INTRODUCTION
1. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, February 2013.
3. Michael Jackson, unpublished memo (circa 1985); see appendix.
4. Sheryl Crow, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
5. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
6. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
7. Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
8. Pharrell Williams, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
9. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
10. Kevin Liles, interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
11. Josh Altman, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
12. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
13. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
14. Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite, interview by author, Brooklyn, New York, January 2013.
15. Neil Harris, Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1973), 4.
16. Nic Kynaston, ed., Guinness World Records 2000 (London/New York: Guinness World Records Ltd, 1999), 88.
17. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
18. Joel Schumacher, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
19. Liv Buli, electronic message to author, February 2013.
20. The Nielsen Company, “2009 Year-End Music Industry Report,” January 6, 2010. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100106007077/en/2009-U.S.-Music-Purchases-2.1-2008-Music.
21. Michael Jackson, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
22. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
CHAPTER ONE: STEELTOWN DREAMING
1. Author’s observation, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
2. Greg Campbell, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
3. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
4. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
5. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
6. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
7. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk (New York: Harmony Books, 1988), 26.
8. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
9. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone (New York: Touchstone/Simon & Schuster, 2011), 22–23.
10. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
11. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 13.
12. Ibid, 33–34.
13. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
14. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 40.
15. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 28–29.
16. Greg Campbell, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
17. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
18. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 32.
19. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
20. Author’s observation, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
21. Author’s note: Unfortunately, this website is about as well maintained as the building to which it’s dedicated. Around the time of my visit to Gary, the URL directed me to a page occupied by a blue-and-yellow cartoon alligator and the words “HostGator: Start a Website Today!”
22. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 61.
23. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
24. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 34.
25. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
26. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 50.
27. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 37.
28. Gordon Keith, telephone conversation with author, July 2012.
29. Catherine Sinclair, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
30. Greg Campbell, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
31. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 59.
32. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
33. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 29.
34. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
35. Jake Austen, “The Jackson Find,” Chicago Reader, September 10, 2009, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-jackson-find/Content?oid=1191672.
36. Gordon Keith, telephone conversation with author, July 2012.
37. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 77.
38. Gordon Keith, telephone conversation with author, July 2012.
39. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
40. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 68.
41. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 43.
42. Smokey Robinson, Smokey: Inside My Life (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988), 175.
43. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 69–74.
44. Ibid.
45. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
46. Tito Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
47. Apollo Theater website, “Amateur Night History and Legacy,” Apollo Theater, http://www.apollotheater.org/amateur-night-history-legacy.
48. Jermaine Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
49. Marlon Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
50. Jermaine Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
51. Jackie Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
52. Jermaine Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
53. Tito Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
CHAPTER TWO: MOTOWN UNIVERSITY
1. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
2. Smokey Robinson, Smokey: Inside My Life, 175.
3. Author’s note: Suzanne de Passe had numerous scheduling conflicts that prevented her from being interviewed for this book.
4. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
5. Author’s note: At least two Jackson biographers have said that Berry Gordy was not present for the Jackson 5’s initial Motown audition, but signed him after watching their audition tape. However, both Gordy and one of his representatives say he watched the performance in person; Jermaine Jackson also writes that the Jacksons performed in front of Gordy at their first audition (You Are Not Alone, 92).
6. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
7. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 63.
8. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
9. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 75.
10. J. Randy Taraborrelli, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness (New York: Birch Lane Press, 1991), 47.
11. Bernie Resnick, electronic message to author, July 2013.
12. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
13. Gordon Keith, telephone conversation with author, July 2012.
14. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
15. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
16. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 67–69.
17. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
18. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
19. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
20. Jackson 5, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, Motown, 1969.
21. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
22. Berry Gordy and Nansci Neiman, electronic message to the author, March 2013.
23. Langdon Winner, “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5,” Rolling Stone, March 7, 1970, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/diana-ross-presents-the-jackson-5-19700307.
24. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
25. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
26. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 107.
27. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
28. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 81.
29. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 153–155.
30. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 106.
31. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 167.
32. Michael Jackson, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
33. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 106–108.
34. Neil Weinberg, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
35. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 114.
36. Emanuel Legrand, “International Publishing for Non-Publishers,” Midem Academy 2013, 4, http://www.midem.com/RM/RM_MidemEvent/documents/pdf/library/academics/midem-academy-emmanuel-legrand-international-publishing-non-publishers.pdf.
37. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
38. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
39. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 115.
40. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
41. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 185.
42. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
CHAPTER THREE: EPIC CHANGES
1. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
2. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 177.
3. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
4. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
5. Smokey Robinson, Smokey: Inside My Life, 212.
6. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 178.
7. Ibid., 185.
8. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 117–120.
9. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
10. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 128–129.
11. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
12. IMDB staff, “The Wiz,” IMDB, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078504/.
13. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 133.
14. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
15. Joel Schumacher, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
16. Susan Blond, electronic message to author, October 2013; interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
17. Joel Schumacher, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
18. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 136, 142, 150.
19. Quincy Jones, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones (New York: Doubleday, 2001), 232.
20. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
21. Matt Forger, electronic message to author, June 2013.
22. Keith Jackson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
23. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
24. Roger Ebert, “The Wiz,” Chicago Sun Times, October 28, 1978.
25. Globe and Mail staff, “Film Drops a Great Yellow Brick,” Globe and Mail, October 28, 1978.
26. Adam Lee Davies, Tom Huddleston, David Jenkins and Anna Smith, “Cinema’s 50 Greatest Flops, Follies and Failures,” TimeOut London, http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/10340/.
27. IMDB staff, “The Wiz,” IMDB, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078504/.
28. Joel Schumacher, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
29. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
30. Stephen Holden, “Michael Jackson: Off the Wall,” Rolling Stone, November 1, 1979, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/off-the-wall-19791101.
31. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
32. Smokey Robinson, Smokey: Inside My Life, 212.
33. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 152.
34. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
CHAPTER FOUR: EMPIRE BUILDING
1. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
2. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
3. John Branca, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
4. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
5. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, April 2013; Entertainment Law Initiative speech, Beverly Hills, California, February 2012.
6. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
7. Guardian staff, “Fatboy Slim’s ‘Praise You’ Voted Best Video,” The Guardian, July 31, 2001, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/jul/31/2.
8. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 176.
9. Michael Jackson, “Learning from the Past,” unpublished notes (circa 1987), dictated to author by Karen Langford via telephone, July 2013.
10. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 147, 176.
11. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
12. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 180.
13. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
14. Quincy Jones, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones, 236–237.
15. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
16. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
17. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 198.
18. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
19. Quincy Jones, Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones, 238–239.
20. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
21. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
22. Freddie DeMann staff member (name unknown), telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
23. Ron Weisner, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
24. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
CHAPTER FIVE: KISSING THE MONSTER
1. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
3. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
4. Michigan.gov staff, “US Motor Vehicle Sales,” Michigan.gov, date unknown, http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa/Publications/Issues/MOTORVEH/MOTORVE1.html.
5. Christopher Connelly, “Thriller,” Rolling Stone, January 28, 1983, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/thriller-19830128.
6. Billboard staff, “Thriller,” Billboard, December 11, 1982, http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/others/thriller-937199.story.
7. John Rockwell, “Michael Jackson’s Thriller: Superb Job,” New York Times, December 19, 1982, http://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/19/arts/michael-jackson-s-thriller-superb-job.html.
8. Walter Yetnikoff, Howling at the Moon (New York: Broadway Books, 2004), 153–154.
9. Jay Cocks, “Sing a Song of Seeing,” Time, December 26, 1983.
10. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 200.
11. Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite, interview by author, Brooklyn, New York, January 2013.
12. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
13. Paul Grein, “Chartbeat,” Billboard, February 26, 1983.
14. Paul Grein, “Jackson and Q in View; The British Are Coming,” Billboard, March 5, 1983.
15. Billboard staff, “ ‘Billie Jean’ Gets Her MTV,” Billboard, March 26, 1983.
16. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
17. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 204.
18. John Kellogg, interview by author, Boston, Massachusetts, January 2013.
19. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
20. Michael Jackson, “Motown 25 Performance of Billie Jean,” unpublished notes (circa 1983), dictated to author by Karen Langford via telephone, July 2013.
21. Michael Jackson, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
22. Michael Jackson, spoken interlude, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, 1983.
23. Michael Jackson, “Motown 25 Performance of Billie Jean,” unpublished notes (circa 1983), dictated to author by Karen Langford via telephone, July 2013.
24. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
25. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 213.
26. Jay Cocks, “Sing a Song of Seeing,” Time, December 26, 1983.
27. Joseph Vogel, Man in the Music (New York: Sterling, 2011), 67–68.
28. Kevin Liles, interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
29. Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges, interview by author, New York, New York, June 2012.
30. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
31. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
32. Myrna Oliver, “Milton Rudin; Hollywood Attorney,” Los Angeles Times, December 16, 1999, http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/16/news/mn-44506.
33. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
34. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
35. Nancy Griffin, “The ‘Thriller’ Diaries,” Vanity Fair, July 2010, http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2.
36. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
37. Bob Pittman, electronic message to author, January 2013.
38. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
39. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
40. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, April 2013; interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
41. Michael Jackson, “Thriller” music video, 1983, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOnqjkJTMaA.
42. Gayle Gaviola, electronic message to author, September 2013.
43. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
44. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
45. Tom O’Neil, “Flashback: Michael Jackson’s Historic Grammy Triumph for ‘Thriller,’ ” Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
46. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
47. Walter Yetnikoff, Howling at the Moon, 159.
48. Jessica Erskine, electronic message to author, September 2013.
49. Ronald Reagan, speech introducing Michael Jackson, 1984, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEmj9MTqoGk.
50. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
51. Author’s note: In our March 2013 interview, Yetnikoff didn’t recall giving Jackson his masters back. Then again, he admits his memory of the 1980s is spotty, as evidenced by the following interchange that occurred when we discussed the Motown 25 special.
Yetnikoff: It probably did spike sales . . . what year was that?
Greenburg: 1983.
Yetnikoff: I was drunk.
CHAPTER SIX: THE BUSINESS OF VICTORY
1. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
3. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
4. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 238.
5. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 243.
6. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
7. Ben Sisario, “Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson’s Manager, Dies at 63,” New York Times, August 24, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/arts/music/frank-dileo-michael-jacksons-manager-dies-at-63.html.
8. Robert Hilburn, “The Long and Winding Road,” Los Angeles Times, September 22, 1985.
9. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
10. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 247.
11. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
12. Edward C. Baig, “The Can-Do Promoter of the Jacksons Tour,” Fortune, August 20, 1984.
13. Cynthia Minor, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
14. John Branca, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
15. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 245.
16. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 236.
17. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
18. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 237–238.
19. Susan Blond, interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
20. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 247.
21. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
22. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
23. Author’s note: Over the course of his career, Jermaine Jackson actually released three self-titled albums—Jermaine, Jermaine (yes, again) and Jermaine Jackson—as well as another called My Name Is Jermaine (at least there was only one Precious Moments).
24. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
25. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 256.
26. Cynthia Minor, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
27. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 245.
28. Cynthia Minor, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
29. Michael Cohl, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
30. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 259, 263.
31. Cynthia Minor, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
32. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
33. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 242.
34. Cynthia Minor, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
35. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 273.
36. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
37. Michael Cohl, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
38. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
39. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
40. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
41. Linda Moss, “Jeans to Jackson,” Crain’s New York Business, June 2, 1986.
42. Monte Burke, “Unlikely Dynasty,” Forbes, September 19, 2005.
43. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
44. Monte Burke, “Unlikely Dynasty,” Forbes, September 19, 2005.
45. Charles Sullivan, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012; electronic message to author, June 2013.
CHAPTER SEVEN: BUYING THE BEATLES
1. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
3. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 189.
4. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
5. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
6. Les Bider, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
7. John Branca, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012; telephone conversation with author, April 2013.
8. Andrew Ross Sorkin, “Berry Gordy Sells EMI a Stake in Catalogue of Motown Songs,” New York Times, July 2, 1997.
9. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
10. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
11. Louis Kraar, “Australia’s Acquisitive Recluse,” Fortune, August 19, 1985, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1985/08/19/66315/index.htm.
12. Yoko Ono, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
13. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012. Author’s note: Eastman doesn’t remember any such conversation. “Michael Jackson’s people never called me,” he told me when reached for comment via telephone.
14. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
15. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
16. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
17. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
18. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
19. Michael Jackson, unpublished memo (circa 1985); see appendix.
20. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
21. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
22. Ibid.
23. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
24. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013
25. J. Randy Taraborrelli, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, 337.
26. Paul McCartney, interview with David Letterman, The Late Show, July 15, 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4cVsqUF7GQ.
27. John Branca, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
28. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
29. John Branca, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012; telephone interview by author, October 2013; telephone conversation with author, April 2013.
30. Dale Kawashima, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
31. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
32. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
33. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
CHAPTER EIGHT: DANCING WITH THE STARS
1. Author’s observation, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
2. Author’s note: this figure includes the cost of upgrading theaters to accommodate Captain EO.
3. John Branca, electronic message to author, February 2012.
4. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
5. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 258.
6. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
7. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
8. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
9. Matt Forger, electronic message to author, September 2013.
10. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
11. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 258.
12. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
13. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
14. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
15. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
16. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
17. Vincent Canby, “ ‘Big Screen’ Takes on New Meaning,” New York Times, April 19, 1987, http://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/19/movies/big-screen-takes-on-new-meaning.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.
18. Chris Kohler, “Michael Jackson’s Revived Captain EO Is Still Wired, Slightly Tired,” Wired, March 22, 2010, http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/03/captain-eo-tribute/.
19. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
CHAPTER NINE: GOOD AND BAD
1. Michael Levine, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
3. RIAA staff, Gold and Platinum database, various searches, http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php.
4. Joseph Vogel, Man in the Music, 97; electronic message to author, June 2012.
5. Michael Jackson, “Thoughts on Work and Secrecy,” unpublished notes (circa 1985), dictated to author by Karen Langford via telephone, July 2013.
6. Neil Harris, Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum, 4.
7. Ibid, 57.
8. Michael Levine, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
9. John Antczak, “Superstar Buying Oxygen Therapy Device; Physician Warns Against It,” Associated Press, September 16, 1986.
10. United Press International staff, “Michael Jackson Told to Avoid Oxygen Unit,” San Francisco Chronicle, September 20, 1986.
11. Michael Levine, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
12. J. Randy Taraborrelli, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, 361–363.
13. Neil Harris, Humbug: The Art of P. T. Barnum, 27.
14. Jon Wiener, “Beatles Buy-Out,” New Republic, May 11, 1987, http://www.newrepublic.com/article/music/beatles-buy-out.
15. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
16. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
17. Paul McCartney, interview with David Letterman, The Late Show, July 15, 2009, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4cVsqUF7GQ.
18. Jonathan Takiff, “Commercial Viewers Getting a Different Look at Beatles,” Houston Chronicle, June 13, 1987.
19. Patrick Goldstein, “Revolting Trend in TV Commercials?” Los Angeles Times, May 10, 1987.
20. Jon Wiener, “Beatles Buy-Out,” New Republic, May 11, 1987, http://www.newrepublic.com/article/music/beatles-buy-out.
21. Alan Light, “Changes in Mellencamp Country,” New York Times, January 22, 2007, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/arts/music/22mell.html.
22. Joseph Vogel, electronic message to author, June 2012.
23. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
24. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
25. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
26. Bea Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
27. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
28. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, October 2013.
29. Fred “Fab 5 Freddy” Brathwaite, interview by author, Brooklyn, New York, January 2013.
30. Jon Pareles, “Pop: Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad,’ Follow-Up to a Blockbuster,” New York Times, August 31, 1987, http://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/31/arts/pop-michael-jackson-s-bad-follow-up-to-a-blockbuster.html.
31. Richard Cromelin, “Michael Jackson Has a Good Thing in ‘Bad,’ ” Los Angeles Times, August 31, 1987, http://www.latimes.com/la-archive-bad-review-aug31,0,7199736.story.
32. Davitt Sigerson, “Bad,” Rolling Stone, October 22, 1987, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/bad-19871022.
33. Joseph Vogel, Man in the Music, 93.
34. Paul Richter and William K. Knoedelseder Jr., “Sony Buys CBS Record Division For $2 Billion After Months of Talks,” Los Angeles Times, November 19, 1987.
35. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
36. Michael Jackson, BAD 25 liner notes, MJJ Productions/Epic, 2012.
37. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
38. Michael Cohl, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
39. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
40. Dale Kawashima, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
41. Jon Bon Jovi, telephone conversation with author, August 2012.
42. Sheryl Crow, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
43. Michael Levine, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
44. James Baldwin, The Price of the Ticket (New York: Macmillan, 1985), 689.
1. Author’s observation, Neverland Valley Ranch, Santa Ynez, California, August 2012.
2. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2012.
3. Author’s observation, Neverland Valley Ranch, Santa Ynez, California, August 2012.
4. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
5. Don Kaplan, “Liz & Jacko: Hollywood’s Odd Couple,” New York Post, March 24, 2011.
6. Elizabeth Taylor, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
7. Michael Jackson, Moonwalk, 281.
8. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
9. Les Bider, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
10. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
11. RIAA staff, “Moonwalker,” RIAA searchable database, http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=moonwalker&artist=michael%20jackson&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25.
12. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, August 2013.
13. Shaye Areheart, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2013.
14. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
15. Ken Tucker, “Firing Your Father Isn’t Easy,” New York Times, June 5, 1988, http://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/books/summer-reading-firing-your-father-isn-t-easy.html.
16. Shaye Areheart, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2013.
17. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
18. Priscilla Giraldo, electronic message to author, October 2012.
19. David Geffen, electronic message to author, April 2013.
20. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, August 2013.
21. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
22. AllMusic staff, “Original Soundtrack: Days of Thunder,” AllMusic.com, date unknown, http://www.allmusic.com/album/days-of-thunder-mw0000308768/awards.
23. Tom Mesereau, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, August 2012.
24. Donny B. Lord, telephone conversation with author, March 2013.
25. Melanie Cohen, “Custody of Jackson Children May Be Marred by Bankruptcy Filing,” Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2009, http://blogs.wsj.com/bankruptcy/2009/07/01/custody-of-jackson-children-may-be-marred-by-bankruptcy-filing/.
26. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
27. Josh Altman, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: NEW SHOES
1. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
2. Walter LaFeber, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002), 60–65.
3. Russell Simmons, electronic message to author, July 2013.
4. Sandy Saemann, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
5. Walter LaFeber, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism, 65.
6. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012; telephone conversation with author, April 2013.
7. Sandy Saemann, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
8. Michael Jackson, LA Gear press conference, 1992, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPlKYYQa8Ow.
9. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
10. Walter Yetnikoff, telephone conversation with author, November 2013.
11. John Branca, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, February 2013.
12. Walter Yetnikoff, telephone conversation with author, November 2013.
13. Michael Jackson, memo to Gary Stiffelman (circa 1990).
14. Author’s note: When reached via telephone, Grubman declined to be interviewed for this book.
15. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
16. Michael Jackson, LA Gear commercial, 1990, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNueHwzCS2M.
17. Sandy Saemann, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
18. Bruce Horovitz, “Michael Jackson Starts Selling LA Gear’s Soles,” Los Angeles Times, August 6, 1990, http://articles.latimes.com/1990-08-06/business/fi-189_1_michael-jackson.
19. Michael Lev, “Shares of LA Gear Drop on News of Loss,” New York Times, January 22, 1991, http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/22/business/company-news-shares-of-la-gear-drop-on-news-of-loss.html.
20. Stuart Silverstein, “LA Gear’s No. 2 Executive, Sandy Saemann, Is Leaving,” Los Angeles Times, June 13, 1991, http://articles.latimes.com/1991-06-13/business/fi-776_1_stock-market.
21. Sandy Saemann, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
22. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
CHAPTER TWELVE: DANGEROUS VENTURES
1. Author’s note: According to Riley, Jones had removed himself from consideration for the role of producer. (“I’m tired, Michael,” he had supposedly told the King of Pop. “I need to rest on this one, but I got your man.”) Bruce Swedien and others, however, insisted that the decision was Jackson’s.
2. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
3. Teddy Riley, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
4. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
5. Alan Cintron and Chuck Philips, “Michael Jackson Agrees to Huge Contract with Sony,” Los Angeles Times, March 21, 1991, http://www.latimes.com/la-me-jacksontimeline-sony,0,6376836,print.story.
6. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
7. Chris Willman, “Michael Jackson’s Dangerous,” Los Angeles Times, November 24, 1991, http://www.latimes.com/la-archive-dangerous-review-nov24,0,5763920.story.
8. Jon Pareles, “Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness,” November 24, 1991, http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/24/arts/recordings-view-michael-jackson-in-the-electronic-wilderness.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.
9. Alan Light, “Michael Jackson: Dangerous,” Rolling Stone, January 1, 1992, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/dangerous-19920101.
10. Joseph Vogel, Man in the Music, 149, 131.
11. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
12. Dale Kawashima, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
13. Saul “Slash” Hudson, interview by author, New York, New York, September 2012.
14. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
15. New York Times staff, “Super Bowl XXVII; Overnight TV Rating Higher,” New York Times, February 2, 1993, http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/02/sports/super-bowl-xxvii-overnight-tv-rating-higher.html.
16. Brian McCarthy, electronic message to author, January 2013.
17. Greg Aiello, electronic message to author, January 2013. Author’s note: Aiello said the NFL didn’t have a record of the payment; as for the reported figure, he was “confident that it is accurate.”
18. Brad Buxer, electronic message to author, August 2013.
19. Michael Jackson, Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T5cB6yyivY.
20. New York Times staff, “Super Bowl XXVII; Overnight TV Rating Higher,” New York Times, February 2, 1993, http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/02/sports/super-bowl-xxvii-overnight-tv-rating-higher.html.
21. Michael Jackson, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
22. Oprah.com staff, “25 Highest-Rated Oprah Show Episodes,” Oprah.com, April 29, 2011, http://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/25-most-watched-oprah-show-episodes/26.
23. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
24. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 315.
25. Elizabeth Taylor, interview with Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
26. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael (New York: William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2011), 12, 17.
27. Greg Campbell, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
28. Oprah Winfrey, monologue, Michael Jackson Talks to . . . Oprah Live, 1993, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1dTHdckzg.
29. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 317.
30. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 42.
31. Mary A. Fischer, “Was Michael Jackson Framed?” GQ, October 1994.
32. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 318.
33. J. Randy Taraborrelli, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, 485.
34. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 318.
35. Mary A. Fischer, “Was Michael Jackson Framed?” GQ, October 1994.
36. Rusty Lemorande, interview by author, Anaheim, California, February 2013.
37. Newsweek staff, “Michael’s World,” Newsweek, September 5, 1993.
38. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 319–320.
39. Ibid.
40. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 37, 63–35.
41. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012; electronic message to author, February 2012.
42. Author’s note: Branca says he fired Fields; Fields says he resigned.
43. Bert Fields, electronic message to author, September 2013.
44. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 67.
45. J. Randy Taraborrelli, Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, 525, 530.
46. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 328.
47. Bill Hutchinson, “Evan Chandler, Dad of Boy Who Accused Michael Jackson of Molestation, Commits Suicide in New Jersey,” New York Daily News, November 17, 2009, http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/evan-chandler-dad-boy-accused-michael-jackson-molestation-commits-suicide-new-jersey-article-1.417751.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: HISTORY LESSON
1. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, August 2012.
2. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, August 2013.
3. Brad Buxer, electronic message to author, August 2013.
4. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, October 2013.
5. Matt Forger, electronic message to author, September 2013.
6. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, August 2013.
7. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 334 –335.
8. Richard N. Lelby, “One Theory on Michael-Lisa: It’s All a Plot,” Seattle Times, August 9, 1994, http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940809&slug=1924408.
9. Tony Ortega, “Lisa Marie Presley Says ‘So Long’ to Scientology,” The Village Voice, May 13, 2012, http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/05/lisa_marie_presley_says_so_long_to_scientology.php.
10. Anne Bergman, “Jackson-Presley Union Sparks Shock, Doubt, Laughs,” Los Angeles Times, August 3, 1994, http://articles.latimes.com/1994-08-03/entertainment/ca-22934_1_michael-jackson.
11. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 335.
12. Episode Unknown, Oprah, CTV, date unknown, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paqnj3dDUOY.
13. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 84.
14. Michael Jackson and Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, press conference, 1997, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LxRAweU7Fs&feature=related.
15. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, February 2013.
16. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
17. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
18. Brooks Barnes and Michael Cieply, “Disney Swoops into Action, Buying Marvel for $4 Billion,” New York Times, August 31, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/business/media/01disney.html.
19. Heba Fatani, electronic message to author, September 2013.
20. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
21. Karen Langford, electronic message to the author, October 2013.
22. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
23. Tommy Mottola, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
24. Marty Bandier, interview by author, New York, New York, January 2013.
25. Sean “Diddy” Combs, telephone conversation with author, June 2013.
26. Teddy Riley, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
27. Michael Jackson, “Scream,” HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995.
28. Michael Jackson, “D.S.,” HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995.
29. Michael Jackson, “They Don’t Care About Us,” HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995.
30. Jon Pareles, “Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?” New York Times, June 18, 1995, http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.
31. Abraham Foxman, “ADL Welcomes Michael Jackson’s Decision to Remove Anti-Semitic Lyrics From Song,” Anti-Defamation League release, June 22, 1995, http://archive.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/2471_12.asp.
32. Sandy Gallin, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
33. Jon Pareles, “Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?” New York Times, June 18, 1995, http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/18/arts/pop-view-michael-jackson-is-angry-understand.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm.
34. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
35. Author’s note: For all the circus planners out there, that’s ninety female Asian elephants.
36. Popular Mechanics staff, “Extreme Machines Antonov An-225 Is the World’s Biggest Plane,” Popular Mechanics, January 1, 2003, http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/news/1280771.
37. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013; telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
38. Author’s note: Wiesner claims to have worked for candy maker Haribo and airline Lufthansa, but only the latter was able to confirm that he’d actually been an employee.
39. Dieter Wiesner, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
40. Katherine Jackson et al. vs. AEG Live, July 29, 2013.
41. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, February 2013.
42. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 87–88.
43. Joel Schumacher, telephone conversation with author, October 2012.
44. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, October 2013.
45. John Jeremiah Sullivan, Pulphead Essays (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011), 109–110.
46. Joseph Vogel, Man in the Music, 208.
47. Matt Forger, telephone conversation with author, November 2012; electronic message to author, September 2013.
48. Dale Kawashima, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
49. Chuck Philips, “Back in the Club,” Los Angeles Times, March 26, 1998, http://articles.latimes.com/1998/mar/26/business/fi-32786.
50. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
51. Billboard staff, “Hot 100 55th Anniversary: The All-Time Top 100 Songs,” Fred Bronson, August 2, 2013, http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/2155531/the-hot-100-all-time-top-songs?list_page=5.
52. Michael Jackson, telephone message, date unknown, 1999.
53. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 357–358.
54. Ibid.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: INVINCIBLE?
1. Justin Bieber, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, April 2012.
2. Rodney Jerkins, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, April 2012.
3. Matt Forger, electronic message to author, September 2013; telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
4. Tommy Mottola, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
5. Bruce Swedien, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
6. Rodney Jerkins, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, April 2012.
7. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 215–216.
8. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 353–354.
9. Joe D’Angelo, “Michael Jackson Proves Invincible on Billboard Albums Chart,” November 7, 2001, http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450569/michael-jackson-debut-at-1.jhtml.
10. Jon Pareles, “To Regain Glory, the New Michael Imitates the Old,” New York Times, October 28, 2001, http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/arts/music-to-regain-glory-the-new-michael-imitates-the-old.html.
11. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, April 8, 2005.
12. Ron Burkle, interview by author, New York, New York, October 2013.
13. Ryan Nakashima and Alex Veiga, “Jackson Lived Like King but Died Awash in Debt,” Associated Press, June 26, 2009.
14. Michael Jackson, speech in New York, 2002, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBv3GzD97FY.
15. Tommy Mottola, telephone conversation with author, December 2012.
16. Jennifer Vineyard, “Michael Jackson Shocks Al Sharpton by Calling Tommy Mottola a Racist,” MTV.com, July 8, 2002, http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1455976/michael-jackson-calls-tommy-mottola-racist.jhtml.
17. Berry Gordy, interview by author, New York, New York, February 2013.
18. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 13, 2005.
19. Michael Jackson, letter to John Branca, February 2003, http://www.scribd.com/doc/43788480/You-Re-Fired.
20. Interfor staff, report on “MJ Business Associates,” 2003, http://www.scribd.com/doc/102043792/Interfor-Report-John-Branca.
21. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 3, 2005.
22. Maureen Orth, “Losing His Grip,” Vanity Fair, April 2003, http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2003/04/orth200304.
23. Billboard Staff, “German Police Review Jackson’s Baby Dangling,” Billboard, November 20, 2002, http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/73382/german-police-review-jacksons-baby-dangling.
24. Neil Harris, Humbug: The Art of P.T. Barnum, 27.
25. Dieter Wiesner, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
26. Christine Chase, electronic message to author, September 2013.
27. Jenn Michaels, electronic message to author, September 2013.
28. Living with Michael Jackson, Martin Bashir, 2003.
29. Hamid Moslehi vs. MJJ Productions et al., Central District of California, Western Division, No. 0410234, http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/hero-videographer-sues-jackson.
30. Living with Michael Jackson, Martin Bashir, 2003.
31. Frank Cascio, My Friend Michael, 278–279.
32. Tom Mesereau, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, August 2012.
33. Jeff Leeds, “Advice from a Team in Turmoil,” Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2004, http://articles.latimes.com/2004/jan/13/entertainment/et-leeds13.
34. Tom Mesereau, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
35. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 3, 2005.
36. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, April 8, 2005.
37. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 11, 2005.
38. Tom Mesereau, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, August 2012.
39. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 24, 2005.
40. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, April 18, 2005.
41. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, April 15, 2005.
42. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 19, 2005.
43. Tom Mesereau, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, August 2012.
44. Nancy Dillon, “Michael Jackson Nearly Overdosed,” New York Daily News, August 10, 2013, http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/michael-jackson-overdosed-family-staged-10-drug-interventions-brother-article-1.1423100.
45. CourtTV, Michael Jackson trial coverage, 2005, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtIEgIqRz0g&list=FLA7-TRMHUbDN1CaMKgAWclQ&index=30.
46. Tom Mesereau, interview by author, Los Angeles, California, August 2012.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE PRODIGAL KING
1. Prescient Acquisition Group et al. vs. Michael J. Jackson et al., No. 05 CV.6298, June 12–13, 2006.
2. BBC Staff, “Michael Jackson Surfaces in Dubai,” BBC.com, August 30, 2005, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4196746.stm.
3. Habib Toumi, “Jackson Settles Down to His New Life in the Gulf,” GulfNews.com, January 23, 2006, http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/jackson-settles-down-to-his-new-life-in-the-gulf-1.222403.
4. Teresa Wiltz, “Keeper of the Famed,” Washington Post, October 8, 2006, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/07/AR2006100700991.html.
5. Author’s note: Bain did not respond to interview requests for this book.
6. Tom Mesereau, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
7. Kim Masters, “Michael Jackson’s Strange Final Days Revealed in Dueling Lawsuits,” The Hollywood Reporter, July 19, 2012, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-jackson-manager-tohme-lawsuit-351241?page=2.
8. Prescient Acquisition Group et al. vs. Michael J. Jackson et al., No. 05 CV.6298, June 12–13, 2006.
9. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
10. Ibid.
11. Author’s note: Don Stabler did not reply to interview requests for this book.
12. Donald David, interview with author, New York, New York, August 2013.
13. Ibid.
14. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
15. Donald David, interview with author, New York, New York, August 2013.
16. The People of the State of California vs. Michael Joe Jackson, Supreme Court of the State of California, No. 1133603, May 3, 2005.
17. Prescient Acquisition Group et al. vs. Michael J. Jackson et al., No. 05 CV.6298, June 12–13, 2006.
18. Donald David, interview with author, New York, New York, August 2013.
19. Prescient Acquisition Group et al. vs. Michael J. Jackson et al., No. 05 CV.6298, June 12–13, 2006.
20. Author’s note: Burkle is not Jewish, so it’s not exactly clear who’s being referred to here.
21. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
22. Donald David, interview with author, New York, New York, August 2013.
23. Frank James, “Michael Jackson’s 2007 Net Worth: $236 Million,” NPR.com, June 30, 2009, http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/06/michael_jackson_2007_net_worth.html.
24. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
25. Lisa Marie Presley, interview with Oprah Winfrey, 2005, http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/The-Last-Time-Lisa-Marie-Presley-Spoke-to-Michael-Jackson-Video.
26. Nasir “Nas” Jones, telephone conversation with author, April 2013.
27. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
28. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
29. Tom Martin, interview by author, Rosemount, Ireland, May 2013.
30. Jackie Martin, interview by author, Rosemount, Ireland, May 2013.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THIS IS IT
1. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
2. Ibid.
3. Author’s observation, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 2013.
4. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
5. Ibid.
6. Karen Langford, electronic message to the author, October 2013.
7. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
8. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
9. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
10. New York Times staff, “Jay Z Cashes In with Rocawear Deal,” New York Times, March 6, 2007, http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/jay-z-cashes-in-with-200-million-rocawear-deal/.
11. Lea Goldman, “Capitalist Rap,” Forbes, July 3, 2006.
12. Author’s note: This writer included.
13. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, interview by author, New York, New York, March 2013.
14. Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
15. Pharrell Williams, telephone conversation with author, November 2012.
16. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, interview by author, New York, New York, August 2012.
17. Michael Jackson, notes to self, published by New York Post in September 2013, http://pagesix.com/2013/09/12/michael-jackson-planned-to-immortalize-himself-in-films/.
18. Walter Yetnikoff, interview by author, New York, New York, April 2013.
19. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 390.
20. Paul Harris, “The Square Chin. The Deep Voice. But Was It Really Michael Jackson?” Daily Mail, March 13, 2009, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1161879/The-square-chin-The-deep-voice-But-really-Michael-Jackson.html.
21. Katherine Jackson et al. vs. AEG Live, June 5, 2013.
22. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, October 2013; electronic message to author, October 2013.
23. Joe Jackson, interview by author, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 2012.
24. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
25. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
26. Kenneth Ortega, electronic message to AEG executives, June 14, 2009.
27. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
28. Katherine Jackson et al. vs. AEG Live, June 21, 2013, http://www.scribd.com/doc/149594512/Jackson-V-AEGLive-Transcripts-June-21st-Dr-Charles-Czeisler-Sleep-Medicine-Harvard-Medical-School.
29. Kenneth Ortega, electronic message to AEG executives, June 20, 2009.
30. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
31. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
32. Ron Burkle, interview with author, New York, New York, October 2013.
33. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: POSTMORTEM PAYDAY
1. Linnie Rawlinson and Nick Hunt, “Jackson Dies, Almost Takes Internet with Him,” CNN.com, June 26, 2009, http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/.
2. Author’s observation, New York, New York, June 2009.
3. Jill Serjeant and Eric Walsh, “Michael Jackson Memorial Draws 31.1 Million US TV Viewers,” Reuters, July 9, 2009, http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/09/us-jackson-television-sb-idUSTRE56774W20090709.
4. P. J. Huffstutter and Richard Fausset, “Around the World, a Shared Moment of ‘Missing Michael,’ ” Los Angeles Times, July 8, 2009, http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/08/nation/na-jackson-moment8.
5. Tom Barrack, telephone conversation with author, August 2013.
6. Michael Bush, interview by author, New York, New York, November 2012.
7. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
8. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
9. Author’s observation of files at Los Angeles Superior Courthouse, Los Angeles, California, September 2013.
10. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
11. Author’s note: Randy Jackson’s attorney did not reply to requests to interview his client for this book.
12. Rachel Noerdlinger, electronic message to author, October 2013.
13. Author’s observation, Los Angeles, California, August 2013.
14. Andrew Katzenstein, telephone conversation with author, August 2012. Note: Portions of this interview and associated topics appear in my story “The Scandalously Boring Truth About Michael Jackson’s Will,” Forbes.com, August 17, 2012, http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2012/08/17/the-scandalously-boring-truth-about-michael-jacksons-will/.
15. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
16. Chris White, telephone conversation with author, June 2009. Note: Portions of this interview and associated topics appear in my story “Michael Jackson’s Estate Sale,” Forbes.com, June 25, 2009, http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/26/michael-jackson-beatles-business-media-estate.html.
17. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, October 2013; interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
18. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
19. John Branca, telephone conversation with author, October 2013.
20. Response to Probate Notes, Superior Court of the State of California, No. BP 117 321, September 8, 2011, http://www.scribd.com/doc/68019500/Report-of-Status-of-Administrations-and-Petition-for-Settlement.
21. Jermaine Jackson, You Are Not Alone, 144.
22. Author’s note: The 10 percent cut encompasses all executor fees and does not apply to Jackson’s Sony/ATV earnings.
23. Ayscough & Marar vs. Michael J. Jackson et al., No. YC052627, July 25, 2006.
24. Los Angeles Times staff, “Katherine Jackson Shocked to Learn Reports of Her Kidnapping,” Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2012, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/katherine-jackson-shocked-to-learn-reports-of-her-kidnapping.html.
25. Ibid.
26. Evelyn Diaz, “Jermaine Jackson Faces Jail Time Over Unpaid Child Support,” BET.com, October 23, 2013, http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=835561.
27. Chuck Leavell, electronic message to author, September 2013.
28. Andrew Katzenstein, telephone conversation with author, September 2013.
29. Ben Sisario, “Jury Clears Promoter in Death of Michael Jackson,” New York Times, October 2, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/03/business/media/concert-promoter-found-not-liable-in-death-of-michael-jackson.html?hp&_r=1&.
30. Patrick Temple-West, “US Agency Says Michael Jackson Estate Owes $702 Million in Taxes,” Reuters, August 23, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/23/entertainment-us-usa-tax-jackson-idUSBRE97M0YN20130823.
31. Estate of Michael Jackson, record of disbursements (November 2010 through Decmber 2011).
32. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
33. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, interview with author, August 2012.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: IMMORTAL
1. Author’s observation, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2013.
2. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
3. Karen Langford, telephone conversation with author, July 2013.
4. Greg Phillinganes, telephone conversation with author, December 2011. Note: Portions of this interview and associated topics appear in my story “Why Michael Jackson Is the Top Touring Act in America, Again,” Forbes.com, December 11, 2011, http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2011/12/12/why-michael-jackson-is-the-top-touring-act-in-america-again/.
5. Uptin Saiidi, “Michael Jackson Lives On in ‘Immortal’ Tour,” MTV, April 3, 2012, http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682347/michael-jackson-immortal-cirque.jhtml.
6. Andy Webster, “Singing Pageant of Pop, with a Circus Atmosphere,” New York Times, April 2, 2012, http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/theater/reviews/michael-jackson-the-immortal-world-tour-cirque-du-soleil.html?_r=0.
7. Randall Roberts, “Theater Review: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Immortal,’ ” Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2011.
8. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
9. Jamie King, electronic message to author, October 2013.
10. Author’s observation, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2013.
11. Jamie King, electronic message to author, October 2013. Author’s note: A small portion of this interview also appeared in my Forbes.com piece “Michael Jackson One: The Latest Piece of a Postmortem Empire,” October 23, 2013, http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/10/23/michael-jackson-one-the-latest-piece-of-a-postmortem-empire/.
12. Karen Langford, electronic message to author, October 2013.
13. Donald David, interview with author, October 2010. Author’s note: A small portion of this interview also appeared in my Forbes.com piece “The Rich Afterlife of Michael Jackson,” May 25, 2010, http://www.forbes.com/2010/10/21/michael-jackson-sony-business-entertainment-dead-celebs-10-jackson.html?boxes=businesschannellighttop.
14. Meryl Natow, “Paul McCartney to Regain Rights to Beatles Songs,” The Fader.com, August 11, 2009, http://www.thefader.com/2009/08/11/paul-mccartney-to-regain-rights-to-beatles-songs/.
15. Shirley Halperin, “Sony ATV’s Martin Bandier on Acquiring EMI Publishing,” The Hollywood Reporter, November 11, 2012, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-atvs-martin-bandier-acquiring-389209.
16. Robin Leach, “ ‘Michael Jackson One’ is Cirque du Soleil’s Best,” Las Vegas Sun, May 24, 2013, http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2013/may/24/michael-jackson-one-cirque-du-soleil-best-and-incl/.
17. Author’s observation, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2013.
18. John Branca, interview by author, Beverly Hills, California, May 2013.
19. Author’s observation, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
20. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.
21. Greg Campbell, interview by author, Gary, Indiana, July 2012.