‘Jackson’s comeback London gigs won't happen’

By ANI

Michael Jackson’s comeback concerts in London will not take place, according to Jackson family stalwart Arthur Phoenix. 

Phoenix, the family’s former publicist and advisor to Jackson’s brother Tito, expressed his doubts over the King of Pop performing at the O2 Arena stage to begin his 50-run shows next month. 

"I just don't see it happening. I think there were 10 shows planned and then ticket sales were overwhelming and another 40 concerts were added,” Contactmusic quoted Phoenix as saying. 

"But Michael is not mentally, physically or spiritually ready for these shows. There's something missing in his soul. He's like Mike Tyson - it's over! 

"There are family members who feel the same way but they're afraid to speak," he added.

Jackson postpones opening gigs of London comeback tour

By ANI - May 21, 2009

Michael Jackson has postponed the first four concerts of his comeback tour This Is It UK in London. 

The King of Pop, who was due to kick off a much-awaited 50-show run at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena on July 8, said he needed more time for rehearsals to ensure the shows were perfect. 
While the opening night has been put back to July 13, three other gigs, previously slated for July 10, 12 and 14, will not be staged until March next year. 

Randy Phillips, President of concert promoters AEG Live, said Jackson and his creative director, Kenny Ortega, had prompted the delay. "Kenny and Michael are, at the same time, both creative pioneers and perfectionists," the ‘BBC’ quoted Phillips as saying in a statement. 

"This show has grown in size and scope, thereby necessitating more lead time for manufacture of the set, programming the content for the massive video elements, and, most importantly, more time for full production and dress rehearsals,” he added. 

Phillips continued: "As much as we agonised over this change in the original schedule, we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver." Ortega apologised to the fans for the rescheduled dates, saying: "We apologise to all disappointed Michael Jackson fans and remain extremely dedicated and focused on creating an exceptional live music experience." 

Although full refunds are being offered to those who cannot make it for the re-arranged gigs, some fans are livid. Pam A wrote on a Michael Jackson messageboard: "What difference is a week going to make in the grand scheme of things?” 

Another fan calling themselves janmic, added: “I had plane tickets booked from Canada. I'm supposed to be returning home on July 9th. I am really not impressed."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

King of pop Michael Jackson has skin cancer

Agencies - May 16, 2009

Pop superstar Michael Jackson has been diagnosed with skin cancer. 

The King of Pop was diagnosed with the disease in recent weeks after doctors spotted signs of cancerous cells on his neck and pre-cancerous cells on his face, a British tabloid claimed. However, the fans of the superstar can take heart in the fact that the disease is treatable. 

"Michael's test showed spots of skin cancer on his body, and cell which could turn to skin cancer on his face. He was at first very concerned, but says he has been assured by the doctors that they can treat this and he will recover," a source told ‘The Sun’.  The 'Thriller' hitmaker is determined to recover soon as he wants to make a successful comeback with his 50 date concert series at London's famed O2 Arena this July. 

"Michael is really looking forward to his concerts and is determined to wow his fans at each and every gig. He said he's insisted that any treatment must fit around the concerts, and the show will go on," the source added. 

The 'Heal the World' singer has been making regular visits to a dermatologist in Beverly Hills, and last month he showed up at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, which, according to the newspaper, has a specialist lab to test for skin cancer. 

The singer was earlier dogged with bad health reports which claimed that Jackson suffered from a series of skin conditions and was diagnosed with vitiligo over 20 years ago. The disease affects skin pigmentation and is responsible for the singer's pale look, the report said. 

The popstar, who has been nicknamed 'Whacko-Jacko', is controversy's favourite child, be it dangling his son from a hotel balcony, numerous plastic surgeries, child molestation accusations or his multiple marriages.

Source: http://www.mtv.com

Jackson preparing a Moonwalk-beating dance move for O2 shows

ANI - May 13, 2009

Pop sensation Michael Jackson is trying his best to ensure that fans watching his O2 shows leave with the desperation to copy his dance moves, for he has hired world-famous choreographer Kenny Ortega to come up with a fresh move that will beat the singer’s signature Moonwalk. 

Kenny has already worked with Jacko on his Dangerous and History world tours. 

“To be invited to partner him again is a dream come true,” the ‘Sun’ quoted him as saying. 

“He is a creative mastermind and inspires every one of us to climb to new places and conquer new challenges. 

“He is the most significant artist and entertainer of our generation,” he added. 

The tabloid has also revealed that Jacko has hired Kenny to produce the 50 dates at the London venue is a massive coup. The paper says that secret rehearsals are well under way in Burbank, California. 

Jackson and Kenny will be joined by 10 dancers—eight men and two women—who were selected after an audition of 700 dancers in Los Angeles last week. 

AEG’s Randy Phillips, a senior official at the firm which is staging Jackson’s shows, has given a few tantalising hints of what to expect. 

He said: “The stage set, choreography, costumes, lighting, effects and overall production will be of the highest standard and are pushing state-of-the-art.” 

He also revealed the budget was north of 13millionpounds, and would pay for 22 different stage backdrops. He said that there would be 18 to 22 songs on the setlist. 

As regards Jackson’s Moonwalk-beating move, Phillips said: “He’s working on it, but I’m sworn to secrecy.”

Source: http://www.google.com

Michael Jackson’s London shows may not go on

By Herald wire services / May 12, 2009

Michael Jackson’s much-ballyhooed London shows may not go on, if lawyers for his family’s tour-in-the-making get their way. AllGood Entertainment - the company that is putting together a series of concerts with Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and their brothers - has fired off a cease-and-desist letter to the people organizing Jacko’s London concerts in July. Apparently, back in November, Whacko Jacko’s manager Frank Dileo signed a deal that promised Jackson would do the family tour. As part of the deal, the King of Pop was to refrain from any other concert deals for 18 months. Jackson’s attorneys claim that Michael never signed the family-tour agreement and his manager did so without his knowledge.

Source: http://news.bostonherald.com

Former publicist to sue Jackson

A former publicist for Michael Jackson says she is suing the singer for $44m (£29m) for his alleged failure to pay her for her services.

BBC / May 7, 2009

Raymone Bain said Mr Jackson had agreed to give her a share of profits from deals she arranged and that she was "disappointed" he had not done so. Ms Bain acted as Mr Jackson's publicist during his 2005 trial for child abuse. There has been no comment from the singer, who is reported to have been in financial difficulties for some years. 

Ms Bain, a trained lawyer, regularly briefed the media on Mr Jackson's state of mind during his lengthy trial, at which he was found not guilty of child molestation. She was later made general manager of the Michael Jackson Company, which handles the singer's business affairs.
In the lawsuit, filed in Washington DC, Ms Bain said Mr Jackson had agreed to pay her 10% of any business deals arranged with her assistance, but had not done so. 

The deals included the 25th anniversary relaunch of his successful Thriller album and a series of concerts in London scheduled for this July.Ms Bain said it was with "deep regret" that she was launching the legal action against someone she "greatly admired and respected". 

"Unfortunately, Mr Jackson has elected not to honour the financial obligations of our contractual relationship, despite my numerous attempts to amicably resolve this matter," she said. 

"I am sincerely disappointed in Mr Jackson's failure to honour his obligations." 

Ms Bain said she expected the the lawsuit would result in "hypothetical theories, accusations and rumours" about the relationship between her and Mr Jackson, but that the truth would emerge in court. She added that despite the legal action, she had no regrets about working with Mr Jackson. "Michael Jackson, in my opinion, is the 'King of Pop'," she said. 

Mr Jackson has faced several law suits in the past few years from former friends, employees and associates claiming he owed them money. Last year, he lost ownership of his sprawling Neverland ranch after failing to pay his staff or to cover arrears and insurance costs for the property.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk