Michael Jackson in 2007
December 29, 2006 | 10:48
am
Norm in the Review-Journal today named Michael Jackson's move to Las Vegas over the weekend as the celebrity story of the year. But, as I wrote yesterday, I don't think Jackson is likely to find the opportunities he is looking for in Las Vegas. Don't get me wrong, Jackson certainly could build something for himself here. But I doubt the work and effort and discipline required to create success in Las Vegas are within the remaining abilities of Michael Jackson. Or, at least, he hasn't demonstrated those skills since the 80s. What people miss in all of the stories about the big paychecks that Celine and Elton and even Barry Manilow are cashing in Las Vegas is how much grinding labor is required from them to be a regular headliner on the Strip. You can't be erratic. When Celine Dion cancels even a single show for illness it makes the news. To headline here means a lot of people depend on your presence and professionalism for their jobs on six nights a week; tourists build vacations around your show and even the restaurants at the resort expect the dinner rush to come before and after you perform.
By any account, Jackson in his younger years would have been the ultimate Vegas headliner. Jackson was a hard working entertainer, innovator and hit machine. But let's face what will be the 2007 reality: Jackson has not toured the United States this century and who can even remember his last hit song? Also, resort decision makers are not music industry executives. There is a lot less room for artistic temperaments in the gambling business. Though for most it was a small blip among Jackson's many, many issues, likely not forgotten among casino executives is Jackson's behavior when his last disc of original material, Invincible, came out in 2001 and tanked. Jackson held a press conference (with Al Sharpton at his side) and denounced the head of his label as the devil. Would any casino head want to sign off on spending millions to wind up getting the Sony treatment at a press conference from Jackson?
Finally, let's throw in all of the controversies in Jackson's private life (especially if resort's must consider the liability risks of Jackson's possible encounters with children on property), and we can safely declare this to be the end for any lesser star even in a town like Las Vegas that often specializes in has been's and second chances. I am not ready to go that far though with Michael Jackson. Jackson remains among the most famous faces on the planet. That will always be valuable here. Certainly a nightclub like Tao or Pure or any adult's only venue would happily host an evening with Michael Jackson where he just sits there looking weird for the fans. But as a performer Jackson will need to prove himself in order to develop a deal worthy of his fame. As I wrote yesterday, this will require Jackson to take baby steps in Vegas that would be humiliating for any veteran of decades in the entertainment industry. But I still think that is the reality of Michael Jackson as we approach 2007. Time will tell.
photo by SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI/AP
your a floon i think as a lot of fans La's Vegas is beneath mj talents ans it would be sad to see somebody at his caliber doing a nightly show he has nothing to prove in entertainment hes done it all, more then once and invincible had good sales maybe not what mj was used to but that's because sony didnt back the album because they new his contract was up soon cheap bastards...his two shows in 2001 were great and sold out at very price tickets and the crowd was blown away and he wasn't even at his best if he performed in Vegas that place will be flooded with people like they never seen before get your facts straight...
Posted by: joey | December 29, 2006 at 11:53 AM
He will be back if he wanted, all he needs is good music to get back. I dont care about his private life, there is no one in the planet who is a perfect person. Yes, Michael Jackson is not like me, you or another famous people becuse he has never has a normal life. But he is a wonderfull artist with a wonderfull voice, moves.....
I hope that he will b back with a new album and I think that Las Vegas is not the right place for his comeback, the world is his place, he is popular in every country in the world, he dont needs Las Vegas.
Music lover
Posted by: Simone | December 29, 2006 at 12:11 PM
He Will Do It, He Will Be Big Again, He Was Big Before, Who Stopping Him From Doing it Again, Every Artist Starts With Nothing, I Mean Look At Madonna, She HAd Nothing All Her Life, Her Mum Died At A Young Age, She Had No Money... And Look At Her Now, She is a Multi Millionaire Megastar, Making Unbelieveable Music, She Had aFew Bad Albums, But She is Still Very Sucessful, And is still having sold out shows, give this guy a chance his been through hell and back, and we dont need to make it harder on him, his not a pedophile or weird... his michael jackson accept him for that!
Posted by: Josh | December 29, 2006 at 01:45 PM
You must have missed his 30th Anniversary, Michael Jackson was great and he has proven over and over again that the music and the moves runs through his soul and vains. He is Michael Jackson and soon you gonna have to eat your words just like everyother reporters out there who made their NAMES through Michael Jackson's Name, and don't forget You too trying to get up there by using his shoulders to climb up there... Just for money....Michael will survive this. Mark My Words.
Posted by: Omar | December 29, 2006 at 01:56 PM
michael will be big again, he's fantastic and all of u who think he's a failure are failure's yourselfs. when he dances and sings it comes from his heart and soul. He is a kind and caring person and his fans know that as much as i do. I hope he does return with a new album and a brilliant come back because he deserves it. Dont believe everything you read or hear until it comes out of the horses mouth itself. Come on mikey boy u can do it!!!!!
Posted by: Jessica xx | December 29, 2006 at 02:52 PM
Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer of all time. If he decide this is what he wants he can easily take on the task. Michael has been saying for years the stage is the one place he feels the most comfortable. It would be great to see the last true entertainer perform again. With James Brown gone there is no one left.
Posted by: Jerome Buckner | December 29, 2006 at 03:02 PM
Michael Jackson was and still is the King of Pop, he will remain one of, if not the greatest entertainer of all time, he is a musical genius and i wish him the best of luck in his comeback
Posted by: Laura | December 29, 2006 at 03:32 PM
What a stupid article, you would think michael jackson is a pop idol winner or something. Michael Jackson is a legend and he doesnt even have to do anything because what he has acheived has not been matched by anybody. He will go down in the history books as the best pop star ever so get a grip of yourself.
Posted by: kash | December 29, 2006 at 04:45 PM
i will personally go to vegas just to see mj he is pure entertainment and there is no-one better. why dont you just for once be origional and write something that deserves credit oh and by the way his last song was cry and his last album invincible was number one over here in britain. michael you will always be the king of pop, i believe in you...
Posted by: beki | December 29, 2006 at 04:46 PM
Michael Jackson,
Where do you start, well, firstly i would have to say that he is a musical legend, I dont think there is one song that I dont like, and I dont think there is one person in the world that I have ever met that does not know of Michael Jackson. With a platform like that how can he not succeed. All Michael Jackson needs to do is find himself again, he has been ripped apart by greedy, jealous people who have taken advantage of his kind and generous nature and I think anyone who has half a brain should be able to understand that. All I know is that if Michael Jackson made another album, I would buy it, just because he made it, just because its Michael Jackson, the king of pop, a lyrical genius a person who has touched more people with his voice in the world than anyone else.
Yes, and to all the reporters out there who have written lies about Michael Jackson, I hope you all "take a look at the man in the mirror" and just "leave him alone", let the man get on with his business, lets give him a chance to stand up and fight back.
Good luck Michael, Your fans are still behind you.
Posted by: Roux | December 29, 2006 at 04:49 PM
there are stars,there are superstars,there are megastars and then there is michael jackson........need i have to say anything more
Posted by: love music | December 29, 2006 at 05:04 PM
Jackson doesn't need Vegas and he doesn't need America. He has millions of fans in Europe and Asia. He could easily sell out massive stadiums. Save your nonsensical remarks for your own eyes.
Posted by: Justin | December 29, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Looks as if whoever books MJ will have to deal with his viscious fan club members as well.
One more reason NOT to bother.
Posted by: Slothrop | December 29, 2006 at 06:17 PM
MJ is the best. You have alot of people who try to be him. Justin,Usher,Amarion,Genuine and so on.
it's the same with janet. They are the best in the World. Mike is the best Male entertainer to ever look at a microphone. I am not a betting man but I would put all my chips down on MJ rocking the house as only he could do it. The last thing that I ever give credit to is a washed up reporter
who makes a living degrading some one else. If MJ has skeletons in his closet, most reporters' have whole cemetaries. Come back Mike, we missed you. Diane Diamond,Gloria Allured and Nancy Grace can get some more fame to by having their head up the ass of the King Of POP!!!!!
Posted by: Norm Rhodes | December 29, 2006 at 06:37 PM
loll I think that artical is stupid maybe you need to see your own career and see how crap it is and silly it is wrinting pointless stories of famouse superstars like Michael Jackson. Michael wud look at that and laff out loud hahaha
Posted by: sav | December 29, 2006 at 07:21 PM
I'm with you Norm. I wouldn't walk across the street to see the weird one. He should have stayed in Europe or anywhere else . Las Vegas doesn't need anymore traffic jams such as ones we had when that NUT led a parade of other nuts around heavy traffic areas in Las Vegas. That was when he was flying in & out around the trial time. Go elsewhere WEIRD ONE.....
Posted by: Gloria Kiechel | December 29, 2006 at 10:27 PM
Michael will be big again. He is and always will be The King Of Pop. I for one think that he is and will blow the roof off of any building that he performs in.
All Hail The King Of Pop.
Posted by: Heather | December 29, 2006 at 11:46 PM
First of all - Michael is one of the hardest working entertainers of all time. When he puts on a show he kills himself to make it the best show possible. He is a perfectionist. Hello? Dangerous tour? history tour? BOTH are among the biggest selling tours of all time. He is a one man show and he astounds the crowds every time. (He has actually gotten MORE proficient since the 80s...but your too busy generalizing him to realize that)
second - He is ABOVE Las Vegas and he knows it. I doubt he will stoop to being a night;y act. He knows he is in high demand and a series of short tours would be more substantial. The only reason he might settle for a vegas gig is to give his kids some stability. His kids come first for him, and that's also why Celine signed the Vegas deal.
Michael Jackson in 2007? He's gonna kick y'all in the ass. You have no idea the talent this man possesses because, God knows, you didn't actually do your homework for this article except reiterate dumb ass generalizations. Another self proclaimed journalist is on the scene.
Posted by: kate | December 30, 2006 at 12:55 AM
I agree with what Joey said above. Las Vegas is beneath Michael Jackson. He doesn't need to do shows in Vegas, but I'll bet you Vegas wants him too. MJ would draw in huge crowds, as he always has. No matter what age Michael is, people on this Earth will be wondering what he is up to. He is true musical legend, and hasn't finished with the world yet. He still has songs to write and sing, and dances to be danced. And all of his fans will be right here waiting for his return, whenever he decides that time is. Music is Michael, and Michael is music.
Posted by: Christine | December 30, 2006 at 01:09 AM
Michael Jackson is a LIVING LEGEND! so please, re - read this article you have just writen thoughtlessly and then maybe remember that he was charged as INNOCENT not guilty with the child molestation case. And also remember that it won't kill you to write a Positive article once in a while, maybe then you'll be the difference and make it big time instead of sitting on your sad-ass career and insulting the nearest megastar that comes your way.
oh yeah, maybe LISTEN to one of his recent albulms and then you'll get why everyone who has posted a comment on this website thinks your making such a BIG mess up.
Posted by: Melusina | December 30, 2006 at 01:53 AM
hya its javina marshall i sey leave michael jackson alone he is a very sweat guy and he wudnt do anythin like that too any boy or girl so jus leave him alone he never had his childhood thats why he loves playin with kids he never got too when he was a boy so let him do wot he is doing ok xxxxjavinaxxxxx
Posted by: javina | December 30, 2006 at 02:17 AM
come on michael jackson get your spirit back u are a talented man u have been since u were like 6 years old i wish i could do the moonwalk and my can do it we both love yoo so much n we never get a chance see u n i reli want to i live in stoke-on-trent its not far from london but please michael do i for u and ure fans they need u and so do i pleas xxxjavinaxxx
Posted by: javina | December 30, 2006 at 02:20 AM
I think he is going to have a lot of work to do id he is going to make it. There are other artists out there that people really like now. and he has been gone a long time but there is a slight chance he might make it only if the song is fantastic something like Billie Jean and the video must be great aswell if he can do all that then maybe just maybe he might succeed as long as God is by his side. If God wants him to make it, he will. God bless michael. You are the best. See you in 2007! GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Posted by: tolulope | December 30, 2006 at 05:13 AM
Jackson shouldn't play Vegas. It is below him.
He should go on tour.
Posted by: Charles Thomson | December 30, 2006 at 06:03 AM
If U heat on Michael is Your oppinion
So be more impartial
Posted by: emmanuel | December 30, 2006 at 09:00 AM