Mourad Mesellaty

 

#OnThisDay January 11th, 2008. #MichaelJackson and Fuzzy, Will.I.Am, Big Boy at Palms Studio, Las Vegas. Michael gave radio presenters Big Boy & Fuzzy a sneak peek of 'Thriller 25th' at the Las Vegas recording studio

Under Howard Hughes-like secrecy, Michael Jackson was adding final touches on his first album since 2001 early this year while staying at the Palms.

Michael Jackson lived in the hotel from Thanksgiving through February while working on an album with Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and rapper Akon.

They had been collaborating on it for more than two years, much of it in the Palms recording studio.

Palms owner George Maloof, after checking with his studio director Zoe Thrall, said it appears that February was the last time Michael Jackson, Will.i.am and Akon were in the studio.

Michael Jackson was hoping to complete the album to mark the 25th anniversary of "Thriller," the biggest-selling album of all time.

When Michael Jackson called out of the blue needing a place to stay with his kids last November, Maloof gave him the only suite available, the Hugh Hefner sky villa. Security was placed at the door 24-7, and no one was told who was in the suite.