Michael Jackson Estate Forces SF's 'Neverland' to Change Name, Group is a 14 Piece Michael Jackson Tribute Band Options

[chauny]

Michael Jackson Estate Forces SF's Neverland to Change Name

By Jennifer Maerz in Music

[Updated 2:45 p.m.] When Michael Jackson died last June, San Francisco found comfort in parties paying homage to the King of Pop. From the generator gig up in Alamo Square to the flash dance down at the Embarcadero, this city expressed its appreciation for Jackson's historic career all over the city. But perhaps the biggest event in the icon's honor came from Neverland, a year-old, 14-piece Michael Jackson tribute band that includes a whopping four vocalists, a horn section, and a six-piece rhythm section. That group claims it recently came under fire from Jackson's Estate, however, which issued a cease and desist letter telling the group to stop using the Neverland name.

Band leader and trumpeter Morty Okin's response was shock. He says Neverland is part of the Peter Pan story as well as the name of Jackson's sprawling homestead. The band claims its attorneys couldn't find any registered trademark of "Neverland" by the Jackson Estate.

Okin is a vet of tribute acts. He was a founder of Superdiamond (but only stayed on a couple shows) and currently works in another dozen-plus member homage, the 13-piece strong Barely Manilow. Of that last act, he says with tangible relief, "So far no legal issues!"

He says this experience doesn't alter his passion for Michael Jackson, but it does "put a bad taste in my mouth" when it comes to the suits handling the entertainer's affairs. "It sucks to be bullied," he adds. "It would be interesting what MJ himself would have to say about this. With a bunch of MJ tributes out there, we think he'd be most proud of us for delivering his music and entertainment value as it should be."

Neverland has played 15 shows since its idol's death, including a Redwood City show for 5,000 fans. It will continue delivering the entertainment value of Jackson's music, but now under another name: Foreverland. (Subtitled: "a 14-piece tribute to Michael Jackson.")

Okin never got to see Jackson live, but says other Foreverlanders have. As for his own personal MJ memories, though, he says, "I will never forget the day Thriller came out. I was in middle school then and glued to the TV the day it aired."


http://blogs.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2010/0..._mix_from_n.php

[White Socks]

This is only the beginning. Its going to get worse in time. Elvis estate charges its impersonators.

[chauny]

Yeah I think this is going overboard!

[MoonLitTear]

Really now. The Estate is starting to become trademark nazis.

Although I think Michael would be pleased to hear of a band called Foreverland that's based off him and Neverland.

[MichaelJ1998]

I'm surprised Michael owns Neverland as a trademark. Maybe that is Cali only. You would think it would be public property or a part of the JM Barrie estate.

Part of the reason why is when you own property you don't want any knock offs running around with any kind of assumption that they are official without any quality control. Like so much of the MJ merchandise that has popped up since he died is mostly bootlegs which have been served orders.

[Precious Peaches]

I hope they continue on. Business is business. I'm not surprised by it.

I wonder what they sound like! I mean a 14 piece band is going to play out MJ's songs very well.

This post has been edited by Precious Peaches: Feb 12 2010, 01:30 AM

[chauny]

I hope they continue on. Business is business. I'm not surprised by it.

I wonder what they sound like! I mean a 14 piece band is going to play out MJ's songs very well.

They need better lead vocalists and their version of Thriller in this promo video SUX but other than that, they are very good. I think it is impossible for anybody to do justice to MJ, but they are really good with the band, most of the vocals, the costumes, the moves. It's great to see the joy that they create in the huge audiences doing MJ's music.

They even do Get On The Floor.

Most people wouldn't even have a clue that's an MJ song. I like when people give homage to MJ's more rare songs that are great but don't get mentioned or covered because it wasn't one of the "big" monster hits.

They made me go and find my TRIUMPH CD!


Foreverland...A 14 Piece Michael Jackson tribute band from San Francisco, CA Official Promo Video

[shortstuff45220]

hmm I never knew Michael tradedmarked it, but since he named it after neverland in peter pan wouldn't disney still have the rights to the name" neverland" ?

[BRUSTER]

Foreverland...A 14 Piece Michael Jackson tribute band from San Francisco, CA Official Promo Video

They are awesome

[mjyvv]

They are better than the jerks who pretend to BE Michael, and call themselves look-alikes.

[elusive moonwalk...]

how can u trademark that name when its from peter pan or it that never never land. surely whoever runs jm barrie estate or who whoever will have that copyrighted. pretty stupid. estate should concentrate on more important issues

[Nicoleluvsmjj84]

I'm suprised they would go after them. I wonder can they go after the "Who's Bad" tribute band? I hear they are awesome as well and are popular here in the U.S. Or maybe it's a matter of time unless "Who's Bad" already has the estates permission?

[cecilia]

hmm I never knew Michael tradedmarked it, but since he named it after neverland in peter pan wouldn't disney still have the rights to the name" neverland" ?

what got to do Disney with J M Barrie the writer who first used Neverland name for his novel??

[Darren]

Mike would HATE this, really

[Zeus 7]

Imitition is the best form of flatery, these people should be left to celebrate MJ instead of being shut down, pfft

[Selfie]

J.M. Barrie's story has Never Neverland. Disney has Neverland but I doubt they even trademarked the name besides Disney had the rights to the story but they didn't do a replica of the original story a lot of things were changed big time in Disney's version the classic.

[writer]

Business is business. They gotta protect Michael's money.

Imitition is the best form of flatery, these people should be left to celebrate MJ instead of being shut down, pfft

They are not shutting down the band.

[MrsMJ2007]

Yes, the estate has the right to ask that the name Neverland not be used. If the estate owns the right, then they have the right to sue. It doesn't make them Nazis and it doesn't make them bad people. This happens all the time. Just the same as Michael had to change the lyrics to the Jacksons song "Heartbreak Hotel" because the title was affiliated with Elvis' (or Mama Thornton) song "Heartbreak Hotel". RCA filed a grievance against the Jacksons. It doesn't make the horrible or greedy. But rights are rights and ownership means everything!

[danny101]

ive seen these guys perform before they are actually REALLY REALLY GOOD i cant beleive the estate would do that!

[crybabymommie]

the band Foreverland are going to perform here in Northern Cal next week
San Jose on Thursday evening Aug 5th for free in the park in front of the Fairmont Hotel
I plan to be there to see them and listen
I haven't seen them before.....the new name "foreverland" is kool I guess


Michael IS forever