Music Blogs

It's been a crazy couple of weeks here at That's Really Week. Two weeks ago, for the first time in this blog's history, we went on hiatus after the news of Michael Jackson's death broke, since all the other stories we'd been planning to write about--like the Perez Hilton/will.i.am smackdown or Chris Brown's assault case plea bargain--suddenly seemed ridiculously trivial. Then last week, in another That's Really Week first, all the top stories centered on a single artist, the late Michael, who continued to completely dominate the headlines.

And this week, the week of the Michael Jackson memorial, has been no different. Although other music stories broke--notably the death of Rolling Stones/Beatles manager Allen Klein, the assault trial of Britney Spears' paparazzo ex Adnan Ghalib, and the semi-breakup of Panic At The Disco--all of them were easily eclipsed by Jackson news. The King Of Pop's crazy life in the spotlight was always a circus--from the urban legends about Elephant Man bones, oxygen sleeping tents, chimpanzees, and prosthetic noses, to numerous legal scandals and financial woes--and his death has been no different, with all sorts of bizarre stories coming to light.

However, we must start this week's recap by noting that, despite all the often over-the-top drama and ridiculousness in Michael's life, his memorial--held at Los Angeles's Staples Center on Tuesday morning and watched on live television by millions across the globe--was a surprisingly somber, subdued, and most importantly respectful affair. Yes, the rolling-out of Michael's golden casket might have been an overly glitzy touch, but overall it was a truly moving event, full of memorably touching moments. Elder brother Jermaine Jackson's solo performance of Michael's favorite song "Smile" (introduced lovingly by close friend Brooke Shields); brother Marlon Jackson's teary-eyed speech; Usher's choked-up "Gone Too Soon" ballad, followed by him kneeling at Jackson matriarch Katherine's feet; and powerhouse performances by Jennifer Hudson and 12-year-old Britain's Got Talent prodigy Shaheen Jafargholi were all goosebump-raising standouts.

But ironically, the memorial moment most people were talking about was the completely gut-wrenching "I love my daddy" speech by Michael's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Jackson, who spoke in public for the first time. We say "ironically" because her late father spent most of her life, and her siblings' lives, doing everything in his power to shield them from the prying public eye (including covering them up in veils and masks). Yet his children were front and center at the memorial, for all the world to see. Paris's brief but beautiful speech about her love for her father was a special moment because it truly humanized Michael Jackson. Sure, he may not have been a traditional father, and the Jacksons clearly never were a traditional family. But Paris's outpouring, while surrounded by supportive relatives like Janet and other visibly grief-stricken Jacksons, established once and for all that Michael was not just an music icon or tabloid freakshow but a much-loved father, brother, and son. The world will obviously miss him and his music, but relatives like Paris Jackson--to loosely quote a line from Michael's movie The Wiz--will miss him most of all.

But of course, like seemingly all things Michael Jackson-related, this week's MJ memorial had a dark side--notably the controversy regarding the funding for this multimillion-dollar production, as many tax-paying citizens of L.A. are understandably disgruntled about having to absorb the costs. AEG Live, the promotion company behind both the Staples Center and Jackson's aborted O2 Arena London concerts, says it paid for the memorial itself along with the Jackson estate, but the city still ponied up an estimated $1.4 million for crowd control. L.A. city council member Dennis Zine has therefore called on AEG Live to pay some of those expenses as well, griping on the Fox 11 News that L.A. taxpayers "are getting ripped off" because the Staples Center profited by charging media up to $50,000 to use risers outside the venue. Meanwhile, the city of L.A. has set up a PayPal donation website so fans can contribute to a fund to help cover the costs, although the public response to that site has not been overwhelming so far.

In other dark-sided news, speculation and weirdness still surrounds the issue of Michael's remains. After the memorial, his aforementioned golden coffin was reportedly whisked away from the Staples Center via a complex labyrinth of underground tunnels, and now The New York Post is reporting that his body currently lies in the personal crypt of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy while awaiting burial. Meanwhile, the Jackson clan is still debating over Michael's final resting place: According to People.com, Michael's father Joe Jackson wants him to be buried at the Neverland Ranch, where a museum could be built that would generate more revenue, while mother Katherine and Michael's siblings are not so thrilled about that somewhat mercenary proposition.

What we do know right now is it seems likely that Michael Jackson will be buried without his brain, which is still being examined to discover whether he died of a drug overdose. This week his death certificate was released without a cause of death, and part of his brain is, as of this writing, still being examined and will be returned to the Jacksons once tests are finished. If the Jackson family--who requested a second autopsy--wants a prompt burial, Michael may indeed have to be laid to rest sans his cerebellum.

Meanwhile, Joe Jackson--who stirred up controversy at last week's BET Awards by promoting his Ranch Records label on the red carpet--created more drama this week by telling ABC News in a TV interview that he suspects "foul play" in his son's death. "I just couldn't believe what was happening to Michael. I do believe it was foul play. I do believe that," he said, though he did not elaborate on his shocking suspicions. "I didn't know anything about [Michael's] drugs. I didn't even know the name of them. But I do know that whatever he'd taken was to try to make him rest because he had been working so hard, and that drug was supposed to try and make him relax. But anyway, he didn't wake up. He never woke up. Michael died in his sleep."

In another eyebrow-raising interview this week, Michael's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, made a series of startling revelations to Larry King on CNN. "Michael at one time had an addiction," he admitted. "He went to England and he withdrew that addiction in a secure setting." He also said the singer had a "huge tolerance level" when it came to drugs, typical of an addict. However, Dr. Klein denied he gave Michael powerful, potentially lethal, painkilling medications. He revealed that he sometimes gave Jackson the sedative Demerol, but warned him about using Diprivan. "I told him he was absolutely insane [to take that drug]," he explained to Larry King.

Dr. Klein also said he is not the biological father of Jackson's two eldest offspring, as some stories in the press (including Us Weekly) have suggested. In another TV interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, the doctor said: "I can't say anything about it, but to the best of my knowledge, I am not the father of these children."

It remains to be seen if Debbie Rowe--Michael's ex-wife, the alleged biological mother of Michael's eldest two children, and the former employee of Dr. Klein--will seek custody of Prince I and Paris Jackson. (She gave up her parental rights after she and Michael divorced.) According to her lawyer, she is still considering her rights in that case. But a court did rule this week that temporary control of Michael Jackson's estate will go not to Katherine Jackson, as previously assumed, but to John Branca and John McClain, the lawyer and music industry executive named as co-executors in Michael's 2002 will. Another court hearing is set for August 3 to review the estate case, so--like many stories having to do with Michael Jackson these days--this story is far from over.

And so, expect more Michael Jackson news next week, along with possible stories on other musicians who've been pushed out of the spotlight for the past couple of Michael-centric weeks. Until then, goodnight and good music.

THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 MICHAEL JACKSON STORIES:

1) Michael Jackson Memorialized - His Staples Center tribute is an allstar, emotional affair.

2) Michael's Mom Denied Estate - Temporary control of Jackson's estate goes not to Katherine Jackson, but to two music business executives.

3) Dad Suspects Foul Play - Joe Jackson makes some starling accusations about his son's death.

4) Who Will Pay For Michael's Memorial? - Many L.A. taxpayers are angry about being stuck with the multimillion-dollar bill.

5) Where Will Michael Be Buried? - His final resting place remains a mystery.

6) Cause Of Death Still Unknown - That field is left blank on MJ's death certificate.

7) Jackson's Brain Still Being Examined - It's quite possible he will be buried brainless.

8) Michael's Dermatologist Reveals All - Dr. Arnold Klein speaks out on Larry King Live.

9) Indiana Hometown Memorial Planned - Joe Jackson plans to attend.

10) NY Congressman Calls Jackson A "Pervert" - Rep. Peter King defends his YouTube-circulated, anti-MJ remarks.