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American Morning

Why Did Michael Jackson Open Nasdaq

Aired August 30, 2001 - 10:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We want to hear a little bit more about what's happening at the Nasdaq today with Michael Jackson. For that, let's go to Bill Tush. He's been hanging out with some very excited fans on Times Square.

BILL TUSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm telling you, when I think Nasdaq, I think Michael Jackson.

KAGAN: Of course.

TUSH: The two go hand in hand. Anyway, he was here about an hour ago, a little less than an hour ago. He turned Nasdaq on for the day. There was a crowd of maybe -- I guess the crowd got up to about 500 people or so. A lot of them are still here, because after he pushed the button and cut a birthday cake that the Nasdaq folks gave him -- because yesterday Michael turned 43 -- the fans left and went across the street; because word got out that he was going upstairs to wave to them out the window.

Now, we've got David Weild here who's the head of the corporate line division. Right?

DAVID WEILD, NASDAQ: That's correct.

TUSH: That's a big title. He's the boss, let's put it that way. Anyway, he was in there with Michael. I noticed Michael was -- he seemed unusually chatty today.

WEILD: I have nothing else to compare it to. But he was certainly chatty, had a great time. We walked around, we talked a lot about the music industry, his two big concerts coming up, the stock market. So, I think he had a wonderful time, and of course his birthday, which was yesterday.

TUSH: No of course, everybody wonders: What is the tie in between Nasdaq and Michael Jackson?

WEILD: It's a great question, but we are part of the popular culture that is Nasdaq, and who could be more representative of the popular culture than Michael Jackson?

TUSH: You're also hosting a party for him next Friday night after his concert at the Garden. WEILD: Actually, Amazon.com is hosting that party. I'm mean I'm on the -- I'm one of co-chairman of the dinner committee, but the host and sponsor of the party, if you will, is Amazon.com.

TUSH: OK. Well have a good time.

WEILD: Which is a Nasdaq company.

TUSH: I'm sure you've got a box seat at the Garden for next week?

WEILD: I'm going to be right up there in the front rows cheering him on.

TUSH: I have to tell you, I said that he was going to go upstairs to wave at the fans. They've been out there now since he left, which is -- or left this area, about a half hour ago. And I stood out here, saw a black Ford Expedition come out from the building with a guy in the back seat sitting there covered up in a blanket. I said, he left.

WEILD: Well, you never know.

TUSH: OK. All right, David. Thank you, we had a good time here today. Let's go back to Daryn in Atlanta.

KAGAN: All right, Bill. Thank you very much.

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