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February 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MICHAEL JACKSON SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
REGARDING RECENT RUMORS
February 27, 2007
Washington, D.C. ….. Several unsubstantiated rumors have been reported in the media regarding Mr. Michael Jackson, all of which are erroneous and untrue.
**Mr. Jackson is not planning a concert tour with members of his family.
**Mr. Jackson has been presented numerous proposals…proposals which he has not solicited, but were presented to him, several of which include performing in Las Vegas. Mr. Jackson is currently reviewing and evaluating each proposal. He does not believe that he is under any time constraint for making his decisions. Therefore, reports that he has “been unsuccessful in finding a Las Vegas casino for his show, resulting in his having to turn to his family” are false.
Mr. Jackson did not move to Las Vegas to shop a Vegas show. Mr. Jackson is in Las Vegas because he likes the city, and found it a convenient location to record with the artists, songwriters and producers who are working with him in the studio.
Mr. Jackson has no current plans to appear or perform on “American Idol.”
Mr. Jackson did not either solicit, ask to be given, or attempt to buy tickets to the recent NBA All-Star Game, as has been widely reported. Mr. Jackson was invited by several owners of NBA teams, as well as players, to attend the game as their guest. However, Mr. Jackson declined these kind invitations. Widely spread reports that Mr. Jackson sought tickets, and was denied his request, are completely false.
Mr. Jackson never leased property from Michael Flatly in Ireland. Therefore, reports stating that he was “evicted” from property owned by Flatly are erroneous and defamatory.
Mr. Jackson has not recently released or recorded a single with Pras.
Source: Raymone K. Bain
Martin Bandier Named Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Sony Corporation of America announced today that Martin Bandier has been named Chairman and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. As part of the agreement, Mr. Bandier will also make an investment in Sony/ATV, which is co-owned by Sony and trusts formed by Michael Jackson.
Mr. Bandier's move to Sony/ATV Music Publishing matches the most renowned music-publishing executive in the industry with the company that not only controls some of its most valuable catalogue assets, but also boasts a stellar roster of the most active and popular current artists and writers. The catalogues include a generation-spanning mix of some of the biggest names in music, from the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Steven Stills and Hank Williams to Babyface and John Mellencamp. Sony's growing current roster of chart-toppers includes Beck, Destiny's Child, Fall Out Boy, John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Rascal Flatts, KT Tunstall and Gretchen Wilson. Mr. Bandier will oversee Sony/ATV's global music publishing activities -- including talent and copyright acquisitions -- and will develop and implement broad new strategic initiatives.
Mr. Bandier will report to Rob Wiesenthal, Chief Financial Officer, Sony Corporation of America, and Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Sony Entertainment Inc., and also to Sir Howard Stringer in his role as Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation of America. Mr. Bandier will join Sony/ATV effective April 1, 2007.
"Sony/ATV Music Publishing has great assets, and also tremendous potential for growth and expansion," said Mr. Bandier. "This move offers me the opportunity to participate in the growth of a major publishing entity and to build something in an entrepreneurial environment with a fantastic company."
"Marty Bandier is a true legend in the music industry. His experience and stature are unparalleled," said Mr. Wiesenthal. "We are delighted that he is joining Sony/ATV at this critical time in the music publishing industry. His proven track record of innovative and highly effective business strategies will help us to continue to build this company and result in meaningful upside for all involved."
"We are very excited to have Marty take the helm at Sony/ATV in what we believe will be a transformative appointment," said Sir Howard Stringer. "This sends a strong signal about how serious we are about music publishing and adds one of the most respected and accomplished executives in the music industry to our team. We expect Marty to do what he does best, grow this business and take it to the upper echelon of the industry."
"I am thrilled that Mr. Bandier has agreed to become Chairman and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing," said Michael Jackson. "Marty has over 30 years experience in the music publishing industry, and not only brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the industry, but the vision and ability to take the company to new heights. I look forward to working with him."
Mr. Bandier was named chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing in 1989 after a merger between SBK, a company he founded, and Thorn EMI. Under his leadership, the combined company became the world's largest and most successful music publishing company. When Bandier took the reins at EMI, the company was the fourth largest player in the industry.
Source: earthtimes/prnewswire/MJJF/eMJey
February 23, 2007
Jackson lawsuit due in court June 18
A lawsuit filed against entertainer Michael Jackson and Marian Medical Center is due to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria on June 18.
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 15 by the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, who was moved Feb. 15, 2005, from a two-bed trauma room at Marian so that Jackson could have the room. Jackson reportedly entered the hospital because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms during his child molestation trial.
The lawsuit alleges abuse of celebrity status.
Ruiz, 73, of Santa Maria, was on a life support after she suffered a heart attack, and died the night of Feb. 15, 2005.
The June 18 court appearance is a case management conference that will be heard by Judge Rodney Melville, the same judge who presided over Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial.
Source: Santa Maria Times/MJJF/eMJey
February 07, 2007
Details Emerge About Michael's New Album
Details Emerge About Michael's New Album
In the Rolling Stones Issue ( 2/8/07 Issue 1019) there are new details that have emerged about the work that Michael and Will.i.am are doing for Michael's new record.
Will.i.am and Michael have drafted eight new songs together
- One song they are working on is titled "I'm Dreamin'"
- Another song Michael will sing is a ballad written by (or with) John Legend
- The two are expected to convene in Ireland for one month to finish recording the tracks
- Will.i.am speculated that the album is going to be like an "Off the Wall" for the modern era
- Other potential collaborators include Chris Brown and DJ Whoo Kid
- The music will be very melodic with some strong dance tracks
Source: Billboard/MJJF/Rolling Stones/eMJey
February 06, 2007
Michael Jackson Talks About His Life in Vegas and His Comeback - World Exclusive Interview
Michael Jackson's return to 'King of Pop' status is long-awaited and it has begun. It's being masterminded by the mysterious, secretive British entertainment tycoon who is behind the phenomenal success of Simon Cowell's ratings juggernaut 'American Idol' and David Beckham's $250-mega-million deal that is bringing the soccer king to the United States.
It's Michael's fourth visit to the Epicurean Award-winning restaurant since moving to Vegas ending his 18-month self-imposed exile from the US living in Dubai and at Michael Flatley's castle in Ireland.
Michael was looking happy, very well and relaxed, and he said: "I'm doing fine and am well and really enjoying myself in Vegas. It's a great place to call home." His hand shake and voice were strong and firm. On Michael's pending Vegas show and return to pop royalty, Kenny added, "We're talking business and looking at lots of different possibilities. This is a blue-sky time with a lot of different scenarios up in the air. We're working through all of them to find the best – the one that makes the most sense that's good for everybody."
Some think that if anybody could transform Michael into a box-office megastar all over again, it would be entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, "This is the perfect match: the world's biggest pop-star being looked after by the most successful mogul-manager in the world."
There's an incredibly unique tie-in with another Vegas connection for Michael. Fuller (seen here with Kenny and Michael) divides his time between London, Los Angeles, and the French Riviera, and is also said to have numerous growing investments in Lake Las Vegas real-estate ventures with Cowell. But it's the mega-deal he struck with American billionaire, Robert F X Sillerman, that's worth noting in all of this. Sillerman who owns licensing and merchandising rights to numerous celebrities and their estates exploits the Presley estate with authority by both Priscilla Presley and Lisa-Marie Presley who were in Vegas this weekend celebrating the King of Rock's daughter's 39th birthday! Gossip historians know that at one time, Michael and Lisa- Marie were a tabloid headline romance item during their marriage!
First stop though for Michael, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on August 29 this year is Japan. He'll fly from Vegas next month for two fan-appreciation events on March 8 and 9.
Michael said: "Japan is one of my favorite places in the world and I am very grateful to my fans there who have always been my strongest supporters and have helped me achieve several historic milestones in my life." Some 300 VIPs, paying over $3300 each, will hold a meet and greet handshake photo-session with Michael on day one with general fans massing for a get-together on day two.
Michael, who last performed a concert in Madison Square Garden back in 2001, is not expected to perform while in Japan, although he has created charity fund-raising records and TV specials with large groups of other pop stars in the interim. Although he's had more than 12 #1 chart hits, the last was in 1995 and he hasn't toured since the mid - 1990s.
Michael returned to the States six weeks ago on Christmas Eve, as Luxe Life reported here back on December 24. He moved into a home on the west side of Vegas near Sahara and within easy reach of the Strip. In addition to a long dinner with Steve Wynn, which resulted in speculation about a possible Jackson show there, Michael's also met several times with Vegas deal-maker Jack Wishna who said:, "Michael is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon. He is one of the greatest all-time entertainers in the world." Wishna is the businessman who engineered Trump's Vegas debut with the $2.8 billion Trump International Hotel Tower, which is nearing completion on the Strip near the New Frontier hotel across from Steve Wynn's resort hotel casino.
MICHAEL'S LIFE IN VEGAS
Michael was happy to discuss how he's been spending some of first month in Vegas. He said that he enjoyed taking his children to see Lance Burton's magic show at the Monte Carlo. "I really love magic," he said. "I really liked his show. It's amazing and very enjoyable. I love getting caught up in the magic."
Protected by his own security and Monte Carlo security, Michael went in through a back security entrance rather than cause a scene with fans and sat in the lower mezzanine un-noticed in front of the sound booth – and just as the show was ending, he took off so the audience wouldn't be distracted from Lance's curtain calls.
The interviewer found Michael relaxed and confident - happy that the troubled past was getting put all behind him and happy that he's begun rebuilding his career again. "It's a whole new Michael here in Vegas." He feels comfortable here. He loves being able to go out and basically not get hassled. He likes the restaurants here for the food but his favorites are the shows. I think he'll get to see everyone of them over the next few months. It's the first time in a long time Michael is feeling less pressured and much at ease. He is ready to go to work again and is in a great space and a wonderful sense of mind."
To celebrate, this weekend Michael was out and about again- enjoying The Beatles LOVE musical at the Mirage. After the late-show, he visited the LOVE boutique to pick out some Beatles show souvenirs – and surprisingly even happily posed with fans for photos with his ever-watchful security agreeing to relax the normal rules for his safety. Then he went backstage to meet the cast and crew of the show congratulating them on their performances and thanking them for the spectacular show.
"They were in awe of him and he the same about all of them. He was very respectful and told them it was an incredible experience that he'd remember forever. I think he's going to bring his children into see it next," one of the company staffers said.
For now though, the only public outing has been of his three children have been spotted on was a visit to the Circus Circus hotel attractions here on the Strip. Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II also known by nickname Blanket, didn't even bother with disguises when they went on the amusement rides there - naturally under the watchful eye of their nanny and Michael's team of bodyguards along with the Circus Circus security staffers.
MICHAEL'S COMEBACK
Michael's friendship and professional relationship with director and choreographer Kenny Ortega dates back many years. and once again they are teaming up. "Be it a concert tour or a show staged from Vegas they'll tackle it together," said a friend. "They have complete trust in one another so it will be their project going forward."
With the triple-threat team in place for Michael's return, he's already started work on a new album. Some of the tracks have already been recorded at Flatley's Irish castle with the help of Will.I.Am. of the Black Eyed Peas. Will said: "I'm a real fan of his. You get to work with just a couple of great people during your life who shed light on the Earth and Michael is one of them."
Michael, Simon and Kenny happily posed for the Luxe Life photos. The interviewer told them that everybody was eagerly awaiting Michael's return to the limelight and that Vegas was delighted he now called our city his new home. " Its all going to be good, very good" said Michael, and Kenny added: "We're going to get it done and when it is you'll know it'll be the right way working out for the best for everybody involved."
Source: VegasPopular/MJJF/eMJey