Jackson plan his comeback
Singer is talking about a new album and tour

September 17, 2007
BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist

As stories fly about how troubled entertainers like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears or Tom Sizemore will stage attempts at career comebacks, I'm hearing another tarnished star is quietly strategising his return to centre stage.

None other than Michael Jackson has been meeting with a series of music industry insiders and promoters regarding a major new album and international concert tour to promote it - possibly by the end of 2008 or early 2009.

A long-time Jackson associate told this column Friday, "This is something Michael is carefully planning. I think the album is going to be amazing. From what I've heard, it will be as big as 'Thriller' - and yet will take his music in a new direction to appeal to new, younger fans - but will still have those Michael touches his traditional fans love."

Apparently, Janet Jackson and some of Michael's brothers possibly will be involved, including doing duets with him on a number of tracks. "Can you imagine what a sensation it would be if Michael and Janet toured together," said the source, teasingly. "That is something that's being discussed."

http://www.suntimes.com/e...17.article

Nothing will be as big as Thriller! That was a once in a lifetime deal. Anyways. Isn't Mike's new album supposed to be released digitally on the internet? I smell a flop coming....

Thriller?

How in the world is any album ever going to sell 60 million copies? In 1982 we had people buying the Album or Cassette. Then in the mid 1980's rebuying all your old stuff on CD. Then put another "special edtion". All because of that sold 60 million copies. Now in 2007 you just download off the internet for "free" or one friend buys it and uses a mp3 ripper, then burn free copies to your friends. MJ couldn't sell his last album even though he had $30 Million worth of promotion & $35 Million of production.

As for a Tour, MJ couldnt even sell out the Victory Tour. They gave tickets away for free to make it appear kinda filled. That was at his peak! I saw Janet in 2001 in a 20,000 seater and it was less then 1/2 filled. We had crappy seats, as soon as we walked in the usher brought everyone to the floor seats.

Janet will cover him from totally failing in America. He will do ok around the world, I guess it is a decent plan to ride Janet's Fame.

ElectricBlue said:

60 million copies?
MJ couldn't sell his last album?
Janet's fame?

Thriller has sold over 100 million copies.
Invincible sold 11.2 million copies.
Janet's fame?

The Jacksons may not have sold out every concert of the Victory tour. But Michael sold out the Bad tour, Dangerous tour and HIStory tour. In terms of record sales, 1984 was his peak. But in terms of ticket sales, 1996-97 was his peak.

You are kidding yourself if you think Michael couldn't sell out stadiums these days and has to tour with Janet to do so. IF Michael and Janet are touring together, it's because they are family and want to share the experience together. It's got shit all to do with using the other to get ticket sales.

You have no clue.

another thriller. well why dont we ask mj to enter the olympics of being and finish with the top 3 . i dont think anything of this article is true

I believe it when I hear it and I can´t wait to hear it.

DarlingDiana said:

Don't feed the troll

He needs to get overe thriller like somebody said that was a once in a lifetime experiece and he is only setting himself up as dissappointment.

And I don't see the tour happening

First of all, I hope Michael Jackson does not pull another Thriller. It happens once a lifetime; moreover, he is almost 50.

All in all, cool news. The source that you cited is not nearly as tarnished as Fox News. I hope the person the article quoted was exaggerating about the Thriller part, but was honest about how good the album sounds.

Yeah, and ElectricBlue: to your comment on Michael depending on the fame of Janet Jackson. I will have you know that in most parts of the world, she is known as the sister of Michael Jackson, nothing more.

Janet and Michael will never tour together.

Rodya24 said:

Janet has sold over 50 million albums outside of the US. She has mounted successful world tours many times. The rest of the world knows who she is. Even if you don't appreciate her work.
[Edited 9/17/07 7:35am]

I dont believe this article is Real..and people are on Crack if they think ANY new album will outsell thriller !

VoicesCarry said:

Wow. I have had to defend myself from the Janet fans quite often in the past week. I will write it again: I love for the most part her singles. I want both her and her brother to succeed commercially and musically in the upcoming year.

But let us be honest: Janet Jackson is primarily a US and Japan act.

prettymansson said:

Well, the link works, and it does connect one to the Chicago Sun-Times.

I agree with you. No album will outsell Thriller. I am not singling out Michael Jackson in writing this; it is just common sense. Even the albums by the hot new acts (Rihanna, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake) with all the promotion those receive are not selling much when compared to sales a decade ago.

VoicesCarry said:

absolutely not

oooh its like watching a train crash.....

silverchild said:

As for the digital release -- that was what will.i.am (or whatever his name is) said. I believe Michael never confirmed it. It would be awesome if instead of putting out a bad album, he got all the Jacksons albums remastered and released never-before-heard tracks from Thriller-Bad-Dangerous-HIStory-Invincible recording sessions. That would make me so HAPPY.
[Edited 9/17/07 8:57am]

Martinelli said:

Yes, she has.

Why is it always the Madonna fans that have the problem?

Rodya24 said:

True now. Not true in the past.

Yeah right!

Forget platinum, MJ will be lucky to go copper!

His Thriller days are LONG GONE and he will never be able to recapture the 80s. He's done. Only HE thinks he's still relevant in the music game and that's a damn shame.

MuthaFunka said:

That is just fanatics speculating about Thriller sales.

Whether or not this new album is good, it will sell at least one million. If Janet Jackson could do it with Damita Jo and 20 YO, Michael Jackson can do it.

VoicesCarry said:

Are you combining studio album and singles sales?

Rodya24 said:

Michael will easily sell a million in the US, probably 10 million worldwide. He is one of the few remaining stars that possesses a truly global fanbase.

VoicesCarry said:

Okay, I am going to grudgingly agree with you.

Rodya24 said:

No. Combined she has sold about 130 million albums and singles worldwide. The janet. album sold nearly 20 million copies alone, so I don't see why people have such a hard time believing that Janet has sold records in the past, even if she has had a harder time doing so recently.
[Edited 9/17/07 9:06am]

Sounds like more spin and gossip but if there is any truth to it all, if I were Janet, I would worry about my damn self.

VoicesCarry said:

Move over Whitney, Mariah, and Celine.

Rodya24 said:

Oh, all those girls have sold more.

VoicesCarry said:

Even Celine?