Michael Jackson father seeks monthly allowance

Father of Michael Jackson is seeking money from his late son's estate to help him meet monthly living expenses estimated at more than 15,000 dollars, court papers filed in Los Angeles have revealed.
A motion filed on behalf of Joe Jackson on Friday argued that the administrators of the pop star's estate should have set up an allowance similar to the one established for the singer's mother Katherine.
The papers argued that the administrators, John Branca and John McClain, knew that Michael Jackson had financially supported his father for decades.
Joe Jackson, 81, receives 1,700 dollars a month in Social Security payments, according to the documents. He has diabetes and had a stroke in 1998.
A proposed monthly budget in the court papers lists more than 15,000 dollars in expenses, including 1,500 dollars for rent, 2,500 dollars for restaurants and 5,000 dollars for hotels and air travel.
"This court should exercise its sound discretion to award Mr. Jackson a family allowance because Michael Jackson really supported him during his lifetime and he does not have other sources for support," the papers state.
A lawyer for Branca and McClain told the Los Angeles Times they were aware of Joe Jackson's bid for money.
"It was quite surprising to learn of the request. Mr. Jackson's petition will be considered as are all requests for money from Michael's estate," lawyer Howard Weitzman told the paper.
Judge Mitchell Beckloff previously approved nearly 30,000 dollars in payments to Katherine Jackson each month and another 60,000-dollar monthly payment for the care of the singer's three children.
Katherine Jackson lives in Los Angeles and Joe Jackson resides in Las Vegas. Michael Jackson had a difficult relationship with his father, who he accused of physically abusing him and his brothers during the early years of their career.
Joe Jackson was left out of Jackson's 2002 will which divided his multi-million-dollar estate.
Michael Jackson, 50, died from a prescription drug overdose on June 25. A criminal investigation into his death is continuing.

soundtrack tops U.S. album chartto Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's the companion soundtrack to worldwide No. 1 movie claimed the top spot on the U.S. pop albums chart Wednesday with the fifth best sales week this year.
"This Is It" sold 373,000 copies during the week ended November 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan, exceeding expectations of an opening in the 300,000 and 350,000 range.
It marks Jackson's sixth No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and it arrives with his best sales week for an album since 1995's "HIStory" opened at No. 1 with 391,000 copies.
Jackson collected his first No. 1 with "Thriller" in 1983 and later notched toppers with "Bad," "Dangerous," "HIStory" and "Invincible." His 2003 greatest hits set "Number Ones" is the biggest seller in the United States this year.
The "This Is It" film, which consists of rehearsal footage for a planned residency in London, earned $104 million during its first weekend of worldwide release.
Elsewhere on the Billboard 200, reunited rockers Creed debuted at No. 2 with "Full Circle," which sold 110,000 copies. It's the band's first studio release since 2001, when "Weathered" started at No. 1 with 887,000 copies.
Taylor Swift's "Fearless" soared four places to No. 3 with 109,000 copies. The set was reissued in a "platinum" deluxe edition last week, with additional bonus tracks and a DVD.
Rod Stewart's latest covers set, "Soulbook," debuted at No. 4 with 84,000 copies. His previous release, "Still the Same ... Great American Rock Classics of Our Time," debuted at No. 1 in 2006 with 184,304 copies.
New holiday themed releases claimed the next two spots: Trans Siberian Orchestra's "Night Castle" at No. 5 with 83,000 copies, and Sting's "If On A Winter's Night" at No. 6 with 80,000 copies.
Last week's No. 1, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" soundtrack, fell to No. 8 with 69,000 copies. Michael Buble's former chart topper "Crazy Love" dropped four to No. 7 with 71,000. Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice," slid seven to No. 9 with 59,000 in its second week, and Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" was down six to No. 10 with 41,000.
Overall album sales rose 10% from last week to 6.31 million units, but were down 9% from the year-ago period. Year-to-date album sales stand at 287.6 million, down 13% compared to the same total at this point last year.

'Thriller' movie, Michael Jackson was planning

Michael Jackson late pop legend was planning to make a feature length big screen version of his hit 'Thriller' video when he died, it has been revealed. Close friend and Jackson's return tour director Kenny Ortega reveals he had discussed several movie projects with the star including a 'Thriller' movie, and a film version of Peter Allen musical 'Legs Diamond', reports starpulse.com.'He told me he wanted to create a partnership with me to do films. We were talking about doing 'Legs Diamond'. And we were talking about doing a full length, 3-D feature of 'Thriller',' said Ortega. Sony Pictures boss Amy Pascal has also revealed Jackson approached her to discuss movie ideas, including a musical fantasy called 'Midknight' and a remake of British musical 'The Red Shoes', based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale about a 'ballet dancer whose compulsion to dance ultimately destroys any hope she once had of a normal life, leading to her tragic death'.

Memorabilia set to thrill fans to Michael Jackson

From Rolls-Royce for his sequined gloves, Michael Jackson's personal memorabilia is going on gig at the London venue where he would have performed his comeback concerts.
"The Official Exhibition, Michael Jackson", which opens Wednesday at the O2 arena, has more than 250 items from the late King of Pop's private collections, allowing fans an up close look at some of his most treasured possessions.
"We don't have the concerts, we don't have the man any more but what we do have is his legacy and that's what this celebrates," exhibition curator Robert Santelli told AFP.
Jackson died on June 25 aged 50 after taking a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs. He had been rehearsing for his "This Is It" run of 50 shows at the O2, formerly the Millennium Dome, in southeast London.
The glittering exhibition features clothes, jewellery, paintings, awards, instruments, props and iconic memorabilia such as his sequined white left-hand glove, first worn in 1983.
The collection, drawn largely from warehouses where Jackson resolutely kept costumes and props, also includes the singer's patented anti-gravity lean shoes, plus handwritten lyrics to his 1983 hit "Beat It", written without corrections in black felt tip pen.
Items from his Neverland ranch in California are on show, including the entrance gates and the 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury car he used for driving round Los Angeles with actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Also on display are the costumes prepared for the "This Is It" shows, including a variety of sequined jackets, his favoured loafer shoes with MJ monogrammed inside and ghoulish outfits for the "Thriller" routine.
Hats, jewellery, paintings, a throne, a crown, an ornate golden antique piano, a 1984 letter from US president Ronald Reagan and an original Jackson 5 contract are among the other items featured.
The exhibition ties in with Wednesday's launch of the film "Michael Jackson's This Is It", taken from rehearsal footage of the star preparing for his O2 dates, and the tie-in album.
"It actually was an attempt to allow fans to connect to the memory of Michael Jackson and we couldn't have picked a better place than to open it here," said curator Santelli, executive director of The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
"This is something that will be emotional for some fans because not only does it seek to honour and illustrate his creative genius, but also there's an emotional connection here that fans will find very touching.
"There will be a few tears shed in this exhibition, I'm sure."
Rather than chronicle Jackson's life, the exhibition galleries show off aspects of Jackson, such as his dancing, home life, awards and fashion.
The musician's close friend Miko Brando, son of Oscar-winning US actor Marlon Brando, helped pick out the exhibition items.
"It's great that we're here with his memorabilia stuff where he would have performed the 50 shows," Brando told AFP.
"I think he'd like his fans to see what he had, to show off his stuff. You see another side of Michael: his taste in art, his wardrobe and cars.
"He kept almost everything. He didn't believe in throwing anything away, thank God. This is just a fraction of the pieces he has."
Jackson, Brando's best man and the godfather to his daughter, is sorely missed, his fried said.
"I'm still numb. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with it," said Brando.
"It's been horrendous. It's not something I'd want anyone to go through. Nothing can bring him back. It's still a shock."
The exhibition runs for three months in London, and will then visit two other cities outside Europe, yet to be announced. Tickets cost 15 pounds (24.50 dollars, 16.50 euros).

Michael Jackson's Money suddenly

Michael Jackson's finances weren't exactly sterling before died. Now, everything he—or rather his legacy—touches is gold.
The latest example: Last night's Dancing With the Stars.
A Tuesday the result gig scored season-high audience of 14.2 million, ABC said, based on preliminary Nielsen estimates. So either people actually wanted to look swimmer Natalie Coughlin take a dive—or they really, really wanted to see Derek Hough et al. do the "Thriller" line dance.
The show's much-anticipated Jackson tribute drew not only viewers but Jacksons, too—including mother Katherine, who appeared onstage.
Somehow, CBS' M.J.-free NCIS managed to maintain its top-flight status as the night's No. 1 show (20.6 million viewers).

New Single Released Michael Jackson's

"This Is It" Michael Jackson's posthumous single debuted the late singer's website and began hitting airwaves Monday, ahead of an upcoming album and film of the same name.
Reportedly recorded by Jackson in 1991, the mid tempo lay features backing vocals from his brothers, a sweeping orchestra and finger snaps. A sample lyric: "This is it, here I stand/I'm the light of the world, I feel grand."
Jackson's the song is off two disc album, This Is It, which hits U.S. stores Oct. 27, a day before the release of his concert film, This Is It. A vinyl version of the album will be released Nov. 10.

Movie Will Make Its Debut Online Song From Jackson

NEW YORK, Oct. 9 -- Michael Jackson the first song from the upcoming music documentary will make its debut online.
Sony Music says "This Is It" will have its premiere late Sunday, at midnight, on MichaelJackson.com.
The song plays during the closing sequence of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" and will be included on a companion two disc CD set.
The unreleased single features backup vocals by the late singer's brothers.
The documentary opens Oct. 28 for a two week limited run and was built around rehearsal picture for Jackson's planned London concerts.
The controversial pop star died in Los Angeles on June 25.
The CD features original album masters of some of Jackson's biggest hits, including "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."

Michael Jackson's This is It, China welcomes

Michael Jackson's , the concert film This is it showing rehearsals for his 02 arena gigs, will screen across China later this month after securing official blessing from the Chinese authorities, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Each year, only 20 or so films made outside China are allowed into the country, though there is a roaring trade in pirated DVDs. This Is It has obviously taken one of the last slots available for 2009, and will open on 28 October, in line with the rest of the world.
A digest of interviews, rehearsals and backstage capture of Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold out shows in London, High School Musical's Kenny Ortega This Is It is directed, a long time collaborator with the late singer. Jackson suffered a heart attack at his home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, on 25 June.
While only a few Western films screen legally in China each year, the number of cinemas in the country is mushrooming, and appetite for Hollywood fare is enormous. Earlier this year Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen took over 400 million Chinese yuan to break the box office record previously held by James Cameron's Titanic.
But a homegrown epic, China's Foundation of the great cause, released last month to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China, looks on course to challenge that figure.

JACKSON EXECUTORS WIN LEGAL AUTHORITY

A U.S. judge overseeing MICHAEL JACKSON's estate has handed power of attorney to the executors of the star's will.At a hearing on Friday (02Oct09), Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff gave Jackson's administrators lawyer John Branca and music executive John MCClain the authority to consider challenges to the singer's will. The group can also enter into business deals that Katherine Jackson, the King of Pop's beloved mother, does not oppose. They also have the right to represent Jackson's estate in a number of cases that were pending at the time of his death in June (09). Beckloff declared Branca and MCClain will retain their control until the end of the year (09), despite objections from an attorney representing Katherine. The pair is said to have raised $90 million (£60 million) in posthumous profits by negotiating merchandising and film deals, and predict they will earn another $90 million before the end of the year (09). The Thriller legend died with debts amounting to approximately $398 million (£265 million).

At Time Of Death Michael Jackson Was Reportedly Healthy

Despite reports that he was painfully thin and frail and allegedly had a unhurt addiction to prescription medications, a Los Angeles County coroner's office report on Michael Jackson claims the 50 year old singer was in excellent health at the time of his death in June.
According to a copy of the report obtained by The Associated Press, Jackson's arms were covered with puncture wounds and the autopsy showed that his lungs were chronically inflamed and had a reduced capacity that might have left the once energetic performer short of breath. But the result claims that the singer was in fairly good condition at the time that he died of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol in June. Though some stories claimed he was around a skeletal 105 pounds at the time of his death, the autopsy document says he weighed 136 pounds, which is in an saticfactory range for a 5 foot 9 man. The report also said his heart was strong with no sign of plaque buildup.
The official results of the autopsy on Jackson have not been released, pending the completion of the police investigation into his death, but officials have concluded that he died of "acute propofol intoxication." The AP claimed it had obtained a copy of the autopsy report but did not reveal how it came into possession of the document, which coroner's officials told MTV News is under a security hold until police finish their probe. It was unclear from the AP story if the document is the final autopsy report or a preliminary document. The spokesperson for the L.A. County coroner's office could not be reached for comment at press time, but an employee told MTV News the office would not be making any comment on the report.
The report said Jackson's kidneys and most of his other major organs were normal and that the lung condition, while notable, wasn't serious enough to be a direct or contributing cause of death. Jackson did have some other chronic conditions that were notable but also not life threatening, including arthritis in the lower spine and some fingers and mild plaque buildup in his leg arteries.
Jackson died at a rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25 shortly after his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, gave him propofol and two other sedatives to help the singer get to sleep. Murray is at the center of a manslaughter investigation by the Los Angeles police that has included raids on his home and offices in Las Vegas and a storage unit and clinic in Texas. Murray's attorney has stated that the doctor did not give Jackson anything that "should have" killed him.
The autopsy report detailed the heroic efforts employed to try and revive Jackson, including chest bruising and cracked ribs from CPR and the use of a mechanical device called a balloon pump that was inserted into Jackson's heart to try and restart it, according to the AP.
The autopsy findings appear to head off a potential defense for Murray should he be charged in the case: that Jackson had serious pre-existing conditions, which increased his risk of death from the drugs he willingly took. Jackson was in the midst of vigorous rehearsals for a planned series of 50 comeback concerts at the O2 arena in London at the time of his death. While some reports claimed the singer was too frail and unhealthy to pull off the shows, the autopsy results indicate that, aside from the lung issue, Jackson did not have any serious physical problems that might have hampered his ability to perform.
Among the other details in the autopsy report:
» Jackson had a 3/4-inch scar behind his left ear and another apparent scar behind his right ear, a scar beside each of his nostrils and another 4-inch scar on his right shoulder. He also had a pair of scars about 3 inches long at the base of his neck and smaller scars on his arms and wrist, a small scar in the region of his naval and a 2-inch scar on the right hand side of his abdomen. A doctor not affiliated with the case told the AP that most of the scars appeared to be from plastic surgery, though some, such as the one on the knee, could have been from a different medical procedure.
» The medical examiner found numerous punctures on both arms and on a knee and ankle.
» Jackson had a number of cosmetic tattoos, including dark tattoos around his eyebrows and under his eyes and a pink tattoo around his lips.
» The singer was going bald at the front of his head, with his remaining hair described as short and tightly curled. The bald portion of his scalp was darkened with what appeared to be a tattoo that stretched across the top of his head from ear to ear.

Ticket Sales Break International Records 'Michael Jackson's This Is It'

Even in death, Michael Jackson continues to be a guaranteed superstar. Just as the initial run of his planned concerts at the O2 arena in London sold out almost right away earlier this year, the posthumous documentary about the King of Pop's preparations for that residency, "Michael Jackson's This Is It," has broken advance ticket sales records for a movie.
According to Reuters, hundreds of screenings in North America have already sold out, a month before the film's October 28 opening.
Among the cities with the strongest sales are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and New York. Records were also set in Japan, where more than $1 million in tickets were sold on the first day they were available. In London, fans bought more than 30,000 tickets on the first day, eclipsing the advance interest in the "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" films, which were wildly popular in Britain. Record sales were also reported in Holland, Sweden, Belgium and New Zealand.
The documentary will have a limited two week run, which might explain the rush on tickets. On Sunday, all 3,000 spots for a Los Angeles advance screening of "This Is It" on October 27 sold out within two hours.
The film follows Jackson as he rehearsed and prepared for a 50 date run of concerts, which were scheduled to begin in London just weeks after his death on June 25. Sony Pictures Entertainment paid $60 million for the more than 100 hours of hi-def rehearsal picture. The film, which was directed by Kenny Ortega, will feature behind-the-scenes capture as well as Jackson and his band and dancers rehearsing for the tour.
Last week, it was confirmed that a two disc album featuring a new song, "This Is It," will be released on October 27 to concur with the movie's theatrical release. The new single drops on October 12.

'Michael Jackson Tapes' details star's obsessions

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. – Pop superstar Michael Jackson feared the ravages of old age, sought the company of sycophants and appeared to be abusing prescription drugs and cosmetic surgery nearly a decade before his death, according to a new book by a former adviser.
"The Michael Jackson Tapes" breaks little in the way of new ground but the book by Shmuley Boteach, based on 30 hours of taped interviews, provides firsthand detail about the performer's excesses and obsessions.
"I don't want to be seen now," Jackson confessed. "Because I am like a lizard. It is horrible."
Jackson died June 25 at age 50. His death is being treated as a homicide.
The self-described "King of Pop" seemed to sense during the interviews in 2000 and 2001 that his life was winding down.
"I would like some way to disappear where people don't see me anymore at some point," Jackson said. "I don't want to grow old. I never want to look in the mirror and see that."
"He lost the will to live," Boteach said Friday on NBC's "Today" show. "I think he was just going through the motions of life toward the end."
Boteach is an orthodox Jewish rabbi who has written self-help books with names like "Kosher Sex" and "Shalom in the Home." He was introduced to Jackson in 1999 through Uri Geller, a British entertainer, and acted as his confidant for many years. At times, the transcribed tapes sound like counseling sessions.
Boteach said he and Jackson recorded the tapes with the idea of giving the public a more accurate image of the reclusive entertainer. Boteach said he soured on the book — originally slated for release in 2003 Boteach said Jackson began pushing him away as he criticized his departure from the recovery program they had set up — improvements that included waking up at a decent hour and not being alone with kids other than Jackson's own, for public relations purposes.
The friendship ended with Jackson's second arrest on charges of sexually abusing a child. Boteach said he resurrected the project after Jackson died because attitudes toward him had softened.
In conversations, Jackson is quick to see himself as a victim and quick to criticize relatives — especially his father, who, Jackson said, beat him with an electric cord.
"He was rough," Jackson says of his father. "The way he would beat you hard, you know, was hard."
Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for the Jackson family, said Friday: "We will not dignify this with a comment."
The book makes it clear Jackson was interested in women sexually but very shy. He tells Boteach he had never asked a woman out on a date, although he admitted to having sexually charged phone conversations with Madonna.
In recounting one conversation, he said: "Madonna laid down the law to me before we went out," saying, "'I am not going to Disneyland, okay? That's out.'"
Jackson said Madonna was jealous of him because his female fans screamed and swooned while her male fans were less demonstrative. He recalled her crying in admiration at one of his concerts.
When contacted Friday, Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, said, "Madonna has very fond feelings for Michael Jackson, and I don't think anything in the book is going to change that."
___
Associated Press Television Writer Frazier Moore in New York contributed to this report.

Jackson's This Is It Album Set for October Release

This is it or at least the beginning of it. Sony Music announced on Wednesday that on Oct. 12 it will release the single "This Is It," the first of what promises to be an onslaught of posthumous Michael Jackson songs, followed by a full two-disc album, Michael Jackson's This Is It, supposedly "inspired" by the Sony film of the same name. The album will be out internationally on Oct. 26 and in the U.S. on Oct. 27, a day before the worldwide release of the movie.
From Elvis Presley to Tupac Shakur, posthumously released music has long been a record industry staple, and with good reason: death sells. Tupac has had five Top 10 albums since his shooting death in 1996, while the Elvis catalog is among the most valuable assets in entertainment. Of course, most music bearing the description "previously unreleased" was kept in a storage locker for a reason. But the words still have a seductive power for fans who are desperate for a little more music from a departed favorite and for record labels that are looking for one (or more) final cash cow.

Deep voice Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson "talked tough" and had a deep voice.
According to one of the late pop superstar's closest guys, concert promoter David Gest, Jackson's real voice was heavy and powerful and nothing like the high-pitched whimper he used when speaking publicly.
Gest said: "I'm showing an interview I did with Michael that shows him talking in his actual voice, like, 'C'mon David, let's get it done now.' "
Mimicking Jackson's famous high pitched tone, he added: "You know he doesn't talk like, 'Hi, how are you?' He talks very, very tough. I'm telling you the truth."
Fans were shocked earlier this year when Jackson announced his This Is It London residency in an unusually deep voice which prompted speculation as to whether an imitatory had appeared instead of the 'King of Pop'.
Gest, 56, is making a documentary called My Best guys Michael which he promises will gig this actual side of the Thriller singer.
Since his untimely passing in June, Gest has been in regular contact with the Jackson family, and revealed Jackson's mother Katherine is struggling with the loss of her son.

Appearing on British TV show Live From Studio Five, Gest who had Jackson as his best man when he married Liza Minnelli in 2002 said: "I went to the funeral about two months ago and I speak to his mother about every week.
"It's very hard on Mrs Jackson, to bury a son when a son's supposed to bury a mother. She's trying to cope, but she's a very strong woman, she helped raise me when I was a kid."

Michael Jackson admitted: I took painkiller medication' in lawsuit evidence

Michael Jackson spoke about his alleged addiction to prescription drugs during video evidence taken during a lawsuit involving his ex manager Dieter Wiesner, it has been reported.

In the video, Jackson is said to have talked about how a doctor had prescribed medicine throughout 2003.
The video was shot by a lawyer who was interviewing him on behalf of Mr Wiesner, who managed Jackson for seven years to 2003.
Wienser had filed a £45million civil case, claiming fraud and breach of contract, according to The Sun.

The date of video is unknown but in it he reportedly talks about how a doctor had prescribed medicine throughout 2003.
Wearing a black jacket, reading glasses, reading glasses, Jackson looked distracted during the interview, according to the paper, which had viewed the exchange.
During one exchange, the lawyer asks him: “Were you under the influence of drugs or alcohol that impaired your ability to understand what you were doing?”
Jackson replied: “It could have been medication, yes.”
The lawyer responded: “OK, what medications were you taking in about January of 2003?”
Jackson replied: “It could have easily been pain medication because I had some serious injuries on tour.”
The lawyer then asked: “And so is it your testimony that you gave power of attorney to Dieter Wiesner and Ronald Konitzer when under the influence of prescription medication?
Jackson then responded: “Could have been probably. Probably, yes.”
According to the paper, he could not recall how long he had been taking the drugs, adding that he used them to numb the pain caused by injuries suffered while performing and at home.
“I had a serious fall,” he said.
“I am not sure it was a tour. It was a show we did, a benefit. And I had an accident also at home.” Mr Wiesner has said Jackson’s drug use increased after he saw Martin Bashir's 2003 television documentary, in which the pop star revealed he slept in a room with children.
The video emerged a day after Jackson fans were given their first look at the trailer for This Is It, the movie featuring footage from his final days.
The film is a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for Jackson's London comeback shows, which were scheduled to take place this summer.
He died on June 25, shortly before the run was due to commence at the O2 Arena.

Michael Jackson's cause of death 'within hours'

The Los Angeles County Coroner will release details of Michael Jackson's cause of death within hours, a leading entertainment website is reporting.
TMZ, which broke the story of the pop star's death in Los Angeles on June 25, claims that the autopsy report will not be depatured, but that the world will learn what the coroner believes killed Jackson, who had become addicted to a lethal standard of a hospital grade anaesthetic known as propofol as an insomnia medication.
The coroner is also anticipated to announce whether Jackson's death should be classed as homicide, news of which will be of specific interest to Conrad Murray, his Grenada born personal physician, who faces the expectation of pursuance for his part in the singer's decease.
At the heart of an ongoing police investigation are questions of where the drug was obtained, where Dr Murray was at the time Jackson was dying telephone records are said to show him being on the phone for 47 minutes after the singer stopped breathing and why it took 82 minutes for him to call an ambulance.

For Dr Murray, who was struggling with heavy debts before taking the job with Jackson, the result of tonight's revelations could be dire. Even if he is charged with involuntary manslaughter one of the mildest forms of homicide he would become the star suspect in one of the trials of the century and could face a protracted prison sentence.

doctor's lawyer rejects 'police theory' to Michael Jackson

An attorney for the late singer's former doctor, Conrad Murray, has removed claims that he deserted his patient after administering a powerful anaesthetic.

The lawyer for Michael Jackson's former doctor, Conrad Murray, has rejected "police theory" having to do with the singer's death. Ed Chernoff disputed that his costomer had made confident reported assertion, or that he left Jackson's side after administering the anaesthetic Propofol.
Though Jackson's autopsy results remain secured, details of the police investigation were disclose in search authorization obtained earlier this week. These documents offer a timeline of Murray's actions on 25 June, the morning Jackson died, citing testimony by Murray himself. Yesterday, Chernoff removed several of these claims, admitting that while "much (the report) is factual ... much is police theory".
According to disclosed documents, Murray was treating Jackson for insomnia but had grown concerned that the star was complusive to Propofol. After trying a cocktail of safer sedatives overnight on 24-25 June, Murray allegedly assent with another to administer the more troubling anaesthetic. Murray monitored Jackson for 10 minutes and then left to use the bathroom. When he refunded at 11am Jackson had stopped breathing. "Lethal levels" of Propofol were found in Jackson's body, according to the Los Angeles coroner's office.
Chernoff dismissed certain appearances of this account. "The timeline reported by law application was not obtained through interviews with Dr Murray, as was by the affidavit," he said. "Dr Murray simply never told investigators that he found Jackson at 11am not breathing."
The search warrant also claimed that Murray deserted the unconscious Jackson to make phonecalls to family and other doctors. "Dr Murray never said that he left Jackson's room to make phone calls," Chernoff insisted.
The lawyer for Jackson's mother, Katherine, also act in answer to something to this week's reports. "This reaffirms the sad reality that there was a tragic and gross violation of duty and care for Michael Jackson," L Londell McMillan said. "There is obvious legal culpability, which has been the concern of Michael's mother, family and fans worldwide."

Burial postponed to Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson will now be buried on September 3 in Los Angeles, his family have announced, rather than on August 31.Jackson's father Joe had previously named the August date allegeing his son would be laid to rest at Forest-Lawn memorial park in Glendale on what would have been his 51st birthday. It is unclear why the date has changed.The cause of the Thriller star's death in June has not yet been established. There were stories from general news agencies bygone this week claiming that Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, who allegedly administered powerful medicinal drug in the hours leading up to the death, would be captured within two weeks and charged with manslaughter. Murray has always abjured any culpability.Meanwhile, it has been accomplished that a touring exhibition featuring a film based around the singer's final agreement preparation will start at London's O2 arena at the end of October. It is not yet known what will be included in the exhibition, which could visit three cities and stay up to six months in each.

Michael Jackson burial Date Changed

Despite an earlier announcement that Michael Jackson would be buried on Aug. 29, correspondent for the Jackson family said on Friday that the singer’s deep had been rescheduled for Sept. 3. In a news departure, the publicity firm Sunshine, Sachs & Associates said that the burial would take place at 7 p.m. Pacific time, at the Holly Terrace in the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif.
Londell McMillan, a lawyer for Mr. Jackson’s mother, Katherine, told Reuters that there was a miscommunication within the Jackson family about the deep date, and some members ot the group objected to him being deep on Aug. 29, which would have buried his 51st birthday.

Michael Jackson's brother for UK arena 'tribute' gigs

Tito Jackson has announce he will stage a live "tribute" to his late brother Michael on tour later this year.The singer will support on her forthcoming UK arena dates, and will play songs by on his support slots. According to a statement he will be joined by other members of the Jackson family.Knight's gig run kicks off at the Manchester MEN Arena on October 6, and wraps up at the Aberdeen AECC Arena on October 20.Details of what Tito's "tribute" will entail are yet to be revealed.

Peter Andre Planning a Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

Singer Peter Andre leaves the Royal Courts of Justice after winning a libel case against The People on July 31, 2009 in London, England. Andre, estranged husband of Model Katie Price won undisclosed damages after the People accused him of being 'unfaithful with a Jordan lookalike'"Behind Closed Doors" singer Peter Andre has been in "regular contact" with Michael Jackson's sister La Toya and is hoping to meet her next week to "finalize" their plans for a show.The 36-year-old star revealed in New! magazine:Over the last few weeks I have been in regular contact with La Toya Jackson about some kind of tribute for her brother, Michael.Everyone who knows me knows how much I idolized Michael and how much his music influenced me, so I feel really honored to be part of this. There isn’t anything quite set in stone yet but we have four or five ideas, including a tribute concert or a TV special.La Toya is flying to the UK next week, so we are going to meet up and hopefully put our ideas into action. La Toya is one of the few Jacksons I haven’t met yet, so I am really looking forward to spending some time with her. A tribute show for Michael has been announced to take place in Vienna, Austria, in September. It is being organized by World Awards Media GmbH and Michael’s brother Jermaine and will take place at the Schoenbrunn Palace.Unconfirmed reports suggest U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston could all be performing.Michael -- who died in June -- was due to stage a 50-night residency in London starting from July, and many had presumed a concert in honor of him would take place in the UK capital.

Michael Jackson tribute? This is it!

He was honoured by a galaxy of stars at his memorial service and by the likes of Steve Vai and Coldplay on stages around the world, but now comes theMichael Jackson tribute we've all been waiting for: Brett Domino's keytar medley.
Played on Roland's new AX-Synth and featuring snippets from some of The King Of Pop's greatest hits, it's a lovingly crafted piece of work that Domino appears to have recorded in one take (the backing track was created on a computer).
Make sure you stay tuned for the Bad organ solo halfway through, and the Van Halen-trumping Beat It 'guitar' solo at the end.
Mr Domino, we salute you.

The pop star's family announced that he will be put to rest in the cemetery's Great Mausoleum on what would have been his 51st birthday. Jackson died

With his love of old-time Hollywood glamour, showy art and showmanship, Michael Jackson would probably have welcomed his family's announcement Tuesday that his remains will be interred in the star-laden, sculpture-speckled confines of Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale.Jackson will be interred Aug. 29, which would have been his 51st birthday, in an intimate morning service for family and friends in the expansive cemetery's Great Mausoleum, according to a statement from the family publicist. The pop singer's remains will be placed in a crypt in the Holly Terrace section of the mausoleum, a massive building that is the final resting place for stars from film's golden age, such as Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable.Jackson, who spent lavishly on antiques and fancy reproductions, is to be placed in an area decorated by sculptures and bronzes of American icons, including George Washington, Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt on a property that has replicas of Michelangelo statues and a stained glass window depicting the "Last Supper."The funeral announcement capped two months of rumors that began even before Jackson's gold-plated casket was rolled into Staples Center on July 7 for a televised memorial. That day began with a service at Forest Lawn but ended without a burial or interment. One report had his body stored in a crypt owned by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., and there was widespread speculation that an elaborate grave -- and ultimately, a Graceland-style museum -- would be constructed at the entertainer's Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County.

Michael Jackson's Mexico fans to attempt world record for size of crowd dancing to 'Thriller'

A Michael Jackson impersonator, who goes by the name of "Hector Jackson," leads a group of dancers during a rehearsal for an upcoming homage to Jackson in Mexico City Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009. Mexico City officials are organizing a mass event in honor of Jackson, calling for thousands to come dance to the song "Thriller," Aug. 29, in hopes a breaking a world record. In background, the Mexican Palace of Fine Arts. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull, ASSOCIATED PRESS / August 18, 2009)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Led by a Michael Jackson impersonator in sunglasses, a sequined black jacket and white glove, dozens of the singer's Mexican fans are practicing the steps in his "Thriller" video to attempt a new world record.The organizer, Carlos Contreras, says more than 10,000 people have signed up to take part in the dance routine Aug. 29, which would have been Jackson's 51st birthday. A group of about 50 showed up for practice Tuesday.The Guinness Book of World Records says the most people to dance to "Thriller" simultaneously in one place is held by a group of 242 College of William & Mary students who performed the routine in May.The previous record was 147 people at an event held in 2008 at a British secondary school.

Janet Jackson to Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson at 2009 MOBO Awards

Janet Jackson will celebrate Michael Jackson's legacy at The Music of Black Origin Awards which will be held on September 30.

Organizers for 2009 MOBO Awards have confirmed that Janet Jackson will make an appearance at the event as a part of Michael Jackson tribute. "Janet is a music icon in her own right and a previous MOBO presenter. We loved her past involvement with the show and MOBO will continue to support her music and champion her career," a spokesperson for the show told The Sunday Mail. Furthermore, it is revealed that the tribute will have a positive, celebratory tone, rather than putting a dampener on the proceedings. "We hope it will be an opportunity to celebrate his legacy and show that his music lives on not only in the heart of his millions of fans worldwide but also in his music and in the music of his contemporaries," the spokesperson explained.

Michael Jackson tribute: King of Pop to be honoured at Vienna palace, not London's Wembley

Michael Jackson will be honoured by singers that could include Madonna in a concert on the grounds of a palace in Vienna next month, the event's promoter said on Tuesday.

Michael Jackson's children Paris, Blanket and Prince attend the memorial concert at the Staples Center in LA Photo: REUTERS
The King of Pop will be given a fitting tribute at Schönbrunn, the 17th century summer palace of the Austrian royal family, by about 10 "of the biggest artists of our time," who will sing some of Jackson's greatest hits.
Georg Kindel, of World Awards Media GmbH, hinted that the lineup could include Madonna, and said it will be televised live to a global audience of 1 billion people. Austrian media have reported that U2, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston also may perform.

"I don't even know myself" who will take the stage, Mr Kindel said.
The event will be held in the second half of September, he said. Tickets go on sale Aug. 20.
Mr Kindel said the show - conceived amid a flurry of events honouring Jackson since his death June 25 in Los Angeles - also will feature family members and unidentified Hollywood stars reminiscing as images and video clips of Jackson are screened.
Mr Kindel said the tribute originally was planned for London's Wembley Stadium on Aug 29, which would have been Jackson's 51st birthday, but that Jermaine Jackson decided instead on Vienna. The singer had been rehearsing for a series of London concerts at the time of his death.
Mr Kindel said the switch took him by surprise: "Everyone was expecting it would be staged maybe in London or New York or Los Angeles," he said.
Explaining Vienna as a venue, Jermaine Jackson told "Larry King Live" on Friday that his brother loved the city and "loved castles".
After Mr Kindel organised a Jackson remembrance held last month outside a mothballed nuclear power plant west of Vienna, Jermaine Jackson spent a few hours touring Schönbrunn, which his brother also had visited.
"He was really fascinated and said, 'This is a really royal and ideal place for such a tribute to Michael,"' Kindel told the Associated Press.
The majestic mustard-coloured palace and its sprawling, sculpted gardens are nothing like Los Angeles' Staples Center, where a big Jackson memorial was held last month, Mr Kindel said. The extensive gardens include a zoo, something that would have appealed to Jackson, Mr Kindel said.
"It's a little bit like Neverland, but much bigger," he said.

Michael Jackson tribute concerts cancelled after deals fall through

Two tribute concerts for the late Michael Jackson that were due to take place at the O2 arena have been cancelled after promoters failed to seal deals with artists they had hoped would perform.
The two concerts were to have gone ahead at the London venue on August 29 and 30, but they have been called off after organisers ran out of time to finalise deals with performers. They were said to have included Justin Timberlake and the X Factor winner Leona Lewis.
AEG, the company behind the former Millennium Dome, still hopes to host an event in memory of the singer, who was due to have played an unprecedented 50 nights at the venue.
But as disputes continue over the distribution of the pop star’s estate, and with his family making claims about the effect that AEG Live, the company organising the abandoned shows, had on his health, it is not clear whether the tribute will go ahead. “If they ever happen, it will not be until next year,” a source close to the event said. “We didn’t want to rush out something that was sub-standard — we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people.”

Jermaine Jackson give tribute to his brother

The show will take place on 26 September, with the pop star's elder brother and other artists putting the line-up together.
"Jermaine Jackson will take care of that personally," a spokeswoman for World Awards Media told BBC News.
"He is enquiring [about] all his friends and stars he knows for that concert," she said.
But she said she did not know whether Jermaine and other Jackson family members would perform themselves.
In July, Jermaine appeared in Vienna to accept a posthumous honour on behalf of his brother at the Save the World Awards, also organised by World Awards Media.
"The 'potential' tribute show on 29 August was never followed because the [Michael Jackson] Estate, AEG Live and Sony Pictures agreed that the first time an audience should see the This Is It production was 30 October 2009, when the concert film/documentary opens worldwide."
The World Awards Media spokeswoman said she had no information on other concerts but added: "I think this is the only one he [Jermaine] is organising for this year."
Michael Jackson Tribute Tickets for the Vienna show go on sale on 20 August.
All Michael Jackson Tribute Tickets are available on The Online Ticket Shop.

Conrad Murray played part death of MJ

Dr. Conrad Murray who was with the MJ in his final hour of his life and has played something role in the death of Michael Jackson that Michael Jackson information persist about the doctor.
According to one new cited today three unnamed sources claiming that Murray left Jackson without help and under the influence of protocol, a powerful anaesthetic, to make telephone calls the morning the pop singer died. The resources added that Murray recognized obtaining and administering the medication in an interview with LAPD detectives two days after Jackson's death.
Investigators ooking into Jackson's death have long held the faith that someone was intravenously manage protocol to Jackson at his home.
A presenter for Murray and his lawyer, Edward Chernoff, declared to ABC News today that the doctor made phone calls before he discovered Jackson stricken in a bedroom June 25. She refused to mention on the claims of the anonymous sources cited in the Times.

Latest news for Michael Jackson

The latest, most reliable news on Michael Jackson. For older news items from January 1999 - September 2007 please visit our News Archive.

Article Title
Date
Hits
Be Part Of A Special MJ Tribute Portrait!
05 July 2009
9236
Special Thanks To The MJFC Supporting Members
10 July 2009
5040
Judge Delays Merchandise Deal
11 August 2009
363
Autopsy Results On Hold
10 August 2009
681
Motown And Hip-Hop Remixes MJ
10 August 2009
525
Judge To Name Special Financial Guardian
10 August 2009
492
Friedman Comments On Mark Lester
10 August 2009
653
Judge Approves 'This Is It' Movie - Updated
10 August 2009
836
Janet Invited To MOBO Awards In Michael's Honor
10 August 2009
892
FYI: Friedman On 'This Is It'
10 August 2009
1027
Egyptian Bust Resembles Michael Jackson
10 August 2009
837
Tour Shirts Available At Tchibo Germany
10 August 2009
741
Tribute 2009 Show Planned - updated
10 August 2009
1236
Michael Expected To Be Buried 'Very Soon'
09 August 2009
1275
Sources Deny Mark Lester Claims
09 August 2009
997
MJFC O2 Vigil Report
09 August 2009
1099
Story Of A Wonderful Encounter
09 August 2009
1403
Motown Statements
09 August 2009
1134
FYI: Mark Lester Claims He Might Be Paris' Father
09 August 2009
1057
Family Lawyer Says Kids Are ‘In A Great Spot’
08 August 2009
1158
'The Stripped Mixes'
08 August 2009
1312
Tribute Concert In Malta
08 August 2009
837
Judge Approves Collector's Items
08 August 2009
968
Judge Approves Distribution Of 'Smile' (Memorial Version)
08 August 2009
1018
Michael's Brain Returned To Family
08 August 2009
1176

Michael Jackson Concert Film Due in October

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" agreement never made it to the stage in London, but it will be making its way to the silver screen in a little less than two months. On Aug. 10, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge acknowledge the sale of the concert's rehearsal pictures by Jackson's estate and promoter AEG Live to Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony will release the finished This Is It film worldwide on Oct. 30.
The film is a accidental to "to give audiences the gift of his final performances," said Michael Lynton, chairman and chief executive officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, in a statement released after the court's decision. "I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the brilliant entertainers who ever graced a stage."

latest news for Micheal Jackson

The latest, most reliable news on Michael Jackson from. For older news items from January 1999 - September 2007 please visit our News Archive.

Article Title
Date
Hits


Special Thanks To The MJFC Supporting Members
10 July 2009 5029
Judge Delays Merchandise Deal
11 August 2009 261
Autopsy Results On Hold
10 August 2009 594
Motown And Hip-Hop Remixes MJ
10 August 2009 465
Judge To Name Special Financial Guardian
10 August 2009 437
Friedman Comments On Mark Lester
10 August 2009 594
Judge Approves 'This Is It' Movie - Updated
10 August 2009 796
Janet Invited To MOBO Awards In Michael's Honor
10 August 2009 862
FYI: Friedman On 'This Is It'
10 August 2009 991
Egyptian Bust Resembles Michael Jackson
10 August 2009 811

Michael Jackson tribute concerts shifted to Vienna

Two Michael Jackson tribute concerts that were going to take place at the London O2 arena on 29th and 30 august but due to some circumstances have been cancelled after promoters failed to finalise deals with potential performers.

It is not obvious whether the tribute will take place in the future. “If they ever happen, it will not be till next year,” The Times.

Possible Artists for the show included Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie and Jackson siblings such as Janet and Jermaine.
The event would have included a performance of Jackson’s stage show, entitled This Is It.

It has been announced that another tribute concert will take place on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna,.

Dates, to be declared by the end of this week, will be between September 20 and 27.
A 50-metre outdoor stage will be created. There will be LED walls and the palace in the background. It is hoped the show will accommodate 85,000 fans.
"It should be a big tribute in memory of Michael Jackson," the spokesperson said.

Michael Jackson's daughter Paris on Fiery feud

Mark Lester is the friend Michael Jackson was the sperm donor behind her conception even as Paris's grandmother, Katherine, rubbished the claims.

As the Jackson hits the Los Angeles courts again today, Jackson friend and psychic Uri Geller said Lester, the godfather of Jackson's three children, was the true father of Jackson's only daughter, Paris Michael, 11.

Geller saud yesterday, "I am not surprised, I knew it all along simply because Michael told me."

Jermaine is the brother of Jackson's claimed in a weekend interview that estate administrators had already raised $120 million in deals and endorsements since the singer's death on June 25 from an apparently lethal cocktail of prescription drugs.

Michael Jackson's death has led to wild speculation

The gossip is as outlandish as Jackson's wardrobe, and as ever-changing as his face. And who knows - some of it may even be true.

Was he murdered? Was he gay? Did he really father those kids? Nothing's off-limits - not even his corpse.

The obsession over Jackson's body heated up before it was cold. One report said he was frozen for later testing; another that the gold coffin at his memorial was empty.

Michael Jackson Tribute concert on his birthday

Michael Jackson gig advertiser to verify O2 Arena tribute gigs. Rumour is that other Jackson family members will perform. Michael Jackson's London O2 Arena gig advocate Randy Phillips says he is "confident" that a tribute gig for the singer, died in June, will take place at the venue in the near future. "What we're judgment about is one huge tribute that's broadcast around the sphere. We've chooseed to go to broadcast television, either cable/satellite, or traditional broadcast." he added. Jackson 5 will put on two stunning memorial shows to mark Michael's birthday next month, Jermaine has confirmed. All Michael Jackson Tribute Tickets and Jackson 5 Tickets are available on The Online Ticket Shop.

The long lost video of the horrific accident that lead to Michael Jackson's hair catching on fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial back in 1984 has finally hit the net!

The harrowing accident on a Pepsi commercial shoot which put Michael Jackson in hospital with terrible burns has remained unseen. Somehow now, only weeks after his death, footage of the drama unfolding has leaked, with many pin-pointing this as the moment when the self-styled King of Pop, reaching his absolute peak, was first introduced to pain-killers, an addiction which many claim brought about his recent, unexpected and tragic passing.

The video shows Jackson performing at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 27,1984 before 3,000 understandably very excited fans. Appearing alongside his brothers at a staged gig, all goes well until the sixth take, when he descends from the back of the stage and a battery of pyrotechnics explode prematurely. Michael can be seen bounding down the stairs, the top of his head clearly ablaze, before the crew rush to his aid.



Jacko suffered third-degree burns on his scalp and body in the incident and was rushed to hospital, his iconic glove still in place as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance. Pepsi settled out of court, with the $1.5 million fee going to the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, CA, which now has a Michael Jackson Burn Center. But money could not heal the damage, as habitual use of prescribed narcotics becoming a frequent aid but one that would seemingly take over his life.

Michael Jackson gig promoter to confirm O2 Arena tribute gig. Rumour is that other Jackson family members will perform.

Michael Jackson tribute concert tickets should be available soon for the Star-studded tribute to the late singer, as a host of international names head to the O2 Arena to show their respect and admiration for one of the genuine legends of the music industry.

Michael Jackson's London O2 Arena gig promoter Randy Phillips says he is "confident" that a tribute gig for the singer, died in June, will take place at the venue in the near future.

"What we're thinking about is one massive tribute that's broadcast around the globe. We've opted to go to broadcast television, either cable/satellite, or traditional broadcast." he added.

Book your Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Tickets Online now.

Michael Jackson tribute concert tickets will enable fans to share in what promises to be a moving and emotional tribute to the star who tragically passed away at the age of just 51.

Pop star Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles

Paramedics were called to the singer's Beverly Hills home at about noon on Thursday after he stopped up the breathing.

He was marked dead two hours in a while at the UCLA medical centre. Jackson's brother, Jermaine, said he was believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Jackson, who had the past of health trouble, had been due to stage a series of return concerts in the UK, commencement on 13 July.

Speaking on behalf of the Jackson family, Jermaine said doctors had tried to give artificial respiration to the star for more than an hour without success.


Jermaine Jackson on his brother's sudden death
He added: "The family request that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time."

"And Allah be with you Michael, always. I love you."

TV footage showed the star's body flown from UCLA to the LA County Coroner's office where a post-mortem is happened to take place on Friday.

The Last Moments of Michael Jackson

11.59am: Martin Bashir, the journalist made the controversial documentary Living With Michael Jackson, has said the world has lost its "greatest entertainer".

The textual was a PR tragedy for Jackson when he said partaking a bed with a young boy was "a beautiful thing" and was shown holding hands with Gavin Arvizo, a 13-year-old boy who later accused him of child molestation. The singer later said he felt "devastated and utterly betrayed" by the interviewer's portrayal of him.

11.39am: There's growing rumour that Jackson stopped breathing after taking an vaccination of the influential painkiller Demerol. The Sun reports that he was addicted to the drug, which is similar to morphine, and there are fears he took an overdo.
Others blame a mixture of the star's weak health - he suffered from arthritis and was accounted to have been analysed with skin cancer - and the tiring arrangements for his comeback shows at the O2 arena.
A post-mortem test of Jackson's body is due to take place at the Los Angeles county coroner's office later today.

10.57am: care actions for Jackson's three children – Prince Michael Jr, Paris Michael Katherine and Prince Michael II – are unclear, although a Jackson family lawyer has suggested his mother Katherine could look after them. Let's hope they can now avoid the strange early days that destroyed their father's life.
10.47am: Who knew Jackson had such a political fanbase? Tributes have come in from world leaders including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who called his death "lamentable news," and the former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who said: "We lost a hero of the world."
Our own politicians have also taken time out of their busy agenda to pay their compliments. Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw went so far as subjecting a press release to announce his grief, which reveals he "is a long-time fan of Michael Jackson and had Billie Jean played as the first dance at his civil partnership."
Lets hope he doesn't try to claim a wreath on expenses...
Meanwhile the Foreign Office has said David Miliband did not post a message in compliment to Jackson on Twitter. A spokeswoman said: "The foreign secretary does not have a Twitter account."
10.38am: Byron Garcia, who organised the famous video of 1,500 inmates, coordinated dancing to Jackon's Thriller at a Philippine prison, said: "My heart is heavy because my idol died." Garcia, a security consultant, said the inmates in Cebu will hold a tribute for Jackson on Saturday with their Thriller dance and a minute of prayer.
The video has had 23.5 million hits on YouTube.
10.06am: A bus full of tourists who thought they were going to see Jackson's front gate instead ended up witnessing the last moments of his life, TMZ.com reports. Fans hoping to pay tribute at the singer's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame found it blocked off ahead of the premiere of Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie Bruno. A scene in the film featuring Jackson's sister LaToya has reportedly been cut following his death.
9.47am: Despite his troubled life, Jackson will be remembered foremost for his musical legacy. His spectacular concert tours earned him comparisons with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Clips of his greatest performances have leapt to the top of YouTube's video charts in the wake of his death.

Link to this video
Announcing Jackson's death, his brother Jermaine called him the "legendary king of pop".
Artists including Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Steven Spielberg, waged compliments to the star, while his fans and friends posted messages on a lot of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Not everyone is hured by the news of his death though, and jokes about his extreme plastic surgery and child abuse allegations have quickly spread online.

9.41am: The death of notorious pop legend Michael Jackson last night has encouraged shock around the world.
Jackson, who died aged 50 of a cardiac arrest in a Los Angeles hospital last night, was due to make his comeback at a series of sold-out shows in London.
News that the pop superstar had died after being rushed to the University of California at Los Angeles medical centre broke on artists gossip website TMZ last night. Much of west Los Angeles soon ground to a halt as hordes of fans jostled with paparazzi and television news teams around the hospital.

THRILLER - LIVE

Flying Music in association with Adrian Grant are proud to present THRILLER - LIVE, a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of the world's undisputed King of Pop - Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5.

Moonwalking into the West End after three acclaimed UK tours and standing ovations across Europe, THRILLER - LIVE is currently playing at the Lyric Theatre, as well as simultaneously touring the UK with a second production.

To bring to life on stage the sensational dancing and distinctive sound of Jackson's greatest hits, THRILLER - LIVE includes eye-popping multi-media effects and dazzling choreography by the shows award-winning director Gary Lloyd (who has previously worked with artists including Leona Lewis, Will Young, Robbie Williams, and Girls Aloud), plus additional choreography by 5 time MTV award-winning LaVelle Smith Jnr.

THRILLER - LIVE includes over two-hours of non-stop hit songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and live band, including the smash hits: 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, Beat It, Billie Jean, Earth Song, Thriller plus many more!

Michael Jackson - Some tickets still available!!!

After a record breaking sale, MJ Tickets sold out at Ticketmaster. Some tickets are still available at theonlineticketshop and theonlineticketexchange.

- the hottest tickets on the planet, and the fastest selling tickets in London ever are completely sold out.

750,000 fans have bought tickets to see the undisputed King Of Pop live at the O2 Arena in days of frantic fan frenzy and saturated media coverage around the globe.

The amazing news of Michael Jackson's return to the stage caused tickets to sell at an average rate of 40,000 an hour, over 650 tickets per minute - an astonishing 11 per second!

Chris Edmonds, Managing Director, Ticketmaster UK, said: "We often talk about unprecedented demand, but this week we have witnessed a live entertainment phenomenon. We have seen a truly amazing level of interest and demand for tickets from fans from across the world for the Michael Jackson shows at The O2 over the last 3 days. The success of the general on-sale today has led to Michael Jackson and AEG Live adding even more dates, taking the total amount of performances to 50. Today, we saw well over 250,000 fans hitting the Ticketmaster site at 7am for the general sale tickets. Whilst queues were long we were selling tickets at an exceptional rate. This was undoubtedly the busiest demand for tickets for an event which we have ever experienced."

Three quarters of a million fans clearly feel the same way and their attention will now turn to the actual concerts, perhaps the most anticipated in history. Up there alongside Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, Michael Jackson is about to write a new chapter in entertainment folklore.

Michael Jackson's 50 dates at London's O2 arena sell out

The King of Pop's residency has completely sold out in just a few hours with fans snapping up more than a million tickets.

Rosie Swash
guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 March 2009

Tickets for Michael Jackson's 50 live dates at London's O2 arena have sold out, meaning that a staggering one million tickets to see the singer have been bought in a matter of hours.
Dates for the summer residency, beginning on 8 July, had been extended to 50 nights – one for each year of Jackson's life. The singer is said to be "thrilled" by the response, though no doubt his promoters are even happier. "Not only are these concerts unparalleled, these records have never been broken," said Randy Phillips, of promoters AEG Live. "We knew this was show business history, but this is a cultural phenomenon".

Tickets only went on sale on Friday 13 March, with pre-sale allocation available yesterday, and Ticketmaster described the demand as "unprecedented". Fans queued overnight outside the O2 arena in Greenwich, south-east London, in the hope of avoiding jammed phonelines. However, those not lucky enough to secure a ticket can head to eBay to buy them second hand, providing they are prepared to pay between £170 and £10,000.

Jackson confirmed details of his O2 arena residency last week with the words: "When I say this is it, I mean this is it," prompting many to question whether this will be his farewell tour.

Michael Jackson Tickets for all upcoming show are available at TheOnLineTicketShop

JACKSON TAKES COMEBACK SHOWS INTO 2010

MICHAEL JACKSON has bowed to pressure from fans and extended his comeback shows to a mammoth 45-date run - the star will be performing in London until February 2010.The Thriller hitmaker announced his return to the stage last week (05Mar09), unveiling a residency of 10 shows at the British capital's O2 Arena in July. More than a million fans registered to buy tickets for the 10 shows at the 20,000-capacity venue, with pre-sale seats snapped up within minutes of going on sale on Wednesday (11Mar09).

And due to the high demand for tickets the pop legend will now play 45 nights at the arena, spread out over eight months.

If the shows sell out, the massive residency - which dwarfs Prince's 21-date run at the O2 in 2007 - will generate more than $90 million (£65 million) in ticket sales alone.

The shows, which Jackson insist will be his last in London, now stretch from 8 July (09) until mid February (10).

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday (13Mar09).

sorce: Contactmusic.com

Michael Jackson mobbed as he goes to see Oliver!

Michael Jackson was mobbed by fans as he took his two youngest children to see Oliver! the musical in London.

By Chris Irvine
Last Updated: 10:05AM GMT 07 Mar 2009

Michael Jackson is mobbed by fans after he watched a performance of Oliver! with his children, at Drury Lane in central London
Photo: SPLASH

The scenes began when Jackson, in the city to promote a series of summer concerts, left his luxury hotel, The Lanesborough in Knightsbridge.

Jackson appeared happy with the reception from his fans, smiling and waving at fans, signing autographs and shaking hands before leaving in a minibus.

He then descended on London's Drury Lane to watch the show starring Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, with his two youngest children, Prince Michael II (also known as Blanket), aged seven, and Paris 11. Both hid their faces as they were escorted through the crowd.

At the show, the trio were joined by Jackson's friend Mark Lester, who played Oliver in the original 1968 film.

Earlier this week, Jackson announced plans to stage a string of 10 comeback concerts at London's O2 arena.

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Michael Jackson to announce string of concerts at O2

Michael Jackson, the tarnished pop music superstar, is to announce his latest comeback at London's O2 arena.

Michael Jackson has signed up to dozens of concerts in a residency at the o2 arena during June and July Photo: AP

The singer has signed up to dozens of concerts in a residency at the arena during June and July which could bank him up to £100 million. The announcement of the concert deal will be televised live on Thursday.

Negotiations between Jackson and AEG Live, the company that opened the O2 in 2007 with a 21-night residency by Prince, began more than a year ago. It will be the longest run of shows by one performer since the relaunch of the former Millennium Dome.

The concerts will be modelled on Las Vegas where Sir Elton John and Celine Dion have long-running residencies which were established by Frank Sinatra. He will not be playing any other concert venues which his management hope will lead to a huge demand for tickets. The residency will avoid the rigours of touring for a singer who has fragile health.

Jackson is hoping the concerts, which will coincide with the release of a new album a first in eight years, will revive the catastrophic slump in his fortunes which has seen his nickname go from the "King of Pop" to "Wacko Jacko".

In 2005 he was acquitted of child molestation charges but his reputation was further damaged when he held his young son aloft over a hotel balcony in Berlin. His Neverland ranch has been sold and a lawsuit from Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who claims that he gave him £4.7m to relaunch his career, was settled out of court...
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