The One
3rd March 2009, 07:05 PM
Jackson To Take Residency At The O2
5:46pm UK, Tuesday March 03, 2009
Jon Bennett, Entertainment editor
Sky News understands that, after years of rumours, Michael Jackson has finally agreed to perform a string of concerts in London this summer.
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The 50-year-old will end his exile as a live performer by staging a residency at the O2 Arena, in one of the biggest comebacks in pop history.
While the exact dates of the shows are yet to be revealed, Sky sources say that Jackson (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Michael%20Jackson) has exchanged contracts with the venue and is now committed to return to live performance.
The first dates of the concerts will be confirmed at a news conference on Thursday at the O2 (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/The%20O2).
Jackson will appear in person to make a "special announcement", his spokeswoman confirmed.
A small number of shows will be released initially but more dates will go on sale, emulating Prince's successful 21-night stay at the venue in 2006, if interest in the shows is as high as promoters expect.
<CUT>
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Feb/Week2/15220182.jpg The O2 Arena in London
</CUT>
It seems inevitable that the concerts, which sources say are the only live shows he is planning, will sell out instantly but what is never certain with Jackson is his behaviour.
In his prime he was unquestionably one of the all-time greats: a sublime singer, a thrilling dancer and a songwriter whose gifts were such that he wrote the highest-selling album of all time - Thriller.
However, that peak was a long time ago.
Since the 80s Jackson has appeared to be increasingly damaged in every area of his life.
The surgery has robbed him of his looks, the eccentricities have robbed him of his cool, the recurrent child abuse allegations (all of which he was cleared of) and the money worries have clearly taken a huge toll.
When Jackson last appeared in London at the World Music Awards in 2006 he was able only to mime to a few bars of We Are The World before leaving the stage.
<CUT>
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2005/Jan/Week4/1270743.jpg Jackson performs in 1993
</CUT>
And when he appeared in public in Las Vegas just before his 50th birthday last August he looked weaker than ever. Dressed in pyjama trousers, he appeared gaunt and frail.
It has long been said that Jackson's health was the main reason he had not agreed to stage a comeback tour, with various rumours surrounding the reason for his weight loss.
Jackson is understood to be in the UK and is staying at the Lanesborough Hotel in London’s Hyde Park.
While there has been no confirmation on the record about the shows, sources close to the star have spoken of his excitement at his live return.
An insider said his health has improved markedly in recent months, described him as looking "much better" and stressed that the concerts "will be amazing".
<CUT>
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Whether he has been able to work on his fitness to sustain a residency will be one of the key questions ahead of this series of dates.
But it may be that Jackson's finances are now in such a state of disrepair that quite simply has no choice but to go back to work.
The gates of Neverland have closed, the possessions from his fairytale home are to be auctioned and he has had to turn to various sources for loans.
If he were to emulate Prince's record residency at the 18,000-capacity O2 then he could play to an estimated half a million fans, which according to some experts could generate in theory up to £50m.
If he can repair his finances or his reputation through this residency remains to be seen, but there is no doubt it will be fascinating to watch him.
Whether it's a car crash or a triumph as always with the former child star it will undoubtedly be compelling.
Many will be astonished just to see him back on a stage and cynics will say, regardless of contracts, that there is plenty of time for Jackson to have second thoughts before he steps out on the stage of Britain's biggest arena.
Ultimately, as with all the greats, what remains is the sheer quality of the music and Jackson's best work is up there with the greatest musicianship of the 20th century.
If Jackson can reclaim just a little of his genius to do them justice then this residency would be the most unlikely of triumphs. We shall see.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Michael-Jackson-Plans-Series-Of-Concerts-At-Londons-O2-Arena/Article/200903115233405
5:46pm UK, Tuesday March 03, 2009
Jon Bennett, Entertainment editor
Sky News understands that, after years of rumours, Michael Jackson has finally agreed to perform a string of concerts in London this summer.
<!---->
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Mar/Week1/15233401.jpg
<!---->
The 50-year-old will end his exile as a live performer by staging a residency at the O2 Arena, in one of the biggest comebacks in pop history.
While the exact dates of the shows are yet to be revealed, Sky sources say that Jackson (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/Michael%20Jackson) has exchanged contracts with the venue and is now committed to return to live performance.
The first dates of the concerts will be confirmed at a news conference on Thursday at the O2 (http://indepth.news.sky.com/InDepth/topic/The%20O2).
Jackson will appear in person to make a "special announcement", his spokeswoman confirmed.
A small number of shows will be released initially but more dates will go on sale, emulating Prince's successful 21-night stay at the venue in 2006, if interest in the shows is as high as promoters expect.
<CUT>
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2009/Feb/Week2/15220182.jpg The O2 Arena in London
</CUT>
It seems inevitable that the concerts, which sources say are the only live shows he is planning, will sell out instantly but what is never certain with Jackson is his behaviour.
In his prime he was unquestionably one of the all-time greats: a sublime singer, a thrilling dancer and a songwriter whose gifts were such that he wrote the highest-selling album of all time - Thriller.
However, that peak was a long time ago.
Since the 80s Jackson has appeared to be increasingly damaged in every area of his life.
The surgery has robbed him of his looks, the eccentricities have robbed him of his cool, the recurrent child abuse allegations (all of which he was cleared of) and the money worries have clearly taken a huge toll.
When Jackson last appeared in London at the World Music Awards in 2006 he was able only to mime to a few bars of We Are The World before leaving the stage.
<CUT>
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2005/Jan/Week4/1270743.jpg Jackson performs in 1993
</CUT>
And when he appeared in public in Las Vegas just before his 50th birthday last August he looked weaker than ever. Dressed in pyjama trousers, he appeared gaunt and frail.
It has long been said that Jackson's health was the main reason he had not agreed to stage a comeback tour, with various rumours surrounding the reason for his weight loss.
Jackson is understood to be in the UK and is staying at the Lanesborough Hotel in London’s Hyde Park.
While there has been no confirmation on the record about the shows, sources close to the star have spoken of his excitement at his live return.
An insider said his health has improved markedly in recent months, described him as looking "much better" and stressed that the concerts "will be amazing".
<CUT>
<!---->
Whether he has been able to work on his fitness to sustain a residency will be one of the key questions ahead of this series of dates.
But it may be that Jackson's finances are now in such a state of disrepair that quite simply has no choice but to go back to work.
The gates of Neverland have closed, the possessions from his fairytale home are to be auctioned and he has had to turn to various sources for loans.
If he were to emulate Prince's record residency at the 18,000-capacity O2 then he could play to an estimated half a million fans, which according to some experts could generate in theory up to £50m.
If he can repair his finances or his reputation through this residency remains to be seen, but there is no doubt it will be fascinating to watch him.
Whether it's a car crash or a triumph as always with the former child star it will undoubtedly be compelling.
Many will be astonished just to see him back on a stage and cynics will say, regardless of contracts, that there is plenty of time for Jackson to have second thoughts before he steps out on the stage of Britain's biggest arena.
Ultimately, as with all the greats, what remains is the sheer quality of the music and Jackson's best work is up there with the greatest musicianship of the 20th century.
If Jackson can reclaim just a little of his genius to do them justice then this residency would be the most unlikely of triumphs. We shall see.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Showbiz-News/Michael-Jackson-Plans-Series-Of-Concerts-At-Londons-O2-Arena/Article/200903115233405