Jackson has potential to rebuild his career

NEW YORK - Michael Jackson’s career has often been declared dead, but a day after the pop icon was acquitted Monday on all charges in the child molestation case against him, industry insiders believe MJ can make a comeback.

Jackson's family remained silent Tuesday, his attorney Tom Mesereau Jr. told NBC only that the entertainer would no longer allow boys to stay in his bedroom — a primary cause of Jackson's legal woes — and his official Web site simply flashed messages proclaiming his legal victory: “Innocent,” “V is for Vindication.”

After facing charges that he molested a young cancer patient and enduring a graphic trial featuring an avalanche of porn and allegations of sex with young boys, many now wonder if Jackson’s career can rebound.

But music executives are quick to point out that Jackson still has plenty of potential.

“He can have success,” said Antonio “L.A” Reid, chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam. “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.”

When his success as a child wunderkind fronting The Jackson Five was waning, some doubted whether he could make it as an adult star — and were proven wrong. And when he had hits again with his brothers as part of The Jacksons, others questioned whether he could become a solo success — and they were wrong.

After Jackson became one of the most popular entertainers in history — and saw his image tarnished by a 1993 allegation of child molestation — many doubted that he would have a No. 1 hit again. But he did.

The public hasn’t concentrated on Jackson as a musical figure for a long time. His last album, a greatest hits project, was released the day of his arrest on child molestation charges in 2003. For the past year and a half, news around Jackson has centered on allegations of sex with children, giving them alcohol, and other questionable behavior at Neverland Ranch.

“People have been fascinated with Michael as a celebrity,” says Jack Isquith, head of label relations at AOL Music, which premieres the videos, concerts and singles by the top pop acts.

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“He has declined in terms of his record sales and his musical standing ... there’s no question that Michael has been perceived on the wane,” Isquith said. “(But) if Michael Jackson were to play the Apollo and it was monumentally brilliant ... I think that would really register a lot of focus on Michael as a musical (figure).”

Las Vegas might be a possibility for him to make that great live performance. On Tuesday, Jack Wishna, who has a minority interest in Trump’s New Frontier Hotel and Casino, said he had been in talks with Jackson before the trial to perform on the Strip, and hopes to continue those negotiations.

“I am still interested in bringing his talents to Las Vegas,” he said in a statement.

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