WWW- MICHAEL Jackson loves putting out charity singles because they support his No. 1 charity in the world – himself.
That jaw-dropper revelation emerged during a recent deposition in which Wacko Jacko told how he put together “What More Can I Give” – a tune he penned supposedly to benefit families of 9/11 victims, but which has never been released.
Insiders tell FoxNews.com’s Roger Friedman that Jacko revealed he retained the copyright to the song and had no intention of donating the royalties. Instead, his idea of a charity single – which also applies to a still-unreleased number he was planning in memory of last year’s Hurricane Katrina – is to only turn over money from sales of a CD.
“Everyone on the CD is supposed to waive their fees too, including the musicians, performers and engineers. But rights to the music remain with him, and he would reap the financial rewards,” Friedman says.
Jackson apparently learned charity records were cash cows from “We Are the World” – the only charity song he’s actually ever participated in. According to ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers), the blockbuster 1984 song – which featured superstars like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder – is registered to Jackson, Lionel Richie and ex-wife Brenda Richie. That means any time it’s played on the radio, Jackson gets 50 percent, and the Richies split the rest.
Jackson – who was spotted in France last weekend in a wheelchair and wearing pajamas – gave the videotaped deposition for an upcoming lawsuit filed by former associate Marc Schaffel, who says he’s owed $800,000 for producing two 2003 TV specials and $2.3 million for payments and loans he made to the Gloved One. Jacko has countersued, saying Schaffel failed to pay costs related to the production of “What More Can I Give” and kept $250,000 in sculptures and paintings belonging to the singer.
Friedman also reports that Jacko’s crazy behavior is crazy like a fox: “He understands the value of copyrights and that his public eccentricities – pajamas, umbrellas, sunglasses, top hats, children in masks, etc., going right back to hyperbaric chambers and the Elephant Man’s bones – are all part of a well-choreographed game to keep the public interested in his fading celebrity.”
A year ago, Jackson was acquitted on charges of child molestation and conspiracy.