se le fonti si fanno insistenti qualcosa di vero ci deve pur essere...
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Michael Jackson has been thrown an economic lifeline, which could untangle his messy financial fortunes and simultaneously land him new concert dates and even, hard to believe, his own “Thriller” casino!
Once again you’re all saying I’ve lost my marbles and daydreaming in 96-point Gothic Bold headlines! NO! No less an authoritative voice of respectability than the prestigious Wall Street Journal is weighing in with the breathless monetary minutia. Better still is that both the New York Times and United Press International followed up with their “Chronicles of Colony Capital.”
Colony’s founder, Thomas Barrack, is the major shareholder of his financial equity group that also owns our Las Vegas Hilton -– where Elvis Presley used to perform! Luxe Life had reported that Michael, about to turn 50, was in danger of “crushing” under the $23 million weight of debt he owed hedge fund Fortress Investment Group secured by the cash-strapped notorious Neverland ranch. Barrack and Colony paid off the debt and now have admitted they are in negotiations with the former “King of Pop.”
Says Barrack: “We bought the note. We’re talking about refinancing Neverland, recapitalizing Michael in addition to discussing other business opportunities and mutual interests.” Even Michael’s spokesman confirmed the talks: “We’re moving forward and looking to do some positive things in the future.”
Writer Ethan Smith claims that Michael now lives 60 miles from the Vegas strip in a rural compound in Pahrump where he has a home recording studio and is home-schooling his three young children. I’ve learned he’s getting ready to release two new singles this August and September and he’s currently finishing them and promised he’ll even make some personal appearances to promote them, one of them would be right here in Vegas, just off the Strip.
More intriguing though to us than all the “dance of the suits” is the very real possibility that Barrack and Colony have convinced Michael to make a serious show-business comeback –- and the WSJ states, obviously from its deep well-informed sources, that they are urging Michael to emerge from his holed up state to stage a residency performance at one of its gambling or entertainment properties! I last met with Michael in the Wing Lei restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas, where he plotted a comeback with American Idol Simon Cowell’s British entertainment partner, mogul Simon Fuller. He agreed to perform a 10-night run of shows at the W2 arena in London but backed out later. However the unexpected strong success of his 25th anniversary edition of the Thriller album may have sparked his desire to work again – although the number wizards point out that his share of SONY/ATV Music Publishing, which has the Beatles library is worth over $500-million.
Knowledgeable sources say Michael has been presented with three choices for his comeback: a) a specially built theater at the Hilton, where he would appear on a similar long-term, commitment as Elton John or even Barry Manilow at the Hilton; b) a show built around all of Michael’s hits similar to Cirque du Soleil’s show Love, which is built around the Beatles music and c) a high-profile charity concert that would promote a new Thriller casino that Colony would develop from Michael’s 10-year’s worth of ideas. One or all of these would be blockbusters although there are skeptics. One former Jackson business pal commented: “Much will be talked about but nothing will ever come to pass because Michael simply doesn’t have the strength, stamina and dedication for such a big commitment.”
The New York Times said no deal was yet in place but UPI reported that Michael is seriously considering the long-term Vegas gig. Its also interesting to note that Colony is also a major shareholder in the Station Casinos chain – and Luxe Life reported more than a week ago UFC president Dana White promised a startling development with his furious fight league. Yesterday he confirmed that Station Casinos co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta was resigning as president of the gaming company to become chairman and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Michael was a guest of the UFC at its most recent MGM Grand battle.
Luxe Life will keep you posted on all developments in the ongoing saga of both Michael and the new face of the UFC!
Source: LasVegasWeekly