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Home / Michael Jackson 1958-2009 Only Few Details On Memorial Service. 04-07-'09 Despite the interest surrounding the service, only few details emerged so far. Organizers would only say there would not be a funeral processional to the arena, indicating Michael's body would not be brought to the public memorial. Ken Ehrlich, known for producing the Grammy Awards, is producing the memorial show, his company said. Kenny Ortega, who was to have co-directed the series of concerts in London (UK) will direct it. Source: CNN / Billie Jean Statue Installed In Switzerland. 04-07-'09 A giant statue of Michael Jackson was installed nearby Zurich (Switzerland) to celebrate the King of Pop during a ceremony this weekend. The 12-meters high statue weights four tons and it is located in the north-west of Zurich, specifically in the village of Regensdorf. It represents Michael "HIStory" style with golden belts wrapped around his body. "Only 19 specimen of these statues exist around the world and only 2 of these are in Europe", said event organiser Andreas Grassmann. "We are going to organise a week-end long celebration starting tonight (Friday)." The organisers, who are expecting thousands of admirers to show up, will sell candles and roses. A book of condolescences will also be at hand for the public.
Source: AFP / Billie Jean MJ Remembered At The Grammy Museum. 03-07-'09 In celebration of the life and work of Michael Jackson, The GRAMMY Museum is sharing a collection of Jackson's most iconic wardrobe pieces (including the suit he wore on the cover of Thriller). Starting June 26, 2009, these will be exhibited on the Museum's third floor alongside video of some of Jackson's most exciting GRAMMY performances. We hope this exhibit will serve as a fitting tribute to one of the most significant entertainers in music history. The Museum will open to the public on Friday at 11:30am.
For thousands of years, royalty has called attention to itself with extravagant clothing and other finery. Jewels, fine fabrics, and elaborate accessories can complete the transformation of a person into a brightly-shining star that holds its audience spellbound. As the self-anointed "King of Pop," Michael Jackson has fully embraced this royal tradition. And like his album HIStory, this exhibit gathers together some of his greatest hits — pieces that are uniquely and unmistakably his. "The GRAMMY Museum is excited for this rare chance to share this material with our visitors," said Chief Curator Ken Luftig Viste. "Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most significant entertainers in pop music history, and the pieces' star power — and design — is striking. Few, if any, have ever before been made available to the public in this way." Including seven elaborately embellished jackets, two gloves, and more, highlights include jackets worn on the Victory tour, at Jackson's 1984 American Music Awards appearance, and at the dedication of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All are elaborately bejewelled, beaded, and detailed — with one piece weighing nearly fifteen pounds. "As a 21st Century museum, we will update our exhibit content frequently," said Executive Director Robert Santelli. "Though we've only been open a short time, Michael Jackson: HIStyle allows us to demonstrate our steadfast commitment to putting that goal into practice. Plus, it's an amazing collection." Working with talented designers, Jackson's crystals, sequins, beads, embroidery, and insignia have combined to catch the eyes of millions, transmitting his dance moves from the stage to the back row, and his star power across the world. Go to Grammy Museum Source: Grammy Museum / Billie Jean Memorial Service Ticket Info. 03-07-'09 A press conference took place at Staples Center Los Angeles (USA) today at about 10:15am. Topic was the logistics of Michael Jackson's memorial. A video feed of the press conference can be viewed here. Information given during the press conference was as follows: A limited number of tickets (17.500) for the memorial will be made available for Michael Jackson's fans to attend as follows: Due to the expected overwhelming demand, the following procedures have been set to accommodate registration for the tickets. Please note that by registering for tickets to attend the Public Memorial Service, it does NOT guarantee the registrant tickets. You can register at http://www.staplescenter.com. The opportunity to register for tickets begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, July 3, 2009 and ends at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Tomorrow, randomly 8750 names will be drawn for 2 tickets each (11.000 seats available at Staples Center, 6.500 at Nokia Theater to view the memorial service on large screens). Just enter your information for your chance to receive two tickets, that will be randomly distributed for either STAPLES Center or Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. Only one entry per individual will be accepted. Registering to attend the Public Memorial Service is NOT a guarantee of tickets. Two tickets will be issued to each randomly selected attendee. Offer valid to residents of the United States only. Notification if you will receive tickets will be sent out by e-mail on Sunday 11am -8pm together with further instructions on how to obtain tickets and wristbands. It was also said that without a ticket your best option to view the memorial service will be to stay at home. The Jackson family has ensured that a worldwide internet feed of the service will be available to all stations for free. What exactly the memorial will consist of is still being developed.And the family spokesperson would not say whether Michael's body would be at the memorial. Source: MJFC / Billie Jean In an interview, US president Barack Obama has called Michael Jackson a brilliant performer. "I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer." Obama said he did not see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement upon Michael Jackson's death, and said he was unaware of any dissatisfaction in the black community with his response. "I know a lot of people in the black community and I haven't heard that," Obama said. The president said he grew up on Michael Jackson's music and "I still have all his stuff on my iPod." "I think that Michael Jackson will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. His brilliance as a performance also was paired with a tragic and in many ways, sad personal life." Source: smh.com.au / Billie Jean
According to an exclusive report by prestigious Billboard magazine, recently Michael was not working on one but two albums: one in the pop vein and another with an instrumental classical composition. On the pop album he was working with songwriter Claude Kelly and Akon. Akon says that Michael was motivated by the ticket sales for his performances. "He said, 'My fans are still there. They still love me. They're alive,'" Akon says. "His kids are like his first priority, and they had never seen him perform live. He was trying to create the most incredible show for his kids." Kelly, who wrote "Hold My Hand," the Akon-produced duet that leaked last year, says Michael never lost his passion. "He was the King of Pop, the biggest to ever do it, and the one thing you never lose—whether known by the whole world or just 10 people—is your love for music. That never goes away, and it never went away for him amidst his troubles." Composer David Michael Frank had worked with Michael on the 1989 Sammy Davis jr. TV tribute. He received a call from the Michael's assistant two months ago about collaborating again. Michael invited him to his LA home. He told him he was working on an instrumental album of classical music and asked for help with orchestration. "He had two demos of two pieces he'd written, but they weren't complete," says Frank, who adds that he was impressed with Michael's knowledge of classical music. "For one of them, he had a whole section of it done in his head. He had not recorded it. He hummed it to me as I sat at the keyboard in his pool house and we figured out the chords—I guess this recording I made is the only copy that exists of this music." A few weeks ago, Michael called again to see how Frank was progressing on the orchestrations. "He mentioned more instrumental music of his he wanted to record, including one jazz piece. I hope one day his family will decide to record this music as a tribute and show the world the depth of his artistry." Greg Phillinganes, a keyboardist who collaborated with Michael as musical director of the "Bad" tour and appeared on several of his albums, says he sounded as good as he ever did. "He still had a good voice and never had a problem singing. There were questions about him being able to pull off the tour on the choreography side, but sources working with him told me he was dancing all the time, every day, and was very focused, excited and committed to making this tour the best it could be." Akon last spoke to Michael three months prior to his death. "He would always tell me to eat right and ask me if I was exercising and drinking water. He'd always stress you had to take care of yourself before you can go off and do anything else." Frank agrees: "He seemed totally healthy, not frail, and gave me a firm handshake when we met. He seemed in good health, had a good voice and was in good spirits.He was very skinny, but from what I knew, he was always thin. He was also taller than I pictured, but he might have been wearing some platform shoes. And he was impeccably dressed." Much has been made of Michael's intense rehearsal schedule, but Phillinganes says that Michael lived up to his reputation as a perfectionist. "It was the biggest comeback of his career, arguably the biggest comeback in pop music—even bigger than Elvis. So obviously he'd want to do the best he could. He never did anything half-assed, which is what originally got him to the stature he had." Source: MJFC / Bilboard / Billie Jean Rehearsal Video on CNN. 03-07-'09 CNN started to feature about 1:43min of a full dress rehearsal video recorded at the Staples Center last week. AEG, promoter of Michael's planned London shows, released the video of Michael rehearsing on a stage in the Staples Center arena on June 23, 2009.
Michael sang 'They Don't Care About Us' as he danced along with eight male dancers and a female guitar player, including a HIStory segment. This video should finally put to rest rumours that Michael was fragile the days before he died. His performance is simply thrilling and one can only imagine what concert goers have missed. It is such an unbelievable loss to the world that such an incredible performer has gone forever. The video is available at CNN. Michael, we love you and especially that smile at the very end! Source: CNN / Billie Jean Michael Jackson Funeral Set for July 7. 02-07-'09 The Michael Jackson funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. Sources tell me that AEG Live, which owns Staples and next-door neighbour Nokia Theatre, will use both facilities and the surrounding plaza. There’s no official confirmation yet, but I’m told all systems are go. Insiders also say that AEG will put gigantic screens outside the facilities for the thousands who will not get inside. No word yet on how ticketing will be handled. In order to do this, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, scheduled to Bower its run at Staples on July 8, had to be persuaded to postpone moving into Staples by several hours. Source: Showbiz411 / Billie Jean Costume Designers Talk About TII Costumes. 02-07-'09 In an interview to People magazine, Michael's longtime costume designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins talked about the costumes they developed together with Michael for the 'This Is It' concerts. Tompkins and Michael Bush worked on creating an “over the top” wardrobe for the tour. “He’s still a terrific dancer,” says costume designer Dennis Tompkins. On his final night of rehearsal, Michael...
“was doing the moonwalk. Everything!” says Bush. “He did the whole show full out at performance level. He was like, ‘When are we going to London? Let’s go. I’m ready.’” He was also on a creative high. “Working with Michael for 25 years we had never seen his creativity at this level,” says Bush. “It was like where is this coming from? I get goose bumps thinking about what this visual was going to look like.” Bush and Tompkins gave People an exclusive look at the show costumes. Here’s an inside look at what you might have seen in London: 1. A THRILLING JACKET: They re-created Michael’s iconic looks for each of the 26 songs he was to perform, but the singer asked, “How can we take it to the next level?” Bush recalls. The solution? Fiber-optic lights sewn onto his red leather “Thriller” jacket, for a surprise light show timed to the music. 2. OLD FAVES: Michael was going to back his signature crystal glove and socks, which caught the light — and assured that even fans in the back could see him dance. “He was so excited to perform,”says Bush. 3. A MILITARY SALUTE: For a rendition of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” they created a “regimented, military” look. 4. BELTS AND WHISTLES: Tompkins had to make sure items like a jeweled belt would fit Michael’s slight 27 3/4 inch waist, but says his weight was not an issue: “He was a bit smaller, but he was always thin.” 5. MAJOR DANCE MOVES: Michael’s new Billie Jean suit held 7.5 lbs. of Swarovski crystals and 60 lights, so the star made sure he could do a spin before signing off. “The dance came first; costumes were secondary,” says Bush. “And his moves were sharper than ever.” Source: People / Billie Jean
In this time of great sadness it is wonderful to see that there are many people out there who actually care and share our grief. The following message was sent to MJFC form the Lionel Richie Fan Club and we of course want to share it with Michael fans worldwide: "A Note from The Lionel Richie Fan Club On behalf of The Lionel Richie Fan Club, Source: MJFC / Billie Jean 'Endless' Unreleased Music In MJ's Vaults. 02-07-'09 Those familiar with Michael Jackson's vaults say the entertainer has left behind a trove of unreleased music. Executives and lawyers who know the material anticipate that unreleased tracks from studio sessions of some of Michael's best albums, as well as more recently recorded songs made with Akon and will.i.am could be released. Tommy Mottola, former chairman and CEO of Sony Music which owns the distribution rights to Michael Jackson's music, described the unreleased material as "endless." He added that new and repackaged releases "could go on for years and year — even more than Elvis." Source: MJFC / AP / Billie Jean Jermaine Jackson Interview On Michael Jackson: “I Wish It Was Me!”. 02-07-'09 Jermaine Jackson was on the today show and said some intriguing things about his brother Michael passing away: Jermaine Jackson says he would like to see Neverland Ranch as his brother Michael’s final resting place. In an interview broadcast Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show, Jermaine Jackson also said he wishes he had died instead of his younger brother, and that Michael was “a gift from Allah.” “He went too soon. I don’t know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me,” Jermaine Jackson said. When asked why he felt that way, Jermaine Jackson said he always felt that he was Michael’s “backbone.” “I wanted to be there for him. I was there and he was sort of like molded. Things he couldn’t say, I would say them. During the trials, during everything …” Jermaine Jackson said that when he rushed to UCLA Medical Center last Thursday, where the 50-year-old pop singer was pronounced dead, “I wanted to see Michael, and I wanted to see my brother, and see him there lifeless and breathless was very emotional for me, but I held myself together, because I know he’s very much alive.” “His spirit is, and that was just a shell, but I kissed him on his forehead and I hugged him, and I touched him and I said, `Michael, I’ll never leave you. You’ll never leave me.’” On Wednesday, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said a public memorial was in the works but it wouldn’t be held at Neverland. A person familiar with the situation told the AP that permits for a burial at the sprawling Santa Barbara, Calif., estate could not be arranged in time. The person was not authorized to speak for the family and spoke on condition of anonymity. Jackson said Neverland was Michael’s home. “He created this. Why wouldn’t he be here? I feel his presence.” Source: bossip.com / Billie Jean
A public viewing for late pop star Michael Jackson will not happen at the singer’s former fantasy land at Neverland Ranch, the Jackson family announced in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly,” a rep for the family said. Source: poprunch / Billie Jean Friedman: Michael Jackson’s Is The Kid's Dad. 02-07-'09 Roger Friedman published the following in his column on Showbiz411.com: Debbie Rowe Is The Kids’ Mom, Michael Jackson’s Their Dad
Whether Debbie used donor eggs or her own is irrelevant. Millions of mothers around the world who’ve used donor eggs will tell you that. And I’m fairly certain that since the kids look so much like Debbie, they came from her biology. Furthermore, Dr. Arnold Klein is not the father. These reports from US Weekly and TMZ are so preposterous they would be laughable if only actual children weren’t involved. Michael Jackson was the children’s father regardless of his biological participation. He raised them, and loved them, and was totally devoted to them. In the 2005 trial, as I reported then, a slip of the tongue by one of the attorneys indicated that he was not their biological father. I was told by good sources that Rowe was inseminated from a sperm bank. In the long run, it doesn’t matter. As for Blanket, aka Prince Michael II, I also reported back in 2005 that he was the product of Jackson’s sperm and a hired surrogate. That’s why there is no mother’s name on the birth certificate. TMZ and US Weekly continue to practice malicious and wreck less reporting. Let them back up their accusations with named sources, or keep it to themselves. Source: MJFC / Billie Jean Tribute March In Helsinki. 02-07-'09 A Michael Jackson tribute march will take place in Helsinki (Finland) this Saturday: When: Saturday 4th July 2009 @ 2pm Organizers: Marko Tubli ( markotubli@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) This is a tribute to the KING OF POP. Anyone can join. Please bring along candles, banners, signs, music....anything you want! If you can't come, then you can send a support letter about Michael to the organizers and it will be read during the meeting! Please contact the event organizers for further details. Source: MJFC / Billie Jean
The Jackson family has just released the following statement: "Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland. Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly. Effective today, the Jackson family has retained the services of Sunshine, Sachs & Associates to handle all public relations for the family regarding Michael Jackson." Source: Sunshine, Sachs & Associates / Billie Jean |
Updated: 10/30/2010 9:37 AM |
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