Exclusive

There is trouble in the world of Michael Jackson’s family.

Rumors are swirling that Katherine Jackson and Joseph Jackson are getting a divorce. A friend close to Mrs. Jackson insists this is true.

Confirmed. The friend says a couple of things have contributed to this decision. One is Joe Jackson’s comment last spring that Katherine caused Michael’s death. “She’s never gotten over it,” says the friend.

Then there’s Joe Jackson’s penchant for getting into financial trouble resulting in possible litigation. The word is that Katherine has been advised that she could be vulnerable if Joe is successfully sued.

Katherine…

Source: Showbiz411.com

Flash: I just heard from Los Angeles that Michael Jackson’s long time manager, Frank Di Leo, has triumphed in court against a crazy claim from a concert promoter.

The word is that AllGood Entertainment’s assertion that DiLeo had agreed to let Michael Jackson tour for them, and for Patrick Alloco and Leonard Rowe to be involved in Michael’s London concerts, was found without basis by a judge. AllGood’s claims, I’m told, were thrown out. We’ll get more details in a little while.

Alloco, Leonard Rowe, Joseph Jackson were among those who banded together to try and derail Michael’s deal with…

Source: Showbiz411.com

The Drug Enforcement Agency “inspected” Dr. Arnold Klein’s Beverly Hills office last Tuesday.

Sarah Pullen, spokesperson for the agency, confirmed this for me today.

According to Pullen, investigators didn’t “raid” Klein’s office. But they conducted a rather stringent regulatory examination. It’s called an Adminstrative Inspection Warrant. This meant that they went through all his logs, and did extensive checking to make sure  what drugs are being administered to which patients, and if it’s all being done properly.

Here’s the weird thing: the warrant was not related to Michael Jackson, per se. But Klein, according to sources, has been on the…

Source: Showbiz411.com

MichaelJackson.hu conducted an exclusive interview with the most respectable lawyer in the music business. But John Branca is more then that. On a personal note: he is a kind person.

Do You consider Yourself as a Michael Jackson fan in any ways? Have You been impressed by his music and arts? When and how did You meet with him?

I’ve always been a Michael Jackson fan. I began working with Michael in January of 1980 just after the release of “Off The Wall”. I’m not sure there’s been anybody in the history of popular music who can combine Michael’s supreme talents as a singer, performer, songwriter and producer.

Have You ever been on a Michael Jackson concert?

I have been to many dozens of Michael Jackson concerts, perhaps as many as 100. While I was working with Michael, I often traveled with him. I was at the “Triumph” tour in 1980, the “Victory” tour in 1984, the “Bad” tour in 1988 and the European tour in 1993.

You were the one who helped Michael to create the most sucsessful music video ever. What do You feel when You see the “Thriller” video?

I was integrally involved in helping Michael do the “Thriller” video, not on a creative level but in putting the financial arrangements together that helped make it possible. Michael had a unique vision and was a real pioneer in music videos as an art form. I think “Thriller” to this day is the best music video, or as Michael would say, “short film” ever. It was simple and yet fantastic, complex and yet direct.

If you look back, what do You consider as the greatest thing in Your career?

Working with Michael not only on the “Thriller” album but in helping him acquire the Beatles catalog and the merger with Sony, as well as getting Michael the ownership of his masters, are among the accomplishments I am most proud of from my work with Michael. I also helped Michael make the two Pepsi deals which pioneered modern commercial tie-ins for artists.

As it’s been widely reported in the media, You are no longer working with Michael. How could this happen?

Although I am not currently working with Michael, I wish him well and would certainly help him in any way I could if he asked. I believe Michael has a lot of great music and performances in him.

What’s next for You? Where can we hear about you in the future?

I’ve been fortunate my practice is thriving. I’ve represented 29 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thus far. I’m also representing a number of very important current artists in the industry. But I always felt I had a very special connection with Michael and I look forward to seeing him again soon.
In some ways I look upon him as a brother.

Visit Mr. Branca’s Official Site

Source: MichaelJackson.hu

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

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

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

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