What are you thankful for?

According to at least one report, the deathbed headboard (apparently Julien’s wasn’t going to auction the entire bed) is no longer on the auction block.

Wise decision. Respecting Michael’s memory and the people who love him is more important than money. On the other hand, auctioning anything from that home is in bad taste.

According to the article, the auctioneer was hired by Michael’s Estate. Really? Is the estate that desperate for money? Wasn’t the house rented? Did the items belong to Michael? (According to Murray, Randy Phillips said he was buying the toilet paper Michael wiped his butt with.)

Thanks for getting involved, everybody!

Don’t allow something to make you feel bad about being a fan/admirer of Michael Jackson.

Moving forward with questions about what happened to Michael Jackson.

Thanks to Jacksons who refuse to give up.

I pray that Michael’s children retain the values their father gave them.

Peace.

The headboard to the bed where Michael Jackson died will not be auctioned off as originally planned, said the auctioneer hired by the late singer’s estate.

“We received a request from the estate,” said Darren Julien, of Julien’s Auctions.

The mattresses to the bed were never to be auctioned, as they were removed as evidence shortly after the singer died.

The Beverly Hills auction house will hold a public viewing Dec. 12 to 17 of the contents of the Holmby Hills house where Jackson died. The auction will take place Dec. 17 at the company’s gallery on Wilshire Boulevard.

Scheduled to be auctioned is everything from high-priced paintings to candles and silverware.

The bed frame is all that has been pulled, Julien said.
“Everything else will go on as scheduled,” he said.

(LA Times)

(reuters.com)

Julien’s Auctions is holding a live auction featuring items from the deceased King of Pop’s former Holmby Hills residence next month. Among the many items up for bid? The bed that Jackson died in at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009, TMZ reports.

Here is Julien’s Auctions contact info, if you’d like to sound off on the subject. Please be respectful.

Julien’s Auctions
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 150
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Tel: 310-836-1818
Fax: 310-742-0155

Twitter
@JuliensAuctions

Contact Julien’s (online email)

http://www.juliensauctions.com/contact.html

Hello, everyone

A camera crew has followed Conrad Murray since 2009, and MSNBC is scheduled to broadcast the documentary this Friday, November 11, 2011.

Note: Martin Bashir has an afternoon program on MSNBC.

Respectfully let MSNBC and NBC know how you feel about a film documenting the two years of Conrad Murray’s life, and ask them not to show it. Let them know that it is wrong for Murray and the network to profit from tragedy.

Twitter

@msnbc @nbc

MSNBC/NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Phone: (212) 664-3720
Fax: (212) 664-4426 (NBC News)

Email

viewerservices@msnbc.com

Phil.Griffin@nbcuni.com (Phil Griffin MSNBC President)

Bill.Wolff@nbcuni.com (Vice President, Prime Time Programming, MSNBC)

NBC

3000 West Alameda Avenue, Burbank, CA 91523-0002
(818) 840-4444

Email
nbcuniversalviewerfeedback@nbcuni.com

Thank you!

It was encouraging to see members of the Jackson family attend court proceedings. Family support. Congratulations.

David Walgren was a force.

Ed Chernoff gets points for his line of questioning with Randy Phillips.

Conrad Murray had the chance to make things right after he found Michael in trouble. Instead, he didn’t call for emergency help, covered up, and tried to make himself look like a hero. Those aren’t the actions of someone who is innocent.

Somber. Michael Jackson is not here. I would not want to be in Murray’s shoes. I pray for him.

I find myself wondering if there is someone sitting behind a desk somewhere smiling at the verdict and counting on things ending here.

The pursuit of justice does not end with Conrad Murray.

Michael was not happy when he found out he was expected to do 50 shows at the 02 arena.

If the shows were canceled, he would’ve been responsible for production costs up to June 22, 2009.

Michael fired Tohme Tohme, yet he was on stage at the UCLA press conference as Michael’s death was announced, he and fired the Carolwood household staff the same day.

Peter Lopez was Michael’s entertainment attorney at the time Michael signed the contract with AEG, but attorney Dennis Hawk’s name is on correspondence regarding the contract.

We were told that Michael signed his Will on July 7, 2002 in Los Angeles, when he reportedly was in New York City.

Justice for Michael Jackson.

First of all, I was surprised that AEG didn’t express greater concern about Michael’s death… (LaToya Jackson – ‘Starting Over’)

It was the age of levitations and decapitations, of ghostly apparitions and sudden vanishings, as if the tottering Empire were revealing through the medium of its magicians its secret desire for annihilation. (Eisenheim the Illusionist)

If only Eduard could leap from the pages of a literary tale and produce an image of Randy Phillips which told the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

There was a point in Randy Phillips’ testimony when I was reminded (it was a though the light in the court room became brighter) that what happened to Michael Jackson isn’t entirely about Murray. However, he may be the key to unlocking what lies beneath.

The defense team has my appreciation for calling Randy Phillips to the witness stand, and Ed Chernoff’s line of questioning confirmed for that me that all is not what we are being to believe it is. Chernoff’s job is to keep his client from being convicted, but he opened the door.

Based on Randy Phillips’ testimony, both Michael Amir (alleged references to MJ’s visits to Dr. Klein) and Paul Gongaware (allegedly told Phillips to call Michael about additional shows at 02) should be called back to a witness stand in the future. Include Randy Phillips and Tohme Tohme to the list and add the MJ/AEG contract as evidence.

Dr. Klein’s Demerol injections in 2009: Conrad Murray didn’t keep records of his nightly Propofol treatments and Klein could have done the same.

Randy Phillips said he talked to Murray about MJ’s visits to Dr. Klein and testified about two specific incidents. He also told the court that it was obvious MJ had great trust in Murray and deferred to him regarding health questions.

Did it occur to Phillips that Michael probably had great trust in Dr. Klein as well, or else he wouldn’t have let the dermatologist give him Botox injections in his face? Michael had to Klein’s office for years. It makes one wonder why Phillips didn’t question Murray’s treatment of MJ, particularly since AEG was on track to become Murray’s employer.

If Arnold Klein is guilty of a crime, he should be charged, but both he and Michael have taken hits for Murray in the court room. Why was Phillips eager to point a finger at Klein based on comments allegedly made by Michel Amir Williams?

Michael Amir Williams was officially hired to work for MJ in mid 2007, more than a year before AEG resumed talks with Michael, and more than a year and a half before Michael signed the contract with AEG. Why did Michael Amir tell Phillips about his boss’ visits to Klein?

Randy “the best to my recollection” Phillips

Randy Phillips has been President and CEO of AEG Live for about 9 ½ years. He is responsible for the annual profit and loss statement.

His first encounter with Michael Jackson was in the mid 1990s when he brought the LA Gear endorsement deal, along with another endorsement agent, to John Branca who was MJ’s attorney at the time. Randy reported to John Branca.

Randy lost touch with Michael until 2007. One of his executives received a call from Peter Lopez who was Michael’s attorney in 2007.

In 2007, Paul Gongaware worked for AEG. He was hired to take over management of MJ’s tour in 1996 or 1997.

In 2007, Peter Lopez made contact with John Meglan, a co-CEO with Paul Gongware of AEG’s tour division. Phillips was notified. Peter Lopez made contact on behalf of MJ. Phillips assumed the first meeting would be to talk about the potential of MJ getting back on stage again. AEG would absolutely be interested in that.

Would have been a monumental achievement in 2007 and something AEG would’ve been very interested in, a big sell. He would assume that any entertainment company would be interested in it. He can only speak for AEG.

AEG was approached again in late August 2008. Tom Barrack’s office of Colony Capital contacted Phillips’ office. Tom Barrack is principal in company called Colony Capital.

Barrack contacted Phil Anschutz. Phillips “believes” that Barrack knows Phil Anschutz. Phillips was contacted by Phil Anschutz and had his office set up an appointment for Phillips to meet with Barrack and another partner, Richard Manua (sp?)in Century City.

Last time MJ had a concert: Phillips was no more or less aware than just being in the business. He didn’t do any specific research on his tours.

Chernoff: To your knowledge when was the last time that Michael Jackson had been on stage in concert.

Phillips: I honestly cannot recollect — I’m not sure.

Chernoff: In the 90s?

Phillips: It would be the late 90s I’m sure — yeah, It’s gonna be the 90s.

Initial agreement made with AEG, Michael Jackson, and Michael Jackson Company was for up to 31 shows.

Initially they (AEG) advertised 10 shows — you never as a promoter put all of your shows on sale at same time because it becomes a disincentive for early purchase. This was done right after press conference on March 5, 2009.

After announcement on March 5th, the sales of tickets were fabulous, over top.

Paul Gongaware called Phillips and told him to call MJ about additional shows because the demand was so great. Phillips initially talked to Tohme Tohme about adding 19 shows. Tohme called Phillips back and said MJ would do the 19 additional shows but no more than 50. Tohme would work out schedule with Paul. Twenty minutes later, Michael Amir called Phillips and Phillips spoke to MJ who agreed to do the additional dates based on two conditions: English estate & Guinness Book of Records be present at final show.

Phillips said he had nothing to do with the hiring of Murray. Paul (Gongaware) was engaged.

Meeting in first week of June was first time Phillips met Murray – to the best of his recollection. He had no idea what Murray was doing behind closed doors in regards to treatment of MJ.

Reason for meeting on June 20, 2009 — the week prior there were further missed rehearsals. Randy wasn’t at rehearsals that week but got email sent from Ortega.

Phillips thought meeting was going to be about MJ’s tardiness in attending rehearsals.

Frank Dileo never mentioned concern about drug use by MJ to Phillips.

A voice mail from Frank Dileo was recovered on Murray’s phone. It was date and time stamped for June 20, 2011 @ 7:48am (Los Angeles time).

Dr. Murray, it’s Frank DiLeo, Michael’s manager. (inaudible) Would you please call me at (phone number omitted)? I’m sure you’re aware he had an episode last night. He’s sick. Today’s Saturday. Tomorrow, I’m on my way back. I’m not going to continue my trip. I think he need- I think you need to get a blood test on him today. I-We got to see what he’s doing. All right. Thank you.

“Pulling the plug”/tough love card comments in Ortega’s email: Randy said he didn’t understand the tough love part of it. He wasn’t sure what Kenny was referring to. He understood MJ coming to rehearsal, not feeling well and being sent home. There was concern that MJ wasn’t taking it seriously as it moved closer.

There wasn’t concern that the show couldn’t go on if he didn’t take it more seriously. The concern was that there might have to be postponements if there wasn’t enough technical time to deal with size of production.

Doesn’t know where “pulling the plug” comment came from. No one on AEG’s end was ever contemplating “pulling the plug.”

AEG had a contractual obligation to MJ — pulling the plug was not a unilateral thing and would have to be mutually decided upon by both parties.

Chernoff: MJ was ultimately responsible for the production costs up until June 22, 2009.

Phillips: Yes

Chernoff: Contractually he was responsible for tens of millions … (objection sustained)

Chernoff: AEG had cancellation insurance. (objection sustained)

Phillips asked Murray to set up meeting. Phillips can’t remember if he gave him the reason for the meeting beforehand or if he fwded Ortega’s email.

Phillips was at rehearsal on June 23rd and 24th. Considering the meeting they had on 20th, it would’ve been remiss if he didn’t show up after that meeting on 20th. Make sure things were on track.

On June 25, 2009, Phillips received phone call from Frank Dileo about 10:30 am or 11:00 am that MJ was having trouble breathing and paramedics were at house. The first call he got was from Frank Dileo. It took Phillips about 15 minutes to get to the Carolwood house.

During cross-examination by Prosecutor Walgren, Phillips said he learned MJ was having problems in the morning. After Walgren recounted testimony that the 911 call was placed at 12:20 pm and paramedics left the house after 1:00 pm, Phillips said it could’ve been that time.

From Randy Phillips interview. Article dated October 27, 2009

TW: You had a 15-year relationship with MJ. What does this project mean to you?

RP: It’s more like 20 years — I really miss him. He was a big part of my life. He was infuriating, manic, loving and considerate. Let me tell you a story: Michael had missed two rehearsals … the cast and crew were waiting and he was really late. He hadn’t left his house yet. So I called and yelled at him. We had a fight. He finally got there and I got there a little later. He was sitting in a chair, going over notes. He walked around the table and walked past me. But he didn’t want to be rude so he stopped. Put his arm on my shoulder, tapped it, then walked on. He was mad but he still didn’t want to be impolite. That was Michael.

TW: You were at the hospital when he died? You had to tell the family?

RP: Yes, I arrived before anyone else got there. I was behind him as he got to the hospital. It was horrible and will haunt me for the rest of my life. The social worker and Frank Dileo actually delivered the message to the kids. As I was looking at them, I will never forget the wail — the scream that came out of his mother.

TW: His death was a shock to the world, yet Michael passed the physical to sign on to the tour, as you said, with “flying colors.”

RP: He took the physical in March long before he died. He had a passing bill of health. Michael did not die from ill health, it was a tragic accident.

Taken from Part 2 of same interview

TW: Talk about the energy surrounding the project. There are numerous talented people on board, including choreographer Kenny Ortega. I heard him speak at the MJ Memorial at Staples.

RP: We put the memorial together after the 4th of July. It was a labor of love for Michael. With this project, it’s not about press. He’s not a caricature. This project is entertaining.

TW: Take us back to how you talked MJ out of retirement. How were you able to convince him?

Two, Guinness Book of World Records must be present on the 50th show to memorialize it. Guinness was important to him.

TW: Initially AEG was rumored to lose millions after Michael’s death. You said, quote, “People have speculated that this is going to bankrupt our company. The truth is – it isn’t.” How are you covered?

RP: At the time of his death we’d already spent $33 million on production. No, it’s not the end of the company. Maybe to other companies, but not ours. Our mutual owner is a very wealthy billionaire. People speculated this would be the end, but I knew the value of the content we had. Just didn’t know how to monetize it. I shopped it around to studios and [there was] a bidding war between four studios, Universal, Sony, Paramount and Fox.

TW: Immediately following Michael’s death, there were clips from his rehearsals on the news — all over TV. It was a bit eerie to watch. However, he seemed so real. He wasn’t in a video or in a structured interview. He was a person.

RP: Yes, in this film he is a real person. You are a voyeur. Just a fly on the wall in his life.

From UK Telegraph article dated March 14, 2009

This precise, organisational mastermind has kicked up a global ticketing storm just four months after a high-pitched “yes” was uttered from Jackson’s pinched lips. The pair go back 15 years – they lost touch, but after the promoter joined AEG he made a “hit list” of acts to entice. Jackson was at the top.

“They make out Michael’s finances are much more dire than they are,” Phillips assures me. But he needed the cash, right? “I asked him straight off: why say yes to the tour now? Was it the money? He said: you know what, my kids are old enough now.” Jackson agreed to do 10 dates for AEG, before relenting to 40 more. The star “worships” London, but plans to stay in a country house where his children can play. If any Daily Telegraph readers have a plush rural pad for rent, Phillips wants to know.

He estimates Jackson will make $50m-$100m from the London dates. This could rise to $500m if he does a world tour.

So how much is AEG getting out of this? Phillips laughs. “We’re not in this for the money. We’re taking a huge risk on Michael. Forgetting tickets, the local economy will get $500m.”

Things haven’t gone entirely seamlessly for AEG since they put their money behind Jackson. Most tickets are being sold straight to fans for £50-£75. But AEG claims its premium ticket partner, Viagogo offered seats for re-sale in bulk, allowing touts and other re-sellers to push up prices. A court has now ordered Viagogo to stop selling to anyone not believed to be an individual fan, until a further hearing.

Another potential hitch is that they do not yet have insurance covering Jackson’s appearance at all 50 gigs – but Phillips insists any risk will be worth it.
“If Mike gets too nervous to go on, I’ll throw him over my shoulder and carry him on stage. He’s light enough.”

In recent days, there has been furious speculation about Jackson’s health, which Phillips dismisses. “Making up rumours about Michael Jackson is a cottage industry,” he exclaims. “We were having dinner when I got a Google alert that he had a flesh-eating disease. He was sitting opposite, healthy as ever.”

Among the other urban myths he demolishes: Jacko is not as weird as I may think, but a devoted parent, and though famed for Jesus-like shows, “not a confident person”.

Jackson’s nerves aside, the deal could have been off if Phil Anschutz, the billionaire behind AEG had not taken to him.

“Phil had to give me permission to spend all this money. I joke that I’m going to make him a millionaire – from a billionaire.” Anschutz has been described as prickly, but Phillips says he is “respectful, a good listener and brilliant”.

Anschutz built up his empire from property and launched AEG to take on the force of Live Nation: its corporate nemesis.

“We are under assault by an 800lb gorilla called Live Nation, planning to merge with Ticketmaster. It’s not good, but we are there doing better.”

AEG is certainly putting its all into making the tour superlative. Hiring Kenny Ortega, the man behind High School Musical, booking superstar guest appearances, putting money into a new 3D film of Thriller and developing new technology to make it a historical spectacle.

“Now we have the biggest artist in the world at the best arena in the best city,” Phillips declares, digesting the news that 750,000 tickets have sold out in five hours. He has the satisfied look of a man who has just pulled off an inconceivably ambitious plan.

CV

Background

My father was born in Bayswater, so I’m an Anglophile. But I’m from the US

First job in music

I promoted events at Stanford University, where I studied law, before deciding to go into business

Next big tour

I would love to get ABBA back together

Career highlights

Managing Rod Stewart for years, working with Jim Kerr, Bon Jovi, Prince, Britney, Justin, Take That, Lionel Ritchie, Guns’n'Roses

From LA Times article dated May 30, 2009.

Tohme reached out to Barrack, who said he was initially reluctant to get involved because Jackson had already sought advice from fellow billionaire Ron Burkle, an old friend.

“I said, ‘My God, if Ron can’t figure it out, I can’ figure it out,’ ” Barrack said.

But he was drawn to the deal. He owns a ranch five miles from Neverland, and his sons were among local children Jackson invited over for field days at the ranch. The financier retains close ties to the developer who built Neverland and is friendly with Wesley Edens, the chairman of the property’s debt-holder, Fortress Investment Group.

With the auction of Jackson’s home and possessions just days away, Barrack made the singer a proposition.

“I sat down with him and said, ‘Look . . . we can buy the note and restructure your financial empire,’” Barrack said. But, he told him, “what you need is a new caretaker. A new podium. A new engine.”

Tohme, who acted as Jackson’s manager until recently, recalled the urgency of the situation. “If he didn’t move fast, he would have lost the ranch,” Tohme said. “That would have been humiliating for Michael.”

Jackson and Barrack reached an agreement within seven days. Colony paid $22.5 million and Neverland averted foreclosure.

After buying Neverland, Barrack called his friend Anschutz. Barrack said the prospect of helping Jackson, given his recent criminal case, gave Anschutz, a devout Christian, pause. (Anschutz declined to be interviewed.)

“One would hope he would end up netting around 50% of that,” Phillips said.

Barrack, the man who set Jackson’s comeback in motion, has seen his net worth drop with the financial crisis of the last year. Forbes estimated his wealth at $2.3 billion around the time he met Jackson, but he is now merely a multimillionaire. He said that the economic downturn makes Jackson even more attractive as an investment because his value has been overlooked: In times like this, he said, “finding little pieces of information that others don’t have” is more important than ever.

His company isn’t exposed to any risk by working with Jackson. All the money Colony has put up is backed by the value of Neverland and related assets, he said. If Jackson regains firm financial footing, Barrack’s company could be a partner in future deals. “When he looks back and says, ‘Who took the risk? Who was there?’ I mean, he gets it. So that’s my hope,” Barrack said.

Fans demonstrated their faith in Jackson months ago when they snapped up 750,000 tickets for shows through March 2010 in less than four hours. “We could have done 200 shows if he were willing to live in London for two years,” Phillips said.

Amid the high stakes, Phillips has taken a hands-on approach more reminiscent of his early days as a talent manager for acts including Guns N’ Roses and Lionel Richie than as the company’s chief executive.

In addition to the more than $20 million AEG is paying to produce the shows, the company is putting its reputation on the line for a performer with a track record of missed performances and canceled dates. In a video news conference earlier this month, Phillips acknowledged that the company has only been able to insure 23 of the 50 “This Is It” performances.”In this business, if you don’t take risks, you don’t achieve greatness,” Phillips said.

Phillips said he speaks with Jackson regularly and has closely monitored rehearsals in a Burbank soundstage. In response to questions about his physical condition, especially in light of his previous addiction to prescription painkillers, Phillips said that Jackson passed a rigorous medical examination. Associates also say he adheres to a strict vegetarian diet and works out with a personal trainer.

But the problems that have bedeviled Jackson in the past — infighting, disorganization and questionable advisors — persist.

In an interview last week, Tohme 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, longtime Jackson associate DiLeo 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.

In April, Jackson fired the accounting firm, Cannon & Co., that had worked for him for a year, according to an accountant who worked on his finances. Jeff Cannon of Cannon & Co. said he received a phone call from an assistant of Jackson who said the singer no longer required his services.

Then there is Arfaq Hussain. A British man who met Jackson in the late 1990s, Hussain designed clothing for the performer — including an air-conditioned jacket, a pair of self-adjusting, rhodium-plated shoes and the “Crystal Miracle,” a jacket covered with 275,000 rock crystals — and tried to launch a business selling $75,000 bottles of perfume by trading on Jackson’s name.

In 2002, Hussain was jailed for four months in Britain for charges related to business fraud. Hussain and Jackson recently became reacquainted and the singer hired him as an assistant, DiLeo said.

The woman who was Jackson’s public face during his criminal trial, former manager and spokeswoman Raymone Bain, is pressing a federal breach of contract suit against the singer. Bain claims that Jackson cheated her out of her 10% cut of several business deals, including the AEG concerts. Bain is to ask a judge in Washington, D.C., next month to seize the portion she alleges is hers, citing Jackson’s history of evading creditors.

In his corner office high above Century City, Barrack is sanguine about reports of disharmony.

“You have the same thousand parasites that start to float back in and take advantage of the situation and that has happened a little at the edges,” he said. But, he added, he had confidence in AEG’s ability to keep Jackson focused.

The concerts, Phillips acknowledged, are a do-or-die moment for Jackson.

“If it doesn’t happen, it would be a major problem for him career-wise in a way that it hasn’t been in the past,” he said.