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Michael Jackson's mausoleum might be a tourist venue real soon if his brother Randy has anything to do with it.
Jackson is hoping to turn a private area at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif., into a place where fans of the late King of Pop can gather to commemorate the 'Thriller' singer on the June 25 anniversary of his death, similar to Graceland, the former home-turned-attraction of Elvis Presley.
Jackson's mausoleum is normally off limits to non-family members.
It is difficult to imagine Jackson's resting place as a major attraction like Graceland because privacy and security are a major issue at the special section of Forest Lawn Cemetery. Further, the venue was created to be a place where the departed can rest in peace without cameras, fans, tour buses or live reporting.
Recently, Jackson's ex, Lisa Marie Presley, told fans to send flowers to Jackson's grave site, and sunflowerguy.com donated and shipped thousands of sunflowers to Forest Lawn Cemetery. This is just one of the difficulties of such a high-profile celebrity having the venue as his resting place.
MJ Through The Years
Remembering Michael Jackson
June 25, 2009 marked the passing of the one and only "King of Pop." With over four decades in the spotlight, he never ceased to amaze us. Fittingly, we've witnessed his incredible highs and tragic lows with rapt attention. In tribute, we take a look at the life of pop music's greatest entertainer.
'Got To Be There'
Jackson, seen here during a 1972 'Top of the Pops' television appearance, was poised for greatness. During that year, he released a total of four solo studio albums with the Motown Records label, among them 'Got to Be There' and 'Ben.'
'I'll Be There'
During the mid-1970s, Michael Jackson evolved from kiddy-pop singer to teen music sensation. Not only did he achieve sterling success with his varied solo projects, the Gary, Indiana native simultaneously recorded hit records with his brothers under their new moniker, The Jacksons.
'Greatest Show On Earth'
Jackson played the Scarecrow in the 1978 film, 'The Wiz,' an elaborate re-envisioning of 'The Wizard of Oz,' directed by Sidney Lumet and starring a cavalcade of the biggest black celebrities of the time, most notably Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as The Tin Man, Ted Ross as The Cowardly Lion, Lena Horne as Glenda The Good Witch and Richard Pryor in the title role.
'We've Got A Good Thing Going'
Jackson-- pictured here in 1980 reportedly after breaking his nose during a complex dance routine leading to his initial rhinoplasty surgeries -- was riding a wave of success from the Quincy Jones-produced 'Off The Wall' album. It sold millions of copies and garnered a slew of awards, including American Music Awards, Billboard Awards and a Grammy Award.
'Pretty Young Thing'
Jackson was considered a heartthrob to many of his female fans. During his heyday as an adult solo artist, he made the scene with and was romantically linked to a slew of celebrity women, including Stephanie Mills, Tatum O'Neal and Brooke Shields, whom he is pictured with February 7, 1984.
'Come Together'
In 1980, The Jacksons released the 'Triumph' album, featuring the hits "Lovely One" and "Can You Feel It." Their live opus, which followed the next year, used recordings from the group's "Triumph Tour," which was later described by as one of the best 25 tours from 1967 to 1987.
'Thriller'
Jackson posed with a group of dancers dressed as zombies while filming his groundbreaking 1983 music video, 'Thriller,' in Los Angeles. The 13-minute film was helmed by 'An American Werewolf in London' director John Landis and featured choreography by award-winning hoofer Michael Peters. Make-up FX wiz Rick Baker transformed Jackson into a werewolf and a zombie.
'Unbreakable'
A force to be reckoned with, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones (who also produced the soundtrack for 'The Wiz,' and the 'Off the Wall' album) made history with the 'Thriller' opus. Thriller was first recognized as the world's best-selling album on February 7, 1984, when it was inducted into the 'Guinness Book of World Records.' On February 28, 1984, the two dynamos were awarded the Grammy for "Producer of the Year." That evening, Jackson made history as the first artist to win eight of the coveted statues in one year.
'Remember The Time'
In 1984, The Jacksons released the album 'Victory' and supported the project with the massively successful world tour. Shortly after the jaunt, Michael Jackson left the group as his 'Thriller' album started to gain momentum.
Comments: (175)
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By: mzjanuary205 on 5/19/2010 5:50PM
Well, I am hoping that Randy doesn't get his way. Mike had no peace in life, why can't he have peace in death? Why turn his grave into a tourist attraction? I hope that Forest Lawn says NO to Randy and tells him to get the hell on.
More and more I am thinking that SOME of the Jacksons are looking at MJ's death as a way of gaining the attention (or money) they never got when their brother was alive. Usually it's Jermaine who is the one who claims to do certain things to in order keep MJ's memory going, when we know it's all for some self-serving purpose and nothing to do with Mike at all...but this time Randy is the one doing it. With the exception of Janet, he was literally the family meal ticket and here they are STILL trying to capitalize off of their dead brother. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.
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By: ADMR on 5/19/2010 7:14PM
AMEN...SMH
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By: Vanessa Jones on 5/21/2010 9:49AM
You say they are using Michael to make their money. I really agree; I told you all in one other statement about Jermaine & Randy sharing the same wife. I don't care what anyone says; they are saying that Michael was killed by the Doctor. I say Randy had a part in it. Michael was an awesome man and some people envied him. He was a nice man he would help them but they couldn't deal with that. Because Michael was also a man of power. People don't like you if you have power. Especially power that they can't have. I know this is not what you were asking. But it is why they are using him for their personal goal. Michael & Janet are the only one's that really enjoyed their work. So, they made it work for them. The lazy ones sat back and complained until they wanted some themselves. I just had to say this because I really feel its a family member who got rid of our beloved Michael.
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By: selfish people on 5/22/2010 3:33AM
Some people are just fascinated with death as if they are themselves the walking dead. On the other hand, there are people who are more concerned with eternal life with our Lord. Whichever one is your preference does not exclude the fact that every knee in heaven and in the earth and under the earth will bow, and everyone will confess that Jesus is Lord.
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By: Marilyn on 5/23/2010 8:48AM
Yes you are right, so sad that his own parents took this man's life away from him at such a young age, let him lie in Peace and I pray that his children do not suffer the way that he did.
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By: chris on 5/24/2010 4:02PM
Yeah,plus that's just tasteless IMHO.He may be truly sincere and mean well but it smacks of opportunism. Plus it's kinda cultish and creepy.Lol!
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By: Al Schrader on 5/24/2010 5:07PM
I was born two years before MJ. Growing up I was very envious of him. What I didn't know is that God had a much better plan for me than he ever had for Mike. Looking back, I had I perfect child hood, and today I have a perfect life. Rest in peace Mike...Al-
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By: Janet Cangialosi on 5/24/2010 9:11PM
Ok let's all admit it it's not to "Keep Michael's Memory Alive" his music does that beautifully, it's all about money, not even fame, can't live off fame but you can live off money. Peace how can Michael get peace he has too many left behind he's supporting
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By: RLJ on 5/24/2010 11:45PM
i sure do agree with u right there. just let michael rest in peace.
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By: zytychi on 6/22/2010 4:21AM
DEFINE ENABLERS: Katherine, Joseph, Janet, LaToya, Randy, Jermaine, Elizabeth Taylor, Dr. Arnie Klein, and Dr. Conrad Murray. ENABLERS ARE PERSONS THAT PROVIDE YOU WITH A SUBSTANCE OR ANYTHING THAT WILL CAUSE YOU TO BECOME ADDICTED AND LOSE CONTROL OF YOURSELF. ENABLERS WILL DO THIS TO STAY ON A PERSONS PAYROLL OR STAY IN THEIR GOOD GRACES. All of these Junky Assisting bastards listed should be charged with Manslaughter.
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