August 24-30: More Off-The-Wall Posthumous MJ News
Britpop fans were crying into their ale this week, when Noel Gallagher announced that he was quitting Oasis, the beloved band he formed almost two decades ago with his brother/enemy, Liam. Following the Manchester group's last-minute decision to pull out of their appearance at the Paris Rock en Seine festival this week (organizers allegedly displayed a message explaining that an "altercation" had caused the cancellation), Noel posted the following wry and characteristically outspoken statement on Oasisinet.com on Friday:
"It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."
Yikes. Of course, in the grand tradition of other feuding sibling bands like the Black Crowes and the Kinks, Noel and Liam--Oasis's only constant lineup members--never really exuded brotherly love, not even at their peak back in the mid-'90s. Rumors of an impending Oasis breakup in fact date back to 1995, when Liam pulled out of a taping of MTV Unplugged supposedly because of a sore throat, but then watched the band's performance with Noel singing lead and loudly heckled his brother throughout the show. (Both brothers battled on the subsequent U.S. tour, each refusing to perform at certain dates at different points.) And Oasis's unauthorized "Wibbling Rivalry" single, released in 1995 by indie label Fierce Panda--basically a recording of a Gallagher brothers interview gone awry and devolving into a profanity-laden spat--so famously portrayed their tumultuous relationship that it became the highest-charting interview release in the U.K., reaching number 52 on the British singles chart.
And let's face it: More recently, when Noel Gallagher was accosted onstage by a fan in Canada last year, Liam didn't exactly rush to his brother's aid or defense. Liam pretty much just stood there, barely bothering to even put down his tambourine.
Of course, this is hardly the first time a Gallagher has threatened to leave Oasis, so it's too soon to tell if this split will stick. Noel does have a solo album in the works (a development that sparked recent breakup rumors, which Oasis at first denied), so it's possible that he'll grudgingly make up with his younger brother once that project is completed. It's even possible that this announcement was deliberately timed to drum up publicity for Noel's solo career. But one thing that is NOT possible, in our opinion: Oasis continuing without Noel Gallagher, the band's main songwriter and spokesman. Without Noel, Oasis will not and can not live forever.
While Oasis's probably split may mark the death of Britpop, Michael Jackson's actual death continued to dominate the headlines this week. But before we get to this week's MJ developments, it should be noted that 2009 has been a rough year for musical deaths in general, marking the loss of greats like Koko Taylor, Willy Deville, Les Paul, Sky Saxon, producer Jim Dickinson, the Stooges' Ron Asheton, and the Cramps' Lux Interior. And sadly, this week three more musicians' names were added to that lengthening list.
Most tragically, DJ AM--aka Adam Goldstein--was found dead Friday afternoon in his New York City apartment, according to TMZ and other media outlets. TMZ reported Friday that the superstar DJ's body was found around 5:20pm, with drug paraphernalia at the scene, after he not seen nor heard from for several days. It was a shocking end to a troubled life, especially considering that DJ AM had survived a horrific plane crash alongside Travis Barker just last September.
Additionally, Larry Knechtel--a keyboardist who'd worked with the Byrds, the Mamas & the Papas, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles, the Doors, and the Dixie Chicks--died from an apparent heart attack. Then Ellie Greenwich--a songwriter who with husband Jeff Barry was one-half of the great Brill Building songwriting team that penned smashes for '60s girl groups like the Shangri-La's, the Crystals, and the Ronettes--passed away, also from a heart attack.
All three will be missed, but their music will thankfully live on.
Back to the subject of Michael Jackson, his life--particularly during his last decade or so--was a sad and sordid saga indeed. And his death has been no different. Just when it seemed posthumous MJ news had started to died down--after the memorial, the custody battle, and his burial date being set for September 3--it flared up anew this week (Michael's 51st birthday week, incidentally). This week, the L.A. coroner's office revealed the official cause of his demise, and authorities ruled his death a homicide.
According to a search warrant affidavit reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Michael's infamous personal physican Dr. Conrad Murray gave the fallen King Of Pop a series of sedatives on the day of his death, including a lethal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol. The affidavit read that at 1:30am that fateful day (June 25), Dr. Murray gave Michael valium; at 2am, he injected Michael with lorazepam; and at 3am, the doctor administered midzaloam. None of these medicines effectively sedated Michael, amazingly, so over the next few hours Dr. Murray gave him additional drugs. By 10:40am on the morning of Michael's death, Dr. Murray administered propofol, which reportedly ultimately killed the singer, who suffered a heart attack.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office determined Michael's cause of death to be "acute propofol intoxication," although there were many additional drugs detected in the pop star's system. Considering that the instructions on bottles of OTC medicines as seemingly innocuous as aspirin warn patients not take such drugs more often than every four hours, it's extremely shocking that Dr. Murray would find it appropriate to administer very frequent dosages of a strong prescription anesthetic. In the aforementioned affidavit, Dr. Murray claims that Michael demanded the drug, but as a medical professional, it seems Dr. Murray should have known better than to comply. Using propofol as a sleep agent--as was the apparent case with Dr. Murray and Michael Jackson--violates all medical guidelines for the very powerful drug.
A statement by the LAPD said the investigation into Michael's death is ongoing and "will result in the case being presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for filing consideration." The coroner's determination of homicide makes it likely criminal charges will be filed against Dr. Murray, although it does not guarantee it. However, the Jackson family is now reportedly considering filing a wrongful-death suit, whether or not criminal homicide charges are eventually filed. Considering his widely reported financial troubles, it appears to many, including Michael's relatives, that Dr. Murray may have been more concerned with his $150,000/month salary than with his star client's well-being. So, while the doctor's attorney Edward Chernoff continues to assert that nothing Dr. Murray gave Michael "should have" killed him, Dr. Murray shouldn't expect his troubles, financial or otherwise, to improve any time soon. And since at least six other doctors also are being investigated in this case, don't expect this story to be over any time soon, either.
And additionally, since conspiracy theorists (who believe that Michael did not actually die and is in fact alive and well and in hiding) are currently studying viral video footage supposedly showing Michael Jackson stepping out of an L.A. coroner's van, it is quite obvious that Michael Jackson news and gossip of all varieties isn't going away in the near future, either.
Another pop-culture figure who has had his own share of legal troubles and gossip headlines lately is the clearly Michael-influenced R&B star Chris Brown, ever since he was charged with assaulting his on/off girlfriend Rihanna last February. Chris finally received his formal sentencing this week, getting the expected five years of probation, six months of community labor (he'll remove graffiti and wash cars), a course on domestic abuse, and a court order to stay at least 100 yards away from Rihanna for the next five years. But Chris didn't seem that remorseful Tuesday night, when--just hours after his sentencing--he was seen partying at the L.A. nightclub Guys & Dolls, doing an impromptu performance of Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana."
"He stood up on the back of the booth when the song came on, got a mic, and not only sung but danced," a witness told Us magazine. "It was insane and no one could look away." When he finished his routine, Chris reportedly told the crowd, "There was only one King Of Pop. We love you, Michael." A nice sentiment indeed, but some people thought his party-hardy display was in bad taste so soon after appearing in court. And if he'd been drinking that night, it would have been a violation of his probation--although Chris and witnesses insist he only imbibed water at the club.
Other celebrities generating controversy this week included the Black Eyed Peas, who learned that Muslims will be barred by the Malaysian government from attending their concert in Malaysia next month because the show is organized by the Guinness beer company; Madonna, who was booed during her Bucharest concert for criticizing widespread discrimination against Gypsies and whose Bulgarian concert was deplored by Church of Bulgaria officials for "openly violating" holy Christian symbols; and Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump, who was arrested in L.A. on a two-year warrant for driving without a license.
The life of a pop star is never a simple one, it seems.
And thus, we wrap up another week of headspinning (and sometimes heartbreaking) headlines. Come back next Friday for more reports, and until then, goodnight and good music.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 STORIES:
1) Michael Jackson's Death Ruled A Homicide - It's looking likely that Dr. Conrad Murray will be charged.
2) DJ AM Meets A Tragic End - After surviving a 2008 plane crash, he is found dead in his apartment with drug paraphernalia nearby.
3) Chris Brown Is Sentenced - But is he really remorseful?
4) Oasis Won't Live Forever - Noel Gallagher quits the Britpop group.
5) Ellie Greenwich, R.I.P. - The legendary Brill Building songwriter dies of a heart attack.
6) Madonna Goes To Boo-charest - The diva is heckled onstage in Bucharest.
7) Simon Cowell Witnesses "Best First Audition Ever" - But is The X Factor's Danyl Johnson deserving of the hype?
8) The Black Eyed Peas' Blacklist - The Malaysian government will not allow Muslims to attend a BEP concert.
9) Patrick Stump Thumped By Police - The Fall Out Boy singer is arrested on a traffic warrant.
10) How Lo Did She Go? - Conspiracy theorists accuse pop starlet Lindsay Lohan of burglarizing her own home.
Michael Jackson is dead?!!? OMG! When did that happen? Come on - we are going to hear about this for YEARS! Ugh!
RIP DJ AM - you were given a second chance, we wish you would have used it better.
Now, if you wanna talk about a no-album wonder, look at DJ AM. The only think I'll wonder about is why that loser disregarded the second chance at life he received, of which so many military servicemen, children with cancer, AIDS-stricken people, etc., could only dream.
2. Sick of hearing about MJ & Chris Brown
3. Not sure why people become celebrities for being a DJ (never heard of what's his name)