Billboard.com

Exclusive: How Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Changed The Music Business

Gail Mitchell and Melinda Newman, L.A. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:12:00 PM

In the early '80s, Michael Jackson boosted the music industry and set a new benchmark for blockbusters.

Michael Jackson On Track For More Billboard Charts Records

Keith Caulfield, L.A. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:12:00 AM

After his record-breaking chart week, the late Michael Jackson will continue to shake up the charts next week, too.

Michael Jackson and MTV: M Once Stood For Michael

Ayala Ben-Yehuda, L.A. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:44:00 AM

Video thrilled the radio star: Michael Jackson made MTV and convinced everyone to buy a VCR.

Michael Jackson By Numbers: Record Buzz Drives Record Sales

Billboard Staff — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:30:00 AM

The king of pop also ruled the media -- from TV to blog buzz -- and his visibility drove sales. See how online conversation spiked alongside sales of his music.

Michael Jackson, Pepsi Made Marketing History

Monica Herrera, N.Y. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:23:00 PM

Essentially two kinds of people existed in the '80s: Coke drinkers and Pepsi drinkers. And if you loved Michael Jackson, you had good reason to fall into the latter group.

Rothbury Festival Gets Off To Eclectic Start

Gary Graff, Rothbury — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:23:00 PM

Guitar riffs, rhymes and polyrhythmic ragas got the second Rothbury Festival off to an eclectic start on Thursday at the Double JJ Ranch in western Michigan.

Michael Jackson Remains A Global Phenomenon

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 PM

Michael Jackson went from being Gary, Ind.'s most talented kid to one of the most recognizable human beings on the planet. And while his worldwide album sales were astounding, that wasn't the sole reason for his fame. his ascendancy went far beyond the cash register—he inspired dance moves, dictated fashion trends and raised awareness for social causes around the globe.

Exclusive: AEG's Randy Phillips Talks About Michael Jackson Fallout

Ray Waddell, Nashville — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:10:00 PM

A week after Michael Jackson's death, organizers of what would have been a 50-show run at the O2 Arena in London have made significant strides straightening out what one touring executive called "the biggest mess in the history of our business."

Exclusive: Michael Jackson Was Working On Two Albums

Mariel Concepcion, N.Y. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PM

Billboard has learned that Michael Jackson was working on two albums at the time of his death: one in the pop vein that made him famous and another that would consist of an instrumental classical composition.

Michael Jackson Funeral Date Set, Mystery Deepens

Elizabeth Guider, The Hollywood Reporter — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:12:00 AM

The Michael Jackson funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Sources said AEG Live, which owns the arena and the adjacent Nokia Theatre, will use both facilities and the surrounding plaza.

Federal Drug Agents Join Michael Jackson Investigation

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:07:00 AM

The circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson's death have become a federal issue, with the Drug Enforcement Administration asked to help police take a look at the pop star's doctors and possible drug use.

Michael Jackson Left 'Endless' Supply Of Unreleased Music

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:39:00 AM

Michael Jackson had a mountain of unreleased recordings in the vault when he died — music that is almost certain to be packaged and repackaged for his fans in the years to come.

Alice In Chains Reunion 'Gives Way' To New Album, Tour

John Benson, Cleveland — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:37:00 AM

Armed with its first album in nearly 14 years, Alice in Chains singer-guitarist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney tell Billboard.com the band's new album "Black Gives Way To Blue," which is due out September 29 on Virgin/EMI, doesn't stray too far from the Seattle band's influential catalog.

Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months

Ed Christman, N.Y. and Antony Bruno, Denver — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:41:00 PM

In the days following Michael Jackson's June 25 death, fans flocked to record stores and digital music outlets to purchase one last memory. And merchants say they expect the Jackson sales surge to last for weeks—maybe even months.

Aerosmith's Joe Perry Turns To Twitter Fans For Solo Album Title

Gary Graff, Detroit — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:48:00 AM

Aerosmith's next album might be "on the bench, in pieces," waiting for the group to resume recording after it finishes touring in mid-September, but guitarist Joe Perry's next solo album is just about ready to go.

Michael Jackson's Will Filed With Los Angeles Court

Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:30:00 PM

A will from Michael Jackson, executed in 2002 and filed with a Los Angeles court on Wednesday, leaves his entire estate to a family trust to be administered by executors, according to court papers obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

Michael Jackson Superfans Share Their Stories

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:06:00 AM

Billboard spoke to some of Michael Jackson's most devoted fans about why he influenced them and what they'd like to see happen to his legacy. Read their stories, and share your own memories as an MJ fan.

Boys Like Girls Is 'Love Drunk' On Sophomore Album

Gary Graff, Detroit — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:17:00 AM

Boys Like Girls mined a universe of nearly 80s songs for its sophomore album, "Love Drunk," which drops Sept. 8 with the first single -- the title track -- already out on MySpace Music and headed to Top 40 radio outlets on July 7.

Staind, Shinedown And More Go On Stimulate This! Tour

Gary Graff, Detroit — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:21:00 AM

They don't plan on preaching (much) from the stage, but politics and the current economic climate helped inspire this summer's Stimulate This! Tour, a hard rock package featuring Staind, Shinedown, Chevelle and Halestorm that kicks off Wednesday in Peoria, Ill.

Mase Making Comeback, Inspired By Michael Jackson

Mariel Concepcion, N.Y. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:01:00 PM

During an interview with DJ Self of New York's Power 105.1 radio station (WWPR-FM) on Friday (June 26), former Bad Boy artist Mase not only aired a remix to Drake's "Best I Ever Had," his first release in five years, but he also said Michael Jackson's death is what inspired his return to music.