Michael Jackson tribute concert plans scrapped
Michael Jackson tribute concert plans scrapped
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Wednesday, 12, Aug 2009 11:08
By Lewis Bazley.
A pair of tribute shows in memory of the late Michael Jackson at the O2 Arena in London have been cancelled, it has emerged.
Two concerts were due to go ahead at the London venue on August 29th and 30th to honour the Thriller star, who had been scheduled to play 50 shows at the O2 before his death in June.
But the tribute plans have now been scrapped due to promoters AEG Live failing to finalise agreements for stars such as Justin Timberlake and Leona Lewis to appear, according to the Times.
Timberlake and Lewis were among a host of names linked with appearances at a tribute show, with members of the Jackson family mentioned by AEG chief executive Randy Philips just a month ago.
But with the distribution of the star's estate an ongoing concern, plans for a tribute concert have been postponed.
"If they ever happen, it will not be until next year," a source said. "We didn't want to rush out something that was sub-standard - we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people."
Mr Phillips denied a tribute concert had ever been an option, saying: "The 'potential' tribute show on August 29th was never pursued because the estate, AEG Live and Sony Pictures agreed that the first time an audience should see the This Is It production was October 30th when the concert film/documentary opens worldwide."
Directed by High School Musical helmer Kenny Ortega, a 3D film featuring footage of Jackson's final rehearsals for the This Is It tour, as well as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, will be released in the US in October after a superior court judge approved the release of the footage.
""[The film] will show Michael as one of the greatest entertainers in the world and one of the industry's most creative minds," Ortega commented.
"This Is It was Michael's last theatrical work and although it was still a work in progress, I think the footage will show that the process was something that Michael deeply enjoyed and that it was clear that he was on his way to another theatrical triumph."