[Warning: Hoax alert... -Ben]

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
by Jon Bream
Published April 12, 2003
(4/12/03, 12:01 a.m.) -- Chanhausen, MN

In a surprise press conference early Saturday morning from his studios in a suburb just outside of Minneapolis, Prince announced that Michael Jackson is reportedly selling his Neverland Ranch in California's Santa Ynez Valley to him for $17 million dollars. Michael Jackson placed the property on the market on Thursday for $22.5 million dollars, though real estate sources believed the property's actual value to be much less, placing it at $13.5 million. Prince actually bought the property for approximately $14.5 million dollars and his lawyer Jerry Blackwell settled a case out of court for another $2.5 million dollars.

The 2,600-acre estate includes its own lake, railway, playground, amusement rides, guardhouse, recreational facilities, and barns; and costs about $3 million a year just to maintain. Prince announced that he has already began installing recording devices everywhere on the ranch so he can began to incorporate even more natural sounds in his music.

The 44-year-old self proclaimed "King Of Pop" recently lost a lawsuit for backing out of two millennium concerts and owed the promoter more than $5 million. The promoter settled with Prince under agreement that he would promote the upcoming festivities this June. Michael Jackson was also facing a devastating tax hike on the "Neverland" property from Santa Barbara County officials, for allegedly violating zoning regulations and claiming false tax breaks. With the sale of the property, the officials stated that they've dropped the idea of a tax hike at this time, but remind Prince that they hold the option open for the future.

When asked about the yearly costs, as well as possible tax hikes on the property, Prince announced that he will be holding this year's, as well as future NPGMC Celebrations at the Neverland Ranch, with this year's Celebration being held in June. Prince was quoted as saying to check his website http://www.npgmusicclub.com for a preview to the announcement. At this time, there is a short movie that says there's "Something Big" coming from the NPGMC in 2003. The NPGMC stands for New Power Generation Music Club. Prince half joked that there are plenty of bunkbeds to accomodate what's left of his rabid fanbase, and that by holding the Celebration at the Neverland Ranch will make him #1 at the bank.

Costs to this year's club will run between $100 and $10,000 dollars. Those that are paying the $100 membership will be eligible to visit his graphic intensive/low content website, download snippets from upcoming new albums by Larry Graham, Prince's backing band the New Power Generation, and most surprising, the debut album by his Mani, his wife. When pressed, Prince responded, admitting that his wife's voice is somewhere in between his last two loves of his life. (Ex-wife Mayte Garcia, who is now the fiance of Tommy Lee, and Carmen Electra, who is probably best known for her short-lived marriage to Dennis Rodman.) When asked why were there whales in the short movie announcing that something big was coming, Prince was his normal mysterious self, instead ignoring the question and announcing the benefits to being a premium member of the NPGMC (Cost: $10,000.) Prince said that in those costs, they will be eligible for free rides during the weeklong stay at the Ranch, as well as other benefits such as being able to have future CD releases during the year of 2003 for a full week before they're on sale for half the price at public retail outlets. When Prince was asked if he realized that 2003 was nearly half over, he said it didn't matter. He said that his most loyal "fams" would pay any amount he asked, as long as he was vague about what he would actually give to them in return.

Michael Jackson however didn't mind informing us about some of the benefits of being a member. Michael Jackson further surprised reporters by announcing that he was bought out of his Sony contract two weeks ago by Prince and will now be recording under NPG Records. Michael said he has spoken with Prince about doing a series of children's records, although he declined to reveal Prince's response. It seems though that Prince was not thrilled with the prospect when it was revealed that Robert Kelly hoped to be involved in the recording process. When contacted, Mr. Kelly only claimed to have been interested in being included in the making of the videos from the series.

Rumored acts to be at the 2003 Celebration are of course, Michael Jackson, and a long cast of 1990s Prince associates including: Larry Graham, Kirk Johnson and his daughter, Tony M, TC Ellis, Carmen Electra, Robin Power, Scrappy D, Martika, Elisa Fiorillo, Ingrid Chavez, Margie Cox, and many, many more.

When asked to comment, director Kevin Smith only laughed when asked if he will be available to record any of the festivities. When pressed further, the acclaimed director of the new movie "Jersey Girl" said "Why the hell not? I'd watch this. I mean, if J.Lo and Ben Affleck can remake "Casablanca", why shouldn't we film what goes on at Neverland Ranch between two has-beens who haven't had anything relevant to give back to the entertainment industry for at least 10 years? I mean, we don't even have to film Prince and Michael. Just film the catfights between the two fanbases. It'll be hilarious!"

You have far too much time on your hands.

suomynona said:[quote][Warning: Hoax alert... -Ben]

MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
by Jon Bream
Published April 12, 2003
(4/12/03, 12:01 a.m.) -- Chanhausen, MN

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Thanks for the hoax warning Ben ... I'd have been convinced otherwise


L

ROTFLMAO, very funny!