Michael Jackson's unreleased song

The song -- "A Place with No Name" -- sounds similar to the song "A Horse with No Name" released by the group America back in 1971. We're told several years ago America's manager gave his group's permission for Jackson to record the song, "A Place with No Name" -- despite the similarity.

America's current manager, Jim Morey, who was also Michael's manager in the late 80's and early 90's, tells us, "The band was honored that Michael chose to do their song and they hope it becomes available for all Michael's fans to hear."

It's unclear when Michael recorded the song.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson Obituary

From NME.com

The singer was on the verge of launching a comeback with a series of shows at London's massive 02 Arena in July. Sadly, those shows will now no longer take place.

Jackson first found fame with his brothers in the Jackson 5, scoring a string of hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including 'ABC', 'The Love You Save' and 'I Want You Back'.

The star's fame continued throughout the 1970s, but he broke off from his siblings to make the 'Off The Wall' album with producer Quincy Jones in 1979, a partnership which also resulted in 1982's 'Thriller' album, a record which remains the biggest-selling album of all time.

Jackson's status as the world's biggest superstar was confirmed at the 1983 Motown Records party, when he 'moonwalked' to 'Billie Jean' before an audience of millions.

After the release of his 'Bad' album in 1987, Jacko became an ever bigger celebrity and his 1988 world tour cemented his position as the biggest pop star on the planet.

He released 'Dangerous' in 1991 and followed that up in 1995 with the 'HIStory' album, which was part new material (spawning two UK Number One singles in 'You Are Not Alone' and 'Earth Song') and part greatest hits.

Jackson's releases were intermittent after this, with his only subsequent new material being 2001's 'Invincible'.

His fanbase remained huge despite the lack of releases and well-documented controversy - in 2005 he was found not guilty of all charges in a child sexual abuse trial.

His big comeback was planned for this summer, when he was scheduled to play 50 nights at the UK capital’s 02 Arena, kicking off on July 13.

Jackson family lawyer says will has been presented

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Ap Music Writer

LOS ANGELES – A lawyer for Michael Jackson's family said Tuesday a will by the late pop star has been presented. The word came just a day after the family said in court documents it believed the entertainer had died without a valid will. "My clients are now aware after filings that a will has been presented ," said L. Londell McMillan. "His various advisers are looking for additional documents."

No further details were disclosed, and a copy of the document was not immediately available.

The existence of a will, and the likely appointment of an executor, could complicate a petition by Jackson's mother Katherine to become the administrator of his lucrative but debt-encumbered estate.

In documents filed in Superior Court, Jackson's parents say they believe their 50-year-old son died "intestate," or without a valid will.

A will almost always names an executor, and if validated, it would negate the petition of Jackson's mother to administer the estate, said John Novogrod, an estate lawyer and partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP in New York.

"If there is a will and if the will is a valid will, the whole petition to be named administrator will just fall way," Novogrod said.

He said the will could possibly be challenged on the grounds that Jackson may have been incompetent, did not understand it when it was created, or that he was unduly influenced.

Early Monday — just four days after the death of the King of Pop — lawyers for Katherine and Joe Jackson won temporary custody of Michael Jackson's three children and moved to become administrators of his estate.

Judge Mitchell Beckloff granted 79-year-old Katherine Jackson temporary guardianship of the children, who range in age from 7 to 12.

He also gave her control over some of her son's personal property that is now in the hands of an unnamed third party. But the judge did not immediately rule on her requests to take charge of the children's and Jackson's estates.

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Associated Press Writers Ryan Nakashima and Anthony McCartney in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Jackson Still Had A Pulse When Found By Doctor

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson still had a faint pulse and his body was warm when his doctor found him in bed and not breathing, a lawyer for the doctor told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Edward Chernoff also said Dr. Conrad Murray never prescribed or gave Jackson the drugs Demerol or OxyContin. He denied reports suggesting Murray gave Jackson drugs that contributed to his death.

Chernoff told the AP that Murray was at the pop icon's rented mansion on Thursday afternoon when he discovered Jackson in bed and not breathing. The doctor immediately began administering CPR, Chernoff said.

"He just happened to find him in his bed, and he wasn't breathing," the lawyer said. "Mr. Jackson was still warm and had a pulse."

Jackson's family requested a private autopsy in part because of questions about Murray, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday.

People close to Michael Jackson have said since his death that they were concerned about his use of painkillers. Los Angeles County medical examiners completed their autopsy Friday and said Jackson had taken unspecified prescription medication.

Chernoff said any drugs the doctor gave Jackson were prescribed in response to a specific complaint from the entertainer.

"Dr. Murray has never prescribed nor administered Demerol to Michael Jackson," Chernoff said. "Not ever. Not that day. ... Not Oxycontin (either) for that matter."

Paramedics were called to the mansion while the doctor was performing CPR, according to a recording of the 911 call. Medics spent three-quarters of an hour trying to revive Jackson. He was pronounced dead later at UCLA Medical Center.

Murray was interviewed by investigators for three hours Saturday. His spokeswoman called Murray "a witness to this tragedy," not a suspect in the death, and police described the doctor as cooperative.

Chernoff also said the promoter of Jackson's 50-show London concerts, AEG Live, owes the cardiologist $300,000.

"His contract with the promoters states he would receive an amount of money each month to be his (Jackson's) personal physician and they have failed to honor that contract," Chernoff said. "They are two months behind."

Randy Phillips, president and CEO of AEG Live, acknowledged the contract called for Murray to be paid $150,000 a month, but said the contract required Jackson's signature.

"Michael never signed the contract," Phillips said.

He also said the doctor's claim for payment may be against Jackson's estate, not AEG which was merely advancing the money to Jackson.

Three days after the death of the King of Pop, celebrities descended on Los Angeles for what promised to be a spectacular celebration of Jackson's life at the annual BET awards show.

Media requests for the Sunday night show doubled following the death, and the red carpet was lengthened. Joe Jackson, Michael's father, was briefly spotted on the red carpet wearing a black hat. He planned make an onstage appearance, show publicist Bobbi Marcus said.

Previously announced performers including Beyonce and Ne-Yo, were working to overhaul performances they had planned for weeks so they could honor Jackson. Other stars tried to catch last-minute flights.

A private pathologist hired by the Jackson family completed a second, private autopsy Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the case.

A second autopsy can allow the family to get some information about a death almost immediately, including signs of heart, brain or lung disease or fresh needle punctures, said Dr. Michael Baden, a medical examiner not involved in the Jackson case.

"Usually if it looks normal with the naked eye, it looks normal under the microscope," said Baden, who recently performed a second autopsy on actor David Carradine.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials said their autopsy found no indication of trauma or foul play. But because of additional tests, an official cause of death could take weeks to determine.

There was no word from the Jackson family on funeral plans. Many of Jackson's relatives have gathered at the family's Encino compound, caring there for Jackson's three children.

Al Sharpton, who arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, said he was heading to the Jackson compound and would talk with the family about how to memorialize the late pop star. Sharpton said they want to hold memorials in key cities around the globe and also planned a memorial service Tuesday at the Apollo Theater in New York.

On Saturday, three of Jackson's brothers — Jackie, Jermaine and Tito — visited Jackson's Neverland Ranch where they walked the manicured grounds and reminisced about his life. It is not clear what will become of the ranch, which has been under renovations.

Owen Blicksilver, a spokesman for Colony Capitol LLC, the Los Angeles-based firm where investor Thomas Barrack is chairman and CEO, said it was premature to discuss the future of Neverland. Barrack previously set up the joint venture with Michael Jackson after the singer nearly lost the ranch to foreclosure.

Barrack feels close to family members and wants to hear their thoughts on how best to honor Jackson's memory, Blicksilver said. The investor joined Jackie, Jermaine and Tito Jackson for lunch Saturday at the sprawling Santa Barbara County property.

A White House adviser said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that President Barack Obama had written to the Jackson family to express his condolences.

In an interview that aired earlier Sunday, Jackson's father said he does not believe stress over the intense series of concerts the King of Pop planned for his comeback led to his death.

Joe Jackson also said he believes his son will be larger in death than he was in life. The patriarch of the Jackson 5 said he wished Michael Jackson were around to see the outpouring of affection since his death.

"Michael was the biggest superstar in the world and in history," Joe Jackson told Fox News Channel's "Geraldo at Large." "He was loved by everybody, whether poor or wealthy or whatever may be."

Michael Jackson Passes Away At Age 50

Michael Jackson - The King Of Pop 1958-2009

On June 25, 2009, Jackson reportedly passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. While en route to the UCLA Medical Center, Jackson apparently stopped breathing. Jackson was originally reported in a coma but other sources pointed out that Jackson died. He died with his family surrounding him.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958–June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Below is my tribute video to Michael followed by some of his greatest work.

FULL ARTICLE BELOW VIDEOS

By LYNN ELBER, Associated Press Writer Lynn Elber, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

His 1982 album "Thriller" — which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 100 million copies worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his four older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie.

But as years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats.

Singer Dionne Warwick said: "Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with........we have lost an icon in our industry."

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson's rented home, was roped off with police tape.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson has just died," a woman boarding a Manhattan bus called out, shortly after the news was announced. Immediately many riders reached for their cell phones.

In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."

Michael Jackson Timeline:

Aug. 29, 1958: Michael Jackson is born in Gary, Ind.

Nov. 6, 1971: First solo single, "Got to Be There," is released.

Oct. 14, 1972: "Ben," the title song from a film about a beloved rat, becomes 14-year-old Jackson's first No. 1 single.

Aug. 5, 1979: "Off the Wall," the first album by the "adult" Jackson (who turned 21 in August), is released. It produces four hit singles and spends eight months in the Top Ten.

Dec. 1, 1982: "Thriller" is released.

Feb. 21, 1983: "Thriller" tops the album charts for the first of 37 weeks.

March 25, 1983: The TV special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever" is taped. The Jackson 5 perform a medley of their hits, then Jackson sings "Billie Jean" solo, premiering his "moonwalk" dance move. The show airs May 16.

Dec. 2, 1983: MTV debuts Michael Jackson's 14-minute "Thriller" film. "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller," released in time for Christmas, becomes the largest-selling music home video in history.

1984: Injured when a spark ignites his hair during filming of a Pepsi ad.

Aug. 31, 1987: "Bad," the follow-up to "Thriller," is released. It tops the charts for eight weeks and yields seven hit singles.

1988: Autobiography "Moonwalk" released. Jackson has surgery to put cleft in his chin.

1990: Attends funeral of Ryan White, a Kokomo, Ind., teenager who died of AIDS.

Nov. 14, 1991: Controversial 11-minute "Black or White" video debuts on television.

Jan. 31, 1993: Halftime performance at Superbowl XXVII draws the largest viewing audience in the history of American television.

Sept. 15, 1993: Lawyers for a 13-year-old boy file a civil suit against Jackson for seduction and sexual abuse. On Jan. 25, 1994, he settles out of court with his accuser for an undisclosed sum, estimated at $20 million.

1994: Marries Lisa Marie Presley.

1996: Presley files for divorce. Jackson marries nurse Debbie Rowe.

1997: Rowe gives birth to son, Prince Michael.

1998: Rowe gives birth to daughter Paris Michael Katherine.

1999: Rowe divorces Jackson.

Oct. 30, 2000: "Thriller" receives its 26th platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, representing 26 million copies sold in the U.S. It remains the second best-selling album in music history.

March 19, 2001: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sept. 25, 2001: "Invincible," Jackson's first album in four years, is released.

Jan. 16, 2004: Pleads not guilty to child molestation.

2005: Cleared of child molestation charges.

June 25, 2009: Dies in Los Angeles after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Sources: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, USA Today

Jackson was energetic, upbeat ahead of London tour

AP, Jun 26, 2009 10:43 pm PDT

The King of Pop seemed driven and upbeat in the weeks, even hours, before his death as he rehearsed rigorously for a series of 50 concerts in London that were to begin a late-career comeback.

Friends and colleagues said Friday that Jackson appeared in recent months to be rejuvenated by the prospect of performing again.

After years of seclusion following a child sex scandal, the pop icon was heavily involved in all aspects of the concert rehearsals. He had hired a personal trainer and was practicing with backup dancers and choreographers several hours a day, they said.

"He was working hard, setting the example, overseeing the choreography, kicking butt and taking names," said Johnny Caswell, president of CenterStaging Musical Productions Inc., a Burbank sound stage where Jackson rehearsed until late May. "He was ready to blow everybody out of the water. This was going to be the biggest extravaganza, entertainment spectacle ever."

Jackson was involved in all areas of planning, including watching auditions and choosing the backup dancers who would appear with him, said Maryss Courchinoux, a 29-year-old dancer from Paris who sought a place on stage with Jackson.

Courchinoux said she had been selected as a backup dancer for the London concerts and had been fitted for a costume. She had been invited to Thursday's rehearsal in Los Angeles to meet Jackson and watch the practice to help prepare for her role, she said.

On the same day, Jackson was pronounced dead after collapsing at his home in Holmby Hills, a swanky neighborhood near Bel Air.

Courchinoux recounted how Jackson was in the audience as she auditioned in April, when she performed a set routine and then was asked to do freestyle dances — a hip-hop style called "pop-ins."

From the stage, she could make out Jackson's profile and his glasses where he sat in the empty auditorium. Friends later told her that Jackson jumped up and applauded after her group performed.

"I knew it was him, and I knew I was in his presence," she said. "In a way, I feel blessed that we got to dance in his presence, and I was looking forward to meeting him yesterday," she said, choking back tears.

"It was my dream since I was six years old. I guess there was a different plan."

Rehearsals for the tour began in late March, Caswell said.

Jackson and his choreographers, band and dancers took over about four of the 11 studios at Centerstaging. Jackson would wander in and out of the studios, keeping tabs on the work and would often sit on a large black leather couch and listen to the band practice.

He frequently offered band members suggestions and took an interest in the mixing levels for the concert's soundtrack, according to those who worked with him at the sound stage. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they had signed confidentiality agreements.

Caswell and other workers at the studio said Jackson would arrive in an SUV, with another vehicle following, about four or five times a week. One of the SUVs ferried Jackson, but the second was to fake out the paparazzi and European fans who flocked outside the studio's doors. Jackson, an infamous recluse, would always crack a window and allow fans to pass CDs in for him to autograph.

"There would be tons of fans — European fans — they weren't sharing the information with anyone else that he was coming here with anyone else. They didn't want to spoil the exclusivity," Caswell said.

Max Miller, a dispatch manager at the studios, said he saw the singer work on a transition routine between two songs.

Miller's team aimed a spotlight at the stage area as Jackson, wearing a black suit, practiced the moves with no music and just a metronome clicking.

"He was totally dancing like top-notch. He seemed totally good," Miller said. "He seemed totally cool and really focused."

As focused as energized as he was in Burbank, Jackson seemed even more excited about his comeback as the concert date approached.

He recently moved his rehearsals to The Forum, the Los Angeles Lakers' former arena in Inglewood, and ultimately to the Staples Center, where he was rehearsing daily, sometimes for hours.

Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of Grammy Awards, said he met Jackson there on Wednesday for a business meeting and spoke to him for about 20 minutes before Jackson invited him to watch him rehearse.

Ehrlich, who has known Jackson for years, said he was amazed by the singer's vitality and focus as he practiced moves with backup dancers and a handful of choreographers.

The choreographers walked him through moves and gave him stage directions. They also introduced him to some new props and appeared to be working with Jackson to incorporate them into the show.

"Michael was digesting it all. He was learning, but even with that, there were times during the songs where his singing was full out," Ehrlich said. "I would watch him move across the floor like the Michael of old. I was convinced (the comeback) was going to be the Michael of old."

Ehrlich said he left after watching Jackson work through five or six numbers, but got chills from watching him — a memory that seems especially precious now. The star showed no signs that he would die less than 24 hours later, he said.

"There was this one moment, he was moving across the stage and he was doing these trademark Michael moves, and I know I got this big grin on my face, and I started thinking to myself, 'You know, it's been years since I've seen that,'" he said.

"There was that Michael that was just like no one else and no one else could touch," he said. "The shame is that new generation won't see that — but we all came close to being able to see it again."

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Associated Press writers Lynn Elber, Raquel Maria Dillon, Beth Harris, Solvej Schou and Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.