The Michael Jackson Fan Club

12-01-2006

Promoter Morris Talks About Japan Visits

Two visits to Japan from Michael Jackson make 2006 a thriller year for music promoter Broderick Morris.

His optimistic approach to life helped turn Mo’ (37), as he’s known among friends, into one of the most influential hip-hop promoters in Japan and chief executive of Positive Productions Yokohama.

“When I started out in the business, I was surrounded by a lot of negative thinking and negative people. I wanted a change, I wanted to move in a more positive direction, and that’s why I chose the name [Positive Productions].”

The list of artists Positive Productions Yokohama has brought to Japan include Busta Rhymes, Outkast, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Lil’ Kim, Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West.

And in May 2006 he arranged Michael’s visit to accept the Legend Award at the MTV Japan Video Music Awards.

“The biggest thing for me was when Michael got off the plane, he said, ‘Thank you, Mr. Morris, for bringing me over.’ I’m not even going to lie to you—I got teary eyed, man. It’s so sad, because some of the other artists we bring over here, they are nowhere near the level of Michael. From when we pick them up, to when we take them home, I never really hear thank you."

According to Morris the two built a strong working relationship during daily meetings while Michael was in Japan. Next he will arrange the Michael Jackson Premium Christmas Party on December 19, 2006 at an undisclosed location. The party for 1,600 die-hard fans will mark ten years since Michael performed eight sold-out concerts at Tokyo Dome in 1996. Jackson will be inside the venue with his fans while a gospel choir, live band and six-piece string arrangement perform Christmas songs and some of his hits.

“Gold” tickets will cost ¥200,000 and “platinum” ¥400,000. The 300 platinum ticket holders will get early access to the venue and the chance to have a photo taken with Michael. Everyone will get free food and drinks and a signed photo.

The winners of a 'Thriller' dance contest taking place at Yokohama Bay Hall on December 2 will also perform. There are no plans for the entertainer to sing live, but Morris, ever the optimist, says:

“You never know what will happen.”

Morris was introduced to Michael Jackson 5 years ago by a mutual friend. Despite everything that has been said and written about the singer over the years, Morris’ impression is positive.

“He’s nothing like people make him out to be. We’ve both been through a lot, him as an African-American superstar, me as an African-American in this business in Japan. I understand him and he understands me. And that’s why we’re trying to help each other.”

Source: MJFC / Metropolis

2-01-2006

World Music Awards On Swiss TV

Swiss TV channel SF 2 will air the "World Music Awards 2006" on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 10.40 pm.

Source: MJFC / www.tvinfo.de

12-02-2006

Hip Hop Pilot Being Shot In New York

ATTENTION NEW YORK PEEPS!

Joe Jackson's Hip Hop Boot Camp is shooting a pilot in New York on Sunday December 3, 2006. If you are in the New York Area and would like to be in the audience, and participate in the first pilot episode to be shown to the networks, please contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for time, location, and details!

Source: MJFC / Gail & Angel

12-04-2006

Vote: Do You Care?

A vote concerning Michael's comeback.  Do You Care ?

Source: MJFC / newsvote.bbc.co.uk

12-05-2006

Akon Collaboration With MJ?

Akon grew up in Senegal.  His family eventually moved to New Jersey where he discovered hip - hop.  After a rocky start involving some brushes with the law, Akon began writing and recording music in a home studio.  The music that resulted in his first album features a West Africal style vocal with East Coast, Southern style beat.
 
Saying that he is "too young to rest right now," Akon is ready to start a world tour in 2007.  He will begin in his home country of Africa, swing into Europe and end up in the U.S.  
 
Akon is said to be one of the few talented stars rumored to be collaborating with Michael Jackson.  When asked, Akon laughed, saying "Right now, that's in the air.  I can't talk about it."  

Source: MJFC / Billboard.com

12-05-2006

Jackson Memorabilia Collection Purchased

On November 29, the Universal Express Inc announced the acquisition of a 10,000 plus collection of Jackson family memorabilia that included all Thriller costumes, platinum and gold records, photographs and countless personal documents.
 
"The biggest known Jackson Music and memorabilia collection ever amassed was purchased with plans to insure for up to $50,000,000 with a planned auction to be announced at the appropriate time," reported Richard A. Altomare, Chariman and CEO of Universal Express.
 
"The Jackson family had meticulously gathered this over 10,000 piece memorabilia collection for decades and had planned to decorate a chain of entertainment restaurants, but lost the collection in a protracted six year legal battle with former New Jersey partners.
 
"The historical items which include hundreds of items from each Jackson family member have been secretly moved to an undisclosed location for preparation and media viewing.
 
"Due to the perceived value of the Jackson platinum and gold records and master recordings with numerous unheard and unreleased masters of some Jackson songs never presented to the public; we have obviously begun guarding the collection twenty four hours a day.
 
"In my opinion, we have far too many personal and intimate papers, sketches, diaries, notes, costumes as well as gifts from other notables to not present them in the most professional and meaningful light.
 
"After this collection was authenticated, legal ownership verified, and approved by our entertainment experts; I enthusiastically purchased the collection,” Mr. Altomare further stated.
 
 “Initially, when this acquisition opportunity was presented; I balked due to this unique venue which did not represent our core businesses.  However, the possibility of such a revenue windfall for our shareholders and subsidiaries caused some reflection and a reminder that making money always resembles any core business.  Since a developing company raises monies and incurs debt to build its infrastructure, this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity will generate additional funds necessary to further build our core businesses and further enhance dramatically our worldwide corporate branding.

“The Jackson memorabilia collection and the worldwide interest may result in one spectacular auction, a museum or individual offer for the entire collection, or an E-Bay on-going income stream from the collection. In all cases, the music value and the balance sheet asset base of this investment added to our current balance sheet along with the worldwide publicity and branding clearly outweighed passing on this opportunity.

“In any event, the collection long rumored about is now in professional and responsible hands and the public will soon be reintroduced to the memorable and innocent Jackson years and maybe have answers to many unanswered ‘behind the door’ questions that these formative family effects may help to crystallize or to enlighten,” concluded Richard A. Altomare

Source: MJFC / uspx.com

12-07-2006

New Suit Filed

Earlier this year, Michael Jackson had a new child molestation suit filed against him.  He will not, however, be facing any new molestation and fraud charges.
 
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf True dismissed charges of molestation, plagiarism, fraud, breach of contract, negligence, civil conspiracy and unfair business practices earlier this week.  
 
The judge still allowed allegations of assault, battery, willful misconduct, false imprisonment and sexual battery.
 
Michael was accused by old Daniel Kapon, now 21,  earlier this year, who claimed that he was "repeatedly and forcefully sexually molested" from the age of two until he was fourteen.
 
The lawsuit was originally filed in Orange County in January.  Later it was transferred to Los Angeles County in March.  Kapon claimed that Michael forced him to take drugs, drink alcohol, forced him to undergo unnecessary cosmetic surgery, burned, tortured and beat him.  He also accuses Michael of "false imprisonment" at times between 1987 and 1991 at Michael's ranch.
 
Kapon claims that he is the writer of many lyrics and melodies during the "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory" eras.  Kapon was between the ages of four and fourteen years at the time.
 
This case is set to go to trial next June.  It has been reported that if asked to testify, Michael will do so via a taped deposition.

Source: MJFC / Allheadlinesnews.com

12-09-2006

Chris Cornell Doing "Billie Jean"

Chris Cornell will be recording "Billie Jean" on his upcoming solo album.  Cornell, who used to front Soundgarden, says that the cover selection will surprise  but will insist that his fans will barely recognize it as he will place his own spin on the original.
 
Cornell says "(Michael Jackson was) at the cutting edge of music, even though it was pop.  There were two things about the song that appealed to me - the song is quite dark and I knew I could make it into my own, like Johnny Cash did it with Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage' and Nine Inch Nails 'Hurt."
 
"If I've played it for someone in the studio, it takes them a little while to realize what the song is.  I think it is a moving song and covering Michael Jackson is the last thing anyone would expect from me."

Source: MJFC / starpulse.com

12-02-2006

Holiday Messages To Michael

Dear Friends And Fans:

 The holiday season has begun and you know what that means.  We are ready to gather holiday greetings for Michael Jackson.  And here's how you can add your greetings to the book:  

1. Compose your holiday greeting.  Please keep your message to a few lines. Michael is more likely to read messages that are brief, heartfelt, thoughtful and funny.
2. You can decorate your email holiday message with graphics if you like.
3. Please remember to include your city and country.
4. Send these to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

We will collect all the fan's messages, print them out, decorate the book and make certain that they reach Michael for the holiday season.

 FAN CLUBS & GROUPS are most welcome to participate!  Please help us to collect greetings, make certain to include special greetings from your association, and forward them to us at the above address.

Italian fans can send their messages in their own language, the Italian MJ Fan Club will translate them for you.

Deadline for this project is December 10, 2006.

Source: MJFC / CTE-Jacksonland.it

12-14-2006

PRESS RELEASE

Michael Jackson and Broderick Morris, CEO, Positive Productions Announce Date Change and an Additional “Fan Appreciation Day"

Tokyo, Japan -- Pop star Michael Jackson and Broderick Morris, CEO, Positive Productions, have mutually agreed today to postpone the Tokyo Christmas Celebration, planned for December 19, 2006, at the Tokyo Studio Coast, to March 2007.

Both men agreed to the change in order to add a second separate event, a “Fan Appreciation Day,” on March 9, 2007, for Japanese fans, and fans in other parts of the world who wish to attend, noted Morris, who added that they selected the March 9th date because it is referred to in Japan as San Ku, which means, “Thank You.”

The Corporate VIP Event, which Mr. Jackson will meet, greet and take photos with attendees, be held the day before on March 8, 2007.

“I will be attending these special events on March 8th and 9th in Tokyo, Japan,” said Michael Jackson. “Tokyo is such a wonderful place, and I look forward to speaking to my friends and fans at both events. My fans have been so loving and supportive of me, and I am honored to attend an event to thank them for the love and support they have shown to me, and my family, throughout the years,” Jackson added.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible to all of Michael’s fans,” explained Morris. “They have supported him throughout his career, and this is a unique opportunity for him to thank them. We both wanted to make sure that the events were planned in a way as to include as many of Michael’s friends and fans as possible.” Morris said persons holding tickets for the Christmas event will receive priority consideration for the new dates. Purchasers of tickets can also return those tickets for a full refund.

Source: MJFC / Raymone Bain

12-15-2006

Press Release: Tito Jackson Performs In Japan

EURE ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Angel Howansky

Tito Jackson of the famous Jackson 5 will be performing in Japan with his band  at the Cottonclub in Tokyo.

To contact Tito for interviews please contact:   Publicist Angel Howansky   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Fan information contact: Gail Felix This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Arrival: Dec 25th Performance dates: Cottonclub: Dec 26th - 30th Departure: Dec 31st English Translation:   Name of the Event:  TITO JACKSON from JACKSON5
Date:  From Dec. 26 to Dec. 30
Time:  19:99--21:30
Ticket Price:  Table seats (non-reserved) \7,875

                   Box seats (reserved)
                         Box A (for four persons)  \9,975 per person
                         Box B (for two persons)   \8,925 per person
                         Box S (for two persons)   \9,450 per person
                         Seat C (for two persons)  \8,925 per person

Tickets on sale from Nov. 15

Members:    Tito Jackson(g,vo),
                    Roman Johnson(key,back vo), Dale Williams(g), Morris
Rentie Jr.(b), Raymond Calhoun(ds), Clarenza Jackson(back vo)

Tito Jackson from the Jackson Five & the Jacksons will make the 2006
holiday season a very special one for you with his heart-warming sound
ranging from blues to soul.

Everybody agrees that the most famous music family in the world is the Jackson Family. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson are two of its members.  Tito, the second son (the third child) of the Jackson family will present you a wonderful event at the end of 2006 at the Cotton Club.  Tito was born in 1953 in Gary, Indiana.  Tito was musically active in a local band already before the formation of the Jackson Five.  Through his years in the Jackson Five and the Jacksons, Tito, holding a guitar given by his father, showed his talent mainly as a guitarist and back singer.  However, in the album "Victory" (1984), he was involved as a producer and sang as a lead-singer as well.  As a leader of a band, Tito produced one cover album.   Recently, Tito, who is interested in blues, started to focus on solo activity.  Tito's three sons are known as an R&B group "3T" and they released an album from Tito's younger brother Michael's record label.  Tito cherishes the bond of his family.  Let's touch Tito's warm soul through his music.

Source: Angel Howansky, (Jackson Family Publicist), Gail Felix, (assistant to Angel Howansky)

Source: MJFC / Angel Howansky, (Jackson Family Publicist), Gail Felix, (assistant to Angel Howansky)

12-16-2006

Vote For Michael

Cast your vote for the best in their field in this Newsweek poll.  Right now, Madonna is ahead of Michael with a slight lead.  MJ's fans can easily catch up ! 

Source: MJFC / msnbc.com / Many thanks to Randi in Norway for letting us know about this poll!

12-16-2006

A Message From Adrian Grant

“Michael Jackson is NOT scheduled to attend ‘Thriller Live’ on Sunday 25th March at the London Palladium.

I have NEVER told anybody that Michael Jackson would be attending, and would not mislead fans into thinking that he was. I have the utmost respect for Michael Jackson, and I am most grateful that I have been able to produce the magazines, books, fan events, and now ‘Thriller Live’ with the support/acknowledgement of the King of Pop.

I hope that many fans will get the chance to see our new show, which is developing all the time, and when the tour kicks off next March, will feature the talents of Flying Music – one of the West End’s top production companies, also responsible for ‘Dancing In The Streets’, and ‘The Rat Pack Live In Vegas’.

There are also other surprises to look forward to with regards to ‘Thriller Live’, and these will be announced in due course. We also have some other big events planned for next year, and with Michael’s anticipated ‘come back’, I’m sure 2007 will be quite a year for us all!

Finally, for those disappointed that we are now not showing the ‘Brunei New Year Concert’, please note that it will be played at a special screening towards the end of August 2007."

Source: MJFC / Adrian Grant

12-21-2006

Press Release: Michael Not Selling Neverland

December 20, 2007

POP SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JACKSON NOT SELLING NEVERLAND VALLEY RANCH HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH BRAVO NETWORK

Washington, D.C. --- Raymone K. Bain, General Manager, releases the following statement:

“Reports that Mr. Michael Jackson is seeking to sell his Neverland Valley Ranch in California on the Bravo television network’s reality show, ‘Million Dollar Listing,' are totally untrue and ludicrous and yet another malicious attempt to damage Mr. Jackson’s character and misrepresent his financial affairs.

Mr. Jackson is NOT selling Neverland Valley Ranch. We have said this time and time again, but rather than believe the source, there are those who consistently rely on unsubstantiated reports from unnamed sources.

We have not been in discussions with the Bravo Network regarding the series ‘Million Dollar Listing,’ nor do we plan to do so.”

Source: MJFC / Raymone K. Bain

12-23-2006

Michael Jackson Files Lawsuit In Court

Michael Jackson and his production company have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Thursday against Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan claiming negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. He is seeking an unspecified amount and requesting a thorough audit of the money that was paid to the organization for the services they provided.

In the lawsuit, it is alleged that the company entered into contracts on Michael's behalf without gaining his approval. It also claims that the re representatives did not keep him properly informed of his finances. Representatives of the accounting firm were not available for comment.

Raymone Bain said earlier this year that she suspected that Michael's business advisors were involved in acts of conspiracy against the singer.

In a statement on August 7, Bain said "Mr. Jackson is neither shocked nor surprised by these revelations. He has long been suspicious that some of those whom he entrusted to act on his behalf, and to advise him with respect to his personal and business affairs, may not have always acted in his best interest."

Source: MJFC / www.sawf.org

12-23-2006

Indian Singer Compared To Michael

Indian singer A. R. Rahman seems pleased that his voice is in the same range as Michael Jackson. And he seems to be following in Michael's footsteps in more ways than one.

"My voice and Michael Jackson's have the same range, which is higher than the normal male voice, hence the impression," Rahman said at the launch of his first English album 'Pray For Me, Brother.'

The accompanying new video has shades of 'Earth Song.'

The video was shot on the 'mobile cinemascope format' and will be available exclusively on Nokia 'N' series music phones prior to being released to television.

'Pray For Me' was originally an anti - poverty anthem for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. "We thought that the song deserved a great album and Nokia came forward to fund and also release it on its phones," Rahman said.

Funds generated from the new English album will go to Rahman's charity "The AR Rahman Foundation."

Source: MJFC / www.hindu.com

12-24-2006

Michael In Las Vegas?

In a report as yet unconfirmed by the MJFC, Michael Jackson arrived in Las Vegas late Saturday evening to begin what was termed as "a comback" in the famous showbusiness city.

According to the Las Vegas Review website, Michael and his children arrived by private plane at a private executive terminal at McCarran International Airport around 10:30 p.m. following a flight from Dublin, Ireland.

Jack Wishna, a friend of Michael's and "Vegas dealmaker" was said to be instrumental in having Michael return back to the U.S.A. When reached by telephone, Wishna would not comment other than confirm that Michael was moving to Las Vegas and to say that "We are working on several projects."

Calling Michael "one of the greatest entertainers in the world," Wishna said the singer "is poised to return to the top of the entertainment world soon."

Source: MJFC / reviewjournal.com

12-27-2006

Press Release: Regarding The Death Of James Brown

December 27, 2006

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL JACKSON REGARDING THE DEATH OF MR. JAMES BROWN

“I am extremely shocked and saddened by the death of my mentor and friend, James Brown. Words cannot adequately express the love and respect that I will always have for Mr. Brown. There has not been, and will never be another like him. He is irreplaceable.

“I send my love and heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Source: MJFC / Raymone Bain

12-29-2006

Joe Jackson Hip Hop Boot Camp News

Joe Jackson Hip Hop Boot Camp News fresh from Papa Joe:

Get the word out!!!! We are now showing the show we did here in NYC Dec. 3 2006 at the "Actors Playhouse" on www.RockMeTv.com -- Channel 8. All the info is on our web site www.HipHopBootCamp.com as well. Just go to our Happenings link. Enjoy the show!

Watch the December 3, 2006 Showcase at the "Actors Playhouse" in NYC of some of our top Contestants with our Star Celebrity Judges, Wanda Dee, Melle Mell, Kurtus Blow, Colee & Afrika Bambaataa on www.RockMeTV.com Channel 8 and make sure you travel back to our Boot Camp Website to vote for your favorite contestant!

Source: MJFC / Angel & Gail, Your Hip Hop Boot Camp Press Team