The Nation World, Sunday July 19, 2009
entertainment
3
Michael Jackson’s unreleased music could date back decades
Among songs that could come out after singer’s death are collaborations with Queen’s Freddie Mercury
(MTV News) – With reported worldwide sales of more than 9 million albums, Michael Jackson has already proved worthy of his self-imposed King of Pop title in the weeks since his death. But his former boss at Sony Music, Tommy Mottola, says that there could be much, much more Jackson music released from the vaults in the years to come, some of it stretching all the way back to the singer’s early 1980s heyday. Following up on earlier comments he’d made to The Associated Press regarding the “dozens and dozens” of Jackson songs in the vaults, former Sony Music chairman and CEO Tommy Mottola told Time magazine this week that the unpublished music from the singer could trickle out for years. In addition to the two new albums Jackson was reportedly working on at the time of his death — a classical instrumental piece and a pop album with songs produced by Will.I.Am and Akon — as well as the many extra tracks that Jackson recorded for his solo studio albums, Mottola said the possibilities for new releases are endless. Mottola — with whom Jackson famously feuded in the early 2000s — said Jackson routinely recorded more songs than he’d need for his legendary albums. “Let’s say 12 or 13 songs end up on the album; Michael could have possibly recorded 15, 20 or 30 songs,” Mottola said. “This would probably go for every album he recorded and probably predating [Sony] to his Motown days.” Because Jackson was always trying to expand his sound and work with the hottest producers of the day, Mottola said there are a “plethora” of songs from those producers that were never released. And, even though they didn’t make it onto Jackson’s albums, Mottola said some of the songs could represent the singer’s “best work.” Those releases don’t even take into account the possibility of remixing Jackson’s catalogue or releasing a live album, which Jackson never did during his lifetime. “There were so many recordings, and so many of them were great,” he said. “It doesn’t mean these [unreleased] songs were any less great; it just happened to be the other songs that were picked.” Among the songs that were reportedly slated for the follow-up to Jackson’s final studio album, 2001’s Invincible, was the leaked Akon collaboration “Hold My Hand.” Various outlets have reported that Jackson had a stash of 100 or more unreleased songs at the time of his death, but spokespeople for the Jackson family have not returned requests for comment on that figure. “He never stopped having artistic curiosity, which is a testament to a great artiste,” Ian Halperin, author of the just released unauthorised biography “Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson,” told MTV News. “He never stopped trying to push the envelope when it came to art. He had almost 200 unreleased songs. He did leave a large, unpublished library, and I said [in the book] he willed it to his children and a bit to charity. “The beauty of Michael Jackson as an artiste is that he never stopped until the day he died,” Halperin continued. “When some of his songs are released, you’re gonna see a different type of artist. ...He had one regret with his career, that’s he never released cuttingedge material that he felt reflected him. And that’s why he kept writing poetry and experimenting with all kinds of producers and trying to expand his creative horizon. And when some of these songs are released, I think you will see that.” Also making the rounds since Jackson’s death on June 25 is a clip of an alleged collaboration with late Queen singer Freddie Mercury, which was recorded before the iconic glam rocker’s death in 1991. The song, called “There Must Be More to Life Than This,” is a sweeping, stringladen, saccharine ballad in which the two singers entwine their falsettos for a lament about life’s injustices. The posting of the song has raised the ire of Queen guitarist Brian May, who recently lashed out on his blog about the “music thieves” who posted the “leaked” track. May also wrote that the pair recorded several songs together at Jackson’s house in the mid-1980s. “Amusingly, after Freddie and Michael had spent some time together recording, Freddie came back and played us the work in progress, and he remarked that Michael had come up with a great album title ... Bad,” he wrote. “A little later, Freddie smiled his wicked little conspiratorial smile, and said, ‘I have a perfect idea for our album title — you may love it or hate it ... but think about it ... we can call it ... wait for it ... Good!’ “ May said the songs, which include “State of Shock” and “There Must Be More to Life Than This,” have never officially “seen the light of day.”
Whitney makes a triumphant return after seven years
(Daily Mail) – For much of the decade Whitney Houston has been out of the spotlight, fighting to get her once charmed life back under control. But as she arrived in Britain last night, it seemed the tide has turned for the soul singer who was back to her dazzling best. Her gaunt and ravaged look has gone and the polished professional who won millions of fans with songs such as I Will Always Love You was back with a big smile. And a new album, of course. The 45-year-old arrived last night to launch I Look To You, her first studio CD in seven years, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge. She wore a black belted mac which she removed once inside to reveal a flattering black and white dress. The crowd, including Top Shop billionaire Sir Phillip Green, gave Whitney a standing ovation. Tracks have already been leaked on the internet, where they have met with a mixed response – the most critical claiming her voice has been ruined. But music mogul Clive Davis, who discovered the soul diva 25 years ago, disagrees. ‘You won’t forget it after you hear it,’ he said, calling the album a labour of love for all involved. ‘There is a song on this album which is called “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” and it really speaks for Whitney . ‘She tumbled but she didn’t crumble.’ In 2001, Houston shocked fans with her gaunt appearance at a Michael Jackson tribute concert in New York. In December 2002, during an interview with American broadcaster Diane Swayer on ABC, she admitted she had experimented with drugs and alcohol. ‘I don’t like to think of myself addicted... I had a bad habit which can be broken. I’m not gonna tell you I’m somebody’s junkie. My business is sex, drugs, rock and roll. Trust me. I partied my tail off.’ Despite her denials, she checked into rehab in Georgia two years later. But since splitting from ex-husband Bobby Brown in 2006 and winning custody of their daughter Bobbi Kristina, Houston has been steadily planning her comeback with the help of J Records boss Davis. And anyone can win her fans back it should be Grammy-winner Whitney . She is the only artiste ever to have had seven consecutive multiplatinum albums, beating even the Beatles. Worldwide she has sold 140 million albums and 50 million singles, with I Will Always Love You, released in 1993, becoming one of the biggest selling records of all time.
Michael Jackson ‘kept suicide note’
(Daily Telegraph) – Friends of the King of Pop have claimed that he “often overdosed” and had been trying to kill himself for a decade. One said: “We’re surprised he even made it to 50”. The Daily Star reported that insiders believe the financially struggling star “couldn’t face his problems” and wanted a way out. He would keep the suicide note in his pocket and overdosed, they told the newspaper. “Michael always talked about dying young,” one said. “He wrote suicide notes then tore them up. He kept one with him – he often read it. “He wanted everyone to know how sad he was.” Another friend told the newspaper that Jackson had wanted to end his life ever since he was humiliated by child abuse claims in the 1990s. Meanwhile it has emerged that Jackson’s skin doctor is under investigation over the singer’s death. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter walked into Dr Arnold Klein’s office to demand medical records be handed over on Tuesday . Officers are expected to investigate the dermatologist’s prescription practices with regard to the vast amount of drugs Jackson was taking and whether medication was given to aliases. Dr Klein has admitted “occasionally” giving him sedative Demerol, but said: “That was the strongest medication I ever used.” As he walked up to Dr Klein’s office, Winter said: “I’m here to talk to him. The investigation is still ongoing.” He emerged after an hour – and later revealed he had been promised all Jackson’s medical files within 24 hours. He said on Monday that some of the toxicology and brain autopsy results, which determine what substances the singer had in his body when he died, are in. The remaining results were expected soon.
Simon Cowell ‘negotiating £100 million American Idol contract’
(Daily Telegraph) – Simon Cowell, the media mogul, is reportedly negotiating a £100 million-a-year contract on the talent show American Idol, which would make him the highest paid television star ever. If the deal with the American network Fox goes ahead, Cowell, 49, will quadruple his current £25 million annual pay, netting him £2.2 million for every hour he appears on screen. The programme’s host Ryan Seacrest clinched a new three-year deal on Tuesday which sees his pay trebled to £30 million. Cowell’s deal is being thrashed out by Cowell’s new business partner Sir Philip Green, the Topshop owner, according to the Daily Mirror. A Fox insider told the newspaper: “The word went out from on high to pay that they have set up a joint Simon what he needs. Without venture him the show would be a shadow The business will be of itself and without American based out of London and Idol, we’re in the dumper. We’re Los Angeles. It will incorconfident of getting our man.” porate the full spectrum of Fox is reported to make £450 showbusiness, from televimillion a year from advertising sion production and comand sponsorship on American ing up with new formats Idol. for programmes to talent The Daily Telegraph disclosed management and merlast month that Cowell and Sir chandising. Philip were going into business Cowell will be in charge together, setting up an interna- Simon Cowell of presenting and productional entertainment company . ing the shows, while Sir Though the pair are old friends Philip concentrates on and frequent dining companions on the overseeing the finances, strategy as well as London party scene, this is the first time spearheading the merchandising arm.
Elizabeth Taylor hospitalised as she struggles to cope with Michael Jackson’s death
(Daily Mail) – Actress Elizabeth Taylor has been hospitalised after struggling to cope with the loss of her close friend Michael Jackson. According to the New York Post the 77year-old is being treated in a Los Angeles hospital after being rushed there yesterday from her Beverly Hills home. The paper’s columnist Cindy Adams said: ‘The heart’s gone out of her.’ Taylor was packing to fly to Britain for Jackson’s dates at the O2 Arena when she was told that he had died. She was already in a frail condition, confined to a wheelchair and with nurses in attendance, and is said to have begun screaming when she heard the news. Taylor is also said to have wanted to attend Jackson’s funeral and memorial service, but she was reportedly blocked by his family . Adams wrote: ‘She’s suffering weakness, tiredness, exhaustion, emotional draining. She hasn’t stopped crying. She and Michael were devoted to one another.’ After Jackson’s death Taylor said: ‘I loved Michael with all my soul and I can’t imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together... ‘He will live in my heart forever but it’s not enough. My life feels so empty I don’t . think anyone knew how much we loved each other. ‘The purest most giving love I’ve ever known. Oh God! I’m going to miss him.’ Taylor was a vocal supporter of Jackson during his trial for child molestation charges, of which he was acquitted.
First pet airline creates clamour for seats
(Daily Telegraph) – A couple has created the first airline dedicated to pets after becoming concerned about conditions for animals in the cargo holds of regular aircraft. Husband and wife Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel launched Pet Airways on Tuesday from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York. All commercial airlines allow a limited number of small pets to fly in the cabin. But others must travel in the dark cargo hold where temperatures can vary alarmingly. One trip for their Jack Russell terrier in a plane’s cargo hold was enough to convince Binder and Wiesel that owners needed a better option to get their pets from one city to another. They have spent the last four years designing their fleet of five planes according to new fourlegged requirements, dealing with FAA regulations and setting up airport schedules. Flights on Pet Airways are already booked up for the next two months. Pet Airways will fly a pet between five major cities, New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. The $250 one-way fare is comparable to pet fees at the largest U.S. airlines. Dogs and cats will fly in the main cabin of a Suburban Air Freight plane, retooled and lined with carriers in place of seats. Pets (about 50 on each flight) will be escorted to the plane by attendants that will check on the animals every 15 minutes during flight. The pets are also given pre-boarding walks and bathroom breaks. And at each of the five airports it serves, the company has created a “Pet Lounge” for future fliers to wait and sniff before flights. Trips are much longer to accomdate the needs of pets. A trip from New York to Los Angeles, for example, will take about 24 hours. On that route, pets will stop in Chicago, have a bathroom break, play time, dinner, and bunk for the night before finishing the trip the next day. One of the first customers Amanda Hickey of Portland, will be flying her seven-year-old terrierpinscher mix Mardi and 2-year-old puggle Penny from Denver to Chicago. “For a little bit more money, I have peace of mind,” she said.