6/28/2010

Michael Jackson Estate's First Year

Michael Jackson's Estate celebrated the first anniversary of MJ's death with series of press releases, interviews and leaks about what happened within the estate in the last year. Below you may find an overview of these information, what in my opinion prooves how great work they did.

Debts paid off:
- $70 million in total.
- All Encino property and nearly condo bills and $5 million loan.
- Video and Audio Center paid off.
- Thomas Mesereau's office paid off.
- $35 million advance from AEG Live paid back.
- $1.3 million to Los Angeles to cover MJ's funeral.

Business changes:
- Sony/ATV deal soon to be renewed, MJ's yearly income will be doubeled from ~$10 million to ~$20 million. $270 million loan payment refinanced with better terms for the Estate.
- MiJac deal renewed along with a new public-performance agreement. $70 million loan will be paid back until Summer, 2011.

Incomes:
- Over $250 million in total.
- Sony album deal $125 million in advance, over $200 million in 7 years.
- This Is It movie $252 million in ticket sales.
- This Is It DVD/Blu-Ray sales $70 million.
- This Is It TV licensing $20 million.
- Merchandising and licensing deals $26 million in total.
- MiJac with $35 million yearly income.
- Sony/ATV with $11 million yearly income.

Numbers:
- 31 million albums sold worldwide.
- 800.000 Jackson 5 albums sold worldwide.
- 40 million digital downloads worldwide.
- 4.5 million ringtone downloads worldwide.
- 140.000 radio plays alone in the US.

6/20/2010

Michael Durham Prince Worked On New Songs

I was the first who reported about dozens of new songs MJ recorded with Bradley Buxler in 2009.

Now I can tell you that Michael Durham Prince was also present on these recording sessions, and will be credited if these songs will ever be released. He was the audio supervisor of the planned This Is It live shows.

6/19/2010

Another Two Legal Cases

As TMZ reported, the Estate has been sued by Nederlander Presentations on Thursday.

What they didn't know of that the Estate has been sued by another company the same day. Seven Echols (dba Security Measurements) filed a claim on June 17, 2010. Echols' company provided security for MJ in Las Vegas years ago.

It seems that the creditors got impatient and launched legal actions instead of waiting for the Estate lawyers.


PS.: I have received some comments here in the blog, that I just answered.

6/15/2010

Another Unreleased Song: I Was The Loser

I have found another unreleased song recorded by MJ with Bradley Buxer: I Was The Loser (it's different then I Am The Loser).

The song has been recently transferred to the Estate.

MichaelFest

MJ's Estate will announce a new Michael Jackson event called "MichaelFest" very soon most likely. More details to come here...

6/05/2010

Properties - Updates

1958 - 1971: MJ spent his childhood in this small family house built in 1949. The property has been sold to Unique Wood Designs Inc. on April 6, 2010 by the Jackson Trust (Katherine and Joe Jackson's trust). UWD is owned by Katherine, Taj Jackson and Trent Jackson. The estimated value of the property is $22.000. There are no mortgage liens or unpaid taxes. No public information on who lives in the house, or what developments are in plans.
Address: 2300 Jackson Street, Gary, Lake, Indiana
Year built: 1949
Living area: 672 sqft
Number of stories: 1
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1

1971 - 1988: MJ's parents bought the family compound for $140.000 in 1971. MJ lived there from 1971 until the middle 80's. In the meantime he resided in rented houses. The property is now owned by MJ's Estate and LaToya Jackson. Last time the ownership changed was back in April 26, 2005. when MJ's status was changed from "a married man" to an "unmarried man". The property is valued for $2.8 million. The property still has a $2.2 million mortgage lien. All taxes are paid. Katherine, MJ's 3 children and relatives are living on the compound.
Address: 4641 Hayvenhurst Avenue, Encino, Los Angeles, California, 91436
Year Built: 1983
Living Area: 10476 sqft
Number of Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms Full: 7
Pool, air conditioning, two fireplaces, attached garage for two cars

1988 - 2005: MJ bought his dream home back in 1988 for reportedly $18 million. And finally left it after his 2005 trial to Bahrain. The property is owned by Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC, said to be a joint venture between MJ's Estate and Tom Barrack (since November 10, 2008). The land is used for agricultural purposes, but no further plans are known. The property is valued at $28 million with a $23 million mortgage lien. The taxes are paid.
Address: 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road, Los Olivos, California, 93441

1993 - 2009: MJ bought a barely known property in Encino back in 1993. Later he allowed Deborah Rowe to stay in this condo until 1999, when they official divorced. The property is now owned by MJ's Estate and LaToya Jackson.
Address: -
Year Built: 1973
Living Area: 1890 sqft
Number of Stories: 2
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Pool, air conditioning, garage.

2005 - 2009: In the last 4 years of his life, MJ rented mansions amongst others in Bahrain, France, Ireland, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. According to the publicly available information, he did not buy any new properties.


MJ furthermore owned a Century City hideout that we have no information about.

Katherine sold her Las Vegas condo for $14.000 on June 19, 2008. MJ gifted her with this in the 90's.

Future/ongoing Business - Updates

- On March, 31, 2010 Bravado sealed a deal with University Games for various MJ games (trivias, puzzles) to be released later this year in Europe, US and Canada.

- On May 29, 2010 Bravado signed an agreement with Panini to release a series of MJ memorablia cards this August.

- Danilo has an existing agreement most likely with a previous agent of MJ to release an official calendar for 2011.