Joe Jackson seeks Lisa-Marie Presley&squo;s help for Neverland | Herald SunJoe Jackson seeks Lisa-Marie Presley's help for Neverland
July 17, 2009 12:00am
JOE Jackson wants his former daughter-in-law Lisa-Marie Presley - Elvis' daughter - to help him transform Neverland into the next Graceland.
The 79-year-old father of the late Michael Jackson sought out Priscilla and her daughter Lisa Marie Presley - Michael's ex-wife and the daughter of Elvis Presley - because he is keen to turn Michael's former home into an attraction for fans.
Joe believes Neverland could be as successful as Elvis' former residence Graceland.
National Enquirer magazine reports: "Joe secretly set about soliciting advice from ex in-laws Lisa Marie Presley and hard-nosed mom Priscilla Presley on how to turn the ranch into a perpetual money-machine, like Graceland - which has netted the Presleys hundreds of millions!"
Joe is said to be amazed at the amount of money Priscilla and her family have made from Graceland.
He is keen to buy the Neverland ranch - which Michael moved out of in 2005 following his acquittal of child abuse charges - from the mortgage company which is currently in charge of it as soon as possible.
Joe is also said to be considering exhuming Michael's body after it is buried and moving it to Neverland - even though the 50-year-old pop icon had said he never wanted to return after police raided the estate in 2003.
A source said: "Joe tortured Michael in life. If his scheme to bury Michael in Neverland succeeds, his son may never rest in peace. Turning Neverland into Graceland is one thing - imprisoning Michael's spirit in a hated place is a shocking betrayal."
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson was turned into a hermit by his doctors and bodyguards, his father has claimed.
Joe Jackson says his 50-year-old son – who died of a suspected cardiac arrest last month – refused to venture out in the months leading up to his death and compared his life to that of eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes who died a recluse in 1976.
Joe alleges Michael’s entourage forced the pop legend to cut him and his mother Katherine out of his life.
He said: "His relationship was different because he was protected by the security guards. It was not only me but Katherine too. They treated him just like they did Howard Hughes.
"I knew the people weren't treating him right in the beginning but there was nothing I could do, he was his own man. All of them were cheating him."
Joe also spoke again of his belief that Michael’s entourage played a part in his death.
He said: "I do believe there was foul play. When he left rehearsals he was waving and all this stuff.
"Then he went upstairs and this doctor was there and he must have given him something to make him rest."
Meanwhile, it has been revealed Michael – who was due to start a 50-night residency at London’s O2 arena last Monday – used to cure his insomnia by dancing.
Publicist Rob Goldstone said the Thriller singer had a dance floor installed in hotel rooms during his Bad tour in the 80s.
He said: "At the end of a show it took him eight to 10 hours to wind down. So he'd dance the entire time."