Michael Jackson’s costumes go up on auction block

Costumes worn by Michael Jackson, going on a global tour starting next month, will be sold at an auction in Beverly Hills in December. Once again Julien’s Auctions seems to have obtained the rights to sell MJ’s clothing/items.

The exhibit, to open in Santiago, Chile on Friday, will include one of the singer’s signature crystal-covered gloves, a military-style jacket he wore for the Soul Train awards in 1989 and a silver spandex leotard Jackson wore during his Bad tour in 1987.

A helmet wired with battery powered lights that Jackson wore for the 2001 special concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden that marked his 30 years as a solo entertainer will also go on display.

Dennis Tomkins and Michael Bush, Michael Jackson’s long-time Los Angeles-based collaborators spent 25 years creating his stage and personal clothes.

The 50-100 costumes were mostly gifted back to Tompkins and Bush by the singer, and many are signed by him.

The exhibit will open on Friday at the Museo de la Moda in Santiago, Chile and tour cities in Europe and Asia, including China and Japan, ahead of the auction in Beverly Hills on December 2.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the charities Guide Dogs of America and the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas.

Dick Clark died today

Dick Clark died today at age 82. He was a friend of Michael Jackson and introduced the youngster to the world on American Bandstand.

Dick Clark passed away at 82 today after suffering a massive heart attack.

We can thank Clark for introducing the young MJ to the world and allowing the youngster to showcase his talent.

Over the years, MJ and Dick Clark worked and appeared together. He met him as a youngster and seemed to know him throughout his life.

Enjoy and tell us about your memories of Mr. Clark.

Win ‘My Friend Michael’ book by Frank Cascio

Win a copy of the book ‘My Friend Michael’ book by Frank Cascio.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers, we have 10 copies to give during this holiday season to Michael’s most devoted fans.

We would like to again send our thanks to those at Harper Collins Publishers for providing this generous holiday gift to those supporting our site and Michael’s memory.

In My Friend Michael, Frank Cascio—one of Michael’s closet friends and confidants for over twenty-five years—offers a deeply personal, behind-the-scenes look at the Michael Jackson he knew. Filled with never-before-told stories and intimate details, My Friend Michael is the most candid, moving, and provocative portrait of the “King of Pop” to date — a fair and loving portrait of a true American pop music icon and of a remarkable friendship that endured through triumph and struggle, scandal and controversy.

Everyone knows Michael Jackson—the myth. This is the revealing true story of Michael Jackson—the man.

To Frank Cascio, Michael Jackson was many things—second father, big brother, boss, mentor, and teacher, but most of all he was a friend. Though Cascio was just a few years old when he first met Jackson in 1984, at the peak of the pop star’s career, Jackson was at the center of his life for the next twenty-five years, allowing Cascio to observe firsthand the greatest entertainer the world had ever seen. In that time, he became the ultimate Michael Jackson insider, yet remained publicly silent about his experiences. Until now.

In My Friend Michael, Cascio refutes the rumors, lies, and accusations that have accumulated over the years, providing a candid look at the Michael Jackson he knew for more than two decades. Offering an uplifting and definitive account of the legend, Cascio details how he grew up alongside Jackson, traveling the world with him on concert tours and eventually working for him. Through this lens, Cascio captures Jackson’s most private and tumultuous moments, while also setting the record straight on the entertainer’s notorious and misunderstood lifestyle—from his Peter Pan reality and his sexuality to the false allegations against him.

As Cascio shows, there was a great deal more to Michael Jackson than the headlines about him have suggested. Cascio reveals his friend in all his complexity, bringing to light his passions and joys as well as his flaws and eccentricities. Including stories about Jackson that have never before been made public, Cascio creates a balanced, human look at the pop star, one that shows Jackson as the very real person he was—a lively friend with an endearingly juvenile sense of humor.

What emerges is a clear-eyed yet deeply respectful portrait of Jackson—a man who was at times unremarkably average but also terribly scarred by his life in the spotlight. Packed with never-before-seen photos, anecdotes, and insights, My Friend Michael is a trove of Michael Jackson lore that both celebrates his life and redefines our understanding of the man behind the myth.

To win a copy of this fantastic book, email us at chitchat@michaeljacksonchitchat.com. Let us know why you think you should win a book, what MJ means to you and provide complete mailing address details. We will contact the 10 winners by email.

Win a copy of Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon DVD

You could be the winner of a copy of Michael Jackson: The Life of An Icon on DVD. Michael Jackson Chit Chat is proud to give away 3 DVDs to our readers. We would like to thank Universal Studios Home Entertainment for providing the winning DVDs to the first who send us an email at chitchat@michaeljacksonchitchat.com. Let us know why you think you should win a copy, what MJ means to you and provide complete mailing address details. We will contact the 3 winners by email.

Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon now available on Blu-ray and DVD provides an in-depth look at Michael Jackson, one of the most recognizable and popular entertainers of all time, like never before. This feature-length tribute not only show the beginning of his life and career but shows why this powerhouse performancer was known to millions of fans worldwide for his record-breaking albums, groundbreaking music videos, mesmerizing dance moves and humanitarian efforts.

This unprecedented look into the King of Pop’s fascinating life includes all-new interviews with his mother Katherine Jackson as well as siblings Tito and Rebbie Jackson, family, friends and music legends such as Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and many more.

Directed by Andrew Eastel and produced by David Gest and featuring David Gest, Katherine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and others it spans from his childhood, rise to fame, trial and death.

It is a moving and comprehensive look at the life of the icon and legend who changed music forever.

Closing Arguments – Day 24

The jury now must decide the fate of Conrad Murray. Sometimes it is so much better to see rather than read so here it we will provide the link.

Now it was the defense’s turn.

Michael Jackson had a life, children, talent and hopes and dreams. Regardless of whether he should have requested such a powerful drug to sleep, it is the duty of a doctor to not just comply, to monitor, to help and to save.

Dr. Conrad Murray should in our opinion be sent to prison for killing Michael Jackson. His direct and indirect actions caused the death of a human being. He served as a drug dealer obtaining drugs in a corrupt manner. He lied consistently and must pay for his crime.

MICHAEL JACKSON: THE LIFE OF AN ICON World Premiere Exclusive Webcast November 2

In celebration of Universal Studios Entertainment’s Blu-ray and DVD release, Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon, you can watch the World Premiere in London LIVE on Nov. 2nd via Livestream.

The two-hour live event begins at 1:45PM ET / 5:45 GMT with red carpet coverage and interviews with family and friends closest to Michael.

An all-star World Premiere of David Gest’s new film ‘Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon’ in London on November 2, 2011 at Empire Leicester Square.

In attendance will be Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine, brother Tito, sister Rebbie, David Gest, the film’s director Andrew Eastel. The event will feature a special Q&A session with Katherine, Tito and Rebbie Jackson, moderated by David Gest.

In addition, there will be live Red Carpet coverage of more than 100 celebrities including many of the music industry’s top recording artists, motion picture and television stars, sporting legends and other well-known personalities.

Known to millions of fans worldwide for his record-breaking albums, groundbreaking music videos, mesmerizing dance moves and humanitarian efforts, his true story has never really been told…until now.

This unprecedented look into the King of Pop’s fascinating life includes all-new interviews with his mother Katherine Jackson as well as siblings Tito and Rebbie Jackson, family, friends and music legends such as Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick and many more.

To get an email reminder of the event, select the mjlifeofanicon link above and identify your email address.

Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil wows the audience

Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil ‘The Immortal World Tour’ kicked off its tour on Sunday in Montreal wowing the audience.

What as dubbed the biggest formally authorized by the Michael Jackson estate, the event was seen by 13,000 fans. Family members included brothers Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson, mom Katherine and Michael’s kids Prince, Paris and Blanket.

The circus tour is a 47-city North American tour. Starting in Canada – the home of Cirque du Soleil and heading to the U.S on October 15, it is schedule to end on July 20 in Chicago. Another version of the show will establish a permanent Vegas home in late 2013.

Jackson fans came from around the globe dressed in gloves, jackets and other apparel to honor The King.

Music ranged from Jackson’s solo career and Jackson 5 years. Using original studio tapes and mixed with a live band (directed by Jackson keyboardist Greg Phillinganes), the mood changed throughout the evening.

Directed by Jamie King, the show included exquisite costumes, danging, props and Jackson moves. Unlike other shows, this was set more like a concert.

Jackson’s Giving Tree was featured in the concert. It represented the tree from Neverland Ranch where he often retreated for musical inspiration. He told the world this through several interviews.

Performers dazzled the audience during many of the songs with appropriate props signifying eras and imaging from Jackson’s career. White gloves, dancing shoes, giving tree, thriller costumes, peace symbols and mummies danced their way through to the delight of the audience.

The underlying theme to many of the visuals was peace, love, respect for the planet and other messages Jackson tried to portray throughout his life and career.

Michael’s presence was felt throughout the night as images were constant. Childhood footage was shown only humanizing the genius.

It was a touching show that won family and fans over.

Michael Jackson’s manager Frank Dileo dies

Michael Jackson’s manager, Frank Dileo died Wednesday at age 63. Known as a stout, cigar-smoking music executive, he played many roles in the industry but none as famous as his connection with Michael Jackson during much of his 1980s career peak. Although the union lasted only 5 years, he signed on again with Michael one month before MJ’s death for the This Is It concert serious. Read more

KISS added to Michael Jackson tribute an outrage

One can only question who the Jacksons have gotten associated with again to promote what may be another ill fated attempt at pulling off a tribute concert for Michael Jackson.

Fans are now outraged once again but this time it is that the band KISS was added to the performer lineup. Issues, in fairness, are really with Gene Simmons only as he made very public and detailed statements last year regarding his belief regarding MJ’s involvement with minors.

Here is an excerpt as published on Internet sites on what Simmons stated last year following Michael’s death.

“I knew Michael,” Simmons said in 2010. “I ran into him a few times. I met him the first time before he became the superstar, when he was sort of teenager, when he was still a Jackson Five. This was in the Cher days, when Cher and I lived together.

“But as time moved on, and no matter what my fond memories and fond images of Michael were, with one allegation of pedophilia after another and another and another…Oh dear.

“I knew some of the musicians he toured with, and specifically one who quit because of seeing boys coming out of the hotel rooms. And then you factor in that his travel agent was put on the stand and in court said that she was authorized to fly to Brazil and bring boys back to America for him…”

Simmons even went on to mention the fact that he never heard of anyone, be it woman or man, who had claimed to have slept with the singer, and that it was consistently just young boys.

“There’s never been a single female of any age that I’ve ever known about who has ever made a claim that she has had a physical relationship with Michael, ever. In fact, while he was alive, I never heard about mature men ever making that claim either – and believe me, you can’t keep it a secret. If you’re a celebrity, somebody somewhere will say, ‘Oh yeah, I shagged him.

“The only sexual references ever made about Michael Jackson that were made by anyone, anywhere around the world, have always been made by kids, and specifically males usually 10 to 14 years of age; never females, that age or older, and never grown men.”

There are so many inaccuracies regarding the above statement including the minor fact that Ms. Presley (remember MJ did get married) had publicly confirmed she not only married Michael but had a normal sexual relation with him and never saw anything wrong regarding young children with Michael.

It is so easy to slag someone when they are gone but lets not forget he stood trial and was ruled ‘innocent’ of all charges. This seems to be a minor fact that Mr. Kiss forgets.

But lets not get into the merits of an aging rock star who promotes himself on reality TV and many many other avenues re: selling himself (he proudly admits to this on camera on his TV series as every possible business opportunity is exploited)….one could suggest it may have been more self promotion.

Does that, however, excuse those involved in this tribute involving such a critic of the very man they are honouring?

Now for family….what on earth were they thinking or do they have any control? Do these people know how to get into any business dealings and retain any type of control?

Now for the estate…yes you may love them or hate them but lets be honest as it stands re: MJ’s image – they seem to be the only ones to get it right. It has been reported that the estate is outraged and planning a public response. Will they now officially state no images or other property controlled by the estate will be allowed at this tribute concert.

The outrage from Randy and Jermaine seems mild re: timing now. Lets celebrate the man’s life while justice is being done but lets also have acts by people who publicly stated horrific things about the person.

We are officially now calling for this event to be p cancelled and boycotted until someone involved in hosting it can show they have an ounce of decency.

Michael would be horrified. Just let him rest in peace

Jackson’s artwork finds a new home at children’s hospital

Michael Jackson’s artwork has now found a new home after the unveiling by his three children during a press conference this week.

A children’s hospital in Los Angeles is getting the pieces which were unveiled by Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and Prince Michael II, 9, during a special ceremony showcasing the ten pieces of art created and signed by Jackson.

The sketches included one of Mickey Mouse, a throne and a drawing of Jackson’s icon Peter Pan, one of his famous moonwalk, a portrait and more.

Other Jackson family members also attended the unveiling. Jackson’s mother Katherine and his sister La Toya said they hoped the art would help the children’s spirits.

“You look at this, it makes you happy. They’re whimsical, they’re magical and there’s just joy and peace.”

“I know that when you see this and the kids see it, it will bring some type of joy to them, and at the same time, I know it will bring joy to my brother as well.”

“I know that Michael wouldn’t want this art in a better place, than a hospital like this that will help children, and people everywhere,” she said.

“I’m so proud that these pieces are here to help those who need it.”

The artwork was donated by Brett Livingstone-Strong, an artist and friend of Jackson.

During the private ceremony, Jackson’s children sat next to their grandmother and at times took turns holding her hand.

They added their own signatures underneath their father’s on some of the pieces.

The art will eventually be placed at locations throughout the hospital.

Here is a video of the event:

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