There's no way this could not be a spectacle but that's exactly what it's going to be. Every time he does something it's a 'comeback'. I wonder if the shows will have a different feel to them. I don't want a flashback of 1997. Or even 1987.

To me, it's a 'typical' 80s song. I mean, I love TWYMMF and when I hear it I'm dancing my shoes off, but he doesn't have to put it on his setlist. Same for Bad: typical 80s song, don't need to hear it.

hey,I think MJ should do some kind of James Brown tribute on this tour.

Maybe debut a newly written song that he dedicates to James? Or perform a funky James Brown medley?

Jackson will perform at least 10 shows, and possibly as many as 50



04/03/2009
Michael Jackson comes to the O2
The weird pop star Michael Jackson - disgraced but not convicted, remember - will play a residency at the O2 Arena in Greenwich in June, earning him as much as £100 million which is coincidentally the precise figue at which his debt has been estimated. In further proof that The O2, owned by AEG, is becoming the biggest player in international music, Jackson will perform at least 10 shows, and possibly as many as 50, if he's up to it - which is subject to some doubt, given his reported chest problems and general fragility. His last performance in London in 2006 saw him mime along to a bit of We Are The World, and exit stage left, accompanied by boos, and his last original material turned up in 2001, so he ought to get practising now.

Particularly when you do the maths: 10 shows at £50 million, according to the Mirror, surely not right? At £5 million a show in a 20,000 capacity venue, you would have to charge an average of £250 per seat. The Telegraph's more conservative estimate suggests £1.5 million earnings per show, but even then, you suspect fans should not hold their breath for the £31.21-per-ticket bonanza that attended Prince's residency here. Perhaps something closer to the £500 Barbra Streisand charged. Promoter Harvey Goldsmith has suggested a bottom price of £75, and given the brilliance of The O2's coup - Jackson will not perform anywhere else in the world this year - international demand will meet that easily and bring a boost to London's tourism industry to boot. Just watch out for the touts selling on tickets for ludicrous sums, as happened with the Prince concerts.

But what price an evening that, let's speculate, features Eddie Van Halen airdropped in for Beat It, a full re-creation of the Thriller dance, a child from every nation on earth parading around for What About Us? and the roof of the O2 retracted and the Earth's satellite hauled in so Jackson can perform his signature Moonwalk on the very body that inspired it? As I say, he better get practising.

04/03/2009 | Permalink
http://godwin.thisislondo...he-o2.html

Michael Jackson seeks comeback in London
By JILL LAWLESS – 25 minutes ago

LONDON (AP) — Michael Jackson is making his first live appearance in years, but will it still be a thriller?

The King of Pop is due to meet the press at a London concert arena this week to announce the mother of all comebacks — a string of concerts that organizers hope will net the financially troubled star millions.

But after years of erratic behavior, health fears, child-abuse allegations and money woes, is the once-golden Jackson brand tarnished beyond repair?

"Because of what's happened to him and how he's lived his life over the last 20 years, he's made it very difficult for people to out themselves as Michael Jackson fans," British music writer and broadcaster John Aizlewood said Wednesday. "These concerts are a huge opportunity for rehabilitation."

Jackson, 50, flew into London by private jet Tuesday ahead of a "special announcement" Thursday afternoon at the city's O2 Arena. It is widely expected he will announce a string of up to 30 dates at the domed arena beside the River Thames, which holds up to 20,000 people. It has become a venue of choice for big-name acts and comeback performers. Britney Spears is due to play there for eight nights in June, Prince did a 21-day series of shows at the arena in 2007, and Led Zeppelin played a one-off reunion gig there the same year.

If organizers hope to see a return of the fan frenzy that once followed Jackson everywhere, they may be disappointed. Only a handful of people joined the packs of press photographers and camera crews Wednesday outside Jackson's London hotel — and several of those said they were seeking autographs to sell on eBay.

But even if Jacksonmania is a diminished force, his comeback would be a huge event.

One of the best-selling artists of all time, Jackson has sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammy awards. "Thriller," released in 1982, is still the best-selling album of all time.

Jackson has not released a studio album or played a full concert since 2001. His last major tour was the HIStory World Tour in 1996-1997.

Since then, Jackson's ever-changing appearance and erratic behavior have often overshadowed his music.

He was arrested in 2003 on child-molestation charges and acquitted in 2005 after a trial in California. Since then he has traveled the world, spending time in Ireland, France and the Gulf state of Bahrain.

His last live performance in Britain was at the 2006 World Music Awards. He was scheduled to perform "We Are the World" but only managed a few lines before leaving the stage.

He has struggled to pay his debts after his financial empire crumbled following his arrest. Last year he was forced to give up the deed to Neverland, his 2,500-acre (1,000 hectare) ranch and miniature amusement park in California.

In November, Jackson reached an undisclosed settlement with a Bahraini prince who had brought a $7 million breach of contract suit against him.

In April, Jackson will auction more than 2,000 personal items from Neverland, including platinum and gold records, a customized Harley Davidson and a Rolls Royce limousine.

His health is rumored to be as precarious as his finances. He often looks gaunt in photographs, and rumors of his condition have ranged from lung disease to an infection acquired during nose surgery.

Bookmaker William Hill is already taking bets on whether Jackson will show up for his first gig. It is offering 5/1 odds that he won't, and spokesman Graham Sharpe anticipates brisk business.

"Once people start buying tickets they may well want to have a bet that he won't show up as a form of insurance," Sharpe said.

Aizlewood said he would bet on the ever-erratic Jackson pulling it off.

"This is Michael Jackson playing his greatest hits — some of the greatest hits in the history of music — live," Aizlewood said. "It is a great event. I think even Michael Jackson won't blow it."

http://www.google.com/hos...QD96N9J7G0

LondonStyle said:

That's because they weren't really organized and many were skeptical

but you'll see those muthafuckas at the press conference, believe that

Michael!!!!!

The New Michael Jackson.com is hot!!!!

Mike Crack needs to get on a soundtrack or something, let's get some new music.

will he sing live?

^^^^^ this is why we are being punished!

No Show For Michael Jackson? ....the BETs are on .....

With the news that Michael Jackson is set to make an announcement that he is to appear at a number of performances in London, bookmakers William Hill have opened a book on whether he will turn up for the first scheduled concert and offer 5/1 that he fails to do so and 1/9 that he will.
The bookies are also offering 8/1 that Michael Jackson has a number one single this year, 12/1 two number one singles and 20/1 that he has three or more.

Michael Jackson is 33/1 with William Hill to have the 2009 Christmas number one.

"Regardless of how popular Michael Jackon may or may not be with the public at large, he remains a source of fascination." said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe......

lilgish said:

Legitimate question.

JackieBlue said:

Don't worry the British Press will ask him that question on Thursday !

LondonStyle said:

, Hope they don't ask dumb questions, it all should be related to music.

seeingvoices12 said:

But mike's a singer ???

seeingvoices12 said:

I'd be guilty of asking selfish questions:

-"Why haven't you released a Bad tour DVD"
-"Why did you have Akon and Fergie on Thriller 25?"
-"Why do you like KFC? What's wrong with Popeyes?"
-"Can I have you neice Brandi's number?"

JackieBlue said:

I just want to ONE performance of Bad...


Aww damn, if he puts in We're Almost There or Liberian Girl on the list

bboy87 said:

How the hell did you get so white ...!

LondonStyle said:

Mike will probably roll his eyes at that question like "I thought I told you... "

I got more selfish questions:
"How come you didn't include those unreleased songs from the THRILLER sessions?"
"If you have a dream collaboration, who would it be?"
"Will you perform "Billie Jean" as an acoustic performance?"
"Do you still have a crush on Diana Ross?"

bboy87 said:

why you still accepting songs from R.kelly?

bboy87 said:

Hell, how about "Just a Little Bit of You"? That'll be a shocker!

Timmy84 said:

what the hell, forget about that, "you are there" is the greatest gem on the album "forever,michael"
[Edited 3/4/09 11:11am]

Anx!


Oh, and uh... Mike Jax

seeingvoices12 said:

This is so hilarious! Just like he was going to make his big comeback in Vegas, after Prince. Now he has to copycat the O2 gig? I'd bet that not one show happens.

Dude's face will melt off underneath any sort of stage lighting!

Serena said:

Serena said:

Wow! Being so bitter truely has to hurt! You guys counted him out too early!

PatrickS77 said:

Not bitter one bit and he was counted out long ago, this publicity stunt changes nothing...that's why I'm laughing! I think it's funny that he's always one step behind Prince.

Is he going to wear his jammies onstage like he does in court?

Maybe he should cover Prince's "I Wanna Melt With U".

What excellent news. I can't wait till Thursday for the big announcement.