Jackson tributes abound for death anniversary
Jackson's childhood hometown of Gary, Ind., is holding a candlelight vigil and tribute Friday at the family's former home, which has been spruced up for the occasion.
The event is expected to draw thousands, with Jackson's mother, Katherine, and niece Genevieve to attend on behalf of the family, said Mayor Rudy Clay.
Earlier this month, Clay was joined by Jackson's father, Joe, in announcing that plans for a Jackson family performing arts centre and museum were moving ahead.
Fans are also expected to gather Friday for a memorial at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, Calif., where Jackson is buried.
Katherine Jackson, who is also legal guardian over her late son's three young children, has also given her blessing to Forever Michael, a tribute concert scheduled for the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Saturday.
Partial proceeds from the concert are earmarked for the Jackson Family Foundation and the singer's favourite charities.
"I know that Michael would be very honoured and very pleased that his fans all over the world are coming together to celebrate his life," Mrs. Jackson said in an online video, alongside the concert's organizer, Joseph Fahmy.
She added her thanks to fans for the support they've shown her family since her son's death on June 25, 2009, at age 50.
Other tributes include a new Jackson 5 exhibit — featuring photos, awards and costumes — on display at the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit and the singing group the Commodores releasing a new version of their song Nightshift with some lyrics rewritten to honour Jackson.
This week, a number of published reports have detailed the remarkable success of Jackson's estate in settling his precarious finances over the past year.
Before his death, Jackson faced a debt estimated at more than $400 million US and was still dogged by allegations of child abuse.
However, thanks to sensitive but saavy deals made by the executors of his estate — longtime associates John Branca and John McClain — the iconic pop star's troubled finances are nearly settled.
Aside from the skyrocketing sales of Jackson's music immediately after his death, the executors approved the quickly released This Is It theatrical documentary film, drawn from rehearsal footage from his planned London concert series, a lucrative long-term record and licensing deal with Sony Music, as well as creative partnerships with the likes of Cirque du Soleil and Ubisoft (for Jackson-themed shows and a dance video game, respectively).
"To this day there's interest in Elvis. And I think there will be enduring interest in Michael," John Branca said at the time the Sony deal was announced in March.
"It's our job to continue to expose Michael to new generations."
Billboard magazine has also been releasing a host of Jackson-related statistics ahead of his first death anniversary, including that Say Say Say, his 1983 hit with Paul McCartney, was his most popular top 10 hit, followed by Billie Jean, the Jackson 5's I'll Be There, Beat It and Rock With You.
With files from The Associated Press