237 postsForbes says Jackson has earned more than $1 billion pre-tax since his death, which is more than enough to pay off his personal debts. in 2105 the estate made $115 million, in part from the Vegas Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson One, the Mijac Music catalogue, recorded music sales and half of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which includes the rights to 250 Beatles songs.
Jackson’s 56th birthday celebration in Gary, Indiana has been transformed to a three day festival event, initiated by his mother Katherine Jackson. The event titled The Michael Jackson Tribute Festival of the Arts is there to encourage other artists to reach their potential. Karvin Johnson, one of the event promoters, comments:
The main thing is to encourage kids that you can express yourself through art.
Another event promoter, Sharon Chamber comments:
I was just kind of hoping this becomes an annual thing… a national tribute to Michael.
James Safechuck, claims that Michael Jackson sexually abused him as a child. The 36-year-old alleges the was abused by Jackson after the two appeared together in a late ’80s Pepsi commercial when Safechuck was 10 years old. He claims that Jackson had allegedly “brainwashed” him into believing that the incidents of sexual abuse were “acts of love,” and that, in 1988, during the Bad tour, Safechuck regularly shared Jackson’s bed and that the abuse continued until he reached puberty.
Howard Weitzman, an attorney for the Jackson estate, responded by saying that Safechuck’s claims should be dismissed.
Mr. Safechuck’s request to file a late claim against the Jackson Estate so he can recover money from Michael’s beneficiary will hopefully be rejected. This is a person that made his claim five years after Michael died, more than 20 years after the incidents supposedly happened and has given sworn testimony that Michael never did anything inappropriate to him.
Safechuck’s petition is scheduled to be heard Sept. 4.
For the first time after being bought by Michael Jackson, Neverland Ranch is up for sale and could sell for up to $85m.
We’ve really just been custodians of an irreplaceable estate and are proud to say we’ve restored it to the original elegance Michael first envisioned. We are now considering putting it up for sale.
Epic Records and MJJ Music releases the second posthumous album Xscape by Jackson. Singles include Love Never Felt So Good, and A Place With No Name. Timbaland, executive producer:
This was very trying, not because it was just a Michael Jackson… kept hearing his voice, it was like, I’m doing Michael Jackson. It got emotional. I had to tell my engineer to stop — we gotta go to something else. It took about a week process to really grasp what I’m doing. And once I grasped what I’m doing, I had to call my mom for prayer like, I need some help, I need some guidance on this, ’cause this is hard
Jackson wins the Billboard Year in Music Survey for Number 1 Pop Album for Thriller.
Epic Records and Sony Entertainment release the first posthumous complication album of unreleased tracks by Jackson titled Michael. Hit singles include Hold My Hand, Hollywood Tonight, Behind The Mask, and (I Like) The Way You Love Me. Brian Oxman, a lawyer for Joe Jackson states:
If Michael had wanted this music released he would have done so before his death. The songs which are being released on the new Michael Jackson album were unfinished and incomplete tracks that Michael said over and over many times he never wanted released. We should honor Michael Jackson’s wishes.
Jackson wins the Apollo Legend Award. Chris Tuckers accepts the award on Jackson’s behalf.
Jackson wins the Barbados Music Award for International Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jackson wins the Billboard Music Award for Billboard Spotlight Award for Invincible. This album is the only new material he released this decade.
Jackson wins AMAs for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album, and Favorite Soul/R&B Album. Jermaine Jackson accepts the awards and pays tribute by wearing a sparkly white glove. Jermaine:
First of all, I would like to thank Allah, for blessing our entire family. It’s not just about the winnings, the awards – it’s really the message. The message that Michael had will live forever, and that’s there’s good in everyone. Start with love, and let’s love each other… We love you, Michael.
Michael Jackson’s This Is It is documentary-concert film directed by Ortega. It documents Jackson’s rehearsals and preparation for the concert series, Michael Jackson’s This Is It. The series is cancelled June 25th due to Jackson’s death and it is the last film he starred in. Jackson’s family tried to stop the movie from being released. La Toya:
Michael always wants to give his best. This is a rehearsal. He wasn’t giving his all. He loves to give his all always. That’s just the way he is. He wants people to see him at the top of the ladder and not half-stepping because he doesn’t want to do a full-out rehearsal.
Jackson is interviewed by ABC about his life and his 50th birthday.
I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things, so that’s hard. I think the best is yet to come, in my true humble opinion.
Jackson appears on the cover of People after dying weeks before his concerts in London were to take place. There were allegations that drug use was involved in Jackson’s death. Source:
Janet was on the phone, but siblings Randy, Jackie and Rebbie were there. Michael got pissed off. He said he wasn’t on drugs. Jackson also drank and took straight morphine, Valium, Xanax, Demerol and OxyContin. It could happen any minute.
Angelou writes a poem in memory of Michael Jackson, and asks Queen Latifah to read the poem at Jackson’s funeral.
In an interview with ABC News, Rowe reveals for the first time why she had Jackson’s children.
I believe there are people who should be parents, and he’s one of them. And he is such a fabulous man, and such a good friend, and he’s always been there for me, always, from the day I met him,
After a late rehearsal the next morning Jackson does not come out of his bedroom. His doctor, Conrad Murray finds Jackson in bed and not breathing. Jackson has a weak pulse, and his body is still warm. After trying to revive Jackson for five to ten minutes Murray calls for help. Murray stated that he was hindered because there was no landline in the house. Murray cannot use his cell phone to call 911 because he does not know the exact address. Murray phones security, but does not get an answer so he runs downstairs, yells for help, and tells a chef to bring security up to the room. By the time security calls 911 at least 30 minutes has passed.
Paramedics reach Jackson at 12:26 p.m. – he is not breathing.
Jackson rehearses the song I Just Can’t Stop Loving You with Hill for the This Is It tour.
Jackson rehearses Beat It for the This is it tour at the Staples center in Los Angeles, California.
Jackson is given a golden elephant as an award for his work in fighting AIDS in Africa. The award ceremony is held at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C., and is presented by AASA (African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association).
This is beautiful. This is a wonderful occasion. I’ve been going to Africa since I was 12 years old, and I take my child on vacation there.
Jackson wins the BMI Urban Award for BMI Icon Award for The Jacksons.
Jackson releases Tabloid Junkie, the eleventh track from his ninth album HIStory. The song chronicles Jackson’s tarnished public reputation from what it once was and it also tells of how the public quickly believe the headlines. In Jackson’s most recent albums, this has been an ongoing subject written both blatantly and passively.
Remember, the press is a business: Newspapers and magazines are in business to make money – sometimes at the expense of accuracy, fairness and even the truth.
Jackson performs We Are The World during the World Music Awards in London, England. Jackson has children join him on stage and he throws his jacket off to a waiting crowd. The event is hosted by Lindsay Lohan who introduces him.
Access Hollywood interviews Jackson in Ireland, talking about how he works in the studio making music.
I like to take sounds and put them on the microscope, and talk about how we want to manipulate the character of it.
They also talk about revisiting Thriller, DVD’s, remix, web saturation, and how with over 100,000,000 copies sold globally, so much could be done.
No, I haven’t really thought about it in that way. I would give it more thought. We haven’t really discussed it yet on that level, but I’m sure at some point we will, but it’s a great thought.
Jackson is audio interviewed by Jesse Jackson. He talks about his roots in the industry during his time starting with Motown and who discovered him.
In complete truth it was Gladys Knight and a guy named Bobby Taylor…Berry Gordy wasn’t interested at first but eventually he loved us and wanted to sign us.
The artist releases his single Just Lose It, from the album, Encore.
The controversial video pokes fun at Michael Jackson, which upset him. Jackson complained about the video, and although Eminem wouldn’t apologize, a few networks (like B.E.T.) refused to play it at his request.
Jackson wins the BMI Award for Butterflies.
Jackson is interviewed by his friend Ratner. They talk about what motivated Jackson to become a visionary, his first break into the music industry, the showtunes and albums that Jackson likes and dislikes. He also discusses how pioneers like Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson, the BeeGees, James Brown and Berry Gordy all pushed him to want to write his hits like Billie Jean, Beat It and Wanna Be Starting Down.
I want to work everyday. Just the idea of creating worlds. It’s like taking a canvas, an empty canvas you know, a clean slate and you paint. You just color and paint, you create worlds. I just love that idea. Anything and to have people see it and they’re awe inspired after they see it.
Jackson is interviewed by his friend Ratner. They talk about how Jackson would be inspired by the pioneer dancers such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown at the Apollo, his love of the sixties era. He also leaves a very profound message for all emerging artists to believe in theirselves as they pursue their dreams.
James Brown and Jackie Wilson made me cry. I never seen nothing like that. That kind of fever feeling, it was like on another higher spiritual plain. They were like in a trance and they had the audience in the palm of their hand. I just love how they could control them like that.
Jackson wins the Billboard Music Award for Commemorated for the Success for Thriller.
Jackson wins the Bambi Award for Pop Artist of the Millennium.
Dear Dr. Burda, Dear Dr. Turnhofer, Ladies and Gentlmen…I have wonderful memories of my visits to Germany…to Berlin, a city full of energy. It’s very special to me. Berlin, I love You.
Jackson performs Unbreakable on during his Invincible tour to promote his album Invincible in Valencia, California.
Jackson is interviewed by Rita Cosby in New York. They talk about the exploitation of artists who face racism with Sony president, Tommy Mattola, Jackson’s financial situation, his anger over how the media is sold over bad news rather than positive stories. Jackson also highlights how Reverend Al Sharpton’s impact on representing African Americans artists in the music industry.
I think it’s important to be here. I’m not just fighting for myself I’m fighting for all artists. Some great artists who’ve pioneered the entertainment business as well as songwriting as well as incredible staging. But the fact that they have been taken by the system. Totally broken financially and this has to stop it’s a conspiracy.
Prince Michael Jackson II, whose nickname is Blanket, is born San Diego, CA. He is the third child born to Jackson and he has two older half siblings, Prince and Paris. His mother’s identity is unknown and he is the result of artificial insemination.
Jackson wins the American Music Award for Artist of the Century.
I’d like to thank all the important people in my life, my Mother and Father…
Jackson releases his 10th album Invincible with co-producer, Jerkins. Hit singles include You Rock My World, Speechless, Butterflies, Cry, and Heaven Can Wait. Jerkins:
He was super vocal. He was so hands on. I’m talking about from the high hat to everything. The sound quality was so important to him. He looked at everything under a microscope, like, “The middle frequency is too much”–he was very technical. He use to always say, “Melody is king” so he really focused in on melody.
Jackson is audio interviewed by Anthony Decurtis and talks about the creation of the You Rock My World video, the inspiration to create Ghosts with a comical edge, the Guinness Book of World records recognition and what inspires him to create original music. He also talks about how important it is to be an innovator and pioneer as an artist.
I kinda parallel it to a, uh, you know… It’s like the gestation process of, uh, birth. You know, it’s a… You know, it’s like having children, and having to raise them and bring them out into the world, and once they get into the world they’re on their own. So, it’s, it’s, very exciting. I mean, you never get too used to it, ever. It’s, uh, an incredible process. But you leave it in the hands of God, like you do when you’re having a child.
In a court hearing Rowe relinquishes parental rights of her two kids, Prince and Paris, to Jackson. Rowe:
Michael is a wonderful man, first of all, a brilliant father. And it’s the best — as their mother, it is the best interest for the children.I don’t know if Judge Lachs understands this. But when I was seeing them every 45 days, it felt like an intrusion on their life and they’re going to have enough intrusions as it is. I don’t want to be part of it.
Jackson is asked by Winfrey, what it’s like working with Quincy Jones.
He’s very professional, very talented and he’s a musical visionary, and he’s been around, as you know, a very long time.
Jackson performsYou Rock My World on his 30th anniversary special at Madison Square Garden in New York. The concert airs on MTV, during the show Total Request Live.
Jackson performs Can You Feel It with his brothers in during his 30th Anniversary show in New York at Madison Square Garden.
Rowe and Jackson divorce. She relinquishes custody of her two children, Prince and Paris. She receives a settlement of $8.5 million, an SUV and a Beverly Hills home. She receives an additional $2 million for entering into a confidentiality agreement.
I did it for him to become a father, not for me to become a mother. You earn the title parent. I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title/
Jackson wins the Bollywood Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Award for Humanitarian endeavors.
Thank you very much. Thank you very much for this honor you have awarded to me tonight. I have always believed that the real measure of celebrity success was not just how famous he becomes but what he does with that fame and fortune, especially in today’s technological and media advanced society. The attention and fortune showered on an individual celebrity is often times immensely disproportionate to his or her achievements. Today a person can literally become a celebrity overnight throughout the entire world and that kind of attention can become difficult for an individual to handle. I have also learned that such fame can also be an effective medium to focus attention and mobilize resources for a worthy cause.
Jackson is interviewed by Oprah Winfrey about the controversy surrounding the reason his skin is lighter than it was when he was a child, his struggle with vitiligo and how he is hurting over the false claims that he is not happy with who he is—an African American man.
Okay, but number one, this is the situation. I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin, it’s something that I cannot help. Okay. But when people make up stories that I don’t want to be who I am it hurts me.
Jackson wins the Billboard Music Award for Most #1 Hits by Male Artist (13) On Billboard “Hot 100” Singles Chart.
Jackson wins the Bravo Magazine Award for Silver Otto Award.
Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson is born in Beverly Hills, CA. She is second child born to Jackson and Rowe.
Jackson was overjoyed by fatherhood and took full responsibility for raising the children.
Jackson performs Man In The Mirror at the Grammy Awards for album Bad.
Jackson wins the Bob Fosse Award for Best Choreography in a Music Video for Ghosts.
Jackson releases his version of Smile, a song originally written by Charlie Chaplin for the score of his self-directed 1936 film Modern Times.
You have to have that tragedy, that pain to pull from. That’s what makes a clown great. You can see he’s hurting behind the masquerade. He’s something else externally. Charles Chaplin did that so beautifully, better than anyone. I can play off those moments, too. I’ve been through the fire many times.
