Michael Jackson to be Honored at Grauman’s Chinese Theater

Before Cirque du Soleil brings Michael Jackson’s music to Los Angeles in their “IMMORTAL World Tour,” the King of Pop will be immortalized in a hand and footprints ceremony at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Jan. 26.

During the event, the superstar’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, will make impressions in the cement at Grauman’s using their late father’s sequined glove and shoes, Jackson’s official Estate announced on Thursday. Jackson’s legacy will sit alongside Hollywood icons like Fred Astaire, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor (who was a close friend to Jackson) at the location.

A day after the ceremony, Cirque du Soleil will kick off a three-night residency at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. “Michael Jackson: The IMMORTAL World Tour” kicked off last October in Montreal, and an accompanying remix album, “Immortal,” was released on Nov. 21.

Contents of Michael Jackson’s Last Home Auctions for $1 Million

The contents of Michael Jackson’s final home went under the auction hammer this weekend, reaping three times pre-sale estimates for a total of close to $1 million.

Collectors bid on some 500 items from the home Jackson rented in Los Angeles while preparing for comeback concerts in London.

Among the highlights was a Victorian Revival-style bedroom suite that sold for $25,075. The set includes an armoire on whose ornate mirror the “Thriller” singer wrote a message in felt pen: “Train, perfection March April Full out May” — presumably a reference to rehearsals for London’s “This Is It” concerts set to start that July.

A pottery rooster holding a chalkboard with a note from Jackson’s children — Prince, Paris and Blanket — sold for $5,000.

“Anything associated with Michael Jackson is highly collectible,” auctioneer Darren Julien said in the lead-up to the auction.

The ornate headboard on the bed where Jackson’s body was found on June 25, 2009, was removed from the sale last month at the request of Jackson’s family.

Beloved Artist Tom Bridegroom Lives on in Posthumous Release of Christmas Favorite

LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2011) – Multi-talented and loved by all who knew him, artist Tom Bridegroom’s creative endeavors continue to reach and touch people, even more than 7 months after his tragic, sudden death. Continuing to live on through his gift of music, a posthumous Christmas track from Tom has now been released, offering his heartwarming rendition of the classic, “The Christmas Song,” which features upcoming singing star Coleen McMahon.

At only 29 years old, Tom’s life was tragically cut short, ending his promising career in the entertainment industry. Survived by his family and life partner Shane Bitney Crone, his unexpected death broke the hearts of his numerous loved ones, who treasure the many examples of his natural talent and passions for music and entertainment that he left behind. As a singer, actor and host, he was well loved by all who knew him and renowned for his gracious, generous spirit and unyielding vivacity.

Exceptionally ambitious and dedicated, Tom injected his unique personality and driving passion into his every pursuit and explored all presented opportunities to be creatively expressive. Tom loved learning and finding ways to grow as both an artist and person, and was always motivated to be creatively stimulated and involved. Featuring the beautiful vocals of talented artist Coleen McMahon, Thomas’ newly released recording of, “The Christmas Song” aptly showcases his solid musical ability and devotion to the emotional experience of creating music. In the track, which Tom and Coleen recorded for the enjoyment of their friends and family, Tom’s strong vocal talent comes through with a graceful, soothing tone, providing the holiday favorite with an air of ease and inviting familiarity.

Although there is nothing that can fill the void left by Tom’s tragic passing, the many people who loved him dearly hold onto the creative gifts he left behind, knowing that Tom’s love for music and vivacious spirit lives on through his numerous projects. With the holidays upon us, it is a privilege to have the beautiful, heartfelt rendition of “The Christmas Song” from Tom Bridegroom, the beloved artist who is unmatched in his unique talents, compassionate heart, and one of a kind personality.

To visit Tom’s Facebook Memorial Page, click HERE.

To find out more about Coleen McMahon, click HERE.

Dr. Conrad Murray Gets Maximum Sentence for Michael Jackson Death

Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of Michael Jackson, was sentenced to the maximum four years in prison on Tuesday, putting the tragic saga of The King of Pop to rest.

As Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor chastised Dr. Conrad Murray for his “horrific violation of trust” while caring for Jackson, Murray sat stoically, unflinching.

Judge Pastor said one of the most disturbing aspects of Murray’s case was a slurred recording of Jackson that was recovered from the doctor’s cell phone.

“That tape recording was Dr. Murray’s insurance policy,” Pastor said. “It was designed to record his patient surreptitiously at that patient’s most vulnerable point.”

Michael Jackson’s family said in a statement, “We are not here to seek revenge. There is nothing you can do today that will bring Michael back.” The family expressed to Pastor that they only wanted the doctor who was responsible for Michael’s death to receive a stiff sentence that serves as a warning to opportunistic doctors.

Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter following a six-week trial that presented the most detailed account yet of Jackson’s final hours and stirred questions about Murray’s treatment of the superstar with an operating-room anesthetic as he battled chronic insomnia.

Michael Jackson doctor guilty of manslaughter

Michael Jackson’s personal doctor was found guilty on Monday of involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death following a six-week trial that captivated Jackson fans around the world.

Dr. Conrad Murray, 58, was led away in handcuffs after the Los Angeles jury reached a unanimous verdict. The doctor, who could face up to four years in prison, will be sentenced on November 29.

Dozens of fans outside the courtroom erupted in cheers and some burst into tears.

Murray had pleaded not guilty to giving the “Thriller” singer a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol — normally used in surgery — that was ruled the main cause of the pop star’s June 25, 2009 death.

But prosecutors argued Murray was grossly negligent in administering the propofol to help Jackson sleep. Defense attorneys claimed Jackson delivered the fatal dose to himself.

The judge ordered Murray, who has been free on bail for two years, held in custody until his sentencing at the end of the month.

Murray did not testify at the Los Angeles trial and looked impassive as the guilty verdict was pronounced to a small cry from his side of the packed courtroom.

Jackson’s mother Katherine and the singer’s sister Rebbie cried silently as the guilty verdict was read. His siblings La Toya, Jermaine and Randy, and his father Joe, were also on hand.

Jackson was found lifeless at his Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009, age 50, about three weeks before he was scheduled to begin a series of concerts in London aimed at returning the pop star to the limelight after the humiliation of his 2005 trial and acquittal on child molestation.

Murray admitted giving Jackson a small dose of propofol to help him sleep. But his lawyers argued at the trial that the singer was dependent on the drug and that Jackson likely gave himself a extra, fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic, as well as swallowing a handful of sedatives, without Murray’s knowledge.
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Michael Jackson is world’s top dead earner

For a second straight year Michael Jackson is the world’s top dead earner, according to a macabre list compiled by Forbes magazine of stars whose earning power remains undiminished beyond the grave.

The King of Pop, who died two years ago at the age of 50, brought in $170 million for his estate over the past 12 months, enough to place him ahead of every other pop music act of the past year — both living and dead — except for Irish rock band U2.

Elvis came in second place, earning $55 million, thanks to his evergreen songbook and a hit Las Vegas stage production featuring his tunes mounted by Cirque de Soleil.

In third place was movie siren Marilyn Monroe, who had $27 million in earnings over the past year.

“Peanuts” cartoon creator Charles Schulz was fourth while Beatles’ legend John Lennon tied for fifth place with screen goddess Elizabeth Taylor, both earning $12 million.

While much of Lennon’s revenues came as payment from other musicians performing his music, Taylor’s largely came from her best-selling perfume White Diamonds. The fragrance had gross sales of $54 million in the United States in 2010, according to industry experts cited by Forbes.

Taylor’s estate also appears likely to net handsomely from a December sale later this year by the Christie’s auction house featuring the late actress’s jewels, art work and gowns. Experts said it could fetch $30 million.

Forbes, which compiled its list by consulting agents, lawyers and other experts, said the year’s 15 deceased top earners were:

1. Michael Jackson
2. Elvis Presley
3. Marilyn Monroe
4. “Peanuts” cartoon creator Charles Schulz
5. John Lennon, tied with Elizabeth Taylor
7. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein
8. Children’s author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel
9. Rock legend Jimi Hendrix; Swedish writer Stieg Larsson; Hollywood actor Steve McQueen; and legendary composer Richard Rodgers
13. Beatle George Harrison, tied with American pin-up girl Bettie Page and pop art creator Andy Warhol

Ex-Weezer bassist Mikey Welsh found dead in Chicago

Mikey Welsh, the former bass player for the alternative rock band Weezer, was found dead in a Chicago hotel, a police spokeswoman said on Sunday.

Workers at the Rafaello Hotel found Welsh unresponsive and not breathing when they went to his room on Saturday afternoon after he failed to check out as scheduled, spokeswoman Laura Kubiak said.

Welsh, 40, who left the band a decade ago, had been in Chicago to attend Weezer’s appearance at RiotFest on Sunday night, a concert that will go on as scheduled, the band said on its website in notifying fans of his death.

“As sad as it is to think about, we know Mikey would never want the rock stopped on his account — quite the contrary in fact,” the band said.

Welsh left the band in 2001 after a well-publicized nervous breakdown, resurfacing later as an artist and painter.

“His chapter in the Weezer story … was vital, essential, wild, and amazing,” the band said, calling him “a unique talent, a deeply loving friend and father.”

Welsh said in a posting on his Facebook page earlier in October that he was looking forward to meeting up with the band in Chicago.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office conducted an autopsy on Sunday and listed the preliminary results as pending toxicology tests. It sometimes takes two months for the results of toxicology tests.

Lady Gaga Calls For Meeting With Obama After Teen’s Suicide

Lady Gaga was so shaken with the news about the death of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer this weekend that she has called for President Obama to enact laws making bullying a hate crime.

Rodemeyer, who had posted an “It Gets Better” video in May about his long struggle with bullying at school, took his life on Sunday after what his parents said was years of taunting over his sexuality.

In his video, Rodemeyer cited Gaga as an inspiration, saying, “She makes me so happy. She lets me know that I was born this way. And that’s my advice to you from her: You were born this way. All you have to do is hold your head up and you’ll go far.” The teen seems on the verge of tears when discussing Gaga’s message and promising to keep on going despite the hate.

On Wednesday, Gaga expressed her sadness over Rodemeyer’s death. “The past days I’ve spent reflecting, crying, and yelling,” she tweeted. “I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someone’s life.” She went further, posting Rodemeyer’s “Better” video, and insisting that bullying “must become illegal. It is a hate crime.”

In fact, Gaga claimed in a subsequent tweet, she’s so upset that she is planning to meet with President Obama on the matter.

“I will not stop fighting,” she wrote. “This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey.” A spokesperson for the White House could not confirm at press time if Gaga has officially set up a meeting with the president to discuss the issue.

MTV’s ongoing “A Thin Line” project provides stories and resources for anyone who believes they are being cyberbullied or who is looking for ways to stop harassment by digital means.

Singer Teena Marie dies at 54

R&B singer and songwriter Teena Marie, best known for the hit 1980s singles “Lovergirl” and “Ooo La La La,” passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Sunday. She was only 54.

The cause of death was not known, and a spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment. Her friend, percussionist Sheila E, reported on Twitter that Teena Marie had a history of seizures.

Teena Marie was one of the rare white performers to enjoy crossover success on America’s black music charts.

All races embraced her music. “I’ve always been accepted by the black community and I think that’s a beautiful thing,” Teena Marie told Jet magazine in 2006.

She released 13 albums up to 2009′s “Conga Square,” on which she paid tribute to jazz influences, such as Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.

Teena Marie’s career had been on the upswing since 2004 when she signed with a New Orleans rap label and released her first album in a decade. “La Dona” debuted and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, the first time she had ever cracked the top 20. A song from the album, “Still in Love,” took her onto the Hot 100 singles chart for the first time since 1988.

Two of her albums, 1981′s “It Must Be Magic” and 1984′s “Starchild,” went gold for U.S. shipments in excess of 500,000 units each, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. The latter album, released after she left Motown in the wake of a legal battle, spawned the tune “Lovergirl,” which hit No. 4 on the Hot 100. “Ooo La La La,” meanwhile, went to No. 1 on the black singles chart in 1988.

Teena Marie is survived by one daughter, Alia Rose.

California Wants Millions From Michael Jackson’s Estate

The State of California wants a little bit more of the King of Pop, the are seeking roughly $131,000 in tax penalties.

The figure is considerably more than the state’s Franchise Tax Board sought from Michael Jackson’s estate in March, when it filed a creditor’s claim for $1,647.24.

The state amended its claims Friday to include $131,544 in interest and penalties that it says the estate owes for the 2009 tax year.

The original claim was because the state had to request that the late singer file a state income tax return for 2007, although the penalty doesn’t appear in the updated document.

Michael Jackson’s estate reviews the claims closely before they agree to pay any penalties.

This is sad news for Michael Jackson’s parents, less money for them.

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