July '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 07-04-09

Jacksons set up LV memorial area

Michael Jackson's family announced Friday that a memorial area has been set up outside the late entertainer's last Las Vegas residence.

Flowers and cards are being accepted at the home at 2710 W. Palomino Lane, Jackson family friend Rutt Premsrirut said in an e-mail.

Jackson, who died June 25 at a rented mansion in the exclusive Holmby Hills area near Hollywood, was staying the Palomino residence at the time of his 50th birthday last Aug. 29.

A moving truck was seen outside the house a day after Jackson's death.

Premsrirut, whose family is well-known in the Las Vegas real estate community and longtime friends with the Jackson family, also sent a separate e-mail to media members defending Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, in wake of what Premsrirut characterized as "negative media coverage."

Joe Jackson, wrote Premsrirut, "has always been the man of steel, the go-to person during times of crisis" and, even at age 80, he took charge the day his son was rushed to a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.

"The security guard's first instinct was to call Joe in Las Vegas to find out what to do," wrote Premsrirut. "Joe screamed into the phone 'Get yourself together and call 911, now, now, now!"

Premsrirut said he witnessed Joe Jackson in action during another crisis. It was late November 2003 when California authorities filed an arrest warrant against Michael, alleging child-molestation charges. Michael was in Las Vegas at the time doing his "One More Chance" music video at a recording studio near the Palms Hotel.

"We were all curled up behind the gates of the CMX Entertainment complex ... with no idea what to do," said Premsrirut. "When Joe walked in, you would see Michael's eyes light up. He was running the show with Michael listening to every word Joe was directing."

The Scene And Heard

Longtime Las Vegas entertainer Helen Joy died Friday. Between 1975 and 1989, her group, Helen Joy & The Joy Bells, performed on the Strip at the original MGM Grand, the Dunes, Jockey Club, Sahara, Aladdin and Landmark hotels. On three occasions she took Helen Joy's Young Entertainers to the White House to perform. The Australian native was awarded a Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal by Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain for entertaining the troops in Vietnam. ...

Sightings

LeBron James, with some NBA friends, and actor Matt Dillon, dining Thursday at separate tables at Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian), and Trevor Ariza, at Tao nightclub celebrating his move to the Houston Rockets after helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA title. ... Spotted at the opening day of the 40th World Series of Poker main event Friday at the Rio: actor Jason Alexander, rapper Nelly, actor Brad Garrett and actress Jennifer Tilly. ... At separate tables at Lavo (Palazzo) on Thursday: Cedric the Entertainer, with former NBA star Kenny Smith and friends, talk show host Montel Williams, and "Superman" Dean Cain. ... At the third annual Ante Up For Africa tournament, co-hosted by actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Charles Barkley, Alexander, Hershel Walker, Garrett, Cedric the Entertainer, Tilly, Sarah Silverman, Williams, and poker stars Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth, Joe Hachem, Jennifer Harman and Phil Gordon. Alex Bolotin of Brooklyn, N.Y. won the event. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace) on Wednesday night: Cleveland Cavs star James and teammate Delonte West, huddling with Ariza. ... Las Vegas baseball phenom Bryce Harper, filming segments of racing scenes for ESPN at Pole Position Raceway on Thursday. The 16-year-old Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated last month and is being projected as the No. 1 overall selection in the big league draft next year. ...

Sunday 07-05-09

Terry Fator, wife ending marriage

The wife of Las Vegas headliner Terry Fator filed for divorce in February, Fator acknowledged Saturday.

Melinda Fator filed in Texas a month after their January separation, but she walked the red carpet with the singing ventriloquist in March, when his show opened at The Mirage.

After winning NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2006, Fator signed what he said was a $100 million deal, if all the contract conditions worked out.

The Fators had gone all-in two years ago when the "America's Got Talent" opportunity came up. He put his career on hold to concentrate on the competition, and she quit her job to assist him.

They had maxed out their credit cards, drained their bank account and borrowed from friends.

After winning the $1 million prize, Fator bought his wife a huge wedding ring, he told reporters.

In his first interview acknowledging the divorce, Fator told Vegas Confidential, "It wasn't the pressures of a career. It was more personal matters. Just some things we were unable to see eye to eye. We both understand the reasons.

"We're going to remain friends. We have no desire to make it nasty, hateful and spiteful. We're not two people who want to destroy each other's lives."

They were married in Denver on Jan. 8, 1991, after eloping. They have no children.

VEGAS CONNECTIONS

More local Michael Jackson connections, direct and indirect, are surfacing.

Jackson's longtime Beverly Hills dermatologist, Arnold Klein, is being identified in media reports as the father of Jackson's two oldest children. Los Angeles police want to interview Klein about what drugs he may have prescribed for Jackson, according to reports.

Klein's former assistant, Debbie Rowe, is the biological mother of 12-year-old Prince Michael and 11-year-old Paris. Klein is the rumored sperm donor.

The local connections? At least two dozen prominent Las Vegas residents/entertainers have been clients of Klein, a Botox pioneer, for years.

The list includes Cher, Barry Manilow and Wayne Newton, film icon Elizabeth Taylor and numerous high-profile gaming figures and their wives.

The Scene And Heard

The last time Tonya Harding's name was linked to Las Vegas, it had to do with her doing a topless ice skating show. That didn't happen. This time she's coming to town for LAX nightclub's "Way Back Wednesdays" on Aug. 19. Watch your kneecaps.

Sightings

Rihanna, in a rare public appearance since her beating by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, seen dancing throughout Jay-Z's concert Friday at The Pearl (Palms). NBA superstar LeBron James went on stage late in the show and sang along. ... Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine) of Little Anthony and the Imperials, joining Earl Turner and Lani Misaluca on stage Friday in their "Voices" show at the Hilton during a tribute to Michael Jackson. They sang "I'll Be There."


Monday 07-06-09

Blaze breaks out during magic act A member of magician Steve Wyrick's stunt crew suffered minor injuries Saturday when a fire engulfed the staging area of an act that was billed as a "Death Drop." The incident occurred in front of hundreds of Fourth of July revelers on the Strip outside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. Witnesses said the injured man who came out of a trunk appeared to be Wyrick's stunt double. He was not identified, but Wyrick's representative, Lindsey Rathjen, said he was treated immediately by paramedics and a speedy recovery was expected. Shortly before the fire, Wyrick was seen being shackled near the box by Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington and members of his new band. A crane was to lift the box containing Wyrick 80 feet in the air. As flames burned through the last rope holding the box, Wyrick was to escape and leap to safety as the box crashed on flaming spikes. While the crowd watched the flames being extinguished, a helicopter arrived with Wyrick inside. Wyrick did not return calls by deadline. The stunt was to publicize the opening of Bennington's new Club Tattoo store in Miracle Mile, where Wyrick performs. "Obviously, when you undertake a stunt of this magnitude there is a risk of someone getting injured," Rathjen said. "We took every precaution to ensure the safety of Steve, Chester, the crew and audience." The Scene And Heard We hear Las Vegas Hilton headliner Barry Manilow will escort actress Elizabeth Taylor to Michael Jackson's memorial service on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. ... A Las Vegas club DJ was among the 8,750 names chosen from the 1.6 million fans who registered online to attend Jackson's memorial service at Staples Center. The Associated Press reported two tickets will go to Zach Moss, 21, of Chicago who is working for the summer as a DJ in Las Vegas. ... Lance Burton's 2004 "Top Secret TV Special" airs on WGN America at 6 p.m. today on Cox Channel 16. It's the one where he makes a stealth bomber disappear and features his close-call with The Desperado roller coaster at Primm. He returns to his show at Monte Carlo on Tuesday after a two-month, injury-related hiatus. ... Sightings Michael Buble, leaving the stage during a private MGM Mirage event Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden for VIPs. Buble presented his grandfather with a cake for his 82nd birthday, with a crowd of 10,000 joining in to sing "Happy Birthday to You." ... Rihanna, attending Jay Z's concert Saturday at The Pearl concert theater for the second night in a row. Earlier Rihanna, Jay-Z and LeBron James partied in a bungalow at Wet Republic as MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice performed. ... Jamie Foxx hanging out backstage after his show at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel) with MC Hammer and rapper Too Short. ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday: MC Hammer, rapper Mistah F.A.B. and Floyd Mayweather. ... At Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian) on Saturday: Jay Z, with Rihanna and 30 friends. Next to them: The Cleveland Cavs' James, with rapper Fabulous. Later they went upstairs to the club to catch Foxx, who put on his usual show, which included his hit "Blame It on the Alcohol" and a Michael Jackson tribute. Foxx's mother was among his entourage....

Tuesday 07-07-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 07-08-09

Jackson worked on album at Palms

Under Howard Hughes-like secrecy, Michael Jackson was adding final touches on his first album since 2001 early this year while staying at the Palms.

Jackson lived in the hotel from Thanksgiving through February while working on an album with Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and rapper Akon.

They had been collaborating on it for more than two years, much of it in the Palms recording studio.

Palms owner George Maloof, after checking with his studio director Zoe Thrall, said it appears that February was the last time Jackson, Will.i.am and Akon were in the studio.

Jackson was hoping to complete the album to mark the 25th anniversary of "Thriller," the biggest-selling album of all time with an estimated 50 million copies sold.

When Jackson called out of the blue needing a place to stay with his kids last November, Maloof gave him the only suite available, the Hugh Hefner sky villa.

Security was placed at the door 24-7, and no one was told who was in the suite.

When Jackson invited Maloof to stop in for coffee the next day, the suite had a different look. "He had covered all the nude pictures on the wall with paper and masking tape," Maloof said.

A dilemma arose within 24 hours. Maloof needed the suite for a high roller, so, to keep Jackson's presence a secret, Maloof did most of the moving instead of bringing in staffers.

"Michael was so respectful, and the kids were so respectful," he said.

A month later, on Christmas, Maloof got a telephone call from Jackson. After wishing Maloof a merry Christmas, Jackson held the phone up while his children sang out "Merry Christmas" to Maloof.

FAMILIAR FACES

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs met Jackson's children after the memorial and came away convinced that she knows the father of the two oldest, Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11.

"If I had any doubts before, I don't now," she said by telephone Tuesday after attending Janet Jackson's post-memorial reception at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Jacobs said the two children bear an uncanny resemblance to Jackson's Beverly Hills dermatologist, Arnold Klein. Jacobs has known Klein and his former nurse's assistant Debbie Rowe since 1996.

Rowe is the biological mother of the children. Klein has not addressed reports that he's the biological father.

"Prince has the exact smile of Arnie's," said Jacobs. She said she received two fifth-row seats at the memorial through LaToya Jackson.

KING OF DISGUISES

Jackson broke out one of his wildest disguises during trips to Las Vegas to see Siegfried & Roy's magic show at The Mirage.

On four or five occasions, he dressed as a Saudi sheik so he could watch the show without being recognized, recalled Frank Lieberman, Siegfried & Roy's publicist from 1996 to 2003.

The show would be held up and the room darkened while Jackson went to his seat, Lieberman said.

Jackson went with a decidedly less effective disguise at UFC 84 on May 24, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden. He showed up in a wheelchair, with a black fabric over his face and wearing sunglasses.

Jackson at a UFC event?

"He was a fan and he watched the UFC pay-per-views and he was into it," said Lorenzo Fertitta, chairman and CEO of the UFC.

Fertitta said he was introduced to Jackson through Tom Barrack, the owner of the Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm Colony Capital, a partner with the Fertittas in Station Casinos.

Jackson was at the fight with Barrack associate Dr. Tohme Tohme, who had taken over as Jackson's manager the previous year.

Thursday 07-09-09

Norm took the day off

Friday 07-10-09

Strip still getting Jackson's star

A month before he died, Michael Jackson had committed to attending the unveiling of his ceremonial star on the Strip.

Organizers plan to go ahead with the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, possibly in front of the MGM Grand or Caesars Palace in October or November.

"He had been approved, and we were notified that he was going to come," said Pablo Castro Zavala, vice president of public relations and Hispanic affairs for the Walk of Stars.

The location of the 180-pound polished granite star will be determined in a few weeks, said Zavala.

Jackson, who was 50 when he died June 25, performed in Las Vegas with the Jackson 5, recorded what might be his last album here and lived here part-time in recent years.

Expenses for the star were going to be shared by "sponsors in show business," Zavala said.

The Scene And Heard

Let's hope a full accounting is demanded of Steve Wyrick's ill-planned "Death Drop" last Saturday in front of Planet Hollywood Resort. Just because it's "magic," he shouldn't be allowed to tell authorities what he told reporters: "I can't talk about it." This was concocted for reality show ratings, and it nearly turned deadly. ...

Fresh off the grapevine: Dr. Tohme Tohme, the mystery man who made many trips to Michael Jackson's Las Vegas home in the past year and became his manager, will be among the first wave of inner circle departees. The family wants him out. ...

Check out Jeremy Piven's wingman at UFC 100 on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden. That's the real "Ari." Ariel "Ari" Zev Emanuel is the Hollywood talent agent that Piven's Ari Gold character is patterned after in "Entourage." Emanuel is the brother of President Barack Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel. ...

Review-Journal sports reporters Ed Graney and Steve Carp are teaming up, starting Monday, on "Sports Scribes," a 2-hour late-night radio show on KDWN-AM, 790. Graney said, "Sports will drive the show but it won't be just man- talk." The 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. call-in show will "cover the spectrum of topical news." Their producer will be UNLV senior Carrie Sullivan. ...

Karen Raider, company manager of the "Crazy Girls" topless revue at the Riviera, says there is nothing to rumblings that the show is closing.

May I Recommend...

The NBA Summer League, with 21 teams participating and up to 24 of the 2009 first-round draft picks playing, begins a 10-day, 55-game run today. Games are being held at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. General admission: $25; seniors and children (3-12) are $15. Ticket information: 702-739-FANS, through UNLVtickets.com or by visiting the Thomas & Mack Center Box Office and UNLV Ticket Outlets.

Sightings

Carmen Electra, going topless as a special guest performer in "Crazy Horse Paris" (MGM Grand). ... Still alive in the World Series of Poker's main event: Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld," actor Lou Diamond Phillips of "La Bamba" fame, cricket legend Shane Warne, French actor, singer Patrick Bruel, Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers and Hollywood writer-producer Sam Simon. Knocked out early: actress/poker star Jennifer Tilly, former star pitcher Orel Hershiser, wrestler Torrie Wilson, former NBA player John Salley, actor Marlon Wayans, music video producer Joseph Kahn, actor Ray Romano, musician Sully Erna, actress Shannon Elizabeth and actor Brad Garrett.

Order Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales

Norm Clarke's newest book, Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales ($12.95, Stephens Press, February 2008), dishes up a feast from Sin City's Ace Insider on celeb's club hopping, spending sprees, outrageous behavior, feuds and meltdowns, and the best (and worst) tippers.