The Kids in Hawai - June 24th, 2010

The MJ Tapes Released by the Sun.

TRAGIC recordings of Michael Jackson were published in the Sun on May 11, 2010 - in which he pleads for financial help and fears for his life are revealed.
They show the star sometimes rambling and at other times virtually incoherent.
Desperate to seek refuge from his Neverland ranch and besieged by money worries, the star left a series of messages on a friend's telephone answerphone.

The Sun has not paid for the tapes. They were handed to US journalist Daphne Barak after she wrote a book on celebrity addiction.
Ms Barak told The Sun they had been passed to her by friends, who wished to remain anonymous, to illustrate how the star appeared to be suffering the effects of an addiction to prescription drugs more than SIX YEARS before his death last June.
Daphne said: "Some of Michael's closest confidents talked to me exclusively about his addictions - and provided audio tapes of Michael never heard before. "These demonstrate different states of mind he was experiencing under the influence of pharmaceuticals."

The messages come from 2003. In February that year Jacko was reeling from a public backlash after the Martin Bashir TV documentary exposed him for sharing his bed with children.
Throughout the recordings Jackson, who died aged 50, appears anxious and paranoid his life is under threat.

In the first message he is determined to move away:
"It is Michael calling. It is very important, I want that 150 in that account for me, because... I am very concerned about my life. I am hearing a lot of stories that (name withheld) is still trying to sabotage (inaudible) me and I want to be in a different environment and, um, I've found a place that I like and now (inaudible) I want to be away for a while where they can't find me. So please help me, help (inaudible) help me, and, um, more important than (inaudible). We are brothers".

In a second, his voice is slurred and slow, which Daphne believes is due to medication. He expresses concern about a figure who he says could be involved with the Italian Mafia.
"It is Michael. Ahh, it is 4:30 in the morning here that's why I sound very sleepy (laughs) and I'm really worn out... but please check the message I left a day or so ago. I am very concerned. I don't trust that man. We think he's bad, we think he is Italian mafia. Please... we must be smarter than him. So please, help me with this. I need to get that, those funds so I can do that, I wanna be away. . . I don't want to be in Neverland right now."

In a separate message Jackson again seems to be seeking money urgently.
"If you get this message call me immediately at 805 *** ****. What I want to talk to you about is very top - top secret... I need a German or Swiss bank... "
A little later Jackson calls again asking for cash to be put into an account. He appears to use a code word "Sun Screen" - possibly suggesting protection money.

"I am very embarrassed. But, um, there should be that I have some finance that's coming up January, February 2nd, and um... that's why I, we need to have on Sun Screen to the account 150. Please don't be mad at me for... (inaudible) It's something that's very important to me and my family, because I'm (inaudible) that I'm being stalked and I think it is (name withheld)."
Only one tape - in which Jackson discusses investing in a project linked to the emerging craze for super-heroes - shows the singer at his most lucid. Jackson urges his friend to work with him, saying: "I would love to work together, but as far as timing... The, uh, I really feel in my heart - we must move as fast as we can because the, on the film side of it, ah, I don't know if you have been reading the paper... but Marvel already have sold off their internet rights and the fact that stock is so low now.
"They put out Spider-Man, now they got Incredible Hulk coming, they got X-Men 2 coming and they also got Spider-Man 2 coming. It is going to jump, it's going to change! I mean, you know... and this huge frenzy for superheroes... and all the things we can do... I wanna get in before the stocks... we have to jump in now. The timing is perfect."

Happy Birthday Paris - April 5th, 2010

Paris celebrated her 12th birthday at the Moonlight Rollerway Skating Rink in Glendale this weekend (with Prince and cousin Jaafar).

Michael's Children at Alice in Wonderland - March 8th, 2010.

MJ's Kids Enjoying Karate Class - December 2009 - Encino

The Mourning Jackson 4 Dynasty! An Attempt to Reclaim their Bygone Celebrity.

"The Jacksons Dynasty" reality show, is very much about Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito, men who seem unwilling or unable to let the untimely and more than troubling death of their world-famous brother detract, or even delay, their own myopic plans for recovered glory.

(1) A scene in which the family lawyer informs them that they are contractually obligated to perform a show scheduled before Michael's death is particularly chilling. Jackie briefly argues that they can't because they are grief-stricken, but he is quickly convinced otherwise, and soon the brothers are scarfing up canapés and congratulating themselves on their grace under pressure. They’re still doing this (i.e a concert reunion) because they have to, you see (!!!).

(2) Jermaine has taken it upon himself to be the show’s drama queen. In one sequence, he recalls his break from the Jackson 5 in the mid-1970s, saying his decision to stay at Motown when the others went to CBS Records was not because he was married to Berry Gordy’s daughter. “Motown introduced us to the world,’’ he says, sobbing and inspiring tears!

(3) Tito also plays press manager for other family members toward the end of the second hour, when he takes us on a detour to meet his three sons, a band called 3T. We see 3T trying to record an album but feeling paralyzed by the loss of their Uncle Michael. They’re desperately hoping the world will still be interested in them, just like the rest of the Jackson family. Promotion, promotion, promotion!

(4) At a dance rehearsal the borthers spin and glid like the boy band they once were. In the studion, though, things aren't as smooth. Jermaine commadeers the microphone, and when he goes to lunch, Jackie erases the tracks, saying they "didn't have that Jackson 5 magic". And there you want to say: "of course they didn't -- the magic came from n° 5"!!!

If Michael weren't dead, their antics and self-obsession would be no more or less disturbing than that of other reality show participants. But then, if Michael weren't dead, it's hard to imagine the show seeing the light of day.

One word: PITYFUL...

I generally have a hard time believing anything that any of the "other" Jacksons say. No, I’m not suggesting they’re out-and-out liars. It’s just that their lives have been so thoroughly distorted by media overexposure, they’re always straining to counter public perception, or to feed the tabloid ticker. And their comments are so sopped with grandiose warm-and-fuzzies about love for the fans and love for one another, they generally seem more disingenuous than honest.

Michael Jackson: The King of Art Basel Miami, FL - December 3rd, 2009

Painted by Kehinde Wiley, who's work usually puts hip-hop youth in the context of classical Royal portraiture, the piece was actually commissioned by MJ himself. Unfortunately, MJ died before he could give his input, but Wiley finished it anyway. It's being displayed for the first time at Art Basel. And it's gorgeous!!!

Yvon Lambert also presented two works, Gold Bubbles and Silver Bubbles, by artist Jonathan Monk. Less "my cup of tea"!

I wouldn't be too surprised if we saw more Jackson-inspired artwork at the satellite fairs. Stay tuned!

MJ's Children in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving - November 26th, 2009

MJ's Final Resting Place.

Here is the first photo of MJ's final resting place -- a regal tomb adorned with flowers, framed photos, letters and other souvenirs. At the mausoleum's entrance, visitors are greeted by a huge stained-glass reproduction of da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

MJ's Children at Universal Studios LA - October 17th, 2009

Liz was surrounded by carers and minders during her trip to Universal Studios with MJ's children. Paris and Prince enjoyed the Jurassic Park ride!

MJ's Children at Karate Class - October 17th, 2009

Dawn Barnes Karate Kids Center - Los Angeles, CA.

The King's Last Resting Place.

Michael at his Grandmother's Funeral (1990).

Michael's grandmother Martha Bridges was buried in 1990 at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, where Michael is now resting in peace.