The Michael Jackson Story: One Year On
Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of the late 20th Century, and was responsible for some of the most successful pop & 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 choreography & classic dance terms, no Fred Astaire (who was, however, clearly an influence).
He was this generations Elvis Presley, so 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 simply child-like in character?
Tragically misunderstood individual, or child abuser?
The last two issues are probably intertwined, and explain the link between his genuine love for the company of children and the abuse accusations that were to the fore in 1993/ 94, then 2003-05.
I believe he probably did sleep with kids, but I mean actually slept with them, as part of sleepovers - for comfort and friendship - not paedophilia.
As regards those accusations?
It took 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.
What is very interesting to note is that after those episodes, and in his later years, he was pilloried by many Stateside, and seen as a 'weirdo' or alleged 'kiddie-fiddler'.
Indeed I would surmise that's one of the reasons his big comeback/ final hurrah was to be in the U.K., where he retained an incredibly passionate and dedicated fan base throughout his career including when personal problems arose.
Yet after his death the U.S. public (most, but certainly not all) expressed an incredible outpouring of grief and sympathy, and over 30 million people in the States alone watched the televised memorial service.
But 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), and the truth behind all such troubles will probably never be known, much the same as the facts surrounding his death - even if and when a definitive verdict is delivered.
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 believes he was intentionally killed. His personal Physician, Conrad Murray, was put in the frame for at least 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.
As regards the mystery surrounding his death and, more importantly, the enquiries thereafter, that's of no surprise as there is no way this will be left 'open' or documented as an addiction or overdose (unintentional or otherwise) by the singer.
Such addictions (he died from cardiac arrest brought on from a prescription drug overdose) may however have been caused by the pressures of preparing 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", 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, for someone over fifty years of age that hasn't done concert tour shows in twelve years.
And it was a no brainer the rehearsal footage would be bought and made into a massively successful movie ('This Is It') followed by DVD release, as the marketing potential and revenue from such would almost certainly be record breaking (and was - see later).
What the footage shows however is a tired and emaciated man not exactly at his best physically, but the more obsessional or hardcore fan will never see, accept, or admit that, preferring to equate it to a tortured genius.
His more dedicated followers would have gone to see the movie multiple 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's a rehearsal, and 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 with a small download fee attached (the cost of which should 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.
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 unclear facts of his death:
Michael Jackson is worth more posthumously than he ever was when 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.
And as regards that unclear death?
In February 2010 Conrad Murray was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with Jackson dying from a prescription drug overdose. The doctor pleaded not guilty, and reportedly plans to claim Jackson fatally injected himself.
All of which leads to the undeniable truths of the matter:
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead - Long live the Michael Jackson Story.
And the money to be made from it.
Ross Muir
June 2010
(updated and expanded from the original August 2009 article)
Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of the late 20th Century, and was responsible for some of the most successful pop & 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 choreography & classic dance terms, no Fred Astaire (who was, however, clearly an influence).
He was this generations Elvis Presley, so 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 simply child-like in character?
Tragically misunderstood individual, or child abuser?
The last two issues are probably intertwined, and explain the link between his genuine love for the company of children and the abuse accusations that were to the fore in 1993/ 94, then 2003-05.
I believe he probably did sleep with kids, but I mean actually slept with them, as part of sleepovers - for comfort and friendship - not paedophilia.
As regards those accusations?
It took 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.
What is very interesting to note is that after those episodes, and in his later years, he was pilloried by many Stateside, and seen as a 'weirdo' or alleged 'kiddie-fiddler'.
Indeed I would surmise that's one of the reasons his big comeback/ final hurrah was to be in the U.K., where he retained an incredibly passionate and dedicated fan base throughout his career including when personal problems arose.
Yet after his death the U.S. public (most, but certainly not all) expressed an incredible outpouring of grief and sympathy, and over 30 million people in the States alone watched the televised memorial service.
But 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), and the truth behind all such troubles will probably never be known, much the same as the facts surrounding his death - even if and when a definitive verdict is delivered.
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 believes he was intentionally killed. His personal Physician, Conrad Murray, was put in the frame for at least 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.
As regards the mystery surrounding his death and, more importantly, the enquiries thereafter, that's of no surprise as there is no way this will be left 'open' or documented as an addiction or overdose (unintentional or otherwise) by the singer.
Such addictions (he died from cardiac arrest brought on from a prescription drug overdose) may however have been caused by the pressures of preparing 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", 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, for someone over fifty years of age that hasn't done concert tour shows in twelve years.
And it was a no brainer the rehearsal footage would be bought and made into a massively successful movie ('This Is It') followed by DVD release, as the marketing potential and revenue from such would almost certainly be record breaking (and was - see later).
What the footage shows however is a tired and emaciated man not exactly at his best physically, but the more obsessional or hardcore fan will never see, accept, or admit that, preferring to equate it to a tortured genius.
His more dedicated followers would have gone to see the movie multiple 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's a rehearsal, and 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 with a small download fee attached (the cost of which should 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.
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 unclear facts of his death:
Michael Jackson is worth more posthumously than he ever was when 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.
And as regards that unclear death?
In February 2010 Conrad Murray was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in connection with Jackson dying from a prescription drug overdose. The doctor pleaded not guilty, and reportedly plans to claim Jackson fatally injected himself.
All of which leads to the undeniable truths of the matter:
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, is dead - Long live the Michael Jackson Story.
And the money to be made from it.
Ross Muir
June 2010
(updated and expanded from the original August 2009 article)