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Acquittal 'Crucial' for Michael Jackson Comeback, Experts Say
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Industry experts says as Michael Jackson's record sales and concert
dates decline his income dwindles as well





For decades, entertainer Michael Jackson's nickname was "the King of
Pop". But in recent years his legal problems and declining record
sales have threatened his crown. Michael Jackson was five years old
when he and his older brothers became the Jackson Five and made a
string of record-breaking hits. As the jury deliberates child
molestation charges against Michael Jackson, many people wonder where
the singer's career is headed now.







Michael JacksonMichael Jackson has been out on his own as a solo
artist since 1979, and looking back, music analysts say that early
period will likely remain the peak of his career. In 1982, 40 million
copies of Jackson's Thriller album were sold reportedly worth $115
million in sales.

By 2001, however, his album entitled Invincible cost $30 million to
make, but sold only a few million copies. It has been downhill since
then. Michael Jackson's public appearances these days are primarily on
his way in - and out - of court.

Peter Morissey, a reputation management specialist, says he'll need
more than an acquittal to count on a comeback: "I think this will be a
very difficult case for him to return and regain the public trust," he
said. 







In 1988, the entertainer paid $17 million for the Neverland Ranch
outside Santa Barbara, California. Now there are reports that Michael
Jackson's extravagant spending habits, combined with his declining
record sales and legal costs, may force him to sell the property. He
has missed several payroll payments to employees in recent months.







Brett Pulley, Forbes MagazineBrett Pulley of Forbes magazine says it
has been hard for Michael Jackson to break old habits. "Michael has
spent as if he was continuing to make the kind of money he was making
in the late 1980s and early 1990s when he was making $60-$70-$80
million a year from his own music."

Michael Jackson has associated with celebrities and world leaders:
Actress Elizabeth Taylor, and South African leader Nelson Mandela. Yet
despite the scandals surrounding him, photographers and fans still
throng to capture his every move. Even before his trial began in
February 2005, Michael Jackson's transformation through plastic
surgery, as well as his unusual behavior, such as dangling a son over
a balcony in Berlin had attracted headlines.

Celebrity watchers say the strain of the trial has aged Michael
Jackson. He appears weaker and thinner since the arraignment in 2004.







Bruno Del GrandoMusic industry executive Bruno Del Granado says the
painful truth is that there are now other 'kings' of pop who relate to
a younger audience. "The average age of artists that are getting
played on pop radio is 20, Michael Jackson is 46."

If Michael Jackson is acquitted, many show business experts believe
the singer can continue to make money as an entertainer. But they also
agree, the climb back to the top will be very difficult.




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