Jackson 'Thriller' jacket sells for $1.8 million

LOS ANGELES: The red and black leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson in his ‘Thriller’ video has been sold for $1.8 million, a day after the second anniversary of the pop icon's death.

The jacket, which fetched several times its estimate of between $200,000 and $400,000, has "Love Michael Jackson" written on the sleeve, and a dedication in the lining to his long-time costume designers, to whom he gave it.

No details were disclosed about the buyer, after the amount of the winning bid was posted on the website of Beverly Hills auction house Julien's.

The auctioneer described the jacket as "among the most recognizable and famous garments of the 20th century," saying it sparked a 1980s fashion craze when it was copied and sold to adoring Jackson fans worldwide.

"The black and red style of the jacket became so identifiable with Jackson's groundbreaking (video) that he continued to use jackets of the same design when performing the song 'Thriller' for the duration of his career," it said.

The jacket is one of two which Jackson used during the ghoulishly iconic video, the other being on display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Shambala Preserve in California, where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living since 2006 when Jackson left the Neverland Ranch, it said.

On Saturday, fans paid their respects on the second anniversary of Jackson's death at the age of 50. (AFP)

I'm cool aunt to Michael's kids, "Janet Jackson"

Janet Jackson has revealed that she is often referred to as the "cool aunt" by her nieces and nephews.

The 'Make Me' singer told Closer that she has a good relationship with her family, particularly the late Michael's kids Prince, Paris and Blanket.

"'We are a very close family. I love them all very much," Jackson explained.

"A lot of my nieces and nephews come to me when they need someone to talk to. I've been told I'm the cool aunt!'

The For Coloured Girls star previously confessed that she thinks of her late brother every day as they shared "every dream, every confidence".

Jackson has previously revealed that she would not want to have children while in the public eye as she believes that fame is too difficult for kids to handle.

She is currently in the middle of an international greatest hits tour and also signed a production deal with Lionsgate Films earlier this year.

Jermaine Jackson confirms book on Michael

Jermaine Jackson is writing a book about his brother Michael, it has been announced.

The musician is penning a set of memoirs titled You Are Not Alone, Michael: Through A Brother's Eyes. The book will chart The Jackson 5's rise to fame and Michael's life story, including the circumstances surrounding his death in 2009 aged 50.

He said: "We don't want Michael's life - or death - to be an eternal mystery. This is the truth as we know it.

"I have read so much about what people think they know about Michael, but this is about what really happened. I hope to make sense of the occasions when the outside world struggled to understand my brother's world."

The 56-year-old, who has previously slammed the press for its portrayal of his late sibling, explained that he hoped the book would show his brother in a new light.

"By sitting down and sharing memories, I hope his millions of fans will see him anew, and that those who have not been so kind will find room for more compassion," he added.

"Everyone has said it all about Michael and us. They cannot say anything more. Now it is our turn. We cannot bring our brother back but we can ensure his legacy is never forgotten in a book that commemorates his life - and says the things he never got the chance to say."

The book will be published this autumn by Harper Collins in the UK and Touchstone in the US.

Jackson's mansion to turn into music school

King of pop Michael Jackson's house Neverland Ranch might turn into a music school for teenagers soon.
The mansion owners want to turn the building into a fame school for teenaged musicians, where children from all walks of life could learn to write and perform music, reports thesun.co.uk.

"It's an interesting idea and we'd be open to it," said a spokesman for Jackson's estate.

The mansion is owned by a private real estate firm Colony Capital that is looking into using Jackson's name to promote the venture.

However, Santa Barbara County officials are yet to sign the project.