UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Published: July 6, 2009 at 2:00 PM

No comment from doc lawyer on anesthesia

LOS ANGELES, July 6 (UPI) -- The attorney for one of Michael Jackson's physicians isn't discussing whether the doctor administered anesthesia to Jackson the day the U.S. pop star died.

The iconic performer died June 25 of a suspected prescription drug overdose. He was 50.

A public memorial is slated for Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Edward Chernoff, the lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray -- who was at Jackson's Los Angeles home the day he died and who has since been interviewed by police -- told TMZ the physician didn't give Jackson OxyContin or Demerol that day.

However, Chernoff declined to comment on whether the doctor had administered Propofol, an anesthesia police reportedly found at the singer's home, shortly before Jackson's death, TMZ said.

"I have no statement on whether the doctor prescribed or administered Propofol," the attorney told the entertainment news Web site. "We're confident whatever the doctor prescribed did not kill Michael Jackson."


Report: Jackson's kids don't know mom

LOS ANGELES, July 6 (UPI) -- As of 2004, two of Michael Jackson's children were not told the U.S. pop star's ex-wife Debbie Rowe is their mother, the late singer's former publicist claims.

Jackson died last month at the age of 50 from a suspected prescription drug overdose.

Rowe gave birth to the singer's two elder children Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, during their three-year marriage. The mother of Jackson's youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, has not been publicly identified.

Stuart Backerman, who said he represented Jackson from 2002 to 2004, told The Daily Telegraph he "didn't believe" the two older children knew Rowe as their mother during that time.

"The understanding in the Jackson camp was that she wasn't known as the mother," Backerman told the newspaper. "Debbie was known as a close friend or relative. It might have been a relative, or someone who was close but not related."

The report did not say whether Backerman thought Jackson's sons and daughter had been told who their mothers were after he left Jackson's employ.

Jackson's mother, Katherine, has temporary custody of his three children, however, Rowe reportedly is mulling over whether to seek custody of her two kids with the late recording artist.

The Telegraph said Katherine Jackson claimed in court papers the children "have no relationship with their biological mother."

Michael Jackson's will reportedly stipulated his children should be raised by his mother or by singer Diana Ross if his mother is unable to care for the kids.


ABBA tribute concert planned in London

LONDON, July 6 (UPI) -- Swedish songwriters Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus have confirmed they will take part in an ABBA tribute concert in London in September.

"Thank You for the Music ... A Celebration of the Music of Abba" is scheduled for Sept. 13 in Hyde Park, the BBC reported.

The pop group ABBA, which is enjoying a surge of attention thanks to the stage musical and movie "Mamma Mia!" featuring many of its hits, has not performed a concert in the United Kingdom since 1979.

The BBC's Radio 2 is presenting the September show, during which guest vocalists will perform some of ABBA's biggest hits.

"This must be the greatest honor that can be bestowed on any songwriter," Andersson and Ulvaeus said in a statement. "We are absolutely delighted and we hope thousands of Radio 2 listeners will join us there."

ABBA stopped recording in 1982. The group's songs include "Dancing Queen," "Honey, Honey" and "The Winner Takes it All."


Rumer Willis books '90210' gig

LOS ANGELES, July 6 (UPI) -- Rumer Willis, the daughter of Hollywood stars Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, has landed a guest role on the teen drama "90210."

A representative for The CW network told "Access Hollywood" Willis is to play Gia, "a punky cute lesbian who isn't afraid to speak her mind," in at least one episode of the show next season.

Willis, 20, has previously appeared on TV's "Medium" and "CSI: New York," as well as in the films "Hostage" and "The House Bunny."

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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