StillDirrty said:

Liz Taylor was not snubbed, it has been widely reported that she didn't feel strong enough for such an emotional event and that she didn't believe it was what MJ would have wanted. Of course this is all from news media sources, so who knows?!

OldTeenager said:

Uhmm WOULD You get turned on if You grabbed your crotch? You're thinking of it, it must seem like a turn on to You eh
[Edited 8/10/09 12:39pm]

Today at 12:30pm
Beginning October 30th, the world will have a front-row seat for Michael Jackson’s final concert, as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment release Michael Jackson's This Is It.

This Is It is being produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state of the art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's closest friends and creative collaborators.

The announcement was made by Michael Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of the studio, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, and Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia/Epic Label Group, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The companies serve as the principal entertainment divisions of Sony Corporation.

Joining Sony in the announcement was The Estate of Michael Jackson, administered by his longtime attorney John Branca and veteran music executive John McClain, a Jackson family friend for more than 40 years. Proceeds the Estate earns from the film’s release will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Mr. Jackson specified in his will is to receive all of his assets.

The rights to the exclusive footage were acquired from AEG Live and The Estate of Michael Jackson. Sony Pictures and Sony Music will co-produce with AEG Live and the Estate, and Sony Pictures will distribute the film worldwide. Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware of AEG Live will serve as producers of the film.

The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California, and The Forum in Inglewood, California, as Jackson prepared for "This Is It," the series of fifty concerts Jackson planned to present at the O2 Arena in London.

This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer, his career, and the stage spectacular that would have been. The film will provide moviegoers with an unforgettable front row experience compiled from extensive footage that shows Jackson's meticulous preparation for his 2009 London shows.

Said Branca, “Our goal is to work with partners who treat Michael’s legacy with dignity and respect, while allowing us to substantially build the value of his estate for the benefit of Mrs. Katherine Jackson, Michael’s three children and the charitable causes that meant so much to him during his life. We are confident we found the right partners for this project in Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. Sony and Michael enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial history together, and it’s only fitting that the relationship continues.”

Said McClain, “This film is not only a tribute to an artist who created excitement every moment he was on stage, but also is a fitting gift to the millions of fans worldwide who loved him and who he devoted his professional life to entertaining. John and I are thrilled to be working with Sony to build on Michael’s musical legacy in a way that will generate significant proceeds for his family and for children in need.”

"People who have seen this footage are astounded by the amazing quality of Michael Jackson's performance," said Lynton. "This historic recording of the last time he sang and danced on stage shows the legendary artist in an incredibly powerful way, with crystal clear images and sound. We understand the importance of producing a film that pays tribute to Michael as an artist, and are honored to work with the Estate of Michael Jackson to give audiences the gift of his final performances. I know this film will serve as further proof that Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever graced a stage."

"Michael lives on through his songs, his creative genius, his body of work and his passion for his art," said Rob Stringer. "He was a perfectionist on stage and through this unique film, audiences will be able to see, many for the first time, how much Michael poured into making his performances as special as they were perfect."

Said Kenny Ortega, director of and Jackson’s creative partner on the This Is It concert, “The world will see what our team was so fortunate to experience, which was the full commitment, passion and creativity that Michael put into this project. He was the architect of This Is It, and we were his builders. The footage that was captured from the early stages of the production to our technical rehearsals at the STAPLES Center in L.A. will show Michael as he truly was, creatively involved with every aspect of the production, from the staging and choreography, to the music, lighting, production design and conception of the original short films and video backdrops. It will also show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds. This Is It was Michael’s last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph.”

In the coming weeks, additional information about the film will be available at www.michaeljackson.com .

Peter Schlessel, President of Worldwide Affairs, negotiated for the footage on behalf of Sony Pictures. Branca represented The Estate of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.

Five of Jackson's solo albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label - are among the top-sellers of all time and “Thriller” holds the distinction as the largest selling album worldwide in the history of the recording industry with more than 70 million units sold. Additionally, singles released from the Thriller album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, another all time record.

During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.

Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and the epic "Thriller." Jackson's sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com

About Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. For more information, visit www.sonymusic.com

Sony claiming "Thriller" sold 70 million on its own and the singles added "an additional 30 million"... interesting.
[Edited 8/10/09 12:45pm]

http://www.tmz.com/videos...4828ba1e06



[Edited 8/10/09 13:16pm]

suga10 said:

Crack is wack.

Swa said:

1. So apparently his body wasn't in the coffin at the memorial.

2. Why does Mr. Lester think that Katherine owes him anything? She is the one that has custody,it is up to her who does,and who does not see the children. Where does he get off thinking just because he got to see them when he would visit Michael,that contact with them automatically transfers to whom ever has custody of them. I think he needs to back the fuck off,and focus on his own children.

L.A. County coroner withholding results of Jackson death probe
12:53 PM | August 10, 2009

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said it has completed its investigation into the death of pop star Michael Jackson but was withholding the results -- and comment -- about the cause and manner of death pending the outcome of the police investigation.

"The investigation was thorough and comprehensive," coroner's officials said today in a news release.

But to maintain the integrity of the LAPD investigation, coroner's officials said they would honor an LAPD request to continue the existing “security hold” on all coroner documents related to the Jackson investigation.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Kansas City, Missouri, February 23, 1988. Bad Tour opening night.





Reporter Lisa Robinson with Jackson, then 14, during her first interview with the star.





Jackson: “When we lived in the other house, we would go to the park to play basketball, but now we have it here."





On February 7, 1984, CBS threw a huge party at New York’s Museum of Natural History for 1,200 guests to celebrate the mega-million success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. ”Once rumored to be a romantic item, Jackson and Brooke Shields revel at the museum.


Source: Vanity Fair
[Edited 8/10/09 13:52pm]

EmeraldSkies said:

if he's their god father than he has a role in their lives. At least in the Catholic Church the god parents are take over the role of teaching children about the religion if the parents die.

suga10 said:

Now, you have to be completely off your rocker to embarass yourself publicly like that.

ehuffnsd said:

Macaulay Culkin has been mentioned as a godfather. Is it possible to have more than one godparent for the same kids?

Timmy84 said:

it's possible for each child to have different god parents.

my grandparents are my brothers my mom's cousin and her first husband are mine.

ehuffnsd said:

Ah I see. But I do find it odd how a godparent can even hint Paris "may be his" when he said he donated sperm starting in 1996. Weird shit.

EmeraldSkies said:

As we see here.

Timmy84 said:

I meant to ask about this again after reading a People mag article that was posted earlier. It mentioned that in '93, MJ had all 3 kids baptized in the Catholic Church and that Lester was the godfather. But unless MJ was Catholic, I'm not sure if that would be allowed...unless it was a Priest who bent the rules.

According to this link http://www.catholiceducat...e0233.html, if you have more than one godparent, it should be one male, one female.

"Where I Met Lisa Marie and How I Proposed"
October 1994

by Robert E. Johnson (JET Associate Publisher)

In the first one-on-one interview the "King of Pop, Rock and Soul" Michael Jackson granted after he shook up America with the announcement of his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the late Rock 'n' Roller Elvis Presley, the megastar revealed to EBONY where they met and how he proposed.

Some published reports said that the couple had known each other only eight months before Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson issued a statement, saying:

"My name is Mrs. Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson. My marriage to Michael took place in a private ceremony outside the United States [May 26]." She said the marriage was not formally announced because "we are both very private people living in the glare of the public media... I am very much in love with Michael. I dedicate my life to being his wife. I understand and support him. We both look forward to raising a family and living happy, healthy lives together. We hope friends and fans will understand and respect our privacy."

It was their love of privacy that prompted media probes that resulted in published stories that stated the couple knew each other only eight months before beginning their romance that led to matrimony.

The truth is that Michael, now 36, and Lisa Marie, 26, were just a couple of youngsters when they met in Las Vegas 20 years ago. He was 16 and she was 6. The Jackson Five, with Michael out front as the lead singer, appeared at the MGM Grand Hotel April 9 through 23, 1974, and August 21 through Sept. 3, 1974.

Michael, taking time out from his studio recording session in New York to give EBONY an exclusive interview, recalls:

"Her father [Elvis] used to bring her to catch our show where all nine of us [Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, Maureen 'Rebbie', LaToya and Janet, then 8] were performing... It was a real family show -- the only family show in Las Vegas which allowed children to come."

He continued:

"Elvis would bring his daughter, Lisa Marie. She would sit right in the front and bodyguards would be right there. Afterwards, she would be escorted backstage and I would meet her and we would talk. This happened quite often. She would come again, again and again. It was quite an event.

"After that, I didn't see her for quite a while. You know, it was like ships passing in the night -- hello and goodbye."

Lisa Marie married musician Danny Keough in 1988 and two children (Danielle, now 5, and Benjamin, 2) were born to this union. Differences that the couple did not reconcile resulted in a "quickie" divorce in the Dominican Republic last spring.

Three years ago when he started the DANGEROUS album, which featured such hits as "Why You Wanna Trip On Me," "Remember The Time," "She Drives Me Wild" and "Can't Let Her Get Away," Michael said their relationship reached a new plateau.

"We sort of went out together. Then we would talk on the phone... I noticed that we had come closer. We went to Las Vegas for The Jackson Family Honors [in 1993]. We later traveled to Atlanta for (former) President Jimmy Carter to visit children, but no one knew that she was there with me.

The brilliant thing about us is that we were often together but did not let anybody know about it. We got to see each other that way over the years. We were really quiet and comfortable with each other. That's pretty much how the dating started happening."

It was during this period that Michael said their relationship changed from being good friends to lovers.

As a sensitive songwriter who deals with feelings that run the range of human emotions, Michael has an uncanny sense of the chemistry in writing songs. For him, that chemistry is inspiration. If you listen to the lyrics of "Remember The Time" and "I Can't Let Her Get Away," in the 1991 release of his 'Dangerous' album, you conclude that Lisa Marie could have provided the inspiration.

She certainly provided the kind of support he needed in 1993 when he was going through legal trials and tribulations. "I was on tour and it seemed like I was in Armageddon -- Armageddon in the brains," Michael remembered. "All these horrible stories were going around about me. None was true. It was unbelievable. Lisa Marie would call. I could count my true friends on one hand. She was very, very supportive the whole time. That really impressed me. She would call and be crying. She was angry and really wanted to choke people.

"But, really, what impressed me was earthquake day in L.A. [June 28, 1993]," Michael says with an air of excitement. "On earthquake day, my phone just happened to be working. I was terrified -- almost out of my brains. I thought the world was ending. I got a phone call that day and it was from her, right after the quake."

Later, in London, where he underwent treatment for addiction to prescription drugs, Michael said that Lisa Marie gave him the impression that their relationship was moving them toward each other in ties that bind.

"She would call me, but she didn't always get through to me. And that made it very frustrating for her. I got all the messages... She was very concerned."

It was after these experiences that Michael says he came to that moment when he had to say "This Girl Is Mine" and "The Way You Make Me Feel." (Michael chuckles at the play on the words of two of his best-selling songs.)

"It kind of unfolded," he said of the moment of truth. "We spent a lot of time on the ranch [his sprawling, multimillion-dollar Neverland] and just walked around and talked. It happened! It unfolded all natural. We could feel the feeling we had for each other without even talking about it. It was all in the vibrations, the feelings and the look in our eyes."

After he recounted how a friendship turned to romance, Michael was asked: "Who proposed, you or Lisa Marie?" He responded: "I proposed." Blushing at the recollection, Michael said:

"Well, first I asked -- I'm the shyest person in the world. I said to her -- we were on the phone -- 'If I asked you to marry me, would you?' She said, 'Of course!' Then there was silence. I said, 'Excuse me, I've got to go to the bathroom,' he laughed sheepishly. "So I came back. I didn't quite know what to say. But that's how it happened."

Following the telephone proposal and acceptance, the engaged couple promptly met at Neverland, where the romance started. It climaxed in marriage on May 26 in the Dominican Republic, proving that love conquers all.

The couple honeymooned briefly in Budapest, Hungary, where the bride shared some time with the groom on a film location, where he produced a promotional video for his upcoming album, 'HISTORY.' They also spent some time doing what they both love -- caring for children. They visited children's hospitals where they comforted the young patients and distributed toys.

This was a prelude to the priority they have agreed upon. The priority is not recording together, although Lisa Marie inherited her famous father's talent for singing and his estate valued at over $150 million.

"All this talk about us recording together is a complete rumor," says Michael, whose financial worth is estimated to be over $200 million. "The thing we want to do most is centered around children. I never met anybody who cared so much about children the way I do. I get real emotional about children. Lisa Marie is the exact same way. Wherever we go, we visit children's hospitals. My dream is that when we go to South Africa and India, we will aid children," he discloses.

Asked about plans for their own children, he replied:

"It's already happening." Then the fifth born of the nine Jacksons paused and added:

"I want more children than my father [Joseph] has."


Note: Factual errors found in the article -

Michael is the 7th of the 9 Jacksons - or technically the 8th of 10 if you count Marlon's twin who died.

The Jackson Family Honors was in Feb 94.

The Los Angeles earthquake was January of 94 not June of 93.

The Atlanta event took place in April 1993, not May. CNN covered the event.



http://www.mjcafe.net/int...ony_II.htm

Timmy84 said:

Mike has got to laughing his ass off. It's only fitting though,all his life he was the one that entertained,now all this craziness is entertaining him.
[Edited 8/10/09 14:15pm]

Timmy84 said:

well here goes more speculation until these reports are released

mimi07 said:

Indeed, the Mirror is a notorious tabloid. In fact, according to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, MJ HAS NOT been buried as yet.

suga10 said:

OMG crazy ass people, taking this too far

mimi07 said:

That means the TMZ/Associated Press reports are not believable.

suga10 said:

lock her ass away, enough is enough


[Edited 8/10/09 14:30pm]

Timmy84 said:

i take stuff from those sources with a grain of salt.

Michael Jackson Film Gets Green Light From Judge
August 10


Audiences will get to see the King of Pop perform one more time after a judge approved a major deal to produce a movie fashioned from footage of his final rehearsals.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved a deal on Friday between Michael Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG Live and Columbia Pictures on Friday. He announced the ruling Monday during a hearing where a separate merchandising deal is being considered.

A proposed contract states the movie will feature footage of Jackson's final rehearsals for a planned series of London comeback concerts. The film could also include videos prepared for display during the "This is It" shows.

AEG Live has said it has more than 100 hours of footage of preparations and rehearsals for the shows. Under the terms of the proposed contract, the film will have to be screened for Jackson's estate and cannot include any footage that puts the superstar in a bad light.

A final cut of the film is due by late October. A release date has not been issued.

Columbia Pictures paid $60 million for rights to the film, and the contract states Jackson's estate is slated to receive 90 percent of its profits.

Jackson died on June 25, days before he was set to embark to England for his comeback shows.

Beckloff had until Monday to approve the film and allowed Jackson's mother, Katherine, to review the contracts and raise any objections. Katherine Jackson did not object to the film, but her attorneys have raised questions about other agreements concerning AEG Live and merchandiser Bravado. The estate wants to enter into agreements with the two companies for merchandising.

A proposed agreement calls for Bravado to receive worldwide rights to Jackson merchandise, including items such as trading cards, apparel and cell phone themes.

Burt Levitch, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, said he has raised several issues with the proposed agreements.

Howard Weitzman, an attorney representing the estate's current administrators, said some of those suggestions are "not acceptable." He said the contracts were aggresively negotiated and there was little room to strike a better deal.

"We feel that we're being second-guessed," Weitzman said. "I'm not sure why."

Katherine Jackson apparently wants AEG Live to give its footage of her son's concert preparations to the estate, according to discussions held in open court on Monday.

"Under no circumstances would AEG agree to such a thing," said Kathy Jorrie, an attorney for the concert promoter.

http://www.billboard.com/...1838.story

Timmy84 said:

And me too Timmy! U forgot me! lol!

mimi07 said:

Me too. Until we know for sure what's going on, everything "leaked" is not really leaked. If there was any truth to them, the LAPD would've charged them with being spies or something.

jamgirl said:

Oh yeah, Jamgirl's great too!

Timmy84 said:

FALSE. people have sources within the police department that are more than willing to spill the beans.