Michael Jackson’s memorial service could cost Los Angeles taxpayers $1.4million after a website to recoup costs crashed.
City chiefs set up the donation site for Jackson fans that wanted to help pick up the tab to relieve financial pressure caused by the event. But the site failed for more than 12 hours after receiving massive amounts of traffic.
City officials say they have received just $17,000 in donations so far but are hoping for more after the site was fixed.
The overall cost for policing and cleaning up after the memorial came to $1.4 million, a spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced.
The amount includes salaries for the more than 3,000 police officers deployed to secure the streets around the LA Staples Center plus traffic control and cleanup costs.
Australia just can?t get enough of Britney Spears as tickets for the Perth and Sydney stops of the pop star?s Circus tour sold out in minutes. It shouldn?t be much of a surprise as this visit actually marks Britney?s first ever trip down under. It?s no wonder that those tickets went fast. The singer and her camp had since added extra dates to the Australian leg of her tour. Britney?s two engagements in Sydney have now been extended to four and one extra show was tacked onto her appearance in Perth. A recession apparently doesn?t slow down Britney that much. Good for her!
Sources have revealed the exact division of Michael Jackson?s assets, according to his will. The singer?s mother, Katherine Jackson, will get 40% of his assets. Michael?s three children will also be getting 40% and the remaining 20% will be divided up for several children?s charities. No specific charities were specified in the document, so the California state Attorney General, who is in charge and regulates the state?s charitable foundations, has filed legal papers to ensure that the funds actually go to charity. There?s still no word as to gets the 50% share holdings at Sony/ATV music publishing catalogue, which controls many of the songs from the Beatles.
Members of Michael Jackson’s family are reportedly arguing over where the star will be laid to rest.
The King of Pop’s memorial recently took place in LA, and it is claimed that his brother Jermaine wants Jacko to be buried at his Neverland Ranch, but laws prevent the burial from taking place on private property ? although the music legend?s ashes could be scattered there if he is cremated.
But it is claimed that Jackson’s mother Katherine does not want his ashes or body to be buried anywhere near Neverland.
A source said: “Michael left Neverland for good, never to return. He felt violated by law enforcement after his molestation trial. He felt this place he had built had been tainted.
“Katherine continues to be her son’s protector even after his death.”
Michael Jackson?s brother Marlon hit back at the pop legend?s critics in an emotional speech after the memorial?s musical finale, saying: ?Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone.?
Sobbing Marlon told the memorial: ?I stand here trying to find words of comfort, solace. Trying to understand why the Lord has taken our brother to return home from such a short visit here on earth.
?Michael, when you left us a part of me went with you and a part of you will live forever within me, but also a part of you will live forever within all of us.
?Michael I will treasure the good times, the fun we had, singing, dancing, laughing.?
And in comments that appeared to be aimed at his famous brother?s detractors, he said, ?We would never, never understand what he [Michael] endured, not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering around him, being judged, ridiculed.
?How much pain can one take?
?Maybe now Michael they will leave you alone?
?So I thank you, Michael, for all the smiles that you placed in many people?s hearts and I thank you for everything you have done for others across this globe in the Lord?s name?
?I love you Michael and I miss you.?
As the moving ceremony came to an end, a tearful Jermaine said: ?On behalf of my family, myself, the fans and friends, nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers, I would like to thank everyone for coming out.
?As you know, I?m lost for words?
?We thank you. That?s all we can say, we thank you very much.?
It seems that the legendary pop singer was very keen with the idea of creating a small version of himself, especially after he attended a conference on cloning with psychic Uri Geller. Michael Jackson?s driver, Al Bowman, who took the two at the conference related the following: “Jackson was very excited. He bounced out of that conference like a small child. He was smiling and on a high. I heard him and Uri talking in the back of the limo. He was talking about the prospect of being cloned. He grabbed Uri by both arms and told him, ‘I really want to do it Uri and I don’t care how much it costs.’? Right, this must be why Michael Jackson?s brain will be staying out of the ground. This might even bring up a few ideas as to the origins of Blanket.
King of Pop Michael Jackson?s coffin was given a guard of honour by his grieving brothers, as his emotional public memorial got under way.
The gold casket covered with red flowers was wheeled out through the 20,000-strong audience and positioned in front of the stage, as a choir sang ?Soon And Very Soon? in emotional scenes at the Staples Centre.
The ceremony got under way about 10 minutes after the scheduled 10am start time as mourners waited for the hearse carrying Jackson?s coffin to arrive from the nearby Forest Lawn cemetery.
The memorial began with Motown legend Smokey Robinson reading touching tributes from Jackson?s friends Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela.
Ross, who Jackson named as guardian of his three children in his will, told of her grief in her message: ?I want you to know that even though I?m not there at the Staples Centre. I?m there in my heart?
?Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can?t seem to find words to express.
?Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they need me.
?I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him.?
Mandela?s message was read out by Robinson: ?Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.
?We also mourn with his family and his friends over the loss of our dear friend. He will be missed and memories of him cherished for a very long time.?
The first 20 rows at the Staples Centre venue were packed with VIPs and family friends, including former boxing champ Mike Tyson, Motown legend Berry Gordy and reality-TV star Kim Kardashian and her family.
A top Australian band, Human Nature, revealed they got their big break from the late Michael Jackson.
Jackson booked the group in 1997 for his HIStory tour, starting the multi-platinum-record band off on the road to success. Earlier this year, Jackson put in a good word for them with a friend and tour promoter.
Andrew Tierney of Human Nature told RadarOnline exclusively, “Touring as opening act for Michael Jackson on his last world tour was an incredible break for us.”
He continued: “We learned so much from seeing him perform that many times and experienced things that have shaped us into the entertainers we are today. He was the ultimate artist and so inspiring.”
Jackson gave the nod to the band when his good friend Smokey Robinson talked of bringing them to the US, allowing the endorsement “Human Nature is Amazing – Michael Jackson.”
Robinson has booked the band on a long-running engagement in Las Vegas under his banner. The band members were in Vegas when they learned of the singer’s sudden tragic death.
Source: Splash News
The bassist from Blur has apparently managed to dazzle his children with his occupation, so much so that they believe he is actually a conductor. Alex James said the following about his children?s confusion: “Yes, they think I’m a conductor, or they did until recently. They wanted to be conductors until recently, now I think they want to sing. Bad choice.” Right, shows how much Alex James trusts his kids. I?m sure he?ll be going all lawyers and doctors on them from now on? it?s not like his own profession has been to kind to him or brought him the least meagre amount of success.
Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris believes her famous father has “gone to live with the angels” after his sudden death, a friend of the pop legend has revealed.
Jackson died suddenly in LA on 25 June, after reportedly suffering a heart attack. He left behind his three children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, six, who is also known as Blanket.
Jacko’s long-term pal Mark Lester spoke to the superstar’s daughter Paris two days after the singer?s tragic death, he revealed.
“I spoke with Paris who told me: ‘Mark, don’t worry, Daddy has gone to live with the angels now. Can we still come and stay with you?’? said the Oliver! actor, who is godfather to the three children.
Lester also dismissed rumours that Jackson was stressed out preparing for his upcoming tour, and said that he had never looked so good.
“I’d never seen him [Michael] so invigorated or alive. He was excited in that kind of way he had which was enchanting,? said Lester.
Lester also revealed that the King of Pop’s youngest son Blanket could be the “next Michael Jackson”.
?He [Blanket] could easily be the next Michael Jackson. He loved to dance with his dad and Michael taught him to do the moonwalk.”
One of Michael Jackson?s famous electric-white gloves is expected to sell for a bumper six-figure sum when it goes up for auction later this year.
The late music superstar wore the glove on his 1984 Victory tour alongside his brothers.
Jacko sported the iconic glove in his performance of Suit Of Lights ? and it is now tipped to sell for several times its market value, following his sudden death at the age of 50.
Los Angeles auction house Profiles in History describes the glove as ?the single most iconic piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia in the world?.
The glove is emblazoned with bugle beads and Austrian crystal rhinestones, and fitted with 50 small glass light bulbs.
The bulbs were wired on separate circuits, making them twinkle at random for added visual effect.
There were only two of the gloves made for the Victory tour, with the one up for auction gifted to the designer Ted Shell by Jackson in 1986.
Profiles in History president Joseph Maddalena, said: ?I estimate the value at $60,000 to $80,000, but it could sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.?
The eldest of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin Jonas, recently got engaged and he is quick to open up about when he proposed to his long time girlfriend Danielle Deleasa. The singer had just returned to his native New Jersey from a show in Vancouver when he planned to pop the question on Wednesday morning. Kevin said ?It was tough performing last night, knowing that I was going to ask the biggest question in my life to the most amazing girl in the world.? Danielle was thrilled as Kevin shared ?She said yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row.? I believe in true love and all that but I sure hope he gets a prenup.
It is being reported that Madonna?s final album with Warner Brothers is going to be called ?Iconography?. The greatest hits collection will include three new tracks. The album is also said to be looking at a mid-September release. It looks like September will be the month of the divas. Barbara Streisand will be releasing an album of all new material on the same month. Whitney Houston?s comeback album ?Undefeated? will also be out in September. And Mariah Carey?s ?Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel? will also see a September release. How will Madonna?s album hold up in the battle of the divas? Who do you think is going to come out on top?
Cheryl Cole is reportedly set to host a US version of The X Factor.
The star, who recently celebrated her 26th birthday, was reportedly handpicked by boss Simon Cowell, 49, to fly the flag for the show across the Atlantic.
Cole is a judge on the British version of the show and it is claimed NBC bosses will fly to Manchester this weekend to witness her in action at the live auditions.
A source said: “Simon is on the brink of signing a deal to take The X Factor to America and, if he gets his way, Cheryl will be its star. He thinks she has amazing presence and her down-to-earth Northern charm will appeal to the American public.
“She is also an incredibly beautiful girl. She won’t get paid anything like the ?1m salary she’s on here, because obviously she is not as well known in the States. But if it is a success, like most of Simon’s shows are, it could catapult her into the big league.”
The 911 caller at the scene of Michael Jackson’s medical emergency has been identified as a security guard.
According to RadarOnline, Alberto Alverez was working at Jackson’s rented mansion.
Police have already questioned Alverez, who placed the call as Conrad Murray, a personal physician to Jackson, administered CPR to the pop singer.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the questioning was not part of a criminal investigation. RadarOnline claimed its sources say it is only a matter of time before it turns into one.
In the call, Alverez said: “We have a gentleman here who needs help, he?s not breathing, we?re trying to pump him but he?s not breathing.”
The voice of Murray can also be heard on the 911 tape. Paramedics arrived within minutes. Jackson was taken to UCLA Medical Center and worked on for at least an hour before he was pronounced dead.
President Barack Obama has paid tribute to Michael Jackson a week after his sudden death and told how he has all the music icon’s hits on his iPod.
The President, who had faced criticism for not making a public statement about Jackson, gave his thoughts on the King of Pop a week on.
Obama said Jackson will “go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers”.
He added: “I grew up on his music. I still have all his stuff on my iPod.”
Obama said he felt Jackson lived a “tragic and in many ways sad personal life”.
The President did not make a formal public statement about Jackson’s death, something typically done by the White House when a prominent public figure dies.
Instead Obama sent a private letter of condolence to the Jackson family.
Michael Jackson Covers Time Time magazine has published a $5.99 special commemorative issue on the late King of Pop Michael Jackson which hit newsstands this past Monday. For the special commemorative issue, the magazine got to speak with many of the singer?s peers including Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Nancy Reagan, Lenny Kravitz, Jesse Jackson, Tommy Mottola, Berry Gordy, Spike Lee, Sheryl Crow, Anjelica Huston, Clive Davis, Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Kobe Bryant, Lance Bass, Oscar De La Hoya, Savion Glover, A.R. Rahman, Peter Gabriel, John Mayer and more. Stories from the special issue can also be read on Time.com since this past Sunday.
David Cook recently scored his third Top 10 Single on Adult Radio. The 26-year old American Idol champ?s introductory single ?Time of My Life? reached number 7, its follow up ?Light On? peaked at number 4 and his latest single ?Come Back to Me? moved into the number 10 spot last week. The singer has announced that he also has plans to extend his first ever solo tour, ?The Declaration Tour ? 2009? through October 2009. It?s good to see that his career is flourishing. More power to him and congratulations on scoring that third top 10. I wonder when he?ll score a number 1.
Michael Jackson?s 50-show run at London?s O2 Arena was set to be the highest grossing single concert engagement if it took place. The concert promoter, AEG Live, went all out on the production and may now be facing some serious financial problems. According to Billboard, AEG sold $85 million worth of tickets along with $30 million spent on spent on production and $10 given to the late singer as an advanced payment. They?re not sure whether nonappearance insurance will cover the unfortunate situation. If the King of Pop died from a drug overdose or a pre-existing condition, the producer will not get reimbursed and will be forced to refund 750,000 already purchased tickets.
