Michael Jackson fans who had their view blocked at his 30th anniversary Madison Square Garden gig in 2001 will be allowed a reduction on the price of future tickets as compensation.

According to the New York Daily News, thousands of concert-goers paid $98.50 each, without being told their views would be obstructed. Fan Dana Gross, who filed a lawsuit against ticket merchant Ticketmaster, argued she spent the entire show having to watch giant monitors because she couldn’t see Jackson at all.

According to a legal statement issued today, each dissatisfied concert-goer will receive $28 (GBP14) off their next ticket for any event at the venue organised by promoter LiveNation Worldwide Inc.

Fans have 120 days to claim their refund.

Source: Contact Music

Michael Jackson is setting the record straight on several rumours that have been flying around lately.

Reps for the King of Pop released the following press release to Access Hollywood:

“Several unsubstantiated rumours 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: Access Hollywood

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: The Earth Times, PR Newswire

In an exclusive interview to Hall Of Fame Magazine, singer Kipp Lennon talks about a- kinda surreal - recording session he did for Fox’s tv series ‘The Simpsons’. In the famous episode Lennon played the part of Michael Jackson singing ‘Happy Birthday Lisa’ – while the real Michael Jackson stood next to him in the room silently watching.

Michael only spoke his own cartoon character’s dialogue in the show, but could not sing for the series. Kipp, a sharp vocal mimic, laughs at the surreal nature of it all - imitating the King of Pop while the King of Pop watches every move and hears every inflection. Kipp takes a bit of pride in thinking that he - “this skinny white kid” - will be “a footnote in pop culture.”

Source: Hall Of Fame Magazine

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 trial.

Source: Santa Maria Times

Pop star MICHAEL JACKSON is reportedly in talks with the producers of AMERICAN IDOL, despite reports earlier this month he would not be appearing on the hit TV show.

Media reports claimed the star was going to have his own “Idol” theme-week and would mentor the remaining contestants. American Idol host RYAN SEACREST tells American publication Us Weekly, “It’s certainly a possibility. It would definitely make compelling television.”

Seacrest confirms that Jackson met with the show’s creator, SIMON FULLER, in Las Vegas a few weeks ago.

A spokesman for Jackson says any plans to appear on American Idol are still “unconfirmed” at this stage. A source close to the pop star adds, “Michael is in talks.”

Source: Contact Music

A London woman who claims she is the real mother of Michael Jackson’s three children cannot intervene in the King of Pop’s custody settlement with his ex-wife, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Non-a Paris Lola Jackson, 36, filed a motion in October demanding a role in the custody settlement between the singer and Deborah Rowe. Superior Court Judge Robert Schnider denied the motion in November and again on Wednesday, saying she had failed to properly notify Jackson and Rowe of her claims.

The woman hadn’t provided “credible evidence” that she was the children’s birth mother, the judge said.

He left open the opportunity for her to bring the motion again if Jackson and Rowe were served properly.

Non-a Jackson’s court papers contended that “Michael and I are a sexually active couple and have been this way from the beginning.” She also claimed to have written more than 3,000 songs for him.

Non-a Jackson, speaking by telephone, tried to question two lawyers for the singer in court Wednesday.

“Is Mr. Jackson denying I’m the mother of the children?” she asked. “What is he saying about my children?”

However, the judge told her that the lawyers weren’t obligated to answer. No lawyers for Rowe were present.

Michael Jackson has said Rowe is the mother of his eldest son, Prince Michael, and daughter, Paris. He has not identified the mother of his other son, Prince Michael II.

Jackson and Rowe settled a custody fight in September. Details of that agreement have not been released.

Source: USAToday

By Roger Friedman

The King of Pop wants to be Prince in the worst way.

I’m told that on Sunday night Michael Jackson sneaked into Prince’s show following the NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas. Jackson is interested in Prince’s current run of shows at the Rio Nightclub, part of Harrah’s, where the Purple One has installed himself for a long schedule at his own 3121 Club. Jackson, of course, would like to do the same thing, maybe with a Club Thriller.

And surprisingly, Jackson’s companion for the evening was none other than comedian and actor Chris Tucker. It was Tucker who helped Jackson get involved with the Arvizo family a few years ago, leading to Jackson’s eventual involvement with them and his consequent trial for child molestation and conspiracy. It took concrete testimony from Tucker and his ex-girlfriend to exonerate Jackson.

In the meantime, Internet sources are going crazy over a “new” Jackson single that’s surfaced on the MySpace page belonging to a group fronted by Pras of the Fugees. But I’m told the track — called “No Friend of Mine” — is simply recycled from 1995 when Pras and the Fugees worked with Jackson remixing songs from Jackson’s 11-year-old “Blood on the Dance Floor” CD. The song can be found here, where it’s had over 100,000 plays since rumors began to spread a few days ago that Jackson had a new single.

Source: FOX News

On the official web site of the US football team San Francisco 49ers, safety Mark Roman took some time during the off-season to check in and answer some questions by fans. One of his answers refers to Michael:

Question: “What do you do before a game? Do you have any rituals?” — Jordan

Answer: “I listen to Michael Jackson. I’ve been listening to Michael Jackson before every game since I was in high school. That all started when I was running track in high school and was listening to music on my headphones and I a had a Michael Jackson CD in. I said, “Man, this sounds good!” I started singing along with it. I ran the fastest quarter mile that I ever ran so I knew I had to keep listening to it. Other than that, I always try to take a bath the night before a game and I eat the same thing every morning - oatmeal, an omelet and a quarter of a waffle.”

Source: 49ers.com

By Erald Kolasi, Cavalier Daily Opinion Columnist

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: The Cavalier Daily