MJ's Will

The first pictures of Michael Jackson's will have been released, naming his mother Katherine as guardian of his children - with that responsibility passing to singer Diana Ross in the event of his mother dying.

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Exclusive: Michael Jackson Rehearsal Staples Center June 23, 2009

Michael Jackson was energetic and excited. He popped his signature moonwalk and dance spins that gave chills to some of those watching.

As he walked to his car, he put his arm around concert promoter Randy Phillips and -- as Phillips later recounted -- in his soft voice, whispered: "Thank you, I know we're going to get it there together. I know I can do this."

That was late Wednesday night, June 24. A few hours later, Jackson was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead.

"All I know is that the Michael Jackson that hugged me and said 'goodnight' was a healthy, vibrant human being about to undertake the greatest undertaking of his life," Phillips said Thursday. "And something happened between 12:30 when he left us and the morning when I had to rush to the hospital when I got the first call."

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A World Without Michael Jackson Has A Lot Less Magic In It

Michael Jackson spent approximately 45 percent of his life as a cherubic, preternaturally gifted, exquisitely Afro-ed kid from Gary, Indiana, and the remaining 55 percent of it as the most famous man on the planet. This probably explains everything about him: his eccentricities (real or imagined), his music, his triumphs and tribulations and, ultimately, his death. Michael Jackson was never a normal person; he never had a normal childhood (his father put him to work in the family business — the Jackson 5 — at the age of 5), and he segued from that directly into an exceedingly abnormal adulthood, one spent directly beneath the megawatt glare of the spotlight. He lived — and died — smothered by fame.

I'm not writing this to eulogize Jackson, or to explain away the things he may or may not have done. I'm just pointing out the fact that he lived a fairly isolated, probably lonely life.

Which that brings me to the point of this column. Even if, for most of the past two decades, Jackson seemed to exist solely for the pleasure of the tabloids, at least he was alive. There was a sort of comfort in knowing that the guy who made Thriller (and Off the Wall and Bad) was still with us. It seemed like he would never die — that in some bizarre way he was immortal, a living bridge between pop music's past and present. He was a beacon of permanence in increasingly un-permanent times.

Of course, that all ended last week. Which means that, for the first time in nearly four decades, there will be kids who grow up without ever knowing what it's like to have Michael Jackson in their lives. This is amazing when you think about it, not to mention a little sad and frightening.

Because what happens now that the King of Pop is dead? Who will amaze, enthrall, and engage the next generation of music fans now that he's gone? Who will make the 18-minute music videos, or stage the mega-tours, or release the concert films that will melt these kids' minds? Who will write the pop tunes that will make them laugh and cry and fall in love? Who will have them aping dance moves on the linoleum floors of their kitchens, or putting on ridiculous sparkly gloves for Halloween? Sure, some people will — but they won't be like Michael Jackson.

Jackson's death has left a gaping, generation-sized hole in the entertainment world, one that — as I'm sure they'd agree — a hundred Justins or Britneys or Jiggas or Kanyes will never fill. That's the reality of the situation. We've witnessed the end of something here; something we probably won't be able to comprehend anytime soon.

One of my best friends and his wife just had a baby boy, seven pounds of awesome named Carlos Antonio Ortiz. So far, Little 'Los has had a pretty excellent life, except for the part where MJ died. He is only three weeks old, so I haven't had the heart to tell him this yet, but for the rest of his life, he will exist in a world without Michael Jackson, which is to say that it's basically all downhill from here. Sure, he will have heroes, people he will emulate and idolize, but none of them will be able to do the Moonwalk, not even his dad. No offense, Jason.

And the sad thing is, there are millions of Carloses out there now. More are born every minute. And sure, their mothers and fathers will probably play them Michael Jackson's music, will try to explain to them who this man was and what he meant to the world. But it won't be the same, not for any of them, because they won't have a reference point, they won't have the real thing. Jackson now will exist only in stories and videos and recorded music.

Sure, there will undoubtedly be more Michael Jackson albums in the future. Unreleased songs and demos, the recordings of rehearsals for his upcoming run of shows at London's O2 Arena, posthumous releases that won't have one one-hundredth of the heart and soul of "She's Out of My Life" or "Black or White." It's entirely possible that these "new" releases will introduce a whole new generation of fans to his music, and that, in death, Michael Jackson will become even more famous. Though I somehow doubt that. For starters, I don't think it's even possible to be more famous that MJ is/was. And, perhaps more importantly, because there's nothing like the genuine article. And there never will be again.

Of course, you'll have to take my word for it, Carlos, but trust me: Michael Jackson was unreal. You'll never know what you missed.

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Permission Denied for Michael Jackson Burial at Neverland

Michael Jackson will not be allowed to rest in peace at his beloved Neverland Ranch.



The singer's family, who wanted a funeral at Jackson's former home north of Santa Barbara, was not able to obtain a residential exemption required for a burial on private property.

"Contrary to previous news reports, the Jackson family is officially stating that there will be no public or private viewing at Neverland," says a Jackson family statement. "Plans are underway regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly."

Colony Capital, the investment company that purchased Neverland in May 2008, tried to get an exemption for burial. "They couldn't get it in time," a Colony spokesperson says.

As for reports that Jackson's body is being held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, William Martin, communications director for the funeral home, won't confirm or deny if Jackson will be buried there.

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Michael Jackson Shatters Billboard

Given the news all week of his posthumous sales surge, it comes as no surprise that MJ is officially the King of Pop charts again.



According to Nielsen SoundScan, Michael Jackson albums and Jackson-related compilations hold the top nine positions on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog chart, all posting remarkable jumps in sales in the days following the singer's death. (SoundScan tracks sales through the close of business on Sunday.)

Jackson himself holds a record eight of the top 10 spots, while a Jackson 5 compilation also landed in the upper tier of the chart. His Number Ones greatest hits package leads the pack at #1, selling more than 108,000 copies, a staggering 2,340 percent sales increase. The Essential Michael Jackson and Thriller follow at #2 and #3, selling more than 102,000 and 101,000 copies, respectively.

His breakthrough Off the Wall album is at #4, selling more than 33,000 copies nearly 30 years after it was initially released. The Jackson 5's Ultimate Collection is next at #5, with sales of more than 18,000 copies. His 1987 Bad album returns at #6 (17,000 sold); Dangerous is at #7 (14,000); HIStory — Volume 1 is at #8 (12,000); and the 2004 Jackson box set, The Ultimate Collection, lands at #9 (11,000).

The lone non-Jackson album in the top 10 is a reissue of the "Woodstock" movie soundtrack, which sold 8,000 copies to snag the #10 spot.

All in all, Jackson's solo albums sold more than 415,000 copies this past week, according to SoundScan, an amazing number, considering his titles sold a combined 10,000 copies in the week prior to his death. The one-week total is also nearly 40 percent more than what his catalog had sold in all of 2009.

Of the 415,000 albums sold, 58 percent were digital downloads, which means Jackson has set another record: He's the first artist to hold six of the top 10 slots on the Digital Albums chart, including the top four spots. He also holds a staggering 25 songs on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart, smashing a record set by David Cook last year.

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Funeral plans revealed

MJ will tomorrow return to his beloved Neverland ranch - where his body will lie in state for grieving fans to say their goodbyes.



His coffin will be driven through Los Angeles before making a 130-mile journey to Neverland, site of the his former fantasy home.

The body will go on display on Friday, possibly in a glass coffin, and is expected to be buried at the ranch at the weekend.
It is thought an amazing fairytale carriage will bear Jacko's coffin on the last trip to his beloved playground home.

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The white horse-drawn coach is being kept under wraps until the moment comes when Jacko's coffin is expected to be tenderly lifted on to it.

A Jackson family source said last night they want Michael to "look like a prince" as fans pay their last respects. And the carriage is set to be the focal point in part of the star's last journey.

Vast crowds are expected to watch the King of Pop's coffin taken through the streets of Los Angeles, starting at 10am local time tomorrow.

A 30-car motorcade will then make the drive to the remote 2,800-acre site of Neverland in Santa Barbara County.

It is believed he will then be buried at Neverland. A source said: "Details are still being finalised. The family will make an announcement soon."

The Jackson source added: "The family want to give him a really special send off. They want the carriage to be a surprise for everyone. They want it to add a wow factor to the day. It is being kept hidden and is top secret."

The carriage was last night being kept near the family home in LA. Los Angeles Police Department are planning a huge security and traffic control operation.

The family source said: "Thursday will be his final, grand journey from Los Angeles to Neverland. Friday will be the big public event, with fans able to pay their respects.

"Michael always said Neverland kept him young. It seems fitting. On Sunday there will be a memorial service for his family and close friends to mourn in private."


Read more here: thesun.co.uk

Jacko's 'final video' mystery

The video was produced at Culver City Studios in California and Jacko was on set "most days" during filming.

Two people who worked on the project confirmed its existence to a US news agency, but were unable to divulge further as both had signed confidentiality contracts.

Four sets were constructed, including a cemetery depicting Jacko's legendary Thriller video.

The project, which is now in post production, was shot between June 1-9 and is expected to be completed on July 15.

The purpose of the video is unclear, however, it has been reported music-video company Stimulated Inc are behind it.

According to their website, the firm was hired to produce screen content for Jacko's This Is It tour at London's O2 Arena.

Family Wants Jackson Funeral at Neverland

Fans of Michael Jackson may get a chance to take part in laying the superstar to rest.

According to a lawyer who works for the family, Brian Oxman, the Jacksons are looking into the possiblity of having a memorial service for the late singer at his Neverland ranch near Santa Barbara.

"They want something, but logistical problems are enormous," Oxman said of the family's hopes to have a public memorial on Friday, followed by a private funeral on Sunday. The lawyer stressed that it was "premature" to say whether the services can actually be held at the ranch.

Citing the Santa Barbara's Sherriff Department, E! Online earlier reported that plans were already underway to accommodate large crowds at the estate.

"Our guys are meeting as we speak with the California Highway Patrol to discuss the security issues," said Lt. Butch Arnoldi, a department spokesman, according to the Web site.

But Oxman was far from certain: "It could happen in Neverland or L.A.," he said. "The family will make an announcement."

PHOTOS: MJ's Last Concert Rehearsal

Photos from Michael Jackson's last performance, taken just two days before his death, have surfaced and show the King of Pop rehearsing for his upcoming London tour.



MJ, dressed in several stage outfits and showing off his dance moves with backup dancers, was photographed at a rehearsal inside L.A.'s Staples Center on June 23 where "he had great energy," according to producer Ken Ehrlich, an executive at AEG, the company that was promoting the singer's tour.

Ehrlich, who watched the performance and met with Jackson, tells, "He was definitely in rehearsal mode [and] wasn't giving it full out. But vocally, he had started to really project. I thought he was in great form. He just seemed really healthy. He really looked good and he was very upbeat."



During their brief 20-minute conversation, MJ was "cracking jokes," adds Ehrlich. "He was having a good time. During rehearsal, I could tell that he was feeling it. He was feeling good. He was on his way to giving a great performance."

Photos by: Kevin Mazur / AEG / Getty