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Meeting with L.A. Reid

Date range assessed by the fact that it took place at the Dorchester Hotel, in which Michael stayed from September 23, 2005 to October 18, 2005.

L.A. Reid, music producer, “Billboard” (May 5, 2014) (archived)

As [L.A. Reid] progressed to running labels, Reid kept in touch with Jackson, and talked about signing him to Island Def Jam. "He called me Mr. President," says Reid. "It was the sweetest thing in the world." The two met at the Dorchester Hotel in London. "He said, 'I don't want another hit, I don't want to just make another record. I want to do something great. If it can't be great, if it can't be groundbreaking, if it can't be massive, if you're not as committed as I am, then we shouldn't do it. But if you commit to me I promise I'll commit to you." It wasn't to be. Jackson signed a short-lived deal with Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the prince of Bahrain.

"Michael and I parted ways knowing that we wanted to work together," says Reid.