MJ Hides out in Gordy's Crypt

Michael Jackson as a child would hide out at Berry Gordy's home, RadarOnline reports that Jackson now rests in Motown Records’ founder Berry Gordy’s Crypt at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, CA. Soures indicate it’s a temporary resting place while the Jackson family find a permanent resting place. It has also been reported that Michael Jackson's casket was the same model used to bury James Brown.

Chrisette Michele Joins Maxwell on Tour

Chrisette Michele has been chosen as the opening act for Maxwell during his sold-out 14 city U.S. tour in support of BLACKsummers'night, his comeback album that was released on July 7.

The tour opens July 12 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and concludes at Miami's Waterfront Theater on July 31.The tour immediately follows Michele's most recent 17 city May-June itinerary with fellow Grammy winner Anthony Hamilton and neo-soulman Musiq Soulchild. The soulful, jazz influenced vocalist is promoting her brand new second album "Epiphany," which debuted at No. 1 following its arrival in the physical and digital marketplace on May 5th.

Michael is still on top of the charts

Michael Jackson had three of the top 5 best-selling albums for the second week in a row last week (and he didn't even pass away until the second half of the first week). Here are the stats for the week ending July 5, 2009:

Number Ones sold 339,000 copies and would have been #1 on the Billboard 200 if catalogue albums were eligible for that chart. It more than twice as many as the album they put at #1. It is still #1 on the catalogue chart for the second week in a row. Including an album by the Jackson 5, Michael holds all 10 positions on the catalogue chart. Go back and read that again.

Thriller sold 187,000 copies and would have been #2, up from #3 the week before, if it were eligible for the chart. (Billboard is hating.)

The Essential Michael Jackson sold 125,000 copies and was also ineligible for the official chart. It would have been #5, down from #2 the week before.

Number Ones is also #1 in the UK and other places around the world. Michael is also topping charts in Japan with a special compilation called the King of Pop. It is currently at #6 in that country.

Michael's solo catalogue of albums sold 800,000 copies this past week, up from 422,000 the week before. Recall that first week was the week he passed and only included a few days.

He is indeed the King of Pop.

Ron Artest was a Michael Jackson Fan

Ron Artest just signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and chose the jersey numnber 37 to commemorate the number of weeks Michael Jackson's Thriller stayed at the top of the charts in the 80's. Thriller's run earned it a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Before you get all teary eyed at his tribute, Artest has worn 5 other numbers over the course of his professional career.

Michael Jackson and Number 7

In case you were wondering what number was going to be today:

=Michael Jackson signed his will on 7/7/02.

=Michael Jackson's memorial was on 7/7/09: exactly 7 years after his will was signed.

=Michael Jackson's two biggest hits: "Black & White" & "Billie Jean" , were each #1 for 7 weeks.

=Michael Jackson's three biggest albums,

"Thriller," "Bad" and "Dangerous" each produced 7 top 40 hits.

=Michael Jackson was the 7th of 9 children.

=Michael Jackson was born in 1958 : 19 + 58 = 77

=Michael Jackson died on the 25th: 2 + 5 = 7

=Michael Jackson has 7 letters in his first and last name.

I got 7 on it!

Where was the dancing?

Speaking of Chris, why wasn't he part of the memorial yesterday? Supposedly the Jackson family was hot for him to perform on the BET Awards and Michael, himself, greatly admired his dancing. Why didn't they put him on their own tribute?

Kanye knows no bounds

Now that he's--ahem--"mastered" music and fashion, Kanye is ready to broaden his horizons to the sports world. He has reportedly tapped Wimbeldon champ, Serena Williams, to give him some tennis pointers.

Highlights from Michael Jackson's Memorial Yesterday

Michael Jackson’s Casket Enters the Staples Center

Al Sharpton’s Eulogy tore the house down

We Are The World

Paris Katherine Jackson, Michael’s daughter, brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Doesn’t Janet look maternal here? She would be a great co-guardian with Katherine.

Jermaine Jackson Sings Michael’s favorite song “Smile”

Brooke Shield’s Speech

More portions of the Michael Jackson memorial

Lionel Richie sounded great

Usher performed “Gone Too Soon,” cried, and went down to touch the casket

John Mayer’s instrumental of “Human Nature” was incredible. I really do enjoy his music. He is an innovative musician.

Mariah Carey performed “I’ll Be There” with a little help. Who is this man? Mariah sounded like she was either sick or had been crying. She didn’t tear it up like she usually does. I was expecting her to really blow the song away since Tommy Mottola was there.

Jennifer Hudson did a good job on her song. I was afraid she would give birth right there on the stage.

Magic and Kobe Eulogize MJ at Memorial Service

LAPD Proposed Crowd Control for Jackson Memorial

The LAPD has issued a "tactical alert" and proposed the following method of crowd control if y'all hang out too long after the Michael Jackson Memorial today....What's another lawsuit?!

Bubbles the Chimp won't be able to make the memorial today

Just in case you missed Bubbles doing the moonwalk, here is a closer look:


Bubbles the Chimp won't be able to make the memorial today. Like virtually every other elderly person in America, Bubbles has retired to Florida.

Debbie Rowe is skipping the memorial and threatening the paparazzi

"Although Debbie had originally planned to attend tomorrow's Staples Center memorial service, we have concluded with Debbie that she will not be attending," her rep said in a statement. "The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy. Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately"

On Sunday, Rowe yelled at the paparazzi outside a Chinese restaurant near her house, "Are you ready to get your butt kicked? Don't f***ing touch me."

She might be able to take out one or two photographers with her husky self, but she's no match for 18,000 angry fans who blame her for trying to take Michael's money and children she never wanted.

Katherine lost control

Yesterday a judge denied Katherine Jackson's request to obtain control of her son Michael's estate. Instead, the judge awarded executorship to a long time family friend and Michael's attorney in accordance with the wishes expressed in his 2002 will. The temporary executorship will expire on August 3rd, the date of another hearing on the estate. Katherine and Michael's three children are still beneficiaries of his estate through the Jackson family trust.

Michael Jackson's Last Performance

This short video played in an endless loop on every news show this past 4th of July weekend. I might actually pay real money to see the whole shebang whenever AEG releases it. Unless someone I know has the bootleg.

This is complete bull...

I for one won't believe it until the ghost starts moonwalking, grabbing his crotch, and "hee-heeing." Until then...

Michael Jackson's Memorial Will be Olympian

LAPD is gearing up for tomorrow's memorial to Michael Jackson at the same level they did for the 1984 Olympics. The city has reached out to the Jackson family for assistance in defraying the cost of holding the memorial for almost 18,000 fans, stars, and members of the media.

Debbie Rowe will be attending

Debbie Rowe has confirmed for the VIP section of Michael Jackson's memorial service tomorrow at the Staples Center. I am now taking wagers on how long she'll be booed by the crowd.

On another note, that picture is just...sigh. Did you believe that relationship for even a minute?

This is the hottest ticket in the world.....

Hit a brutha up on eBay

A solemn, reverential farewell to Michael Jackson that says more with less,an unseemly four-ring circus, or will they let BET produce? Will dignity rule at tomorrow morning's memorial service to the King of Pop? There will be music at the service, and rightfully so. An Oscars-like guest list of celebrities, including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross,Mariah, Justin (probably Ne-Yo again) and Elizabeth Taylor, is also assured, together with some 8,750 fans arriving from all over the world selected from 1.6 million entrants in an online lottery. Each person selected received two tickets. The odds of getting a ticket were about 1 in 183. One person who won't be at the service will be Jackson himself who will be likely laid to rest quietly today at Forest Lawn Cemetery. NBC joins ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment in offering the ceremony live at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning (1 p.m. est).

Give A Hand To Where's My Stimulus?

Everyone take the time to stop banging on their keyboards to give a hand to Where's My Stimulus. He stepped in and did a fine job posting while I was away. I was unable to get any sort of internet access where I was so I couldn't even check in. I hope y'all had a happy 4th and ate and drank to your heart's content.

Look for WMS to guest post again very soon. Again, thanks!