Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama received an unexpected compliment, when he realised that Michael Jackson was attending a recent concert that Ragheb was holding in Bahrain.
It is reported that Jackson listened to the concert, and exchanged greetings with Ragheb after the show.
Jackson admired Ragheb's talent, and Ragheb told Jackson that he had hoped to have the opportunity to meet him. Ragheb described Jackson's music as a source of inspiration.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
The Humourless One
Michael Jackson is currently displaying a distinct lack of humour by demanding an official apology from the editor and publisher of GQ, over the magazine publishing photos in its May issue of a Jackson double.
Jackson is also demanding that the magazines be pulled from news stands.
The magazine's offence?
In an article, "Where's Michael?", journalist Devin Friedman documents his attempts to find Jackson in Bahrain. He enlists the help of a Jackson double to illustrate his story. In one photo the double sits in a cinema, accompanied by a row of children. Another photo shows him standing in the desert wrapped in a black cover and headscarf, wearing a glittery white glove.
The GQ editor-in-chief dismissed Jackson's complaint, noting that is was obvious that the photos were satirical and that the magazine didn't have any intention to offend Jackson.
Jackson has, I would have thought, more important things to worry about and to devote his time to.
Jackson is also demanding that the magazines be pulled from news stands.
The magazine's offence?
In an article, "Where's Michael?", journalist Devin Friedman documents his attempts to find Jackson in Bahrain. He enlists the help of a Jackson double to illustrate his story. In one photo the double sits in a cinema, accompanied by a row of children. Another photo shows him standing in the desert wrapped in a black cover and headscarf, wearing a glittery white glove.
The GQ editor-in-chief dismissed Jackson's complaint, noting that is was obvious that the photos were satirical and that the magazine didn't have any intention to offend Jackson.
Jackson has, I would have thought, more important things to worry about and to devote his time to.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
You Can Judge a Man By The Company He Keeps
As the old saying goes "you can judge a man by the company he keeps", this is maybe something that Michael Jackson should have remembered before hiring jailed private investigator Anthony Pellicano during his child abuse case.
Pellicano is awaiting trial on charges that he illegally wiretapped the phones of a number of stars including; Sylvester Stallone, Garry Shandling and Keith Carradine.
It is reported that Michael Jackson, Steve Bing, Stevie Wonder, James Woods and Kevin Costner used his services.
Jackson is alleged to have paid Pellicano $2M before last year's child molestation trial.
I wonder if he was worth it?
Pellicano is awaiting trial on charges that he illegally wiretapped the phones of a number of stars including; Sylvester Stallone, Garry Shandling and Keith Carradine.
It is reported that Michael Jackson, Steve Bing, Stevie Wonder, James Woods and Kevin Costner used his services.
Jackson is alleged to have paid Pellicano $2M before last year's child molestation trial.
I wonder if he was worth it?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Fake Press Release
Things, in the world of Michael Jackson, are never what they seem to be.
In a press release issued last week, from what was portrayed as Michael Jackson's Bahrain record label 2 Seas Records, it was stated that Jackson was collaborating with 50 Cent, DJ Whoo Kid, and aspiring artist Lucy Diamonds on the track 'Now That I Found Love' on a mixtape called 'MJ Unit: The Takeover'.
However, it sees that this release was a fake. Sue Harris, who is the spokeswoman for 2 Seas Records, confirmed that the press release was a fake.
She was quoted as saying:
"I do not know who put this story out, certainly not us. But it doesn't surprise me.
As far as we are concerned, details regarding the recording of Michael Jackson's albums are being kept under wraps.
We will not be making any comments as to who may or may not be working with Michael Jackson in the studio.
We will not be making any announcements, nor will we be reacting to any speculation or reports in the media."
DJ Whoo Kid said:
"I don't know who made that up. I don't know who Lucy Diamonds is."
Fake or not, it is a nice way to generate publicity for Jackson and his associates.
In a press release issued last week, from what was portrayed as Michael Jackson's Bahrain record label 2 Seas Records, it was stated that Jackson was collaborating with 50 Cent, DJ Whoo Kid, and aspiring artist Lucy Diamonds on the track 'Now That I Found Love' on a mixtape called 'MJ Unit: The Takeover'.
However, it sees that this release was a fake. Sue Harris, who is the spokeswoman for 2 Seas Records, confirmed that the press release was a fake.
She was quoted as saying:
"I do not know who put this story out, certainly not us. But it doesn't surprise me.
As far as we are concerned, details regarding the recording of Michael Jackson's albums are being kept under wraps.
We will not be making any comments as to who may or may not be working with Michael Jackson in the studio.
We will not be making any announcements, nor will we be reacting to any speculation or reports in the media."
DJ Whoo Kid said:
"I don't know who made that up. I don't know who Lucy Diamonds is."
Fake or not, it is a nice way to generate publicity for Jackson and his associates.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Neverland Reopens
It is reported that one month after closing it, Michael Jackson has reopened his Neverland Ranch.
Jackson was ordered to shut down Neverland by local authorities in March, after he fell behind in paying his employees' salaries and their insurance policies.
Jackson has now hired 10 members of staff to take care of the zoo animals, after paying $49K in fines.
Common sense would suggest that it would be better for both Jackson's finances, and the welfare of the animals if they were found good homes and Neverland sold off.
Unfortunately, common sense seems to be in rather short supply.
Jackson was ordered to shut down Neverland by local authorities in March, after he fell behind in paying his employees' salaries and their insurance policies.
Jackson has now hired 10 members of staff to take care of the zoo animals, after paying $49K in fines.
Common sense would suggest that it would be better for both Jackson's finances, and the welfare of the animals if they were found good homes and Neverland sold off.
Unfortunately, common sense seems to be in rather short supply.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Six Pieces of Silver
It seems that justice has a price, and that some of those who act as jurors are more than happy to make a buck or two after performing their civic duty.
Jeffrey Welbaum, an alternate juror from Michael Jackson's child abuse trial, has sold official court notes for $2,550 on eBay.
Welbaum sold six notebooks of observations from the courtroom, together with his ID badge and a certificate of appreciation signed by Judge Rodney Melville.
Welbaum is quoted as saying:
"It's something that's probably more important to someone else, like a fan of Michael Jackson's."
I do not think that it is right that jurors profit out of their role in a trial, it taints the validity of their verdicts.
Jeffrey Welbaum, an alternate juror from Michael Jackson's child abuse trial, has sold official court notes for $2,550 on eBay.
Welbaum sold six notebooks of observations from the courtroom, together with his ID badge and a certificate of appreciation signed by Judge Rodney Melville.
Welbaum is quoted as saying:
"It's something that's probably more important to someone else, like a fan of Michael Jackson's."
I do not think that it is right that jurors profit out of their role in a trial, it taints the validity of their verdicts.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Lawsuit Dismissed
A lawsuit against Michael Jackson, alleging molestation in 1984, has been dismissed.
Jackson proved that he was in California when Joseph Bartucci Jr., a New Orleans-area man, claimed that he was kidnapped and molested for nine days in 1984.
Bartucci claimed that he was forced into a white limousine on May 19 1984, during the New Orleans World's Fair, and driven to California while being molested, held at gunpoint and cut with steel wire and a razor blade.
Bartucci claimed that the emotional and physical trauma had caused him to forget everything that happened until 2003, when he saw a Court TV show about child molestation charges brought against Jackson in California.
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon said that Wayne Nagin, who kept Jackson's appointment calendar in the spring of 1984, had given a sworn statement saying that Jackson was rehearsing in California for his Victory Tour from May 20-27 1984.
Judge Fallon also said that Charilette R. Sweeney of Encino, California swore that she had known Jackson since 1976, and remembered talking to him on May 13, 17 and 20 1984, about getting an award from President Reagan on May 14 of that year.
Judge Fallon wrote:
"This evidence conclusively demonstrates that Mr. Jackson was in California from May 19 to May 27, 1984, and could not have been in New Orleans to participate in the events alleged".
Jackson proved that he was in California when Joseph Bartucci Jr., a New Orleans-area man, claimed that he was kidnapped and molested for nine days in 1984.
Bartucci claimed that he was forced into a white limousine on May 19 1984, during the New Orleans World's Fair, and driven to California while being molested, held at gunpoint and cut with steel wire and a razor blade.
Bartucci claimed that the emotional and physical trauma had caused him to forget everything that happened until 2003, when he saw a Court TV show about child molestation charges brought against Jackson in California.
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon said that Wayne Nagin, who kept Jackson's appointment calendar in the spring of 1984, had given a sworn statement saying that Jackson was rehearsing in California for his Victory Tour from May 20-27 1984.
Judge Fallon also said that Charilette R. Sweeney of Encino, California swore that she had known Jackson since 1976, and remembered talking to him on May 13, 17 and 20 1984, about getting an award from President Reagan on May 14 of that year.
Judge Fallon wrote:
"This evidence conclusively demonstrates that Mr. Jackson was in California from May 19 to May 27, 1984, and could not have been in New Orleans to participate in the events alleged".
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Jackson Tries To Stave Off Bankruptcy
Michael Jackson is allegedly close to cutting a deal that would stave off his imminent bankruptcy.
It is reported that he will agree to give up a part of his a song catalogue that includes Beatles' hits to the Sony Corporation, it is estimated that Jackson's share is worth around $500M.
Jackson used his stake in the catalogue as part of the collateral for $270M in loans from Bank of America. Bank of America then sold the loans in 2005 to Fortress Investment Group, a New York-based investment company that buys distressed debt.
As part of the new agreement, Fortress has agreed to provide a new $300M loan and reduce the interest payments.
Jackson has reportedly agreed to provide Sony with an option to buy half of his stake at a set price.
We shall see.
It is reported that he will agree to give up a part of his a song catalogue that includes Beatles' hits to the Sony Corporation, it is estimated that Jackson's share is worth around $500M.
Jackson used his stake in the catalogue as part of the collateral for $270M in loans from Bank of America. Bank of America then sold the loans in 2005 to Fortress Investment Group, a New York-based investment company that buys distressed debt.
As part of the new agreement, Fortress has agreed to provide a new $300M loan and reduce the interest payments.
Jackson has reportedly agreed to provide Sony with an option to buy half of his stake at a set price.
We shall see.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Jackson in Denial
Michael Jackson, despite delaying salary payments to his Neverland staff for 3 months and having to shut Neverland because he is strapped for cash, has reportedly spent £50K on a diamond-encrusted watch.
Jackson is allegedly £150M in debt, yet seemingly has a little trouble accepting the reality of his situation.
He bought his new timepiece, which has 800 diamonds on it and a gold face, at the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
Jackson is allegedly £150M in debt, yet seemingly has a little trouble accepting the reality of his situation.
He bought his new timepiece, which has 800 diamonds on it and a gold face, at the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Custody Battle Continues
In his ongoing battle with Debbie Rowe over custody of his children, Michael Jackson has filed a Petition for Review with the California State Supreme Court.
Jackson requested that the State Court review an earlier decision that helps clear the way for Rowe to argue for custody rights to Prince Michael and Paris.
Jackson requested that the State Court review an earlier decision that helps clear the way for Rowe to argue for custody rights to Prince Michael and Paris.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
April Fool
My compliments to www.entertainmentwise.com, who published a rather amusing April Fool story about a group of people with the same name as Michael Jackson suing him.
The story claimed that these Michael Jackson's were embarrassed by their own name, and were marginalised in the social and work lives because of Michale Jackson's troubles.
The sad and rather alarming thing is that many people, if the comments left by readers on the website are anything to judge by, believed the story.
Dear oh dear!
Read the fake story here.
The story claimed that these Michael Jackson's were embarrassed by their own name, and were marginalised in the social and work lives because of Michale Jackson's troubles.
The sad and rather alarming thing is that many people, if the comments left by readers on the website are anything to judge by, believed the story.
Dear oh dear!
Read the fake story here.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Most Foolish
Michael Jackson has been crowned America's "most foolish person", for the fourth year in a row.
Jackson beat Paris Hilton and Dick Cheney (who came joint second), President Bush came third.
1000 people were polled, and 690 voted for Jackson; a landslide.
Jeff Barge, who runs the poll, said:
"Michael Jackson seems to have a lock on the number one spot for the foreseeable future."
Jackson beat Paris Hilton and Dick Cheney (who came joint second), President Bush came third.
1000 people were polled, and 690 voted for Jackson; a landslide.
Jeff Barge, who runs the poll, said:
"Michael Jackson seems to have a lock on the number one spot for the foreseeable future."
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