Post date: Nov 25, 2010 7:55:1 PM
Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, and concert promoter Leonard Rowe hold first news conference regarding Rowe's controversial book about the pop legend's death.
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (NOVEMBER 25, 2010) REUTERS - Michael Jackson's father and his former concert promoter Leonard Rowe said on Thursday (November 25) they hoped to reveal the conspiracy behind the pop king's death through Rowe's new controversial book.
In a news conference in Brazil's business capital Sao Paulo, Joe Jackson and Rowe spoke for the first time about the book entitled "What Really Happened to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Evil Side of the
Entertainment Industry".Rowe, who worked closely with the Jackson family for over 30 years, defends that the 50-year-old legend was purposely killed by his doctor, who had been hired by concert promoter AEG Live to care for Jackson in the months leading to the London shows.
In this firsthand account, Rowe draws connections between Jackson's sudden death and his ownership of 50 percent of the billion-dollar Sony music catalogue.
The "Thriller" singer died in June 2009 from an overdose of prescription drugs, principally the powerful anesthetic propofol.
He also talks about Jackson's rise to fame, the media frenzy surrounding him and accuses conspirators of faking Jackson's testament.
Joe Jackson, 81, told reporters that he hoped the book would show his son's fans the truth behind his death and prompt a federal investigation.
"I wanted to gain from this book… What I'm trying to gain from it is justice for Michael because he isn't getting justice from this book. That's what I'm after and as far as copyrights are concerned, all that is involved is the justice part of it. Michael was an internationally known artist all over the world and fans all over the world are looking for justice done, but we're not getting it. But we're going to get it because I'm trying to get federal investigation going," he said.
Last month Los Angeles judges ruled that Joe Jackson would not be entitled to a court hearing to challenge the status of two men now in charge of his son's multimillion dollar estate.
The judges also maintained a January 4 start date for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for Dr. Conrad Murray to stand trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.
Murray has admitted giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid, but has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Rowe said his book has explicit evidence to back his conspiracy theories behind Jackson's death.
"The reason I felt compelled to write this book is because I know that what happened to him did not have to happen; Michael could have been saved. But people did not want him saved. That's what I want the world to understand. When you receive the opportunity to read this book, which all of you will, I ask that you keep an open mind and never abandon your common sense and you will understand clearly what happened to Michael," he said.
In his book Rowe accuses AEG Live of blackmailing Jackson and others who surrounded the singer.
He said Dr. Murray was paid to murder Jackson through drugs.
"Dr (Conrad) Murray was giving Michael a drug that was not supposed to be administered in the home setting. It is to be administered in a hospital setting and also in the presence of an anesthesiologist. We don't feel that Dr Murray was the only person who had knowledge of this, we feel that the people who hired him and the people who were paying Dr Murray also had knowledge of this," he said.
In October Forbes magazine named Michael Jackson the top-earning celebrity of the year with revenues of $275 million pouring in from record sales, licensing and other business deals.
According to his will, Michael Jackson's estate benefits his three children, his mother and various charities.
Joe Jackson, who accused the media of crucifying him, said he expected outstanding sales for the book worldwide.
"I'm not depending on the media to help us with this book; I'm depending on the fans. But not all media is bad media, there is good media too. The impact, as you said, will be a big impact, because if you tell it (Michael Jackson's story) right just like we're telling it (in the book), there will be a lot of sales of this book all over the world," he said.
The book, which has only been released on the Internet, will be available in book stores around the world on December 1st.