Michael Jackson's father wants shrine for pop star in Las Vegas

Michael Jackson's father said he supports building a shrine to the pop star along the lines of Neverland Ranch in Las Vegas, where Jackson lived for several years.

Joe Jackson told E! that his son has not yet been buried but that he would like to see Jackson memorialized in Las Vegas with some sort of facility like Neverland, Jackson's compound in Santa Barbara County. 

"I think Vegas would be great,"  Joe Jackson said. "The fans would come."

It remains unclear how much of a voice Joe Jackson, who was estranged from Michael Jackson for many years, will have in the creation of a memorial. There have been reports circulating that some in the Jackson camp would like to literally move parts of Neverland to Las Vegas and turn it into a Graceland-style attraction.

More than a month after the death of Jackson, his family still hasn't decided where to bury the pop star.

Brother Jermaine Jackson, speaking in an interview with CNN this week, said the burial location will ultimately be decided by his mother, Katherine Jackson, who now has custody of Michael Jackson's children.

Jermaine Jackson said he would like his brother to be buried at Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County. In the days after Jackson's death, there was widespread speculation that the Jackson family would bury him there after a large service. At the time, some residents worried about thousands of fans jamming the mountain roads leading to Neverland.

Jermaine Jackson did not say where his mother would like Michael buried. 

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Michael Jackson arrives in 2005 at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

Credit: Micheal A. Mariant / Associated Press.

Full coverage: Michael Jackson's Life and Death

Interactive timeline: Michael Jackson | 1958-2009

Video Q&A: Times reporters on Michael Jackson's death

Comments

[Ally]

I think old man Joe is reading too much TMZ to get his little ideas about a Neverland/Graceland memorial in Vegas. Of course, Michael liked Vegas so it might be an option for Steve Wynn to make that a reality. Money enough for all.

[Suzan]

I have heard this rumour and personally I think it's a rediculous idea. Michael's shrine should be at the place where he spent his happiest times - Neverland Ranch. To move it to Las Vegas is tacky and cheap and many fans would not be interested in this idea (I've read many incidences of discussion on this subject). Michael was hounded out of his home by a witch hunt and the only way to give him back his dignity in death is for him to be buried at Neverland. Forest Lawns or Las Vegas are just not good enough for Michael.

Neverland is what the fans want, what they hope for - they after all were the ones who supported Michael through his career and continued to do so. Frankly the talk of fans wishing to desecrate his grave is tasteless and insulting, personally all I would wish for is to walk in the grounds where he was happy and leave flowers for rememberance and I know for a fact that this is all any of Michael's true fans wish to do.

Please Katherine - It wouldn't be so hard to do?

[Jerry T]

Then Man never performed here and only lived here about months. Keep it in California.

[Nancy]

Joe Jackson should just go away. In Rolling Stone Issue 1085, an article on Michael Jackson mentions that Michael spent most of his adult life trying to escape Joe's control. Michael also had trouble saying no to his father. In recent months before Michael's death, Michael was frantically dodging Joe's haranguing DAILY phone calls as Michael was preparing for the London concerts. Joe obviously knew Michael wasn't well and was obviously trying to wrestle control over Michael's affairs. Joe is partly responsible for Michael's death.

[alice]

Not sure why the media keeps saying that Joe and Michael were estranged when they reconciled over a decade ago, were photoraphed together in Beverly Hills three weeks before he died and Joe was at Paris' birthday party a few months ago.

Not only that Katherine and Joe were on Geraldo disputing the media claims. When will the media stop making backhand slaps at an 80 year old man? Ridiculous!

[janice byrne]

I thought that the funeral took place last week at Forest Lawns? RIP Michael. Greatly misunderstood, greatly loved and greatly missed.

[Joes Jackson]

MJ Was Buried Already, So another article says Joe Is A Good Man I love his Music Billie Jean Was The Best MJ is not as good as joe i mean who do you know that can write a song about a girl like that joe even performed it on motown 25 and moonwalked

[alia]

He should be buried to the place where he loved which is Neverland. He still owns part of it and he should be buried there.

[eina]

That would be great! It will remind us always of MJ's...humanitarian deeds and his extraordinary talents he shared to mankind and the whole world. I miss you and love you MJ.

[janice byrne]

I'd rather Michael was remembered for his superb music, his singing, dancing and fantastic videos and live concerts. He was, quite simply, the best. Greatly missed. RIP Michael.

[joseph odimega]

mj should be burri in his neverland

[joseph odimega]

mj have to be in his neverland pls i love mj so much

[Mylissa Gibson]

Micheal Jackson DID NOT LIKE Neverland.He hated that place.If you all would do your homework and watch his videos you would know that.After Neverland got raided by the FBI and police he said he hated it and that is why he moved.He loved Las Vegas he was planing on moving there befor he died.Las Vegas was Micheal's second home.He would love to have Neverland/Wonderland in Love Vegas.That was his plan anyways once he moved to Las Vgeas.Was to have something like Neverland but not called Neverland.He was going to name it Wonderland.He would NOT want to be buried at Neverland.

[Orandon]

It's too bad Michael hadn't had his resting place all outlined in his will - "Um, and I want a SHRINE..." Jeez! I think Michael would have chosen cremation, actually, but it might have gone against his mother's beliefs. Michael was too out of his mind to care; when a person feels that badly, all they want to do is die. I still think Joe Jackson is a big lying jerk, okay? (There is no difference between a "beating" and a "whooping", or whatever other ugly things Michael had to endure and witness as a young kid.) It's no secret Michael felt pressured and exploited by his family all his life. He was NOT talking about the media in the lyrics to his songs like "Beat It". There were private, autobiographical clues in all his lyrics. He managed to put up a good front for his family for many years; but in the end, it fell off - literally. It's about time his mother step up to the plate and put an end to the madness. At the very least, let his bones rest in peace.

[ellie]

I agree with one of your commentors! It is ridiculous that Mr. Joe Jackson (father on Michael Jackson). Wants his son to be buried in Las Vegas, as in a shrine, just like Elvis! Well, light bulb Mr. Joe Jackson! Michael Jackson is not Elvis! "Michael, should be buried either at Forest Lawn Cemetaries or maybe even Neverland." But, I ask, "what is the holdup with putting his body to rest now! "His spirit needs to cross over." "Don't be that way," just put his body finally to rest so that it will finally follow his spirit! Besides, he should be resting now, not rideculed!