Latest on MJJC

What AEG exec told my friend about Michael

danae85

danae85

Proud Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
37
Points
0
Location
New York
Hi guys,
This is not news, so i'm adding it to this thread, but admins, please move it if it's not in an appropriate section.

A friend of mine had dinner with a top AEG executive in September and asked him about Michael Jackson.
For the longest time I was not sure whether I should say anything, because we probably don't want to revisit the AEG conspiracy theories, which I don't believe by the way. I don't want to betray my friend's trust, but I really want to hear what you guys think about this.


Here is exactly what the guy told my friend:

1. That Michael did not, in fact, want to do the concerts, but was "contractually obligated"
2. That they had a very hard time with MJ's PR (duh. Media.)
3. That Michael only got excited about the project towards the end - and that he was like "a kid in a candy store"
4. That he had driven the cost of the project so high that they were looking at a loss if the concerts had gone through
5. That they made more money than they ever imagined after he passed.

I felt sick to my stomach when i heard all that, because even though we have been hearing things like that since June 26th, this came from the horse's mouth. I could not sleep that night, tossing and turning, thinking about how that means Ortega has been lying to us, Travis has been lying to us, and the word "motive" just kept ringing in my head. I'm not going to even put the complete thought into a sentence.

I'm sorry if i have upset any of you, I know this is hard to hear, and i would never lie about it or make anything like this up that would cause you any hurt. I believe that it takes a pure heart to love MJ like you guys love him, and I honestly have the highest esteem for the members of this community.

God bless.
 
Oh God...
They were looking at a loss if the concerts went through...so he unexpectedly dies before them? Yeah that's not suspicious.
:cry:
 
For me very hard to believe when i see how big Michael's enthusiasm was during This is it, really teaching his bandmembers how to do things. Really being present and doing his thing. Look at what they had planned...incredibly impressive and expensive outfits, improved intros for songs like Smooth Criminal and Earth Song, etc..etc...so he was only doing this because it was contractually ? Nah.
 
Staffordshire Bullterrier said:
For me very hard to believe when i see how big Michael's enthusiasm was during This is it, really teaching his bandmembers how to do things. Really being present and doing his thing. Look at what they had planned...incredibly impressive and expensive outfits, improved intros for songs like Smooth Criminal and Earth Song, etc..etc...so he was only doing this because it was contractually ? Nah.
Click to expand...

I hope you're right, i do. Devils advocate would say editing has been used for 20 years to make MJ sound, well, like the media wants to portray him, it's not hard to edit something to make him look excited.

When I first saw TII, and i saw it 5 times, I left the theater with a sense of overwhelming confusion, and I was not sure what it was that I was confused about. The second time around I realized that there are such few scenes of Michael talking. Though it's full of him performing, I thought i would hear him much more, that he would be more present. I don't know if you guys understand what I'm saying, maybe it was just me.

Anyway, I really really really hope you are right.
 
I'm not surprised. I do believe he and Randy butt heads, and Michael may not have been COMPLETELY in charge like he was accustomed to being. I also believe there were times when he definitely did not want to do the concerts. He had avoided doing them for 12 years. Getting back into the rigors of them initially had to be daunting for him. But I do believe he DID get back into them.

And who signed the contracts? he did. Even if it was for ten shows, tragedy struck in his preparation for the FIRST show.

I also don't think Kenny or Travis lied. I picked up from them that there were ups and downs for Michael. Tensions had to be high for everyone as the budget escalated. But as the dates grew closer and closer and the details worked out, and his confidence grew, I think his enthusiasm did too.
 
danae85 said:
When I first saw TII, and i saw it 5 times, I left the theater with a sense of overwhelming confusion, and I was not sure what it was that I was confused about. The second time around I realized that there are such few scenes of Michael talking. Though it's full of him performing, I thought i would hear him much more, that he would be more present. I don't know if you guys understand what I'm saying, maybe it was just me.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying. But just remember that big smile on his face when he finished his first set in TII. I think I went my 4 times just to see that. I can't wait to get the DVD so I can freeze on that smile of satisfaction and triumph a million times.
 
Idk what to say. In all honesty I didn't see Michael happy in This Is It the film.. not at all. I saw the odd smile and laugh.. but IMO he didn't look happy. but maybe he was just focused? who knows. I have a lot of opinions.. but i dont even want to go there any more. :(
 
If the concerts were going to cost so much that they would have lost money then wouldn't somebody have said "No, Michael. Stop, you're spending too much"?
 
danae85 said:
I hope you're right, i do. Devils advocate would say editing has been used for 20 years to make MJ sound, well, like the media wants to portray him, it's not hard to edit something to make him look excited.

When I first saw TII, and i saw it 5 times, I left the theater with a sense of overwhelming confusion, and I was not sure what it was that I was confused about. The second time around I realized that there are such few scenes of Michael talking. Though it's full of him performing, I thought i would hear him much more, that he would be more present. I don't know if you guys understand what I'm saying, maybe it was just me.

Anyway, I really really really hope you are right.
Click to expand...


I kinda see what you mean...after his passing there were stories about several times that MJ simply wasn't present at all. He certainly wasn't there everyday, then again...look at TII, it wasn't needed. These were just rehearsals and already looking so amazing. We'll probably hear more MJ
(not in the sense of him singing) on the Blu-ray/DVD of TII.

But like Gerryevans said, that smile...that sure said alot! Also the part where he sings I just can't stop loving you, and the end of that song..where they both just keep going, MJ had fun there..he was doing his thing. It never ever looked like he was doing this against his will.
 
I think I heard (around the time TII was coming out in thearters) that the cost was going over budget because MJ kept getting new Ideas but that they were trying to work it out. I could have sworn that Kenny mentioned that in one of his interviews promoting the film.
 
Em_Mj said:
Idk what to say. In all honesty I didn't see Michael happy in This Is It the film.. not at all. I saw the odd smile and laugh.. but IMO he didn't look happy. but maybe he was just focused? who knows. I have a lot of opinions.. but i dont even want to go there any more. :(
Click to expand...

If there weren't overwhelming financial concerns, I don't believe he would have signed up for any kind of tour EVER. I think he would have been perfectly happy finally getting that album out or making films like he always talked about.

He made a choice that would ease some burdens for him, but those first few weeks for him were probably like it is for anybody going on a new job. A major adjustment. And when you're figuring he was coming back to his job after 12 years, it's overwhelming. I think anyone would have qualms and periods of wanting to back out, especially when expectations are perceived to be especially high.
 
Kenny and Travis didn't lie for heaven's sake. The fact is, Michael himself told us before that he didn't want to do tours anymore in the ebony magazine interview, but that he really enjoyed being on stage and that it sharpend one's craft. Michael didnt just look happy when he sang and danced, he was happy...because that's what he loves. But what he didnt like was having to go all out every night for 50 shows, that's all. Especially since he was older and had suffered several injuries including a serious back injury back in 99. But as things rolled along and the pieces came together he got more excited about it..which is natural..and thats what we see in the movie, pretty much the last two nights, so its not surprising the he's happy and excited. What he looked like or said the other 3 months prior to those two nights, we don't know. But in my opinion, the important thing is that he died quite literally doing what he loved..the last thing he ever did was dance and sing on stage..mere hours before he died..and it was heal the world too..to add the cherry on top...so i think michael went out well and in full glory. No one should feel bad, i dont think it couldve ended any better given the circumstances...
 
We all know how Michael was a perfectionist...he wanted to present the best for his fans. If you look at the trailer of TII long version, when it show te "light man" outfit Michael wanted it to be be an orignal whereby no one has ever done in concert. I wouldn't be surprised of the cost exceeding the net gross but it sucks not knowing what was really going down with his contractual agreement. I don't know if we will ever know the truth. What I do know is something went terriable wrong whith this whole thing.

As far as Kenny Ortega goes, I had a gut feeling he was covering something up. He had surely knosn more than he lead us to believe. He know how Michael's fans are, I am sure Sony/AEG knows how the fans are which leads me to believe that had to be extremely cautious surrounding this whole saga.

We haven't heard it all and we will probably get bits and pieces of what transpired but I don't think we will ever know the real truth unfortunately.
 
From where does your friend know a top AEG executive? I'm not accusing you but everything you said could be made up.
 
I just seriously doubt the concerts would have been a loss had they gone on. I heard the budget had ballooned to like 20 mil after all of MJ's ideas had been incorporated before they finally started telling him, "No". And also MJ the perfectionist he is had to realize at some point you have to take what you have and perfect that. They stood to make hundreds of millions from those shows, so the budget costs were not sending them in to a deficit. And he probaly only got excited at the end, because he was apprehensive and as they said it wasn't til the end that he felt fully confident about the shows being pulled off. The closer you get to the realization of your vision, they more excited you would be.
 
danae85 said:
4. That he had driven the cost of the project so high that they were looking at a loss if the concerts had gone through
Click to expand...
I know the conspiracy theorists will definitely run with this, but I think that it makes sense that they would have been in the red. The ticket prices were EXTREMELY affordable, and if they were going to recoup on the concert alone, I'd imagine the tickets for the nosebleed section would have been about $250 USD (think the 2001 shows).

Had this concert seen the light of day, I would have been very surprised if AEG wouldn't have released the concert on DVD and Blu-Ray once the shows were over. I believe that they would have made back any loss through a concert DVD, or even a live show on CBS or HBO prior to a DVD release.
 
I think he was excited with what he was doing. He put so much time and energy in making new versions of Thriller and Smooth Criminal for example. His messages about love, the environment and more. Obviously the day to day preparations can get frustrating but the end result would be so worth it.
 
ginvid said:
The closer you get to the realization of your vision, they more excited you would be.
Click to expand...

"Amen to that" God seen his vision, God seen his heart and God also seen the Evil in others hearts. Rest in Peace MJJ
 
So michael didn't want to do the concerts, wasn't really excited until the end, but he drove the budget so high doing what? Not being excited and not wanting to do the shows? Give me a break!

you see the guy on that film, dont chat about editing, I see Michael using his magic to create amazing things for his fans and for his kids, I see him drive to get his voice back, pushing harder to incorporate new moves into his routine!

You are lieing, You're friend is lieing or the mysterious AEG exec is lieing!

NEXT!
 
Ok - I'm going to address/answer this point by point:

danae85 said:
1. That Michael did not, in fact, want to do the concerts, but was "contractually obligated"
Click to expand...

1. It is a known fact that Michael did not want to tour again, but he eventually was convinced to do so. I can assure you that if Michael never EVER wanted to perform again, he wouldn't of performed. WHY? He's the King. He eventually did it because he saw the LOVE from us, the fans = the world. Michael took the stage again for us & his children. He wasn't feeding off of his own energy. He was feeding for what we gave to him.

2. That they had a very hard time with MJ's PR (duh. Media.)
Click to expand...
I agree with what AEG guy said - Michael - unfortunately - had a string of assh*les who wanted to control MJ, and because MJ was super-vulnerable after the round 2 trials, the people who handled his business were not of good faith. MJ eventually came to grips with everything - and cleaned house to get rid of these people taking advantage of MJ's good faith - and did so, but then a few weeks later, he passed.

3. That Michael only got excited about the project towards the end - and that he was like "a kid in a candy store"
Click to expand...
The movie clips prove that. Michael is human, after all. He went through A LOT - and depression, anxiety does take a toll on a person. When he saw the excitement, the love that came from us, Michael was convinced that YES, this was going to be a huge success. The "This is it" O2 shows already were, even before they started with record sellouts in 1-2 days time.

4. That he had driven the cost of the project so high that they were looking at a loss if the concerts had gone through.
Click to expand...
The O2 production was about $30-40 million US dollars - more or less.

And true, MJ kept adding & changing things as the days went along - because his confidence in pulling this through rose. Randy Whatever-his-name-is from AEG confirmed that in several interviews.

When 750,000 tickets sell out in a matter of a day or two, there is no loss. The 50 O2 shows were estimated at garnering $500 million US dollars - far more than what anyone anticipated.

Then when MJ said he wanted to take the show to each continent, one city though - it was a massive windfall for everyone - in the billions of dollars.

5. That they made more money than they ever imagined after he passed.
Click to expand...
Well - this is a given. Being that the tour never came through, they had the film footage. Jackson Estate & AEG made the "This Is It" film happen and they made their investment back plenty-fold.
 
I don't know what to say about this really...

I mean first Randy Phillips says "Michael's body is like an astronaut and he would swap bodies with Mike if he could." :smilerolleyes: I'm thinkin' that was damage control after the whole thing got out about Michael not wanting to do the 50 shows. Then, after Mike's napping, Randy Phillips does this interview and says he was worried about Michael's weight and that he had to "hire" someone just to make sure Michael ate some food. :smilerolleyes:

I remember hearing about the 10 shows and then all of a sudden they turn into 50! People continue saying "oh they were spread out, they were spread out, about 1-2 shows per week. I'm sorry but that is ridiculous.

And then you got Randy Phillips continuing to run his mouth sayin' that they were gonna take this tour around the world. Ok?? :wtf: then why not just stay at the original 10 shows in London and then do 10 shows in other places? That makes a lot more sense. And give Mike break time in between each run of shows.

I honestly think that Michael would have done the shows, but would have deff canceled some of them. I feel like Michael was being controlled by the people around him. He was being pressured into doing these shows. If Mike cancelled some of the shows then AEG would have lost money. If they would have stuck to 10 shows then I doubt that Michael would have cancelled any. But 50 is a lil' much imo.

I also agree, I think AEG, Sony, Colony Capital, and whoever else, are making a lot of money in the event of Michael's napping. AEG was paying for Mike's rented house, and also probably paying the employees there. So, since they don't 'need' that house now. A few less things to pay for, so that's off their plate. Now they have the TII movie (in theaters), the TII DVD, the TII album. They are also taking merchandise or w.e on a tour or somethin' so that's more money in their pockets.

Plus more money for Sony. They hurried up and got Mike's albums back in stores after his napping. So all the money made from the sales of those, plus TII movie/DVD since they bought to coverage of the rehearsals from AEG for $60million, which in turn gave AEG $60 million on the spot instead of them being "unsure" if Michael would complete all 50 concerts, they got easy money from the footage of rehearsals.

Also Colony Capital was putting money in for those concerts as well. They already put money in for NL, so they wanted to be paid back. Putting money into the concerts and then the concerts happening would get them money. But also, now what's gonna happen with NL? Are they gonna make it into somethin' like Graceland? and make more money? I hope not...

IMO Michael was put in a very tough situation. It was all about money. Basically like Randy Phillips said and i quote "these shows are do or die." Michael should not have been in a situation like that. All the money grubbers aorund him saw him as an object, a brand and not as a human being. They saw $$$ when they looked at Michael, which is disgusting.

I do blame myself, I feel like I should have been there for Mike, even though I don't even "know" him. I feel like I should have been there and saved him from these people.

I don't know. But a lot of the people surrounding Michael in his last days were very shady, and that includes AEG.

edit: Michael wasn't even the person who contacted AEG to do the shows in the first place. It was Tohme/Colony Capital people who contacted AEG and 'urged' Michael into doing the shows.

:bugeyed wow I typed a lot. Sorry, when I get into my 'investigation talk' I tend to get carried away sometimes.
 
Last edited:
Is this person an actor from "Central Casting" or a real person not acting?
What do yo think?

Feel free to add to the list:
1. Male-911 Caller (What's his name?)
2. Nurse Cherilyn Lee
3. Kai Chase
4. Dr. Conrad Murray (Only identified murderer, so far.)
Which of these people do think was likely financing the murder of Michael Jackson?

Feel free to add to the list:
1. Tom Barrack
2. Phillips Anschutz.
3. Thomas Sneddon

Remember this article:
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/hom...l-jackson.html
The latest mysterious figure in Jackson’s life and death is Dr. Tohme Tohme, who has been called Jackson’s “adviser”, “sole spokesperson”, and “business manager” for the last year and a half of Jackson’s life. So far the press hasn’t really delved into Tohme’s background as a recent AP report on Tohme listed his background as “murky”. The AP news article stated the Tohme used the title “Dr.” and that Tohme “apparently” has a medical degree even though there’s no record he’s practiced in the United States.

According to the AP, Tohme is an American citizen of Lebanese descent, in his “late 50’s”, and a “financier” who, out of the goodness of his heart and a relationship with Jackson’s brother Jermaine, contacted a “close personal friend”, Tom Barrack, Chairman of Colony Capital, to meet with Jackson. Purportedly, both Barrack and Tohme were “so impressed” with Jackson that Barrack bought the note to Neverland while Tohme decided to help Jackson get his finances into order without Tohme being paid for his services. And yet we found court documents filed by Tohme on behalf of Michael Jackson that list Tohme as President of Michael Jackson Productions. Documents that were filed in the March 23, 2009 lawsuit against the auction house set to auction Jackson’s Neverland personnel items. Also listed in the lawsuit, Tohme’s “business partner” James Weller

Tohme claimed he set up the original meeting between Barrack, Tohme, and Jackson. One result of the meeting: Barrack wound up saving Neverland from the auction but also gained ownership, with Jackson given some sort of profit sharing agreement. It was Barrack who contacted the owner of AEG, Phillips Anschutz.

On June 2, Business Mirror.com reported that Barrack’s own fortune, which Forbes estimated in 2008 at 2.3 billion when Barrack met Jackson, had dwindled to the “multi-millions”. Barrack and Anschutz believed worldwide ticket sales to Jackson’s “greatest” comeback tour could exceed $450 million. The money that Barrack invested in Jackson was backed by his investment in Neverland. Phillips Anschutz’s AEG’s investment in Jackson: $20 million.

More from the Business Mirror and Dr. Tohme:
“In an interview last week Dr. Tohme Tohme, an orthopedic surgeon-turned-businessman who had previously worked with Colony Capital, identified himself as the singer’s “manager, spokesman, everything” and spoke about the benefits of dealing with business titans Barrack and Anschutz rather than their “sleazy” predecessors. “Michael Jackson is an institution. He needs to be run like an institution,” Tohme said.

The next day, however, Frank DiLeo, Jackson’s current manager and a friend of three decades, claimed he was Jackson’s manager and said Tohme had been fired a month and a half earlier. Tohme denied being fired but declined further comment.”It was Tohme, who previously “worked with” Colony Capital, who now acted as Jackson’s ‘adviser’ and who also escorted Jackson to the meeting where Jackson agreed to an initial 10 concerts with AEG and Colony Capital as promoters. It was Thome’s business partner who threatened the auction house who was set to auction off the very same memorabilia which will be undoubtedly be used in a Michael Jackson museum, which chances are, could be Neverland. It is Colony Capital who owns Neverland and who would benefit from a Jackson museum or shrine.

It was AEG Live who hired Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist who was with Jackson when he collapsed in his rented Los Angeles Bel-Air mansion and later died.

Even though Tohme claimed he wasn’t “being paid” by Jackson as Jackson’s “adviser”, Tohme did state he was “working with” Barrack and Anschutz. Yet official court documents filed by Tohme state he is president of Michael Jackson Productions. It remains to be seen just how Tohme has, or will profit from his association with Jackson. What we do know is that he has been publicly promoting in the press “his desire” to see a Michael Jackson museum at Neverland both before and after Jackson’s death. And that, prior to Jackson’s death, as well as after, Tohme promoted the allusion that Jackson was “healthy”.
Click to expand...
 
I think it's very disrespectful for anyone to accuse someone of lying when you do not agree with what is said. We can do better than that, can't we?

With that said, there is no way to confirm (or deny) the statements of the opening post, without the names of the people involved in the conversation. . . . . . the person who heard these statements should take them to the authorities investigating the case.
 
ginvid said:
I just seriously doubt the concerts would have been a loss had they gone on.
Click to expand...

One show.

It was all that was needed to shut many mouths.

One single show and all their fears (if any) would have ended.

I am sure Michael had done the greatest come back ever and I know all the love and the energy he would have received on that first night would have made up for many sleepless nights.

Besides the love for his kids, who can deny Michael was in love with music, the stage and performing?
 
Does anyone recall the date when Michael signed ownership (or part of) over to Colony Capital?
 
JerrelMD said:
Can we stop doing this?
Click to expand...

Exactly.

You're killing me with these types of threads!! We're already trying to grieve...even 6 months on. This is rubbing salt into already sore and painful wounds. PLEASE ****** STOP!!!!!
 
thrillerchild said:
Exactly.

You're killing me with these types of threads!! We're already trying to grieve...even 6 months on. This is rubbing salt into already sore and painful wounds. PLEASE ****** STOP!!!!!
Click to expand...
We can't avoid this kind of discussions. Sadly, this is our new reality. And it will be until we know what really happened. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top