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In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth (January 8, 1935) comes a new 25-track collection of his most well-known songs. ELVIS 75 follows the December release of the career-spanning 4CD box set, ELVIS 75: GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT. ELVIS 75 was released to all physical and digital retail outlets this past Tuesday, January 5, through RCA/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. As the year continues, RCA/Legacy will unveil a full slate of Elvis Presley catalog titles.

The release of ELVIS 75 coincides with a 4-day celebration of his 75th birthday, January 7-10th, centered at Graceland in Memphis. Events will include a birthday proclamation on the front lawn of Graceland, parties, dances, and panel discussions. For further information, please go to www.elvis.com.

In February, 'Viva ELVIS' by Cirque du Soleil® opens exclusively in a custom-built theatre at ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter, Las Vegas. This lavish stage spectacular was created in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises and CKX, Inc. 'Viva ELVIS' is a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music, and a tribute to the life and music of Elvis Presley. Nostalgia, modernity and raw emotion provide the backdrop for his immortal voice and the exhilaration and beauty of his music. Created in the image of The King of Rock 'n' Roll - powerful, sexy, whimsical, truly unique and larger than life - the show highlights an American icon who transformed popular music and whose image embodies the freedom, excitement and turbulence of his era. Significant moments in the artist's life - intimate, playful and grandiose - blend with the timeless songs that remain as relevant today as when they first hit the top of the charts. 'Viva ELVIS' focuses on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas and the entire world of entertainment: Elvis Presley. Ticket and show information is available now at www.cirquedusoleil.com/vivaelvis or by phone at 877.253.5847 or 702.531.2031.

From the moment in early 1956 when Elvis' first string of hits on RCA Victor proclaimed his arrival on the old 'Top 100' - "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender" - there were 17 chart titles in 1956 alone - his hammerlock on rock and roll was unquestioned, his influence on the destiny of all popular music about to be engraved in stone. Even after the Beatles' conquest started in 1964, and the revolution of Bob Dylan in 1965, Elvis continued his reign on the charts, slotting nearly four dozen songs on the Hot 100 from 1964 to 1969.

As compiled by Joel Whitburn, Elvis is the top-ranked Hot 100 male artist (by far!) of the 1950s and '60s - and the only act (male, female, or group) ever to be top-ranked #1 for two separate decades. Elvis holds unassailable records for the Most Chart Hits (151), Most Top 40 Hits (104), Most RIAA Platinum Hits (28), Most RIAA Gold Hits (24), and Most Weeks Charted (1,598).

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

Road to Wonder's Nomination began in February 2009 at 51st Grammy(R) Awards Ceremony

Stevie Wonder continues to write songs that positively affect global social issues with this year's Grammy® nomination for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance of his song "All About The Love Again." With a total of 22 Awards, Stevie Wonder has been awarded the most Grammy® Awards for a Male Artist in history.

Wonder's "All About The Love Again" was first introduced to Grammy® voters during last year's 51st award ceremony. Wonder went on to perform the song, which was written for President Obama, during a PBS command performance at the White House. "All About The Love Again" marks the second time in Wonder's storied career where his music has been used for social change such as his "Happy Birthday" ode to Martin Luther King, Jr. in the campaign to adopt a Federal Holiday in his honor. Wonder began writing "All About The Love Again" in the 70's during his history breaking Grammy® run and was moved to complete the song by the Obama campaign message of Change. Grammy® insiders recognized Wonder's broad popular message and placed it in the Pop Male Vocal category this year. Will this become Stevie's 23rd Grammy®?

Wonder's songwriting genius and legacy continues to provide the world with music that permeates popular culture. The heartfelt simplicity of the message in the music has never departed from his songs. "All About The Love Again" speaks to the power of love to cure the problems of hunger, war, and poverty.

"All About The Love Again" appears exclusively on the Change is Now: Renewing America's Promise CD+DVD from set from Hidden Beach Recordings and is available at retailers nationwide and online from iTunes and Amazon.com.

About "Change Is Now"

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) joined forces with Hidden Beach Recordings to release CHANGE IS NOW: RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE-the first ever official Presidential Inauguration commemorative CD/DVD set. This collection celebrates President Barack Obama's historic election by including eight of his landmark campaign speeches together on one DVD and an 18-track CD with inspired music from some of America's top recording artists.

"The songs featured on this unique collection have captured the energy and enthusiasm that all Americans celebrated on January 20th," PIC spokesperson Brent Colburn stated. "The eighteen artists on this album truly represent how our differences can come together to celebrate our common purpose. We are grateful for their creativity and their musical contributions."

In addition to Stevie Wonder's track, CHANGE IS NOW: RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE features tracks by will.i.am, the Tony Rich Project, Ozomatli, Sheryl Crow, India.Arie, Melissa Etheridge, Lenny Kravitz, Robin Thicke, Maroon 5, Usher Raymond IV, BeBe Winans, Wilco, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Lionel Ritchie, Death Cab for Cutie and Common.

SOURCE Hidden Beach Recordings

Epic Records is pleased to announce the release of "Soldier Of Love," the highly anticipated first single off Sade's forthcoming new body of work by the same name.

"Soldier Of Love" which Sade co-produced with Mike Pela, was written by Sade along with longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman. The track, featuring a pulsating and anthemic drum beat along with haunting vocals that Sade is known for, is set to hit airwaves December 8(th) and will kick off the countdown for SOLDIER OF LOVE. Recorded in England and set for release WORLDWIDE on February 8(th), SOLDIER OF LOVE marks Sade's first studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000.

The first single "Soldier Of Love" will premiere on Tuesday, December 8(th) at 7am EST on www.sade.com.

Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984 the band has seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They've been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won three Grammy Awards - first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for "No Ordinary Love", and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock.

WWW.SADE.COM

SOURCE Epic Records

P!nk's dazzling live concert performance is captured on the new DVD Funhouse Tour Live In Australia plus bonus CD set due in stores Oct. 27.

The DVD features P!nk performing her enduring hits from the past decade and songs from her fifth studio album Funhouse, which has sold 5 million units worldwide. The concert was filmed entirely in HD in Australia where she sold out a record-breaking 60 shows and will also be available on Blu-ray on Dec 8. The bonus live audio CD, limited to the DVD set only, is made up of a dozen of Pink's handpicked tour favorites and a previously unreleased exclusive studio track, "Push You Away".

The Funhouse tour has received unprecedented critical acclaim:

"Even in an era of escalating pop spectacle, Pink's 'Funhouse' tour is going to be hard to top...Onstage she was a down-to-earth superwoman." - New York Times

"Pink even pulled off an impressive version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'...Like everything in Friday's concert- like everything in Pink's career- the song was a gamble, but one that the singer made look like a piece of cake." - Los Angeles Times

"Pink knows how to challenge, titillate, lure and wow the crowd...Pink combines showmanship with her powerhouse vocals, for an evening worth the price of admission." -Chicago Tribune

"Pink imported her Funhouse tour to the states, bringing a show filled with razzle-dazzle covers and stunts ..." -Rolling Stone.com

"Pink soared through the air and rocked out Madison Square Garden...filling the huge venue with the sights and sounds of her flashy Funhouse show." - MTV.com

Since her debut in 2000, P!nk has been widely hailed as a fearlessly talented singer/songwriter. To date, the Pennsylvania native has sold 30 million albums cumulatively worldwide. Her previous albums include: her four million-unit selling debut, Can't Take Me Home (2000); her sophomore follow-up, M!ssundaztood (2001) which sold 11 million worldwide; the 2.7 million worldwide seller Try This (2003), and I'm Not Dead (2006), which sold over 5 million units globally and spawned two No. 1 hits "Who Knew" and "U + Ur Hand."

www.pinkspage.com

SOURCE JIVE Label Group

Bon Jovi will be the very first artist ever to appear across the many brands of NBC Universal in a unique "Artists in Residence" partnership. In the exclusive agreement, Bon Jovi's music/appearances/performances will be widely seen and heard across the multiple brands and platforms of NBC Universal. The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment. The "Artists in Residence" project coincides with the November 10th launch of the band's new studio album, The Circle.

The project offers a unique opportunity for NBCU to work with Jon Bon Jovi and the members of the band, through interviews, musical guest appearances, and guest-starring roles, to provide exclusive and compelling content across the company's many brands -- its news and cable information platforms, its cable entertainment, its broadcast network and digital assets -- and allow the band the opportunity to promote The Circle to a broad, diverse audience that can not be matched in the industry.

"By assembling a unique mix of personal appearances on a variety of its brands, NBC Universal has the ability to offer Bon Jovi the opportunity to reach a wide audience in a variety of compelling ways, while at the same time making interesting, exclusive content available to the properties of NBCU," said Gaspin.

As part of the "Artists in Residence" program, Bon Jovi has confirmed appearances on a number of NBCU platforms including the special "Bon Jovi Month" on the "Today" show in November during which they will appear live on the program on all four Wednesdays that month, capped off with a special concert performance on the plaza on Wednesday, November 25th.

Additionally, Bon Jovi will appear on several NBC Entertainment programs and be the featured guest on Bravo's "Inside the Actors' Studio." Jon Bon Jovi will be the subject of a "USA Character Showcase," which will highlight Jon as both an artist and philanthropist in an on-air and on-line campaign. He will be a featured panelist at a USA Network and Tom Brokaw-sponsored "Characters Unite National Town Hall," about overcoming social injustices, in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, December 2. Jon will also be featured on NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams, as well as in the company's award-winning public service campaign "The More You Know" with spots running on NBCU's cable and broadcast networks. The band's music will also be heavily integrated throughout NBC's network and cable programming.

Bon Jovi's lead single from The Circle -- "We Weren't Born To Follow" -- was written (and co-produced) by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, and was produced by John Shanks, who worked with Bon Jovi on their last two albums, Have A Nice Day (2005), which featured the Grammy winning single, "Who Says You Can't Go Home," and Lost Highway (2007), which debuted at #1 on the Soundscan charts in the U.S. and around the world.

The resulting "Lost Highway World Tour" -- which famously started with 10 triumphant nights in New Jersey and came to a close with an historic free concert in New York City's Central Park and two sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden -- was ranked as 2008's #1 top-selling tour around the world according to Billboard.

Bon Jovi has set the standard for more than two decades as one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Globally, the Grammy Award-winning band has sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans.

SOURCE NBC Universal

Lady Gaga announced today that she will release The Fame Monster, a re-package of her 4 million-selling album The Fame. The album will include the entire breakthrough album The Fame, along with eight entirely new songs. The Fame Monster (Streamline/KonLive/Cherrytree/Interscope Records), deals with the seamier side of fame, as experienced by Gaga over the course of her last history-making year. The new version will be released on November 24, 2009.

Says Lady Gaga, "On my re-release The Fame Monster, I wrote about everything I didn't write on The Fame. While traveling the world for two years, I've encountered several monsters, each represented by a different song on the new record: my 'Fear of Sex Monster,' my 'Fear of Alcohol Monster,' my 'Fear of Love Monster,' my 'Fear of Death Monster,' my 'Fear of Loneliness Monster,' etc."

"I spent a lot of nights in Eastern Europe, and this album is a pop experimentation with industrial/Goth beats, 90's dance melodies, an obsession with the lyrical genius of 80's melancholic pop, and the runway. I wrote while watching muted fashion shows and I am compelled to say my music was scored for them. I also composed a ballad for the album, 'Speechless,' a song for my father, and it's my favorite work of all. I wrote every piece on the road - no songs about money, no songs about fame. I wrote it for my fans, so I wrote everything in between."

The first club-banging single, the RedOne-produced "Bad Romance," will be released in early November. Other collaborators on the new tracks include Teddy Riley, Rodney Jerkins, Ron Fair and Fernando Garibay.

Lady Gaga is also in the process of planning her next tour after her co-headlining tour with Kanye West was canceled last week.

SOURCE Interscope Records

2009 has been quite a year for Morrissey. He's toured relentlessly, performing to sold-out audiences around the world. His 9th studio album, Years Of Refusal, saw Morrissey tie his highest US chart debut on the Billboard 200, and he's overseen upgraded and remastered versions of his '90s works Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted. Crowning what is undoubtedly his most productive year since his solo career began in 1988, SWORDS compiles 18 select songs released as b-sides of his 13 hit singles from his last four albums.

As an artist who has always ensured his b-sides are of as outstanding quality as his singles and album tracks, SWORDS features some of Morrissey's finest material. 12 songs are collaborations with guitarist Alain Whyte, the rest co-written with guitarists Boz Boorer and Jesse Tobias, and former keyboardist Michael Farrell. In keeping with the three remarkable studio albums covered in this period -- 2004's You Are The Quarry, 2006's Ringleader Of The Tormentors and Years Of Refusal -- the music is powerful and adventurous. The richness and expression of Morrissey's voice has never been greater. With unmatchable style, wit and insight, truths beneath the surface are laid bare. There are moments of personal reflection: "Munich Air Disaster 1958," for example, is a heartrending lament for the Manchester United players who died in the infamous plane crash, and for those who were left behind. The live cover version of David Bowie's 1973 song "Drive-In Saturday" reveals a little more of Morrissey's own teenage self, with its lyrics of amorous confusion modified to rhapsodize over The New York Dolls rather than the Rolling Stones. Chrissie Hynde makes a rare appearance, singing backing vocals on "Shame Is The Name."

The album was compiled by Morrissey who is surely in the rudest of creative health. They're subtly assembled and sequenced -- the feeling of approaching extinction in the beautiful "The Never-Played Symphonies" followed by a promise of a reunion in the afterlife on "Sweetie-Pie." As Morrissey said of the Tour Of Refusal in March, "all of our answers will be in our songs."

Initial quantities of SWORDS will come with a bonus disc featuring eight superb live performances recorded in Warsaw in July this year. This will include songs from Morrissey's last two albums and 1994's Vauxhall And I, plus The Smiths' "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby," first heard on the group's 1986 b-side collection The World Won't Listen. In October and November, Morrissey and his band will also tour the UK and Europe, with new American dates scheduled for later in the year.

SWORDS will be released in the UK on October 26th and November 3rd in the US.

                           SWORDS Tracklist:
                     Good Looking Man About Town
                   Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
                If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
                              Ganglord
                          My Dearest Love
                    The Never-Played Symphonies
                           Sweetie-Pie
                          Christian Dior
                        Shame Is The Name
                     Munich Air Disaster 1958
                         I Knew I Was Next
             It's Hard To Walk Tall When You're Small
                     Teenage Dad On His Estate
                        Children In Pieces
                          Friday Mourning
          My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye
                         Drive-In Saturday
                  Because Of My Poor Education

                      Limited edition bonus disc:
                            Black Cloud
                  I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
                  I Just Want To See The Boy Happy
                 Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
                   One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
                You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby
                           Life Is A Pigsty
                           I'm OK By Myself

                          SWORDS Tour Dates:
                 11/29:  Seattle, WA @ Paramount
              11/30:  Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
                  12/2:  Oakland, CA @ Paramount
                12/4:  Indio, CA @ Fantasy Springs
                  12/5:  Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
                   12/7:  Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre
             12/8:  San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall
            12/10:  Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre
                  12/11:  Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theatre

                        www.itsmorrisseysworld.com

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

Kanye West and Lady Gaga today officially announced dates for one of the most anticipated tours of the year - "Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga." After months of planning, the multiplatinum artists will unite for 34 shows in 34 cities that will stretch musical boundaries with their distinctive performance styles and production. "Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga" will be produced by Live Nation. Tickets go on sale to the general public in select markets beginning September 25th at www.LiveNation.com.

"Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga" kicks-off at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ on November 10 and runs through January 24 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Kanye West fan club members will have the first opportunity to buy tickets in select markets, beginning Tuesday, September 22nd. Citi is the official credit card of "Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga." Citi cardmembers will have special access to purchase presale tickets beginning Thursday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m. Local Time through Citi's Private Pass(R) program. For complete presale details visit: www.citiprivatepass.com.

In just five years, Kanye West has sold over 15 million albums worldwide, and garnered 30 Grammy nominations and 12 Grammy wins. His celebrated tours, including '07's groundbreaking and critically lauded 'Glow in the Dark Tour,' have played to more than one million fans the world over and have proven him to be a major touring force.

"Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga" is the follow-up to Lady Gaga's sold-out international "Fame Ball" tour. Her album, "The Fame," has sold more than four million copies worldwide, and her singles have sold over 25 million digital copies. Lady Gaga is only the third artist in history to have three #1 songs ("Just Dance," "Poker Face," and "LoveGame") from a debut album.

Kanye West fan club information can be found at www.FameKillsTour.com. Additional ticket and tour information can be found at www.LiveNation.com.

Dates, cities and venues for "Fame Kills: Starring Kanye West & Lady Gaga" are below. Dates and venues are subject to change.

    2009
    November 10th   Phoenix, AZ       US Airways               26-Sep  10am
    November 11th   San Diego, CA     San Diego Sports Arena   26-Sep  12noon
    November 13th   Las Vegas, NV     Mandalay Bay Events Ctr  26-Sep  10am
    November 15th   Anaheim, CA       Honda Center             26-Sep  10am
    November 16th   Los Angeles, CA   Staples Center           26-Sep  10am
    November 18th   Sacramento, CA    Arco Arena               25-Sep  12noon
    November 19th   San Jose, CA      HP Pavilion              26-Sep  10am
    November 24th   Vancouver, BC     GM Place                 25-Sep  10am
    November 26th   Calgary, AB       Pengrowth Saddledome     25-Sep  10am
    November 28th   Edmonton, AB      Rexall Place             25-Sep  10am
    November 29th   Saskatoon, SK     Credit Union Center      25-Sep  10am
    December 2nd    Denver, CO        Pepsi Center             TBA
    December 4th    St. Louis, MO     Scottrade Center         3-Oct   10am
    December 9th    Miami, FL         American Airlines Arena  TBA
    December 11th   Atlanta, GA       Philips Arena            3-Oct   12noon
    December 12th   Greensboro, NC    Greensboro Coliseum      TBA
    December 13th   Norfolk, VA       Scope Arena              10-Oct  10am
    December 16th   Worcester, MA     DCU Center               TBA
    December 18th   Philadelphia, PA  Wachovia Center          TBA
    December 19th   Baltimore, MD     1st Mariner Arena        9-Oct   10am
    December 20th   Buffalo, NY       HSBC Arena               3-Oct   11am
    December 22nd   East Rutherford,  Izod Center              3-Oct   10am
                     NJ
    December 23rd   Cleveland, OH     Quicken Loans Arena      TBA
    December 26th   Hartford, CT      XL Center                3-Oct   10am
    December 30th   Washington, DC    Verizon Center           2-Oct   12noon
    2010
    January 3rd     Uniondale, NJ     Nassau Coliseum          3-Oct   10am
    January 6th     Toronto, ON       Air Canada Centre        3-Oct   1pm
    January 8th     Ottawa, ON        Scotiabank Place         3-Oct   1pm
    January 11th    Montreal, QC      Bell Center              3-Oct   12noon
    January 14th    Detroit, MI       Palace of Auburn Hills   TBA
    January 16th    Chicago, IL       United Center            2-Oct   12noon
    January 21st    San Antonio, TX   AT&T Center              10-Oct  10am
    January 22nd    Houston, TX       Toyota Center            TBA
    January 24th    Dallas, TX        American Airlines Center TBA
    *TBA - On sale date to be announced.

Source: Live Nation

U2's fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire, has been remastered and will be released by Mercury Records on October 27, 2009.

This special edition marks 25 years since the album's original release in October 1984. Recorded at Slane Castle, Ireland, The Unforgettable Fire was the first U2 album to be produced by Brian Eno and Danny Lanois, and spawned two top 10 UK singles -- "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" and "The Unforgettable Fire."

Special formats of The Unforgettable Fire will also feature bonus audio material, including two previously unheard tracks from the Slane Castle sessions: "Yoshino Blossom" and "Disappearing Act" (a track which the band recently completed), and a DVD including music videos, a documentary and unreleased live footage from the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope Tour in 1986. The Unforgettable Fire has been remastered from the original audio tapes, with direction from The Edge.

The album will be available in four formats:

• Limited Edition Box Set: containing 2 CDs (remastered album and bonus audio CD), a DVD with live footage, documentary and videos, a 56 page hardback book with liner notes by The Edge, Brian Eno, Danny Lanois, Bert Van de Kamp and Niall Stokes, and 5 photographic prints
• Deluxe Edition: containing 2 CDs: the remastered album, and the bonus audio CD which features B-sides and previously unreleased material, and a 36 page booklet with liner notes by The Edge, Brian Eno, Danny Lanois and Bert Van de Kamp
• CD format: featuring the remastered album
• 12" vinyl format: 16 page booklet with liner notes by Brian Eno, Danny Lanois and Bert Van de Kamp
  

The Unforgettable Fire track listing is as follows: A Sort of Homecoming, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Wire, The Unforgettable Fire, Promenade, 4th Of July, Bad, Indian Summer Sky, Elvis Presley and America, MLK.

SOURCE Universal Music Enterprises

In what is being dubbed the world's largest tribute to The King of Pop, celebrity artist David Ilan, with support from Michael Jackson fans worldwide, as well as some of Jackson's closest friends and family, is set to begin a unique interactive portrait of the late superstar. A special, invitation-only ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this Friday, August 28 at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, California at 12 Noon (PDT).

The one-of-a-kind work of art will be created using a series of dots in a technique called pointillism. The first dots will be drawn on the blank portrait canvas at the ceremony - the very first for Michael and then one for each of his children. VIP guests attending the event will also be honored, including Don Wilson, Director /Producer of the "Man in the Mirror" video; Kishaya Dudley, the lead dancer with Jackson in the "Rock My World" video; Azia Pryor; Lou Ferrigno; and celebrity choreographers Shane Sparks and Brian Friedman from Fox Network's "So You Think You Can Dance." Master of Ceremonies for this event will be Gary Owens, MC for the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremonies. Additional VIP guests to be announced.

Two years ago, David Ilan created the idea to associate each dot in his drawings with a real person and their message on any given topic. Each dot in Jackson's portrait will represent a fan. "Behind every single dot I place on the canvas, there is a fan who loved Michael and is mourning his death," Ilan said. "It's very fitting that the portrait of Michael will be created by dots representing his fans. Michael loved and respected his fans as much as his fans loved and respected him."

"A portrait like this, where one dot = one fan, will take a few months to complete, so we can make sure that fans around the world have an opportunity to hear about it and join. We want to reach as many people as possible from every country. It's what Michael was working for his entire life; people forgetting their differences and coming together."

In order to start the Michael Jackson Tribute Project, the artist needed a quarter of a million fans to sign up online to ensure support. In just the first three weeks following the announcement, more than 100 thousand fans from more than 150 countries visited the pre-registration site (http://www.SupportJacksonPortrait.com) to sign up. At least one million dots are needed to complete the image of the King of Pop, and fans worldwide are invited to become part of Jackson's legacy by getting a free dot in his portrait in their name.

A dot is drawn on canvas each time someone signs up for it, with all of the dots eventually coming together to form Jackson's image. "It's a way for fans to feel like they're part of something that's going to be timeless," said Deborah Dannelly, Michael Jackson Fan Club President and lifelong friend of the superstar. "The portrait will be around forever, and they can always be a part of that. Each fan is one dot for eternity. The one thing that Michael loved more than anything else besides his children was his fans, and he was always very, very appreciative of his fans. For there to be a portrait that's going to be done with each dot representing a fan, oh he would love it! He would absolutely just be over the top with that."

Don Wilson added, "This tribute and the actual portrait are a unique, touching and everlasting way for those who knew, worked with and loved Michael Jackson to have a timeless connection to him and his spirit."

Michael Jackson broke through barriers and touched the hearts of millions with his music. He was not only considered by many to be the greatest performer of all time, but he was the greatest celebrity humanitarian in the world. Through this interactive work of art, fans all over the world can continue to connect with their idol and be a part of his legacy. This one-of-a-kind project is a way for Jackson's fans to not only honor him, but be part of the tribute themselves.

The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is a partner of many major international fan clubs, including The Michael Jackson Fan Club (http://www.MJfanclub.net), the largest such fan club in the world, which was established by the King of Pop. The organizers of this tribute have the support of a number of those who were close to Jackson, including Joy and Wade Robson, and Ken Kragen, organizer of "We Are the World."

At the conclusion of the debut event, fans can go to http://www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com to sign up for their free dot, witness daily progress of the portrait as it grows to completion, and connect with other fans. Additionally, the artist will be in the courtyard of Mann's Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood at noon on Saturday, August 29 (MJ's birthday) to meet fans and add their dots in person.

SOURCE The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait