Hours after the pop singer’s first posthumous single “This Is It” was released amid great hype on Monday, it emerged that the tune had been recorded 18 years ago by an obscure Puerto Rican singer.

Moreover the co-author of that tune, “My Way” songwriter Paul Anka, threatened to sue Jackson’s estate for proper credit and his share of royalties.

The administrators of the estate quickly acknowledged Anka’s claims and granted him 50 percent of the copyright, a potentially massive payday for the 68-year-old Canadian crooner. And an equally massive loss for the estate.

“They realize it’s a mistake, they realize it’s my song, they realize it’s my production of his vocal in my studio and I am getting 50 percent of the whole project, actually, which is fair,” Anka said in a video posted on the TMZ gossip Web site.

The song dates back to 1983, when it was known as “I Never Heard” — a co-write between Jackson and Anka — and intended for inclusion on an Anka album. But the pair fell out, Jackson took the master tapes and Anka got them back.

The song was eventually released in 1991 after Anka placed it with an unknown Latin singer named Sa-Fire.

Both “I Never Heard” and “This Is It” share the same vocal and piano line, although the latter track boasts new overdubs from Jackson’s brothers.

But “This Is It” had been promoted as a new Jackson recording, one of a multitude of unreleased recordings likely to come out in the next few years.

It was released online around the world nearly four months after the singer died in Los Angeles of a prescription drug overdose at the age of 50.

Fans will be able to buy it when a two-disc album hits the shelves in two weeks to coincide with the October 28 worldwide release of the Jackson rehearsal-footage movie “This is It.”

Lyrics fit the bill
“The song was picked because the lyrics were appropriate because of the name Michael gave his tour,” said a spokesman for Jackson’s estate. “We are thrilled to present this song in Michael’s voice for the first time, and that Michael’s fans have responded in unprecedented numbers. The song was co-written by the legendary Paul Anka.”

A spokeswoman for Sony Music declined to comment. One of the estate’s two administrators, John McClain, worked with Jackson at the Sony Corp unit. The other executor is music attorney John Branca.

McClain, who is also a co-producer of the “This is It” album, had said in a statement earlier on Monday that the song “only defines, once again, what the world already knows — that Michael is one of God’s greatest gifts.”

Some critics begged to differ. Jon Pareles, the chief pop critic of The New York Times, said in a blog it “won’t be on anyone’s list of best Michael Jackson songs, even if it’s a long list” and hoped there was something better in the Michael Jackson vaults of album outtakes.

The “This Is It” movie is based on rehearsal video shot in Los Angeles in the weeks before Jackson’s planned 50 comeback concerts in London. It was the subject of a $60 million deal between Jackson’s estate and closely held concert promoter AEG Live and Sony’s Sony Pictures unit.

Sales of Jackson’s records spiked after his death and the release of the movie and album will add to the value of the “Thriller” singer’s estate, estimated at around $400 million.

Sony Music said the first disc of the album will feature some of Jackson’s greatest hits plus two versions of the “new” single.

The second disc will include unreleased versions of some of the singer’s classic tracks and a spoken word poem entitled “Planet Earth” performed by Jackson and never heard before.

The Millionaire special debuts August 9th on ABC, and will air for eleven nights from Sunday through Thursdays ; check local lists for times.

He was raring to continue that help for the future saying, “We hope to come back to Alberta in the future to help with the healing.” Its good to see when faced with crisis, there are stars that are keen to help. Costner stuck to his words and though sad, his assistance will perhaps give the well required healing those families merit. Thousands were available to enjoy the Big Valley Jamboree, a Canadian music holiday. Thunderstorms were blamed for the breakdown that left more than 75 others wounded.

Ryan O’Neal, the longtime companion who had reunited with Fawcett as she fought anal cancer, was at her side, along with close friend Alana Stewart, Bloch said.

“After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away,” O’Neal said. “Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.”

When Carly left American Idol, she had talked with her management about what direction she would go.  She was offered many things that she felt were wrong for her, but she stuck to her identity and her desires for what she wanted and this new opportunity came along.  Carly said “I got offered many things that were in the wrong vein of music and I stuck to my guns and this all happened really organically.  I thought at the time I was making a huge mistake by turning things down, but I’m very much happier now.”

Organically is the buzz word that the band is using to describe their formation and their operating style.  They are testing out their songs and challenging themselves, writing large amounts of music, and they will be going on tour.  They plan to release a new song every two months.  They want their show to be “Pink Floyd meets Tim Burton meets Cir de Sole”.  They want to take their shows that step further.

To listen to the new release, visit wearethefallen.com and download new song “Bury Me Alive”

“Their obsession with their tv show and money appears to be what is important to them.  They should stop the tv show ASAP!   Kids can do without “things” but need a mom and dad sho truly have their besst interests at heart.”

“Jon and kate should definitely contiue their reality show.  Isn’t divorce today a reality?  happens all the time.  Viewers would get even bigger kicks watching them go through what a good percentage of couples are facing today”

A Headline News poll (remember–just a casual poll, unscientific) found that 83% of vewiers think they should continue on with the show, while 17% think they should not.

What do you think–Should Jon and Kate continue their show?  Leave your comments.

The show will likely go on for a few more seasons because of this added dynamic which is sure to continue to spice things up and keep the high ratings.  However, it is sad to think about the hurt of a family and the pain the children will suffer from such unfortunate events, all out in the open for the public to gossip about.  Reality television seems to be having devastating effects on many of those who participate in it.  The instant stardom is often followed by an even faster downfall or tragedy, and the fan base plus the TV executives are all right there to cheer on the tragedy.