September 5, 2009

Jam
Music
      Artists A-Z
      Album Reviews
      Concert Reviews
      Concert Listings
      SoundScan Charts
      Lowdown Column
      Pop Encyclopedia

Movies
Television
Video
Theatre
Books
Country
TIFF 2009




ENT Blog
Video Clips Gallery
RSS Feed

PITT


Jacksons furious at funeral coverage
Bookmark and Share


In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Randy Jackson attend Michael Jackson's funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Sept. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Calif. Jackson, 50, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo/The Jackson Family, Harrison Funk)

Randy Jackson has hit out at the media after some outlets deployed helicopters to cover his brother Michael's private funeral ceremony - demanding they pull the footage from any future broadcasts.

The King of Pop was laid to rest at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park and on Thursday evening, more than two months after his tragic demise in June.

Following the star-studded public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in July, only a select group of family and close friends was allowed to the outdoor ceremony.

Macaulay Culkin, actor Chris Tucker, and best pal Elizabeth Taylor were some of the attendees at the outdoor ceremony, which saw around 200 guests pay their last respects to the Thriller hitmaker.

But despite allowing cameras in to record the guests arriving at the ceremony, the Jacksons are furious some press organizations sent helicopters to film the funeral.

The late superstar's brother Randy has spoken out - insisting a private family gathering was no place for the world's media.

In a statement, he says, "As a family, we are all aware of how Michael's life, and his death, touched so many around the world. It is why we held a public memorial in my brother's honour. And it is the reason we chose to release a small amount of footage leading up to yesterday's ceremony at Forest Lawn.

"I was dismayed last night and again today at the coverage I saw on television of our ceremony for Michael. We had asked the media to respect the privacy and the sanctity of this event; to give us one moment of privacy to mourn as a family out of the public spotlight.

"Unfortunately, despite a no-fly zone around Forest Lawn, many media organizations decided to ignore our wishes. They employed helicopters that not only surreptitiously recorded our private family ceremony, but also severely disrupted it."

"I therefore ask today that media organizations airing helicopter footage of the ceremony we held for my brother immediately pull that footage from their air and refrain from airing it in the future."


HOT MUSIC HEADLINES
Live Review: Cranberries in Toronto
Live Review: Kelly Clarkson in Calgary
Jackson's drugs bought in Vegas
Britney's ex-boyfriend jailed
Rapper Wale recruits Gaga on CD
Cyrus' tour bus driver killed
Oasis attacker admits to shove
Eminem delays new album to '10
Q & A with Susan Boyle
J.Lo, Lambert ready for AMA stage
More Headlines
Live Review: STP in London, Ont.
Live Review: Jimmy Buffett in T.O.
Occhipinti wins Sicily prize
Arkells getting radio play
The Cat Empire soaks up sounds
Pop diva accused of racist lyrics
Casablancas talks Strokes, solo disc
Taylor Swift suing bar over music
Liam: New band 'better than Oasis'
STP scraps upcoming tour dates


Lowdown column
Get the inside scoop on the Canadian music industry with Karen Bliss.
Who's coming and when
Want to know when your favourite band is coming to town? Check out Clive, JAM Music's extensive Canadian concert listings.
TV Listings
Wondering what's on tonight? Check out our TV listings for the complete schedule in your area.


Did you win a trip to the Montreal Jazz Festival?

Find out here!

Berkeley Church concert winners!

Kid Rock contest winners



Wham






What do you think of Oprah's decision to end her show in 2011?
It's a good one - she's going out on top
I'm disappointed
I could care less


Results | Story