General Discussion about Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson record sales have seen an increase in the wake of his death yesterday.
Within hours of the news breaking, the star occupied the Top 15 selling albums on online retailer Amazon.
Jackson's 1982 album 'Thriller', the best-selling album in history with estimated sales of almost 50 million, was in peak position.
A total of seven albums have so far climbed into the iTunes Top 25, with his recent 'Number Ones' collection highest at number nine.
According to Jackson's record label Sony Music, the star has sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide.
"His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever," Sony chairman, CEO and president Sir Howard Stringer said in a statement.
"We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work."

Mariah Carey has said that she is "heartbroken" over the death of Michael Jackson.
The singer wrote on her Twitter page that Jackson was an irreplaceable artist whose legacy would live on.
Carey said: "I am heartbroken. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and my heart goes out to his children.
"Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world."
She added: "I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever."

A major music retailer has revealed that it experienced its biggest ever one-day rise in sales of any artist following the death of Michael Jackson.
HMV reported the figures after Jackson's Number Ones compilation topped the UK albums chart and 20 of the star's singles re-entered the top 75.
Spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "There's been huge demand for Michael's recordings over the past few days - so it's really no surprise that Number Ones has gone to the top of the official UK album charts, which pretty much has all his greatest hits on, and is the CD most people have been going for.
"Almost overnight, HMV experienced an 80-fold increase in demand for his music - in our stores and online. This is the biggest one-day rise in sales we have seen for any artist - greater even than when Elvis and John Lennon died."
Within hours of Jackson's death being reported, the singer's LPs occupied all 15 slots on the best-selling albums ranking from online retailer Amazon.

Michael Jackson's sudden and shocking death robbed the world of one of its greatest ever popstars last week. His passing means that many mysteries and tabloid rumours surrounding MJ's bizarre behaviour will probably forever remain unanswered. However, there are still plenty of unusual facts about the 'Thriller' singer that you probably hadn't heard about. Keep reading for ten intriguing tidbits we unearthed about the King Of Pop.
1. Michael Jackson's hit single 'Bad' was originally going to be a duet with fellow '80s pop icon Prince. The tabloid press often described the pair as rivals and Jackson apparently wanted to play on that up until the song's release. Prince said later that he turned the offer down because he knew it "would be a hit without [him] on it".
2. When he was in the Jackson 5, little Michael appeared on the US equivalent of Blind Date - The Dating Game. The young popstar got to ask the questions and was allowed to pick a date from three "bachelorettes". Sadly, love never blossomed.
3. Jackson's incredible slant/lean in the 'Smooth Criminal' video is one of his most famous dance moves. However, did you know that the singer actually patented the "anti-gravity shoes", which helped him pull off the move? The boots, which he worked on with Michael L. Bush and Dennis Tompkins, had a "specially designed heel slot", which allowed their owner to "lean forwardly beyond his centre of gravity".
4. A lot of stories about "Wacko Jacko" were nonsense made up by the tabloid press. One of the few stories that was may actually have been true related to his fascination with Joe Merrick - The Elephant Man. He reportedly attempted to buy Merrick's remains from the London Hospital Medical College in the late '80s, claiming to be "a dedicated and devoted collector of art and antiques". He later denied the allegations, but admitted he was a fan of Merrick.
5. One of Jackson's many uncompleted projects was an "acting DVD" with the late Marlon Brando. At a court case in 2006, answerphone messages from Jackson revealed that had been hoping to team up with the Godfather star, whom he described as a "god". It is rumoured that they were going to interview each other on the island of Tahiti for the project.
6. Jackson's big screen credits with 1978's The Wiz and 1988's Moonwalker weren't Jacko's finest hours, but he did at one point have plans to resume his movie career. In 1999 it was confirmed that Jackson was going to take the title role in big-budget thriller about hard-drinking writer Edgar Allan Poe. Sadly, the movie never came to fruition.
7. Jackson may never have won an Oscar, but that wasn't going to stop him owning one. The 'Thriller' singer paid $1.4million at an auction in 1999 for the Gone With The Wind Best Picture gong. A spokesperson said that it had been Jacko's "lifelong desire to own that particular object".
8. Jackson was often criticised by the media for his unusual parenting skills, but one man who did trust the singer was soul music legend Lionel Richie. Alongside producer Quincy Jones, Jackson was made a godfather to Lionel's daughter Nicole.
9. Did you think that Michael's former pet chimp Bubbles was dead? Well, think again! He's spent the last four years at the Centre For Great Apes in Florida. "He's a very sweet and nice chimp, he really is," according to sanctuary director Patti Ragan.
10. He may have been the King Of Pop, but Jackson's last notable live appearance was a bit of a flop. Fans paid up to £500 to see him at the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in 2006 after reports circulated about him performing 'Thriller'. When he only came on for a quick cameo and a couple of lines of 'We Are The World', even Jacko's loyal fanbase responded with some clearly audible boos.

A public memorial service for Michael Jackson will reportedly be held in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.
According to Sky News, sources have confirmed US reports that the 'Thriller' star will be honoured in a ceremony at the Staples Centre at 10am.
The sports facility is owned by AEG Live, the company behind Jackson's comeback concerts in London.
It is understood that screens will also be installed outside the building for the thousands of fans who are expected to attend.
Jackson's family have yet to comment on the report, but recently dismissed speculation that his body would be put on public display at his Neverland ranch.
The 2,500-acre property had emerged as an early possibility to stage his funeral, but it has been suggested that his family were unable to obtain the necessary burial permit within the time limits.