Jackson verdict could revive career, say experts

Michael Jackson’s not guilty verdict could spark a career comeback, industry experts predicted today.

The star has failed to set the charts alight in recent years. But he could use the publicity surrounding the trial to reinvent his music career and reclaim his crown as the King of Pop.

“This trial can be a turning point for Jackson and the making of him once again,” said HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo.

“He has been given a huge second chance to reflect on his life and the direction he wants to go in as a recording artist and performer.

“A lot of the key elements of a successful career are still in place – he has a dedicated fan base around the world and he remains the most famous man on the planet, so is guaranteed huge publicity in everything he does.

“What he most needs, though, is to regain his credibility as an artist and to show that he is still capable of making fantastic music which connects with the record-buying public.

“If he could align himself with credible R&B acts and producers such as Kanye West, Timbaland or Outkast there’s every chance he could kick-start his career once again.”

Jackson’s back catalogue continues to sell steadily and his recent album of number ones was a hit.

But his career has been going downhill for several years – a far cry from his heyday in the late Eighties and early Nineties when he was selling tens of millions of albums.

Other experts agree that Jackson can make a comeback if he can convince the public to concentrate on his music rather than his bizarre personal life.

Antonio Reid, chairman and CEO of US record label Island Def Jam, said: “He can have success. I would say that he has to just make great music and concentrate on nothing else but making great music and making great live performances.”

Jackson would not be the first music star to bounce back from serious charges.

In 2002 R&B singer R Kelly bounced back to release the critically acclaimed Chocolate Factory – which debuted at the top of the charts.

Since then, he has released two other platinum projects, and worked with several top acts, including Britney Spears and Jay-Z.