The owners of the Neverland Ranch -- the former accueil of Michael Jackson -- want to turn the property into a teenage musique haven.
TMZ has learned Colony Capital wants to develop a business plan to turn Neverland into a small musique institute -- similar to The Juilliard School in NYC. The plan is to teach teens all aspects of music, including écriture and performing.
Colony wants to turn the property into a campus, in which scores of teenagers -- rich and poor -- can learn the trade that made Michael Jackson a legend.
There are two big stumbling blocks. The first is making sure Santa Barbara County will sign off on such a project.
The seconde -- and bigger issue -- is whether Colony Capital can use Michael Jackson's name to promote such an institute. TMZ has good news for Colony .... sources directly connected with the Michael Jackson Estate tell us, "It's an interesting idea and we'd be open to it."
TMZ has learned Colony Capital wants to develop a business plan to turn Neverland into a small musique institute -- similar to The Juilliard School in NYC. The plan is to teach teens all aspects of music, including écriture and performing.
Colony wants to turn the property into a campus, in which scores of teenagers -- rich and poor -- can learn the trade that made Michael Jackson a legend.
There are two big stumbling blocks. The first is making sure Santa Barbara County will sign off on such a project.
The seconde -- and bigger issue -- is whether Colony Capital can use Michael Jackson's name to promote such an institute. TMZ has good news for Colony .... sources directly connected with the Michael Jackson Estate tell us, "It's an interesting idea and we'd be open to it."
All alone wishing on stars
Waiting for toi to find me
One sweet night I knew I would see
A stranger who'd be my friend
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells toi never be afraid
Then somewhere in your cœur, coeur toi can feel the glow
A light to keep toi warm when the night winds blow
Like it was written in the stars I knew
My friend, my someone in the dark was you
Promise me we'll always be
Walking the world together
Hand in hand where dreams never end
My étoile, star secret friend and me
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells toi never be afraid
Then somewhere in your cœur, coeur toi can feel the glow
A light to keep toi warm when the night winds blow
Look for the arc en ciel in the sky
I believe toi and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever toi may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever toi may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Waiting for toi to find me
One sweet night I knew I would see
A stranger who'd be my friend
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells toi never be afraid
Then somewhere in your cœur, coeur toi can feel the glow
A light to keep toi warm when the night winds blow
Like it was written in the stars I knew
My friend, my someone in the dark was you
Promise me we'll always be
Walking the world together
Hand in hand where dreams never end
My étoile, star secret friend and me
When someone in the dark reaches out to you
And touches off a spark that comes shining through
It tells toi never be afraid
Then somewhere in your cœur, coeur toi can feel the glow
A light to keep toi warm when the night winds blow
Look for the arc en ciel in the sky
I believe toi and I
Could never really say goodbye
Wherever toi may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Wherever toi may be
I'll look up and see
Someone in the dark for me
Not that we're trying to flatter ourselves, but don't people in Bahrain get TMZ?
AQ Business Consultants has filed a petition in the Michael Jackson Estate case, asking the judge for permission to belatedly file a creditor's claim, on grounds it didn't know there was a time in asking for money.
AQ claims it helped Michael refinance $320,000,000 in loans, for which it was entitled to a $3.2 million fee. AQ claims it's still owed $1.2 mil.
The deadline for filing a claim has passed, but AQ claims it didn't get proper notice.
Howard Weitzman, the lawyer for the Estate, tells TMZ, "I don't believe the claim has any merit but they're late in filing regardless."
But here's the thing ... TMZ is big in Bahrain, so what's the deal?
AQ Business Consultants has filed a petition in the Michael Jackson Estate case, asking the judge for permission to belatedly file a creditor's claim, on grounds it didn't know there was a time in asking for money.
AQ claims it helped Michael refinance $320,000,000 in loans, for which it was entitled to a $3.2 million fee. AQ claims it's still owed $1.2 mil.
The deadline for filing a claim has passed, but AQ claims it didn't get proper notice.
Howard Weitzman, the lawyer for the Estate, tells TMZ, "I don't believe the claim has any merit but they're late in filing regardless."
But here's the thing ... TMZ is big in Bahrain, so what's the deal?
Katherine Jackson told Oprah Winfrey ... it was Dr. Conrad Murray himself who broke the news that Michael Jackson was dead.
1108_katherine_jackson_oprah_video
On an episode of "Oprah" airing today, Katherine explained how everyone at the hospital was reluctant to tell her what happened to her son.
She says Dr. Murray took so long in explaining things ... she had to cut him off, saying, "'Well, what happened? How is he? Did he make it?' And he said, 'No, he's gone.'"
See also
* Katherine Jackson's Partner -- My Bad!
* Katherine Jackson's Partner Backtracks on 'New' Song
* Rift in Michael Jackson's Family Over Song
1108_katherine_jackson_oprah_video
On an episode of "Oprah" airing today, Katherine explained how everyone at the hospital was reluctant to tell her what happened to her son.
She says Dr. Murray took so long in explaining things ... she had to cut him off, saying, "'Well, what happened? How is he? Did he make it?' And he said, 'No, he's gone.'"
See also
* Katherine Jackson's Partner -- My Bad!
* Katherine Jackson's Partner Backtracks on 'New' Song
* Rift in Michael Jackson's Family Over Song
t appears Katherine Jackson is going to do what Oksana Grigorieva couldn't ... appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Production trucks have arrived at the Jackson family compound in Encino along with two black SUVs. Members of the production crew told TMZ they are there for "an Oprah shoot."
A security guard told TMZ Oprah will not be montrer up ... so this could be filming for an introductory segment of the show.
No word on what the interview might be about ... but we're guessing the words Michael and Jackson will be used often.
UPDATE 5:10 PM PT -- No one has left yet, but there has been a visitor ... the Domino's pizza delivery guy!
UPDATE 6:23 PM PT -- The production trucks are getting a parking ticket. Put it on Oprah's tab.
UPDATE 6:39 PM PT -- The two SUVs have taken off and the production crew has begun to load equipment. Looks like it's a wrap.
Production trucks have arrived at the Jackson family compound in Encino along with two black SUVs. Members of the production crew told TMZ they are there for "an Oprah shoot."
A security guard told TMZ Oprah will not be montrer up ... so this could be filming for an introductory segment of the show.
No word on what the interview might be about ... but we're guessing the words Michael and Jackson will be used often.
UPDATE 5:10 PM PT -- No one has left yet, but there has been a visitor ... the Domino's pizza delivery guy!
UPDATE 6:23 PM PT -- The production trucks are getting a parking ticket. Put it on Oprah's tab.
UPDATE 6:39 PM PT -- The two SUVs have taken off and the production crew has begun to load equipment. Looks like it's a wrap.
Dr. Conrad Murray won't just face the judge in his manslaughter case on Monday -- we're told an army of MJ fans plans a little surprise of its own ... in the protest department.
A rep for Justice4MJ -- the fan group planning the demonstration -- tells TMZ that scores of Jackson fans plan to attend ... and it's all going down on the freeway overpass near the L.A. courthouse.
We're told when the hearing ends ... the protesters plan to march from the courthouse -- then quickly divisé, split for the overpasses as Murray makes his exit. They will bid Dr. Murray adieu as he drives off -- probably not in the friendliest of ways.
But we're guessing the protest is the least of Dr. Murray's worries.
A rep for Justice4MJ -- the fan group planning the demonstration -- tells TMZ that scores of Jackson fans plan to attend ... and it's all going down on the freeway overpass near the L.A. courthouse.
We're told when the hearing ends ... the protesters plan to march from the courthouse -- then quickly divisé, split for the overpasses as Murray makes his exit. They will bid Dr. Murray adieu as he drives off -- probably not in the friendliest of ways.
But we're guessing the protest is the least of Dr. Murray's worries.
The company suing the Michael Jackson estate for $300 million over the Jackson family concert that never took place just got two strikes against it, and the pitcher was a federal judge.
The judge on Tuesday threw out two of the three claims AllGood Entertainment filed against the estate, AEG and Frank Dileo.
The suit claims Dileo, MJ's alleged former manager, made a deal with AllGood that Michael would perform at a Jackson Family concert before doing any other gigs. par launching the Londres series of concerts, AllGood claims Jackson breached his deal and cost AllGood a bundle.
But a federal judge ruled AllGood's claim for fraud and tortious interference (i.e., intermeddling) was bogus. All that is left of the lawsuit is a breach of contract claim.
The estate claims Dileo never had authority to make a deal with AllGood.
The judge on Tuesday threw out two of the three claims AllGood Entertainment filed against the estate, AEG and Frank Dileo.
The suit claims Dileo, MJ's alleged former manager, made a deal with AllGood that Michael would perform at a Jackson Family concert before doing any other gigs. par launching the Londres series of concerts, AllGood claims Jackson breached his deal and cost AllGood a bundle.
But a federal judge ruled AllGood's claim for fraud and tortious interference (i.e., intermeddling) was bogus. All that is left of the lawsuit is a breach of contract claim.
The estate claims Dileo never had authority to make a deal with AllGood.
Dr. Conrad Murray had requested lifesaving equipment and back-up help for Michael Jackson from the promoter of the Londres concerts -- AEG -- but the company never came through, according to a new complaint filed par Joe Jackson.
TMZ broke the story -- Joe was gunning for AEG par filing complaints with the California Medical Board and another agency, alleging the concert promoter abused Jackson in a way that led to his death -- and he's just filed with the Medical Board.
Joe claims days before Jackson's death Murray had requested a cœur, coeur resuscitation machine and a nurse in several e-mails making the request, but AEG never provided it.
According to the complaint, Joe is accusing AEG of co-opting Murray's medical judgment par enticing him with a huge salary -- in effect engaging in the "unlawful practice of corporate medicine."
Besides the CPR machine, Murray also asked for saline, catheters, needles and a gurney.
AEG and Murray had no comment.
TMZ broke the story -- Joe was gunning for AEG par filing complaints with the California Medical Board and another agency, alleging the concert promoter abused Jackson in a way that led to his death -- and he's just filed with the Medical Board.
Joe claims days before Jackson's death Murray had requested a cœur, coeur resuscitation machine and a nurse in several e-mails making the request, but AEG never provided it.
According to the complaint, Joe is accusing AEG of co-opting Murray's medical judgment par enticing him with a huge salary -- in effect engaging in the "unlawful practice of corporate medicine."
Besides the CPR machine, Murray also asked for saline, catheters, needles and a gurney.
AEG and Murray had no comment.
TMZ has learned tons of Michael Jackson fans are descending upon MJ's tomb on the 1-year anniversary of his death -- even though they've been banned from the mausoleum.
As we previously reported, Forest Lawn Cemetery -- where Jackson is entombed -- claims they've adopted a new policy in which security is instructed to remove anyone hanging out in front of the King of Pop's mausoleum.
But a rep for Justice4MJ -- the fan group organizing the mass pilgrimage -- tells TMZ they are "absolutely" still going to visit the singer's burial place on the big jour .. June 25th.
A rep for Forest Lawn tells us they have not yet figured out how they plan to handle the MJ anniversary ... but they will work with the Jackson family and abide par their wishes.
As for the MJ fans, one member of the group tells us, "Nothing will stop us from being with MJ on the 25th!"
As we previously reported, Forest Lawn Cemetery -- where Jackson is entombed -- claims they've adopted a new policy in which security is instructed to remove anyone hanging out in front of the King of Pop's mausoleum.
But a rep for Justice4MJ -- the fan group organizing the mass pilgrimage -- tells TMZ they are "absolutely" still going to visit the singer's burial place on the big jour .. June 25th.
A rep for Forest Lawn tells us they have not yet figured out how they plan to handle the MJ anniversary ... but they will work with the Jackson family and abide par their wishes.
As for the MJ fans, one member of the group tells us, "Nothing will stop us from being with MJ on the 25th!"