March 23, 2008
Jackson Five on the skids
Well, as if it wasn't enough that he's a crazy, child-molesting bastard, we now know that Michael Jackson is also a vindictive, cheap, controlling, heartless, S.O.B..
Marlon Jackson, 51, an original Jackson Five member who stocks shelves at a Vons supermarket in San Diego, had to temporarily move into an extended-stay hotel.
Randy, 46, does odd jobs, including fixing cars in a Los Angeles garage owned by a family friend. He recently claimed Michael was going to give him $1.7 million - "a pipe dream," said another brother last week.
Jackie, 56, the oldest and most debonair of the brothers, is struggling to manage his son Siggy's aspiring rap career after an Internet clothing business startup and attempts to produce music failed.
Jermaine, 54, shuttles back and forth from his girlfriend's home in Ventura County, Calif., to his parents' mansion in Encino, where Jackie and Randy still bunk.
Tito, 55, is the only brother still making music, but it's a meager living. The guitarist fronts a blues and jazz band that plays small venues and nets him $500 and $1,500 per occasional gig - a far cry from the days when the Jacksons could pull in 50,000 people at $30 a ticket.
[...]
How did their fortunes crumble? A slew of bad investments, poor advice, bankruptcy, stubborn pride, divorces, IRS debt, child support and a brother, Michael, who would rather give $1 million to Marlon Brando than do a concert tour or record to help make his brothers whole again.
"Michael was not going to work with the family again," said Frank DiLeo, the manager who oversaw Michael Jackson's ultra-successful "Bad" album and tour. "He was concerned only about building his legacy. He had to be bigger than Elvis."
The family's downfall is not entirely Michael's fault, others argue. The Gloved One footed their bills for years. But his generosity came at a devastating price: The King of Pop used his vast power and influence to prevent his siblings from plying the trade that led to such mega-hits as "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save" and "ABC."
Jackson, riding high in the music world, signed his brothers to his personal record label, MJJ, and refused to release any of their music.
"Michael's mission was to make sure his family was broke, and he accomplished that through the industry, which mostly kowtowed to him," said Bob Jones, former longtime director of communications for Jackson and the author of "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask."
"We were always ordered by Michael to keep his family away from his offices and out of his business," he said. "He hated them. He wanted them broke. Michael even refused to allow Jermaine, who had come over to Europe to see one of Michael's concerts about a decade ago, to guest on 'I'll Be There.' Jermaine was devastated."
[...]
While paying Brando $1 million to appear and giving five- and six-figure fees to artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Britney Spears and Destiny's Child to perform, Jacko had his brothers sign a contract that would pay them just $1,100 each.
Michael charged the brothers for hotel and travel, and the siblings were never paid their measly performance fees, according to the brothers.
Yeah, I know, it's called showbusiness, but working to sabotage his own brothers? That's sick.
I'm sure there's another side to this sordid tale, but it probably involves the Neverland Ranch and creepy sleepover parties, so I'm not particularly interested in hearing it.
What a jerk.
Posted by Mike Lief at March 23, 2008 09:48 PM
| TrackBack