Jermaine Nixes Notion of Michael Drug Use

(CBS)  Michael Jackson's brother bristled Tuesday at the suggestion that the King of Pop was a drug user.

From Vienna, Austria, where he was announcing a tribute concert for Michael, Jermaine Jackson took exception when co-anchor Harry Smith said, "Your brother's (heavy prescription) drug use was not a secret. Are there moments when the family says, 'What could we have done differently, what should we have done differently, how could we have avoided where we are now?' "

"First of all," Jermaine responded, "I wouldn't call it that. I wouldn't call it that because, as I (have) stated before, there was nothing that I saw of anything of that substance. So for you to say that question to me is really not fair.

"This (the concert) is about us keeping Michael's legacy alive around the world and what he's given back, not just to music, but just to people. He was one of the greatest humanitarians that ever lived. And he's in the Guinness Book of Record for his actions in giving to charities.

More CBSNews.com coverage of Jackson's life and death:

Blige, Brown To Perform At MJ Tribute
"Lot of Magic in Air" at Jackson Funeral
Hoax MJ Video Creates Online Stir
Coroner Rules Jackson's Death a Homicide
Full Coverage: The Death Of Michael Jackson

"So, we can say these things, but the bottom line is what he did with his music. He didn't sing about it and write about it, he did it. He took the time to go hospitals and make sure children were fine, and brought smiles to their faces, and gave them the chance to have fun at Neverland. That's what Neverland was built for, to bring the joy to kids who were dying. So, let's not forget about the focus of what Michael's whole legacy was all about.

"There's tremendous speculation and talk in the media, but at the same time, look at the person he was. He was a wonderful person."

The Los Angeles County Coroner concluded that Michael's death was a homicide, the result of a lethal mix of prescription drugs, including the powerful sedative Propofol. Michael's personal physician at the time, Dr. Conrad Murray, is said to be the subject of a related manslaughter investigation.

The concert, to be called "The Tribute in Memory of Michael Jackson," will be a star-studded affair September 26 in front of Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna.

The concert's Web site says the Jackson family intends to make it an annual event.

[pw08-2009]

Jermaine and the Jackson family has really turned Michaels death into a complete joke and shame by continuing to try and profit from his death.

The now "re-scheduled" concert is quote: "The purpose for this show is to give something back to the fans ... we have to do this right.."

Jermaines idea of giving something back starts at $73.00 per ticket and goes up to $745.00...isn't he generous to give back to the fans by cashing in?

[pw08-2009]

Jermaine needs to step back and quit trying so damn hard to capitalize on Michael's death. I am really surprised at how this family, who I once regarded as being such a wonderful family, is trying every way possible to squeeze Michaels death into cash...it's pretty sad really.

[wasrinrime]

If you lived on a mountain in a cave - you knew about Jacksons drug use - GMAB!

[Mikey22000]

Stacy Brown WAS NOT on Larry King, it was Jermaine who spoke of the intervention. Check King's archives. Jermaine knows a lot more than what he's saying. Latoya and Tito both confirmed the intervention. Randy also confirmed Jermaine's involvement in the tell all with Brown.

[anitaymoore]

Of course they are going to deny, deny, deny...but wait, some have come out and publicly stated that he DID use drugs. Oh that's right...PRESCRIPTION drugs cannot be a problem because they're prescribed by a Dr. right? What idiots some of these family members are. They are either being SERIOUSLY misquoted, or they are in serious denial...one or the other. Can we drop this whole thing now...I'm sick of hearing about it. They drug out his burial for such a long time that not only was it ridiculous...it was disrespectful, burying him three months later, shameful! Even in his death they are trying to profit from him and make him out to be more than he was...a person who was never allowed to be "normal", a drug addict, someone who sought constant perfection in himself...to the point of destroying his own face. Yes, he was talented, I'll give him that, but hew as seriously, seriously troubled...and people enabled his addictions. Drop it already...have ONE day that doesn't have the words Michael Jackson mentioned.

[spiritwalk]

Please keep this idiot off the news.
by edgy44 September 8, 2009 2:43 PM EDT

That statement could pretty much apply to every story on CBS News.

[edgy44]

Please keep this idiot off the news.

[spiritwalk]

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasnt Jermaine on Larry King a while ago saying that he and the family had tried to have an intervention with Michael and he denied using drugs and when they went back to try again he had his bodyguards keep them out?

Strange that you would want to have a drug intervention with someone you didnt believe was on drugs. But I guess that Jermaine now contends he never said that...excuse the video of it.

Then again, I seem to remember him going on Larry King a couple of years ago to promote a tell all book he had written about Michael, even showing the dust jacket of the book. Then a little while later he went back on and denied he had ever considered writting the book.

Maybe I need Michaels' doctor to prescribe something for me to deal with hallucinations because I am starting to believe that Jermaine is the most blatant liar I have ever heard.

[the_phenom_]

To spiritwalk:

Jermaine was never on Larry King claiming the family tried to stage an intervention. Stacy Brown - a self proclaimed Jackson insider claimed this. It could be true though because there were quotes from La Toya and Tito claiming that the family tried to stage an intervention. Jermaine though has always denied knowing anything of this sort.

Jermaine never promoted a tell all book on Larry King. Jermaine promoted a book about the Jackson legacy and story of J5. Again Stacy Brown later claimed on larry King that he had evidence that the book was going to reveal all secrets about Michael etc. Jermaine of course denied this and Stacy failed to produce the proofs he said he had in posession.

[AttentionDeficit]

The Jackson family has been riding the income stream from Michael for decades. It is not a surprise that they would deny a problem.

[picklepants7]

come on give me a break jermaine. your brother was a junky, and the concert is for the money.