Blogs »
Gigwise RSS Feeds Bookmark and Share

What Should Happen To Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch?

Now it's been sold...

After months of trying to hold onto his little oasis in California, Michael Jackson has been forced to sell his Neverland ranch.

Purchased in 1987, the 2,800 acre property, much like Jackson's life, was a lavish fantasy. As animals roamed around inside a private zoo and local school children played on expensive fairground equipment, the singer sat watching, in safety, from a house that Walt Disney would have been proud of.

Then came Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial. When police gutted the property in full view of a television news camera, Neverland's value – estimated to be $120million – plummeted like the singer's reputation. A year later, and after Jackson had been cleared of all charges, Neverland was closed because the singer had failed to pay his staff or maintain proper insurance.

Now Jackson has sold Neverland, one question remains: what should happen to it?

Well few could argue that the property hasn't got potential. Sure, it's run down zoo and theme park might resemble a Zippo Circus that's been bitten by the credit crunch, but that can all be fixed with a lick of paint. And it's not as if Jackson's old house – complete with its resplendent Neverland logo – couldn't be restored to its former glory. I wouldn't mind going to see Bubbles (OK, it might not be the original) or taking the plunge on the Dragon Wagon.

Of course, the only real object that could be standing in the way of Neverland's rejuvenation is the fact that the property used to belong to Michael Jackson. The singer is the greatest performer of all time  - but it will take a lot for someone to willingly sit in his tree house after all the allegations that have shattered his career in recent years.

What do you think? Should Neverland be restored to its former glory or flattened and turned into a housing estate?

(30)
  • Housing estate fo sho

    ~ by winnet2 11/14/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • They should turn it into a home for underprivileged children

    ~ by Smeeee 11/14/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • I'd like to see Michael given it back...

    ~ by Bob 11/14/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • Why not a "get away" or summer camp for very ill children or children of abusive homes.

    ~ by Phyllis 11/14/2008

    Reply to this comment

  • "...greatest entertainer of all time..."....really?

    ~ by John 11/14/2008

    Reply to this comment View 1 Reply

» View all 30 comments

 characters left [+]  


Register now and have your comments approved automatically!

  • Reading: @Gigwise Happy 40th Birthday Abbey Road - Amazing Parodies Of The Iconic Album Cover! http://bit.ly/DvHhR
    BarrelhouseBeat on Fri Aug 07 21:29:03 via Twitterrific
  • Andy Burrows is joining We Are Scientists? (via @gigwise http://bit.ly/Mybwb) - interesting...
    kateatthemotel on Fri Aug 07 20:25:47 via web
  • #metal #rock #music #news @Metal_Hammer @TMUnews @ThrashHits @Roadrunner_UK @rrusa @ukmetal @Gigwise @rocksound
    ema_ems on Fri Aug 07 17:54:56 via Gravity
  • RT @LeVarThomas: #FollowFriday @AltPress @rocksound @jambase @recordoftheday @current_music @Gigwise @lovebscott @djUnk
    smileyfacejonez on Fri Aug 07 12:51:38 via TweetDeck
  • #FollowFriday @AltPress @rocksound @jambase @recordoftheday @current_music @Gigwise @lovebscott @djUnk
    LeVarThomas on Fri Aug 07 12:51:09 via web
Artist A-Z   # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z