Prince To Staff: Whitney’s Welcome at My Shows!

Apparently, Prince had no idea Whitney Houston had been blacklisted from his concerts … and now, The Purple One wants everyone to know “she’s always welcome 4 all of eternity.”

TMZ had confirmed the ban with several sources connected to Prince’s tour — but Wednesday, Prince’s manager released a statement welcoming Houston to come back whenever she wants … insisting the singer enjoys having Houston in his audience.

One extremely connected source tells us, “Someone could have taken it upon themselves to say Whitney was banned … but it did not come from Prince.”

The source adds, “Whoever decided Whitney was banned did not have the authority to do so.”

In fact, we’re told Prince invited Whitney to hang out backstage during one of his L.A. shows.

News Source: TMZ

Jermaine Commands Michael Jackson Army

Jermaine Jackson squeezed into one of his old Jackson 5 costumes to perform a tribute to Michael in Vegas this weekend – but the whole thing could ignite some serious family drama.

While cameras rolled, Jermaine performed a series of Michael Jackson’s classics to a packed house at the concert hall at the Planet Hollywood Resort.

Here’s the rub — Jermaine is legally allowed to cover the MJ songs in concert, but if he uses the recorded footage to create and then sell a DVD, album or TV special — he would need to go through the Michael Jackson estate to secure permission.

So far, it’s unclear if Jermaine did get the green light — but if not, the MJ estate could bring legal action against Jermaine to protect its most valuable asset … Michael’s music.

FYI … Michael’s kids — Prince, Paris and Blanket — were all at the show.

Source: TMZ

This Is What It Sounds Like When Prince Pays His Bill

Dig if you will the picture … of Prince paying off his legal debt to a high-powered, Los Angeles attorney. Sorry, it’s not as sexy as anything in “Purple Rain.”

As we first reported, Prince was sued back in August by Ed McPherson for allegedly not paying McPherson for his legal services. According to the suit, his legal bill was $49,987.74.

servicseEarlier this week, McPherson filed docs to dismiss the case — we’re told because Prince finally paid his tab.

When called for comment Prince said, “I never meant to cause Ed McPherson any sorrow. I never meant to cause him any pain. I only one time wanted to see him laughing. I only wanted to see him laughing in the purple rain.”

(Kidding)

Source: TMZ

Lawyer to Prince: Show Me Your Symbol … $$$

Prince is getting dragged into court by high powered attorney Ed McPherson — who claims his purple highness owes him a royal fortune … nearly $50,000 for services rendered.

According to the lawsuit, Prince hired McPherson to represent him on two different cases — and racked up a legal bill of $49,987.74. McPherson says he “performed legal services on [Prince's] behalf in an exemplary manner” — but has yet to get paid.

Prophetically, one of the cases Prince hired McPherson for was a lawsuit by an agency which — like McPherson — claimed Prince screwed them over financially.

In the docs, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, McPherson claims he made “countless attempts … to resolve this matter” with Prince.

Prince’s rep hasn’t returned our call yet.

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson Estate — MJ Belts Are Bogus!

An extremely fancy belt commemorating Michael Jackson — and allegedly “sanctioned” by Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson — can be yours for the bargain basement price of $1,500 — problem is … the whole thing may be illegal.

Here’s the problem.  The belts feature several images trademarked by Michael Jackson – including dancing feet, MJ’s silhouette and the MJ crest – and MJ’s estate must authorize any commercial use of those trademarks, as well as MJ’s name or image.

So of course we called MJ estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, who said the belts were news to him and that the executors never authorized the sale.  Weitzman says, “The Trustees of the Estate of Michael Jackson did not authorize the making or the sale of the Michael Jackson Tribute Belts.“  Weitzman continues, “We would never condone the use of Michael’s children’s signatures to promote the sale of merchandise.”

We haven’t found out who’s behind the website …  but Jerry Olivarez, a PR guy and friend of the Jackson family, has been touting the sale of the belts.  We’re told the site goes live today and 7,000 belts will go up for sale.  And, there will be an auction for the belt signed by Joe, Katherine, and the kids — opening bid is $5 grand.

Attempts to speak with Olivarez were unsuccessful.

Read more at TMZ