Michael Jackson

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The NAACP’s next big initiative: Making Neverland Ranch a state park

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is pushing for the California state legislature to convert Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch into a state park.

With the NAACP’s prompting, Democratic Assemblyman Mike Davis is putting the finishing touches on a proposal to order state parks officials to look into the possibility of honoring the late King of Pop by converting his 2,600 acre property into a public park.

Davis, who chairs of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media, told The Daily Caller that this will be a great way to commemorate and honor Michael Jackson.

“Michael Joseph Jackson was a world renowned musician, not unlike Elvis Presley,” Davis said. “Not only a gifted entertainer and talent, he was also a great humanitarian and as such deserves something such as this to honor his memory.”

Davis said the idea for the legislation came from Alice Huffman, President of the California NAACP.

“I think overall, the proposal the NAACP came up with is that this site will highlight the positive contributions that Michael Joseph Jackson gave to the world of music and to commemorate his gifts to humanity and finally have the state realize what a valuable revenue generating facility Neverland could be, in much the same way Graceland is.”

“I think Michael’s history is world history and I think it would become the number one attraction for the state parks if we could pull it off,” Huffman, who also serves on the state Parks Commission, told The Sacramento Bee.

Currently, the property is in the hands of Colony Capital LLC, a private equity firm. The firm has reportedly owned the ranch since Jackson’s foreclosure crisis in 2008. The company was not prepared to comment on speculations about the property’s state park potential.

Ronilee Clark, chief of the Southern Division California State Parks Department, told The Daily Caller that with the California budget situation, a state park for Michael Jackson was probably not the highest priority.

“The important first step here is money for the acquisition and California state parks have been suffering,” she said. “We barely have enough money to keep our current parks open, much less buy more, and the Jackson land would not be inexpensive. I have heard figures of around $100 million.”

The California state budget deficit is currently $19 billion.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/16/the-naac.../#ixzz0tpUjtjzc

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some cool making of 'Thriller' pictures

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He was so sweet he visted sick children often and donated so much money to charity.

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No charges filed in probe of other Jackson doctors

By GREG RISLING, Associated Press Writer Greg Risling, Associated Press Writer – 8 mins ago

LOS ANGELES – State investigators probing the death of Michael Jackson have decided not to file charges against seven doctors who treated him, authorities said Wednesday.

The doctors were part of an investigation by state Attorney General Jerry Brown's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, spokeswoman Christine Gasparac said.

One doctor whose name was not released has been referred to the California Medical Board for prescribing drugs to a Jackson alias, she said.

Candis Cohen, a board spokeswoman, declined to confirm the action, saying complaints and investigations were not public record.

Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, has pleaded not guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death. Authorities say Murray provided Jackson with a mix of sedatives, including a powerful anesthetic that killed him.

Murray was not among the seven doctors involved in the state investigation.

Los Angeles police who investigated the death had asked state and federal investigators to look into the prescribing practices of doctors who previously treated the 50-year-old pop star.

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency has also stopped investigating the actions of any other Jackson doctors, agency spokeswoman Sarah Pullen said.

"I am very disappointed," said attorney Brian Oxman, who represents Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson in a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray. "The misuse of medications by Michael Jackson in the last years of his life was excessive and to fail to bring that to the public eye is ignoring reality."

The state investigation included the search of a prescription drug database that tracks doctors who prescribe controlled substances. The database also monitors the quantity and recipients of those drugs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100729/ap_en_...jackson_doctors

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Exclusive: New Michael Jackson Album In November

Disc includes 10 previously unreleased tracks

By Daniel Kreps

Jul 30, 2010 11:34 AM EDT

An all-new Michael Jackson collection featuring 10 unreleased songs will be released this November, a rep for the Jackson estate exclusively tells Rolling Stone. At the time of his death Jackson reportedly left hard drives filled with unheard music, much of it recorded during the King of Pop's '80s peak. Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo told RS that he estimates that Jackson's vaults contain more than 100 completed and unreleased songs, including collaborations with Akon, Will.i.am and Ne-Yo. "There are a couple of songs we recorded for the Bad album that we had to cut that are just sensational," DiLeo said.

"Every time that [Jackson] recorded, he over-recorded. He would record anywhere from 20 to 30 songs for each album," former Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola told RS last year. Any of them could have been as big a hit as the ones that came out." One of the most noteworthy tracks was a Thriller outtake titled "Don't Be Messin' Around." Other candidates include any of the reported five songs that Jackson recorded with Will.i.am.

Last year, a pair of unreleased Jackson tracks, "Another Day" and "A Place With No Name," leaked, and recently Rodney Jerkins, who co-produced Jackson's 2001 album Invincible, revealed to VladTV that he's currently working on the collection.

As Rolling Stone previously reported, the album of never-before-heard Jackson songs will be the first in a 10-project, seven-year deal the Jackson estate inked with Sony Music in March 2010 — a $250 million pact that will also include reissues of Jackson's classic albums, new greatest hits sets, a DVD collection of all Michael's music videos and possibly a Cirque du Soleil show. The hybrid karaoke and dance simulator Michael Jackson: The Video Game is also expected out by the end of 2010.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/186832

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Will.i.am doesn't support new Jackson album

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY (AP) – 1 hour ago

NEW YORK — A new Michael Jackson album is expected by the end of the year, culled from unreleased material in his vaults. But Jackson collaborator and Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am is vehemently opposed to the idea.

"I don't think that should ever come out. That's bad," he said. "He was a perfectionist and he wouldn't have wanted it that way. How you gonna release Michael Jackson when Michael Jackson ain't here to bless it?"

Will.i.am collaborated with Jackson on the rerelease of "Thriller" in 2008 with remixed versions of some of the album's classic songs. He said Jackson was very particular about all aspects of his musical productions, from his vocals to arrangements to instrumentation.

"Now that he is not part of the process, what are they doing? Why would you put a record out like that? Because he was a friend of mine, I just think that's disrespectful," he said. "What's wrong with what he already contributed to the world?"

The Jackson estate did not respond to a request for comment.

When asked about the high demand for any new Jackson music, will.i.am replied: "So what? You don't disrespect someone when they're gone. ... How much can you suck from his energy? ... Freaking parasites!"

Not much is known about what will be on the album, but Michael's brother Jackie has said he and brother Marlon were working on the record with John McClain, Jackson's former manager and executor of his estate.

http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/showthre...4824&page=9

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V Exclusive: New MJ Album To Include Tracks By will.i.am, Teddy Riley & Rodney Jerkins

With the recent news that an all-new Michael Jackson album featuring 10 unreleased tracks is set to drop this November, more insight into the anticipated project has surfaced.

According to the late King of Pop’s Estate administrator John Branca, the upcoming collection is set to feature an all-star roster of producers.

“We are finishing up the album as we speak,” Branca tells VIBE. “There will be some will.i.am, Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins songs. We don’t want to put 10 unrelated songs together. We want to put together an album that fits well.”

While Branca, Jackson’s longtime lawyer, would not give any specifics on the tracks, he says that the legendary performer was very hands-on during the recording process.

“Some of the songs Mike were working on by himself. Michael always over-recorded. A song like 'Billie Jean' was supposed to be on the Off The Wall album, but for whatever reason his team didn’t think it was strong enough. So there’s plenty of good new material for this upcoming project.”

In the June/July issue, VIBE gave exclusive details into some of the unreleased Michael Jackson tracks tentatively slated for the November release. The buzz-heavy set is reportedly the first in series of 10-projects tied to a seven-year deal the Jackson estate inked with Sony Music in March 2010. The $250 million pact includes a Michael Jackson video game, due out at the end of 2010; various reissues of Jackson’s landmark albums; a revamped greatest hits sets and a Cirque du Soleil show based on the Gloved One’s music

http://www.vibe.com/posts/vibe-exclusive-n...-rodney-jerkins

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Judge sets Jan. 4 preliminary hearing for doctor charged in MJ death

By Anthony McCartney (CP) – 15 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A preliminary hearing where prosecutors will lay out some of the evidence against a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death will begin Jan. 4 in Los Angeles, a judge said Monday.

The hearing had been expected to begin later this year but was pushed back due to issues involving witness availability and the ongoing investigation, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said.

After the hearing, which is expected to last at least two weeks, Pastor will determine if there is enough evidence to order cardiologist Conrad Murray to stand trial.

Several members of Jackson's family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph, attended Monday's hearing. They waved to fans who were allowed into the courtroom wearing T-shirts seeking justice for the pop singer.

Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson in June 2009 at the age of 50. Authorities have accused Murray of administering a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson in the bedroom of the singer's rented mansion.

Murray's attorneys have said the doctor did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him.

Murray's defence team wants permission to retest three chemical samples currently held by the coroner's office. Attorney J. Michael Flanagan said the samples were obtained from two syringes and an IV, but he did not elaborate.

Prosecutor David Walgren sought more information about the tests and whether the samples might be destroyed.

Pastor urged both sides to work out a deal on the request.

Murray is due back in court on Oct. 26 for another status hearing.

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Jackson's hometown plans to celebrate his birthday

(AP) – 6 hours ago

GARY, Ind. — Michael Jackson's hometown in Indiana is planning another tribute to the "King of Pop" just two months after marking the one-year anniversary of his death.

A news release issued by the city says a tribute will be held outside Jackson's boyhood home in Gary on Saturday, a day before what would have been his 52nd birthday.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says the city is honoring Jackson's memory as a great and giving person and as the world's greatest entertainer. The Jackson Family moved out of the city after the Jackson 5 struck it big in 1969.

Organizers say the event Saturday will include local entertainers and a Michael Jackson impersonator.

Jackson died last year in Los Angeles of an overdose of sedatives.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...Xx3u2wD9HQFQPG0

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Happy Birthday Michael Joseph Jackson

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Appeals court sets hearing in Michael Jackson estate case

By Anthony Mccartney, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES — An appeals court has scheduled a hearing for lawyers for the father of Michael Jackson to argue that he deserves a role in decisions involving his son's multimillion dollar estate.

The Second District Court of Appeal said Thursday the appeal by Joe Jackson would be heard on Oct. 6.

In November, the elder Jackson challenged a ruling by a state judge that the estate would be run by attorney John Branca and music executive and family friend John McClain.

The men had been designated in the singer's 2002 will to administer his estate.

The will omitted Joe Jackson — in effect denying him any stipend or decision-making authority.

"I think it's an important issue for all fathers around the country and around the world that when their child dies they should have a say-so in their child's estate," said attorney Brian Oxman, who represents Joe Jackson.

Attorney Howard Weitzman, who represents the estate, said the administrators were meeting all obligations to the beneficiaries named in the will.

"As I've said before, Mr. Jackson's appeal is not well taken," Weitzman said.

The singer's estate has earned tens of millions of dollars since the singer's death at age 50 in June 2009.

Joe Jackson is also pursuing a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Conrad Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death. Authorities contend Murray, a cardiologist, gave the singer a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol.

The costs of the wrongful death lawsuit should be paid by Michael Jackson's estate, Oxman said.

The estate is not a party to the lawsuit.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-0...tate-case_N.htm

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Joe Jackson Claims His Parenting Style Kept Michael Out Of Trouble

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) - Joe Jackson may have been left out of his famous son's will, but still he didn't think it has anything to do with how he raised him. Michael Jackson's father defends spanking his children when they were young.

The late King of Pop claimed that he was physically and emotionally abused by his father, though he gave him credit for being part of his success.

Joe was interviewed for the movie about Michael's life Katherine Jackson is producing. His part was shot by Jacksonsecretvault.com over the summer.

In the clip, obtained by TMZ, he was asked what he thinks about Michael's past comments about Joe's parenting style.

He answered, "I had to be like that because when raising him, in those days, so many gangs out there getting into trouble, going to jail. Most of them are dead now. He didn't have to worry about that."

And for regrets, Joe adamantly denies that he has any, saying, "No! They tried to make a big issue when I spanked Michael or some of the kids, ya know? Just like they didn't spank their kids when they did wrong. The media twists everything."

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/70...e#ixzz0ym49DRoF

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Michael and Janet

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Jackson's mother sues concert promoter AEG Live

(AP) – 25 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's mother has sued the promoter of what were intended to be the pop star's comeback concerts for fraud and other claims related to the singer's death.

The complaint filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday accused AEG Live of failing to honor its agreement to provide the doctor charged in the singer's death with lifesaving equipment.

The suit says AEG Live is liable for the actions of Dr. Conrad Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death at age 50.

Katherine Jackson, who is the guardian of the singer's three children, also sued on their behalf.

AEG spokesman Michael Roth says the company has not seen the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.

Katherine Jackson filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court and is seeking unspecified damages.

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Jackson estate licenses virtual 'Planet Michael'

LOS ANGELES—The man who made the moonwalk famous will soon be getting a planet of his own.

Tweet 0diggsdiggYahoo! Buzz ShareThis The Michael Jackson estate has entered a licensing deal with a Los Angeles company that will create an online virtual world based on the King of Pop called "Planet Michael."

The planet will live inside the Entropia Universe, a so-called "massively multiplayer online" game that has about 100,000 active users and is run by the Swedish company Mind Ark.

The estate will work with game publisher SEE Virtual Worlds to develop the game for release in late 2011. In it, fans will be able to collect and trade virtual Jackson merchandise, and earn credits by performing challenges related to his music and dance moves.

As in other virtual worlds, players can replenish their game accounts using real money.

Martin Biallas, CEO Of SEE Virtual Worlds, said game play will focus on Jackson's dance moves and adhere to his credo of nonviolence, a departure from other online multiplayer games such as "World of Warcraft." The game will also allow for charitable contributions.

"With Michael Jackson, we're aiming at different game play," he said in an interview.

John Branca, Jackson's longtime lawyer and co-executor of his estate, said in a statement, "No artist unified the world like Michael Jackson, so it is fitting that in Planet Michael his fans will be able to join together in such a unique way online."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jackson's estate has grown immensely since his sudden death on June 25, 2009 at age 50. Ventures including a multiyear record deal with Sony Music based on unreleased recordings and a movie based on concert rehearsal footage have brought the estate more than $250 million in the year since his death.

T.J. Keitt, a virtual world analyst with Forrester Research, said a deal between a major artist and a virtual world is "not too far out of the fold." Last year, hip-hop artist Jay-Z licensed his Rocawear clothing line to the WeeWorld virtual game targeted at teenagers.

But the analyst questioned whether Jackson fans would want to use a virtual world, which is mostly populated by preteens and teenagers, he said.

Jackson fans are likely "older adults who came of age in the '80s," he said. "Those people aren't frequenting virtual worlds."

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/20...planet_michael/