How Jackson's "Thriller" changed the music business (Reuters)
Reuters - In early 1984, when Epic Records executives presented their slate of upcoming releases at the convention in Hawaii of parent company CBS Records, they couldn't resist playing up the success they were experiencing. So between the pitches for new albums, Epic inserted stock footage of semi trucks and a voice-over that thunderously announced, "There goes another load of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' albums!"

Recession adds to challenges for suburban arts (AP)

AP - When he hired Itzhak Perlman as artistic director of the Westchester Philharmonic in 2007, Joshua Worby thought he'd hit a grand slam.

Jackson Memorial Set for Staples Center, Funeral Plans Falling Into Place (E! Online)

E! Online - UPDATE: E! News has learned exclusively that AEG Live will make next Tuesday's memorial service for Michael Jackson free to the public.

Jermaine Jackson Talks Michael: "I Wish It Was Me" (E! Online)

E! Online - Exactly one week after Michael Jackson's death, brother Jermaine Jackson became the first member of the still-mourning musical family to sit down for an in-depth interview about the late icon, speaking to the Today show this morning from the grounds of Neverland Ranch.

Fans overlook Michael Jackson's dark side (Reuters)
Reuters - Just as people choose to forget that Elvis Presley was a bloated drug addict when he died, so Michael Jackson is now the subject of posthumous veneration that overlooks the dark side of his life.

Massive demand for Jackson memorial tickets (Reuters)

Reuters - More than half a million fans from around the world applied for 17,500 free tickets to Michael Jackson's public memorial service next week, organizers said on Friday as a massive security operation got underway.

Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert (AP)

AP - Madonna paid tribute to Michael Jackson on Saturday night in the same arena where he was to stage his comeback, dancing along with an impersonator doing Jackson's distinctive moves.

Don't Count Out Debbie Rowe: "I Want My Children" (E! Online)

E! Online - UPDATE: A judge has postponed next week's custody hearing until July 13 at the request of Rowe's attorney, according to the Los Angeles Superior Court public information officer. Matters pertaining to Jackson's estate will still be addressed at the originally scheduled hearing on July 6.

Michael Jackson was working on two albums (Reuters)

Reuters - At the time of Michael Jackson's death last week, it was well-known that he was preparing for a 50-show concert series at London's O2 Arena later this month.

Networks to offer live Jackson memorial coverage (AP)

AP - The memorial for Michael Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn't be hard to find it on television.