ShoutMagazine
00lunedì 24 novembre 2003 01:16
Ex-promoter: Michael cares too much
L.A. PARKER , Staff Writer
11/23/2003
A former Michael Jackson music promoter with ties to Trenton told The Trentonian that he believes the King of Pop incapable of hurting another human being and that his generosity attracts scam artists.
Pete Bennett, 55, who Billboard magazine referred to as "The World’s No. 1 Promotion Man’’ called painful the recent televised arrest of Jackson but so riveting that he could not turn away.
"It was terrible to see Michael arrested and a shame that they put him in handcuffs. He didn’t kill anybody. Whatever happened about being innocent until proven guilty,’’ asked Bennett.
"The problem with Michael is that he cares too much about people. And even though it seems to get him in trouble, I don’t think there is anything that anyone can say, not his family or advisers, that will ever change him. Michael is always going to be Michael. And he always will be an easy mark,’’ said Bennett.
Bennett, who represents Trenton pop-rock musician Duke Williams, owns a former client list that includes The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Janet Jackson and her sibling stars, The Jackson 5. He has worked with Aerosmith and U2 and boasts of a future collaboration with Bruce Springsteen.
Bennett, born Pietro Benedetto in the Bronx, signed Michael and his brothers on with CBS’ Epic Records in the mid-1970s. Bennett is also a close friend of Trenton casting director, Roz Clancy.
Beverly Johnson, a model, actress and writer, was the first black model ever to grace the cover of Vogue magazine in August 1974. She appeared on more than 500 magazine covers, including Glamour. Bennett said that Jackson had the hots for the sultry, black star.
"He had an eye for pretty girls, especially Johnson. She was about 25 and Michael was 16. But Beverly, I believe was dating Arthur Ashe at the time,’’ Bennett said.
"Often when I would be in his company, Michael would point a girl out and admire her looks or figure.
"I don’t know when people started believing that Michael had a thing for young boys. Does he like kids? Yes, he’s always been that way. Michael has always been playful and thoughtful.’’
And shy, almost to a fault, according to Bennett.
"He was always with his mother or reading the Bible. And often he had two birds, a parrot and a crow on his shoulder. He was a nice, quiet kind of kid.’’
Bennett called Jackson’s alleged out-of-court settlement with his first young accuser a strategic victory, one that many celebrities would have opted for in a similar situation.
"I do believe Michael paid the boy’s family because he didn’t want to go through a major media scene, an investigation and court hearing,’’ claimed Bennett.
Bennett called Jackson a media magnet whose eccentric habits will eternally attract criticism and money-grabbers.
"His talent, facial surgery, holding the baby over the balcony railing, whatever Michael does is news,’’ he said.
"Look at what happened when he went out on the Las Vegas strip after being arrested. People love him and I don’t think that will ever change.’’
"What I find hard to believe is that if Michael is this pedophile, then where are all the other boys. Pedophilia is not something that you turn on and off. That’s the one thing that seems unbelievable and I think strengthens Michael’s case.’’
But despite Bennett’s adamant support for Jackson, there is an iota of doubt.
"When 60 or 70 investigators visit three of his residences they must have something. They must know something that nobody else knows. But I hope not. I pray not for Michael’s sake,’’ he said.
Bennett expects the Jackson trial to be larger than the O.J. Simpson trial. He called the potential world audience a promoter’s dream.
"I would say a situation like this is great from a promoter’s point of view. The whole world will be watching. And even if Michael if found guilty, I don’t think his career is over,’’ predicted Bennett.
"The guy is an institution. It will be interesting to see how this next chapter in his life turns out.’’
©The Trentonian 2003