http://mjackson.com/forums/index.php Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:05:06 +0000 10 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/231-today-in-michael-jackson-history/ 1st May

1989 - Police in California were called to a jewelry store after employees reported a suspicious person. The person turned out to be Michael Jackson shopping in disguise.

1992 - Michael Jackson's single "In The Closet" was released.

1993 - A man was arrested for repeatedly attempting to trespass on Michael Jackson's estate in Encino, CA.

2002 - It was reported that Michael Jackson wanted to direct his first movie. The film Jackson wanted was an adaptation of Jennings Michael Burch's book "They Cade the Animals at Night."]]> Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:05:06 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/231-today-in-michael-jackson-history/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4406-ne-yo-doesnt-know-what-to-do-with-songs-he-wrote-for-michael-jackson/ Ne-Yo 'Doesn't Know What To Do' With Songs He Wrote For Michael Jackson

'I can't sell them on to someone else, as that would be disrespectful,' the singer said.


While producer Rodney Jerkins is expecting to begin work on an album of unreleased Michael Jackson music, Ne-Yo, on the other hand, isn't sure what to do with the material he wrote for the late King of Pop before MJ's death last year. The R&B singer/songwriter told Australia's Daily Telegraph that he was sending Jackson three or four drafts a week prior to his unexpected death. More than a year later, Ne-Yo now still stands at a crossroads as he contemplates what to do with the songs he created specifically for the one and only MJ.

"I can't sell them on to someone else, as that would be disrespectful, but I also think it might be disrespectful to bring them out myself. So I don't know, I'll sit on them and wait. It's definitely quality music but they were songs written absolutely for Michael Jackson."

According to the newspaper, Jackson hand-picked Ne-Yo as well as Black Eyed Peas producer Will.I.Am to work on his comeback album. It was only a matter of time before Ne-Yo was met face to face with his musical idol.

"I felt quite bad, as I'd allowed what the media had done to his name and image to have me thinking, 'OK, what's this about to be? Is this going to be weird?' " he recalled. "But he walked in a black suit and some sunglasses and was a genuine, nice guy. And it wasn't because he wanted something from me, he just had no reason other than to be a decent guy."

During their meeting, the duo talked about the current state of the music industry, something Ne-Yo says Jackson wasn't too pleased with. "He believed what was wrong with a lot of music today is that people aren't singing about anything. If it's not about a party or sex then it's about money, and there's not really much to that."

Ne-Yo, who has penned hits for Beyoncé and Rihanna as well as himself, explained that the entertainer wanted songs that were "melodic and meaningful." "Michael told me the melodies needed to be the ones you heard once and could sing back, and the lyrics needed to have meaning and depth," he said.

Unfortunately, Ne-Yo's submissions weren't recorded by Jackson, because the singer put his album on hold to rehearse for his This Is It concert series at London's 02 Arena before passing away.

But Ne-Yo has hope that one day he'll figure out what to do with the Jackson tracks. "Hopefully the songs will see the light of day, it just has to be the right way," he said.

Source: MTV]]> Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:21:42 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4406-ne-yo-doesnt-know-what-to-do-with-songs-he-wrote-for-michael-jackson/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4405-michael-jackson-death-no-charges-for-doctors/ Michael Jackson death: No charges for doctors

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48528000/jpg/_48528541_000974129-2.jpg

Michael Jackson Jackson died in June 2009 at the age of 50

Seven doctors who treated Michael Jackson in the years before his death will not face criminal charges, US investigators have said.

However, one has been referred to California's state medical board for prescribing drugs under an alias.

Jackson's personal doctor Conrad Murray, who denies involuntary manslaughter, was not one of those questioned by state investigators.

He is accused of giving Jackson a lethal overdose of anaesthetic.

Los Angeles police had asked Californian state investigators to look into the way the doctors had prescribed drugs.

They searched a drug database, which monitors the prescription of controlled substances, as part of their investigation.

Lawyer Brian Oxman, who is representing Jackson's father in a wrongful death civil case, said he was "very disappointed".

"The misuse of medications by Michael Jackson in the last years of his life was excessive and to fail to bring that to the public eye is ignoring reality," he said.

In his civil case, Joe Jackson accuses Dr Murray of professional negligence in administering a fatal mix of sedatives to the singer.

The Drug Enforcement Agency has also stopped investigating any other doctors who treated Jackson, a spokeswoman said.

Source: BBC News]]> Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:42:50 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4405-michael-jackson-death-no-charges-for-doctors/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4402-henry-vaccaro-wants-money/ Henry Vaccaro Wants Money
As I have reported about it previously, Henry Vaccaro still owns the biggest Jackson Family memorablia collection on the world. Including so called "unreleased Jackson 5" master tapes (most likely these tapes are from a Jackson variety show in the 70's).

Vaccaro now wants to make money out of the collection. Besides trying to release the master tapes, he is creating a new book full of unpublished Jackson photos. He choosed Fotobridge to digitally archive the items.




Source: Michael Jackson Blog]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:03:53 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4402-henry-vaccaro-wants-money/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4400-new-michael-jackson-album-being-compiled-by-rodney-dark-child-jerkins/ New Michael Jackson Album Being Compiled By Rodney "Dark Child" Jerkins

Michael Jackson left producer Rodney "Dark Child" Jerkins with a lot of unreleased material when he unexpectedly passed back in June of 2009. Rodney Jerkins was a long-time producer for Michael Jackson and the two had a strong personal relationship as well.

Now, Rodney Jerkins is compiling a new Michael Jackson album using the unreleased tracks of new material that he produced with Michael Jackson. In a recent interview, Rodney Jerkins spoke about the project and the politics involved in releasing it. “You know there is a lot of red tape, but it's definitely going to happen.”

Dark Child also discussed the different sides of Michael Jackson in the interview. Not very many people got full insight into the business mind of Michael Jackson as well as experience his personal side.

“Michael was quiet with people he didn't know,” Jerkins said. “But Michael and I used to kick it in Miami and we kicked it in New York all the time...I knew a little about publishing when I came into the game at 16, but when I started working with Michael I was 20 and he taught me about buying publishing and acquiring a catalog at a young age."

Source: DIme Wars]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:53:52 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4400-new-michael-jackson-album-being-compiled-by-rodney-dark-child-jerkins/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4404-old-projects-ii-mjj-poland-inc/ Old Projects II: MJJ-Poland Inc.
While searching for documents on MJ's licensing issues, I found the original contract for another old project of MJ's. So I jumped on this one looking for more information. Let's see what exactly happened...

MJ released his "HIStory" album in 1995, but his interest was more on other entertainment ventures. On March 19, 1996 he and a Saudi prince announced the form of a joint venture named "Kingdom Entertainment". Their first project was to sponsor MJ's next world tour, and to create a recording label under Sony called "MJJ Records" (dba. "MJJ Music"). They also acquired 55% ownership in "Landmark Entertainment" (5% owned by MJ) famous for Hollywood design projects.

Their next big dream was to build amusement parks all over the world. The prince already owned 24% ownership in Disneyland Paris, so it was a logical move. One of the possible places was in Warsaw, Poland.

MJ first flew to Poland as a part of his then world tour in September, 1996. He has been approached by a local businessman, Jacques Tourel director of the World Trade Center in Warsaw to consider Poland as one of the possible places.

MJ went back to Poland on May 28, 1997 to explore the possible venues for his new project. The local politicans were amazed and supported the $500 million investment. However MJ's people insisted it is one of the places they are thinking in, a June 1, 1999 date has been named for the opening. MJ furthermore signed a letter of interest in which both parties agreed to prepare for the contructions. MJ even set up a company in Deleware under "MJJ Poland Inc".
The original agreement can be found here: http://slimak.onet.pl/_m/TVN/tvn24/intencyjny.pdf

MJ has applied for a lease on a two-story baroque home outside Warsaw and way eyeing with other properties and business ventures.

The plans to build the amusement park on a nearby military airport have won approval from state officials in February, 1998. In the meantime MJ asked Landmark to create some sketches for the proposed theme parks. You may see the design plans here: http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2009/11/d-exclusive-michael-jacksons-peter-pans.html

After the approval of the project there was a big silent. The army that owned the airport didn't agree to give it to MJ. The other two grounds the government pointed out to was also denied because of the protests of local people. Finally the Polish government gave up their plans to do anything with the amusement park and the project faded out...




Source: Michael Jackson Blog]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:23:54 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4404-old-projects-ii-mjj-poland-inc/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4403-old-projects-i-mj-licensing-llc/ Old Projects I: MJ Licensing LLC
I have decided to pick up old MJ projects from time to time to see what happened with them. If you are curious about any of them, message me here.

The first choise of mine was "MJ Licensing LLC", a complete mistery for many of us. Until now.

This story began in 1997 when a German businessman, Dieter Wiesner approached MJ for creating a soft drink called "Mystery". The project failed as soon as a competing comapany launched legal actions against the entity behind "Mystery" for trademark violation. Neverthless MJ asked Wiesner to rebuild his merchandising business in 2000. Within a few months Wiesner set up a company named "MJ Net Entertainment AG" (MJNE) and signed several strategic partners. MJ orally and in written agreements promised to give some rights to MJNE. MJ's previous licensing agent, "Signatures Network" (Sony) sued both of them for breaching a previous contract for the same rights. After years of litigations on court the parties settled the case.

MJ set up a new company in October 2003 named "MJ Licensing LLC" (MJL) co-owned with Gunter Backer. The directors appointed Wiesner as the CEO of MJL and MJ promised him to be compensated for the loss of MJNE. Finally MJ decided not to give any rights to MJL and terminated any professional relationship with Wiesner at the end of 2003. MJ thought that Backer did not meet with all the obligations they agreed on.

Three years after the setup of MJNE and bills amounting around $8 million Wiesner decided to sue MJ on a Los Angeles court. The two reached an agreement in September 2007 what Wiesner commented for me like "it was a gentleman's settlement". The details were never published, however MJL kept releasing so called official items without either MJ's involvement and legal threats. More likely the two agreed on giving certain rights for MJL. In the meantime MJNE was closed in Germany, Wiesner had to appear on court and certain partners demanded for money. In one case a court ordered MJNE to give the MJ HIStory logo to a company they owned money.

All over the time it was Wiesner behind MJL under different project names and domains, among others:
mj-licensing.com, michaeljacksonlicensing.com - online with tribute text
mjlicensing.com, mj-licensing.de - offline
mjj-merchandising.com, www.mjj-merchandising.de, michaeljacksonshop.de, michaeljacksonshop.com - online with a list of old releases

Wiesner was helped by certain individuals, mostly by Stefan Munstedt. He owned mijac.org and some of the other domains, and was responsible for projects. In early 2006 Wiesner and Munsted added a Bahrain representation to their already existing German and US ones under "ML Publishing LLC" (MLP). I was told back then that MLP had a licensing approval from both MJ and Sony. I guess it was the same old agreement of MJNE's.
ml-publishing.com, ml-publishing.de - online with contacts

How about MJL's present and future? Since MJ's death MJL granted some European companies with MJ licensing rights. In one case MJL's approval crossed lines with the Estate's plans, because both of them appointed entities to license MJ related official costumes. The two manufacturer ended up at court late last year. The fact that the parties agreed out of court and that MJL still exists and operates means that the Estate can not or would not do anything with them. MJL launched several new items like a CelebriDuck last September.

According to the 2003 MJL agreement the company's rights will live until June 20, 2012 and might be limited to some parts of Europe.




Source: Michael Jackson Blog]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:23:50 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4403-old-projects-i-mj-licensing-llc/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4399-michael-jackson-estate-forces-plants-vs-zombies-update/ Michael Jackson Estate Forces 'Plants vs. Zombies' Update

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/plantsvszombies_dancingzombie.jpg

The latest update of "Plants vs. Zombies" on iPhone made a change to one of the most recognizable adversaries in the game. Since the game's launch in 2009, the Dancing Zombie has bared a striking resemblance to Michael Jackson in the "Thriller" music video, complete with red leather jacket, tight, too-short pants and white socks. That all changed with the latest update to "Plants vs. Zombies," as the Dancing Zombie is now disco themed. Why the change? Apparently PopCap heard from the lawyers of Michael Jackson's estate.

I reached out to a PopCap Games representative about the change, who confirmed that it was brought on by lawyers representing the King of Pop:

"The Estate of Michael Jackson objected to our use of the 'dancing zombie' in PLANTS vs. ZOMBIES based on its view that the zombie too closely resembled Michael Jackson. After receiving this objection, PopCap made a business decision to retire the original 'dancing zombie' and replace it with a different 'dancing zombie' character for future builds of PLANTS vs.ZOMBIES on all platforms. The phase-out and replacement process is underway."

Legally the Dancing Zombie would've probably fallen safely into the realm of parody, but I can understand why PopCap wouldn't want to risk any trouble for a small gag in tremendously successful game.

iPhone 4 owners should take note, though. If you already own the game on an iPhone 4 and are updating to the latest version, the game will crash. Apparently the bug doesn't affect new purchasers of the game on iPhone 4, just those updating. The representative confirmed that "a fix is in the works and should be ready soon." Long story short, hold off on updating until the next version is released.

Source: MTV]]> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:58:45 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4399-michael-jackson-estate-forces-plants-vs-zombies-update/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4350-more-new-michael-jackson-song-titles/ More New Michael Jackson Song Titles
I have found some more new Michael Jackson musical song titles, all owned by the Estate.

11pm
Bottom Of My Heart
Butter Funk
Children's Hour
Green Hornet Groove
I Love You More
King Tutankhamun
Lovin You
Pajamas
Photographs
Photographs 2 (Instrumental)
Pray For Peace (Instrumental)
Shut Up And Dance.
That (Instrumental)
Think Twice (Instrumental)
Walk Away (Instrumental)
You Are There (Instrumental)

As well some loops and ideas of MJ from last year:
MJ / BB Orchestral Idea #1.
MJ / BB Orchestral Idea #3.
MJ / BB Orchestral Idea #2.
Brad Loop 3700
Brad Loop 3.3.7 MJ
Michael's Affirmation (Instrumental)




Source: Michael Jackson Blog]]> Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:58:31 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4350-more-new-michael-jackson-song-titles/ http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4395-jermaine-jackson-says-michaels-kids-are-all-right/ Jermaine Jackson Says Michael's Kids Are All Right

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2010/news/100705/paris-jackson-320.jpg

Prince, Paris and Blanket poolside at their Hawaiian resort with their cousins including Jaafar and Jermajesty

A year after their father's untimely death, Michael Jackson's children – Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8 – are living a relatively normal life and seem to be thriving, according to Michael's brother Jermaine.

"My mother [Katherine] raised nine kids, so she definitely knows how to raise them," Jermaine told PEOPLE on Tuesday night at a dinner celebrating the fifth annual Children Uniting Nations conference in Washington, D.C.

The kids are getting to do things children should enjoy, says Jermaine, 55 – hanging out with their cousins, playing video games and going to see animated movies. "We have dinners at different homes," Jermaine says, and the families organize getaways together – including a trip to Hawaii around the first anniversary of Michael death last month.

As they grow older, it seems the love of entertainment is in their blood. "They love the film business, and they love being behind the scenes," Jermaine says. "Blanket loves to dance and sing. Prince and Paris love movies. They can tell you about directors and producers and all that stuff."

Jermaine, joined at the dinner by brother Randy, said family matriarch Katherine, who has full custody of her grandchildren, has been doing "a great job in keeping everybody together."

We are still in mourning, he says, but I sense Michael's presence in their lives. "I feel him everywhere," Jermaine says. "I know Michael's spirit is so much alive. He's guiding me ... us to just keep things going and keep things the way they're supposed to be."

Source: People Magazine]]> Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:59:21 +0000 http://mjackson.com/forums/topic/4395-jermaine-jackson-says-michaels-kids-are-all-right/