bboy87 said:

That's what the report was saying; that Reliable Randy was saying it but that nobody had the proof.....

eireboy34 said:

I wonder it could be confidentiality agreement

bboy87 said:

So in fact we don't really know that it's been done....suspect-very suspect.

eireboy34 said:

Well if we know anything about Michael, he hates for anything to be printed in the press. As of now though, I hope he's definitely up for it as Randy says he is (I can actually believe it for now). July's actually around the corner believe it or not (it's about to be May, lol).

Timmy84 said:

I believe that if he was sick, he wouldn't waste anyone's time or money.

angel345 said:

That's the only way to explain why he was giving the go to do the tour.

If he was not in a good state of health, he would have relied upon some other way of making the bucks- (ex: through some sort of a business deal).

I think its obvious that people always keep their health related matters confidential regardless of what state of health the person's in.

suga10 said:

Agreed, but I think because he's a public figure, people expect more.

angel345 said:

Wish I could be this naive!!!!!

AEG couldn't get insurance beyond the first 10 shows, that's pretty telling as to how people think this will go. If the part about him trying to throw his kid onstage is true, that should be a real treat! Poor kid, never performed before and then be expected to handle an insane crowd? Wonder if he'll have to wear a mask or veil for this little dog & pony show.

http://www.dailymail.co.u...aster.html

"Rehearsals for Michael Jackson's much-trumpeted 50 London comeback-and-farewell concerts have begun in an empty aircraft hangar in Los Angeles fitted out to look like the stage of the O2 Arena.

His dancers are being put through their steps, the musicians are hard at work and usually reliable sources indicate that Michael Jackson has actually shown up - cue a distinct sigh of relief from the concert organisers.

They are hoping that now, with the cancellation of the auction of Jackson memorabilia which was to have taken place next week, the King of Pop will no longer have that, and the lawsuit he had brought to stop it, to distract him.

Fifty extravagant shows starring elephants, a gruelling new dance routine, even a cameo role for his son. But has Jacko taken on too much?


Jackson - who hasn't set foot on stage since a disastrous appearance at the World Music Awards in 2006 when he managed to sing only two lines of We Are The World - was reported yesterday to have told his sister Janet that he felt a huge weight had been lifted from his mind.

'A huge part of my life has been given back to me,' he said. 'A part that should never have been snatched away. It tore me to shreds inside.'

With nothing to stand in the way of preparations for his sell-out This Is It O2 shows, which begin on July 8 and run until February 24, details are beginning to emerge from that closely guarded aircraft hangar.

Jackson has decided on his set list and the show's themes. He's asking for elephants on stage, and a jungle with monkeys and parrots. He also wants to fly like Peter Pan - he's been inspired by new-wave magician Criss Angel - and thinks he should perform a whole number while floating above the stage.

In addition, he is asking for a substantial cameo role in the show for his elder son, Prince, who is 12. The precise details of their duet will be finalised later. For now he is very steadily and quietly getting on with the business of working on his dance routines, or so his supporters say.

In this, Jackson is being assisted by choreographer Kenny Ortega, a genial but muscular 58-year-old who was mentored by Gene Kelly, has worked with everyone from Madonna to Cher and is the man behind High School Musical.

It's the dancing which apparently seems to worry Jackson the most, although others claim he ought to worry more about his voice. But for now the singer is obsessed with creating a move to rival the moonwalk, and that is what he and Ortega are concerning themselves with.

The concert promoters, AEG Live, are publicly upbeat about his chances of pulling it off. 'He's 50, but he's going to dance his ass off!' says the group's Randy Phillips excitedly.

But privately the people involved in nannying Jackson back on to stage after an absence of three years say it's like trying to train a host of butterflies to march in time - it's a delicate task, and at times it seems quite hopeless.

'I can't talk to you about how he is, because I will be sacked for sure,' says one. 'But this is not going to be easy.'

Jackson, who affects sunglasses, a thick wig and pink lipstick at all times, apparently seems to be either absent or absent-minded during the meetings he has attended so far. Anything related to business will have him waving his hand and asking his handlers to 'deal with it'.

Although he says he has been working on a new album for three years, and has spent months in studios with young artists such as Will I Am and Ne-Yo, little seems to have been achieved. There is maybe one single which can come out this summer. But it seems unlikely an album will be ready in July - instead, his camp are 'hopeful' of something for the end of this year.

Rumours swirl about the possibility that Jackson is still hooked on the painkiller Demerol, or alcohol, or both, and that this is what is rendering him so slow moving. Some are even going as far as guessing that he may have a lookalike perform dance moves because of his physical frailty and lack of fitness.

A family friend told me this week that he is still troubled by the back injury which led him to spend periods of his 2005 trial for child molesting - which resulted in his acquittal - in a wheelchair and in hospital.

Who, then, can possibly expect this man, who is said to complain that it is hard to breathe through his surgically altered nose, to perform 50 dates of 100 minutes each? Even when those dates are organised so that he never has to do consecutive nights, and even with the support of dozens of beautifully choreographed dancers, will he really be able to manage it?

Jackson's family are aghast and say in private that they don't think he can. His mother Katherine felt comfortable with him taking on ten dates, which was the initial plan. But she and the rest of his family were stunned when he seemed to be pressured by the demand for tickets into adding a further 40 shows.

'Michael wants to put up a hell of a big show, but we are all holding our breath,' said a family friend. 'He is going all out, and when you do that it comes with risks. Everyone is concerned about the number of dates.'

His family aren't the only ones who are worried. AEG, which is staking millions on his residency at the O2, cannot get insurance for any more than the first ten dates.

Embarrassingly, no one wants to underwrite the risk of illness or cancellation because it is so substantial, and AEG is now resigned to bearing the risk themselves.

His mental strength is the biggest question of all. Randy Phillips describes him as 'not a confident man', which is quite an understatement. Jackson lives in a bubble, surrounded by staff and seemingly frightened of the real world.

He has a security detail of five, who he insists must protect his children at all times from the threat of abduction.

He also has personal assistants, a tutor and a nanny for his three children, who live with them in their rented home. Most days are spent playing with the children. There is almost no social life beyond an occasional lunch with a family member because Michael usually isn't up to it.

He was destroyed by the sex abuse charges, by the revelations about wine or 'Jesus juice' being served to young boys, and by the description of his stash of pornography.

The controversial U.S. extremist religious organisation Nation of Islam also seems to be providing him with hired muscle once again. They were at his side during the trial and Leonard Mohammed, the son-in-law of Nation of Islam's leader Louis Farrakhan, was his manager for a time.

It seemed his association with them had passed. But his new manager, James Weller, is said to have warned the man who was to have been in charge of next week's auction, Darren Julien, that he would have been in danger from the Nation if he had gone ahead with it.

Despite these apparent problems, the Jackson camp remains upbeat. Brian Oxman, the family lawyer, told me: 'The bottom line is that Michael has been urged for years by his fans and the people around him who love him to get back out there and perform again. This is what he does. This is his passion. This is what has made him a legend.

'This is only partly about finances - that is a minor factor He is not in any financial difficulties. But he is like the rest of us - earning money is a good thing. Why shouldn't he?'

While Oxman's claims that Jackson isn't doing the concerts for the money may seem hard to believe, it is true that the money on offer, while enormous, is still nowhere near enough to dig him out of his financial black hole.

By last year, he owed at least £178million and had defaulted on his Bank of America loan to the tune of £198,000. He also has to pay Prince Abdullah of Bahrain £4 million in settlement of a lawsuit which the Prince brought, claiming that Jackson had reneged on a recording deal.

The concert should take £1.2million a night in ticket sales, plus a further £300,000 or so from merchandising. Jackson's slice will be about £800,000 a night. Over 50 nights, that gives him £40million - and there may be more if he agrees to do a residency in either Las Vegas or New York.

Those who know Jackson say his real motivation is to show his children what he is capable of.

He seems less concerned with impressing his brothers, however, who had hoped to be a part of the concerts and for there to be a Jackson Five reunion. Michael has not been interested in that idea.

'The brothers are so disappointed,' said a friend. 'I know they hope this becomes a world tour eventually, and they would love to join him on that.'

Nothing is straightforward. Even the question of where he will stay has not been resolved. A 28-bedroom house in Chislehurst, Kent, has been rented. But while Jackson wants his children Prince, Paris Katherine and Prince Michael II (known as Blanket) to have a chance to run around, people close to him say he will end up at one of London's five-star hotels.

Also, he has said that he won't go by helicopter to the Thameside O2 - he hates helicopters - but he is not thrilled by the suggestion of getting there by speedboat either. Nor does the paranoid Jackson like the idea of going by car, because he fears he would become an easy target for terrorists or kidnappers.

It's all exhaustingly unresolved, and you do start to wonder if he will even turn up in the UK come July.

Randy Phillips, naturally, says he must. 'If Mike gets too nervous, I'll throw him over my shoulder and carry him on stage - he's light enough,' he says. Now that would be a spectacle."

Serena said:

you really believe that he'd put his son on stage with him

this is the Daily Mail, a tabloid....

According to Actarus from MJFrance (the same person who told us the Talauega brothers have been rehearsing with Michael Jackson for two months), Siedah Garrett will also take part in the "This Is It!" concerts in London.

He says Siedah called Michael and asked him if she could be part of the shows and Michael immediately agreed.


Source: MJFrance / MJDreams.net

http://victoriaparsons.bl...t-two.html



(MJJR.net Summary, followed by official blog report)

Many more details are surfacing about the private process of selecting backup dancers for Michael Jackson's upcoming "This Is It" concert series. One female blogger who recently auditioned described the experience in detail, and yes Michael Jackson was present for the auditions and screening process. You can read her full report by clicking HERE. Notably, the female auditioning process began with 250+ hopefuls and after a series of auditions ultimately two females and one alternate were selected. Smooth Criminal was one of the choreographed dance sequences showcased. Furthermore, six male dancers along with four backup male dancers were selected. Thus, assuming these calculations are correct, there are now eight primary backup dancers and five alternates chosen for the concerts, reportedly with a two-year contract.

---

Michael Jackson Dance Rehearsals

I had to do a quick blog about the last two days...

Most dancers in my generation never thought the day would come that we might be able to audition for the one and only MICHAEL JACKSON. We never thought he would be doing another world tour. But this week, dreams came true... Michael Jackson held an audition for his "This is it" Tour.

I first found out from my agent that my picture was not chosen from the initial submission to the casting. He had to pitch me twice more before they agreed to allow me into the private audition. From this first moment I was hesitant to even go, feeling like they aren't interested in me to begin with...

Then I arrived to the audition as I watched about 250+ of the most beautiful and talented female dancers sign in and stretch to prepare for this incredible opportunity. There was at least two hours of scoping out the competition, adjusting our outfits, massaging our body, loosening our limbs, and eating to pass the time and nerves. They took us in to learn choreography... we fought our way to the front to utilize those mirrors... we turned and stared into the empty Nokia theatre and performed our hearts out to smooth criminal. They lined us up, so chorus line, then called my name... wow, I just passed the first cut.

They proceeded to teach us over 3 times as much choreography as was first taught. All I could feel was information overload and hurt feet after showing up at 9:30am and being there until 4:30pm. We absorbed as much as we could and then were told to come back for a callback the next day. I was exhausted but hesitant to rest because I knew everyone else would be at home practicing.

The callback was about 50, full of women of all types and styles... we waited anxiously as the boys were finishing their call. We were lucky enough to see the boys that made the cut, Jeremy Hudson and Dres were the only two I knew personally, but 6 booked it with 4 alternates. And so, it was our turn to hit the stage, review and perform for Michael Jackson himself. We went in groups of 8, only performing once with some modeling catwalk at the end. They sent us back into the lobby until all the women were auditioned. They brought us all back out together and made a cut... down to 16 women. I couldn't believe it... they called my name again. Final cut... they wanted us to walk... to strut... they told us to channel our inner Naomi... So in groups of four, we strutted around the stage knowing that our fates were being sealed.

Last line up. Last girls. 16 strong. So close, yet they only needed 2 women and 1 alternate. They called three names forward... Tyne, Sofia, and another girl(unknown). Asked if they had any conflicts in the next two years... they all shook their heads... "you're booked!" I ran straight up to my friend Tyne and hugged her as hard as I could, tears forming. I was so proud of her! This is a dancer's dream come true! A two year tour with MJ himself! I'm so comfortable with the fact that I didn't book it because I am so honored to have made it that far and to have shared a stage with some of history's best female dancers from all over the world. I don't normally post blogs about jobs I don't work on, but this audition was epic... an amazing experience and so very enjoyable. I really wish more auditions were as enjoyable as this one. Just honored to have danced/auditioned for Michael himself.

eireboy34 said:

Likewise you don't know that it hasn't be done.

I doubt that a company like AEG would want to take a risk on an unproven live show without going through the rigurous tests that he has the capacity to do the shows.

I think its just a slow news day. Can you give us the source?

Swa
[Edited 4/19/09 1:40am]

Serena said:

The fact that they were only initially going to do 10 shows it isn't that surprising that the insurance was structured only to cover those 10 shows.

As for bringing his son Prince out on stage... i think this is more the imagination of the writer than it is factual.

As I have said, we could clock up a list of rumours for this tour, elephants, clones, holograms, exotic birds etc. Until opening night I am sure we will all be guessing what will or won't be going on, and while humorous its also pretty pointless.

Swa

bboy87 said:

Well, I don't want to believe it, hence me saying "if it's true". But, who'd a thunk he'd hang Blanket out of a window?

I really hope that he's not considering this. As isolated as those kids have been, it would be way too much of a shock.

I realize the source, but some of this is probably true...especially the insurance part. The 'tests' he supposedly passed haven't been specified either. It could've been a regular physical and blood test for all we know. Remember the source of all the hype too, a lame PROMOTER, who is probably going to need mega-meds before this is all over.

Swa said:

Ok, but they've sold tickets past those 10 shows and don't believe for a second that they haven't been scouring the industry for coverage for the rest.

Prince better hope he's got his money from AEG before this shit goes down.

I still don't believe those stories from the Daily Mail, they say anything even if your concerns are certain, but wait until the first show then we'll see what's up. Until then everything we hear about people worrying about MJ's health during these shows is just speculation.

Swa said:

Yeah it was a TV programme on French channel M6 last Friday at 7pm.


You're right, we don't know he hasn't got the insurance but at least admit this is likely.

If you were an insurance company would you take a risk on MJ?????

Serena said:

Pile Pile Pile Pile Pile

of

Crap

bboy87 said:

Any word on the musicians? Will guitarist Jennifer Batten tour as well?

seeingvoices12 said:

We all know that MIke´s been off stage for too long, but why keep on writing he can´t do it. Not saying that I do not have the slightest worries that something might go wrong, but if Tina Turner can go on a world tour at her age, why shouldn´t Mike do it?

dag said:

tina turner has toured more regularly than MJ, and her previous tour was more recent than him. she has proved herself capable of touring, as have many other artists. there are plenty of artists still playing live at 50+ but the difference is that most of those artists have continued playing live all the way through their career without any major breaks, but MJ hasn't toured in 12 years. when he last toured he was in his late 30s, which was 14 years after the release of the album that shot him into superstardom. now he is in his 50's after doing very little in almost the same amount of years, it's understandable to most people why anyone would be concerned that he would be able to pull it off again, particularly when he's a pop act, renouned as a vocalist and dancer, a performer as opposed to a musician who can rely on musical ability and skill to keep them on stage past retirement age

tina turner is 69 years old, but she only had 7 years break between her retirement tour and her post retirement tour. few solo artists have as long a break between tours as MJ has. the fatherhood excuse doesn't wash when most other female artists don't have as long a break due to childhood. madonna is probably the best comparison as she has a very similar career and skillbase, and is the same age

everything simply points to MJ either not being fit to tour, or as i've mentioned before, he simply has no inclination to tour, he's only doing this as he's been forced to for financial reasons

someone mentioned his deal with the beatles rights, but if he was so financially solvent as they suggested he wouldn't have to refinance neverland and face multiple lawsuits for failure to make payments

because he hasn't been active in recording or performing so long, it's probably affected his health in the same way as any other persons health would be affected if they didn't work for so many years, especially at the age he is at. i'm sure most people will personally know people around the same age as him, so if you think about other people you know that are about 50 years old, could you really imagine them being up on stage and performing in the same way as they did 12 years ago? in less than 10 years he will be in line for a free bus pass

unique said:

If MJ can pull off what Tina did this year ( saw her in Paris a month ago) I'll eat his soiled undies!!!!!

eireboy34 said:

I'll start polishing the cutlery then shall I?

Swa
[Edited 4/19/09 16:13pm]

well the Twinz auditioned but they didn't make the cut

angel345 said:

Yes, good question, who will be in the band??

CandaceS said:

I have a feeling Greg Philliganes will be involved. He's been part of every tour since the Destiny Tour

unique said:

Yeah, MJ might have had a 13 years break, but he´s 50. Break of 7 years when you are 70 is a lot as well.

BTW, I am going to see Tina next Monday. Can´t wait.

The Twinz Auditioning for MJ
http://www.youtube.com/wa...r_embedded