Jackson fans commemorate the King
Source: Agencies |
June 26, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MICHAEL Jackson fans around the world lit candles yesterday to mark the death one year ago of the controversial pop star whose posthumous popularity has returned him to a pedestal and made him a billion dollar man.
Fans in Hanoi, Vietnam, held a night of performances of Jackson's songs while 50 Japanese admirers -- one for each year of his life -- were picked from 10,000 people to spend a night at Tokyo Tower among the singer's possessions in the Neverland Collection, the only official Michael Jackson exhibition.
"The idea may sound a bit odd to Western cultures, but in Japan the tradition of being with the remains and possessions of passed loved ones on the anniversary of their passing is an important ritual," said Hiroyuki Takamura of the Tokyo Tower.
Jackson's sudden death at age 50 on June 25 last year in Los Angeles sparked an outpouring of grief internationally for the former child star, who was rehearsing for a series of concerts aimed at reviving a career shattered by bizarre events as an adult and acquittal on charges of molesting a 13-year-old boy.
One year on, Jackson is again idolized and his debts a burden of the past. Hollywood trade paper Billboard estimated Jackson's earnings in the past year have hit US$1 billion, including album sales generating about US$383 million and revenue from the film "This Is It" hitting nearly US$400 million.
The Official Charts Company, which compiles record sales in Britain, said Jackson sold more records than any other artist in the past year.
Including singles, Jackson's sales in Britain reached 4.31 million for the year since his death. "Man in the Mirror" topped singles sales, followed by "Billie Jean."
But in death as in life, controversy continues to plague the star with his personal doctor awaiting trial on a charge of causing his death by giving him a powerful anaesthetic as a sleep aid and his sister LaToya claiming he was murdered for his back catalogue.
Jackson's estate is also taking issue with a documentary, "King of Pop," set to debut in Japan as the estate said the film's promotion "misled fans by making it appear as if this was an authorized film."
A spokesman for the estate added: "Michael's fans should also know that none of the proceeds earned by this movie will be paid to his estate which, in keeping with Michael's stated wishes, strives to make sure his artistic legacy benefits his three children, his mother and the charitable causes he cared about."
Fans in Hanoi, Vietnam, held a night of performances of Jackson's songs while 50 Japanese admirers -- one for each year of his life -- were picked from 10,000 people to spend a night at Tokyo Tower among the singer's possessions in the Neverland Collection, the only official Michael Jackson exhibition.
"The idea may sound a bit odd to Western cultures, but in Japan the tradition of being with the remains and possessions of passed loved ones on the anniversary of their passing is an important ritual," said Hiroyuki Takamura of the Tokyo Tower.
Jackson's sudden death at age 50 on June 25 last year in Los Angeles sparked an outpouring of grief internationally for the former child star, who was rehearsing for a series of concerts aimed at reviving a career shattered by bizarre events as an adult and acquittal on charges of molesting a 13-year-old boy.
One year on, Jackson is again idolized and his debts a burden of the past. Hollywood trade paper Billboard estimated Jackson's earnings in the past year have hit US$1 billion, including album sales generating about US$383 million and revenue from the film "This Is It" hitting nearly US$400 million.
The Official Charts Company, which compiles record sales in Britain, said Jackson sold more records than any other artist in the past year.
Including singles, Jackson's sales in Britain reached 4.31 million for the year since his death. "Man in the Mirror" topped singles sales, followed by "Billie Jean."
But in death as in life, controversy continues to plague the star with his personal doctor awaiting trial on a charge of causing his death by giving him a powerful anaesthetic as a sleep aid and his sister LaToya claiming he was murdered for his back catalogue.
Jackson's estate is also taking issue with a documentary, "King of Pop," set to debut in Japan as the estate said the film's promotion "misled fans by making it appear as if this was an authorized film."
A spokesman for the estate added: "Michael's fans should also know that none of the proceeds earned by this movie will be paid to his estate which, in keeping with Michael's stated wishes, strives to make sure his artistic legacy benefits his three children, his mother and the charitable causes he cared about."
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