Michael Jackson's estate signs record deal worth up to US$250m

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Michael Jackson's estate has just signed a lucrative record deal which could end up being worth as much as US$250 million.

The monster seven-year contract, worth a guaranteed US $200m, includes 10 albums, one of which will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will be released in November, according to US sources.

The Jackson albums will also see previously released hits being reworked, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Jackson's estate owns all of the star's recordings but Sony has the rights to distribute them until 2015. The new deal extends that deal until 2017.

Sony has already sold an estimated 31m Jackson albums since he died of a drug overdose in Los Angeles last June. Under the deal fans could soon see remastered version of classic Jackson albums such as Off the Wall and Bad, plus DVD compilations of videos. Before his sudden death, the pop star had wanted to re-issue his 1979 album Off The Wall, people familiar with the deal said.

One of the projects already counted in the contract was the two-disc album that accompanied This Is It, the film based on footage of concert rehearsals for what was to have been Jackson's comeback at London's O2 arena.

Including the more than 5 million copies of that special release, Jackson has sold some 31 million albums since his death in June, about two-thirds of them outside the United States.

-- Daily Mail

James Brown's body is 'missing from its crypt', alleges singer's daughter

James Brown's daughter has claimed the singer's body has gone missing from its crypt.

LaRhonda Pettit, 48, alleges the body of Brown, who died in December 2006 aged 73, is being hidden to prevent a full autopsy being carried out. Ms Pettit said the official cause of death, which was said to be a heart attack brought by pneumonia, is not the real reason behind the Godfather of Soul's passing.

She said: "My daddy's body has disappeared. I have no clue where it was taken, but I need to know where. I'm convinced his death was suspicious and I want the people responsible brought to justice."

Pettit, who underwent a DNA test in 2007 to prove she was Brown's daughter, believes there were several people involved in Brown's death.

She is one of 12 people who came forward following Brown's death claiming to be one of his illegitimate children.

Brown's body is said to have been sealed in a temporary crypt at his daughter Deanna's South Carolina Home while arrangements are made for his permanent burial.

-- Daily Mail

George Michael photographed smoking a 'suspicious cigarette' on Sydney boat cruise

George Michael enjoys some time on the 'high seas' as he smokes what appears to be a cannabis joint on a boat cruise.

He was spotted cruising around Sydney Harbour, Australia, with friends as he puffed on what appears to be a 'spliff'.

The pictures show him laughing and joking with his male friends as they smoked and drank beer during the 7.30am cruise last Thursday.

The singer has never made a secret of his love for the banned substance, and previously said he thought the world would be an "easier place to live with" if the drug was legalised.

-- Daily Mail

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Michael Jackson's estate signs record deal worth up to US$250m