JACKSON family stalwart PHOENIX fears MICHAEL JACKSON's upcoming 50th birthday will be a quiet affair - because pop's first family can't schedule a big celebration with the reclusive pop superstar. The former family publicist-turned-biographer Phoenix is constantly in touch with siblings Jermaine and Tito and their mother Katherine and reveals they're desperately trying to plan a kin reunion to mark Michael's half-century celebrations this coming Friday (29Aug08).
Phoenix, who now fronts Jackson 5 tribute band The Dancing Machine Revue, says, "I spoke to Tito two weeks ago and he said the family wants to spend time with Michael, but, due to Michael's schedule and the fact he's been a little under the weather, it looks unlikely. They're trying to get everyone's schedules to fit so they can have a celebration with Michael. "They're not big on birthdays but this would be a big family thing. It's a historical moment for the family. They can't believe that the little brother is turning 50 this year."
But Phoenix is sure reclusive Michael will be planning something special for his fans: "He will acknowledge the fans. If nothing else, he'll send out a press release thanking fans all around the world for supporting him on his birthday. And there will be an address where fans can send gifts and presents and letters directly to Michael. That's important to him."
Meanwhile plans to build a museum honoring pop's first family, the JACKSONS, in their native Gary, Indiana have been put on hold as the troubled clan fix a series of financial issues. Longtime former family publicist-turned-biographer Phoenix insists Michael Jackson and his kin still plan on creating a memorabilia-packed centre in their hometown - but want to be clear of bad publicity when they launch it. He says, "I'm still in touch with the Jacksons and this is something that will happen. Due to some problems, they've had to postpone that and concentrate on other things.
"Once they iron out all their current problems, they'll move forward with that. It's still on the cards." But Phoenix urges fans not to believe everything they read or hear about the Jacksons'financial struggles: "Financially, they're doing fine. They're not the multi-millionaires that they used to be, but they're all doing fine."
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