Is Sony Music Suspect?

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Dangerous Incorporated

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They gather on social networking sites, message boards and chat sites to discuss and organize the information they have spent the last eleven months digging up. The conspiracy theories regarding the murder of Michael Jackson are no longer theory.


June 3, 2010 - As the year closes on the death of the most successful pop music star in history, many fans have channeled their mourning into something a little more constructive.

They gather on social networking sites, message boards forums and chat sites to discuss, share and organize the information they have spent the last eleven months digging up. The conspiracy theories regarding the murder of Michael Jackson are no longer just theory. They are compelling ties of information in some long forgotten battles the pop star has had with business associates, attorneys and the recording label he generated billions of dollars for during his 20 years with Sony (after it bought out CBS and Epic Records).

The story that is unfolding across Twitter, Facebook and chatrooms from across the world would leave any creative-savvy director drooling for the rights to make it into a movie. But is it fantasy or are the fans really on to something?

What started as a simple, single suspect in Jackson’s death has grown into an international, multi-teamed investigation that has turned up motive that ensnares ex-Jackson employees, business managers, attorneys, financiers and multi-national corporations; one of them being the last label for which Jackson recorded. Sony Music Corporation.

Those unfamiliar with Jackson’s battles with Sony would have to become educated with the struggle Jackson had back in 2002 with his last original album, “Invincible”. His wrangling with Tommy Mottola, then head of Sony, made headlines. Jackson accused Mottola of being a “racist” and a “devil” during a speech he made at a press conference held by Reverend Al Sharpton over the treatment of black artists by the recording industry. Things went downhill from there.

Prancing over the Facebook pages of Jackson support groups, you can find diagrams of inter-business relationships around Jackson during his last seven years, compelling graphs and time lines of intersecting events amongst thousands of pictures of Michael Jackson. What is striking is that as this has been building since the death of the singer last year, nary a word has been mentioned in the press. Even live U-Stream interviews with various members of the Jackson Camp has drawn little attention. The fans want to know why, but believe they already know.

Web sites such as michaeljacksonjustice.com, MJJ-777.com, Reflectionsonthedance.com and blog sites such as Michaelsguardian.blogspot.com, Thisisnotit.com are compiling a case that the L.A.P.D. should be investigating, but aren’t. A case surrounding information few outside of Jackson fanhood know about: The struggle between Michael and Sony over ownership of a multi-billion dollar music catalog.

Michael and Sony shared 50% of this catalog after Michael sold half of his ownership to Sony in 1995. This is the same catalog that comprised of about 250 of the “Beatles” songs, “Little Richard” and others. Back in 2002, Michael went public with Sony’s attempt to sabotage his album “Invincible” to force him into bankruptcy to get him to put his 50% up for sale. The following year, a damaging documentary about Michael Jackson made by a BBC employee, Martin Bashir, surfaced and investigations into alleged child abuse from Jackson began.

The investigations made by fans all over the world is compelling. The linkage of personal business relationships, conflicts of interest, politically motivated corruption in the California justice department, Payoffs and campaign favors, a forged will, a planned murder, a concert promoter and the media itself have been documented and linked. If you ever want to solve a case, ask a fan of the victim.

What incentive do Jackson fans have, to pour what one fan posted “eight to ten hour days” investigating business and tax records, campaign contributions and interviews?

“It’s all for love . . .” Is posted all over the boards.

Regardless of the sensationalism of the story unfolding, fans are frustrated. They are frustrated because they feel that Michael Jackson, is again, not being treated fairly by the justice system in L.A. County. The fans believe that Dr. Conrad Murray was treated much better for murdering Michael, then Michael was treated for a crime he did not commit. They cite the case of Richard Fine as proof that Michael’s murderer will never get justice.

Is Sony Suspect? Was Michael Jackson murdered over the multi-billion dollar value of MiJack and Sony/ATV music catalogs? Did L.A. County have incentive to charge Michael’s doctor with only involuntary manslaughter instead of murder? Are campaigns in L.A. County being paid for by multi-national corporations tied to Michael Jackson to throw the investigation? Did AEG, Michael’s concert promoter conspire with Sony and Michael’s estate handlers to profit from Michael’s death before he even died?

If that is what happened, the state of California should be embarrassed that fans are handling the investigation better than they are.

If that is not what happened, it would sure make an excellent movie!



http://www.i-newswire.com/is-sony-music-suspect/40810
 
Thanks for the info I saw this in the other section and could not post on it, I believe as these fans do there is way to much information about sony past to ignore the connection with the estate (branca) and AEG etc and how michael felt about sony, these fans are fighting world wide and there is suppose to be an on going investigation on all these people that were around michael that led to is death. and there is a civil rights group based in california that suppose to go to washington this year for this cause.
 
I was familiar with mjj-777.com & love the site, but in checking the others, that I missed I came across this timeline, very similar but she has info on 2008 that I think is good:

link:
http://michaelsguardian.blogspot.com/2010/06/where-grit-hits-gears.html

April 2008

April 8: The foreclosure auction has been scheduled for March 19, Santa Barbara County courthouse but MJ managed to scratch up $3 million as a good-faith payment to the note holder, Fortress Investments.
That bought him a 60-day reprieve/ extension. with Fortress Investments. In parallel MJ officially dismissed manager-publicist Raymone Bain from all her jobs. Bain had been unofficially cut off some months ago, but this is it. She’s supposedly done. However, in photographs of March 4-7, 2009 of MJ in London for the O2 announcement she is in the entourage, and of course later in June 2009 we see her on TV as MJ spokeswoman.

Also gone, during this time is Londell McMillan, the lawyer who helped MJ arrange a deal with Fortress and deliver $3M payment. McMillan tried to sort out the MJ legal drama. In comes MJ reps, attorney Peter Lopez on the West Coast and Greg Cross on the East. MJ has worked with Peter Lopez since 2006. Peter Lopez has proved a vital connection for many reasons, not the least of which is his close relationship to the Maloof brothers of Las Vegas. (Remember Peter Lopez? Found dead on his front lawn, gunshot wound. Suspicious but ruled homicide). They’ve allowed Jackson and his family/ entourage to live at the Palms Hotel and Casino for free for months. (pay attention on this detail because the Palms Hotel comes back in the picture in the late summer of 2009 w/ Jackson family) - I have not received this information yet, but will include in tomorrow's update. Anyone else with this information please feel free to post below.

There is some good news for Jackson, however. His "Thriller 25th anniversary" album has turned into the steadiest selling CD of 2008. The repackaged, remixed set sold 24,000 copies in one week.

Jackson gets his first "gold" record in a zillion years, and the second for the same album that was released in 1983. "Thriller" keeps thrilling. AEG is courting him, as per several Randy Phillips interview comments. So on reflection of this, Jackson should take the deal he's offered in London by AEG Live and perform it 10 times, for a million bucks per show. It's sort of a no-brainer for getting some cash flowing for MJ. MJ had great assets but he was cash poor. It was not all about overspending; it was trying to maintain the operation of Neverland as a site to bring joy and amusement to children and adults for free. That wasn't free for Michael. Upkeep on the Ranch ran between $7 - $10 million a year for insurance, maintenance on rides, the zoo, grounds and security.

July 8 : Thome signs with Juliens Auctions the Auction Consignment contract

November 7 : Today, Billboard has confirmed that there is a standing offer with no expiration from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2.

November 11 : Neverland - Sycamore Valley Ranch Co.,LLC conveyed for allegedly $35,000,000. Forest Investment is paid off (~$24.5M) and out of the picture. MJ is now in partnership with Colony Capital and Sycamore Valley Ranch Co.,LLC. Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC is owned by an affiliate of investment firm Colony Capital LLC, and Michael Jackson himself. The amount of shares Michael owns is not known. MJ's interest's are represented by Londell McMillian.


December 12, 2008 Ian Halperin makes wild claims about MJ. Tohme rebuts by saying that MJ is in good health and is finishing negotiations with a major entertainment company for a world tour and a series of specials and appearances.

December 22 2008 : Dr. Murray issues drugs to MJ (LA autopsy report)


MJ Timeline portion of 2009

January : At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Michael (with Blanket and Dr Tohme Tohme by his side), meets an AEG delegation headed by Philip Anschutz, its billionaire founder, AEG's chief executive Tim Leiweke, Randy Phillips, who heads up AEG Live and Paul Gongaware.

Michael signs a deal for 10 concerts in London 2009 summer and he also accepts to submit to a rigorous medical check-up at his LA home. (It is said that MJ signed away all his assets as security (? similar to Annie Liebowitz eh) ; AEG kept increasing the number of concert dates because they didn’t want him to honor the contract ?)

January 06 : Dr Tohme Tohme confirms that Michael has leased a Bel Air mansion for $100,000 a month. Tohme Tohme says the pop icon wanted to be closer to "where all the action is" in the entertainment industry.

January 2009 : Barrack of Colony Capital starts to renovate Neverland


January 14 : Michael goes to see Dr Klein in Beverly Hills with Blanket.

January 30 : Christian Audigier visits Michael at his Bel Air home.

February 06 : Michael goes to see Dr Klein in Beverly Hills

February 07 : Michael goes to the Bel Air Hotel for a business meeting with Dr Tohme.

February 10 : Michael goes to see Dr Klein in Beverly Hills

February 13 : Michael hosts a party for Prince's 12th birthday at the Bel Air home.

February 18 : The medias reveal that Michael is in secret talks with AEG Live to stage his pop revival with up to 30 dates at the O2 arena in London.

February 21 : Michael hosts a party for Blanket 7th birthday at the Bel Air home.

February 27 : Michael goes shopping with Christian Audigier in L.A.

March 01 : In an interview to hollywood.tv, Christian Audigier reveals that Michael is about to go to London to give a press conference next march 05 in order to announce a new tour next summer!

March 03 : Michael lands via private jet of Harrod's owner Mohammed Al-Fayeds at Luton Airport, London around 2pm with Prince, Paris, Blanket and manager Dr Tohme Tohme. They check in the hoyel Lanesborough, Park Lane. The rest of the MJ entourage is at the Marriott (nearby).

March 04 : MJJ Productions, file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Julien's Auction House. It claims founder Darren Julien promised to send Michael an inventory of sale items, but that the singer hasn't given permission to move them all.

The suit claims many of the items are "priceless and irreplaceable" and describes the attempt to sell them as "malicious, fraudulent, extreme, outrageous and without any legal justification whatsoever."

MJJ Productions authorized the auction house to remove the items from Jackson's Neverland Ranch, according to court documents, but not to sell them without Jackson's permission. (Remember Barrack is now at Neverland making renovations/ improvements since January)

March 05 : Michael announces his last concerts in London beginning on July 08 during a short press conference at the O2 Arena. The event named "This Is It" .

The touring deal with concert promoter AEG Live was arranged by a Colony Capital associate Dr Tohme Tohme who has been Michael's manager and president of MJJ Productions for a year. As part of the deal, AEG's corporate parent, Anschutz Corp., agreed to invest in a pet project of Mr. Jackson's, a 3-D feature film based on his song and music video "Thriller."

People close to the singer say that he is eager to return to work. "Between Anschutz and us, he's got plenty of capital," said Tom Barrack, Colony's chief executive. "He's serious, he's focused, he's healthy and he's listening." To obtain insurance for the tour, AEG arranged for an independent physician to conduct a five-hour physical exam of Mr. Jackson. "He passed with flying colors," said AEG's Mr. Phillips.

"For the first time in his life, Michael Jackson has people around him who believe in him and look after him," said Dr. Tohme. "And are trying to help him and advance his career."

March 06 : Michael goes to see the musical "Oliver" at the Royal Theatre in London with Prince, Paris, Blanket as well as Mark Lester and his children Lucy, Harriet, Olivia & Felix.

March 7: The Comeback

In an interview the newspaper The Times says Randy Phillips, president of the promotion company AEG Live, the London concerts first step of a three-year tour and the release of a new album are the. Future concerts could, if the shows are going well in London, New York, Paris and Mumbai to take place. According to AEG Live, the ten concerts in O2 Arena last two hours and Michael Jackson will not perform in 2009 at any other place.

March 08 : Michael and his entourage fly back to Los Angeles.

March 11 : Pre-sale begins on Ticketmaster for Michael's concerts. 40 dates are added.

Michael goes shopping in L.A.

March 13 : Tickets for Michael's 50 live dates at London's O2 arena sell out within 4 hours on Ticketmaster!

March 13: Randy Phillips does interview wth Skynews London in which he mentions he spoke to Michael on previous date by phone to let him know of the status of the O2 preseal of tickets. He relates that Michael was choked up a/k/a crying at hearing this news.

March 16: It discusses an inner circle of people and Peter Lopez is mentioned and quoted. The plans for 10 shows not 50 as well as Michael Jackson's health are all in this article that was written over a year before his death. Source: sdparanormal

March 19 : Michael goes to see Dr Klein in Beverly Hills.

March 23 : Michael goes to his doctor's in Beverly Hills with Blanket.

March 29, 2009: New Manager

Michael Jackson has hired a new manager: Leonard Rowe.

"I am very pleased that Leonard has accepted my offer to manage my business affairs during this important time in my career," Michael Jackson announced in the press release. "Leonard Rowe, long time friend and business partner, in whose decisions I gained confidence."

Rowe works for the Jackson family for about 30 years. End of the 70s and early 80s he Promoted the concert tours of the Jacksons. The fact that Michael Jackson once again takes his services, pleases Leonard Rowe. "We worked hard together and wrote history on the Off The Wall Tour. I am grateful to Michael for this opportunity and look forward to again working with my friend to provide a successful and historic comeback safe, " Stated in the press release from Champion Management.

April 1 2009 : Michael goes to the Bel Air Hotel for a business meeting with Dr Tohme.

April 3 : Michael hosts a party for Paris's 11th birthday at the Bel Air home. Grace R. attends the party and soon after she is "terminated" by Dr Tohme.

April 4 : Michael goes to Las Vegas where he and Kenny Ortega attend the show "Le Rêve" at the Wynn resort

April 4, 2009: Manager - hoax?

Fox News columnist Roger Friedman claimed last week that had the press release of Michael Jackson `s manager change as one invention. Leonard Rowe does not work for Michael Jackson, and the message is merely an attempt by him and Jackson's father Joseph Jackson, to benefit also from the 02 shows.

Friedman claims that Tohme was still the one who cared for Jackson’s business. C. Ransom, of Mosnar Communications publicist released a statement yesterday on behalf of Rowe: "At this time the legendary Leonard Rowe has no comment in relation to Michael Jackson` s representation. " Source: mosnarcommunications.blogspot.com, Fox News, mjjboard, div

April 9 : Michael goes shopping in Beverly Hills.

April 10 : Michael goes to the Bel Air Hotel for a business meeting.

April 13/14/15 : Auditions take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood to select the dancers for Michael's upoming concerts. Michael attends the final call back on the 15th along with his choreographer Travis Payne and creative director Kenny Ortega. They select 6 men (with 4 understudies) and 2 women (with 2 understudies) on a 2-year contract to perform “national” and “international” venues on the “This Is It” tour

April 14 : LOS ANGELES – A collection of Michael Jackson's possessions from Neverland Ranch is safe from the auctioneer's gavel now that the pop singer and Julien's Auction House have reached a settlement to their dispute over whether 2,000 items were ever intended for sale.

Specific terms were not disclosed. But, in short, Jackson keeps his things, while Julien's keeps its exhibition, which was open to the public and originally meant to promote next week's sale.

"There was so much interest from so many of Jackson's fans that instead of putting the items in the hands of private collectors, Dr. Tohme and Julien's Auction House have made arrangements that will allow the collection to be shared with and enjoyed by Jackson's fans for many years to come," read a joint statement from Jackson spokesman Dr. Tohme R. Tohme and auction organizer Darren Julien.

Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions, sued Julien in early March, seeking to halt the sale by arguing that Jackson hadn't authorized it. A judge blocked one effort by MJJ Productions to cancel it earlier this month, and another was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday for an injunction.

"I believe both sides are pleased with the resolution," Julien said Tuesday by telephone.

Julien has said he spent $2 million organizing the sale, which another auctioneer estimated could have fetched $12 million after its April 22 start. The exhibition in Beverly Hills costs $20 to attend, and auction catalogs — a $50 single volume and $200, five-volume boxed set — were still selling, Julien said.

The statement also said MJJ Productions and Julien's Auction House would be making a "substantial" donation to MusiCares to benefit artists in need.

Julien said all of Jackson's possessions, which the auction house took directly from the Neverland Ranch property, would be returned to the pop singer. He would not say where they would be taken.

April 20 : Michael starts the rehearsals for the "This Is It' concerts at Center Staging in Burbank, California with Kenny Ortega & Travis Payne. Michael Bush & Karen Faye are back in the MJ TEAM.

April 21 & 22 : Michael goes shopping in Beverly Hills.

April 27 : Michael goes shopping in Beverly Hills with Prince, Paris & Blanket. The 2nd week of rehearsals begins at Center Staging.

April 29 : Dr. Murray issues drugs to MJ (LA autopsy report)

May 4 : The 3rd week of rehearsals begins at Center Staging.

May 5 : Raymone Bain, Michael's former manager and spokersperson, files a lawsuit in Washington D.C claiming breach of contract; quantum meruit and unjust enrichment and she asks for $44 million.

Dr. Tohme Tohme is officially terminated as Michael's manager and disbarred from having any subsequent affiliation with him or any of his numerous established entities (including MJJ Productions and the newer MJJ Kingdom).

Michael hires Frank Dileo as his new manager.

May 11 : The 4th week of rehearsals begins at Center Staging.

May 12 : AEG issues a press release to officially announce Kenny Ortega as the show producer. Along with the press release is a new picture of Michael & Ortega during the rehearsals. (May 13 in Europe)

May 13 : Michael hires magician Ed Alonzo to work on the This Is It show.

May 14 : Michael, Prince, Paris & Blanket attend Katherine & Joe 60th wedding anniversary at Indian restaurant Chakra in Beverly Hills with the whole family (Jackie, Rebbie, Tito, Jermaine, LaToya, Marlon, Randy, Janet and their children)


May 14 : Dr. Murray issues drugs to MJ (LA autopsy report)

May 15 : Beverly Hills, CA, - In an official statement issued today The Jacksons (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Randy Jackson) have denied they were in any way involved with a proposed Jackson 5 reunion concert in Texas on July 3rd claimed this week by New Jersey concert promoters AllGood Entertainment.

According to The Jackson’s manager, Danny O’Donovan, The Jacksons, were never approached about participating in the purported Texas concert event with Michael and sister, Janet.

Michael attends a business meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel with his parents Joe & Katherine and his children Prince, Paris & Banket.

Later he goes shopping with the kids and also visits Dr Klein in Beverly Hills.

May 17 : Michael goes to an art festival in Beverly Hills with Prince, Paris & Blanket.

May 18 : A new video is premiered on http://www.michaeljacksonlive.com showing the dancers'auditions.

The 5th week of rehearsals begins at Center Staging.

May 19 : Michael visits American Idol's rehearsals at to the Nokia Theatre.
Then he visits Dr Klein in Berverly Hills.

May 20 : Kenny Ortega and Randy Phillips announce in a press conference that the 4 opening shows have been rescheduled due to production. The opening night is now July 13th.

In a letter signed by Michael, Leonard Rowe is prevented from working or speaking on his behalf.

May 20 : Thome is released as per MJ memo.
 
I posted this in the case section, but think it should be here too:

There is this money timeline from MJfiles:
(Note - good to add to this)
http://www.mjfiles.com/more/business...ichaels-money/
A Timeline Of Michael’s Money


By PollyPublished: February 28, 2010Posted in: BusinessTags: ATV Catalog, money, Sony

From the time he made his fortune in the 80’s, Michael’s finances have been the source of many rumors and much speculation. He purchased the most lucrative music catalog in the world, weathered damaging allegations against his character, openly criticised his record company, shouldered countless loans and law suits, and was heavily criticised himself for his lavish spending. In order to gain a better understanding of Michael’s life, we have compiled a timeline detailing his changing fortunes.
1975:
The Jackson 5 leave Motown and join CBS Records, which offers them much better contracts, plus guaranteed fees of at least $350,000 per album. Michael also gains some income from concerts, but this is still income that he shares with his brothers and which is managed by his father.
1982:
In a move towards creative and financial independence, Michael breaks away from his father and the Jackson 5 and collaborates with Quincy Jones on 3 albums. The first one is “Thriller”, which eventually racks up sales of 51 million copies globally, making it the best-selling album in history. Michael’s pre-expense profit of sales of the album surpasses $125 million. Those close to him in the “Thriller” era, credit Michael with financial acumen and astute business judgment.
1985:
Michael purchases ATV Music, which owns the copyright to songs written by the Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney, for $47.5 million. Michael is at the peak of his fame, and still lives in “Hayvenhurst”, the Jackson family home in Encino. Owning the ATV music catalog earns Michael a steady stream of royalties every time one of the songs is either played on the radio or performed.
1987:
Michael nets around $35 million from a year-long “Bad” tour. Heading into the 1990’s, Michael is believed to be in sound shape financially.
1988:
Michael makes his $17 million purchase of a property near Santa Ynez, California. This property soon becomes “Neverland”.
1991:
Michael signs a $65m recording deal with Sony. He releases “Dangerous” and retreats from working regularly.
1993:
Michael settles a child-molestation lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, said to be in the region of $20 million.
1995:
Michael is forced to sell Sony a 50 percent stake in the ATV catalog for more than $100 million, in order to help shore up his now-wobbling accounts. He releases HIStory; shoots a “teaser” video in Hungary for millions of dollars. Dan Beck, a senior marketing executive who worked on the video, says of Michael at this time, “He dreamed the big dream. It was P. T. Barnum.”
1996:
Michael meets Myung Ho Lee, a Korean adviser.
1997:
Michael embarks on a 35-minute film called “Ghosts” that he co-wrote with Stephen King and shot with Stan Winston, a special-effects whiz. The film cost that cost well above $15 million. At this time, Michael is believed to have paid a substantial portion of as much as $65 million on video projects.
1998:
Michael has already taken out and depleted a $90 million bank loan and Lee arranges a new, $140 million loan from the Bank of America that was collateralized by the ATV catalog and used to pay off earlier debts. Just several months later, the $140 million evaporates and Michael obtains another $30 million line of credit from the Bank of America.
1999:
According to Alvin Malnik, one of Michael’s advisers, Michael spends about $8 million annually on plane charters, antiques, paintings, hotel rooms, travel and other personal expenses, and that the annual upkeep for Neverland and its staff is about $4 million. Michael’s annual budget at this time includes about $7.5 million for personal expenses and $5 million to maintain Neverland. Malnik said that he had loaned Michael $7 million, part of which was used to settle various lawsuits related to deals gone wrong.
2000:
It’s speculated that that by this time, Michael’s biggest costs may have shifted away from his shopping sprees to simply having to deal with the enormous monthly interest payments on his debt.
Lee says that at this time, he raised the original $140 million bank loan to $200 million, using part of that loan to pay down the $30 million credit line, which had been entirely tapped.
2001:
Michael had used his half of ATV to secure a $200m loan from Bank of America. He releases ‘Invincible’ which is not a commercial success.
2003:
Fortress Investment Group, a New York-based investment group that specialises in distressed debt, buys Michael’s loans from the Bank of America after he misses some payments. It then begins levying high interest rates.
2005:
Michael is making monthly payments of about $4.5 million on $270 million in debt. This works out to an annual interest rate of about 20 percent. Michael faces the second child molestation allegations, for which he goes to trial and is acquitted. During the trial, one accountant testifies that Michael had an “ongoing cash crisis” and was spending $20m to $30m a year more than he earned.
December 20 – Fortress threatens to call its loan because of the allegations levelled against Michael. If Michael becomes insolvent, his 50 percent share of the $1 billion business that is ATV, would be up for grabs to the highest bidder. Sony executive Robert S. Wiesenthal proposes that Sony will help Michael find a bank to lend him more than $300 million to pay off his debts. In exchange, Michael will possibly forfeit a portion of his half of the ATV catalog. Sony arranges an extension with Fortress and brings in Citigroup and other potential lenders to arrange new financing at a lower rate.
2006:
Michael is forced to refinance the $200m loan from Bank of America to stave off bankruptcy.
February – At a meeting in London, Citigroup offers Michael a new loan with a 6 percent rate. Citigroup strikes the deal because Michael agrees to give Sony the right to buy half of his 50 percent stake in the ATV catalog at a future date for about $250 million, providing a backstop for Citigroup if Michael defaults.
Fortress then offers Michael the same terms — a testament to how desirable the ATV catalog has been and continues to be to the various financiers and advisers who have worked with Michael since he purchased it twenty years ago.
April – Still swamped in debt, with his musical career on hold and his personal life marred by scandal, Michael agrees to a financial overhaul. It is likely to strip him of about half of his remaining stake in the ATV catalog, which he has relied on as a financial lifeline for about a decade. According to executives involved in the restructuring talks, Michael used the catalog, as well as copyrights to his own songs, as collateral for roughly $270 million in bank loans he took out to fund expenses such as maintenance of Neverland.
By April, a final deal is in place. Citigroup ends up providing a $25 million mortgage on Neverland, most of which Michael used to buy back a 5 percent stake in the ATV catalog held by one of his early advisers, John Branca. By this time, Michael is working less and less.
May – Given the apparent precariousness of Michael’s financial situation , it is unclear how long he will be able to retain his remaining stake in the ATV catalog. June – Marc Schaffel, who formerly served as an adviser on Michael’s television projects, alleges in a lawsuit scheduled for trial in July that Michael failed to reimburse him for outlays of more than $2.2 million, much of it in cash.The Neverland’s value is assessed at $17,042,560. The land value is $6,898,858. Overall, the ranch has an improvement value of $11,034,702.
Hayvenhurst, the Jackson family home in Encino which Michael owns, carries a $4 million mortgage. It has an assessed value of $2.66 million and an improvement value of $2.3 million.
The state of California threatens to shut down both homes to employees when it emerges that Michael has fallen behind in insurance payments and salaries.
2007:
October– Michael defaults on a $23 million loan with Fortress Music Trust, doing business as DBCG LLC, a Delaware corporation. The holder puts him on notice. Michael is given has 90 days to pay the full amount — $23 million plus $212,963.83 in interest — or he will lose Neverland. The $20 million loan was secured against the deed of trust for Neverland and is separate from the $300 million loan secured by Jackson’s stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The papers filed are titled “Notice of Default and Election to Sell.”
Michael is also being sued in London for $7 million by his former patron, Prince Abdullah of Bahrain.
Michael admits in a sworn testimony to impairment due to prescription drug abuse. He is now living in Washington DC. Neverland stands vacant.
2008:
March – Michael faces foreclosure on Neverland. A real estate investment firm comes to his aid, setting up a joint venture with him to take ownership of the ranch.
April – Michael stops a public auction of his belongings including jewel-encrusted concert tickets, stage-wear and music memorabilia.
2009:
Michael is said to still be making an annual income of $19m. He has not released any new material since the album Invincible in 2001, which had not been a success, and has not performed live for over a decade. Michael announces a series of comeback shows called “This is It”, which are said to solve his financial crisis for good. It is estimated that he could make up to $500m if he takes the show around the world.
June – Earlier this month, the organisers of a proposed Jackson 5 reunion concert file a $40m claim against Michael. The New Jersey-based promoter AllGood Entertainment claims breach of contract and fraud, demanding $20m in compensatory damages and another $20m in punitive damages, claiming that Michael had promised not to perform solo ahead of a show scheduled for next year.
June 25 – Michael dies while preparing for a 50-night schedule of shows at London’s 02 Arena that were scheduled to begin in July. The concerts would have been Michael’s first since 2001. At the time of his death, he is said to have been facing continual rumours that he might file for bankruptcy.
Michael is believed to have died owing anything up to $500m.
it is believed that Sony Music Group, his most influential business partner and record label, will likely end up owning Michael’s share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Sony/ATV owns 750,000 era-spanning hits and classics; its most prized asset is the song rights to most of the works of the Beatles, which Michael purchased on his own in 1985 for $47.5 million. In the 1990s, Sony/ATV might have been worth as much as $1.5 billion. It is believed that Michael’s share of the joint venture, in which both he and Sony once had equal stakes, may now be less than 25 percent.
In addition, the lucrative publishing catalog of Michael’s hits called “MiJac”, is also believed to be weighed down by massive loans. MiJac is administered by Warner Chappell, a division of Warner Music Group.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/bu...l?pagewanted=5
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/pe...g_out_of_money
http://www.newsweek.com/id/204011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...s-lost-fortune
 
I'm very glad these documents surface--attention should be drawn backstage where everything was orchestrated. Thank you DI and Jrsfan for your contribution to this end.
 
They made for an interesting read, thanks for the articles. I can't help but feel utterly devastated though reading through the timelines running up to June 09' - leaves a bad taste in my mouth - especially Thome.
 
I posted this in the case section, but think it should be here too:

There is this money timeline from MJfiles:
(Note - good to add to this)
http://www.mjfiles.com/more/business...ichaels-money/
A Timeline Of Michael’s Money


By PollyPublished: February 28, 2010Posted in: BusinessTags: ATV Catalog, money, Sony

From the time he made his fortune in the 80’s, Michael’s finances have been the source of many rumors and much speculation. He purchased the most lucrative music catalog in the world, weathered damaging allegations against his character, openly criticised his record company, shouldered countless loans and law suits, and was heavily criticised himself for his lavish spending. In order to gain a better understanding of Michael’s life, we have compiled a timeline detailing his changing fortunes.
1975:
The Jackson 5 leave Motown and join CBS Records, which offers them much better contracts, plus guaranteed fees of at least $350,000 per album. Michael also gains some income from concerts, but this is still income that he shares with his brothers and which is managed by his father.
1982:
In a move towards creative and financial independence, Michael breaks away from his father and the Jackson 5 and collaborates with Quincy Jones on 3 albums. The first one is “Thriller”, which eventually racks up sales of 51 million copies globally, making it the best-selling album in history. Michael’s pre-expense profit of sales of the album surpasses $125 million. Those close to him in the “Thriller” era, credit Michael with financial acumen and astute business judgment.
1985:
Michael purchases ATV Music, which owns the copyright to songs written by the Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney, for $47.5 million. Michael is at the peak of his fame, and still lives in “Hayvenhurst”, the Jackson family home in Encino. Owning the ATV music catalog earns Michael a steady stream of royalties every time one of the songs is either played on the radio or performed.
1987:
Michael nets around $35 million from a year-long “Bad” tour. Heading into the 1990’s, Michael is believed to be in sound shape financially.
1988:
Michael makes his $17 million purchase of a property near Santa Ynez, California. This property soon becomes “Neverland”.
1991:
Michael signs a $65m recording deal with Sony. He releases “Dangerous” and retreats from working regularly.
1993:
Michael settles a child-molestation lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, said to be in the region of $20 million.
1995:
Michael is forced to sell Sony a 50 percent stake in the ATV catalog for more than $100 million, in order to help shore up his now-wobbling accounts. He releases HIStory; shoots a “teaser” video in Hungary for millions of dollars. Dan Beck, a senior marketing executive who worked on the video, says of Michael at this time, “He dreamed the big dream. It was P. T. Barnum.”
1996:
Michael meets Myung Ho Lee, a Korean adviser.
1997:
Michael embarks on a 35-minute film called “Ghosts” that he co-wrote with Stephen King and shot with Stan Winston, a special-effects whiz. The film cost that cost well above $15 million. At this time, Michael is believed to have paid a substantial portion of as much as $65 million on video projects.
1998:
Michael has already taken out and depleted a $90 million bank loan and Lee arranges a new, $140 million loan from the Bank of America that was collateralized by the ATV catalog and used to pay off earlier debts. Just several months later, the $140 million evaporates and Michael obtains another $30 million line of credit from the Bank of America.
1999:
According to Alvin Malnik, one of Michael’s advisers, Michael spends about $8 million annually on plane charters, antiques, paintings, hotel rooms, travel and other personal expenses, and that the annual upkeep for Neverland and its staff is about $4 million. Michael’s annual budget at this time includes about $7.5 million for personal expenses and $5 million to maintain Neverland. Malnik said that he had loaned Michael $7 million, part of which was used to settle various lawsuits related to deals gone wrong.
2000:
It’s speculated that that by this time, Michael’s biggest costs may have shifted away from his shopping sprees to simply having to deal with the enormous monthly interest payments on his debt.
Lee says that at this time, he raised the original $140 million bank loan to $200 million, using part of that loan to pay down the $30 million credit line, which had been entirely tapped.
2001:
Michael had used his half of ATV to secure a $200m loan from Bank of America. He releases ‘Invincible’ which is not a commercial success.
2003:
Fortress Investment Group, a New York-based investment group that specialises in distressed debt, buys Michael’s loans from the Bank of America after he misses some payments. It then begins levying high interest rates.
2005:
Michael is making monthly payments of about $4.5 million on $270 million in debt. This works out to an annual interest rate of about 20 percent. Michael faces the second child molestation allegations, for which he goes to trial and is acquitted. During the trial, one accountant testifies that Michael had an “ongoing cash crisis” and was spending $20m to $30m a year more than he earned.
December 20 – Fortress threatens to call its loan because of the allegations levelled against Michael. If Michael becomes insolvent, his 50 percent share of the $1 billion business that is ATV, would be up for grabs to the highest bidder. Sony executive Robert S. Wiesenthal proposes that Sony will help Michael find a bank to lend him more than $300 million to pay off his debts. In exchange, Michael will possibly forfeit a portion of his half of the ATV catalog. Sony arranges an extension with Fortress and brings in Citigroup and other potential lenders to arrange new financing at a lower rate.
2006:
Michael is forced to refinance the $200m loan from Bank of America to stave off bankruptcy.
February – At a meeting in London, Citigroup offers Michael a new loan with a 6 percent rate. Citigroup strikes the deal because Michael agrees to give Sony the right to buy half of his 50 percent stake in the ATV catalog at a future date for about $250 million, providing a backstop for Citigroup if Michael defaults.
Fortress then offers Michael the same terms — a testament to how desirable the ATV catalog has been and continues to be to the various financiers and advisers who have worked with Michael since he purchased it twenty years ago.
April – Still swamped in debt, with his musical career on hold and his personal life marred by scandal, Michael agrees to a financial overhaul. It is likely to strip him of about half of his remaining stake in the ATV catalog, which he has relied on as a financial lifeline for about a decade. According to executives involved in the restructuring talks, Michael used the catalog, as well as copyrights to his own songs, as collateral for roughly $270 million in bank loans he took out to fund expenses such as maintenance of Neverland.
By April, a final deal is in place. Citigroup ends up providing a $25 million mortgage on Neverland, most of which Michael used to buy back a 5 percent stake in the ATV catalog held by one of his early advisers, John Branca. By this time, Michael is working less and less.
May – Given the apparent precariousness of Michael’s financial situation , it is unclear how long he will be able to retain his remaining stake in the ATV catalog. June – Marc Schaffel, who formerly served as an adviser on Michael’s television projects, alleges in a lawsuit scheduled for trial in July that Michael failed to reimburse him for outlays of more than $2.2 million, much of it in cash.The Neverland’s value is assessed at $17,042,560. The land value is $6,898,858. Overall, the ranch has an improvement value of $11,034,702.
Hayvenhurst, the Jackson family home in Encino which Michael owns, carries a $4 million mortgage. It has an assessed value of $2.66 million and an improvement value of $2.3 million.
The state of California threatens to shut down both homes to employees when it emerges that Michael has fallen behind in insurance payments and salaries.
2007:
October– Michael defaults on a $23 million loan with Fortress Music Trust, doing business as DBCG LLC, a Delaware corporation. The holder puts him on notice. Michael is given has 90 days to pay the full amount — $23 million plus $212,963.83 in interest — or he will lose Neverland. The $20 million loan was secured against the deed of trust for Neverland and is separate from the $300 million loan secured by Jackson’s stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The papers filed are titled “Notice of Default and Election to Sell.”
Michael is also being sued in London for $7 million by his former patron, Prince Abdullah of Bahrain.
Michael admits in a sworn testimony to impairment due to prescription drug abuse. He is now living in Washington DC. Neverland stands vacant.
2008:
March – Michael faces foreclosure on Neverland. A real estate investment firm comes to his aid, setting up a joint venture with him to take ownership of the ranch.
April – Michael stops a public auction of his belongings including jewel-encrusted concert tickets, stage-wear and music memorabilia.
2009:
Michael is said to still be making an annual income of $19m. He has not released any new material since the album Invincible in 2001, which had not been a success, and has not performed live for over a decade. Michael announces a series of comeback shows called “This is It”, which are said to solve his financial crisis for good. It is estimated that he could make up to $500m if he takes the show around the world.
June – Earlier this month, the organisers of a proposed Jackson 5 reunion concert file a $40m claim against Michael. The New Jersey-based promoter AllGood Entertainment claims breach of contract and fraud, demanding $20m in compensatory damages and another $20m in punitive damages, claiming that Michael had promised not to perform solo ahead of a show scheduled for next year.
June 25 – Michael dies while preparing for a 50-night schedule of shows at London’s 02 Arena that were scheduled to begin in July. The concerts would have been Michael’s first since 2001. At the time of his death, he is said to have been facing continual rumours that he might file for bankruptcy.
Michael is believed to have died owing anything up to $500m.
it is believed that Sony Music Group, his most influential business partner and record label, will likely end up owning Michael’s share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Sony/ATV owns 750,000 era-spanning hits and classics; its most prized asset is the song rights to most of the works of the Beatles, which Michael purchased on his own in 1985 for $47.5 million. In the 1990s, Sony/ATV might have been worth as much as $1.5 billion. It is believed that Michael’s share of the joint venture, in which both he and Sony once had equal stakes, may now be less than 25 percent.
In addition, the lucrative publishing catalog of Michael’s hits called “MiJac”, is also believed to be weighed down by massive loans. MiJac is administered by Warner Chappell, a division of Warner Music Group.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/14/bu...l?pagewanted=5
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/pe...g_out_of_money
http://www.newsweek.com/id/204011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...s-lost-fortune

it is believed...it is speculated...invincible was not successful? sounds like these 'knowledgeable people' are liars. i read the whole thing, and find they know nothing. these people make no financial sense at all, with this timeline. they're stupid.

on top of that, his kids have been set for life.
 
^^ Exactly. Didn't Michael said at one time "Let them think I'm broke" ?

and in light of everything we know I totally understand why he'd say that.
 
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Underestimating Michael was a lifetime practice for some.
Dangerous and very stupid IMHO.
 
I remember this interview done on this talk show not too long ago with Joe, Oxman, Magneficient, and Geraldine.

And the host, he mentioned how all the suspects, Thome, AEG, DiLeo, Branca, etc. are ALL connected to Sony in some way.

But first, we have to get pass Murray.

"Let them think I'm broke"

Really? When did Michael say that.
 
[When he agreed to the comeback shows in London, Jackson wanted it known that he was going back to work for the benefit of his three children -- he and his youngest son, Prince Michael II (also known as "Blanket") even showed up in matching black suits when he went to meet Phillip Anschutz, the tycoon whose company, AEG, was to stage the concerts.

Jackson explained that, more than the money, he wanted to show his kids what he had done in his heyday. But at the same time, his advisors say, he mused about a future when he would somehow buy back the other half of Sony/ATV and live off publishing riches in his big mansion in Las Vegas while making movies and doing other things.]

How acurate is this article?

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/23/new...sets.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009102314

http://tinyurl.com/2almvex
 
I really don't know where to post this, and found no need to start a new thread just to mention this one statement. so i'll post it here.

I was watching CNN, and they reported that a Beatle's song was just sold for $1.2 million.

Odd. I wonder if it was a song owned by Michael and sony.
 
This is an interesting article. Sound a lot like Sony took over when they refinanced Michael loan. I still won't be surprised when they end up with the whole catalog.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...4770.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection

At the time, Mr. Jackson was in danger of defaulting on a $270 million loan held by hedge fund Fortress Investment Group LLC. As part of the agreement under which Barclays ultimately refinanced that debt, Mr. Jackson granted Sony an option to buy half of his stake in the company at any time for a fixed price of $250 million. At the time that was a generous valuation, but Sony/ATV's value has since soared to around $2 billion.

The Jackson estate and Sony have held talks about whether the company will again guarantee a refinancing of the debt backed by Mr. Jackson's Sony/ATV stake. If it won't, the estate could be forced to sell its stake in Sony/ATV at a steep discount, though that would still generate enough cash to wipe out the Barclays loan with hundreds of millions to spare. But Sony may have an incentive to reach a deal on refinancing, because buying out Mr. Jackson's estate would require it to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for an asset it already effectively controls.
 
Sony's suspicious role in this will be confirmed if Mr. Branca and Mr.McClain decide to sell Mike's stake despite their recent declarations that the estate is planning to keep it.
We'll just have to wait and see.
From an emotion-free point of vew such a move wouldn't make sense: the estate has generated large amounts to wipe off half of Michael's debt, the catalog brings in a considerable amount of millions each year, plus the various deals that were signed only promise to enhance revenues further more.This of course means their 10% executors fee is more guaranteed based on solid assets.
So if they get rid of the stake, something highly suspicious will be going on.
 
Sony's suspicious role in this will be confirmed if Mr. Branca and Mr.McClain decide to sell Mike's stake despite their recent declarations that the estate is planning to keep it.
We'll just have to wait and see.
From an emotion-free point of vew such a move wouldn't make sense: the estate has generated large amounts to wipe off half of Michael's debt, the catalog brings in a considerable amount of millions each year, plus the various deals that were signed only promise to enhance revenues further more.This of course means their 10% executors fee is more guaranteed based on solid assets.
So if they get rid of the stake, something highly suspicious will be going on.


It could be that they will not sell all of it, but pieces. They get money off of every deal. Perhaps Branca was always playing both MJ & Sony - that way he wins on every transaction. Never a loss. Great deal for him, McClain & Weitzman, I would think. I think Branca is very similar to Pellicano - he plays both sides. And both had or have Weitzman as their lawyer.
 
^^ You mean he has the option to sell portions of S/ATV? and keep the rights to the Beatles songs? Perhaps hold them as a negotiation tool.
I had no idea this could happen.
Yeah, a win/win situation is more like him.
 
Sony had huge financial struggles in January 2009, that they have recovered as a result of MJ death

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/reuters-sony-may-post-1-1-billion-loss/


Quote
Reuters reports that Sony Corp "will likely" have an operating loss of approximately $1.1 billion this year, its first in 14 years. According to the wire service, some global economic slump that's going on right now has caused inventory for the company to stack up in all its divisions and prices to fall.

It was already expected that Sony would be cutting thousands of jobs and closing manufacturing plants. End Quote


Sony have now recovered their financial losses due to MJ death. How convenient!!!

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/a...ort-sony-music-seeking-new-ceo?ref=mail_recap

Quote:
SONY posted increased profits for the year ended MARCH 31st. The company's share of the music market also increased from 26.5% to 28.3% in the first half of 2010.
Despite those numbers, the report says "critics say the improvement came mostly on sales of the MICHAEL JACKSON catalog following the pop star's death
 
Has this interview been posted....?

http://www.mjfiles.com/interviews/cory-rooney-chris-apostle-speak-michael-jackson/

These are all the important parts

CR: “Yeah. Then the relationship quickly turned into me being an executive at the time. I think I felt like my strengths for him at the time more so than being a writer or producer, but to be his inside man at the time because it was weird. He felt like at the time at Sony that he didn’t really have any allies or anyone that was going to be in his corner.”

CY: Really?

CR: “It was amazing! I quickly became his number one ally at the
company.”

CY: The comments he made about Tommy Mottola many years ago, the comments he wasn’t happy with the album he released back in 2002. It was 30 million dollars that was put behind it, but were you surprised when he made those very candid comments calling Tommy Mottola a bunch of different things?

CR: “I was not surprised. Like I said, he didn’t really feel like he had people in his corner at the record company. For the most part, I don’t think people really showed him the love and respect that they should’ve been showing him at the record company. True, they may have spent 30 million dollars on the record, but at the same time the business affairs on that record was set up to the point where Michael couldn’t win if he wanted win. You understand?”

CY: Yeah.

CR: “They set it up and they put such a high marker on the record in terms of his recoupment and things like that. It was kind of a lose…lose situation. And they did that like to dangle a carrot and say ok, we want you to do the whole thing. We want you to sell records. We want you to tour. They thought that he was going to go running after the carrots saying, ‘Man, I gotta do all this so I can recoup.’

CY: Fair to say that the business because he had all the financial issues that he was kind of pushed into a corner? He said he wanted to do 10 shows, but then it became 50 for this thing in London that was supposed to happen next month. Did he feel like he was backed in a corner because he had to fulfill financial issues?

CA: “Listen, I’m sure he decided to do this comeback tour and net a bunch of cash, which he honestly deserves to have. I still think that like Cory said, he was pushed to the brink by people that were extremely powerful and he was not treated fairly. We always started in this business and someone Cory and I knew very well said, ‘You can’t do anything in this business without the artist even if the artist are what you considered to be the worst thing in the world and stuff like that. You still need the artist.’ Well, it seems to me the big cheeses in the business forgot that at some point where he was concerned.”

CR: “This was years ago. I’m going to go back probably eight years ago and Michael told me, ‘Cory, I can’t tour anymore. I’m not gonna tour anymore. Ok?’ I said, ‘why Mike?’ He said, ‘Because it will kill me.’ That’s what he said to me. He said, ‘It will kill me.’ Why would you say something like that? He said, ‘Well, remember when I was preparing for my concert and I passed out at the Sony Studio?’ He said, ‘Well, it’s because when I get ready for a tour I get dehydrated. I don’t eat. I don’t drink. I don’t sleep. I put so much of myself into preparing for a tour.’
He said, ‘I’m not doing it on purpose. This is just something I don’t think about anymore. You understand? I’ve just become so driven that I can’t even think about these things anymore. They made me walk around with an IV last time. He said, ‘So I just decided, my doctors decided that maybe you shouldn’t do this anymore. He said he wanted to make the Invincible album work to the point where that was it. He’s done with the tour. He’s gonna do this Invincible album. He wanted to continue to put out albums. He said, ‘I’ll do albums till I can’t do it anymore, but I just can’t tour.’”
 
Sony Connect Music Store Closing (2007)

"Not many people bought Sony Connect songs, which is, of course, the whole reason they’re shutting down the music store (Connect will continue selling eBooks). "

http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2007/08/sony-connect-mu/

-----

Original link from LAtimes which I can't get to anymore said, "Sony Corp., upping its investment in music despite the industry's systemic decline, is buying the 50% it doesn't already own in Sony BMG."

Sony goes solo in music venture (2008)

Sony has agreed to buy Bertelsmann's 50% stake in their Sony BMG music joint venture in a $1.2bn (£613.7m) deal.

The music company is to be renamed Sony Music Entertainment Inc (SMEI) and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

SMEI - the world's second largest music company after Universal - will include artists such as Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake.

The deal ends the tie-up between Sony and Bertelsmann signed in 2004.

The music group will include labels such as Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records and RCA Records.

"This move is consistent with our new growth strategy and will enable us to focus on our defined growth areas," said Bertelsmann chief executive Hartmut Ostrowski.
The deal, which requires regulatory approval, is set to be completed later in 2008.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7543401.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7543401.stm

------
(2009)

Alicia Keys’ Album Sales Sharply Decline
http://headlineplanet.com/home/2009...-sharply-decline-still-ahead-of-robin-thicke/

Bruce Springsteen ended Taylor Swift's eight-year reign on the U.S. pop chart on Wednesday, although his first-week sales were down sharply from those for his previous release.

"Working on a Dream" (Columbia) sold 224,000 copies during the week ended February 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan, giving the Boss his ninth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.

At 6.50 million units, sales were off by 14% compared to the same week in 2008.

http://www.billboard.com/features/springsteen-has-dream-debut-atop-album-chart-1003937687.story#/features/springsteen-has-dream-debut-atop-album-chart-1003937687.story
http://www.urbanjoint.com/allnews/Music/4583//true/3855 (if above link doesn't work)

-----

Michael Jackson Is Recession-Proof

"With the economic downturn deepening, attracting private money to the financial industry may be difficult. But that is not the case with the entertainment industry -- if the entertainer is Michael Jackson, undisputed "King of Pop." Recession or not, it seems that his popularity is not subjected to diminishing returns."

I remember reading this but I can't find the original link.
http://www.mjfanclub.net/home/index...ecession-proof&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82

-----

"Presley's estate was valued at just $4.9 million at the time of his death. In 2005, a company run by media entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman paid $100 million for 85 percent of the estate and a 90-year lease on his Memphis mansion, Graceland.

By some estimates, Jackson's estate could be worth more than $1 billion. Besides the master recordings of his own music, Jackson owned half of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a jewel estimated to be worth $2 billion by itself. The 750,000-song catalog includes music by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga and the Jonas Brothers."
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/165994/Michael-Jackson-may-be-worth-more-dead-than-alive

"The last time Sony/ATV was valued, it was said to be worth $30 Billion."
http://mjjrealrealm.spaces.live.com/blog/blog/cns!A679A9B694DD1478!2869.entry
----------

Why Are Album Sales Tanking?

In 2009, roughly 100,000 albums were released in the U.S.

Only 2,050 sold more than 5,000 copies.

Only 12 sold more 1,000,000 copies.

To clarify, those numbers are only accounting for albums that were actually released in the 2009 calendar year. In a January 6 Billboard.com article, the 20th best-selling album of last year was listed as The Essential Michael Jackson, which sold 1.15 million. That would put the overall number of million sellers in 2009 closer to 20. Better, yes, but not exactly encouraging for either the industry, or for artists hoping to go platinum this year.
http://trueslant.com/jeremyhelligar/2010/06/14/why-are-album-sales-tanking/

 
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Apparently Sony pays bloggers, at least Bonnie Cox has sources. I hate companies who are deceptive that way. Very interesting articles listed:

http://michaelsguardian.blogspot.com/2010/08/sony-and-press-unprecedented-character.html

Sony trying to skirt the Feds on paid blogging? Source

Sony pays P.R. firm to lie about wanting a PS3 for Christmas. Source

Oh lookie! As of May 17, 2010, Sony is even HIRING for Social Media specialists for Blogger outreach! Source

Paid bloggers in the U.K. Editorial sites. Source

And it goes on and on.

It stands to reason that if Sony does this for their hardware and gaming products, they most probably do this for their ARTIST PRODUCTS too, shaping the opinions and attitudes of tomorrow, they were AT MICHAEL for 20 + years! Thanks to Michael and a man named Corey Rooney, we are no longer in the dark on the music industries "preferred practices".
 
Apparently Sony pays bloggers, at least Bonnie Cox has sources. I hate companies who are deceptive that way. Very interesting articles listed:

http://michaelsguardian.blogspot.com/2010/08/sony-and-press-unprecedented-character.html

Sony trying to skirt the Feds on paid blogging? Source

Sony pays P.R. firm to lie about wanting a PS3 for Christmas. Source

Oh lookie! As of May 17, 2010, Sony is even HIRING for Social Media specialists for Blogger outreach! Source

Paid bloggers in the U.K. Editorial sites. Source

And it goes on and on.

It stands to reason that if Sony does this for their hardware and gaming products, they most probably do this for their ARTIST PRODUCTS too, shaping the opinions and attitudes of tomorrow, they were AT MICHAEL for 20 + years! Thanks to Michael and a man named Corey Rooney, we are no longer in the dark on the music industries "preferred practices".

I read Bonnie's blog yesterday too. This didn't surprise me in the least. I think we all have suspected as much from SONY. It also strengthens the premise that she and Muzik put out there---that CT and RT could be paid by SONY. And, they are perpetuating the Michael is an addict focus. This not only works for SONY, it works really well for Murray and his defense.
 
I read Bonnie's blog yesterday too. This didn't surprise me in the least. I think we all have suspected as much from SONY. It also strengthens the premise that she and Muzik put out there---that CT and RT could be paid by SONY. And, they are perpetuating the Michael is an addict focus. This not only works for SONY, it works really well for Murray and his defense.

This proves that Sony has alot to hide.
 
I have been reading the blogs from both sides but this paid blogger thing doesn't make sense to me. and Here's why

And, they are perpetuating the Michael is an addict focus. This not only works for SONY, it works really well for Murray and his defense.

Sure it definitely works for Murray but why "addict focus" would work for Sony? Why would that would be something that they want? Can somebody explain it to me?

Sony now for 7 years and 10 projects has a business tie with Michael's estate and as any company what they would want is to sell as much as possible and have the highest profits as possible. So they would want all the positive PR about Michael. Now they would not want to hurt their investment.

Then I read Muzikfactory's screenshots of Charles / Twisted Vision's messages and I also read interview that Charles posted on his blog (http://extrememichaeljackson.wordpr...-with-michael-jackson-expert-charles-thomson/) that all together in summary he says that Michael was miming concerts, not really interested in anymore, he was on autopilot, his essence was gone after 1993 and that Charles really didn't care for the later albums and the TII concerts.

Now why would Sony be paying for such negative opinions? Why would themselves want to put all that negativity out there when they are planning on selling albums in the next 7 years and aiming for profit?


Sure it would have made sense in 2001 when Michael and Sony had the feud or in 2005 if you believe that Sony had a role in the trial. But to me it doesn't make any sense at all in 2010, when once again Sony has the business ties with Michael and they want to make a profit from it. They simply wouldn't want any negative stories out there and addict focus, TII vocals were dubbed, miming songs, concerts just a spectacle etc doesn't work in Sony's favor IMO.

For example if you look to story about PR company and lying about PS3 is all about having this "real" person who says all he wants for Christmas is a PS3 - to create a positive hype so that everyone would want to go out and buy a PS3. Similarly mommy and daddy bloggers were given products to use, advertise and plug the products - another attempt to get people to buy the products. See what I'm saying? It's always all positive, it's always about getting people buy their products, negative things wouldn't work.

And to be clear I'm not saying that they wouldn't have paid bloggers - they could (even it's illegal to do so- at least in the US) and they could be trying to influence people's purchase decision with these blogs (even though it's not ethical). Companies are ruthless organizations that only think about profit and this includes Sony as well. All I'm asking to myself (and to you) is why would they pay Charles for those negative opinions about Michael when it doesn't look like it's not in their best interest?

Is there an angle that I'm missing ? I'm really interested to hear your opinions.
 
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I read Bonnie's blog yesterday too. This didn't surprise me in the least. I think we all have suspected as much from SONY. It also strengthens the premise that she and Muzik put out there---that CT and RT could be paid by SONY. And, they are perpetuating the Michael is an addict focus. This not only works for SONY, it works really well for Murray and his defense.

This proves that Sony has alot to hide.

Agree. I remember someone mentioning in a talk show of Eddie Jones that everyone involved in this murder is connected to Sony in some way. That is a fact.

Except Murray though. The media and AEG tries pinning him to Michael, and ONLY to Michael. Murray definately has strings attatched. He's not a free puppet. But those strings are just invisible or hard to see.
 
Agree. I remember someone mentioning in a talk show of Eddie Jones that everyone involved in this murder is connected to Sony in some way. That is a fact.

Except Murray though. The media and AEG tries pinning him to Michael, and ONLY to Michael. Murray definately has strings attatched. He's not a free puppet. But those strings are just invisible or hard to see.
Ok.... BUT.... Murray to be connected with Sony to me is.... >>> :wtf: It makes no sense. To me, Murray has nothing to do with Sony and nor Sony has to do with death.
:unsure: :fear:
 
Murray may be connected to AEG or Branca, possibly even BOTH. (Who is helping Murray with his thousands of dollars in child support????) And there was that slip of the tongue by Thome that AEG hired Murray, which he went back and corrected right away.

And AEG and Branca are connected with Sony. So that would make it all connect to Sony, right from Murray who was the sole person with Michael.

However, everyone is saying that Murray was Michael's, and ONLY his. Absolutely NO ONE will take credit for Murray, but yet SOMEONE is willing to help him, someone with a lot of $$$ up their ass.
 
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