Las Vegas Weekly

August 19, 2009 · 3:22 PM

Plans are confirmed for Michael Jackson star at the Palms

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson appears in London to announce his final concerts in the British capital in March 2009.

Photo: The Associated Press

Now that I have returned from 18 glorious days in Europe, it will take a couple more to get caught up to speed. I’ll tell you all about my travels and Italian experiences with Sir Anthony Hopkins and the cast of the Twilight sequel New Moon tomorrow.

For now, though, it’s time to sift through the overnight news, and if some is a duplicate of what you may have read elsewhere, please forgive as this is strictly to play catch-up.

Everything is now set for the Celebrity Star being presented posthumously to King of Pop music legend Michael Jackson at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms on Aug. 29, what would have been Michael’s 51st birthday.

Directly after that same-day, long-delayed burial in the celebrity cemetery Forest Lawn in Los Angeles, Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, and his longtime on-and-off manager Frank DiLeo will jet over to Vegas. I will be emcee/host for the star presentation by movie theater owner Johnny Brenden, and afterward there will be a rare and exclusive screening of Michael’s film Moonwalker. Palms President George Maloof will be on hand with Jersey Boys star Erich Bergen, Jerry Olivarez of the Brenden Theatre Corp. and my good colleague journalist Steve Friess.

The dedication ceremony will start at 7 p.m., with Moonwalker at 8. It all caps off an extraordinary celebration of “The Music of Michael Jackson” concert starting at 3 p.m. in The Pearl in the Palms. For more information on that show with various Las Vegas entertainers performing in tribute, go to www.vegaslovesmj.com.

The list of Las Vegas’ top entertainers continues to grow for the special one-time concert. In addition to performers from casts including Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Peepshow, Ultimate Manilow: The Hits and Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular, the new performers include cast members from Zumanity, Terry Fator, Britain’s Got Talent’s group Signature and Peepshow star Holly Madison, with more expected to join. The Las Vegas Mass Choir, who recently performed for President Obama, also will be part of the lineup.

Guests will see some rare Michael Jackson memorabilia, as Profiles in History, the world’s largest Hollywood memorabilia auctioneer, will display some of the King of Pop’s costumes. These pieces include Michael’s light-up glove from the 1984 Victory Tour, as well as original costumes from the Jackson 5. This display will be shown inside The Pearl and only available to ticketholders.

Our star dedication ceremony is free to the public, and tickets are $20 for Moonwalker. Proceeds will benefit music education in Clark County Public Schools, and Johnny Brenden has agreed to match the funds raised.

You can be sure we’ll talk to Joe and Frank on the red carpet and privately for all the latest news of the continuing legacy of Michael, the upcoming This Is It DVD and CD releases, the Jackson family tribute tour and plans for a Las Vegas Neverland exhibit.

Meantime, Fox News reported this morning that Michael’s personal physician will be charged with manslaughter within the next two weeks. The source initially said that Las Vegas-based Dr. Conrad Murray could be arrested as soon as next Wednesday, but investigators have decided to execute one more search warrant, likely at a Los Angeles pharmacy, next week in an attempt to gather more evidence against him. The arrest is now expected the following week.

Dr. Murray isn’t the only doctor who faces criminal charges in connection with Michael’s death on June 25. A law enforcement source told FoxNews.com that Michael’s longtime dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, will face charges related to medical malpractice. Investigators are still building their case against Dr. Klein, and he will not be arrested for at least another two weeks, the source said.

Dr. Murray recorded a YouTube video for his supporters:

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This