Michael Jackson’s Guitar Goddess Orianthi Readies Debut Album
Oct 2, 2009 Michael Jackson, Music
Introducing Orianthi, the guitar phenomenon who is featured prominently in the upcoming Michael Jackson concert documentary, This Is It. Already a renowned musician, Orianthi has been playing guitar since the age of eleven and was discovered by legend Carlos Santana. After playing with artists like Carrie Underwood, ZZ Top, and Prince, she received a MySpace message from Michael Jackson’s musical director asking her to audition for his comeback tour. Following a test run with the King of Pop himself, she was selected as his lead guitarist for his O2 arena dates in London – a crowning acheivement for the 24 year old from Adelaide, Australia.
Now Orianthi is preparing to release her solo debut album, Believe, on October 27th. In addition to her talent at guitar, Orianthi has a gorgeous voice and even sang at Michael Jackson’s Staples Center memorial service. Even before starting rehearsals for his tour though, she was hard at work writing and recording the album with her band. Believe is full of anthemic rock tracks with a sound reminiscent of Paramore or Evanescence, but entirely Orianthi thanks to her signature shreds and thunderous hooks. Her first single, “According to You” is a catchy tale of an ungrateful boyfriend, featuring a killer guitar solo.
To hear the story in her own words, watch Orianthi in this segment from Australia’s Today show. Visit Orianthi.com for updates on this rising star, and be sure to check her out in This Is It out on October 28th.
Orianthi Panagaris Interview On Today Show:
Tags: Album, Debut Album, Michael Jackson, Music, Orianthi
Michael Jackson Talks Madonna in Old Interview
Oct 1, 2009 Madonna, Michael Jackson
Although Michael Jackson and Madonna were pop royalty in the early 90s and seemed like they’d make the perfect couple, the King of Pop was not into her. According to taped conversations recorded by the singer’s long time friend, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Michael believed that Madonna was in love with him. Michael said “I think she was sincerely in love with me and I was not in love with her. She is not sexy at all. I think sexy comes from the heart in the way you present yourself.” Michael also said that Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor were more his type but feared a relationship with the veteran actress would create a circus of media frenzy because of their age gap.
Tags: Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Media, Michael Jackson, Pop, Princess Diana, Rabbi, Singer
Elizabeth Taylor Wants to be by Michael Jackson’s Grave
Sep 28, 2009 Michael Jackson
After attending Michael Jackson’s funeral service in Los Angeles, actress Elizabeth Taylor is now said to be looking for a plot next to the late pop singer. A source said “After sitting through Michael’s funeral service at the Great Mausoleum, with its magnificent stained-glass windows and replicas of Michelangelo’s artworks, she later told friends, ‘I felt a sense of peace there that I’ve never experienced before.’” Elizabeth then talked about her friendship with the singer saying “I loved Michael with all my soul and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty. I don’t think anyone knew how much we loved each other. It was the purest, most giving love I’ve ever known.”
Tags: Actress, Elizabeth Taylor, funeral, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, Michelangelo, Pop, Singer
Oprah felt Jacko was ‘profoundly lonely’
Sep 17, 2009 Michael Jackson, Oprah
Oprah Winfrey said she believed Michael Jackson was “profoundly lonely” as she remembered interviewing the King of Pop in 1993.
In the interview that re-aired on The Oprah Show on Wednesday, Jackson opened up about everything from his plastic surgery, the abuse he allegedly suffered from his father Joe, his love interests and his purpose in life.
“My purpose, I think, is to give in the best way I can,” Jackson told Oprah, before he went on to talk about his love for music and performing.
“I was surprised he was willing to go that far,” Oprah said of the interview. “I see now how profoundly lonely he was.
“I heard and sensed it then but I didn’t feel how lonely he was.”
Oprah also recalled feeling Jackson’s “sense of fear and sadness” when he was talking about his childhood.
One of the last questions Oprah asked Jackson in the interview was how he would like to be perceived. Jackson answered: “I just simply want to be loved wherever I go.”
Jackson died at the age of 50 in June in Los Angeles after he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Tags: 1993, friend, Interview, lonely, Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, sad
Tito Jackson says he forgives Conrad Murray – report
Sep 16, 2009 Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s brother Tito has said he forgives his late brother’s personal physician Conrad Murray.
Speaking of Murray, Tito said: “Have I forgiven him? We are supposed to forgive as humans.”
He added: “I’m not a hater or anything like that. I’m just going to take things one moment at a time. I’m supposed to forgive. We are supposed to forgive. That’s just my belief. So yes, I forgive. It’s what God said. You’re supposed to forgive. It’s a religious thing.”
Murray has not been indicted but is one of several physicians being investigated after a drug-related homicide was ruled to be the cause of Jackson’s death.
Tito was in the UK to perform a series of concerts. He revealed Jackson’s eldest children Prince and Paris started homeschooling this week in Los Angeles. They are in the permanent care of their grandmother, Katherine.
He also said the entire Jackson family has grown closer since the star’s tragic death on June 25.
Tags: Conrad Murray, forgive, Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson, paris, Prince, Tito Jackson
Jermaine Jackson is Desperate
Sep 14, 2009 Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Music, Stevie Wonder
Jermaine Jackson is doing everything he can to bring big names to the seemingly doomed Michael Jackson tribute concert that he’s planning in Vienna, Austria later this month. The late singer’s brother doesn’t even care what they’re claim to fame is, so it shouldn’t e a surprise that he wants Chris Brown to perform at the upcoming tribute. However, as of now, Chris and Mary J. Blige have denied that they are going to be part of the show. Jermaine has also begged the likes of Akon, Stevie Wonder, R Kelly, Maroon 5 and Sister Sledge to be part of the concert for the King of Pop. Good luck with that line up.
Tags: Akon, Chris Brown, Concert, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Pop, Singer, Stevie Wonder, Tribute
Michael Jackson Tribute in Vienna Lacking Stars
Sep 10, 2009 Chris Brown, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, U2
The so-called official line up for the Michael Jackson Tribute being held in Vienna, Austria on September 26th has been revealed. Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge, US5, Chris Brown and Angela Bassett are slated to perform while others are still being confirmed. That’s certainly an interesting line up. The big question is whether or not Jermaine Jackson will be able to follow through with his promise of big names like Madonna, U2, Robbie Williams and Whitney Houston. The late singer’s brother will be in for it if he fails to deliver. 45,000 of the King of Pop’s fans have already bought tickets.
Tags: Chris Brown, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Pop, Singer, Tribute, U2, Vienna
Singer Janet Jackson is planning a massive tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson at the VMAs
Sep 8, 2009 Janet Jackson, MTV VMA, Michael Jackson
Singer Janet Jackson is planning a massive tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson at the VMAs.
Janet is going to make a one-time tribute to the King of Pop at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 13.
Janet, 43, and around 20 back-up dancers have been constantly rehearsing to make their performance truly spectacular.
Jackson has been working with some of the world’s top choreographers, including Frank Gatson and Travis Payne to honour Michael.
One dancer told TMZ.com: “There won’t be a dry eye in the house at the end of the number.”
Source: Splash News
Tags: Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, MTV, Tribute, VMA
R Kelly Wants in on Michael Jackson Hysteria
Sep 8, 2009 Michael Jackson, R&B, R. Kelly
R Kelly plans to finish and release the album that Michael Jackson was working on before his untimely death. The has been R&B singer is convinced that after previously working with the King of Pop, he would have been picked to carry out recording and releasing the late singer’s next album. R Kelly said “I recorded five joints for Michael Jackson (in the past). And we had been talking on the phone about his new album, and I was going to finish what Michael was doing at the time. We’re going to get it out, though. Michael liked the way I would try to sing the songs just like him.” He brings a whole new meaning to the word delusional.
Tags: Michael Jackson, R&B, R. Kelly
Michael Jackson’s death certificate lists ‘injection by another’ as fatal injury
Sep 2, 2009 Michael Jackson
The wording on Michael Jackson’s death certificate has been officially changed to say that “injection by another” was the fatal injury that caused his death on June 25.
Homicide was also written into the death certificate as the cause of death.
The new public record lists “acute propofol intoxication” as the main cause of death and “benzodiazepine effect” as another significant contributor.
Jackson’s personal physician Conrad Murray has given accounts to police of the amount of drugs he gave to Jackson, unsealed court papers show.
But the amount of propofol does not match an expected lethal dose, medical experts say.
The coroner’s determination of homicide makes it easier for prosecutors to seek criminal charges but does not mean a crime was committed.
Tags: Conrad Murray, Death Certificate, Homicide, Injection by Another, Michael Jackson, Propofol
Michael Jackson to be Buried on His Birthday
Aug 21, 2009 Hollywood, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson will finally be laid to rest on what should have been the late singer’s 51st birthday! At least that’s according to Joe Jackson. That means that we should take it with a grain of salt. The Jackson family patriarch told reporters last weekend that the King of Pop will be buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills at 10AM on August 29th, Michael’s birthday. I’m not sure about what he wants to achieve by announcing the date, time and place of his son’s burial to the media. It seems to me that he wants another media spectacle to take place.
Tags: Burial, cemetery, Hollywood, Media, Michael Jackson, Pop, Singer
Kids put spring back in granny Jackson’s step
Aug 14, 2009 Michael Jackson, News, Singer
Katherine Jackson is getting her granny groove back. The three grandchildren who are now permanently in her care are helping her deal with the sudden death of her son Michael at just 50.
“After last Monday, it was like a load was taken off of her, and she’s kicking her heels a little bit. She’s got her grandchildren, they’re set. She’s starting to rock and roll. She’s getting her grandma swagger back,” said L. Londell McMillan, lawyer and longtime friend of Katherine.
McMillan said the kids were a saving grace during a painful time for the 79-year-old.
“She has been busy trying to make sure that these children will be provided for,” he said.
McMillan spoke highly of Katherine, saying: “I lost my mom almost 20 years ago, but [she and Katherine] were similar in being selfless, loving to laugh and being the most loyal person in the room. Katherine is a wonderful lady.”
He said the three children, Prince Michael I, Paris Katherine and Blanket, were doing well. “They’re in a great spot. They love their grandma. She is a very vibrant and youthful 79-year-old woman. Mrs Jackson will be the matriarch of love that she has always been for this family.”
He said they had no shortage of entertainments at their new home. “They love spraying water guns on people – especially those in suits. If you come into their space, you will get sprayed. Oh, they wait for me to turn that corner!”
Source: Splash News
Tags: Blanket, Katherine Jackson, L. Londell McMillan, Michael, paris, Prince Michael I
Michael Jackson’s Burial Confirmed
Aug 12, 2009 Michael Jackson, Singer
Six weeks after his death, the Jackson family has finally decided to bury Michael Jackson at Los Angeles’ Forest Lawn Memorial Park. There’s no word whether the mortuary plans to make some security changes to accommodate the public figure. There has been countless speculation that the King of Pop would be laid to rest at Neverland Ranch but his mom Katherine protested as the late singer deserted the home shortly after his highly publicized child molestation trial. I hope that the burial will give the family and fans the closure that they need and that Michael can finally rest in peace.
Tags: Burial, death, Forest Lawn, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, Neverland Ranch, Pop, Singer
Superstar Janet Jackson has joined the Twitter craze and is already plugging her new movie and album
Aug 12, 2009 Album, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Movies
The sister of tragic music legend Michael Jackson says she’s been filming new Tyler Perry film Why Did I Get Married Too, which is due out next year.
Janet, who has gathered more than 43,000 Twitter followers in her first week, also says she’s excited to work on her new album.
Source: Splash News
Tags: Album, dead, Drugs, Janet Jackson, king pop, legend, Michael, movie, sister, tragic, Twitter
Big Michael Jackson Investigation on Prescriptions
Aug 10, 2009 Drugs, Michael Jackson
Dr. Conrad Murray is the primary target in the death of Michael Jackson but law enforcement sources are saying that a massive investigation is building up into what could be fraudulent prescription practices for over a dozen doctors. LAPD detectives and members of the LA County Coroner’s office are gathering information on several doctors who treated the King of Pop over the years. The late singer has used over two dozen aliases to get drugs with the help of his doctors. The prescription practices have reportedly become so egregious that one pharmacy wouldn’t even write the patient’s name when a certain doctor called in for Michael. Law enforcement sources say that this could be the biggest case of its kind and that criminal charges are looming.
Tags: death, Investigation, LA, LAPD, Michael Jackson, Pharmacy, Pop, Prescription, Singer
Joe Jackson Confirms Michael Jackson Has Another Son
Aug 6, 2009 Michael Jackson, Pop Music
Joe Jackson recently admitted in an interview that Michael Jackson’s young protégé/rumored son, Omer Bhatti, is in fact a member of the Jackson family. Rumors went around that Omer was the secret lovechild of the late King of Pop, but sources firmly denied it. However, Joe admits that Omer “looks like a Jackson, acts like a Jackson” and of course, the boy can dance like a Jackson. I think that he’s just doing this to get more air time. But if it is true, I just have one thing to say – run Omer! Hurry before Joe gets his hands on you and recruits you into the new Jackson 5.
Tags: Dance, Jackson 5, Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson, Omer Bhatti, Pop, protege
Katherine Jackson deeply troubled about singer’s tour
Aug 4, 2009 Concert Tour, Michael Jackson
On the eve of an explosive court hearing into Michael Jackson’s estate, his mother is suffering in torment, says a close family friend.
Katherine Jackson is haunted by the belief she could have saved her troubled son. She had begged him just a week before his death not to go on the gruelling 50-date UK tour, it has emerged.
She is said to be unable to sleep and doing all she can to hold it together at the Jackson family compound in Encino for the sake of Michael’s three children. Kevin McLin, a family friend who knew Michael for 34 years, told the UK Sunday Mirror that Katherine is arranging for the older two children to meet their birth mother, Debbie Rowe, who obtained visitation rights in a deal struck with Katherine out of court. Rowe will be introduced as Miss Debbie rather than Mom.
McLin said: “Debbie hasn’t had contact with the kids for years so they will see a counsellor to talk them through it before they see her. Prince Michael has taken his father’s death the worst. He used to go everywhere with Michael – to business meetings and the studios. He is kind of quiet, but they are all seeing a therapist and Paris lets her emotions out, which is good.”
Katherine is focused on AEG, the London tour promoter, McLin said. “Katherine is asking questions but the answers don’t make sense. She wants to know how Michael passed the physical examination he was given by AEG. Something has to be wrong with this because he had all of these problems – how could he possibly pass a test like that?”
McLinn added: “When the toxicology result comes out and [if] it’s different from what the AEG doctors said about his health it will be time to consider legal action.”
Source: Splash News
Tags: AEG, debbie rowe, Katherine Jackson, Kevin McLin, Michael Jackson, Rebbie
Rowe happy with custody deal with Jackson’s mum
Jul 31, 2009 Michael Jackson
Debbie Rowe has spoken positively of the arrangement she has reached with Katherine Jackson over the custody of her two children with Michael Jackson.
Rowe gained visitation rights with the two children she had with Jackson, Prince Michael I and Paris Katherine. “I am encouraged by the way things are working out,” she said in a radio interview.
CKNBC reporter Chuck Henry said Rowe told him she had not received any money and that the deal was not and never was about the folding stuff. Rowe is also said to have sought a psychologist’s assistance for the children to help them adjust to her.
Rowe told Henry she will not attend a court hearing set to take place in Los Angeles on Monday.
Under the new arrangement, Katherine Jackson will maintain custody of the three children. She has had temporary guardianship of them since her son’s death on June 25.
The singer specified he wanted her to become their permanent guardian in his will, which made no provision for Rowe, who gave up her custody rights in 2001. She regained them in part three years later.
Henry said Rowe told him forming a relationship with the children “will take time”.
Source: Splash News
Tags: Chuck Henry, CKNBC, debbie rowe, Paris Katherine, Prince Michael I
Michael Jackson’s dietician says singer desperate for sleep not drugs
Jul 30, 2009 Drugs, Michael Jackson
The nurse and dietician Michael Jackson consulted before his death has commented on his medical condition in a new interview.
Cherilyn Lee said that it was sleep not highs, Jackson was seeking when he sought out drugs.
“Mr Jackson did not present himself as a drug addict and from January to April, I didn’t see that in him. Even when it came to the Diprivan, he was looking for something that was going to help him sleep.”
Lee said the beleaguered pop singer even asked her to sit in with him while he tried to sleep. “The night I stayed with him. He said, ‘I want you to see how I sleep, ’cause I want you to see that I don’t fall asleep. Or I fall asleep, it takes a while, but then I wake up after a couple hours.’ And that was before he started talking about the Diprivan.”
“He said, ‘Once it hits my veins, I’m knocked out. And I wake up the next morning I feel good, I’m full of energy. He was very excited about it – ‘Please find me someone’.”
Lee also speculated that the track marks that were alleged to be on his arms were the result of shoddy treatment, suggesting they were not those of a drug addict. “When I was drawing his blood, his veins were awfully, awfully small. And he said, ‘Oh my goodness, I have these little squiggly veins,’ and he just started laughing about it. He said, ‘Doctors always have a hard time finding my veins.’ And later it kind of dawned on me — why would doctors be looking for veins? Basically it’s nurses [that deal with veins]. I’m sure people kept missing when they were doing whatever and that’s why it looked like he had track marks.”
Source: Splash News
Tags: Cherilyn Lee, Conrad Murray, Diprivan, Michael Jackson
Janet Jackson Staying Away from Performing
Jul 29, 2009 Michael Jackson
It is being said that Janet Jackson will not be performing at the tribute concerts scheduled for August 29th and 30th at London’s O2 Arena to honor her brother, the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Friends close to Janet say that she is much too busy with her shooting schedule for the new Tyler Perry movie ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?’ while other sources claim that the singer just wants to “separate her life from her brothers”. So far, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson have all signed on to participate in the concerts, one of which would have been on the day of Michael’s 51st birthday.
Tags: Concert, Janet Jackson, London, Michael Jackson, O2 Arena, Pop, Singer, Tribute, Tyler Perry