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The Missing Jackson at Michael’s Memorial: Jesse

Roger Friedman
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jackson jesse 300x214 The Missing Jackson at Michaels Memorial: JesseA lot of familiar faces from the world of Michael Jackson were missing yesterday at the memorial service: Liz, Liza, Macaulay, etc.

But the biggest absence: Reverend Jesse Jackson. He was nowhere to be seen and did not speak. It was a glaring omission. Jackson raced to Michael’s side in Santa Maria, California during his 2005 child molestation trial. He frequently spoke out for Michael. In December 2006 he went with Michael to James Brown’s funeral.

So what happened? Sources say that Jesse Jackson and Joseph Jackson, Michael’s father, do not get along. Much debate went on for days backstage to get the Reverend on the show. Considering that Al Sharpton and the children of Dr. Martin Luther King got their chances at the podium — and all spoke magnificently — the Jesse Jackson situation is considered the biggest backstage scandal of the memorial.

Jackson Doctor Wanted Michael to Live Near Him

Roger Friedman
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A year ago I reported — in May 2008 — that Michael Jackson might be moving to Pougheekpsie, New York.

Where? You’re scratching your head.

It should come as little shock now that Michael’s ex-on the road doctor, Neil Ratner, an anesthesiologist, lives in next door community Woodstock.

Ratner, it seems, had rented Jackson a home and planned on him being around the corner. If you recall, Michael had stalled out in Las Vegas, nearly lost Neverland to foreclosure, and didn’t know what to do with himself.

At the time, even Jackson’s closest associates could not imagine him living in Poughkeepsie.

But little by little stories are emerging about Ratner, a doctor who was suspended from practicing medicine for three years in 2002 as the result of an insurance fraud scheme that involved New York’obstetrician-gynecologist’Dr. Niels Lauersen, the ex-boyfriend of songwriter/socialitie Denise Rich.

Lauersen was famous in New York as a fertility doctor. But for patients without means, he billed their insurance companies for ob-gyn procedures, disguising invitro procedures.

According to New York Magazine:

The government’s star witness was Dr. Neil Ratner, Lauersen’s former anesthesiologist, who testified to a deliberate office policy of falsifying insurance forms. The prosecution knew Ratner would be a shaky witness, so the attorneys started the questioning by having him admit to dodging the draft, to being unable to get into an American med school, to dealing drugs, and to being “pretty stoned a lot of the time I was giving anesthesia,” once accidentally injecting himself with a paralyzing agent on the job. But to Lauersen, Ratner was like a patient, a person he could make well. “I took Ratner when nobody else would,” he says. “I made him a good person.”

During the Lauersen trial in 2000, Ratner refused to say whether he gave Jackson drugs on his 1996-97 tour. According’ to reports, when questioned under oath about drugs, Ratner shot back, “What’s your definition of drugs?”

‘More to come on Ratner, and the whole issue of mobile at-home anesthesiology.

Jackson Family Celebration Set for Hotel Ballroom

Roger Friedman
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While downtown Los Angeles braces itself for an onslaught of millions at the Staples Center, Beverly Hills is getting ready for the aftermath.

Sources say that following the memorial concert/tribute at Staples, the Jacksons have invited a couple hundred of their nearest and dearest to break bread with them at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel ballroom.

All the main guests from the Staples are expected, from Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy to Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and myraid stars from sports and entertainment. Indeed, the after party at the Beverly Wilshire is shaping up as the event of the season.

The after party could be a more likely venue for names like Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli to put in an appearance and pay their respects to the Jacksons rather than brave the insane crowds downtown. It’s possible that Elizabeth Taylor and hairdresser to the stars Jose Eber, with whom Jackson spent this past Easter. could turn up at the hotel as well.

Meantime, the Jacksons “gathered” at Forest Lawn Cemetery yesterday where, as this column predicted, they had their service for Michael. It’s unclear whether the internment took place Monday night or whether they’re waiting for this morning (Tuesday) to complete this final step in the Jackson family tragedy.

What is certain is that after today is over, the reality of what’s happened will start to dawn on everyone involved. Those immediate realities include who owns the Jackson family home now, as well as Neverland, the Beatles catalog, and Michael’s own music company, MiJac. For years all of those assets have been encumbered by inconceivable debt. Now the debt will have to be retired. There are many surprises ahead, no doubt.

This ISN’T It: Next Jacko Tribute in London

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Today’s memorial for Michael Jackson won’t be the last. Sources tell me that Jackson insiders are planning a true memorial concert for what would have been the singer’s 51st birthday on Aug. 29. The location would be the O2 Arena in London, where Jackson was set to start his “This Is It” concert tour this coming Monday.’Details to follow.

Michael’s Memorial: Poignant, Beautifully Produced

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s memorial service/concert tribute was surprisingly poignant and beautifully produced, as predicted.

The “show” went smoothly, while the audience in the Staples Center was extremely restrained, reverent and respectful.

jacksons stage 341 Michaels Memorial: Poignant, Beautifully ProducedAs anyone who watched the program knows, two Jacksons stole the show: Michael’s 11-year-old daughter, Paris Michael Katherine, and his brother Jermaine. Brother Marlon acquitted himself well.

But it was the show in the seats that caught my eye. For one thing, there were plenty of floor seats and many in the adjacent areas. Someone told me that the Jacksons, who controlled the floor seats, had overestimated their number of guests.

Controversial racial and political figure Louis Farrakhan brought a large contingent with him and sat a couple of rows ahead of me. His group included the actress Ja’net Dubois, well known from the TV series “Good Times.”

Farrakhan had a lot of security people with him, including one fellow who was well known to yours truly: This man had previously been assigned by the Nation of Islam to Michael Jackson’s trial in 2005 in Santa Maria, Calif. Strangely enough, this bodyguard sat away from Farrakhan and close to me, but I guess wasn’t allowed to acknowledge me. Very weird.

Meanwhile, famed Motown songwriter Eddie Holland strolled down the main aisle and planted a kiss on the cheek of legendary singer Freda Payne. He and brother Brian and Lamont Dozier wrote her 1970 classic, “Band of Gold.” It was only then that I noticed the odd little white man sitting beside Freda. It was none other than the ex-Mr. Liza Minnelli, David Gest. He is now more or less unrecognizable. Once billed as Michael Jackson’s best friend, Gest was almost invisible at the service.

Elsewhere, boxing champ Smokin’ Joe Frazier was brought in by wheelchair. Sean “Diddy” Combs came in late, and remained fairly unobtrusive. He was seated near another late arrival, Don King. I spotted the Dominick Cascio family of New Jersey — they were Michael’s surrogate family and loved him very much. Many Sony executives were there too including Martin Bander, who runs Sony/ATV Music Publishing, as well as Rolf Schmidt Holz, Steve Barnett and Rob Stringer. Unlikely as it might sound, there was a Tommy Mottola sighting as well — the same Mottola who Michael once labeled a “racist.”

Also seen: MickeyRooney – looking swell! plus Dionne Warwick, Levar Burton and Telma Hopkins.

More to come …

Griffin Dunne Brings Stars to Upstate New York

Roger Friedman
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Getty Photo

Getty Photo

Actor-director Griffin Dunne’s wedding over July 4th weekend brought a bevy of stars to sleepy Rhinebeck, New York.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Hugh Jackman, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, and Simon Baker were among those spotted around town, causing quite the stir. Several stopped in at Gigi Trattoria, where the rehearsal dinner was held, sources say. Mark Ruffalo was seen dining on the patio on Sunday.

Griffin was married once before (an earlier marriage, according to IMDB, was annulled) to “Law and Order” actress Carey Lowell, now wed to Richard Gere. They have a daughter, Hannah.

Jackson Burial May Be Done in Secret Today (Monday)

Roger Friedman
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Michael Jackson’s private internment may be as early as today (Monday), sources tell me.

And — flash—Lionel Richie is definitely on the program for Tuesday’s memorial service. Jackson songs like “We Are the World” (which Richie co-wrote) and “Heal the World” would make sense on the program. So would “Gone Too Soon,” “Man in the Mirror,” and “You Are Not Alone.”

Stevie, Smokey and Diana should be on the bill or in attendance as well. I hope that Gladys Knight is not forgotten. Motown’s premier songstress discovered the Jackson 5 with Motown’s Bobby Taylor in Gary, Indiana in 1968. Gladys and the Pips were at the top of the charts and their game with “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.”

But back to the issue at hand: Instead of waiting until tomorrow (Tuesday) before the big memorial service at the Staples Center, the Jackson family may have decided to an end run around the press and Michael’s fans.

If so, there will be heightened security at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood. The early ceremony makes sense. It gives the Jacksons a chance to grieve before dealing with the public on Tuesday.

This much sources tell me about Michael’s preparations: his long time and steadfast friend, Karen Faye, has been overseeing how Jackson will look in his casket. Jackson’s veteran costumers, Michael Bush and Dennis Thompkins, have handmade his final suit.

The rest of it: I’ve no doubt “insiders” are already planning to take pictures of Jackson in his coffin, and sell them to the highest bidders. It boggles the mind that there are people so low, crass and despicable. But “Entertainment Tonight” already served up a picture of Jackson on the ambulance gurney, and OK! Magazine published pictures of Jackson after he died. I’m not sure how the people who run those organizations sleep at night.

Jermaine Jackson May Perform at Michael’s Memorial

Roger Friedman
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Jermaine Jackson, the velvet-voiced brother of Michael Jackson, may perform at the end of tomorrow’s Staples Center tribute to the fallen King of Pop.

Sources say that Jermaine will represent the Jackson family, singing Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” If this comes off as planned and hoped, Jermaine will steal the spotlight from many superstars including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher, Mariah Carey, and Jennifer Hudson.

Twenty five years ago, Jermaine released an album that should have made him a star in his own right. But for reasons that remain unclear, after he had hits, Jermaine’s career fizzled. This should be an extraordinary moment for him.

Meanwhile, as I predicted, Stevie and Smokey are on the show for tomorrow, as well as Mariah’who will undoubtedly perform “I’ll Be There” with Trey Lorenz, plus Lionel Richie. Sources tell me there may be something from John Legend and Akon.

But basically, there is little time for rehearsal or soundchecks with a 10 a.m. start time tomorrow. So the show’live around the world‘will be like one of producer Ken Ehrlich’s Grammy presentations. Hot stuff.

One thing to look for: the appearance of Jennifer Hudson. The very private performer may very well be eight months pregnant, and showing like crazy. There will be lots of talk in the wake of all this. But don’t expect Hudson to discuss it. She’s doing this her own way.

Also: James Hibberd live blogs the Jackson memorial service here.

Allen Klein: The Man Who Didn’t Break Up the Beatles

Roger Friedman
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Allen Klein died yesterday at 77. He was famous for being John and Yoko’s lawyer during the breakup of the Beatles. Needless to say, he came across as a bad guy back then in 1970. Everyone thought he was whispering negative things in John Lennon’s ear. Maybe he was. Who knows?

Klein is also famous for controlling two major music catalogs: those of Sam Cooke, and of the Rolling Stones through 1971.

But back to the Beatles. Klein did play dirty. In Steven Gaines’s great Beatles book with Peter Brown, the Beatles’ publicist, called “The Love You Make,” the authors claimed that Klein caused a scuffle during a contentious meeting that had him, Lennon and Ono on one side and Paul McCartney with his distinguished father-in-law/attorney on the other.

But time does heal all wounds, and in the end Klein got past his Beatle skirmishes. He became an excellent repackager of Cooke’s and the Stones’s catalogs. His company, ABKCO Music & Records, also released Phil Spector’s famous “Back to Mono” box set. Regardless of what Spector has done in his later life, “BMono” remains a seminal document in pop music history.

I have to credit Klein for telling me something very important back around 1990. He pointed out out that because of the Songwriters’ Act of 1927, John Lennon’s heirs would receive larger portions of his publishing royalties than Paul McCartney once their copyrights came up for renewal. He was right, and the law has always vexed Paul, who gets less for songs like “Yesterday” than Ono and Sean Lennon.

ABKCO also released one of the great pop records of all time, “96 Tears,” by Question Mark and the Mysterians. You can see it on their website, www.abkco.com. Allen Klein, rest in peace.

How Could Conrad Murray Meet Jackson in 2006?

Roger Friedman
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We continue to read stories about Michael Jackson’s live-in doctor, Conrad Murray.

Murray’s attorney and others around him insist that the doctor met Jackson in Las Vegas in 2006. They say one of Jackson’s children was ill, and that the doctor was called. Out of the blue.

But the timeline is wrong: Jackson was not in the United States in 2006. He left Los Angeles for Bahrain in June 2005. He didn’t return until December 23, 2006. On that day Jackson brought his family to Las Vegas from Ireland, where he’d been after a stay in France following more than a year in Bahrain.

Could Murray have met Jackson during the last week of 2006? Even that’s doubtful. After checking out his new home and celebrating Christmas, Jackson went to Augusta, Georgia, on December 30th for James Brown’s funeral.

What’s more, sources from Jackson’s camp at that time say none of the children were ill. “And if they were, why would he call a cardiologist?” asks one insider. “A pediatrician, yes.”

So the mystery remains about Dr. Murray: who introduced him to Jackson? And why?

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