By: Roger Friedman // Monday September 21, 2009
Here’s something new I can tell you now exclusively: Michael Jackson’s “This is It” film will include a brand new song, which Michael wrote for the tour.
The song is called “This is It.” After Jackson died, it was finished by producer John McClain, who is also one of Michael’s executors.
The new song will be included in the film and on the two-CD soundtrack scheduled for release right after the movie has its two-week run. I told you months ago when the movie was being shopped that it would be accompanied by a soundtrack. As I pointed out, Jackson has never had a “live” album.
Even the Jackson family should be surprised by the new song, but they’ll hear it when they see the first draft of the movie, sources say, in the next week.
September 21st, 2009 at 1:44 pm
A while back John Branca said that a new song would be included, but thanks for the specifics.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Stop calling him JACKO you jackass.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Chante is right. John Branca in his LA times interview already mentioned there would be a new song.
Still, for the last time, STOP F*KIN CALLING HIM JACKO!!!!!
September 21st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Old news and for God sakes, let Jacko go… it’s over, he’s dead.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Is it Oct 28th yet? Hard to wait patiently for this movie!
September 21st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Roger mate, good on ya for posting the MJ news, but its by no means exclusive. We have been discussing this news for 5 weeks at Maximum Jackson fan club. As stated above, John Brana spoke about this in August. Also, MJ has had a live album before. With his brothers (But its practically an MJ album) called “The Jacksons Live!” released in 1981 during the Triumph tour.
But again, cheers for sharing the MJ news with everyone. Always nice to read things like this on popular blogs.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
STOP CALLING HIM JACKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hes not a Jacko, he`s a Jackson. Michael Jackson!!
September 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
How can the administrators be objective if they are producing songs for Michael? How come John McClain never produced a song for Michael before now? Something stinks here
September 21st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
MJ & The Jacksons already did an amazing live album after the Triumph Tour in the early 80’s. It’s simply called “Live!”.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
His name is Michael. Show respect.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Mr. Friedman,
As mentioned above, Branca already mentioned previously that there would be a new song on the soundtrack.
I appreciate all the info and investigative reporting that you’ve been doing into the whole MJ story the last few months, but please, stop calling him Jacko. I would have thought that you had moved past that by now. I was starting to respect your articles, but calling him by that tabloid moniker drops YOU into the lowest level of British tabloid trash.
You were there at the trial. You saw Michael in person. Hopefully, you might have even read your buddy’s (Aphrodite Jones) book on the trial. Michael deserves more respect than what you’re giving him. And you can be a better journalist than that.
Thank you.
September 21st, 2009 at 4:13 pm
PLEASE stop calling him Jacko! Does it take that much effort to type 2 extra letters? Would you call Miley Cyruis “Slutty Cyrus” after she dies?! Whether you like him or not, its so rude and disrespectful to his family and people who love him.
September 21st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
It’s Mr. Jackson if you’re nasty, and you apparently are. Co-sign with Jack – what’s John McClain doing producing a Michael Jackson song? It screams conflict.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Jackson looks rail thin, like he hadn’t eaten in days. It’s a wonder he could move.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:05 pm
his name is JACKSON so show some respect
i can’t wait to hear michael’s new song and see his video
September 21st, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Please, Roger.
Only people who truly care about Michael will continue reading what you write about him now. And we, the fans, respectfully ask that you do not refer to Michael as “Jacko.” He didn’t like it when he was living and there is no need to continue do that now. Please stop calling him the name he was hurt by during his life.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
freidmiseter, how about that?.show some respect ypu slimeball
September 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
BNS, I totally agree!!
September 21st, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Please, call him Michael Jackson.
I saw the newest clip from This is it and was appalled by his frailness. It’s a scandal nobody called the tour off. I fear the film will be tragic.
I don’t know if I’m all that interested in a song finished by anyone else than MJ himself. How will it be included in the film? Is MJ actually singing it?
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:37 am
That was the last time I came on your page.
your way of calling him is no different than all those sick british, and i have enough of it! you’re going to far and the fans shouldn’t have to take it!
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:51 am
Would you get off Roger’s case, I am sure he meant no disrespect. I feel the same about MJ weight during the filming, I will still see it and no matter what, we would have loved to see him perform again. That is the important thing. I find Katherine Jackson ’s contesting of the executors about as stupid an idea as anyone could dream up. Haven’t McClain and Branca already made millions for the estate?
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:03 am
Any new info regarding the film/single/cd would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the exclusive Roger. PS- The Jacko is really not necessary.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Stop calling him ‘Jacko’. John McClain produced alot of work for Janet with her Control and Rhythm Nation albums. His work as mainly been with Janet so I was surprised he was named an executor. He has also been a long time Jackson family friend. Not sure what Katherine Jackson’s objections are to Branca and McClain other than she wants one of the family members at the ‘table’ when it comes to Jackson’s deals. As long as it’s not Joe, Jermaine or Randy. Maybe Janet or a business minded grandchild, like one of Tito’s sons, who are college educated.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
I won’t see it. I’m sorry, but I cannot bear to watch him in that state. An old man (50 y.o foe entertainers) who totally transformed his face. It’s like looking at a skeletal ghost. I think a lot of people will see it for the shock value vs. his talent and what might have been.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:30 am
I think Katherine has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting Branca ad McClain removed. The will was made 7 years ago. Michael had 7 years to redo it if there had been any “undue influence”. Branca and McClain weren’t even around during most of that time, and he had a number of other lawyers during tha time including Londell McMillan. It’s pretty strange that McMillan claimed he didn’t know Michael had a will even though he was his lawyer and had Katherine file an intestate claim with the court.
It does appear that the probate judge is impressed with Branca, while Katherine has bozos like Leonard Rowe and hungry McMillan advising her.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
who ? Jack what ? Get with the times. What’s your label and/or negative nick-name ? I could think of a few except I don’t have time for such
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Please clarify- is this new song a studio vs. live recording? Sounds like it if McClain finished it.
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
The one name he most hated to be called was ‘Jacko’….Shame on you, Roger for continuing to refer to him in that way.
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Sally, get a life!
Anyway, please quit with the Jacko title, Michael hated that and you should respect him enough to quit calling him that. Enough is enough!
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
His name is Michael Jackson NOT Jacko. You would think that the people who eat off of Michael would at least respect him enough to use his name.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Roger, I will not read any more articles or stories including your posting if you call Michael “Jacko or Wacho”! It is poor reflection on you NOT Michael. Do not take it out on MJJ because you are unhappy with your life, career, and/or your body!
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Anyone on the MJJ Fan Club or Sony Media mailing list got this notice a day or two ago. How about a mention of the Oct 27th This Is It advanced screening in Los Angeles? Only 3,00 tickets. Line-up begins Thursday, September 24th at 5:00 PM on Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE; fans must remain in line until on-sale begins.
And yes, please cease with the Jacko thing, or move to the UK where they seem to be more tolerant of cheesy nicknames.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Stop calling him JACKO.
Roger you suck!
September 30th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Jack what? What’s matter with you? Still call him Jacko???
I will not read your articles anymore.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Michael was 50 years old and deserves to be treated like a grown man! Stop using tabloid fodder to name him and realize what he contributed to the world, not only in Music but in saving grace. I was at Neverland many times and he helped so many it’s actually unbelievable! His only downfall was not telling people like you to F*** off face to face, But happily he would never stoop to levels of HATE which you breed sooo well!