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Michael Jackson “This Is It” Run Threatened By Jackson 5 Lawsuit

5/11/09, 4:52 pm EST

Photo: Duval/FilmMagic

In March, Michael Jackson sold out a record-breaking 50 consecutive nights at London’s O2 Arena, but now a lawsuit is threatening his historic “This Is It” run before it even hits the stage. That’s the word from TMZ, who reports that the This Is It concerts violate a previous contract signed by Jackson’s manager that would have brought about a Jackson 5 reunion tour with Michael and Janet Jackson. Under the terms of that contract, Jackson would have been prevented from performing anywhere for 18 months, which Jackson’s 50 shows in London clearly violates.

According to TMZ, Jackson 5 tour organizers AllGood Entertainment filed a cease-and-desist lawsuit against the This Is It tour when Jackson’s manager Frank Delio allegedly signed the reunion tour contract late in 2008. Jermaine Jackson told the Australian press in October 2008 that the family would get back together for a new album and tour in 2009, which Michael was quick to deny in an official statement the very next day. “My brothers and sisters have my full love and support, and we’ve certainly shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans to record or tour with them,” Michael said, adding, “I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon.”

A few months later, the This Is It run was announced and quickly sold out.

While Jackson himself reportedly never put pen to paper on the Jackson 5 contract, his manager Delio did, but in law an agent can sign for his client so the agreement seems like it might be legally binding. So AllGood Entertainment want all the London shows canceled. Jackson’s official Website has not yet commented on this new lawsuit. As of now, Jackson’s This Is It run is scheduled to kick off July 8th and conclude February 24th, 2010.

Related Stories:

Michael Jackson Sells Out 50 London Shows as Controversy Brews On Secondary Market
Jermaine Jackson Says Jackson 5 Reuniting For Tour, Album
Michael Jackson Stops Neverland Auction, Will Reclaim 2,000 Items


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Comments

Oddjob | 5/11/2009, 5:09 pm EST

what id love to know is why has this all only came out months after mj announced the O2 concerts?
would this other promotion company not have taken action before the tickets went on sale to millions of private ticket sales people as well as the fans who went frantic buying tickets?
it all sounds a little strange but its early report days yet i suppose

Jason | 5/11/2009, 5:27 pm EST

I want you all to READ THIS… Dispute Between Frank Dileo, AllGood Entertainment, AEG
A dispute has arisen between New Jersey based entertainment firm, AllGood Entertainment, Inc. (”AGE”), and Frank Dileo in conjunction with AEG regarding Michael Jackson’s planned summer concerts at London’s O2. MJJR.net has reviewed several comprehensive documents and proposals from the firm regarding this matter and will now explain the circumstances as they stand.

The plan of AllGood Entertainment was to host a “one-time event” tentatively titled “The Jackson Family Reunion: A Concert for the World” in the summer of 2009. The concert would star Michael and Janet Jackson while also including his siblings: LaToya, Rebbie, and all of his brothers. Billed as “The Most Anticipated Concert Event in Music History” the concert was anticipated to gross more than $93 million through a variety of means including ticket sales (at $135 each), sponsoring, Pay-Per-View access, DVD and CD sales, merchandising, digital downloads, broadcasting, and licensing. Using such a figure as a selling point, the company sought out a sponsorship to help fund the endeavor which included around $30 million of expenses.

The concert was anticipated to be held in one of several stadiums–either in New Orleans, San Diego, New Jersey, or Atlanta. The event would be a day long and recorded professionally for Pay-Per-View and DVD releases with a projected first-showing audience of 100 million. The Pay-Per-View would fetch and estimated 3 to 7 million purchasers at $30 each, and there would be a worldwide market campaign building up to the event.

In addition to the proposal (which was drafted in attempts of locating a sponsor to fund the project), MJJR.net has reviewed several contractual documents between AllGood Entertainment and Frank Dileo. On November 26, 2008, a four page confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement was signed with regards to the reunion concert; the document is signed by roughly half a dozen parties including Frank Dileo. The term of the agreement was for 18 months following November 2008. The other signed agreement, drafted on November 21, 2008 and signed on November 25, 2008, was again four pages and signed by Frank Dileo and affiliated parties of AllGood Entertainment. This agreement called for at least a 90 minute performance by Michael Jackson and 150 minute performance overall by all parties of the Jackson family. The agreement also called for a press conference in which all Jackson family members were present to announce the concert. The Jackson family members would receive $24 million in profit for their involvement with the remaining money being distributed to the affiliated parties.

It should be noted that nowhere in any contract does the signature or authorization of ANY Jackson family member exist, it appears these contracts and proposals were drafted explicitly by Frank Dileo and AllGood Entertainment with no signed confirmation by any of the Jackson family members; it is unclear to what degree the Jackson family members are even aware of the whole situation.

Back on March 27, 2009, AllGood Entertainment sent a cease and desist letter via e-mail to Randy Phillips of AEG, which MJJR.net has also reviewed. This was in regards to an article that appeared online questioning who Michael Jackson’s spokesperson really was, which stated: “A spokesman for Dileo told CelebrityAccess that they would release a statement along with AEG to address Rowe’s claims next week and suggested that legal action may be in the offing.” The letter threatened AEG with legal action if Frank Dileo continued any alleged partnership with AEG during the period of time he was meant to be with AllGood Entertainment.

On April 11, 2009 Randy Phillips responded to the cease and desist notice in stating that “Mr. Dileo and does not involve AEG Live in any manner whatsoever,” and advised AllGood Entertainment that any legal issues were between that company and Frank Dileo and it has no involvement with AEG or their Jackson-related endeavors what-so-ever. In fact, this claim was reiterated in two separate e-mails from Mr. Phillips, and it has been stated that he worked directly with Michael Jackson and Dr. Tohme Tohme to negotiate the AEG contracts and procedures. In rebuttal of these claims, AllGood Entertainment sent a second notice again citing the CelebrityAccess article published on the Internet which referenced Frank Dileo as acting on behalf of Michael Jackson and AEG. However, the notice by AllGood Entertainment also seems to erroneously quote the published article using quotes which do not actually appear in the article itself. As a final follow-up, AllGood Entertainment wrote: “While Frank Dileo’s actions were reprehensible, AEG’s very public support of Dileo and continued association with him despite our efforts to Cease and Desist them, is tantamount to anti-trust and anti-competitive practices.”

In summary, two contracts and agreements were signed by December 1, 2008 by Frank Dileo and parties relating to Dileo’s agency and AllGood Entertainment’s agency. None of these contracts bare any signature of the Jacksons, nor has there been any confirmation that the Jackson siblings are aware of these concert-related plans. Even within the proposal that detailed at length the expenses, profits, and plans of each artist, there are no direct quotes from any of the Jacksons themselves to bring credence to the proposal. After reviewing many documents and communications regarding this conflict, MJJR.net does not believe that the dispute between Frank Dileo and AllGood Entertainment will have any negative impact on AEG and the O2 concerts.

With no signatures or authorization by Michael Jackson within the contracts between Frank Dileo and AllGood Entertainment, and seemingly just one online Web site referencing that Frank Dileo had any involvement with AEG, there does not appear to be much legal cause for concern over the O2 concerts. Again, the cease and desist letter did not occur until the night that CelebrityAccess published an article proclaiming that Frank Dileo and AEG would release a statement the following week with regards to Leonard Rowe’s questionable involvement. No such statement was ever released, Randy Phillips insisted that he only worked through Michael Jackson and Dr. Tohme Tohme in the matter, and the article in question only cites a “spokesperson of Frank Dileo” as the source and does not include any direct quotes from Frank Dileo himself.

Selena | 5/11/2009, 5:38 pm EST

Michael WILL do his 50 London shows, he WILL outshine everyone and go through after all 50, and he WILL be giving the hottest concerts on the planet, and he WILL not die after the concerts either. Dang, all this hate is just UNPRECEDENTED!!

matty | 5/11/2009, 5:39 pm EST

its all crap

Mike | 5/11/2009, 5:56 pm EST

Honestly although it would be quite the thing to see with them all together, why would anyone want to see a performance with all of them now that they’re all grown up? A bunch of grown men + Janet and LaToya performing “ABC?” Sounds kinda wacky and not something I’d order on PayPerView.

Daniel Boone | 5/11/2009, 6:13 pm EST

Interesting that a buch of hypocrites are going to attend Child Molester’s concert. You are all short memory people.

Imp | 5/11/2009, 6:34 pm EST

Nah. Not short memory people, just pure idiots.

Ashley | 5/11/2009, 6:42 pm EST

OMG, come on. Enough with the suing already. What do people want from this man? He’s been to hell in back as he stated himself and you people just don’t know when to quit. The minute he continues to break records and get his career back on track you damn people want to go and sue him. Haven’t they heard his song “Leave Me Alone”? Just leave him alone you damn people!! The show must and WILL go on. These people need to get a life, and yeah that’s right, this hatred is UNPRECEDENTED!! I love you Michael and God is looking out for you.

Jessamine | 5/11/2009, 8:19 pm EST

Michael Jackson is a beautiful and very misunderstood person. It’s too bad that vultures are attacking him all of the time.

friend | 5/11/2009, 8:38 pm EST

Was Frank the manager or Ms. Raymone Bain who said SHE was and is suing for $44million dollars?
Frank as far as I know said himself MJ never asked him to come back and he never said he would. This was an interview Frank did after the trial. Somehow I don’t believe this one. Frank knows MJ never wanted to do another show with his brothers. But Frank was the best darn manager on the planet!

Cc | 5/11/2009, 9:09 pm EST

What’s the difference between michael Jackson and neil Armstrong? Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Michael jackson has sex with little boys.

Jason | 5/11/2009, 9:22 pm EST

“You are all short memory people.” Look who’s talking Daniel Boone you forget he was found not guilty on all charges and that they don’t have any evidence and Cc go to hell. MJ will be fine and things will go as planned.

Cj | 5/11/2009, 10:26 pm EST

Jason probably has great memories as an eight year old drinking “Jesus juice” on his date with Wacko Jacko.

Ksharday24 | 5/12/2009, 12:22 am EST

This is a breach in the contract micheal should be sued!

Justme | 5/12/2009, 12:47 am EST

This man is so multi-talented and who are we to judge him?

Aaron | 5/12/2009, 2:06 am EST

History indicates that celebrities have incredible egos……and once the light fades……will sometimes do what they can to reclaim noteriety.

Michael Jackson is a pitiful example of an individual with so much talent but who grew up in a severely dysfunctional environment….SEVERELY DYSFUNCTIONAL.

There is a pattern of behavior that indicates he will do ANYTHING to generate publicity….whether good or bad.

Most people in the public eye at some point realize that time has passed them by and retire to philanthropic endeavors.

Why can’t Michael Jackson simply perform the concerts….sing …dance….?? Maybe donate a portion of the proceeds to charity ?

There is ALWAYS controversy… though he was not guilty of molestation charges….Michael Jackson has made poor decisions for most of his life. What grown man finds it “normal” to sleep with underage children ? Why all the plastic surgery that has transformed a handsome individual into a freak of nature ??

AARTZ1 | 5/12/2009, 2:21 am EST

question. why is Rolling Stone promoting rumors? i thought that this was a RELIABLE source for music and entertainment news…. i didnt know that they had decided to Tab rag. So stupid.

my only reply to this law suit is whats new. I swear if there isnt a new person suing Michael or making up rumors about him, its a slow week. I cant believe the media these days! RS included!!!

OffTheWall | 5/12/2009, 5:40 am EST

Frank Dileo???
He hasn’t been Michael’s manager since February 14 1989.
Case closed.

dashing | 5/12/2009, 6:12 am EST

its all crap

Gwen | 5/12/2009, 7:24 am EST

In first of all: MJ has been officially declared INNOCENT, whether you like it or not, so stop going on and on about the trial.
Second: you weren’t even there, the chance is pretty small you’ve met him, so why judge a stranger? It’s not like you’re an export on the case, so leave it be and try to judge him for the only thing you can really judge him on: his music.
Yes, he may be an idiot but that doesn’t automaticly men he’s a child molester as well.

I think it’s stupid that they’re suing him now. As Oddjob says, why does it come out now when he announced his shows only a few months ago. They could have taken action a little earlier, so to me it sounds they’re just after his cash.

Imp | 5/12/2009, 9:21 am EST

Hey, dimwit. I guess you are too dumb to know the difference between being innocent and getting away with it cuz he’s Michael Jackson.

Josh | 5/12/2009, 11:35 am EST

everyone is always trying to use MJ

Liz | 5/12/2009, 12:45 pm EST

He will pay them off, like all those little childrens.

TheCoz | 5/12/2009, 1:04 pm EST

I just read that all male fans in attendance (ages 6-13) will receive a VIP backstage pass and a complimentary bottle of Jesus Juice.

Daaaaaawwww | 5/12/2009, 3:02 pm EST

of all the comments I’ve read, AARON was the most profound….GOD really did blessed MICHAEL JACKSON w/enormous gifts, and MICHAEL did fulfill the fullness of his potential, culminating in his career achievement w/THRILLER, after that, he no longer wanted to be viewed as a person of color and deliberately changed everything about himself, and it’s been downhill ever since, and the decline happened drastically…and in a fruitless attempt to deflect any criticism that would be directed towards him regarding his physical transformation, he went about the business of manipulating the media and that’s why the relationship between him and the media is so tenious…he initiated all that static, and when you live by the sword, you die by the sword no matter who you are…because of his attempt to stage this lie, he became the greatest media manipulator we’ve ever seen in the process

if he would have never had the surgery, or at least had it in moderation, along w/presenting his talent w/out all the fabrication and false image,

his career would still be as vibrant today than it was during the early stages of his solo career

i’m sure he wishes he can reverse all the surgery he’s had but there’s nothing he can do about it…he’s stuck w/it….just as his career is stuck

BK | 5/12/2009, 3:41 pm EST

Too bad we ran MJ out of his own country. He should be doing the shows in the US. I am sad I won’t be able to see this concert.

monique | 5/12/2009, 4:42 pm EST

I have one question why are stuck on something that contractPlus I do believe Jermaine is lying just so he get attention.

mjhoney | 5/12/2009, 9:40 pm EST

If John Branca was still in the picture MJ wouldnt be in this mess. Frank Dileo has been nothing but trouble from the word go!

susie | 5/12/2009, 9:44 pm EST

MJ is a wonderful human being who got screwed over because of his naivety and his trusting nature. I wish I could be his true friend.

ALABY | 5/13/2009, 5:18 pm EST

EVERYBODY SHUT-UP. WHAT IS THE DANG DEAL, WHY IS EVERYBODIES FOCUS ON HIM, WHY IS HE THE ONLY ONE GETTING SUED. TO BE HONEST THE PEOPLE JUST WANNA BE ‘STARTIN SOMETHING. GOSH WHY THESE LAWSUITS COMING OUT SO LATE ANYWAY JEEZE LEAVE THE MAN ALONE AND LET HIM DO THE FIFTY SHOWS CAUSE I BOUGHT TICKETS AND I AIN’T GONNA WASTE $75.

Fas | 5/19/2009, 4:02 am EST

This does not make sense of Lawsuit against MJ but a try to fail him. These people are stupids

amanda meldrum | 5/20/2009, 7:25 pm EST

hi everyone how are you all .this is what i think should be done .about all the lies about michael jackson im not a great fan of his but i do like some of his stuff .it just seems there is allways someone wanting his money one thing happens and everyone jumps on the bandwaggen .i think in the case of the child abuse the boy jordan i think that was his name the first one that said this years ago and then the second boy just there should both be made to take a lie detector test. and michael jackson .and if th boys are both telling lie,s and MJ is not then he should get all the money he has paid them and be allowed to sue them and get all his legal fees back and be able to sue all the press that wrote crap about him what do u all think

amanda meldrum | 5/20/2009, 7:25 pm EST

hi everyone how are you all .this is what i think should be done .about all the lies about michael jackson im not a great fan of his but i do like some of his stuff .it just seems there is allways someone wanting his money one thing happens and everyone jumps on the bandwaggen .i think in the case of the child abuse the boy jordan i think that was his name the first one that said this years ago and then the second boy just there should both be made to take a lie detector test. and michael jackson .and if th boys are both telling lie,s and MJ is not then he should get all the money he has paid them and be allowed to sue them and get all his legal fees back and be able to sue all the press that wrote crap about him what do u all think

amanda meldrum | 5/20/2009, 7:25 pm EST

hi everyone how are you all .this is what i think should be done .about all the lies about michael jackson im not a great fan of his but i do like some of his stuff .it just seems there is allways someone wanting his money one thing happens and everyone jumps on the bandwaggen .i think in the case of the child abuse the boy jordan i think that was his name the first one that said this years ago and then the second boy just there should both be made to take a lie detector test. and michael jackson .and if th boys are both telling lie,s and MJ is not then he should get all the money he has paid them and be allowed to sue them and get all his legal fees back and be able to sue all the press that wrote crap about him what do u all think

Ayo Adene | 5/22/2009, 9:53 pm EST

i thought MJ fired Frank Dileo after the Bad/pepsi concerts in 1990?

to all the haters? why you wanna trip on this guy? its just 2 bad. Doggone it.

anyway. whatever. The world aint ready for what MJs about to pull down in july. It’s never been done before. The King will Rock the World. This is it.

plasticsurgion | 6/25/2009, 11:37 pm EST

better check to see if MJ really be dead, may just be a wardrobe malfunction. on second thought bury him alive. he’s nothing but a shell of Diana Ross.
thats all

marc57marc57 | 6/26/2009, 9:55 am EST

Did anyone here any news of MJ rehearsing with other dancers for the July shows ? Reports on CNN 30 minutes ago report that “if you think that the story around Anna Nichole Smith was shocking..wait until you hear the facts surrounding those fighting for control of his life and the drugs that he was taking at the end of his life.”

I’d like to know if tickets are going to be refunded for the London shows ? If he was so feeble … how could he be expected to rehearse and meet the rigorous physical demands of all the concerts coming in July ?

Venita | 6/28/2009, 11:24 am EST

Michael Jackson A great man and a great inspiration. He will truly be missed. To all of you people with negative to say. I say let the POP SENSATION rest in peace, he has served his purpose. Everyone isn’t perfect and if you dwell off one thing you will trip off it for the rest of your lives. Grow up people/ grow up! Michael Jackson is THE MAN.R.I.P

Venita | 6/28/2009, 11:24 am EST

Michael Jackson A great man and a great inspiration. He will truly be missed. To all of you people with negative to say. I say let the POP SENSATION rest in peace, he has served his purpose. Everyone isn’t perfect and if you dwell off one thing you will trip off it for the rest of your lives. Grow up people/ grow up! Michael Jackson is THE MAN.R.I.P

mcd | 7/2/2009, 10:05 pm EST

the first sentence says 50 consecutive nights; the last sentence says July to February.

i know it doesn’t matter now, but waddup?

Margaret | 8/5/2009, 1:04 am EST

OMG, that poor, poor man. He truly was the golden egg for so many greedy, awful people. No wonder he couldn’t sleep; he likely couldn’t get their faces out of his mind.

Surely they can still make up five Jacksons. Maybe Joe could be the lead singer. They could make him practise in the same ways he made MJ practise, beat him, lock him in a closet, the whole thing.

Inaccurate Article | 11/3/2009, 6:54 am EST

…tour dates at the O2 arena in London. In fact, the 50 dates will be spread out over 9 months, which the math says is an average of one every 5 days. So it’s very much like setting up in Vegas like Celine Dion with about the same number of tickets sold each week. Celine ties Michael? I’ll have to check the numbers.

Inaccurate Article | 11/3/2009, 6:59 am EST

OK I checked the numbers. Michael wins by selling 23,000 every 5 days to Celine Dion’s 20,000 tickets every week. Advantage Michael, but I hope we can slow down on the hype and put what he’s doing in perspective.

mimi | 11/10/2009, 2:41 pm EST

I can respect ever ones opion but I ‘m so tired of hearin that micheal is a child Molester that man is not no molester he didnt have a child hood when he was going up. Its not his fult all he wanted is to play with the child. and people took advantage of him just because he got money! I bet some of them parents proberly told their kids to say he raped them so they can get money. He was a vary kind and sweet person Yea he had a mind of a child but its not his fult. The man is dead have at least alittle respect.

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