More of Michael Jackson's fans will have the chance to see the reclusive pop star this week in Japan. But even after coughing up 3,400 dollars, they won't get to hear him sing.

Promoters announced Monday they will sell more tickets for a party in Tokyo, where for 400,000 yen (3,400 dollars) fans can shake hands and take a snapshot with the erstwhile "King of Pop."


"We haven't decided yet on the exact number of tickets, because we want to keep it limited or else our fans who have already paid will feel bad," said Asami Akiba, spokeswoman for promoter Positive Productions.

The initial 300 tickets sold out for Thursday's event, which was originally meant to be a Christmas party but was abruptly delayed in December.

The 48-year-old flew in to Tokyo on Sunday where he was greeted by hundreds of screaming supporters, one of whom shoved into his hand a fan bearing his picture.

"I love Japanese fans," Jackson, clad in a black leather jacket, told a camera crew before his bodyguards escorted him out of Narita airport.

Jackson is scheduled to deliver a speech at the party inside a Tokyo club. But he will not sing and will sit separately from fans, the promoters said.

"We don't think the 400,000 yen ticket is too expensive. It simply responds to Michael Jackson's value as a global star, fans' acknowledgement of that and their willingness to pay for it," Akiba said.

Jackson fled his Neverland ranch in California after his trial, spending much of his time in seclusion in the Arab kingdom of Bahrain.

He last visited Tokyo in May 2006 to receive a "Legends Award" at MTV Japan's Video Music Awards and visit orphanages.


Source:AFP/Yahoo! News

Michael Jackson received a warm welcome at Tokyo airport

It is unclear whether the 48-year-old will also perform at the event, which is due to take place on Thursday.

Jackson made his first official appearance in Japan after being cleared of child molestation charges in 2005.

Earlier this year, the singer said that Japan is "one of my favourite places in the entire world".

"My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry," he added in a rare interview with the Associated Press news agency in January.

Disappointed

Jackson is also attending a fan art contest in Tokyo for those who are unable to afford tickets to the "platinum VIP" party, which was originally scheduled for December.

The winning artists will have brunch with the singer and have their photographs taken with him.

Organisers have refused to comment on any fee Jackson may receive for his appearances.

Jackson, who has lived in Bahrain, France and Ireland since his court case, appeared on stage at the World Music Awards in London last November.

But he disappointed fans by singing only a few lines of We Are The World, when it was believed that he would perform a medley of his hits.

Source:bbcnews...

From Raymone Bain

Over the years, as Michael Jackson has performed in cities around the world, he has been pleased, honored, and impressed by the large amount of fan art of him that he sees in the crowds that follow him. Seldom does Mr. Jackson’s schedule allow as much time, as he would like to meet fan artists, and more fully appreciate and enjoy their creative expressions. And, so to say thank you to all the fans that pour their love and passion for Mr. Jackson into their creative art, Mr. Jackson is inviting fans attending the March 9th “Fan Appreciation Day” event in Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the first Michael Jackson Fan Art Contest.

Entries of all kinds are accepted, including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, sculpture, collage, computer graphics, mixed media, printmaking, and high-quality photographs. All entries will be judged by Mr. Jackson based on, creativity, design, artistic and aesthetic merits.

Fans attending “Fan Appreciation Day” should bring their artwork with them to the event that is being held at Shinkiba Studio-Coast, 2-2-10 Shinkiba, Koutou-Ku, Tokyo 136-0082, Japan. Please include your full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address with your submission.

The top three artists chosen by Mr. Jackson will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Jackson and have their picture taken with him, and be invited to a special brunch with him.

By participating in the contest, the winners agree to have their name, voice, or likeness used in any advertising or broadcasting material relating to this contest without additional financial or other compensation.

All art submitted becomes the property of The Michael Jackson Company. Through submission of artwork, contestants and their legal guardians grant the Michael Jackson Company non-exclusive reproduction and publication rights as well as other non-exclusive use as it sees fit of submitted art.

By entering, participants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless The Michael Jackson Company, including all officers, directors, employees, volunteers and sponsors from any and all liability, loss, damage or injury resulting from participation in Michael Jackson Fan Art Contest.

The artwork will be displayed on Mr. Jackson’s soon to be created website.

Michael Jackson’s Arrival In Japan
Mr. Jackson would like to say hello to all of his fans.

He will be arriving in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, March 4, 2007,

between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Terminal 2, Narita Airport,

Tokyo, Japan.

Come out and Give Mr. Jackson a Big and Warm Welcome!


Source:Raymone Bain

 MJTKOP

Thousands of disgruntled Michael Jackson fans who paid top dollar to see the star at Madison Square Garden only to find their views blocked will receive a small credit on future tickets.

Each concertgoer can get $28 off their next ticket for any event at the Garden organized by promoter LiveNation Worldwide, Inc., according to a legal settlement announced yesterday.

Dana Gross brought the class-action lawsuit against the Garden and Ticketmaster after paying $98.50 apiece for six tickets to Jackson's 30th anniversary concert in 2001.

When she bought the tickets, she was not told her view was completely obstructed. She said she could only see Jackson via the giant monitors in the arena.

Gross argued Ticketmaster should have warned her and other fans in similar seats about the obstructed views.

Fans who have not already come forward have 120 days to claim their refund.


Source:NY Daily News

The following statement comes from the office of Michael Jackson:

Several unsubstantiated rumors have been reported in the media regarding Mr. Michael Jackson, all of which are erroneous and untrue.

Mr. Jackson is not planning a concert tour with members of his family.

Mr. Jackson has been presented numerous proposals…proposals which he has not solicited, but were presented to him, several of which include performing in Las Vegas. Mr. Jackson is currently reviewing and evaluating each proposal. He does not believe that he is under any time constraint for making his decisions. Therefore, reports that he has "been unsuccessful in finding a Las Vegas casino for his show, resulting in his having to turn to his family" are false.

Mr. Jackson did not move to Las Vegas to shop a Vegas show. Mr. Jackson is in Las Vegas because he likes the city, and found it a convenient location to record with the artists, songwriters and producers who are working with him in the studio.

Mr. Jackson has no current plans to appear or perform on 'American Idol.'

Mr. Jackson did not either solicit, ask to be given, or attempt to buy tickets to the recent NBA All-Star Game, as has been widely reported. Mr. Jackson was invited by several owners of NBA teams, as well as players, to attend the game as their guest. However, Mr. Jackson declined these kind invitations. Widely spread reports that Mr. Jackson sought tickets, and was denied his request, are completely false.

Mr. Jackson never leased property from Michael Flatly in Ireland. Therefore, reports stating that he was "evicted" from property owned by Flatly areerroneous and efamatory.

Mr. Jackson has not recently released or recorded a single with Pras.

Raymone K. Bain

Will Michael appear on American Idol or won't he? Some people still think it's a possibility...place your bets.

Way back in early February, Reality TV Magazine reported on various signs that seemed to suggest an appearance by Michael Jackson could be in the works for American Idol. Reality TV Magazine's prediction that Michael Jackson would appear on American Idol created quite a stir in the media. Several news sites like TMZ.com picked up the story and appropriately credited Reality TV Magazine.

Michael Jackson’s own rep eventually denied to Access Hollywood that he would appear on American Idol and said that he hadn't signed agreements with anyone. Of course denying that Michael Jackson has signed anything, doesn’t rule out the possibility that he might be in the middle of negotiations. While some media outlets have looked at Fox’s recent release of a list of guest stars for season six of American Idol as confirmation that Michael Jackson will not be appearing, other media outlets seem to be coming forward with new information that seems to support our prediction of a Michael Jackson appearance on American Idol.

According to reports on BuddyTV, despite earlier denials from Michael Jackson’s rep, “it now appears the Michael Jackson is in serious negotiations to appear on American Idol.” Even though American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe told TV Week that “No, we won't be seeing him," American Idol host Ryan Seacrest is apparently more open to the idea. According to ContactMusic.com, Us Weekly has quoted Ryan Seacrest as saying "It's certainly a possibility. It would definitely make compelling television." ContactMusic.com also reports that a source close to Jackson says “Michael is in talks.”

Even though Fox has released a list of upcoming American Idol guest stars, our opinion is that we seriously doubt that it is a complete list. Whether American Idol producers have a contract wrapped up with a megastar like Paul McCartney or Michael Jackson is definitely unconfirmed, but if it happens don’t expect it to be released on a guest star list near the beginning of the American Idol season. Expect it to happen just like it happened with Prince, first rumors will surface, only to quickly denied by American Idol producers, and once everyone has bought into the denials, then a surprise appearance will occur.


Source:Reality TV Magazine/MJTKOP.COM

Pop singer Michael Jackson could be about to convert to Islam, his brother told a British Muslim newspaper Thursday.

Jermaine Jackson said he thought it was "probable" that his eccentric brother, known for hits including "Thriller" and "Bad", would follow his lead by converting to the faith.

"When I came back from Mecca, I got him a lot of books and he asked me lots of things about my religion and I told him that it's peaceful and beautiful," Jermaine, 52, told the Muslim News.

"He read everything and he was proud of me that I found something that would give me inner strength and peace.

"I think it is most probable that Michael will convert to Islam."

He added that he and his brother could make a major difference to the world if Michael was to convert.

"He could do so much, just like I am trying to do. Michael and I and the word of God, we could do so much," he added.

Jermaine, who converted to Islam in 1989, came second in the British reality television show "Celebrity Big Brother", during which he struck up a friendship with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who faced alleged racist bullying.


Source:AFP/Yahoo! News

IN 2007, the King of Pop will reclaim his rightful throne. According to several reports, Michael Jackson has been working on a new album, to be released later this year, with red-hot performer "will.i.am" of the Black Eyed Peas. Several songs already have been recorded and the album should be finished shortly, which would represent Michael Jackon's first album of completely new material since the release of Invincible in 2001. The most impressive achievement of this album, however, would be to restore Michael Jackson's iconic status and recapture lost glory by transforming the way people think about him, putting the focus back on the music and away from his personal life.

During the 1980s, Jackson was the biggest music icon in the world. Released in December 1982, Thriller, the greatest selling album of all time, defined '80s pop and catapulted Jackson's fame to uncharted heights. According to Guinness World Records, Thriller has sold well over 100 million copies worldwide; no other album even comes close. The King of Pop scored nine number-one singles in the Hot 100 during the decade, more than any other artist. His fame dwarfed that of any other human on the planet; in 1997, a survey found that Michael Jackson was the most famous person in the world, beating out President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II, according to his biography on IMDB. God would probably have been the only entity humans recognized more, and God's existence is in dispute!

A series of controversies surrounding his personal life, however, gradually removed the focus from his music, although Jackson continued to have phenomenal worldwide success throughout the 1990s, releasing chart-toppers like Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995) along with Blood on the Dance Floor (1997), which became the greatest selling remix album ever. Nevertheless, his activities with children at Neverland Ranch in California received increasingly skeptical attention. In 1993, he responded to accusations of child molestation by settling out-of-court for an undisclosed sum of money. Over a decade later, he stood trial for child molestation, but was acquitted on all charges in June 2005. Following a few travels after the trial, Michael Jackson has returned to the United States and now hopes that those glittering gloves will shine as brightly as they once did.

His chances for continued success are very real, but to better understand the inquiry, the upcoming album must be placed in the context of Michael Jackson's status as a cultural icon, not merely his musical prowess. Once upon a time, almost everything associated with Michael Jackson was, well, "cool," from the moonwalk to the way he adorned his fedora hat at the start of "Billie Jean" performances. As the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame explains, Michael Jackson "enjoyed a level of superstardom previously known only to Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra." Today, however, when many people think of Michael Jackson, they are often struck by preconceptions of an aloof individual who did horrible things to his face and molested children. Michael Jackson's iconic image has been heavily bruised, but it's not completely gone, and if anyone has the talent to revive his or her career, it's Michael Jackson.

The 2007 album must seize on that hope that remains to rescue his status by shifting those negative public perceptions. After all, he does not have anything more to prove musically. He has established himself as one of the greatest dancers ever, if not the greatest, and his vocals are legendary, a fact still recognized by will, who has praised the King of Pop's singing and just about everything else relating to Michael Jackson's musical genius. He is one of the greatest selling artists ever, has won 13 Grammy awards, charted 13 number one Hot 100 singles in his solo career, and has set whopping concert attendance records through his global tours.

This effort should be more about history and legacy; unless someone as spectacular as the 1983 Michael Jackson emerges, nothing will ever approach Thriller's success for decades anyway. If all this new album does is get people to start thinking more about his music rather than his personal life, it would have been a success.

Erald Kolasi's column usually appears Mondays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at ekolasi@cavalierdaily.com

Source:cavalierdaily

Simon, Randy and Paula have had some big names in the "Idol" guest judge chair over the years.

But it looks like the King of Pop won't be sitting in to rate wannabe singers anytime soon.

Contrary to rumors, Michael Jackson will not appear on this season's "American Idol," Access Hollywood has confirmed.

"There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Michael Jackson is going to appear on 'American Idol,'" Jackson's rep Raymone Bain told Access. "He has signed no agreements with anyone. Robin Leach's story is inaccurate."

"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe also dispelled the rumors of an MJ appearance.

"It's not true. It's just not true," Lythgoe said. "We won't be seeing him."

However, Lythgoe did announce that "Idol" fans are in for quite a treat this year, although he won't reveal what it might be.

"Look toward a major news announcement in the next couple of weeks. It's the biggest thing to happen to 'Idol' in five years. It does include 'American Idol' and it does include America," Lythgoe hinted.

MJTKOP

Michael Jackson Sightings
Ever since LUXE LIFE's exclusive interview with Michael Jackson, the King of Pop has begun to appear more and more often as he gets comfortable in his new home here in Las Vegas.

This week, proving his love for Asian culinary delicacies, he hit two of our famous dining spots. This week he finally went for the first time to the TAO Asian Bistro at The Venetian. Wearing his traditional all-black suit and black sunglasses, he arrived with four guests through a private, security-guarded entrance at the resort. Michael enjoyed chicken satay, Chilean sea bass and lobster wontons during the 90-minute meal and told the managers before leaving that he was very happy with it and promised to return. If he'd gone upstairs to the TAO nightclub, he would have run into Ashanti and Nelly who were partying at a VIP table on the dance floor!

Then next day, Michael took his three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II -- nicknamed Blanket -- to star chef Wolfgang Puck's Asian eatery Chinois in the Caesars Palace Forum Shops. To avoid overzealous fans, who followed them into the restaurant, Michael was given a private room in the upstairs OPM Nightclub for his late lunch with the children. On their way home he stopped at the giant FAO Schwarz store in and loaded them up with new toys and stuffed animals. Michael's settling in right at home!


Source: Vegas Popular

Lionel Richie said over Grammy weekend that he would be interested in working again with former collaborator Michael Jackson. "I got to get Mike focused," Richie said. "I want him to just do it and deliver it, because what happens is we get into what we call recording syndrome and we don't put it out. But I think he's going to be OK, he's just got to get centered. I'll know after I hear the fifth track that he's serious about where he's going."

Source:MTV News

TMZ has learned that Michael Jackson's public outing yesterday (Wednesday 14 Feb), on a shopping spree, caused a huge scene at the Forum shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

A TMZ spy spotted the King of Pop on a buying spree with his three children at toy store FAO Schwarz. They stopped for lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Chinois, where they dined in a private room. Jackson wore all black, while the kids, Prince, Paris and Blanket, wore long dark clothing and had their faces painted as if it were Halloween.


Picture by TMZ.com

FAO Schwarz closed down so MJ could shop in private, and our spy snapped a pic of the mountain of toys he purchased.

Michael exited the store with a pack of bodyguards and waved to fans. His children followed in what was described as "very well-trained" fashion, with their heads bowed.

Michael Jackson was also spotted dining with four guests at Tao Asian Bistro on Tuesday. Jackson wore an all-black outfit with black sunglasses.


Source:Norme Clarke/TMZ/MJTKOP

King of Pop and Pras on Tempamental track
MC/DJ, Producer and Engineer Tempamental has recorded a remix of "No Friend of Mine", and this time around, enlisted the help of Pras and Michael Jackson.
The King of Pop's vocals are a major feature on the new track, and you can listen to it now by visiting Tempamental's MySpace page.

Little more is known at this stage what plans have been developed for the song. Rumour has it that it may feature on Pras' next album, but this is still unconfirmed.

The feedback from visitors to Tempamental's MySpace page is tremendous - and 100% positive. That's no surprise - this is an amazing track, and Michael's voice is smooth, powerful and guaranteed to give you goose-bumps!

We'll let you know more as we get it - in the meantime, get over there now and turn up your speakers!

• Tempamental MySpace page

Several signs seem to be pointing to the possibility that Michael Jackson will be the focus of an upcoming American Idol theme week and might possible even appear to mentor the American Idol finalists. Reality TV Magazine has exclusively put all the clues together and is predicting that a Michael Jackson theme week and appearance is in the works for American Idol.

Right from the beginning American Idol producers have been dropping subtle hints about a big event show in the middle of the season that will blow America away. Assuming that the big event show involves a special guest appearance, there are only a couple performers whose presence would cause a huge stir. Since Elvis is reportedly dead, Michael Jackson would likely be the next most surprising singer that could make an appearance.

But there are way more signs than just the rumored big event show that the gloved one might have his sites set on American Idol. Several reports have been circulating that Michael Jackson has been having secret meetings with American Idol creator and 19 Entertainment founder Simon Fuller. The meetings have been rumored to involve doing a possible Las Vegas show to help relaunch Michael Jackson’s career. Could the rumor about a Las Vegas show just be subterfuge to cover up the real purpose of their meetings? If a faded pop star wants to relaunch their career, everyone knows the best way to do it is through an American Idol appearance, not a Las Vegas show. Or assuming that the Las Vegas show is real, wouldn’t flying the American Idol finalists out to Vegas to meet with Michael Jackson during a Michael Jackson theme week be the perfect promotion for the show? Could Simon Fuller really be brokering a deal for the embattled pop star to appear on America’s most popular television show?

If Simon Fuller and Michael Jackson having secret meetings isn’t enough to get the Michael Jackson on American Idol rumor mill churning, then how about the fact that American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe seemed to drop a clue about the possibility during a recent media conference call. When answering a question about the tight reign that American Idol keeps on the finalists, Lythgoe said “We don’t want anything slipping out. If we’ve got major stars coming on that we want to do a big publicity thing with. ‘Hey, Michael Jackson is coming to American Idol this week,’ then I’ve got to leave that up to Fox publicity to put out there, not have it slip out with somebody telling their Mom that Michael Jackson is coming.”

Considering Nigel Lythgoe often likes to have a little fun in his media interviews, Reality TV Magazine would not be surprised if he dropped this little tidbit as a teaser to see if anyone would pick up on it. American Idol producers teasing about a big event show, American Idol creator Simon Fuller having secret meetings with Michael Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe telling media that he doesn't want it slipping out if a major star like Michael Jackson is coming, Reality TV Magazine predicts that this all adds up to a Michael Jackson theme week and guest appearance on American Idol 6.


Source:Reality TV Magazine

Actor Chris Tucker was seen doing some funky MJ moves while shooting scenes for 'Rush Hour 3' in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

The funnyman is famed for impersonating the King Of Pop's dance moves in all of the Rush Hour movies.


Chris Tucker does his MJ impersonation on the set of Rush Hour 3

Source:TMZ.com/MJTKOP

In the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine new details have emerged about the work that Michael Jackson and Will.i.am are doing for Michael's new album.

Will.i.am and Michael have drafted eight new songs together

• One song they are working on is titled "I'm Dreamin'"
  
• Another song Michael will sing is a ballad written by (or with) John Legend
  
• The two are expected to convene in Ireland for one month to finish recording the tracks
  
• Will.i.am speculated that the album is going to be like an "Off the Wall" for the modern era
  
• Other potential collaborators include Chris Brown and DJ Whoo Kid
  
• The music will be very melodic with some strong dance tracks

Michael Jackson's long-awaited return to 'King of Pop' status has begun and it's being masterminded by the mysterious, secretive British entertainment tycoon who is behind the phenomenal success of Simon Cowell's ratings juggernaut 'American Idol' and David Beckham's $250-mega-million deal that is bringing the soccer king to the United States.

I can exclusively reveal that megastar producer-manager, Simon Fuller, has held top-secret strategy planning meetings in Vegas with Michael and Emmy award-winning director-choreographer, Kenny Ortega, who has created two of Michael's previous smash, sell-out world tours. By the way, Kenny won his first Director's Guild of America award on Sunday for outstanding achievement with his 'High School Musical' production for Disney.

They invited me to join their dinner in a private room behind the watchful eyes of 2 security guards at Steve Wynn's Wing Lei Chinese restaurant at the mogul's Wynn resort hotel and casino. It's Michael's fourth visit to the Epicurean Award-winning restaurant since moving to Vegas ending his 18-month self-imposed exile from the US living in Dubai and at Michael Flatley's castle in Ireland.

Ironically, Michael who normally shuns cameras, was undetected just 100 feet away from the 200-strong media mob reporting on Paula Abdul's 'Woman of the Year' award and star-studded attendees. A bit later when I told Simon Cowell, who was also in Vegas for Paula's award, that his partner was just around the corner, he laughed and said, "Doing another one of his world-shaking mega-deals, I suppose."

As manager to international soccer-star David Beckham, Fuller, the extraordinary deal-maker, won him a five year $250-million contract -- the largest sports pay-package in history – to move with his 'Posh Spice' wife, Victoria Beckham, to Beverly Hills and play for the L.A. Galaxy Major League Soccer team. Incidentally that was Beckham, with Martha Stewart and LL Cool J, in one of the high-priced $2.5 million Superbowl ads on Sunday -- another coup for Simon Fuller launching Beckham's bid for American stardom.

Michael, who was looking well, relaxed and very happy told me, "I'm doing fine and am well and really enjoying myself in Vegas. It's a great place to call home." His hand shake and voice were strong and firm. On Michael's pending Vegas show and return to pop royalty, Kenny added, "We're talking business and looking at lots of different possibilities. This is a blue-sky time with a lot of different scenarios up in the air. We're working through all of them to find the best – the one that makes the most sense that's good for everybody."

I was reliably told that if anybody could transform Michael into a box-office megastar all over again, it would be entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, "This is the perfect match: the world's biggest pop-star being looked after by the most successful mogul-manager in the world."

Fuller is often confused with Simon Cowell -- particularly as they are close friends and so intertwined with 'American Idol's' non-stop soaring success including #1 ratings in 21 different countries. Fuller though, is the brains behind its $1-billion haul from advertising, merchandise and music. He is said to have earned $60-million personally in 2003 alone and that's a figure that grows annually. In addition, he promotes and manages such 'American Idol' stars as Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Stoddard and Clay Aiken in addition to being the longtime manager of Annie Lennox and the now solo careers of Emma 'Baby Spice' Bunton and Mrs. Beckham.

There's an incredibly unique tie-in with another Vegas connection for Michael. Fuller (seen here with Kenny and Michael) divides his time between London, Los Angeles, and the French Riviera, and is also said to have numerous growing investments in Lake Las Vegas real-estate ventures with Cowell. But it's the mega-deal he struck with American billionaire, Robert F X Sillerman, that's worth noting in all of this. Fuller's 19 Entertainment was purchased a year ago by Sillerman for a whopping $190-million and Fuller wound-up a director of Sillerman's CKx and still running the 19 group. CKx is partnered with Cirque du Soleil in an upcoming Elvis Presley-themed show, planned for MGM's City Center. Sillerman who owns licensing and merchandising rights to numerous celebrities and their estates exploits the Presley estate with authority by both Priscilla Presley and Lisa-Marie Presley who were in Vegas this weekend celebrating the King of Rock's daughter's 39th birthday! Gossip historians know that at one time, Michael and Lisa- Marie were a tabloid headline romance item during their marriage!

As an added Vegas twist, Sillerman bought a 20% stake in the Broadway version of Mel Brook's 'The Producers' which is opening a Vegas version of the musical with David Hasselhoff. It's easy to see that all of Michael's current financial asset entanglements could be unraveled and made whole by the Sillerman-Fuller brain-trust as super Svengalis – and then relaunch his career bigger and better than ever before.

First stop though for Michael, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on August 29 this year -- the same birth date as mine coincidentally -- is Japan. He'll fly from Vegas next month for two fan-appreciation events on March 8 and 9.

Says Michael, "Japan is one of my favorite places in the world and I am very grateful to my fans there who have always been my strongest supporters and have helped me achieve several historic milestones in my life." Some 300 VIPs, paying over $3300 each, will hold a meet and greet handshake photo-session with Michael on day one with general fans massing for a get-together on day two.

Michael, who last performed a concert in Madison Square Garden back in 2001, is not expected to perform while in Japan, although he has created charity fund-raising records and TV specials with large groups of other pop stars in the interim. Although he's had more than 12 #1 chart hits, the last was in 1995 and he hasn't toured since the mid- 1990s.

He remembered that the last time he and I had met was over breakfast as guests of Donald Trump at his Atlantic City Trump Plaza hotel. But this visit together was not the time or the place to discuss his self-imposed 18-month exile after the Santa Barbara acquittal of child molestation charges in 2005. Michael lived for a while in the oil-rich nation of Bahrain before moving onto Ireland as a longtime guest in the sprawling castle of 'Lord of the Dance' creator Michael Flatley.

Michael returned to the States six weeks ago on Christmas Eve, as Luxe Life reported here back on December 24. He moved into a home on the west side of Vegas near Sahara and within easy reach of the Strip. In addition to a long dinner with Steve Wynn, which resulted in speculation about a possible Jackson show there, Michael's also met several times with Vegas deal-maker Jack Wishna who said:, "Michael is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon. He is one of the greatest all-time entertainers in the world." Wishna is the businessman who engineered Trump's Vegas debut with the $2.8 billion Trump International Hotel Tower, which is nearing completion on the Strip near the New Frontier hotel across from Steve Wynn's resort hotel casino.

MAGIC MAN
Michael was happy to discuss how he's been spending some of first month in Vegas. He told me he enjoyed taking his children to see Lance Burton's magic show at the Monte Carlo. "I really love magic," he said. "I really liked his show. It's amazing and very enjoyable. I love getting caught up in the magic."

Protected by his own security and Monte Carlo security, Michael went in through a back security entrance rather than cause a scene with fans and sat in the lower mezzanine un-noticed in front of the sound booth – and just as the show was ending, he took off so the audience wouldn't be distracted from Lance's curtain calls.

Michael has only given one quick telephone interview since returning to Vegas although he did speak at the Atlanta funeral of the late soul singer James Brown. He confirmed officially to me a funny interview story about the Associated Press reporter covering the 'King of Pop's' return to the United States to live. The rules were that the reporter could not disclose his Vegas residency and was allowed only one question. When the AP reporter asked how Michael was and he answered that he was fine, that was considered the one question!!

So for me, it was an honor to be invited into the inner sanctum. I found Michael relaxed and confident -- happy that the troubled past was getting put all behind him and happy that he's begun rebuilding his career again. "It's a whole new Michael here in Vegas," I was told. " He feels comfortable here. He loves being able to go out and basically not get hassled. He likes the restaurants here for the food but his favorites are the shows. I think he'll get to see everyone of them over the next few months. It's the first time in a long time Michael is feeling less pressured and much at ease. He is ready to go to work again and is in a great space and a wonderful sense of mind."

To celebrate, this weekend Michael was out and about again- enjoying The Beatles LOVE musical at the Mirage. After the late-show, he visited the LOVE boutique to pick out some Beatles show souvenirs – and surprisingly even happily posed with fans for photos with his ever-watchful security agreeing to relax the normal rules for his safety. Then he went backstage to meet the cast and crew of the show congratulating them on their performances and thanking them for the spectacular show.

"They were in awe of him and he the same about all of them. He was very respectful and told them it was an incredible experience that he'd remember forever. I think he's going to bring his children into see it next," one of the company staffers told me.

For now though, the only public outing of his three children has been a visit to the Circus Circus where they were spotted on a visit to the hotel's attractions here on the Strip. Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II, also known by nickname Blanket, didn't even bother with disguises when they went on the amusement rides there -- naturally under the watchful eye of their nanny and Michael's team of bodyguards along with the Circus Circus security staffers.

KEEP THE BOOGIE ALRIGHT
Michael's friendship and professional relationship with director and choreographer Kenny Ortega dates back many years. and once again they are teaming up. "Be it a concert tour or a show staged from Vegas they'll tackle it together," said a friend. "They have complete trust in one another so it will be their project going forward."

The Emmy-winning 30-year career choreographer was responsible for the hit 'Dirty Dancing,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'St. Elmo's Fire' movies. He also staged over his 20-year tour career world concerts for Michael, Barbra Streisand, Cher, The Pointer Sisters, KISS and Diana Ross. His choreography on Madonna's 'Material Girl' movie also won him awards. Currently Kenny, who created the live Sirens outdoor show spectacle at the Treasure Island, is in the early stages of a secret project being created for Steve Wynn's resort here and Luxe Life is sworn to secrecy! He will helm the follow-up sequel to 'High School Musical' being filmed in Utah this Spring.

MICHAEL'S COMEBACK SPECIAL
With the triple-threat team in place for Michael's return, he's already started work on a new album. Some of the tracks have already been recorded at Flatley's Irish castle with the help of will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. Don't be surprised if Michael and will are spotted when BEP plays the Orleans Arena during NBA All-Star weekend to work out the best way to finish the tracks they've selected to go with. Says will, "I'm a real fan of his. You get to work with just a couple of great people during your life who shed light on the Earth and Michael is one of them."

Michael, Simon and Kenny happily posed for our Luxe Life photos. I told them all that everybody was eagerly awaiting Michael's return to the limelight and that Vegas was delighted he now called our city his new home. " Its all going to be good, very good" said Michael, and Kenny added: "We're going to get it done and when it is you'll know it'll be the right way working out for the best for everybody involved."

Source:www.vegaspopular.com 

Good news for Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 this week as there music has seven entries in the UK charts.

The Jackson 5 has two songs in the UK charts including one in the Top 75 Singles Chart and Michael has two songs in the UK Downloads Chart and an album in the UK Top 40 RnB Chart.

Read on for the full list...



UK Top 200 Downloads Chart

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back - No.62 (Down 18 places from last week)

Jackson 5 - ABC - No.161 (Down 50 places from last week)

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror - No.99 (New entry or re-entry)

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - No.171 (New entry or re-entry)

UK Top 40 RnB Albums Chart

Michael Jackson - The Essential - No.33 (Down 2 places from last week)

UK Top 75 Singles Chart

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back - No.56 (re-entry)


Source: MJTKOP.COM

American music impresario Quincy Jones thinks that Michael Jackson has an inflated ego.

Speaking at the Harvard School of Public Health presentation ceremony of the first-ever Q Prize to Scott Neeson at the Core Club, the 73-year-old record producer has said that the American entertaining idol must listen to "god's whispers" and act according to the commands of the almighty.

"He should listen to God's whispers. It's not about us. It's about what the higher power tells you," New York Daily new quoted him, as saying.

ANI / Daily News

London, England (AHN) - After recently making an appearance on Britain's "Celebrity Big Brother," Jermaine Jackson is now heading towards a different entertainment avenue.

Jermaine, who is the brother of music icon Michael Jackson, has revealed he is currently working on a musical. The show is based on his family members and the popular 1970s quintet, Jackson 5, which Jermaine was part of growing up.

In an interview with Britain's "Celebrity Big Brother" host, he said, "I'm a bit busy at the moment. I'm planning a Jacksons musical in London."

No opening date has been announced.

Source:AllHeadlineNews

Michael Jackson's new album will be released online, his studio collaborator Will.I.Am has claimed. The Black Eyed Peas star is convinced the superstar is talented and famous enough to make his comeback record a hit through internet sales alone and doesn't need the backing of a major label.

He said: "Michael is the one act who doesn't need a record label. He can do it all through social networking sites."

Will.I.Am - who is behind hits like Shut Up and Where Is The Love - believes, despite Jackson's long absence from charts, the new record will be a huge success.

He said: "We sat there in Ireland writing song melodies that are gonna affect people emotionally and rhythms that are gonna make people dance."

Do you think Michael should release a download only album? Vote in our poll


Source:Starpulse/MJTKOP

Michael makes conferance call to the Associated Press, talks about Japan events.

Michael Jackson is back in the United States after living in Bahrain, France and Ireland. He emerged with his spokeswoman Friday to confirm to The Associated Press that he is back after more than a year in self-imposed exile following his acquittal in a high-profile child molestation trial that ended in June 2005.

They also said he is on the comeback trail planning a pair of "fan appreciation events" in Japan in March, one of which will charge $3,300 for the opportunity to meet the Gloved One.

"I can confirm that he is in the United States," spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. "We don't give out information regarding our client's whereabouts because of safety, and this is just an ongoing policy."

During the brief conference call, Jackson read a statement prepared for The Associated Press about his plans to visit Japan and allowed only one question: How are you?

"I'm fine, thank you," was his reply.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, said he has chosen to come back to Japan because of the strong support he enjoys there.

"My friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years," he said. "My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry."

Broderick Morris, the promoter working the Japan side of Jackson's trip, said they have sold 220 of 300 tickets to a "platinum VIP party" on March 8. Guests will have dinner, get autographed photos and be able to "meet and greet" Jackson for 30 seconds to one minute, he said.

A less-exclusive party is scheduled for the following day. Jackson is not obligated to perform at either event, and promoters refused to comment on how much Jackson, 48, would be paid.

Jackson made his first official foray back into the spotlight after his acquittal with an appearance _ again, in Tokyo to accept MTV Japan's "Legend Award." Last November, he allowed the syndicated TV show "Access Hollywood" to film him in the studio, working on music with producer will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

Watch the AP video and listen to Michael's telephone interview with AP reporter Eric Talmadge HERE.

Everyone one in the Celebrity BB House is chatting about Jermaine's famous bro, Michael.

Jermaine Jackson faced more questions about his mysterious family this afternoon, when he told his housemates that brother Michael's third child is called Blanket.

The former Jackson 5 singer walked into an innocent chat about housemates' families in the lounge this afternoon, but all eyes were soon on him.

"I have two boys who look like they're going on tour everyday the way they're dressed," he said about his musical teenage sons.

"I keep asking them to play me some music and they say 'we're still jamming'. They've been saying that for four years."

Danielle asked him how many children Michael had.

"Prince, Paris and he named the other one Blanket," replied Jermaine without a flinch.

"Blanket! Blanket!" said Shilpa, raising her eyebrows.

"Do you have to repeat it so much?" he said.

"Where does Michael live?" asked Danielle.

"He lives in Bahrain because of me. And he lives at Neverland," said Jermaine.

"I'd love to see him perform," purred Shilpa. "But I met him in New York and I told my friends that it was my destiny to meet him.

"He was the chief guest at the Bollywood awards. I was backstage and I was about to perform," she boasted.

Not to be outdone, Cleo came out with her own Michael Jackson story.

"I met him in Los Angeles, when I was doing a show. He was very good friends with Elizabeth Taylor."

So who hasn't met Michael Jackson?


Source:metro.co.uk

Life and music of the King Of Pop to be re-created in a Ballet

The following news has been submitted to us by Klaus Neumann from Denmark, the article has been translated from Danish.

Peter Schaufuss ballett's next world premiere will be "Michael - I'm Bad" and will contain the original music from the "King Of Pop" himself.

In 1999 Peter Schaufuss created "The King" about Elvis Prestley and with his music. It was a great succes and has been set up time after time, around in Denmark and the rest of the world. Now takes Peter Schaufuss Ballet another great musical genius up to a new ballet. In the last half year of 2007 is there world premiere on "Michael I'm Bad" about and til the music from Michael Jackson - The King Of Pop.


Peter schaufuss ballet has already in the still presented the idea about a dance-musical for the countries theatre and theater business. It seems to be a great succes. There already on the time now is been seet of to 40 ballets of the musical "Michael - I'm Bad".

The company makes a greatness over to have the rights to use Michael Jacksons original music. The date for the premiere, place and tour plans will be announced later.

Peter Schaufuss says: "it will be a musical for the whole family".

It will came to have the most famest facts in the big stars personal life. As the highpoints, the dramatic breakpoints and the triumph's against a big part of Michael Jacksons productions, says Peter Schaufuss.

If you like to know more about the musical and Peter Schaufuss Ballet visit: www.schaufuss.com (Danish language).

As soon as there is more news or information regarding this Michael Jackson musical ballet Klaus has assured us he will let us know.


Thanks to Klaus Neumann for this article.

Source:MJTKOP...

Jermaine Jackson's performace of the Jackson 5 classic 'I Want You Back' on the Celebrity Big Brother tribute band task has sent official downloads of the song sky rocketing sending it into the Official UK Top 75 singles chart at number 53 this week.

New official chart rules mean any commercially available song available for download can enter the charts, so with any luck we may see more Jackson 5, The Jacksons or Michael Jackson songs back in the charts.

The Top 75 UK Singles Chart can be viewed here.

Source:Official Charts/MJTKOP.COM

Jermaine Jackson has mesmerised the housemates with tales of his music career - and his former wives.

The 52-year-old former member of The Jackson 5 told Ian, Jack and Shilpa how he was accused of splitting up the group when he refused to switch record labels.

"I stayed at Motown and it sort of looked like I broke up the group," he admitted.

"My father had wanted to move onto another label. There were all these contracts on the bed that [the group] had all signed.

"My father said 'sign it' and I said 'no'. So I stayed at Motown and started producing other acts.

"The public really don't know why you do things and I think being loyal is very very important. At the time Motown wasn't doing very well, so instead of jumping ship I stayed to make things better," he added.

Big Brother UK

Essential MJ Holding its own at number 33.
As we reported last week The Essential Michael Jackson compilation album which was released in July 2005 has been in and out of the UK RnB album chart since about November, it was in the charts for the last two weeks running at number 36 and 40 respectively and now it's still in the charts up 7 places from last week to number 33.

My guess is Michael has gained alot of new fans in the UK probably from the younger generation who are sick and tired of glorified Michael Jackson impersonators like Justin Timberlake who claims to be the 'new' King Of Pop.

The British music buying public are not falling for the MJ copycats and the UK public certainly isn't convinced by Robbie Williams (fat dancer from Take That) trying to claim he's the new King Of Pop. No, they want the real deal, the younger music lovers want to listen to the REAL King Of Pop, maybe they love the classic MJ songs like 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It' or maybe theres a disco revival I dont know about and people want to Groove to 'Rock With You' or the anticipation for the new album is so high people who haven't really listened to Michael's music before want to know what all the fuss is about.

As far as I am concerned ANY Michael Jackson music in ANY chart is good news, some people would lead you to believe that Michael is a has been, that his music just doesn't cut it anymore and that simply isn't true.

And remember theres only one King Of Pop and his name is Michael Jackson.

MJTKOP.COM

The Essential Michael Jackson compilation album which was released in July 2005 has been back in the UK Top 40 RnB album charts for the past two weeks now. The album has been in and out of the RnB chart since last November ever since the media storm surrounding Michael's appearance at the World Music Awards in London.

The album was at number 36 last week and is now sitting at number 40, although the album has not really made any significant impact on the charts since it got to number 2 on it's original release it still shows that people are still interested in Michael's music and since it's a compilation album it is probably people who haven't bought MJ albums before who are buying it.

We'll let you know next week if the album stays in the Top 40 or not.

MJTKOP.COM

King of Pop Michael Jackson has settled a dispute with a Los Angeles pharmacy who claimed he owed 100,000 dollars in unpaid bills, a spokesman for the star said in a statement.

Mickey Fine Pharmacy had filed a lawsuit in Santa Monica Superior Court, alleging breach of oral contract, saying Jackson had failed to pay for prescription drugs supplied to him since December 2005.

However a spokesman for Jackson said in a statement the bill had now been paid. "The issue has been amicably resolved," the statement said. "Mikey Fine Pharmacy has been paid."

The statement said the dispute was related to a separate legal action Jackson is waging against his former accountants.

In court documents filed last month Jackson alleged the company of Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan, had mismanaged his financial affairs.


Source:AFP/Yahoo! News

Will.i.am discusses Michael Jackson and his strategy for Michael's new album in new interview with rwdmag.com

William James Adams Jr, better known as Will.I.Am, one quarter of the Black Eyed Peas and a certified premiership producer, has worked with artists ranging from Sergio Mendes and Sting to Justin Timberlake and Busta Rhymes. But with musical surgery to undergo with Michael Jackson, will the cool façade last? Chantelle Fiddy finds out.

Interview excerpt:

The main talking point right now has gotta be you working with Michael Jackson?
Yeah, I'm going back to him in December. He called me up and I thought someone was joking around. I hear (he puts on high MJ voice) 'Hello it's Michael' and I was like 'Yeah right, stop playing!' Then he said 'I want to congratulate you on all your success, you're doing a powerful thing for the world with your music and staying true to what you believe in. I've been following you for a long time... do you mind if I call you in a couple of days at 4pm?’ Then he started ringing me everyday at 4pm. We were on tour with The Pussycat Dolls at the time, so I started working on music for him on the bus.

Did you approach working with Michael differently compared to other artists?
Well, it was more like, how would I like Michael to sound now, what would I want him to do? When I finally sat down with him, I was nervous. I couldn't be the way I would be like when I'm with Justin or Nas. I've idolised Michael my whole life. I had to be honest with him. I told him it was hard and he asked why, so I explained I didn't grow up listening to Justin's music, so it's easy to work with him. We're equals and when you're in the studio with someone you have to be equal, never above or below. When I worked with Nas I wasn't like 'Ok, here's the greatest lyricist.' You have to put yourself on the same place and make sure you compliment or better the stuff you love. I had to really get over it with Michael.

How was it on a personal level? Did you like him?
On a personal level, it was cool. I spent the whole first day asking him questions like 'What was it like when you first did the moonwalk, how did it feel?’ It turned into a freakin’ interview; everything we're doing today is like branches from his tree. The seed came from Michael Jackson and James Brown. Michael told me for him, his influence was James Brown all the way. I was like 'Damn, I worked with James Brown!’ 'He said ‘You worked with James Brown, I always wanted to work with James Brown...' I said, 'Ok let's do it...' So those were the kind of things that gave me confidence to move forward.

You do a great impression of him by the way...
I can do James Brown too (Laughs).

Is there a lot of pressure on you now to deliver a big album?
We talked about what we wanted to accomplish, because how are you gonna compete with Thriller? I said, ‘Michael, when you wake up in the morning how do you compete with yourself? I know how to compete with the market place but when you influence the marketplace in every way possible, from fan clubs to sponsorships to videos...’ He was like 'Oh God bless you', but I said 'No seriously, I'm not trying to compliment you Michael, I need to know this for when we get in the studio cos the music has to represent that...’ Me and him had this deep conversation and started talking about the experience today; ringtones, the computer, iTunes, movies, YouTube, MySpace...

Does he know about all that stuff?
Yes, but this arena still needs to be defined. People are using it, but they haven't defined what to do with this platform yet. We need to think about how music’s going to be experienced. Think about all the great songs that come out every week - their life span is like a week. You probably aren't playing stuff from eight weeks ago but people are still playing Billie Jean and Beat It.


For the full interview with Will.i.am goto
rwdmag.com

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - Many have been fascinated by Michael Jackson's "moonwalking" over the years his talent may come with a special pair of shoes.

It has been recently revealed that Michael Jackson has patented a pair of anti-gravity "moonwalking" boots.

The eccentric singer's unique creation was designed to make it appear as if he was able to lean forward beyond the center of gravity via slots in the heels of the shoes attached to hooks on the stage.

Jackson registered his "Methods and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion" in 1993 and was issued the patent number 5,255,452.

The boots information came to light on Monday with the launch of a new Google Patents website, which gives users access to over seven million inventions filed with the U.S. Patents Office between 1790 and 1996.

Jackson is not the only celebrity to register a bizarre creation.

Rocker Eddie Van Halen created a "musical instrument support" in the 1980's, which had the appearance of a shelf strapped round the waist and was designed to help him play a guitar horizontally.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis designed a special nappy, containing a waterproof pocket for carrying wet wipes and late actor Marlon Brando invented an instrument to help tighten the skin of a bongo drum.

Source:All Headline News

Jan. 07, 2007

Michael Jackson appears to be moving quickly with his comeback plans.

Jackson was spotted Friday dining with Emmy-Award winning director/choreographer Kenny Ortega, who choreographed Jackson's last tour, almost a decade ago.

Jackson, who moved to Las Vegas two weeks ago after 16 months overseas, had dinner with Ortega in a private room at Wynn Las Vegas.

In another development, I learned Saturday that Jackson has reconciled with his parents, Las Vegas residents Joe and Katherine, after a long silence.

Joe Jackson confirmed by telephone on Saturday that "he made contact with me and his mother (Friday)." They had not communicated since Michael moved to Bahrain shortly after being acquitted of child molestation charges in California in May 2005.

The reconciliation is reported to have occurred after Joe and Katherine solicited Jack Wishna, a friend of the pop icon, to reopen the lines of communication.

Still under wraps is where Jackson wants to relaunch his career.

Both Jackson and Ortega have been associated with Steve Wynn, who transformed Siegfried & Roy into international stars with a major production show at The Mirage. Wynn's friendship with Jackson dates back decades. Jackson was often a guest of Wynn's at The Mirage, and there was talk Wynn was bringing Jackson to Las Vegas. Jackson listed Wynn as a character witness in his 2005 trial.

In his 2004 bio, Ortega said he was "overseeing the creation of a production" for Wynn.

Ortega's choreography credits include Madonna's "Material Girl" video, "Dirty Dancing," the opening ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and Atlanta Summer Olympics, and world tours with Barbra Streisand, the Pointer Sisters, Cher, Gloria Estefan, Kiss and Diana Ross.

Jackson's comeback album is reported to be due out at the end of the year on the Bahrain-based label Two Seas Records.

Source:MJNO..

According to MJJforum a new book called "Michael Jackson - For the record" will be launched this year in March. Here is the FULL article.
....................................................................

Published by AuthorsOnLine Ltd.

Provisional publication date: March 2007

Michael Jackson first entered a recording studio in November 1967, just three months after his ninth birthday. Two years later he and his older brothers scored their first hit, I Want You Back – and, despite set-backs that would have ended the career of a lesser man, Michael’s legion of fans remain as loyal today as they have ever been.

The aim of this book is to document the many songs Michael has been involved with over the years – as singer, as writer, as producer, or simply as the inspiration or subject. The songs are listed numerically and alphabetically, and each listing includes the artist, release date and connection to Michael, together with other interesting information.

We have used a number of sources in compiling this book. The starting point, naturally, was the officially released singles and albums by Michael and his brothers, not forgetting the numerous collaborations he has been involved with over the years.

Many unreleased songs Michael has written or co-written have been registered – most commonly by his music company Mijac Music – with one or more professional bodies, including:

The United States Copyright Office.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The American performing rights organisation, BMI.
The American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers.
The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd.
EMI Music Publishing

Michael has name-checked numerous songs he has written or co-written in copyright court cases – most notably, in Mexico in 1993. All these titles are detailed, as are the poems – but not the reflections – featured in Michael’s 1992 book of poems and reflections, Dancing The Dream. We have also included and detailed:

Official remixes.
Notable demo versions.
Cover versions & other hit versions.
Notable adaptations and tracks, especially hits, which have sampled a Jackson or Jackson-related song.

We recognise we have not included every demo version or every cover version or every song to sample one of Michael’s recordings – to do so would be impossible.

Every song Michael has ever been involved with recording surely exists – or once existed – in at least one, and probably numerous, demo versions. The vast majority of these will never be heard and it would serve no purpose to simply mention ‘demo version exists’, for every title listed. Therefore, we have only detailed demos that have been officially or unofficially released, or where interesting facts about the demo are known.

Numerous unofficial remixes also exist – again, for the most part, we have made no attempt to detail these.

We are indebted to a number of contacts, who shall remain nameless, who have confirmed the existence of numerous unreleased songs – for example, one contact has in his possession some rare, unreleased Motown demo tracks, and a list of unreleased cover versions recorded by the Jackson 5.

It was inevitable, in compiling a book like this from scratch, we would come across songs Michael is rumoured to have written, or recorded, or been involved with, but which we didn’t feel comfortable including in the main body of the book, due to a lack of hard evidence they actually exist.

At the same time, we didn’t simply want to ignore such songs or omit them completely – hence, following the main body of the book, we have compiled a ‘Rumour Has It’ section. This features a list of titles that might exist and might be Michael-related, but equally might not.

We don’t doubt some people will feel certain songs in the main body of the book should be in the rumour section, or not be in the book at all, or visa-versa. It’s equally certain we have left out songs other people would have included and, while we have striven for 100% accuracy, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t make the occasional error.

This book has taken us nearly three years to research and write, and it’s no exaggeration to say we could have spent another two or three years working on it – it’s that kind of project. But we had to draw the line somewhere, if the book was ever to see the light of day.

We hope you enjoy reading our book as much as we have enjoyed researching and writing it.

More at www.cadman-halstead-musicbooks.com - very soon

Source:mjjunited.com

Chris Brown's dreams of working with his idol, Michael Jackson, may soon be realized as the two are in talks to collaborate on Jackson's forthcoming studio album.

"We got a chance to meet at the World Music Awards and we're talking to his management about when we can set up a date to be working on his album," Brown told Billboard. "It would be an honor and a blessing for me to work with my idol. He's one of the reasons I do my music."

Brown recently performed Jackson's now legendary hit, "Thriller," in tribute to the King of Pop at the 2006 World Music Awards.

Usher, another long-time admirer, may also be added to Jackson's laundry list of potential collaborators which also include Akon and G-Unit affiliate DJ Whoo Kid.

"We actually spoke about doing something, but nothing more than a conversation. It was for his project," Usher told KIIS FM host Ryan Seacrest.


Source:SOHH/MJTKOP

will.i.am Working On Jackson Comeback Album

Black Eyed Peas principal will.i.am was ubiquitous behind the boards in 2006, producing tracks for Justin Timberlake, Fergie, Snoop Dogg and Nas and earning a producer of the year Grammy nomination. But his sights are now set on Michael Jackson's comeback album, which is tentatively due before the end of the year on the Bahrain-based Two Seas Records.

will.i.am tells Billboard.com he has been doing "a lot of talking on the phone, a lot of brainstorming" with Jackson so far. Their conversations, he says, involve more than just music but also figuring out how Jackson can use new technology, particularly social networking sites and download outlets, to his advantage.


will.i.am and Michael Jackson in the studio.

But Jackson's next musical direction remains a primary concern. "Man, he still sings like a bird," will.i.am says. "He could go anywhere. I think we have a real opportunity to do something here. It's either gonna be really big or nobody's gonna care. Ain't no middle ground on this one."

"I like what he is doing and thought it would be interesting to collaborate or just see how the chemistry worked," Jackson told Access Hollywood of will.i.am in October. "I think he's doing wonderful, innovative, positive, great music."

As previously reported, Akon is also rumored to be collaborating on the album but told Billboard.com last month that he was not at liberty to disclose details. Chris Brown is also in talks to work on the Jackson album, which will be his first since 2001's "Invincible."

"We got a chance to meet at the World Music Awards and we're talking to his management about when we can set up a date to be working on his album," Brown tells Billboard.com. "It would be an honor and a blessing for me to work with my idol. He's one of the reasons I do my music."


Source:Billboard

Click to enlarge photo

At a memorial service here Saturday, thousands of people filed silently past the white-lined casket set among huge wreaths at the center of the James Brown Arena.

"Now, here today at last, the man and his music have been validated," said Reverend Cal Murrell, who is known as "the happy preacher."

Fans

of the musical giant applauded as African-American rights activists Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Dick Gregory ascended the short flight of stairs to view the body during what was dubbed a "homecoming celebration."

"Yes, he was an amazing entertainer, but he was also an amazingly influential black activist," said Lee Sullivan, an Atlanta poet.

The mood was somber and reverent as relatives and close friends of the soul icon filed past the casket, but it turned electric as the powerful voice of the "hardest working man in show business" filled the arena during a video tribute featuring some of Brown's stage performances.

Michael Jackson, one of Brown's countless musical heirs, dressed in a dark brown leather coat and black sunglasses, greeted Brown's family and bade farewell to Brown at his casket.

"He was a mighty powerful man," said Donna McCloud, a 30-year-old chemical engineer who flew in from Kingston, Jamaica to pay her respects to the famed soulman.

"His influence is felt throughout the world," she said.

Brown, who shaped American rhythm-and-blues, funk and disco genres for a half-century and was a charter inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died of complications from pneumonia in the state capital, Atlanta, on Christmas Day. He was 73.

Born in the small South Carolina town of Barnwell in 1933, Brown moved at the age of four to Augusta, where he grew up in a brothel run by his aunt.

Saturday's event was the final tribute for Brown, who was honored on Thursday at the famed Apollo Theater in New York's Harlem neighborhood, and at a private ceremony that relatives held in Augusta on Friday.

The James Brown Arena, which seats more than 8,000 people, was packed to capacity, and fans lined up for hours to get a final glimpse of the man who for five decades electrified audiences with his husky voice, flashy footwork and tight rhythms.

Crowds who could not gain access to the arena milled outside, holding photographs and recordings of the music star, some singing his hit tunes.

For the past few days, mournful and adoring fans had flocked to the city's statue of Brown, leaving flowers, records and messages at its feet.

The bronze statue depicting Brown, microphone in hand and shrouded in an American flag, stands in a square named after the famous singer.

Augusta recently adopted "We Feel Good" as its city motto -- a play on Brown's 1965 hit "I Got You (I Feel Good)."

Source:Yahoo...

Some fans searching for Michael news on Google today might have noticed an article today that reports that Michael Jackson will begin a world tour in 2007. The article [link] appears to be a press release, allegedly from Michael's spokeswoman Raymone Bain, giving details of an upcoming world tour the press release even gives 'confirmed dates' and venues for concerts. There was also a similar article posted on Wikipedia, this is article is now pending deletion.

Raymone Bain has confirmed to MJJForum that these rumours are indeed false and are a hoax, who started the hoax and for what purpose is unclear but it is a HOAX.

Source:MJTKOP.COM

As we head toward the new year, we're counting down the top 10 men who turned heads, caused controversy, and were featured most on Access Hollywood in 2006.

Kicking off the countdown at #10 is Michael Jackson, who made Access news when he invited Billy Bush exclusively to an Irish recording studio to witness his first steps towards returning to recording.

When Billy asked Michael if these studio sessions were kind of an exploratory mission and if he's deciding to get back into making music, Michael had this to say in response: "I never stopped."

And Billy was right by Michael's side at the World Music Awards in London, as the fans went into overdrive. Michael acknowledged his adoring fans, telling Billy "I love them very much."

Access Hollywood's Top 10

10 Michael Jackson
09 Donald Trump
08 Vince Vaughn
07 Keith Urban
06 Kevin Federline
05 Sir Paul McCartney
04 Nick Lachey
03 George Clooney
02 Brad Pitt
01 Tom Cruise

Source:mjstar

Download this exclusive Michael Jackson demo entitled "Love Never Felt So Good".

For obvious reasons MJSTAR can not share the full download:



DOWNLOAD 30sec CLIP:
http://www.mjstar.com/forum/temp/mj_loveneverfeltsogood_low.mp3

Source:MJstar....

Ending 18 months of seclusion in Europe, reclusive superstar Michael Jackson was on a plane to the United States late Saturday bound for Las Vegas, where he plans a comeback.

Jackson and his three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II were due to arrive before midnight at a private executive terminal at McCarran International Airport, sources said.

We hear that Jackson's friend, Las Vegas dealmaker Jack Wishna, was instrumental in having the pop icon move back to the United States.

Reminiscent of Howard Hughes' secretive arrival in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving Day in 1966, Jackson's surprise move came after his father, Joe Jackson, vowed his son would not live in the United States again.

The 48-year-old King of Pop has lived in Bahrain and a Celtic castle in Ireland since being acquitted in California of child molestation charges in June 2005.

Wishna, reached by telephone, wouldn't comment, other than to confirm Jackson was moving to Las Vegas and to say, "We are working on several projects."

Jackson has had more than a dozen No. 1 hits on the U.S. charts, the last in 1995. He has not toured since the mid-1990s.

Wishna wouldn't say where Jackson might land on the Strip. Wishna made headlines during Jackson's trial when he courted the entertainer, saying a Jackson comeback would earn a Celine Dion-like contract in Las Vegas.

Calling Jackson "one of the greatest entertainers in the world," Wishna said the singer "is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon."


Source:reviewjournal.com/MJTKOP

MJ Wants his money back

Michael Jackson blames his financial mess on his former accountants, and he's suing to make things right.

TMZ has obtained a lawsuit filed by Jackson against Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman & Sloan, the singer's former CPAs. In the suit, filed late Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Jackson claims the firm withdrew $2.5 million a year from his accounts but did not pay the bills as ordered.

Jackson alleges the firm hired and paid people on Jackson's dime, without his authorization. Jackson has been dogged by claims he has stiffed his staff. The lawsuit also alleges that the firm entered into various agreements on Jackson's behalf, without his approval.

Jackson does not specifically allege where the money went, but claims the firm was negligent and violated its duty of trust. He also claims the firm has not come clean with his financial records, and says he's requested his accounting file but it has not been presented.

Jackson is seeking unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages and a full accounting. Reps from Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman & Sloan had no comment.

Download the lawsuit files (PDF Format - right click and 'save target as')


Source:TMZ.COM

Rapper WILL.I.AM has spoken out about his shock at being asked to collaborate on MICHAEL JACKSON's first album in six years. THE BLACK EYED PEAS star was convinced someone was playing a joke on him when he received a call from Jackson asking him to collaborate on his new album.

But he was soon satisfied he really was speaking to the THRILLER singer and they quickly began sharing daily conversations and discussing new material.

He says, "Michael called up and I thought someone was joking. I hear, 'Hello, it's Michael,' and I was like, 'Yeah right, stop playing!' "Then he said, 'I want to congratulate you on all your success. Do you mind if I call you in a couple of days at 4pm?' "Then he started ringing me every day at 4pm. So I started working on music for him on the tour bus."


Source:Contact Music

Michael Jackson's spokesperson Raymone Bain has released the following statement after the worldwide media circulated rumours that Neverland Valley Ranch was up for sale.

UK TV Broadcaster ITV is to air a Michael Jackson documentary on Friday, December 29 here in the UK. The documentary is titled The One and Only Michael Jackson.

According to the programs description it is: "A definitive profile of one of the most influential and pioneering musical figures ever, including rare interviews with his closest family and friends. Michael's mother Katherine, brother Jermaine and sister La Toya talk candidly about their son and brother. Fellow stars Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Liza Minnelli, Bomani Jones, Steve Barron and Jeffrey Daniel give their opinions on the man behind some of the biggest songs, stories and scandals of recent years. "

The program will be broadcast on all ITV regions in the UK, see http://www.itvregions.com/ for your local ITV Region, it will be broadcast on Friday, December 29 at 9.00pm to 10.30pm (GMT).

For more information or to leave comments after the show has aired you can contact ITV using the information below:

Duty Office
Gas Street
Birmingham
B1 2JT

Tel: 0870 600 6766
Fax: 0121 634 4898
Email: dutyoffice@itv.com

Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 11.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 10.00am to 10.00pm
Closed on Bank Holidays.


Source:MJTKOP.COM

Veteran producer Quincy Jones is to receive a special honour at Harvard University.

The legend will become the first recipient of the institution's Mentor of the Year Award, due to take place next month.

Speaking about the honour, Associate Dean of Harvard School Of Public Health Jay Winsten said: "Through his spirit, insight, inspiration, and caring, Quincy has touched and transformed many lives - ranging from celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith to former gang members in South Central Los Angeles.

"Through his work with UNICEF and other international agencies, he has served as a role model for using the power of celebrity to improve the lot of humankind."

Jones himself was mentored at the age of 15 in Seattle by the late jazz singer Ray Charles.

Working with Michael Jackson, he produced the best selling single of all time, 'We Are the World' and the best selling album in history, 'Thriller'. Jones is also the most nominated Grammy artist of all time, with 76 nominations.

NME

Michael Jackson fans can now have their chance to bid on a framed presentation presented to an MTV excutive by Michael Jackson for that executive's help in making the BAD album a success. This item resembles and is in the same vein as an RIAA award but does not have the official hologram or commemorate a specific number of album sales. It is a THANK YOU gift to a music industry executive.

LIFEbeat is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reaching America’s youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. LIFEbeat mobilizes the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and funds, and to provide support to the AIDS community.

Many thanks to Jennifer Hazlewood.

CLICK TO BID FOR BAD

Source:MJstar...

To My Japanese Fans:

I understand that there has been some confusion concerning my upcoming visit to Japan.

Positive Productions and Mr. Broderick Morris have been kind enough to invite me to Japan to participate in a Christmas event at the Tokyo Shinkiba Studio Coast, and I have accepted. I will be attending the Christmas Celebration on December 19, 2006.

As you all know, I visited Japan in May of this year. Mr. Morris and Positive Productions sponsored that trip as well. My children and I had a wonderful time visiting Tokyo and seeing fans and friends. I am sure that this visit will be just as enjoyable for us.

Please rest assured that reports of my upcoming visit to Tokyo are true.

Thank you for your love, your kindness, and the support that you, and my fans from around the world have shown to me, and my family, over the years.

I love you all from the bottom of my heart, and wish you, and your families, a wonderful holiday season.

With love,
Michael Jackson

Chris Cornell is set to astound fans with his upcoming sophomore solo album, which contains his cover of Michael Jackson's classic Billie Jean.

The Audioslave singer, who used to front Soundgarden, admits the cover is a surprise choice, but insists fans will barely recognise the source material.

He says, "There was once a time when Michael Jackson was cool. He was once at the cutting edge of music, even though it was pop.

"There were two things about the song that appealed to me - the song is quite dark and I knew I could make it in to my own, like Johnny Cash did it with Soundgarden's Rusty Cage and Nine Inch Nails Hurt.

"If I've played it for someone in the studio, it takes them a little while to realise what the song is. I think it's a moving song and covering Michael Jackson is the last thing anyone would expect from me. It's an odd choice for a cover song."

Source:MJstar...

Michael Jackson refuses to be seen in public, even if it means getting the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet England's monarch.

Jackson recently turned down a movie premiere because he was terrified of meeting Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

The eccentric singer is so nervous about coming face-to-face with the monarch that he turned down an invitation to attend the London royal premiere of the latest James Bond flick, "Casino Royale," despite being a huge 007 fan.

Entertainment columnist Liz Smith said, "Michael Jackson loves James Bond movies, despite the fact that they are rife with violence and adult sex. Usually Michael prefers cartoons or Disney fare. He was in London when "Casino Royale" had its royal premiere. But he didn't go. Jackson said he was too nervous to be near the queen."

King Of Pop asked organizers to send him a DVD of the movie instead, which he watched in his hotel room.

Source: AHN

Tito Jackson has revealed brother Michael is getting ready to make his pop comeback.

The singer - who was part of the Jackson 5 with his eccentric younger sibling - insists Michael is ready to put last year’s child molestation allegations, of which he was fully cleared, behind him and launch a fresh assault on the charts.

He told British radio station Heart: "He's at a point where he's coming into his own after that fiasco. Right now he's starting to be able to think again but nobody is rushing him. When the time is right his comeback will happen. I haven't spoken to him for a little while, we're just all giving him the space that he needs, but he's doing fine."

Tito also hasn't ruled out the possibility of the Jackson 5 reforming.

He added: "It's long over due and it would be a very great thing to do but it's still a rumour right now. If we get enough people to scream about it, it can become a reality."

Source:MJstar...

SINGING STUDENTS: The Holy Family Catholic College students who sang with Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards (EL123-28015)

TEENAGERS who sang with Michael Jackson at the World Music Awards have said people overeacted to the pop star's truncated performance.

Around 20 pupils from Holy Family Catholic College, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, were asked to sing with Mr Jackson on-stage while he sang We Are The World at the glitzy award ceremony in Earls Court.

But the pop star got cold feet and fellow singer Beyonc Knowles, who was going to present him with an award, was left waiting for 20 minutes.

In the end, Michael Jackson managed to sing a couple lines from the song he wrote and produced with Lionel Richie.

It is alleged he was booed by fans.

However, the teenagers singing with him thought it was a dream come true and said there had been an over-reaction to his performance.

Portuia Douglas, 16, said: "The press got the wrong end of the stick. There wasn't any booing. There was booing for other artists because the crowd wanted to see Michael perform.

"I think everybody wanted to be in our shoes because it is a once in a life time opportunity to perform with Michael Jackson.

"I am a massive fan of his and when I knew I was going to sing with him I phoned everyone in my phone book. I was so excited I couldn't sleep."

Joesph Perry,16, said: "It was the first time Michael Jackson had performed in a while and perhaps people were expecting Thriller and I think they were surprised when he sang only four lines of the song.

"But It was really amazing singing with him. We were stuck in a room for ten hours and we were saying Where's Michael?' but when we were on stage it just clicked.

"When we finished he said Thank you guys' and I even touched him.

"I was thrilled that our performance was shown round the world and my family in India saw me."

He added that one of the teachers, who knew an event organisers, was asked if she knew any teenagers who wanted to sing with Michael Jackson. "Most people in my class weren't that bothered but, to me, it was a dream come true," said Joseph.

Source:MJNO...

Up for auction next week will be Michael Jackson's Light up "Victory Tour Jacket 1984”.

The jacket was worn on stage by the King Of Pop during the 1984 Jackson's Victory tour. Within the pockets are controls that enabled Michael to turn on the unique neon strip lights embroidered across the shoulders and back. This was used to great effect to enhance Michaels famous dance moves during the performance. The Jacket is embroidered with a California Custom Jackets Glendale CA and has the Jackson's Victory Tour '84 embroidered on both the back and front of the jacket.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO

MJstar..

Sound Generator has learnt that Michael Jackson is planning a spectacular live return in the New Year with the help of street magician David Blaine.

A number of Internet news sources are quoting today that the pop superstar plans to silence his critics with a 'dramatic' return to the stage, and has roped in David Blaine for a 'magic and music showpiece'.

"There is nothing more sacred to Michael than his electricity on stage, press reports claimed he will never sing again like he used to, they are in for a shock," a source close to Jackson is quoted as saying, reports influential L.A gossip site Defamer - which picked the story up from London news insider Pop Revenge.

"The attacks have personally hurt him, he has always prided himself on his abilities as a live performer. His response will be dramatic and the answer is going to be onstage, it is something nobody else could create."

The story goes on to reveal that Jackson spoke to Blaine shortly after his live return last week at the World Music Awards in London.

Source;MJstar..

Lindsay Lohan has hit out at critics of pop superstar Michael Jackson, after his performance at last week's World Music Awards in London.

The singer/actress, who hosted the ceremony in the capital's Earls Court, came to the defence of the Thriller star, whose brief stage appearance at the show received a chorus of boos(according to the press, I didnt here any boos - MJTKOP).

However, Lohan suggested that people should look past Jackson's image and personal troubles and praise him for his contributions to pop music.

The Mean Girls star says, "I don't care. He's Michael Jackson for Christ's sake!"

Source:WENN/Yahoo! News

After this weeks media frenzy with Michael Jackson attending the World Music Awards it seems the unfair negative press about Michael after the WMA hasn't really harmed Michael's music sales here in the UK.

Just checked the BBC UK RnB charts and The Essential Michael Jackson is in there at number 36, maybe its been there for a while and I didn't notice, I don't know but any MJ album in the charts is good news.

BBC UK RnB Album Chart

MJstar...

Like many other people I can't bear to look at Michael Jackson's face as it is now, especially as I remember him - and loved him - when he looked like the kid on the left. Some of the harshest reports of his appearance at the World Music Awards on Wednesday make particular mention of his "melting" features as well as rubbishing his short performance. But not everyone who attended felt short-changed. My enterprising eldest son Frankie was there and he makes a strong case for the defence:

"It was so amazing and I can't understand all the negative reports. The papers invented the story about him singing Thriller, then made out he let all the fans down when he didnt! Every single person in the stadium was only there for him and singing his name all night, even throughout other awards and no one booed him at all! Considering he wasnt even scheduled to perform, it was great that he DID sing and appear on stage at all. I can't believe some of the papers are saying he was booed off - it just didnt happen!"

Frankie also says that MJ's cameo was "going great" until the backing track got cut off halfway through: a technical clanger, and therefore not the singer's fault. So is this a classic case of the press deciding in advance what "the story" is going to be and sticking with it whatever happens in reality? Put another way, who would you believe? A bunch of showbiz hacks or my charming eldest son? Only one answer is permissable.

The organisers of the World Music Awards said that they had "not been contacted by any of the fans or had one complaint" regarding the event.

They added that Jackson's performance had been cut short because the ceremony over-ran, breaking a noise curfew at the venue.

"I was standing watching Jackson perform... and suddenly he stopped," said Julius Just, head of Public Relations for the awards.

"They cut the sound on one of the greatest living artists in the world.

"It's the first time anything like this has happened in 18 years of the World Music Awards."
But officials at Earl's Court denied that the sound had been cut.

"We accommodated the show and the show's organisers by obtaining an extension to our licence in order to allow the show to run to eleven o'clock," said spokesman Jeremy Probert.

"And as far as we're concerned, that's what the show did. As a matter of fact, I think it finished about a minute-and-a-half early," he added.

BBC

Michael Jackson fans had formed an 'alliance' to bring everyone a special after show party. But as in keeping with the quality of the World Music Awards the party was cancelled. After changing the venue three times, and spending thousands of pounds securing venues and gifts for the King Of Pop - fans where left high and dry.

So what went wrong?

After securing the Club de Paris - both management and the Police felt the venue to be unsafe for the King Of Pop to attend.

Source:Mjstar...

Michael Jackson threw the World Music Awards into disarray last night by pulling out of a planned duet of his hit THRILLER with R&B star CHRIS BROWN.

Fans expected the star to recreate the 1982 hit, performing live in London for the first time in nine years.

But Jackson failed to attend a rehearsal and told journalists when he arrived at the Earls Court venue that reports he would sing were "a misunderstanding".

An un-named event organiser tells British newspaper The Sun, "No one knew if they'd perform at all. They were terrified it would be a total disaster." Brown was left to sing Thriller alone. Jackson appeased angry fans when he stepped onstage for a performance of WE ARE THE WORLD - but left most of the singing to a backing gospel choir, managing just a few lines.

Source:mjstar...

With a few thrilling bars of We Are the World, Michael Jackson made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the World Music Awards Wednesday.

"There have been so many who have loved me and stood by me throughout my 42 years in the entertainment business," Jackson, 48, told screaming fans after he received a lifetime achievement award to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Thriller. Jackson, dressed in a sequined black tuxedo, said little and sang even less, but that didn't dampen the spirits of his fans, many of whom traveled from around the world to witness Jackson's comeback.

"I love all of my fans from the bottom of my heart," Jackson told the crowd after accepting the Diamond Award, given to artists who have sold more than 100 million albums. Previous recipients include Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi and Celine Dion.

"It was my dream that Thriller would become the biggest-selling album ever. And God has answered my prayers. {hellip} I thank God and you for this success," Jackson said, thanking his parents, siblings and his children.

R&B star Chris Brown, backed by dozens of dancers in zombie make-up, opened for Jackson with rendition of Thriller.

"He has influenced my life since day one, since I was in my mama's womb," Brown said before the show. "I was listening to his music as I was coming out and I'm here to play tribute to him."

The concert marked the latest public appearance by the reclusive celebrity, who moved to Bahrain in a self-imposed exile after his acquittal of child-molestation charges last year. Jackson now lives in Ireland south of Dublin. Jackson spent the past week in London, making several shopping and sightseeing outings. Jackson was toasted by a slew of celebrities including host Lindsay Lohan. Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, Enya, Andrea Bocelli and Katie Melua performed. In the VIP area, guests Paris Hilton, Rachel Hunter, Natalie Imbruglia, Tommy Hilfiger and Jade Jagger mingled, nibbled on sushi and sipped Moet champagne.Hundreds of fans who weren't lucky enough to score tickets to the event held vigil outside, singing Jackson songs and waving banners.

"He's part of my heart, part of my life," said Vincent Descamps, 18, of Lille, France, holding a giant American flag printed with Jackson's face.

Diana Esquivel, who traveled from San Francisco, said she did not consider the appearance a comeback. "In my eyes, he never left."

USA Today

Michael Jackson is planning to take to the stage again.

Raymone K Bain - who has been named general manager of the new Michael Jackson Company - released a statement which said:

"He (Michael) is reviewing numerous offers to tour musically, which he plans to embark upon within the next several months.

"Mr Jackson has previously announced plans to record an album, which he predicts will be released in 2007."

His new general manager added that the tour and album release plans were "the first of a sweeping restructuring of his personal and business affairs".

Source:Sky

Guinness World Records London Head Quarters today welcomed the world’s biggest superstar through its doors for an honorary record presentation. Michael Jackson, a self confessed Guinness World Records fan since childhood, contacted Guinness World Records ahead of his visit to request that he could collect his multiple Guinness World Record certificates during his trip to London this week.

With a staggering eight records mapping career highlights over the last quarter of a century, Michael Jackson is one of Guinness World Records longest standing record holders. The records span from Youngest vocalist to top the US singles chart, (aged 11, fronting The Jackson Five) and First vocalist to enter the US single chart at No.1 ("You Are Not Alone") to Most weeks at the top of the US album charts (non-soundtrack) (37 weeks for Thriller); Most successful music video (Thriller sold over 1 million units); First entertainer to earn more than $100 million in a year to Highest paid entertainer of all time ($125 million in 1989 Forbes list). His ultimate and latest accolade was also presented to him: Most successful entertainer of all time.

Michael arrived at Guinness World Records offices in North West London at 4pm this afternoon with his entourage - a fleet of black and silver people carriers. Wearing his signature black three quarter length dinner jacket and trousers with yellow piping, he arrived amidst an army of fans who had followed him from the hotel.

He was greeted by Guinness World Records Editor, Craig Glenday, and given a whirlwind tour of the offices and shown weird and wonderful exhibits from the ‘Guinness World Records Cabinet of Curioddities’, including the world’s oldest vomit and tallest man ever’s shoes. Michael was then presented with his record certificates, a copy of the latest edition of the book and a special edition from the year he was born (1958 ). Evidently delighted with the accolades he holds in high esteem, Michael said: “I’ve always been a big fan of the book. Thank you so much – it’s a great honour to visit the Guinness World Records offices.”

Michael Jackson is in London for his first UK performance in nine years. He is due to be presented with a Diamond Award at the World Music Awards in Earls Court on Wednesday evening. He will also sing tracks from his Thriller album, bringing it back to life after 25 years. Guinness World Records Editor, Craig Glenday, will also be reuniting with the star on Wednesday evening to present him with his eighth Guinness World Record.

Guinness World Records Editor Craig Glenday said: “We always expect the unexpected here at Guinness World Records. From the world’s tallest man, woman with the longest fingernails and most pierced woman, we’re used to all walks of life stopping by the office, but we haven’t been this excited since we met the Queen last year. Michael is one of the greatest superstars of all time and his unwavering success has kept him at the very top of the record breaking charts throughout his career. We’re absolutely delighted that Michael holds Guinness World Records in such high regard and honoured that he’s taken time out of his busy schedule to stop by and collect them in person.”

Source:

The London Metro have two pairs of tickets to the World Music Awards 2006 tomorrow night at Earls Court, Warwick Rd, SW5 9TA from 7pm

The show will be hosted by Lindsay Lohan and will be featuring performances from Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, plus many more...

The World Music Awards is the only truly international Music Awards ceremony featuring the world's best-selling artists.

Unlike other award shows, these awards are decided by the public as opposed to an industry panel.

The show will be broadcast on C4 on Thursday 23rd November.

For your chance to win this fantastic prize, click here

Source:MJSTAR...

Michael Jackson looks more animated than usual as he arrives in Britain — thanks to his T-shirt displaying cartoon mutt Pluto.

Jacko, 48, was in London last night as he prepared for his first UK performance in a decade.

He will recreate his Thriller video with dancers at the World Music Awards in Earls Court on Wednesday.

The last time he sang here was at the 1996 Brit Awards when Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker mocked his rendition of Earth Song.

Jackson — cleared of child abuse charges last year — tried in vain to dodge snappers outside his hotel in Bayswater by using a decoy.

Source: The Sun

This weekend the King Of Pop and his entourage are due to arrive in London courtesy of the WMA organisers in familiar style - via private jet.

It will be something of a nostalgic revisiting of his glory days, as they are believed to be heading for the Lanesborough Hotel in central London, which was always his bolthole of choice in the capital.

He likes the Lanesborough because it is close to Hamleys toy shop, which used to open up for him in the middle of the night. He also likes the hotel because they were willing to make him 'comfortable', sending staff out to pick up his favoured Kentucky Fried Chicken meals.

Daily Mail

This Wednesday will be quite a date for connoisseurs of pop spectacle. Michael Jackson, who has essentially been in hiding since his trial for child abuse 18 months ago, is to appear on stage during the World Music Awards at Earls Court in London.

He is seldom seen - his last public outing was at another awards show in Japan in June - but this time the difference is that he is going to perform. It will be the first time in nine years that he has performed in the UK.

We are promised he is ready to perform a new version of his song Thriller, the smash hit which launched 52 million album sales. The song has been remixed at a secluded studio in Westmeath, Ireland, with the help of Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

Daily Mail

MJSTAR have now added their new poll:

What song should Michael Jackson sing at the World Music Awards?

Thriller

Billie Jean

Remember The Time

We Are The World

Heal The World

A brand new song!

Nothing, just accept the award!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE WORLD MUSIC AWARD

MJSTAR....

The French television advertisement for the release of Michael Jackson's Essential is now online to watch:

WATCH NEW FRENCH ADVERT


Sony BMG

Source:Mjstar...

Reclusive superstar Michael Jackson plans a dramatic comeback later this month with a performance of his classic song "Thriller", the organizers of a music awards ceremony said on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old superstar has been a virtual recluse since his acquittal of child molestation charges in June, 2005, dividing much of his time between Bahrain and Ireland.

Last month the World Music Awards announced that Jackson would appear in London to accept a Diamond Award that goes to artists who sell more than 100 million records worldwide, and this week they confirmed Jackson's intention to perform.

"Yes, it's his first performance in a long time," said a spokeswoman at Outside Organization, one of the public relations companies publicizing the event. "It's something of a comeback if you like."

The choice of song coincides with the 25th anniversary of Jackson's "Thriller" album, one of the biggest selling records of all time.

Jackson has said he planned to move to Europe in a bid to resurrect his musical career, and in April a record label said he intended to make a new album to be released in 2007.

Source:MJSTAR...

MJTKOP.COM has been asked by Dutch Michael Jackson fansite MJJ Ghost to post the following message in an effort to promote the comeback of Michael Jackson.

VERY IMPORTANT :

IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE COMEBACK OF MICHAEL JACKSON IN HOLLAND, YOU CAN VOTE FOR HIS SONGS IN TWO LISTS OF BEST SONGS OF ALL TIME:

• TOP 2000 (Radio 2)
  
• TOP 1000 OF ALL TIMES (Radio Veronica)

• VOTE FOR THE TOP 1000 (RADIO VERONICA) HERE!
  
  
• VOTE FOR THE TOP 2000 (RADIO 2) HERE!

The images of ’Michael Jackson’ and ’rolling green hills’ don’t exactly seem to go together.

It’s much easier to picture him on-stage, on a Ferris wheel, or, unfortunately, in a court room. But The Gloved One is now spending time on a sprawling estate in Ireland, where he recently invited Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush to sit in on an informal studio session.

Seeing scenes of a relaxed Jackson strolling near the countryside, joking in the recording studio, and speaking in a voice lower than his typical falsetto almost makes one think that – wait a minute – he almost seems kind of... normal. And that’s why he should really do these things more often.

Of course, it’s easy to understand why he doesn’t. Jackson’s last major interview in 2003 with Martin Bashir prompted an investigation into child molestation and a subsequent high-profile trial. Although he was cleared of all charges in the court of law, The King of Pop generally seems uninterested in defending himself in the court of public opinion.

Whenever Jackson does protest being portrayed as “Wacko Jacko," it usually elicits little public sympathy, and the general feeling that he “brings it on himself.” After all, no one forced him to dangle his baby from a balcony, have plastic surgery, or share his bed with children. And although those are all very different issues, they don’t make for a positive image separately – let alone collectively.

During his informal studio sit-down, it becomes pretty clear that even the people seated right next to him can’t ignore Jackson’s larger than life-ness – but not necessarily because of anything he’s doing. He seems pretty indifferent to being talked about as if he’s not there – he shrugs a lot; uses the word “gee” a lot. It’s the way that the people around him are acting that reminds you that it’s Michael Jackson. Seated next to Jackson, Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas nods knowingly to the beats and seems quite casual at first, like he could be sitting next to any random person. But he isn’t.

Unable to contain himself, Will.i.am lets out a star-struck reference to Jackson’s Off the Wall album. He describes how he and his contemporaries are “products of this” (pointing to Jackson). Although he’s more than complimentary, he is, essentially, objectifying Jackson, who seems to become a little more detached from his studio mates until laughter breaks the silence. “We’ll pretend we’re technically inclined,” he jokes about the studio equipment. He doesn’t moonwalk when he says it. Or follow it up with “heeee-heeee.” Maybe the stranger-than-fiction truth is even weirder than we could have ever imagined: maybe he’s not so strange after all.


Source:Celebrity Cafe

Michael discusses his future comeback

As previously reported, Access Hollywood has held an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson while he was in Ireland.

Part 1 of the interview aired in the U.S. on Thursday (November 2nd) and showed Michael in great spirits as he discussed his new music alongside producer Will.I.Am in the recording studio. Part 2 aired yesterday, and Michael discussed his future comeback.

"Do you see something big with the music that you make again, or getting that ground swell going? Doing clubs and intimate things and getting it bigger and bigger and bigger?" asked Access Hollywood's Billy Bush. "You know I'm not sure, on that level," was the answer from a cautious Michael.

Black Eyed Peas producer Will.I.Am was a little more forthright, answering Bush's question as a fan, claiming any future project would be "Big!"

Watch the video here.

Access Hollywood Interview - Part 2 Transcript

The below is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access Hollwood's Billy Bush that aired on Friday, November 3rd.

Billy Bush: Yesterday, in Part 1 of my exclusive in-studio visit, you saw a mixed Michael. He chose his words carefully. But when super producer Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas turned on the beats, Michael came alive!

There is no doubt in my mind that Jackson is coming back, but how? Amazingly, he hasn't really thought about it.

(Cuts to footage of inside the studio)

BB: There was nothing ever bigger than (Thriller) that. That is the biggest album ever.

(Cuts to footage of Thriller video before returning to studio)

BB: If you went back and took it to a second chapter...

Michael Jackson: That's a great idea.

(Cuts to footage of Billie Jean video)

BB: (Voiceover) Imagine Michael Jackson re-visiting Thriller. Remix, DVD's, Web Saturation. The sky's gotta be the limit with the biggest selling album with nearly 100 million copies worldwide.

(Returns to studio)

BB: Is that the first time you've heard of it? I mean like, or or, have you thought that...

Michael: No I haven't really thought about it in that way but I would give it more thought. We haven't really discussed it yet, on that level, but I'm sure at some point we will. But it's a great thought.

BB: Feel like I'm a collaborator here.

Michael: Yeah, yeah, you are...

(Laughter all round)

BB: I get a credit...

Michael: You are.

BB: I might get a credit.

(Cuts to footage of Michael, Will.I.Am and Billy Bush walking around Irish estate with new track produced by Will.I.Am playing in the background)

BB: (Voiceover) For right now Michael is focused on creating and not re-creating. And it is right here at this recording studio on the sprawling classic old Irish estate outside of Dublin where Michael has teamed up with Black Eyed Peas leader Will.I.Am to take his music to the next level.

(Cuts back to studio)

BB: Do you see something big with the music that you make again, or getting that ground swell going? Doing clubs and intimate things and getting it bigger and bigger and bigger?

Michael: Jee, you know I'm not sure, on that level.

Will.I.Am: I can answer that direct (as) a fan...

(Michael points at Will.I.Am)

BB: Go ahead.

Will.I.Am: Big!

(Cuts to footage of Michael dancing away to the music before returning)

Will.I.Am: Something needs to put a jolt back in the music industry. And the only thing that can do that is the jolt itself. The energy that sparked the imagination of the kids that are... me, you know, the Justin Timberlake's, we're all products of this. (Motions to Michael) So the only person that can put that jolt back in to that monstrosity of entertainment and music is the one who created that. (Motions to Michael again)

(Cuts to footage of Don't Stop 'till You Get Enough video)

BB: (Voiceover) But what about those people Michael inspired...

(Cuts to footage of Justin Timberlake's Rock Your Body video)

BB: (Voiceover) ...to aspire?

(Cuts back to the studio)

BB: Michael, I would love to hear what you thought of Justin Timberlake or something like that, because he's the closest thing to Michael Jackson I think today. You know what I mean?

Michael: I think Justin's doing a wonderful job, as well as Usher (Michael smiles) it's great to see. I'm inspired by what they do, and I'm sure I've inspired them. It's very nice.


Trabscript and news courtesy of MJNI.COM

Michael invites Billy Bush and his crew into recording studio

As previously reported, Access Hollywood's Billy Bush travelled to Ireland for an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson.

Part 1 of the interview aired in th U.S. yesterday (November 2nd) and showed Michael in great spirits as he discussed his new music alongside producer Will.I.Am in the recording studio.

When asked by Bush why Michael chose the Black Eyed Peas member to produce tracks for his new album, he said, "Because I think he's doing wonderful, innovative, positive great music. Thought it'd be interesting to collaborate or just, you know, see how the chemistry works."

For a full transcript of the first part of the interview, check out below. To watch part 1 of the interview Click Here. Part 2 is set to air today.



Access Hollwood Interview - Part 1: Transcript

The below is a transcript of an interview between Michael Jackson and Access Hollwood's Billy Bush that aired on Thursday, November 2nd.

Billy Bush: Michael invited me to Ireland, to observe him, as he got back into the studio. Can lightning strike twice for the King of Pop?

Michael insisted this was NOT a formal interview. He wanted us to be more like flies on the wall. Let's face it, the way Michael sees it, when a camera and microphone has charmed its way into his personal space, it has turned out badly for him.

So with that in mind, we agreed to just turn the cameras on.

(Cuts to footage of Michael in the studio, and walking around around Irish estate with Billy Bush and Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, with a new track playing in the background)

BB: So this is really a kind of an exploratory mission. You (pointing at Michael) deciding to get back into making music...

Michael: (Smiling) I never stopped... I'm always writing a potpourri of music, you know, it's how it is.

BB: (Voiceover) Relaxed, and ready to return.

(Cuts to footage of Michael laughing)

BB: (To Will.I.Am) Let's hear it.

(Will.I.Am starts playing a track he has prepared for Michael)

BB: (Voiceover) That, is the Michael Jackson we found when Access journeyed over 5000 miles to this classic old Irish estate (footage on screen) outside of Dublin. The stone manor is built to rock with a state of the art recording studio. But it's because of the beauty of the emerald landscape that Michael chose to be here.

(Cuts to footage of BB in grounds of the estate)

BB: What goes on on these grounds is a lot of exercise and walking and horse back riding. Michael wakes up in the morning, he makes porridge for his kids, which is oatmeal, and fruit. All the food is organically grown here. The amazing thing is, is that the man that is known as the P.T. Barnum of the recording industry (everything done big and extravagant) is really sort of dialling it back... to the roots.

(Cuts to more footage of Michael in the studio)

BB: (Voiceover) Michael is on the search for fresh sounds and Black Eyed Peas leader Will.I.Am is the man with the beats.

(Footage of Will.I.Am and Michael nodding away to a track that is being played)

BB: Will, we were talking a little earlier, you got a phone call on the tour bus, right? Someone said, "Mike's on the phone..."

Will: I was like, "no, come one, stop playing around." I didn't know it. I thought somebody was joking.

BB: So this is like eh, this is baby steps? Of just checking out what may be a collaboration or some work together?

Michael: Yeah, yes.

BB: Why Will?

Michael: Because I think he's doing wonderful, innovative, positive great music. Thought it'd be interesting to collaborate or just, you know, see how the chemistry works... be wonderful.

Will: This is like, a dream come true for me, you know.

BB: (To Michael) Does he take your advice well?

Michael: (Nodding and smiling) Yeah, we uh, yeah we...

(Will.I.Am interrupts, Michael laughs)

Will: I have... you have to take advice from the King of Pop.

(Billy Bush laughs)

Michael: I like to take sounds and put them on a microscope and just talk about how we wanna manipulate the character of it.

BB: (Voiceover) Will brought something new to the table, while keeping that classic Michael sound intact.

Will: (To Michael about the music playing) Living 'Off the Wall' with them kind of strings... (smiles)

Michael: Oh yeah, yeah, 'Off the Wall' yes.

(Laughter all around)

BB: (Voiceover) If Michael likes what he hears, he'll add his own musical touches. But for now, the two (Michael and Will) work the board, weaving out a sound and tapestry - layer by layer.

Michael: Pretend we're technically inclined. (Laughter all round)

BB: (Voiceover) Do NOT doubt his (Michael's) tech savvy, Michael knows his way around a recording studio AND our new digital camera.

(Footage of Michael holding a camera from the Access Hollywood crew)

Michael: That's a beauty. You can edit within the camera...

BB: Film me.

Michael: So s...

BB: Can you operate it?

Michael: Uh, I don't know, ok yeah... (points camera at Billy Bush)

BB: Are you a technology...

Michael: Yeah, I love cameras...

BB: Love the action?

Michael: Yeah. Love it. It's a beauty. (Starts to put camera down, turns to crew member) What's the price of this one on retail?

Crew member: $6,000.

Michael: Wow!

BB: (Voiceover) But what really impressed Michael? Will's music.

(Footage of Michael bopping his head to the music before it stops)

BB: What you think there?

Michael: They're very nice grooves...

Will: Alright...

Michael: I like the chords, I like what you did.

Will: That's a... that's a club banger.

BB: Yeah...

Will: That's what they call that one.

(Music starts playing again, Will and Michael move to the music)

BB: (Voiceover) Will's beats are infectious, and an enthusiastic Michael could NOT contain himself.

(Cuts to footage of Michael moving to other side of studio to dance a few steps)

Michael: (To Billy Bush) Do you feel you have enough (footage)?

BB: I could go forever Michael. (Laughter all round) You don't wanna ask me that Michael.


Source:MJTKOP...

Akon Fast shaping up to become one of the biggest breakthrough artists of 2006, hip-hop star Akon has revealed this week plans to record a duet with Michael Jackson.

The St. Lois-born star, who was raised in Dakar, Senegal, landed a smash hit in 2004 with "Lonely", and returns this month with the monster hit "Smack That" featuring Eminem, which looks set to hit the U.S. No. 1 this week.

However, in an exclusive interview with edgy pop news site Pop Revenge this week, the 25-year-old confirms he will be adding an even more impressive name to his collaboration list - appearing on the King of Pop's new album, which is being produced by Will.I.Am

"The track with Eminem has gone really well, so now Michael Jackson is next," he says. "It will be a great duet, I am planning for it now, it will happen as soon as possible.

"I'm a huge fan of Michael, I know we will do great things in the studio, it will be a unique sound."


Source:Sound Generator

New article and teaser video from Access Hollywood

In the year 1991, when MTV was still primarily known for playing music videos, a new album from an artist who helped define the channel in the '80s was being released. This album was going to be huge, and MTV kicked into high gear promoting its World Premiere airing of the first single's video.

The album was called "Dangerous." The single was called "Black or White." And the artist? Well, he was suddenly called "The King of Pop."

Of course, the artist was none other than Michael Jackson, but now he had this official-sounding title tacked onto his name. Where did this royal title come from? Did the media name him that? Did he bestow it upon himself? How would Elvis feel about it?

These were questions asked by many at that time.

Regardless of its mysterious origins (most accounts said it was self-imposed, although Jackson claims it was taken from friend Elizabeth Taylor's speech about him at an awards ceremony), the nickname stuck. The premiere of "Black or White" was broadcast simultaneously in 27 countries on November 14, 1991 with an estimated audience of 500 million people - the largest audience ever to view a music video. Michael Jackson was back, and the world took notice.

Fast-forward to the present day: It's been almost 15 years since Jackson broke records with "Black or White," and much has happened to him and his reputation, most of it unpleasant. Jackson's not-so-private private life has been under constant scrutiny, with lawsuits and various charges brought against him for the world to see.

But one fact remains: Michael Jackson has, despite these "distractions," made his mark on the music industry in unmatched ways as an artist, an influence, a pioneer, and a sales-generating force over the past four decades.

When it's all about popular music, Michael Jackson is, without a doubt, the King.

Let's review:

· His 1982 album "Thriller" remained at number one for thirty-seven weeks (the longest stay by a non-soundtrack album to date), and has gone on to become the best-selling album of all-time, nearing 100 million copies sold worldwide. It also has the distinction of being the first album to have seven Top 10 singles on the charts.

· 1995's "HIStory: Past, Present, & Future" is the best-selling multiple-disc album of all-time, with 18 million copies sold worldwide.

· Jackson has the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles for a male recording artist: "Ben" (1 week), "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (1 week), "Rock with You" (4 weeks), "Billie Jean" (7 weeks), "Beat It" (3 weeks), "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (1 week), "Bad" (2 weeks), "The Way You Make Me Feel" (1 week), "Man in the Mirror" (2 weeks), "Dirty Diana" (1 week), "Black or White" (7 weeks), and "You Are Not Alone" (1 week). "You Are Not Alone" entered the singles chart at #1, a feat that had never previously occurred.

· Jackson jointly holds the record for most Grammy Awards won in a single year, having won eight awards at the 1984 ceremony. This has been equaled only by Carlos Santana, at the 2001 ceremony.

· In January 1993, he performed during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXVII. It drew one of the largest viewing audiences in the history of American television.

· Jackson's latest album, "Invincible," was released in October 2001 and debuted at number-one in 13 countries.

· On November 15, 2006, Michael Jackson will be presented with the Diamond Award (Over 100 million albums sold) at the World Music Awards.

Sales and world records aside, another facet of Jackson's extraordinary career has been the collaborations he's done with other artists. He's worked with established music legends such as Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers and Stevie Wonder. He's aided aspiring performers like Siedah Garrett, Rockwell, Brandy and Monica. Jackson has run the gamut of various musical genres and styles - inviting other influences into his own work, as well as lending his voice and skills to other people's projects.

He's even collaborated with Martin Scorsese and Stephen King on video projects. Rumors abound about the possibility of a future collaboration with rapper 50 Cent, but nothing's been confirmed at this time.

What definitely has been confirmed is the fact that Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas is working with Michael on some new tracks, as Billy Bush learned on Access Hollywood's recent exclusive visit to Jackson's studio in Ireland.

With a new album in the works, Jackson is finally readying his musical comeback. Michael's music has unfortunately taken a back seat to the scandals. It's high time the music came front and center again.

So how does Michael plan to overcome adversity and get back into the music game? As he said in an interview on Jesse Jackson's radio show last year, he's going to persevere and continue to reach for his goals.

"I'm a person of the arts. I love the arts very, very, very much," he told Jackson. "And I'm a musician, I'm a director, I'm a writer, I'm a composer, I'm a producer, and I love the medium... I know who I am inside and outside and I know what I want to do. And I will always go with my dreams and my ideals in life. And I'm a very courageous person and I believe in perseverance, determination, and all those wonderful things, and those ideals are very important for a person who is goal-orientated."


To view the video please goto the article page on Access Hollywood

Source:MJTKOP...

Standing tickets not available until next week

Following on from the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will attend this year's World Music Awards in London, MJNI.COM has spoken with the Box Office at Earl's Court.

The advice given by venue staff was that fans wishing to be closer to the stage should wait until next week to order, as the tickets currently on sale are for seats at the BACK. Standing tickets (closer to the front) are due to go on sale next week and are said to be cheaper than seated.

Tickets can be ordered online through the Earl's Court website (link below) and ticket provider See Tickets. For more information, call the See Ticket booking line at: 0870 903 9033.

The World Music Awards are taking place on November 15th, with R&B star Beyoncé (amongst others) performing and actress Lindsay Lohan hosting the event.

Earls Court Website


Source:MJNI.COM

Michael Jackson's Sequined Glove amongst items being auctioned

Fifty years after Dick Clark first hosted the popular television show that came to be called "American Bandstand," he's ready to let go of some of the rock'n'roll items he's collected.

Thousands of pieces in Clark's memorabilia collection are set to be auctioned on December 5 and 6 by Guernsey's Auction House in New York.

One of the top items is the microphone Clark used for 31 years while hosting the live music and dance show featuring artists from Jerry Lee Lewis to L.L. Cool J.

"It was an extension of my right arm," Clark told Reuters. "I held onto it for several hours a day, every day."

Arlan Ettinger, founder of Guernsey's, estimated the microphone could fetch anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. The auction will be no-reserve, meaning everything will be sold for the highest bid.

Also to be auctioned off in the collection are one of Paul McCartney's four Hofner left-handed basses and an electric guitar Bruce Springsteen gave to Clark.

The rock star autographed the guitar with the words: "From one of the 'World's Oldest Teenagers' to another."

Ettinger said the guitar, which Springsteen used during "The River" tour, could fetch as much as $60,000.

A beaded glove pop star Michael Jackson wore during his moon-walking days and a bustier with cups capped by gold sequins and black tassels Madonna wore on her first tour are also for sale, as are a suit John Lennon wore as a Beatle and a sign reading "Hair Peace" he wrote and posted on his Montreal hotel window during his and Yoko Ono's 1969 "bed in."

A self-described "true pack rat," Clark said he keeps a 28,000-square-foot warehouse filled with memorabilia, from which the items to be auctioned were selected.

"I finally decided that it was time to pass it to a generation of people who would enjoy it before this stuff gets too old," he said.

Part of the profits of the auction will go to the T.J. Martell Foundation, which raises funds to battle cancer, leukemia and AIDS.

Clark, 76, suffered a stroke in 2004. After a recuperation break, he returned to his traditional hosting role on the televised New Year's Eve celebration from New York's Times Square last year. He said he plans to host the show again this year.


Source:Yahoo! News/Reuters/MJTKOP.COM

Is Michael Jackson still the King of Pop? Personally, I say hell yes. The reason being, despite what personal issues the man may have encountered, it still hasn't stopped the likes of Omarion, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Usher and so many others from trying their hardest to mimic his likeness even if in tribute.

But can Michael make a comeback?

When I say comeback I mean, like Mariah Carey. Not like say... Monica. Oh come on... "Sideline Ho"????

Anyways, it seems that Michael will try to restore the Jackson name and plans to discuss his NEW CD in an exclusive interview scheduled to air on "Access Hollywood" on November 2nd.

I can't lie. I would love for Michael to come back and make a hit that changes the world on the level of "We Are the World" or "Thriller" or "Man In the Mirror." I think musical genius is timeless. Besides, we know the American conscious is based on greenbacks and if the right person is set to make the right amount of money, most people would act as if he's never been publicly chastized. Journalists went from constantly mentioning Mariah's breakdown to mentioning her chart position.


Source:SOHH.com

A London woman filed court papers in Los Angeles claiming she is the mother of Michael Jackson's three children, according to documents obtained Tuesday.

Nona Paris Lola Jackson filed her papers Friday, asking to have a say in the child custody settlement that has been reached between the pop star and ex-wife Deborah Rowe. The woman signed her name, "dudu."

A hearing on the woman's motion is set for Nov. 29 in Los Angeles Superior Court. Jackson's lawyer, Michael L. Abrams, could not be immediately reached for comment.

The woman, who refers to herself in court papers as a "black Jew born in Britain," maintains Rowe and Lisa Marie Presley, the singer's other ex-wife, never had sex with him.

Rowe originally had visitation rights with the couple's son, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., born in 1997, and daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, born in 1998.

She filed for divorce in 1999 and later gave up her visitation rights, but changed her mind after Jackson was arrested on child molestation charges.

A panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled in her favor earlier this year.

Jackson was acquitted last year of the molestation allegations and is now living in Bahrain.

Nona Jackson now claims she is the mother of Prince and Paris as well as Blanket, the child Jackson dangled outside a Berlin hotel balcony in 2002.

"Michael and I are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning," the woman claims in court papers.

The woman also maintains in her court papers that she has written more than 3,000 songs for Jackson.

Source: NBC

In a recent interview with a U.S. TV show, musical icon Michael Jackson discussed his future career plans and his current life in Ireland.

Speaking with NBC's "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush, Jackson limited his answers as to a future return to the U.S. music industry, yet his manner suggested a man in conflict, a release from the show said.

Bush said that the 48-year-old singer seemed receptive to the concept of revisiting his hit album "Thriller" with the help of rapper Will.I.Am. from the Black Eyed Peas, yet avoided confirming any possible musical future.

Screenshot from the upcoming Access Hollywood Interview

The Access Hollywood interview will air on US TV on November 2nd.

Watch the video teaser here.

US fans you can check where you can watch Access Hollywood by clicking here.

UK fans, I am having trouble finding a provider which has Access Hollywood, it seems there used to be a UK version but from what I can see it does'nt air anymore, if any UK fans know how to get Access Hollywood here in the UK please let me know.


Source:MJTKOP.COM

Pop star Michael Jackson is suing Los Angeles law firm Ayscough & Marar, accusing attorneys of trying to force him into bankruptcy.

In papers filed on August 29, but unseen until now, Jackson accuses his former attorneys of conspiring with other lawyers, who represented him in the past, to put him into involuntary bankruptcy.

According to Fox News, Jackson also claims that Brent Aysough - the attorney who unsuccessfully represented him in a lawsuit brought by former business partner Marc Schaffel - threatened to expose confidential information about him to the press, violated rules of professional conduct and committed both negligence and malpractice.

Ayscough sued Jackson in July for $216,000 (€207,300) he claims he is owed in unpaid fees.

Jackson is also currently embroiled in a $48m (€38.7m) lawsuit brought by Darien Dash, the cousin of hip-hop mogul Damon Dash.

Dash claims he has Jackson's signature on a document promising to pay him a 9% fee for securing financing for a $275m (€219.3m) loan in 2004 held by Fortress Investments.


Source:Ireland Online

Country's Bouton Fashion House recently debuted a collection inspired by and dedicated to Michael Jackson.

Source: defamer.com

It's half past four in the morning and I'm making my way to Dublin with Ray. I have spent a fair amount of time in the back of Ray's car in the last 34 hours. He is the driver, henchman for Paddy who owns the recording studio in the middle of no man's land, Ireland. Not only is it a quaint studio built inside the grounds of an old stone classic Irish estate...it's the new creative home of Michael Jackson.

And yes, I just conducted the first interview with Michael Jackson since he left the United States in June 2005. First off, let me tell you what this interview is not:

It is not a bare all, rehashing of that period of his life. I was prepared to ask him all the questions in the world regarding mistakes made and lessons learned, but trust me, he was not. He asked if 5 minutes of rolling tape was ok in the studio while he "collaborated" with Will I AM from the Black Eyed Peas. Ultimately, We rolled for about 40 minutes and I did ask him questions about music and his thoughts for making a comeback.

Michael Jackson was nervous and antsy. He was truly torn. He wanted to stay and keep jamming and have some fun, but he also wanted to leave before, from his perspective, he got crucified by another TV interview.

Michael's publicist and advisor, Raymone Bain, informed us (me and my Executive Producer, Rob Silverstein) that Michael would like to meet us alone, no cameras, in his cottage first. We agreed of course and before long we were seated at a breakfast table in a very cozy, humble stone cottage. Down the spiral staircase he came. First his boots, then his pants...black with a gold stripe down the side, then a velvet jacket with a white t-shirt underneath, then he turned to face us. I admit, my pulse was running high. He is a mythical character as atypical and untouchable as can be.

First impression I had was that he looked healthy. Fit. As Paddy told us earlier, artists come to his estate for the whole experience - nature walks and horseback rides, organic, homegrown food, the indoor mineral spring pool....peace and tranquility. It has suited Michael well, although he does not live there.

We stood up, shook hands and began small talk about life...soon, Michael began to make clear what he did not want: an interview. He was just willing to let our cameras roll while he and Will listened to beats and opened the lid to a comeback. I said that we should just go in there and go until he didn't want to anymore. Pensively, he agreed and we started for the door and the 50 yard walk to the studio.

This interview is a baby step for Michael.

About ten minutes into the session, after I had rolled out several questions, Michael paused and tried to get out. He did not like receiving pointed questions and he encouraged Will to play more beats so we could just roll casually.

At the end of the day, we did a little more of both. At one point, I suggested Michael remake "Thriller" for a new generation...with CD/DVD and web components, essentially go with what's proven but update with the help of technically savvy producer, Will I Am.
Michael lit up. Amazingly that was something he hadn't considered.

When the music was rolling and he didn't have me asking him questions, one could see sparks of life and energy. He hummed a little and at one point got up and walked to the back of the room where he could move a little to the music....he was almost dancing.

Michael was there with his children. I never saw them but Paddy, the studio's owner, said they were having a ball, playing with his children and enjoying the exquisite countryside. According to Paddy, Michael gets up in the morning and makes breakfast for them...usually Porridge and fruit. I find myself hoping that Michael's life is as normal as possible. Of course, it isn't. Nobody knows anything

about him...does he drive? Apparently, he does occasionally and he even had a cell phone before losing it a day later.

There....something normal to which people can RELATE.

Again, this was a first step for Michael. He was excited and terrified. It's all about feeling whether he can trust somebody or not. His track record is horrible on that front. Maybe it will improve in regards to us. I am quite sure there is more to come.

Source: Access Hollywood/MJJForum

As we reported a couple of weeks back VISIONARY - THE VIDEO SINGLES will be released in the U.S on November 17 and MJTKOP.COM has teamed up with Special Ops Media the team running the Visionary campaign in the U.S for Sony/Legacy to keep you updated on the Visionary campaign and to offer you some goodies.

The Visionary boxset will include 20 of Michael's greatest hits in DualDisc format so not only will you be able to listen to the King Of Pop's greatest singles you will also be able to watch his groundbreaking music videos on the DVD side..awesome!!

To promote Visionary - The Video Singles release in the U.S MJTKOP.COM has an exclusive poster to give away courtesy of the kind folks at Sony/Legacy.

Visionary Poster

Michael Jackson has slammed reports he has been dressing as a woman in St Tropez, France.

Yesterday's New York Daily News and today's British newspapers published photographs of a person dressed in skinny jeans, high heels and a woman's hat, claiming it was the Thriller singer.

However, the star's representative tells the New York Daily News, "Mr Jackson has not visited St Tropez in recent years, nor has he donned a woman's hat and pumps for disguise."

MJTKOP.COM says: Michael should sue the tabloids over this the pictures dont look remotley like him(see below) and that great purveyor of factual news called The Sun(that was sarcasm) decided to defame Michael in their article by writing:
Quote:

Michael Jackson has slammed reports he has been dressing as a woman in St Tropez, France.

Yesterday's New York Daily News and today's British newspapers published photographs of a person dressed in skinny jeans, high heels and a woman's hat, claiming it was the Thriller singer.

However, the star's representative tells the New York Daily News, "Mr Jackson has not visited St Tropez in recent years, nor has he donned a woman's hat and pumps for disguise."

MJTKOP.COM says: Michael should sue the tabloids over this the pictures dont look remotley like him(see below) and that great purveyor of factual news called The Sun(that was sarcasm) decided to defame Michael in their article by writing:
Quote:

Getting her fair share of publicity before the King Of Pop dumps her
for another P.R. company. Jackson's current publicist recently gave an
interview to the Washington Post in the U.S.

Talking about the current situation with Michael and his music:

She says that Jackson has been writing music since the trial and will
be heading back to the studio in a few days, where he'll be working
with some of the hottest producers in the industry--Babyface,
Will.I.Am, Rodney Jerkins and Sean Garrett.

"Michael Jackson is a good man," Bain says. "He's very brilliant, very
sensitive. And it's unfortunate what's happened to him over the years.
But he's going to take care of it.

"We're going to take care of it."

Washington Post

The owner of a charter jet company who spied on Michael Jackson by planting cameras in a private plane carrying the pop star in 2003 was fined and sentenced to home detention.

Jeffrey Borer, 60, pleaded guilty earlier this year to planning to install two mini-camcorders on the Gulfstream jet carrying Jackson from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara as he prepared to face child molestation charges.

Borer and an accomplice, Arvel Jett Reeves, had hoped to sell the video to media outlets. Reeves was sentenced to eight months in jail in July.

Borer was sentenced to six months home detention and given a 10,000-dollar fine. Judge Howard Matz indicated Borer escaped a jail sentence because of his wife's medical condition, which the judge said was a "compelling" circumstance.

Borer and Reeves were accused of kitting out the Gulfstream jet with concealed video cameras and microphones purchased from a "spy" gear store and of planning to sell the footage to a television network in November 2003.

Reeves bought the video and audio-recording equipment, installed and activated it before Jackson and his attorney Mark Geragos boarded the plane.

Reeves was charged with then removing the video recordings after the jet landed in Santa Barbara amid a media frenzy over allegations that Jackson had molested a 13-year-old boy.

Borer's role was to charter the aircraft for Jackson and Geragos and -- after the flight -- contact various media companies to try to sell the recordings, according to the indictment.

After a 19-month trial, Jackson was acquitted of all charges.


Source:AFP/Yahoo! News

Sir Paul McCartney is to get his hands back on the rights to The
Beatles' back catalogue of songs - which he lost 21 years ago.

The musician lost the rights to the majority of the Fab Four's hits
to then close friend Michael Jackson in a bidding war in 1985.
Jackson paid nearly £40-million for the collection leaving
McCartney, who dueted with Jackson on worldwide hit The Girl Is Mine
in 1982, fuming.

Now the former Beatle has learned the rights to many of the songs,
which include Come Together and Getting Better, are set to return to
him automatically.

He revealed to Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "In about 10 years
a lot of the back catalogue returns to me, just legally. Some of the
important rights are about to return which I didn't realise."

McCartney, 64, has previously admitted he hates the fact he has to
pay Jackson money every time he plays one of his own songs on tour.

He recently said: "You know what doesn't feel very good is going on
tour and paying to sing all my songs. Every time I sing Hey Jude
I've got to pay someone."

Source:MJTKOP. .

The King Of Pop Michael Jackson may be hard at work over in Ireland working on some gritty new music these days but his older music is getting a new life in India.

Jackson's 1983 14-minute video opus for his monster hit "Thriller" has gotten a Bollywood style makeover.

Bollywood and Tollywood (India's two most popular movie industries) are known for their elaborate and colorful musical dance numbers and make no exception in their interpretation of Jackson's dark, zombie love story.

The manager of producer RON 'NEFF U' FEEMSTER has confirmed MICHAEL JACKSON is recording a new urban album with a host of leading names. CHARLES 'BIG CHUCK' STANTON, who is also Feemster's uncle, has backed up media reports by stating his nephew flew to the THRILLER superstar's Irish home to cut new material last month (SEP06).

And Jackson, who recently parted company with his Bahrain-based record company Two Seas, has also worked on material with WILL.I.AM and TEDDY RILEY.

Stanton reveals Jackson has turned