Dance like Michael Jackson at the Grammy Museum

If you can't get your fill of Michael Jackson from the new documentary "This Is It," a new exhibit at the Grammy Museum in downtown L.A. may do the trick.

The museum, located next to Staples Center in the L.A. Live entertainment complex, unveiled the "Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy" exhibit this week as a follow-up to two previous Jackson exhibits.

Since his death in July, visitors to the museum have been moonwalking to the Jackson exhibit. The latest collection includes the king of pop's clothing, gloves, a hat and original lyrics.

But museum officials believe the most exciting element will be the interactive floor tiles that light up when visitors dance on them, mimicking a scene from Jackson's "Billie Jean" music video.

Eight video monitors will also show footage of Jackson's previous appearances at the Grammy Awards show.

Until Dec. 31, tickets to the museum are $10. Starting next year, admission for adults jumps to $14.95.

-- Hugo Martin

Photo: Visitors to the Grammy Museum look at a display of Michael Jackson's clothes. Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Marketing a deceased Michael Jackson brand could prove lucrative

Let the selling of Michael Jackson begin.

Nevermind the albums. Nevermind the videos. Nevermind the memorabilia. From this point on, it’s all about the marketing of Jackson, the product.

“The management of celebrity estates can be a very lucrative business so long as it is done carefully,” said Jeffrey Abrams, a Los Angeles attorney who represents the estate of Marlon Brando.

He said the challenge lies in developing and leveraging the celebrity’s legacy without cheapening the product. If done smartly, this can enhance the celebrity’s public standing — and marketability — for many years to come.

“Elvis is the gold standard because of a unique combination of music and fame, just like Michael Jackson,” Abrams said.

Elvis Presley topped Forbes magazine’s annual list of high-earning deceased celebrities for the last two years. As of October 2008, he took in no less than $52 million over the previous 12 months.

Fans are already buzzing about the possibility that recordings of his final rehearsal for a planned series of concerts in London could soon be released as a CD and DVD.

And while it’s not as accessible as Elvis’ Graceland, Michael’s Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County could become a Southern California  tourist attraction if converted into a museum.

“Right now, he’s bigger than ever,” Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, told CNN outside last weekend’s BET Awards.

A lot of people will soon be dedicated to keeping things that way.

-- David Lazarus