SonyBMG UK has issued the following press release on the fan-voted album ‘King Of Pop’ in celebration of Michael’s 50th birthday:

There is only one Michael Jackson. There is only one King Of Pop.

Michael Jackson fans will be given the chance to become part of music history, as Sony BMG Music release a brand new ‘hits’ album from the superstar performer entitled, ‘King of Pop’. Released on 25th August, all the tracks on the album will be chosen exclusively by his UK fans.

‘King of Pop’ will honour Michael Jackson’s 50th birthday on the 29th August. Sony BMG have partnered with GMTV and The Sun newspaper to give his fans in the UK the chance to vote for their favourite songs – the top 18 will form the album’s tracklisting.

Voting will commence today, Friday 18th July, for the duration of three weeks, closing Sunday 10th August. This will be an exciting opportunity for devotees everywhere to choose their favourites from a 50 strong list of Michael’s most popular hits, as well as a few rare releases.

Fans can choose from a classic line up of tracks, produced by world-class producers, that showcase Michael’s amazing musical diversity over the years. Super slick dance floor favourites such as ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller’ will be included on the list for voting as well as famous iconic collaborations such as ‘The Girl is Mine’ and ‘Say Say Say’ with Paul McCartney along with ‘Scream’ featuring his sister Janet.

‘King of Pop’ will be the first fan driven selection of its kind and what better way to celebrate Michael Jackson’s 50th milestone, than for his UK fans to decide exactly which tracks represent him at his absolute best and show that he is still undeniably THE King of Pop.

Each Sony BMG territory around the world will operate a similar fan voting systems, potentially creating different versions of ‘King of Pop’.

To be in with a chance to win an exclusive Michael Jackson iPod, as well as vote for your favourite songs to go on the ‘King of Pop’ album, visit the GMTV website.

Source: SonyBMG UK

PRESS RELEASE: THE BOSTON PHOENIX AND THEPHOENIX.COM CROWN MICHAEL JACKSON AS INDIANA’S BEST SOLO ARTIST

July 1, 2008 — The Boston Phoenix and thePhoenix.com announced today the release of its inaugural “50 Bands/50 States” list: a declaration of the All-Time Best Band, All-Time Best Solo Artist, and Best New Band from each of the 50 states. The piece highlights defining moments for each of the 150 winning artists, delivered in the opinionated manner of America’s brashest alternative weekly. The star of that group was MICHAEL JACKSON […] who was named Indiana’s all-time best solo artist. Additionally, The Jackson 5 were named Indiana’s all-time best band.

The entire list can be found here.

The criteria for the survey were as follows::

* All-Time Best Band: based on where the band was formed. Winners range from the obvious (Velvet Underground in New York) to the historic (the Mississippi Sheiks in Mississippi) to the lesser-known (the Pink Slips in North Dakota).

* All-Time Best Solo Artist: one ground rule here — the artist had to be born in that state. If the state you’re born in is good enough to follow you around on your passport for the rest of your life, it’s good enough for this list. Our winners range from Motown superstar Stevie Wonder (Michigan) to native Aleut psychedelic nuggeteer Agafon Krukoff (Alaska) to psychobilly pioneer Hasil Adkins (West Virginia).

The Phoenix has a 40-year history of groundbreaking criticism, having been home to some of the country’s best-known music and movie critics (including Pulitzer-winning classical-music writer Lloyd Schwartz).

More about the PM/CG: the company was founded in 1966 when the Boston Phoenix began as a four-page arts-and-entertainment weekly. The Phoenix is the flagship property of the Phoenix Media/Communications Group, which in addition to the Phoenix weekly newspapers in Rhode Island and Maine and Stuff@Night, comprises the FNX Radio Network; Phoenix Interactive (thePhoenix.com, fnxradio.com, stuffatnight.com); Phoenix Ventures (the sports and magazine group that publishes the official yearbooks for the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, and the Boston Marathon); People2People Group (audiotext and social networking applications); g8wave (marketing and content using SMS and other mobile technologies); and Mass Web Printing (four-color offset printing).

Source: The Boston Phoenix, The Boston Crown

Sony BMG have released the following press release, ahead of the forthcoming release of ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ from the ‘Thriller 25′ album in the UK:

Epic/Legacy and RCA Label Group proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the world’s biggest-selling album of all time, with a new version of the unmistakable classic, Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’. This track is set to become one the big tunes of 2008, with its sacred melody and proven hook.

The never heard before ‘Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ features R&B superstar Akon. The track is produced by both Akon and the legend himself Michael Jackson, who has not worked on new material for over 7 years.

Since the release in February 2008, this new edition of Thriller has been a Top 10 album all over again in nearly every country around the globe, while in the UK it entered the album chart at an impressive No.3 such is the demand for this piece of musical history.

‘Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ is the second track to be taken from Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition. This includes the original album in its entirety as well as eight bonus tracks and 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 May 16, 1983).

The newly expanded version of Thriller premiers five tracks previously unreleased in any form: a new Kanye West remix of Billie Jean; a new 2008 version of Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ with Akon; will.i.am remixes of The Girl Is Mine and P.Y.T.; and For All Time, a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.

Additional bonus material on this must have package includes Someone In The Dark, Carousel, and Michael Jackson’s original demo recording of Billie Jean.

Additional mixes come courtesy from Johnny Vicious.

Source: Sony BMG

Today, Michael Jackson announced that the foreclosure sale of his Neverland Valley Ranch, which was scheduled for May 14, 2008, has been cancelled. Colony Capital, LLC, a LA-based private equity firm, cancelled the auction after just acquiring the existing loan on the property from an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group.

Michael Jackson said in the statement:

“I am pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch and I am in discussions with Colony and Tom Barrack (head of Colony) with regard to the Ranch and other matters that would allow me to focus on the future.”

Spokespersons for the parties involved were not available for comment so far.

Source: Las Vegas Business Wire

Top-Rated “Thrillercast” Series Set To Run With Weekly Updates Throughout 2008

Legacy Recordings proudly announces “Thrillercast,” a ground breaking podcast event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the world’s biggest selling album of all time.

Launched earlier this year in conjunction with Legacy’s release of Thriller 25, the newly expanded deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson’s watershed cultural touchstone, the “Thrillercast” series features icons of music, film, television, and popular culture exploring their unique personal experiences with Thriller and the album’s influence on them, both personally and professionally.

Each episode of “Thrillercast” illuminates the Thriller experience from a fresh perspective, discussing the influence of Michael Jackson’s songs, videos, choreography, persona, and iconography through the stories of actors and directors, journalists, musicians, choreographers, music industry insiders, DJs and fans whose lives were transformed by an album that’s become an essential part of our collective history and consciousness.

Prior to the launch of the series, the “Thrillercast” pilot episode was leaked to a variety of Michael Jackson fan sites who responded with overwhelming enthusiasm eventually making the “Thrillercast” teaser episode the #1 Music Podcast on iTunes. Subsequent “Thrillercast” episodes have consistently placed in the iTunes Top 10 most downloaded music podcasts list.

“Thrillercast” is available for free through all major podcast providers, as well as directly through michaeljackson.com, Michael’s newly-revamped official website. New episodes of “Thrillercast” will be released throughout 2008.

“Thrillercast” is produced by Legacy Recordings and Joseph Vella of Vella Interactive, who has been responsible for series centered on John Coltrane, Elvis Costello, The Beach Boys, Yo-Yo Ma and more.

“What truly separates ‘Thrillercast’ from any other current album-specific podcast series is the expansive and diverse perspective in which we are telling the story,” said Joseph Vella. “Aside from the discussion of the music and brilliance of Michael Jackson’s artistry, we are taking people back to 1982 and Epic Records and the pre-production of Thriller; we are examining Michael’s dance style and the trio of Thriller music videos with a group of acclaimed choreographers and dancers several of whom were featured in the famous videos; we are recounting the early days of MTV and the impact Thriller had on the network with insiders who were there from the start; we hear from an eclectic mix of artists from all around the globe on the huge reach Thriller had, and continues to have internationally. We also breakdown the remixing of Thriller 25 and more.”

Four episodes of “Thrillercast” (the preview and three full episodes) were posted during the month of February with 60,000 episodes being downloaded to external devices and 250,000 episodes listened to via iTunes. Cumulative episode usage in February reached 310,000 listens.

“Thrillercast” — Episode highlights include:

Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels

The “Thrillercast” launched its first episode with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. On the episode, McDaniels talks about Michael’s impact on MTV, the effect of Thriller’s success on Run-DMC and the experience of introducing Michael at the Grammys.

will.i.am

One of the hottest artist/producers in today’s pop music scene, will.i.am talks about growing up with Thriller, the influence Michael has had on him and his collaboration with the King of Pop on Thriller 25.

Adam Curry

The ex-MTV VJ and internet entrepreneur shares his personal story of hearing Thriller while in college as well as recounting his meeting with Michael to present the artist with a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of MTV.

Vince Paterson

While most know him as the blonde gang leader in the video “Beat It,” Vince was also one of the zombies in the Thriller video. He went on to choreograph videos with Michael for 10 years following Thriller.

LL Cool J

The legendary musician talks about being blown away upon hearing Thriller and also shares his experience approaching, and getting permission from Michael to be the first hip-hop artist to use a sample from the Thriller recording.

Episodes to include:

Thriller 25: wiill.i.am, Akon

The Making Of Thriller/Epic Records Back In 82: Quincy Jones, Larry Hamby

MTV & Thriller: Adam Curry, Mark Goodman

Music Videos/Choreography & Dance: Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, Electric Boogaloos, Vince Paterson, Wade Robson

How Thriller Changed Radio: Lee Abrams

DJ Culture/Turntablists: DJ Spooky

Old School Rapper — Thriller’s cultural impact and connection to hip-hop: DMC (Of Run DMC), LL Cool J

Contemporary R&B/Soul/Pop/Gospel Stars — How Thriller continues to influence music today: Omarion, Kirk Franklin, Katharine McPhee

Satirist: “Weird Al” Yankovic

The Jazz Connection: Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock

Thriller from around the world: Ceu Imogen Heap

Music And Cultural Journalist Perspective: Nelson George

Actors: Nick Cannon

Source: Legacy Recordings, PRNewswire, The Earth Times, MJFC-USA

MICHAEL JACKSON’S “THRILLER” VIDEO STARS YOU AS PART OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

Seminal Video from the 20th Century is Enhanced by Breakthrough Technology for the Next Century

PASADENA, CA – For the first time ever and through the magic of technology, anyone can now star in the greatest music video of all time – Michael Jackson’s Thriller - as part of the album’s worldwide 25th anniversary celebration! Michael Jackson and Epic/Legacy Recordings (Sony BMG) have partnered with innovative media company Big Stage and YouTube to bring this landmark entertainment experience to the world. Central to the tribute is the ability for fans to easily create a life-like 3-D version of themselves that literally replaces the role of Michael Jackson in the music video. This cutting edge technology was developed by Big Stage. The campaign begins today at www.MichaelJackson.com/mythrillervideo.

“This is a great tribute to Michael Jackson, involving one of the greatest and most innovative music videos of all time,” said Jonathan Strietzel, co-founder and chief creative officer, Big Stage. “We’re excited about working with Epic/Legacy Recordings to demonstrate the first public Big Stage experience – inserting a photo-realistic avatar of ‘you’ into digital content. This is just a taste of the way consumers will be able to personalize everything from famous movie scenes to video games, virtual worlds and social networking sites, when we officially launch next quarter.”

“Michael Jackson is an innovator and a pioneer in the music industry and so it only makes sense, as part of our anniversary celebrations for Thriller, to give fans worldwide a new way to experience the video in a way not even Michael could have imagined 25 years ago,” said J.J. Rosen, Executive Vice-President, SonyBMG Commercial Music Group. “Our partnership with Big Stage, is an amazing way to fundamentally change people’s interaction with content.”

Once users have uploaded their photos to create their personalized Thriller video, they will be sent a link to a YouTube page where the video will be posted. From there, it can be shared with friends by email and posted on social networking sites like MySpace or Facebook.

The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration kicked off in December 2007 with the release of a new single and continues throughout 2008 with a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world. The Big Stage-enabled Thriller video piece is part of Epic/Legacy Recordings’ viral campaign in support of the album’s 25th anniversary release on February 12, of which the first single was “Wanna Be Startin’ Something 2008,” a duet between Michael Jackson and Akon. The album has already sold 1.4 million copies worldwide.

With Big Stage’s 3-D capture technology, users will take three simple pictures of themselves with a digital camera and upload them to the Web, where they will be quickly converted into a life-like 3-D avatar called an @ctor™. Big Stage’s proprietary technology will automatically map the contours of a user’s face to generate an incredibly accurate replica of the user, fully equipped for animation. In under a minute, your @ctor will be born and fully alive through realistic movement and gestures. Users can then style it with a host of accessories, from hair to eyeglasses, tattoos, hats and more.

After users create and style their @ctors, they can drop them into the library of Big Stage-enabled user and professionally created content or Scenes. These highly personalized Scenes can then be shared by users across everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more – instantly. Big Stage will officially launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008.

About Big Stage

Big Stage is a media company, currently in Beta, whose breakthrough technology allows users to easily create and integrate a life-like 3-D avatar of themselves, called an @ctor, into everything from famous movie scenes, TV shows and video games, to music videos, short video clips, virtual worlds, still images, user-generated content, instant messages, e-mails, social networks and more – instantly. Big Stage will launch to consumers in the second quarter of 2008. For more information and to sign up for the Big Stage Beta program, please visit www.BigStage.com.

About Thriller

Epic/Legacy Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the phenomenal record-breaking pop culture touchstone. The Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition will include the original album in its entirety as well as seven bonus tracks and 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. Additionally, the newly expanded version of Thriller premieres six tracks previously unreleased in any form: “Beat It 2008″ with Fergie; a new Kanye West remix of “Billie Jean”; a new 2008 version of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” with Akon; will.i.am remixes of “The Girl Is Mine” and “P.Y.T.”; and “For All Time,” a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson. Originally released in the United States 25 years ago on November 30, 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. In 1985, the Guinness Book of Records named Thriller the Best Selling Album of All Time, an achievement which remains unsurpassed to this day.

Source: Big Stage

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

EPIC RECORDS / LEGACY RECORDINGS UNVEIL THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER - THE WORLD’S BIGGEST SELLING ALBUM OF ALL TIME

Newly Expanded Deluxe Edition of Multi-Platinum Grammy-Winning Album
With New & Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks
Including Remixes By Akon, will.i.am & Kanye West
+ Bonus DVD Featuring Digitally Restored Short Films
& Michael Jackson’s Historic Breakout Performance
From “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” Television Broadcast

Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition
Available Worldwide Week Of February 11, 2008

* * * * *

Epic/Legacy Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the world’s biggest-selling album of all time, with a newly expanded deluxe edition of the phenomenal record-breaking pop culture touchstone, available worldwide the week of February 11, 2008.

The Michael Jackson Thriller 25th anniversary celebration kicks off in December 2007 and continues throughout 2008 with the release of a new single and a multi-faceted global marketing campaign featuring high-profile television, radio and online events around the world.

The Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition will include the original album in its entirety as well as eight bonus tracks and 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 newly expanded version of Thriller premieres five tracks previously unreleased in any form: a new Kanye West remix of “Billie Jean”; a new 2008 version of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” with Akon and will.i.am; will.i.am remixes of “The Girl Is Mine” and “P.Y.T.”; and “For All Time,” a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.

Additional bonus material on the Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition includes “Someone In The Dark,” “Carousel,” and Michael Jackson’s original demo recording of “Billie Jean.”

The deluxe Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition packaging contains a personal greeting from Michael Jackson to his fans penned exclusively for this special release.

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. Thriller was named the Best Selling Album of All Time by the Guinness Book of Records in 1985.

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 - 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Thriller - original track listing - US Billboard Chart Peaks
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” - (#5 Hot 100, #5 R&B)
“Baby Be Mine”
“The Girl Is Mine” (with Paul McCartney) - (#2 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #1 Adult Contemporary)
Thriller” - (#4 Hot 10, #3 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks)
“Beat It” - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B)
“Billie Jean” - (#1 Hot 100, #1 R&B, #9 A/C)
“Human Nature” - (#7 Hot 100, #2 Adult Contemporary)
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” - (#10 Hot 100)
“The Lady in My Life”

Bonus Material:
10. Someone In the Dark ^
11. Billie Jean (Michael Jackson’s original demo recording) ^
12. Carousel ^

Previously Unreleased Tracks For 25th Anniversary Edition
13. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am*
14. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with Michael Jackson and will.i.am*
15. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am*
16. Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West*
17. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)*

^From 2001 Thriller Special Edition
*-previously unreleased

Bonus DVD - The Videos
1. Thriller
2. Beat It
3. Billie Jean
4. Billie Jean performance from Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever

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

Source: Sony BMG

For Immediate Release Contact: Raymone K. Bain

NEVERLAND VALLEY RANCH

Washington, D.C. …. In 2006, Mr. Jackson’s former advisers refinanced Neverland Valley Ranch through Fortress Investment Group, LLC.

The loan matured in October, 2007.

Contrary to published reports, Mr. Jackson was never in default of the loan. Mr. Jackson is in the final stages of refinance and will not lose Neverland Valley Ranch.

No further comments will be made regarding this subject as it has been our long term policy not to address Mr. Jackson’s personal financial affairs.

Source: Raymone K Bain

Davis, Bain and Associates, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Raymone K. Bain

September 27, 2007

MICHAEL JACKSON NOT MARRIED

Wide spreading reports regarding Michael Jackson being married are not true.

Documents stating otherwise are a hoax.

Thank you.
Raymone Bain.