Michael Jackson update
Details about ticket refunds and rumors of a live DVD are among the most recent tidbits of information to surface in the wake of Michael Jackson's death late last week.
While the country mourned Jackson's passing, music-industry insiders wondered how promoter AEG Live would come up with more than $90 million to refund tickets for what was to be a historic 50-night run of concerts scheduled to begin July 13 in London.
They received a partial answer yesterday (6/29), when AEG announced that more than 750,000 fans could get a full refund for tickets purchased for one of the 50 canceled "This Is It" concert performances.
However, the company reportedly hopes to cushion its obligation by offering souvenir tickets instead of a full ticket refund. AEG apparently is counting on die-hard fans--or forward-looking opportunists--to choose the now-collectible ticket, which AEG says features graphics "inspired and designed" by Jackson himself. (Images of the tickets, complete with a 3-D effect, can be viewed at MichaelJacksonLive.com beginning July 1). Fans have until Aug. 14 to accept the ticket offer.
In other news, rumors of a potential live DVD/CD set surfaced over the weekend when an AEG official boasted to a colleague that the company has "a live album in the can," according to The Wrap.com.
Apparently, Jackson's last rehearsal at the Staples Center on the night before he died was recorded in multi-camera, high-definition video and multi-track audio. The recordings reportedly were made as part of AEG's deal with Jackson, which included a plan to produce both an album and DVD of what had been billed as the mega-star's final performances.
On a more personal front, Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, 79, filed for and was granted temporary custody of Michael's three children yesterday (6/29). The children--"Prince" Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., 12, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11, and "Blanket" Prince Michael Jackson II, 7--reportedly had been staying with their grandmother since Jackson's death.
A formal hearing in the custody matter reportedly is set for Aug. 3. However, there have been reports that Debbie Rowe, the mother of the two eldest children, was asked to appear in court sometime this week.
In addition to filing guardianship papers, Katherine and Joe Jackson reportedly have filed a court action to take control of their son's estate. The papers reportedly say Katherine Jackson intends to marshal her son's assets for the exclusive benefit of his children.
The guardianship filing also is said to request control of the children's estate.
The media frenzy surrounding Jackson's death was thrown some special chum during Sunday (6/28) night's BET Awards when Joe Jackson talked about his new record label. When confronted the following day about his seemingly self-serving comments, the elder Jackson defended himself, saying he is focusing on his new business venture because it will serve as a continuation of Michael's legacy.
Joe Jackson also told reporters that there is no time frame for funeral arrangements because they are waiting for results of the second autopsy, which reportedly was ordered by the Jackson family. He also said there were no plans to bury Michael at the Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County.
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