Randy Phillips, the CEO of AEG Live — the company that organized Michael Jackson's "This Is It" tour in London — has been dismissed.
Not much time has passed since the end of the AEG Live trial. Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, had filed a lawsuit against Randy Phillips and AEG, alleging negligence toward her son's health. Michael was in the midst of preparing for the tour and, according to information presented at trial, his physical and mental condition was deteriorating — yet all warnings from Michael's colleagues and friends on this matter were completely ignored by the company. Michael was left in the hands of Dr. Murray, who ultimately took his life. The trial established that Randy Phillips was aware of Michael's physical and mental state and had even corresponded with other company figures about it. Randy Phillips had at one point even slapped Michael to compel him to attend a press conference that the company deemed necessary. The jury at the trial found that Dr. Murray had been engaged by AEG to monitor Michael's health and oversee his rehearsal schedule.
Now Phillips — once the most important figure at AEG Live — has been dismissed after ten years of continuous service. Although AEG was not ordered to pay compensation to the Jackson family following the trial, it seems the shrapnel of that battle has struck Phillips.
On Monday, it was announced that the parent company of AEG — whose principal owner is a man named Philip Anschutz — has ended its working relationship with Randy Phillips. No reason was given for this decision. The company's statement did not clarify whether Randy Phillips was fired, resigned, or retired. Phillips's departure came after Katherine Jackson refused to accept the AEG trial verdict and requested an appeal. The AEG case has now gone to an appellate court. Katherine's original lawsuit had named Randy Phillips personally as a defendant.
Just last year, Phillips renewed his contract as CEO of AEG Live for another five years. AEG is the second largest concert promotion company in the world. The company had been exploring new horizons under Phillips's leadership since 2002. AEG Live over the years managed the tours of young artists such as Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift — today's popular teen icons. In 2009, they were elated to sign a contract with the greatest showman of the era, Michael Jackson. Katherine Jackson claimed that the company, with the ambition of surpassing rivals and becoming number one in the world, insisted on holding Michael's tour — putting pressure on Michael and causing him severe illness and stress. Michael, due to the workload, was unable to sleep, and Dr. Murray used an anesthetic drug to put him to sleep. This drug brought Michael down on the afternoon of June 25, 2009. Although the trial found that Dr. Murray had been hired by AEG, the company was not held responsible for the King of Pop's death.
It should also be noted that the AEG parent company had intended to sell AEG Live before the trial began, but abandoned this plan following the resignation of company president Tim Leiweke.
Source: eMJey.com / AP
Randy Phillips, the CEO of AEG Live — the company that organized Michael Jackson's "This Is It" tour in London — has been dismissed.
Not much time has passed since the end of the AEG Live trial. Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, had filed a lawsuit against Randy Phillips and AEG, alleging negligence toward her son's health. Michael was in the midst of preparing for the tour and, according to information presented at trial, his physical and mental condition was deteriorating — yet all warnings from Michael's colleagues and friends on this matter were completely ignored by the company. Michael was left in the hands of Dr. Murray, who ultimately took his life. The trial established that Randy Phillips was aware of Michael's physical and mental state and had even corresponded with other company figures about it. Randy Phillips had at one point even slapped Michael to compel him to attend a press conference that the company deemed necessary. The jury at the trial found that Dr. Murray had been engaged by AEG to monitor Michael's health and oversee his rehearsal schedule.
Now Phillips — once the most important figure at AEG Live — has been dismissed after ten years of continuous service. Although AEG was not ordered to pay compensation to the Jackson family following the trial, it seems the shrapnel of that battle has struck Phillips.
On Monday, it was announced that the parent company of AEG — whose principal owner is a man named Philip Anschutz — has ended its working relationship with Randy Phillips. No reason was given for this decision. The company's statement did not clarify whether Randy Phillips was fired, resigned, or retired. Phillips's departure came after Katherine Jackson refused to accept the AEG trial verdict and requested an appeal. The AEG case has now gone to an appellate court. Katherine's original lawsuit had named Randy Phillips personally as a defendant.
Just last year, Phillips renewed his contract as CEO of AEG Live for another five years. AEG is the second largest concert promotion company in the world. The company had been exploring new horizons under Phillips's leadership since 2002. AEG Live over the years managed the tours of young artists such as Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift — today's popular teen icons. In 2009, they were elated to sign a contract with the greatest showman of the era, Michael Jackson. Katherine Jackson claimed that the company, with the ambition of surpassing rivals and becoming number one in the world, insisted on holding Michael's tour — putting pressure on Michael and causing him severe illness and stress. Michael, due to the workload, was unable to sleep, and Dr. Murray used an anesthetic drug to put him to sleep. This drug brought Michael down on the afternoon of June 25, 2009. Although the trial found that Dr. Murray had been hired by AEG, the company was not held responsible for the King of Pop's death.
It should also be noted that the AEG parent company had intended to sell AEG Live before the trial began, but abandoned this plan following the resignation of company president Tim Leiweke.
Source: eMJey.com / AP