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Michael Jackson insisted promoter hired doctor
Saturday, 27 June 2009
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A concert promoter has revealed that Michael Jackson insisted the company hire the cardiologist who reportedly was in his Los Angeles mansion when the entertainer collapsed.
Dr Conrad Murray, a physician with a tangled financial and personal history, was hired by AEG Live to accompany the pop star to London for his comeback series of concerts, said AEG Live president and chief executive Randy Phillips.
"As a company, we would have preferred not having a physician on staff full-time because it would have been cheaper without the hotels and travel, but Michael was insistent that he be hired," Mr Phillips said. "Michael said he had a rapport with him."
The Los Angeles Times reported Dr Murray was performing CPR on Jackson when paramedics arrived at his home on Thursday, and Dr Murray's car was later towed by police from the home.
Dr Murray, who was Jackson's physician for three years, was in the rented mansion when Jackson slipped into unconsciousness, and police were yesterday preparing to question him about what happened in the minutes before paramedics rushed to the home.
"We do not consider him to be uncooperative at this time," said police Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, noting that detectives spoke with the doctor after Jackson's death. "We think that he will assist us in coming to the truth of the facts in this case."
Mr Beck declined to answer questions about how long the doctor had been with Jackson before paramedics were summoned, or if any drugs had been administered to the singer.
Mr Phillips said AEG Live advanced Jackson money to pay for Dr Murray's services as part of the production costs. Mr Phillips said he asked Jackson why he wanted Dr Murray with him full-time.
"He just said, 'Look, this whole business revolves around me. I'm a machine and we have to keep the machine well-oiled,' and you don't argue with the King of Pop," Mr Phillips said.
The promoter said that sometime in February Jackson submitted to "five-plus hours of physicals that the insurance underwriter insisted on. We were told he passed with flying colours."
Based on those results and the nature of the comeback shows, all of which were to be held at the same venue from July 13 to March, AEG Live wasn't concerned about Jackson's history of medical issues.
"This wasn't as strenuous as a tour. There was no travel," Mr Phillips said. "He and the kids were going to be living in this beautiful home outside London and shows were spread out over six months. For him, it seemed like the perfect way to come back."
Mr Phillips attended Jackson's rehearsal at Staples Centre on Wednesday night, when the entertainer was on stage for about three hours.
"He was dancing as well or better than the 20-year-old dancers we surrounded him with," the promoter said. "He was riveting. I thought we were home free. I thought this was going to be the greatest live show ever produced. He looked great."
Mr Phillips said AEG Live held multiple insurance policies covering cancellation of the shows.
"We had pretty good coverage, but a lot of it is going to depend on the toxicology results," he said. "We need to know what the cause of death was."
Los Angeles attorney Jerry Kroll, who represented the insurer when part of Jackson's Dangerous tour was cancelled in the 1990s, said claims filed in the current case would surely be in the millions. "This is going to be one of the most watched insurance claims in history," he said.
Records reveal years of financial troubles for Dr Murray - a 1989 graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville - who practices medicine in California, Nevada and Texas.
Dr Murray's Nevada medical practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, was slapped with more than £250,000 in court judgments. He faces at least two other pending cases.
Clark County, Nev, court records show Murray was hit last December with a £2,500 judgment for failure to pay child support in a San Diego case, and had his wages garnished the same month for almost £1,000 in a court judgment won by a credit card company. Another credit card claim for more than £800 filed in April remains open.
He owes more than £700 in fines and penalties for driving with an expired license plate and no proof of insurance in 2000.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner, Craig Harvey, said Jackson was taking prescription medications but wouldn't comment on what drugs he was using.
"If the coroner has any unanswered questions, any physician that has rendered any care prior to the death has very critical information," Mr Beck said. He added that investigators are looking at Dr Murray's impounded car for potential evidence.
Dr Murray did not return phone calls placed to his Nevada office yesterday.
State medical regulators had no records of any disciplinary actions against him.
A woman who answered the phone at Dr Murray's Houston clinic confirmed Dr Murray was Jackson's cardiologist.
A reporter who tried to visit Dr Murray's Las Vegas home was turned away by two armed guards at the entrance to the gated community where it's located.
Records show Dr Murray had several tax liens filed against him in California and Arizona between 1993 and 2003.
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Comments
87 Comments
hi am sending this to michaels jackson family i no its hard to say good by but he s not really gone he lives inside our hearts and his little kids to and hes always around in sprite like a angel whatching over every one he loves i no he is in heaven with god and jesus and he sings withh angels up there but remeber you will see him again in heaven in a new boby free of his pain and he is young again and you will be able to hold him again and say michael i love you i no how it fells to lose family i lose 3 brothers and 2 sisters to but i no safe free happy up there with jesus but as the way i seen michael in this world he was the most wonderful human i ever seen the kindness and love he showed fore hisfans the most i love a bout him was his heart how he help so many in need and his sweet voice when he sing there will never be a nother like him i pray for the whole family i see him on tv but never got to meet him but iam real sick so i no one day i will meet him in heaven
Posted by camill58 | 26.08.09, 17:08 GMT
Michael Jackson was an insparation to all of us and after his childhood was taken by his father he never wanted to let his kids have the same, all his life he tryed to avoid his kids being paped and Paris shouldent of been up on stage at his funeral. And I hope no one will judge those children because all they ever de was love that man like many of us did they didn't deserve to lose him
R.I.P Micheal Jackson my prayers are going out to the familly god bless you x
Posted by Jo | 09.07.09, 13:54 GMT
Michael Jackson was an insparation to all of us and after his childhood was taken by his father he never wanted to let his kids have the same, all his life he tryed to avoid his kids being paped and Paris shouldent of been up on stage at his funeral. And I hope no one will judge those children because all they ever de was love that man like many of us did they didn't deserve to lose him
R.I.P Micheal Jackson my prayers are going out to the familly god bless you x
Posted by Jo | 09.07.09, 13:54 GMT
There are not any words that could begin to express how heart wrenching this is for me. The sound of your name brings tears to my eyes and pain to my heart. The only way I can cope right now is to pretend this is a nightmare wanting to wake up. You have been my inspiration in all that I have done. Your music has taught me so much, you were my teacher. I am who I am today because of you. If I could trade places with you I would, you still had so much to give. I will always love you, and until we are all together in heaven, may you live forever.
My heart goes out to his family and his children. Many Blessings to you all, and may michael live on thru us all.
Posted by Tonya | 08.07.09, 22:42 GMT
I like so many was raised with Michael.He has been there since I can remember.I have always loved him dearly.He was such a loving man,his heart was so big.I guess i have seen every interview he has done....he actually cared what people thought,& was hurt by so many words such as (jacko) in his own words"THATS NOT NICE".I read what i could take of the comments,& I noticed the ? being asked"would you allow him to care for your child?"My answer, YES i would & i would know she was safe.RIP Michael
Posted by Anne | 08.07.09, 09:54 GMT
to the family of michael jackson i want to send my deepst sympathy and to his mother a special sympathy as i also lost a son but with the comfort of family and god we will continue on bless you all love
Posted by peggy | 08.07.09, 00:06 GMT
Michael Jackson was a outstanding young man and he will be missed by everyone. he has touched so many people old in young. the people in the world has lost a wonderful man. well he is not lost, he is now in heaven resting and now he will be walking around heaven all day. i love him and i will always remember him he was not just the kiing of pop. he was the king
Posted by michael | 07.07.09, 16:46 GMT
Omg it don't feel rite knowing michael is dead I will never forget that man ever it's heart breaking it really is ps does anyone know the address to the jacksons family home in los angeles xx plz cud u put it on ta x
Posted by Jaz | 30.06.09, 18:39 GMT
everyone loved michael, he was a great dancer and singer. he inspired people like chris brown, usher and omarion and to see him gone is a very bad tragedy. i loved michael very much growing up. when his song beat it went on the charts i was only sixteen. and im so sad!
Rest In Peace
Posted by shyra | 30.06.09, 18:28 GMT
Trace states,'..we all know and love Michael'. News to me!
Posted by robbo | 29.06.09, 14:21 GMT
Is anyone else fed up of hearing about Michael Jackson. Are there not other people in the world dying?
He was a good entertainer but Elvis was a much better singer.
Posted by Liam | 29.06.09, 13:57 GMT
Love Michael, will miss him greatly!!! However, don't turn this into a circus!!!! i.e. (Elvis, Marilyn or John Kennedy) Let him rest in peace!!!
Posted by C&C | 29.06.09, 02:01 GMT
Michael Jackson The King Of Pop, June 25th, will be in my memories forever! I still can't believe he is gone:0(.. His music and videos will live on in our hearts and the future. I hope and pray that his family will fine peace in their hearts.
Linda Rivera Williams Realtor /Tucson Arizona
Posted by Linda R Williams | 28.06.09, 17:55 GMT
God rest his soul in peace
Posted by Tania | 28.06.09, 09:26 GMT
"Maybe if they mentioned that this was Jackson the emergency team would have been more enthusiastic." Yeah because one life is worth so much more than another! The guy on the phone did all that he could, he established there was a doctor at the scene and confirmed that the doc was more qualified than him to make the call and that an ambulance was on its way.
Posted by Marsey | 28.06.09, 01:06 GMT
Is he going to be buried as a Muslim?
Posted by Q | 27.06.09, 18:59 GMT
Listening to the call as an ER nurse, the caller does not seem to be reacting as if this just happened. It sounds like this started a while beforehand. Chect pain, symptoms that meant he should have been transported much sooner. Pumping his chest, an MD was not bagging him , if this dr was with him all of the time, did he have CRASH type equip with him to be prepared for an emergency?
I just do not understand, it sounds like a slow code, they take their time getting it taken care of, no urgency!
Posted by Teisha | 27.06.09, 17:34 GMT
Never mind MJ, we also lost the great 60's garage & psychedelic rock legend Sky 'Sunlight' Saxon! Little known but sorely missed... RIP SKY.
Posted by napper | 27.06.09, 17:23 GMT
I think the funeral should be private, and should be a public memorial service that if the family decide they want it.
We all know and love Michael, but right now the family needs to come together and grieve privately.
Posted by Traci | 27.06.09, 16:19 GMT
I think the funeral should be private, and should be a public memorial service some time in the future.
We all know and love Michael, but right now the family needs to come together and grieve privately.
Posted by Number One Fan | 27.06.09, 16:05 GMT
87 Comments