The June 25th edition of Billboard carries a one page article entitled 'Messages To Michael' where industry experts offer some comeback advice to the King Of Pop.

To tell you the truth, I found some comments to be very illuminating. For instance, although "Butterflies" was a huge USA R&B hit (and Top 15 Pop record), I never realized some producers actually took notice of the record and believe Michael should return to that core sound a build from there.

In addition, I appreciate the comments from people such as HMV Europe's product director Steve Gallant and Randy Phillips of AEG LIVE (the USA’s second largest concert promotion and touring company) who both recognize Michael's drawing power in terms of touring domestically and abroad. Lizzie Grubman, one of the nation's top publicist's also provides some worthy advice.

Of course, certain artists used this opportunity to promote their own work (eg. the D-Roc of the Ying-Yang Twins) however, overall, I believe there are some quality suggestions to be found from certain people below.

Take a look...

Messages To Michael

Billboard Magazine, June 25, 2005. Page 27.

Michael Jackson was acquitted in a court of law, but he is guilty as charged of career neglect. The iconic singer has not enjoyed a true blockbuster studio album since "Dangerous," nearly 15 years ago (My note: I guess the two #1 albums in the USA and four #1 albums he scored in the UK since "Dangerous" don't count?!), and now finds himself heavily in debt, possibly without a recording contract and lugging enough baggage to ground a 747. Fortunately, some of the industry's best at overcoming drama are happy to help. "It's the ultimate reclamation project," says Drew Murray, senior VP of promotion at Sanctuary Records. In that spirit, Billboard is pleased to offer the following advice. Buck up Michael: Salvation may just be a read away:

"I would put him in the studio with Quincy Jones or Desmond Child or even Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. I would start overseas and then, if I were him, I would hold my head up and do what I do best - sing! I would also deal with people I trust to tell my story"
- JOE SIMPSON, JT Entertainment, father and manager of Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson

"Publicity-wise, I'd lay very low. Forget about charity and helping mankind and cancer patients. Go away, get the creative juices flowing and make a great Michael Jackson record. People have seen and heard enough of Michael Jackson - not just the trial, but the TV special that led up to it. Until the innocent verdict, all you heard for two years is child molesting and dangling babies from windows."
- DREW MURRAY, senior VP of promotion at Sanctuary Records

"He should go into rehab, get healthy, put on weight, then go on TV and do a mea culpa. If he does that and he's really ready to work, he should do a multinight arena tour in North America at a high ticket price, what a spare production. With that talent and that material, he doesn't need overblown production if he really wants to make money. Healthy, small production, incredible shows and stadiums in Europe. I think he could charge anywhere from $75-$250."
- RANDY PHILLIPS, CEO, AEG Live

"Michael Jackson, as a brand, needs a complete overhaul. He needs to sell Neverland, change his wardrobe, pay off his debts - by selling whatever he has to sell - and show some humility. He needs to show a recognition that his life and his habits have gone way off-course and that he's ready to take a radically new path."
- LAURIE SORIANO, attorney, Davis Shapiro Lewit Montone & Hayes LLP

"He needs to reassess his business and personal life. He needs to determine if wants to be a performer or a personality. What's most important is that he take a break from all the craziness. He should feel no rush - he's an icon."
- LIZZIE GRUBMAN, publicist

"He should invite onto his team strong, independent advisors who are willing to speak in an extraordinarily direct style. This is the only kind of counsel that will serve him at this crucial time. Carefully reviewing where you were, where you are and where you want to be seems vital right now."
- MICHAEL LEVINE, author and former Jackson publicist (1993-1994)

"He should think about making an album that takes off where the Dre & Vidal track 'Butterflies' left off. Combine that with some 'Off The Wall' strategy and go from there. The overall sound would be classic Michael, yet very fresh and new."
- MARK BATSON, producer

"People are forgiving and forgetful and ignore personal problems when the artist turns out hit material. The public's perception of musicians is that they are odd to begin with. Undoubtedly, some fans will be turned off, but most will still listen to his music and see him live if delivers the goods."
- OWEN SLOANE, attorney, Berger, Kahn

"This is his best time to make an album right now, and it needs to be called 'KMA - Kiss My Ass.' I'm telling you, this is Michael Jackson's best time. Really, he needs to make a song like, 'I didn't touch those little boys/I might buy them a lot of toys/but I don't mess with little boys.' We'd reinvent Mike if we did a song with him. If Ying-Yang do a song with Mike, it's going to be a strip-club song. We'd have Mike over messing with the strippers. Mike has not had his toes curled. He needs a real black woman, that's what Mike needs."
- D-ROC of Ying-Yang Twins, whose X-rated "Wait (The Whisper Song)" is No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 this issue

"He doesn't need to do huge things in America because he has got Europe and emerging markets in the Far East. This trial, which could have destroyed him, could end up being his making. He and the people around him can look at this as an opportunity to draw a line underneath what had been happening and to relaunch his career."
- STEVE GALLANT, product director, HMV Europe

"Michael Jackson can't explain himself to the the press, so he shouldn't even try. It is time for him to reflect - to sort out his personal life and his finances. He should retreat with those people he's most comfortable with - close friends and family members. But he might do the exact opposite. He'll bounce back saying, 'I am the greatest entertainer in the world.'"
- ROB GOLDSTONE, president of Oui II Publicity, and publicist for the Australian segment of the Bad tour

"It'd be challenging to see if we could give Mike that big record. If R. Kelly can stay at the top, why not Mike?"
- ANDRE HARRIS of Dre and Vidal, who produced Jackson's "Butterflies"

amit1234 said:

Enough said.

amit1234 said:

I'm glad that, when not running over hordes of people with her ritzy sports car, Lizzie has time reserved for the little people.

amit1234 said:

Has D-ROC been visiting prince.org? Those are brilliant lyrics, by the way.

I just wonder if the Jackson's are gonna do that reality show and is Mikey gonna take that ofer Donald Trump has given to perform in his new casino.

VoicesCarry said:

"That's how I won battle of the stage dads"


http://www.prince.org/msg/8/149016

and counseling!!!

lilgish said:

You ain't won nuthin', white boy.

VoicesCarry said:

Message to my daughter after this

http://www.putfile.com/me...ashlee-snl


and this

http://www.putfile.com/me...simpsonboo


"Keep your chin up"

lilgish said:

That fugly bitch has a chin?

VoicesCarry said:

"at least my girl didn't show her tit on the superbowl"

lilgish said:

At least people want to see my girl's tit

VoicesCarry said:

WHO CARES ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON'S MUSIC CARRER WHEN YOU CAN SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DRESS LIKE HIM NEXT SUMMER

Christian Dior Summer 2006






gotta get this one for voices

lilgish said:

damn what the heck! the mj collection or some shit..i like that red jacket tho

VoicesCarry said:

can you believe this bitch fired me?!

Is MJ still hanging out in Bahrain?


@ the "battle of the stage dads" on this thread!!

MJ WAS on the top, he KNOWS how to get there and I´m sure he´ll manage it this time around as well. I am tired of those advices. If you go to any MJ board half of the threads there are beginning with I THINK MIKE SHOULD.....And all those ppl I have NEVER heard of are trying here to give the KING OF POP advices on how to get to the top. Unbelievable.


BTW those clothes look awful. They´re immitating the worst of the MJ´s style.

lilgish said:

Thanks for those..... hadn't seen them yet.... she's terrible....

GrayKing said:

You need to learn how to control your young 'uns, man

VoicesCarry said:

"Yea, I like to slap my girls on the ass and mention how big their breast are"

lilgish said:

Sheeeeit, I used to do that to Michael and I think I gave him a complex

Um, yeah

MJ has to realize that he will not ever top Thriller, Bad, or Dangerous in sales.

He does not have to make music that sounds like he is accepting membership into AARP, but he should realize that he can not expect to dominate the charts the way he once did. Butterflies was the best track on Invincible, and should serve as the perfect springboard to future sound. It reminded me of Off the Wall era MJ with a contemporary twist, which was thoroughly enjoyable.

D-Roc said:

Sweet Jesus!

amit1234 said:

I agree with these suggestions.Mike needs to do a complete overhaul....sell Neverland,get out of Southern California/Hollywood/LA,and re-evaluate things.Hire some strong,independent advisors who aren't afraid to tell him the truth...turn the focus back to his music! Forget about making another trendy,over-produced R&B album.How about doing a stripped-down "Unplugged" CD that puts the focus back on his voice? Then follow it up with an Unplugged tour at smaller,intimate venues.His fans would go insane if he did this!

DavidEye said:

People truly underestimate the power of intimacy.
Who cares if he's considered the "King Of Pop". Some small shows would really show off that voice, and the interchange of energy would set it off. I'd love to see MJ with a small band kickin' ace on some sweet tunes. That would be great.

OdysseyMiles said:

i would NEVER want him to do small intimate concerts, cos that way i would probably never get a ticket, i would be pissed.

hellomoto said:

madge's concert wasnt a full blown arena deal..and i got in....dont sell yourself short.

Message to Billboard:
Who the hell are these no-mark fuckheads offering Mike advice?

How long they been around? How many sales they achieved? how much character assassination they survived?

wankers.
[Edited 7/8/05 17:07pm]