FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: February 15th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Muirsical Conversation with... Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor
  • Jason Becker - Triumphant Hearts (Featured Album Review)
  • Duncan Chisholm - Sandwood (Featured Album Review)
  • Featured Album Reviews...
    • Jason Becker - Triumphant Hearts
    • Duncan Chisholm - Sandwood
    • Jawbone - Jawbone
    • Steve Perry - Traces
    • Sari Schorr - Never Say Never
    • Joe Bonamassa - Redemption
    • Ben Poole - Anytime You Need Me
    • Hawkwind - Road To Utopia
    • Rainbreakers - Face To Face
    • Frequency Drift - Letters to Maro
    • JCM - Heroes
    • Dana Fuchs - Love Lives On
    • Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion Live
    • W.E.T. - Earthrage
    • The King Lot - A World Without Evil
    • 2017 Featured Album Reviews >
      • Quint Starkie - Ghost In My Heart
      • Downes Braide Association - Skyscraper Souls
      • Dirty Thrills - Heavy Living
      • King King - Exile & Grace
      • Steven Wilson - To The Bone
      • Robin Trower - Time and Emotion
      • Joe Bonamassa - Live at Carnegie Hall, an Acoustic Evening
      • Nikka Costa - Nikka & Strings, Underneath and In Between
      • The Mustangs - Just Passing Through
      • Simon Thacker & Justyna Jablonska - Karmana
      • Michael Schenker Fest Live
    • 2016 Featured Album Reviews... >
      • Glenn Hughes - Resonate
      • King King - Live
      • Aynsley Lister - Eyes Wide Open
      • Kansas - The Prelude Implicit
      • Joe Bonamassa - Live at the Greek Theatre
      • An Evening With Todd Rundgren - Live at The Ridgefield
      • Sari Schorr - A Force of Nature
      • Albany Down - The Outer Reach
      • Cheap Trick - Bang, Zoom, Crazy... Hello
      • Preacher - Aftermath
      • Ben Poole - Time Has Come
      • Stevie Nimmo - Sky Won't Fall
  • Monthly Album Reviews...
    • 2019 Reviews
    • 2018 Reviews
    • 2017 Reviews
  • Selected 2018 Gig Reviews...
    • Sensational Alex Harvey Experience DreadnougthRock, Bathgate
    • Uli Jon Roth - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender III - Troon
    • Ben Poole - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Dan Reed Network - The Garage, Glasgow
    • Dapper, Paul Gemmell's Black Magic Blues Band - The Union, East Kilbride
    • Lifesigns - Backstage at The Green, Kinross
    • The Nimmo Brothers - Old Fire Station, Carlisle
    • Brian Downey's Alive And Dangerous - Cathouse, Glasgow
    • Chantel McGregor - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow
    • Federal Charm and Bad Flowers, Classic Grand, Glasgow
    • Rainbreakers - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
    • Hamilton Loomis, Mike Vernon & The Mighty Combo, Lights Out By Nine - Town Hall, Darvel
    • Kane'd - NR Rocks, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Zal Cleminson's /sin'dogs/ - Concert Hall, Troon
    • The King Lot (with Those Damn Crows and Fragile Things) Dreadnoughtrock, Bathgate
    • Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest
    • Kasim Sulton - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow
    • Danny Bryant - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Sari Schorr - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Bourbon Street 5 - Brig Below, Edinburgh,
    • Chris Glen & The Outfit - Concert Hall, Troon
    • Simon Thacker, Justyna Jablonska, Masha Natanson - Glad Cafe, Glasgow
    • The Greig Taylor Blues Combo - Dreadnoughtrock, Bathgate
    • King King - Town Hall, Darvel
  • Selected 2017 Gig Reviews...
    • Anchor Lane & Black King Cobra DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • JW-Jones - Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
    • Burnt Out Wreck - Audio, Glasgow
    • Samantha Fish (w/ Melisa Kelly) - Stramash, Edinburgh
    • Winterstorm Rock Weekender II, Troon
    • Bad Touch & Mollie Marriott - Stereo, Glasgow
    • Mr. Big (w/ The Answer & Faster Pussycat) - O2 ABC, Glasgow
    • John Verity Band - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Squeeze - The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
    • Raintown - The Arts Centre, East Kilbride
    • Erja Lyytinen - The Caves, Edinburgh
    • Stevie Nimmo Trio - Town Hall, Darvel
    • The King Lot - NR Rocks, Dreadnoughtrock, Bathgate
    • Mason Hill, The Garage, Glasgow
    • Hamilton Loomis - Town Hall, Darvel
    • Blue Oyster Cult (and Jared James Nichols) - 02ABC, Glasgow
    • Dan Reed & The King Lot - Dreadnoughtrock, Bathgate
    • John Verity Band - Cottiers, Glasgow
    • Rebecca Downes - The Old Fire Station, Carlisle
    • Snakecharmer - 02 ABC2, Glasgow
    • Steve Hackett - Royal Concert Hall Glasgow
    • King King - 02 ABC Glasgow
    • Joe Bonamassa - Usher Hall, Edinburgh
    • Sari Schorr & The Engine Room - Aberdeen and Glasgow
    • Broken Witt Rebels & Bad Touch - O2 ABC2, Glasgow
    • Manny Charlton Band - Classic Grand, Glasgow
    • Dan Reed Network - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Glenn Hughes - The Garage, Glasgow
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
    • Brian Downey (September 2018)
    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
    • Erja Lyytinen (September 2017)
    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
    • Simon Thacker (April 2017)
    • Sari Schorr (March 2017)
    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
    • Colin James (December 2016)
    • John Lees (October 2016)
    • Sari Schorr (August 2016)
    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
    • Martin Barre (October 2015)
    • Chris Norman (September 2015)
    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
    • Fee Waybill (July 2015)
    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
    • John Lodge (June 2015)
    • John Lawton (May 2015)
    • Steve Hackett (May 2015)
    • Manny Charlton (April 2015)
    • Ben Poole (April 2015)
    • Alan Nimmo (February 2015)
    • Popa Chubby (December 2014)
    • Paul Young (July 2014)
    • Bernie Shaw (June 2014)
    • Lee Kerslake (December 2013)
    • Pat Travers (September 2013)
    • Steve Hunter (August 2013)
    • Joy Dunlop (March 2013)
    • Gwyn Ashton (Dec. 2012)
    • Greg Lake (October 2012)
    • Ned Evett (August 2012)
    • Steven Lindsay (July 2012)
    • Dave Cureton (June 2012)
    • Jon Anderson (May 2012)
    • Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker (March 2012)
    • Amy Schugar (Feb. 2012)
    • Robert Fleischman (November 2011)
    • Ivan Drever (Sep. 2011)
    • Michael Sadler (June 2011)
    • James Evans (April 2011)
    • Alyn Cosker (Nov. 2010)
    • Scott Higham (Nov. 2010)
    • Kevin Chalfant (Oct. 2010)
    • Francis Dunnery (Sep. 2010)
    • Duncan Chisholm (Aug 2010)
    • Barbara Rubin (July 2010)
    • Alan Reed (June 2010)
  • Muirsical Articles...
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
    • Phil Lynott - Remembering Pt. 3
    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
    • Gary Moore - Last Exit
    • Mott - Without any of the Hoople-la
    • Muirsical Six of the Best
    • Music Town: A Decade of the Darvel Music Festival
    • Pat Travers - The Forgotten Power Trio
    • Playing Tribute
    • Gerry Rafferty - Humblebum to Multi-Million Seller
    • Cliff Richard - The Rock and Roll Juvenile
    • Slade - Thanks For the Memories
    • Talon - On Eagles Wings
    • The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest
    • Wild Horses - Thoroughbreds or also-rans?
  • A Personal Journey: Definitive Edition (eBook)
  • Steve Perry (vocalist): One in a Million (eBook)
  • A Writer's Muirsings...
    • A Writer's Muirsings: Introduction
    • Superbowl XLVII MVP: Beyoncé (February 2013)
    • Michael Jackson: The Alternative Verdict (Nov 2011)
    • True Colours (November 2010)
    • It's a New Language, Old Bean (October 2010)
    • Finger Pointing (July 2010)
    • Suffer the Little Children (April 2010)
    • Hey 'Banker', can you spare a dime? (February 2010)
    • Earlier Muirsings... >
      • Muirsical Christmas #1's (December 09)
      • 3-D, or not 3-D, Avatar? (December 09)
      • Pains, Planes and Automobiles (November 09)
  • A Man of Letters...
    • A Man of Letters (Introduction)
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #1
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #2
    • Letter to The Catholic League
    • Letter to SKY #1
    • Letter to SKY #2
    • Letter to SKY #3
    • Letter to Leeds City Council Parking Services
  • Author Bios & Site Info
  • Disclaimer, Copyright Statement & eBook Download Links
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
The Michael Jackson Story: The Alternative Verdict
Picture
In February 2010 Michael Jackson's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in the aftermath of Jackson dying from a prescription drug overdose.
Murray pleaded not guilty, reportedly claiming Jackson fatally injected himself.

However a near two-year legal battle over who was responsible for Jackson's death on the 25th of June 2009 was concluded when, on the 7th of November 2011, a jury found Conrad Murray guilty of the charge against him.
Three weeks later Murray was given the maximum sentence of four years in prison. 

But that was just the latest instalment of the Michael Jackson Story.


Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of the late 20th century and was responsible for some of the most successful pop and dance songs of any generation.
His album Thriller is the greatest selling album of all time.
He also created some unforgettable pop videos and dance routines while being, in terms of classic dance choreography, no Fred Astaire (who was clearly an influence).

Michael Jackson was this generations Elvis Presley. The adoration towards him during his career and the iconic status afforded him in death is of no surprise.

But that's only part of the Michael Jackson story.

The singer and entertainer was a troubled soul who had personal problems throughout his life, starting with childhood abuse at the hands of his father then mysteries surrounding just about every one of his later problems.
Genuine medical condition relating to the changes in physicality, or self inflicted?

Mental issues, or a tragically misunderstood individual?
Child-like in character, or 
child abuser?

The latter question links his genuine love for the company of children to the abuse accusations that were to the fore in 1993-94 then 2003-05.
He almost certainly slept with kids but actually slept with them, as part of sleepovers, for comfort and friendship. 
But it took just one kid to admit to mummy and daddy he had slept with Michael Jackson and his parents couldn't get to the Lawyers Ka, Frigging & Ching quick enough.

Whether he actually was a paedophile is a debate that continues to this day.
There are incredibly impassioned views on both sides, from the "absolutely not" of his defenders to the "absolutely was" of his accusers. 

What is interesting to note is shortly after those episodes and in later years he was pilloried by many Stateside – described as a "weirdo" or an alleged "kiddie-fiddler."
Yet after his death the US public (most, but certainly not all) expressed an incredible outpouring of grief and sympathy. Over 30 million people in the States alone watched the televised memorial service.

The aforementioned problems are more conjecture than concrete fact and there's also the report of serious financial debt in 2006, reportedly cleared by 2008.
The truth behind all such troubles will probably never be known.

Because that's yet another part of the Michael Jackson story.

Some seven weeks after his death his mother demanded another autopsy (there would be three in all) as she, like many, firmly believed he was intentionally killed.
Conrad Murray was initially put in the frame for potential Homicide.

Meanwhile, Columbia Pictures were buying the rights to the rehearsal footage filmed shortly before his death (for $60 Million), which was later made into a movie, followed by the DVD release.

Those rehearsals were in preparation for the '50' Tour that was due to take place in London, starting in July 2009.
Those shows were to be not only his "final curtain call," to quote Jackson, but would have been his first major concert events since 1997.
That's a lot of pressure to deliver and a lot of shows to perform, especially for someone over fifty years of age that hasn't done concert tour shows in 12 years.
 

That pressure led to the physical and mental strain that led to the prescribed medication that clearly became an addiction 
– Jackson died from cardiac arrest brought on by acute propofol (a surgical anaesthetic) intoxication in combination with two sedatives. 

As regards the rehearsals it was no surprise the footage was purchased and made into the massively successful movie This Is It followed by a DVD release 
– the marketing potential and revenue from such was guaranteed to be record breaking (and was).
But what the footage shows is a tired and emaciated man not exactly at his best physically, but the hardcore fans (from the dedicated to the deluded), will never see, accept, or admit that, preferring to equate it to a tortured genius.

Some of his more obsessional followers went to see the film dozens of times and many defended the movie when it was later confirmed that parts of it contained vocal and music inserted from previously released material, as the rehearsal audio was either too poor or too muted to use.
Well, it would be, it was a rehearsal.
It was never meant to be heard or seen by the general public.

And, as the last live production Jackson was associated with, it should have been released freely on the Internet or perhaps with a small download fee attached (the proceeds could have gone directly to his Estate or family).
But that was never going to happen, especially when one considers the money it was clearly going to make. And in light of particular legal and financial issues between the artist, management and promoters...

In June 2009 concert promoter Allgood Entertainment sued Jackson for $40 million, claiming that the singer (through his manager) had agreed to a lucrative reunion concert with The Jackson 5 (and his sister Janet).
The alleged agreement prevented the singer from performing elsewhere before the reunion concert and for a period after it. Agreeing to the '50' shows was therefore an alleged breach of the contract.
Hence the big bucks in respect of the movie.

Columbia Pictures bought the rights to the rehearsal footage with reports stating that Jackson's estate would get 90% of the profits, while AEG Live would get the remaining 10% of the film's revenue.
The film grossed over $260 million worldwide (before DVD sales are even considered), making it the biggest selling documentary/ concert movie film of all time. 

Picture
So, This Is It?
Hardly. The Michael Jackson Story is far from over...

Exactly a year after his demise it was confirmed that revenue since his death (from the This Is It movie, accompanying soundtrack CD, DVD's and other album sales) was in the region of one billion dollars, which also confirms what many of us knew would be a financial fact of life after the fanfare of his death:
Michael Jackson is worth more posthumously than he ever was alive.

As regards those financial facts?
In March 2010 Sony Music Entertainment agreed a $250 million deal with the Jackson estate to control the rights of Michael Jackson's recordings until 2017. 
This deal also includes the rights to release seven posthumous albums in the decade after his death and up to ten albums in total.
The albums will presumably be a mix of previously released material newly presented and unreleased work.

All of which leads to the alternative verdict and an undeniable truth:
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead. Long live the Michael Jackson Story.
And the money to be made from it.

Ross Muir
November 2011

Website and text contents © FabricationsHQ and Ross Muir
All Rights Reserved