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Yesterday I mentioned that July 13, 2009 was the night that Michael Jackson was scheduled to kick off his 50 date comeback tour titled This Is It at the O2 Arena in London, England. It was reported that fans were planning on convening at the venue in order to pay tribute to the late King of Pop on the night he was to take the stage again after so many years out of the spotlight. Hundreds of fans did gather at the O2 Arena last night to hold vigil and mourn Michael Jackson … here are a few photos from yesterday’s event:

Hundreds of Michael Jackson fans gathered outside London’s O2 Arena on Monday to pay their respects to the entertainer on the day he was to have opened a run of 50 concerts at the venue. Jackson died on June 25, just weeks ahead of his eagerly awaited comeback following years of living as a virtual recluse. The London concerts sold out in record time and some of the 750,000 tickets sold traded hands at hugely inflated prices on the Internet. Underlining fans’ devotion to the “King of Pop”, hundreds turned up to the venue anyway, determined to celebrate their favorite musician. “This was going to be the best summer of my life,” said fan Michael. “I was going to go to five shows altogether, it would have been fantastic. I can’t believe rather than coming here to see him perform I’m here to mourn … It’s devastating, it really is.” Some fans sat quietly beneath a large screen with a picture of Jackson and the words “Michael Jackson 1958-2009″ reflecting on what might have been. Others, including several Jackson impersonators, led sing-a-longs of his greatest hits. Will, another fan, said: “We’ve come here today even if there’s no gig tonight. We’re making our own gig, our own carnival atmosphere, we’re making this what it would have been if Michael had been here.” The man behind chart-topping songs like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean” and “Man in the Mirror” has been mourned the world over since his sudden death at the age of 50, and sales of his records have soared. AEG Live, promoters of Jackson’s planned comeback “residency” in London, have offered fans either full refunds for the canceled shows or the option of keeping their commemorative tickets as keepsakes. Jackson died while rehearsing for the concerts, and AEG has said it hopes to stage a tribute including elements of the This Is It spectacle. Several reports have said organizers are aiming for a date in late August.

As I said yesterday, I can appreciate that fans would want to gather at the site where MJ might’ve pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in musical history. While I had my doubts he’d be able to complete all 50 shows, I absolutely knew he had it in him to put on at least one amazing live performance … under happier circumstances, last night could’ve been that night. I’m sure there will be many more tributes to come but already you can feel that people are starting to move on from the loss. Michael Jackson is finally at peace … now mebbe his fans can find some peace as well.

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Today, July 13, was supposed to be the day that the late Michael Jackson was to kick off his comeback tour This Is It at London’s O2 Arena. The original opening night was supposed to be July 8 but that show and the 3 after were pushed back to make the new opening night July 13. What started out as a 10 night stint grew to a 22 night stint and then, eventually, a 50 night stint … and according to Joe Jackson, it was the pressure of 50 dates that added to MJ‘s early demise:

If he were still alive today, his father Joe Jackson says the King of Pop never would have been able to perform at all 50 shows. In a new interview, he tells ABC News his son – who died June 25 at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest – was pressured into too many dates. (The shows were expected to generate $100 million in ticket sales.) “The comeback tour was a good idea, but the wrong idea about it. There were more tours added onto it,” Joe says. “Michael told me himself. That he agreed to 10 shows. But they went and added all these other shows.” Adds Joe, “I was worried about his health because all the shows that I’m seeing — no artist can do those many shows you know, back to back like that,” Joe Jackson said. “And so I knew Michael couldn’t do all those shows.” Longtime friend and sometimes financial advisor Leonard Rowe, no relation to Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe, also had his concerns. “Michael Jackson was not ready. He was not fit,” Rowe says, “[unless] you can call weighting 110, 115 pounds fit.” But the tour’s producers have said that Michael was in top form and would have had lots of rest during the run, which would have extended through March 2010.

Altho the This Is It Tour will, obvs, not be taking place tonight, an organized group of fans will still make their way to the O2 Arena to hold vigil for the late Michael Jackson:

Hundreds of Michael Jackson fans are gathering outside London’s O2 Arena this evening (July 16), to pay tribute to the self-styled king of pop on the evening he was due to kick off his 50-date ‘This Is It’ tour at the venue. Jackson’s death in June came before he had performed any of the shows in public, and Facebook groups have encouraged those who were due to attend the shows to pay tribute to the star tonight. Many fans have brought candles and personal tributes for Jackson along with them, reports BBC News, and some are writing messages for the star on a special memorial wall in the grounds of the venue. Officials working for Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ residency promoters AEG Live have hinted that footage of the star rehearsing for what he dubbed his final tour may be officially broadcast and released in the near future, though no dates have been confirmed yet. Promoter Randy Phillips told Billboard that the recording features “Some of the most compelling footage in the 21st century”.

It’s sad but I’m convinced that Joe Jackson will be talking about the death of his son for years and years to come to whoever is interested in talking to him. Whether or not he has valid points and concerns, nothing that he says can at all be taken seriously because he looks like nothing more than an opportunist whose only concern is keeping his name in the media spotlight. As for the fans convening at the O2 Arena tonight … I think it is very natural for his fans to want to convene at the sight of his proposed comeback tour. It’s a shame that we will never really know what his show would’ve been like because no amount of rehearsal footage can do justice to the real thing. I’m sure the tributes will continue for some time to come … but tonight’s vigil sounds like a very nice way for fans in the UK to say goodbye.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source, Source]

Yesterday we learned that Michael Jackson had signed a deal to perform a string of concert dates — yes, live concert performances — at the O2 Arena in London, England this summer and would be on hand when the formal residency announcement is made at the venue this coming Thursday. Today, we get to see the first photo of Jacko making his arrival in the UK, his first visit since 2006, ahead of his reported appearance at the press conference to take place tomorrow:

SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JACKSON arrives in Britain yesterday to announce plans for his £150million comeback. The king of pop flew in secretly on a private jet from Los Angeles with his children. It was his first trip to the UK since 2006 and a dozen security guards tried to shield him from public view as he stepped off the plane. A white limo then whisked him from Luton airport to a hotel in Knightsbridge, London, with youngsters Prince Michael, ten, Paris, nine, and Prince Michael II, five. Jacko, 50, who is being treated for an MRSA-type infection, is expected to confirm tomorrow that he will perform 30 concerts at London’s O2 Arena over the summer. A new album may also be announced. The singer is expected to pick up around £5million from each show which Jacko hopes will help him to clear astronomical debts.

Well, hot damn … it’s really happening. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m very curious to see if Jacko is up to the task of putting on this string of performances in front of, what will undoubtedly be, a packed arena full of anxious fans. I really hope he is capable of pulling off these shows … as much as I’m not a bona fide Michael Jackson fan, I’d hate to see him embarrass himself on such a public stage, with pretty much the whole world watching. As you can kinda see in the photo above, Jacko is still very much covering up his face. Considering what might be hiding underneath that face mask, it’s prolly a good idea that he continues to do so. That said, I can’t wait to see what he looks like at tomorrow’s press conference. The mask is gonna have to come off … I think at that point, we’ll see what may be in store for folks who want to come out and see him perform at the O2 Arena this Summer. Honestly, I’m afraid, y’all. What do y’all think … is he up for the task?

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Sky News is reporting that Michael Jackson has signed on to take up a performance residency at the O2 Arena in London, England this Summer in an effort to jump start his dying music career. The report reveals that the dates will be announced at a press conference at the O2 Arena and that Jacko himself is likely to be hand at this week’s press conference:

Sky News understands that, after years of rumours, Michael Jackson has finally agreed to perform a string of concerts in London this summer. The 50-year-old will end his exile as a live performer by staging a residency at the 02 Arena this summer, 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 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 press conference on Thursday at the 02 and it’s understood the star may appear there to make the announcement. 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. 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 Michael 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 in 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 any wrongdoing) 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. 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’s long been said that Jackson’s health was the main reason that he had not agreed to stage a comeback tour, with various rumours surrounding the reason for his weight loss. 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 Michael Jackson’s finances are now in such a state of disrepair that quite simply has no choice but to go back to work … If he were to emulate Prince’s record residency at the 18,000 capacity 02 Arena then he could play to an estimated half a million fans, which are according to some experts could generate in theory up to £50m. If he will be able to 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.

While I find it VERY hard to believe that a guy who looks like THIS will be able to successfully pull off a residency like this in such a massive venue, I must admit that I am very intrigued by the notion. I personally have zero interest in making the trek out to the UK to see Jacko in person for myself but I am curious to know if he can actually pull this off, if indeed this report turns out to be true. I must clarify that I have no interest in having the man crash and burn on stage. I’d much rather he not attempt this venture than to get up on stage and look a fool. BUT, altho I’m not a fan of his by any stretch of the imagination (except for his superb debut album Off The Wall, I’m not a fan of any of his big hits) a part of me would love to see him stage a successful comeback. My gut tells me that his time has come and gone but if he is able to pull off this coup of a comeback, I’m all for it.

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Woot! Finally! Last night I was able to enjoy my first Kylie Minogue concert live and in person. After 20 years of being a fan and after seeing every concert she’s ever performed on DVD or, back in the day, bootlegged VHS (usually from Japan), last night was at long last my chance to see Kylie on stage with my own eyes. I was very surprised how good our seats were … I bought them online many months ago when they went on sale here in the UK and had forgotten that I managed to score center section floor seats — the show was pretty phenomenal … I am not comparing it to any other Kylie Concert that I’ve ever seen before on video because, after all, this was my first time — and one’s first time is always special ;)

Because today is a travel day (and because it’s Sunday), I won’t be able to work up a usual weekend day post. We have to leave our hotel in about an hour so I don’t have much time to post much this lovely AM. So … I am posting a bunch of my pics from last night’s KylieX2008 show and will do my best to try and post a bit more before the day is over. Irregardless, David and I will be in Paris, France by tomorrow morning so I will be back with a usual full day post.

Kylie Minogue played the first of her 7 (yes, 7) scheduled dates at the O2 Arena last night …

… and here is a taste of the show in pictures. After the jump, check out a few of the 500+ pics that I took last night and a full setlist of the night’s performance …