The King of Pop, Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the 80s. Two years since his untimely mysterious death, many questions have been raised, but none answered.
The King of Pop, Michael Jackson was unquestionably the biggest pop star of the 80s. Two years since his untimely mysterious death, many questions have been raised, but none answered.
Sister La Toya Jackson has been making allegations, mostly unnoticed, but now goes a step further with her memoir. She offers more detail of who she thinks wanted Michael dead - and how much the singer knew about the plot. "People come into your life, wiggle their way in, control you, manipulate, control your funds, your finances, everything that you have," she told Piers Morgan on CNN this week.
"Michael told me that they were going to murder him," she told Morgan. "He was afraid. He was afraid for his life." She added: "I believe that when Michael walked in that house that night, whatever it was that greeted him, he knew that his end was upon him. And as soon as he had passed, some of the very people he had expressed suspicions about now controlled his estate." She also says Michael's children were also worried about him, sensing something was about to happen.
While La Toya does not accuse anyone of masterminding the murder, she condemns the behaviour of Dr Tohme Tohme, who managed Michael's affairs towards the end of his life.
On searching Michael's bedroom after his death, La Toya says she found notes scattered everywhere, including written pleas to help get "these people out of my life". Michael was in the last stages of rehearsals for his mammoth comeback 50-concert residency at London's O2 Arena, and La Toya blames "everyone that surrounded that and was involved in that" for the singer's death.
A customised Michael Jackson motorcycle will be driven through his final resting place to mark the second anniversary of his death. The vehicle - which is emblazoned with images of the singer- was created by family friend Marcell 'Porkchop' Miller. Days after the late star's daughter Paris, 13, tweeted pictures of herself and her siblings inspecting the bike, TMZ now reports it will be driven through Forrest Lawn Memorial Park tomorrow. The King of Pop's hometown of Gary, Indiana - where he lived with his family until 1969 –is also planning a tribute to mark his passing, and promise to do so every year. On his death anniversary today, we take you through the many controversies surrounding his untimely death, his children and his connect with India.
On the fateful day of June 25th, 2009 the greatest pop artist the world had ever seen was pronounced dead after being taken to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 50. Dr Tohme Tohme later said he discovered Jackson at home not breathing and was unable to revive him.
June 26, 2009: An autopsy is performed, but the cause of death is not determined. The Los Angeles County coroner's office says toxicology tests could take weeks. At this time, Jackson was $400 million in debt. Within hours, frenzied fans morning the singer crashed online music stores. Music stores were cleaned out of Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 CDs- all 10 albums on Amazon.com's bestseller list are Jackson's; the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller is No. 1.
Jackson's July 7 memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was attended by about 20,000 people. Jackson's daughter Paris called him "the best father" she could imagine. A 2002 will signed by the singer cut out father Joe and ex-wife Debbie Rowe. Jackson's estate, which in an attachment was valued at more than $500 million, was put in trust for his children, his mother and charities.
Throughout his career, Jackson blurred and transcended the lines between artiste, icon, genius and sadly even celebrity ridicule. In his death, he defines controversy. Barely a month after his death, Los Angeles police and Federal drug agents raided the Houston office of Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray. In August 2009, the Los Angeles County coroner released a statement saying Jackson's death had been ruled a homicide. The cause of death is said to be acute intoxication from the anesthetic propofol, with other sedatives contributing to the death. Jackson's death certificate was subsequently amended to say his fatal injury was "injection by another."
Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter on Feb. 8, 2010 in Jackson's death and pleaded not guilty. On January 11, 2011, the judge from Murray's preliminary hearing determined that Murray should stand trial for involuntary manslaughter in the Jackson case. The judge also suspended Murray's license to practice medicine in California. The trial is scheduled to begin September 8
In September 2009, Jackson was entombed at Forest Lawn Glendale cemetery, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, in a mausoleum alongside legendary stars including Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields. Court documents later show that the private family funeral cost the Jackson estate $1 million, including burial, flowers, cars, security and a post-funeral dinner.
Meanwhile Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe agreed that Michael Jackson's children should be cared for by her, but that Rowe should be able to visit the two eldest children, as she is their biological mother. A judge granted permanent guardianship of Michael Jackson's three children- Paris, Prince and Blanket to their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Later it is revealed that Katherine Jackson is receiving $86,204 per month from her son's estate for herself and her three grandchildren. Documents also show that she will be allowed to challenge administrators of the estate without losing her substantial stake.
This Is It: Tickets for the first public screenings of the This Is It documentary sold out in two hours. By Monday, Sept. 28, hundreds of show times have sold out around the world. The posthumous single debuted on his official Web site on October 12. The film Michael Jackson's This Is It premiered on October 27. It pulled in $103 million worldwide in its first five days, and is No. 1 in the US Halloween weekend.
On January 31, 2010, Jackson was given a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. Prince and Paris accepted the award on Michael's behalf, with Prince vowing that the children will continue to spread their father's message of love. The televised ceremony includes a 3-D film in which Jackson sings his Earth Song, expressing his sadness about the destruction of nature and animals by humans.
Last September the star's mother Katherine launched legal proceedings against the concert giant AEG, accused of "putting its desire for huge profits" ahead of MJ's health. The 80-year-old is also suing for the emotional distress caused to Prince, who watched his dad die. The wrongful death suit, filed in an LA court, claims AEG should not have hired doctor Conrad Murray and did so without proper checks.
The star's children are clearly now able to enjoy a well-deserved respite from the on-going battles over their father's untimely death. La Toya's book offers insight into the world of Michael Jackson and how he cared for his three children Paris, Prince and Blanket- you don't want to miss this.
Elder brother Jermaine Jackson says he and his famous singing siblings were inspired by Bollywood. The Jackson 5 singer takes part in a tribute to his late brother at the International Indian Film Academy. Jackson told NDTV, "At my first IIFA awards, I'm very excited." He remembers his Bollywood connect in the early days fondly, "Every Saturday, there was a channel 18 we'd watch movies on. It was something that drew us in...the dancing, the clothing."
