A public auction of the Neverland Valley Ranch in central California (USA) had been scheduled for next week after Michael Jackson went into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the property. However, the auction was postponed until May 14, 2008 by “mutual agreement” of Michael Jackson and his creditors, said Julie Wagner of Financial Title Co. of San Francisco, the firm that filed the default papers.

On Friday, Michael Jackson’s attorney, L. Londell McMillan, told The Associated Press:

“That allows us to refinance or sell the property. We expect to have this matter resolved well before May 14.”

In 1988, Michael Jackson bought the property in the bucolic rolling hills of Los Olivos, 150 miles north of Los Angeles, from real estate baron William Bone. He brought in more than a dozen amusement park rides, including a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel and roller coaster and installed a zoo. He left Neverland after a jury acquitted him of molestation charges in 2005.

Source: Associated Press, MJFC-USA

Michael Jackson reached an 11th-hour deal to refinance his Neverland Ranch, his lawyer said Thursday, avoiding a public auction of the property that had been scheduled next week.

Jackson attorney L. Londell McMillan told The Associated Press the pop star has worked out a “confidential” agreement with Fortress Investment Group LLC allowing him to retain ownership of the famed property in Los Olivos, Calif.

“Neverland and MJ are fine,” McMillan said.

A representative for Fortress did not immediately return a call for comment.

The property was scheduled to be auctioned March 19 after Jackson went into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the 2,500-acre spread in the rolling hills of central California’s wine country.

A representative of Financial Title Co. of San Francisco, which filed the default notice, did not immediately return a call for comment.

A source close to Jackson, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said it’s not clear whether the entertainer will keep Neverland.

Jackson has not lived there since his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, and residents of Los Olivos, the small town that gained attention in the movie “Sideways,” say rumours of its imminent sale have been rampant for months.

Among those rumoured to be interested in the property are soccer star David Beckham, said Kim Morrison, one of the administrators of a private school located across the road from Neverland.

“It would be nice to have Beckham there,” said Morrison, although she quickly added that Jackson “was always a good neighbour.”

Jackson bought the property years ago from a local cattle rancher and turned it into his personal playground, naming it after the mythical land of Peter Pan where boys never grow up. The singer, who was a star before he reached his teens, has said it was an effort to recreate the childhood he was denied.

He installed a zoo stocked with exotic animals and more than a dozen amusement park rides, including a merry-go-round and a train to rival Disneyland’s.

During the ranch’s heyday in the late 1980s and 1990s, Jackson would frequently bring ill or disadvantaged children by the busload to the ranch to enjoy it with him.

Since he left in 2005 the exotic animals have been removed and the ranch is said to have fallen into disrepair.

“No one is living here,” a security guard at the front gate said this week.

Source: Associated Press

PandaLabs has detected the mass-mailing of messages with sensational subject fields to spread a downloader trojan. The e-mail format is always the same, only the subject field varies:

* Michael Jakson glued up a person a plaster
* Pamela Anderson divorces in third times!!!
* CIA tortures prisoners!!!
* Harry Potter was purchased by pentkhaus!!!
* Two powerful earthquakes happened in the USA!!!
* Princess Diana ´Could be have been killed by MI6´ - conclusions of experts!!!

The variable subject of the e-mail also appears in the text body, along with the text: “New Video!” and a link with the words “Download Now”. Any user clicking the link will be redirected to a web page that will infect their computer with Downloader.SQV. This trojan then downloads two other trojans: Spammer.AGF and KillFiles.BU. The first is designed to resend the e-mails, using the infected computer as a server, while the second prevents certain system functions from operating correctly.

To avoid falling victim to these malicious codes, PandaLabs advises users not to click links in e-mails from unknown sources. It is also advisable to have a good security solution installed and up-to-date to protect against both known and unknown threats.

Source: Financial Mirror, MJFC-USA

In response to many inquiries we’ve received through MJJSHOP.COM from fans around the world: According to the SonyBMG headquarter, the ‘MJ T25 ‘Bad Tour’ Poster’ has not been commissioned and/or produced by SonyBMG.

Source: SonyBMG, MJJMAGAZINE.COM

Michael Jackson is this week’s Featured Celebrity on Myspace.

The feature includes an exclusive interview with Quincy Jones about the making of Thriller.

Be sure to check it out here!

Source: www.michaeljackson.com

Quincy Jones to Serve as Executive Advisor for the Month-Long Channel to Commemorate 25th Anniversary Release of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of “Thriller,” XM Radio will launch a new channel dedicated to the music of pop icon Michael Jackson on March 1, it was announced today. The new channel, “XM THRILLER: The Music of Michael Jackson” (XM 63), will feature Jackson’s solo work, as well as recordings from The Jackson 5, interviews and stories from other artists, plus other unique content that celebrates Jackson’s musical contributions. Music industry legend Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller,” among other Jackson solo albums, will serve as Executive Advisor, providing counsel on the channel’s creative direction and structure.

“With ‘XM THRILLER,’ we are paying tribute to the best-selling album in the world and a music icon whose influence on pop music is unparalleled,” said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM.

Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” skyrocketed Jackson into international superstardom. The album has sold more than 104 million copies worldwide and was the first in history to have seven top-ten singles. The 25th anniversary reissue, “Thriller 25,” will be released nationwide tomorrow, February 12, and includes every song from the original release remastered, plus several new remixes featuring Akon, will.i.am, Fergie and Kanye West.

Michael Jackson made his musical debut at a young age as part of the group The Jackson 5 and went on to have one of the most successful solo careers in music history. His success made huge strides for African-American artists and brought attention to the music video as an art form. Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of The Jackson 5 and in 2001 for his achievements as a solo artist. With 13 GRAMMY Awards and 13 number-one singles, Jackson remains one of the most respected and admired musicians whose influence is undeniable. Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, Pharell Williams and countless other artists have credited Jackson as an important musical influence.

“XM THRILLER” will be available from March 1 through March 31. Programming information for the channel will be available online at http://www.xmradio.com/thriller.

About XM

XM is America’s number one satellite radio company with more than 8.5 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM’s 2008 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children’s and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2008. XM’s industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. XM programming is also available through XM Radio Online, the exclusive home on the Internet for XM’s commercial-free music channels; as downloads of original XM shows via podcasts from XM’s Web site or the Apple’s iTunes Store; and as streams of commercial- free XM music channels to AT&T and Alltel wireless customers through XM Radio Mobile.

For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio’s service, the Company’s dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-1-07. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio’s Investor Relations Department. All programming subject to change.

Source: XM

In January 2008, radio DJ Big Boy of RadioBigBoy.com had the pleasure of having a surprise meeting with Michael in Las Vegas (USA) and getting a preview of ‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’. Also present during the meeting were Fuzzy, will.i.am, Peter Lopez, and Michael`s son Blanket.

Hear Big Boy telling his funny story in his radio show here.

Source: Radio Big Boy, MJFC-USA

MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER 25

(dateline - New York - February 6, 2008; source: Legacy Recordings)

Global anticipation for the release of Thriller 25, the newly expanded deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the world’s top-selling album of all-time, is already reaching a fever pitch across the planet with surprise hit singles, an ongoing 40-episode “ThrillerCast” podcast event, the premiere of the “Thrillicious” Sobe Life Water ad campaign at the Super Bowl, the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Michael Jackson at the NRJ Music Awards at Cannes and a host of upcoming events and surprises.

Thriller 25 will be available around the world the week of February 11. The album debuts seven bonus tracks including new collaborations with Akon, Fergie, will.i.am and a Kanye West remix of “Billie Jean 2008.”

The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration runs throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world and the major re-launch of Michael’s official website, www.michaeljackson.com

The first single from Thriller 25, “The Girl Is Mine 2008” featuring will.i.am, is a surprise smash hit climbing up the radio airplay and digital sales charts around the world.

One of the best-received commercial highlights of Super Bowl XLII was the premiere of “Thrillicious,” PepsiCo Inc’s Sobe Life Water spot starring supermodel Naomi Campbell and a cast of animated lizards busting out a series of fiercely choreographed dance moves to the tune of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Michael Jackson was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious NRJ Music Awards ceremony at the opening of MIDEM in Cannes, France. Following a video tribute to the artist, Michael Jackson delivered a personal message via satellite to NRJ attendees and a television audience of more than 7 million viewers.

A recent Thriller 25 promotion in London featured professional dancers re-enacting the iconic “Thriller” zombie choreography on the London Underground, Trafalgar Square and other unusual locations. A competition has been launched for UK Michael fans to submit their own versions of the “Thriller” dance to YouTube.

“Thrillercast,” a groundbreaking 40-episode podcast event, launches on February 12th and will be updated weekly throughout 2008. The series features icons of music, screen and culture including hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, superstars Nick Cannon and Chris Brown, choreographers Shane Sparks and Mia Michaels from the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance,” and dozens of other special guests. Each episode takes us behind the scenes into their lives to explore their own personal experiences with Thriller and its influence on them, both personally and professionally. “Thrillercast” will be available for free through iTunes, Zune, and all major podcast providers, as well as directly through www.michaeljackson.com.

* * * * *

Thriller 25 includes all nine of Thriller’s original performances as well as seven bonus tracks including five mind-blowing 21st century homages to Thriller featuring some of the hottest performers in contemporary pop and soul music:

“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008,” produced by Michael Jackson and Akon, is a brand new version of Thriller’s opening cut showcasing newly recorded 2008 vocals by Michael Jackson and Akon.

Previously unreleased in any form, “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008″ by Michael Jackson with will.i.am is Michael’s original pre-album demo remixed by Michael and will.i.am with newly added vocals and production from will.i.am.

“The Girl Is Mine 2008″ is another Michael Jackson with will.i.am collaboration based on a demo predating Michael’s duet with Paul McCartney. This is a new, previously unreleased track, newly produced and mixed by Michael and will.i.am featuring a will.i.am rap. “The Girl Is Mine 2008″ is being introduced as the album’s first single in numerous international territories and is already charting in Brazil, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK and Japan, where it entered the Top 10 at #5.

“Billie Jean 2008″ features the original tracks of Michael’s watershed signature hit, newly remixed by Kanye West.

“Beat It 2008″ is both a remix and a new track featuring Michael’s vocals and many instrumental tracks from the Thriller original coupled with seductive new vocals by Fergie with new band tracks and production by Michael Jackson and will.i.am.

Thriller 25 closes with “For All Time,” a nascent classic recorded by Michael during the original Thriller sessions in 1982 but never completed or released until now. Michael has added new vocals and band tracks to his original recording. Mixed by Mick Guzawski and newly-produced by Michael Jackson, “For All Time” provides a sublime and fitting close to this new, definitive edition of Thriller, the top-selling album of all time.

As an added bonus for fans, Thriller 25 includes a DVD featuring Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking short films from Thriller (”Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Billie Jean”) and the artist’s Emmy-nominated breakout performance of “Billie Jean” from the legendary “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special (first broadcast on NBC on May 16, 1983).

The Thriller 25 CD/DVD set will be available in three collectible editions: a standard version with the album’s original cover art; a standard version with a new “Zombie” cover; and a deluxe edition in a hard-bound casebook format with a 48-page booklet. Both standard versions contain the CD and bonus DVD in a brilliant box with a rainbow holographic O-card and a 20-page booklet. Thriller 25 will also be available in the US as a Platinum MusicPass Album Card, a digital album card which will enable consumers to download Thriller 25, and special bonus content in the form of high-quality MP3 files.

* * * * *

Originally released 25 years ago early December 1982 by Epic Records, Thriller, Michael Jackson’s sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones, rocketed the former child-star lead singer for the Jackson 5 into the stratosphere of international superstardom. Introducing the “robot” and the “moonwalk” into the international lexicon of clubland dance moves via the pulsing sounds of Thriller, Michael Jackson revolutionized all aspects of mainstream pop culture — from radio airwaves to the newly emerging art form of music videos — becoming the world’s most popular entertainer in the process.

The original Thriller spent an astounding 80 consecutive weeks in the American Top 10, 37 of those at #1. Seven of the album’s original nine tracks became Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 while Individual singles from Thriller reached #1 chart positions in the US, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand and Canada.

Thriller made history as the first and only record to be America’s top-selling album two years running (1983 and 1984).

Thriller has been certified 27x platinum by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond Award status in the US. In addition, the album has achieved Diamond or Multi-Platinum status in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.

In February 1984, Michael Jackson held a record-breaking 12 Grammy nominations, going on to win eight, which stands as the record for most Grammy Awards to be won by anyone in a single year. Seven of Michael’s Grammys that year were for Thriller: Album of the Year; Record of the Year (”Beat It”); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (”Thriller”); Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical (Thriller); Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (”Beat It”); Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (”Billie Jean”); Best R&B Song (”Billie Jean”). (Michael’s eighth Grammy that year was in the Best Recording For Children - Single or Album, Musical or Spoken category for “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”). That same year, Michael Jackson took home eight American Music Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. The following year, “The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller” took home the Best Video Album trophy at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.

Named the “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time” by the Guinness World Records, Michael Jackson is among the most highly acclaimed and influential artists in pop culture. He was named the World Music Award’s Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award. He has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1997 as a member of the Jackson 5 and as a solo artist in 2001.

* * * * *

THRILLER - 25
The World’s Biggest Selling Album of All Time

Thriller - original track listing - UK Chart Peaks
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” - #8
“Baby Be Mine”
“The Girl Is Mine” (with Paul McCartney) - #8
Thriller” - #10
“Beat It” - #3
“Billie Jean” - #1
“Human Nature”
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” - #11
“The Lady in My Life”

Bonus Material:
10. Vincent Price Excerpt
From “Thriller” Voice-Over Session

Previously Unreleased Tracks for 25th Anniversary Edition
11. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am
12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with will.i.am
13. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Akon
14. Beat It 2008 with Fergie
15. Billie Jean 2008 Kanye West mix
16. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)

DVD
The Short Films
1. BILLIE JEAN
2. BEAT IT
3. THRILLER

4. BILLIE JEAN – The Legendary Performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, and Forever

25th Anniversary Executive Producer: Michael Jackson
Original Album Produced by Quincy Jones for Quincy Jones Productions

* * * * *

www.michaeljackson.com

www.legacyrecordings.com

www.epicrecords.com

Source: Sony Switzerland

Check out this cool new Thriller - 25th Anniversary e-card and sent it to your friends worldwide. To view it, just click here.

Source: www.michaeljackson.com

25 Years ago, Michael Jackson created what would become the biggest selling album of all time, “Thriller”. In 2008, Legacy Recordings is proud to present Thrillercast: The Michael Jackson Podcast, a year-long podcast event featuring legends of music, film and culture taking you behind the scenes to their own experiences with Michael and hearing the album for the first time.

Thrillercast launches on February 12th with Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels.

Listen to the Thrillercast: The Michael Jackson Podcast teaser episode.

SUBSCRIBE
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Source: www.michaeljackson.com