Billboard: Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?

Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?

November 07, 2008 , 2:25 PM ET
Ray Waddell, Nashville

There is credence to ongoing speculation that Michael Jackson might be booked for a long engagement at the O2 Arena in London, though no deal has been reached nor performances contracted.

But a source confirms that there is a "standing offer with no expiration" from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2. The 02 is operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group, and any Jackson stand at the 02 would almost certainly be promoted by AEG Live, the live entertainment arm of AEG.

AEG Live previously promoted long and hugely successful runs at the O2 by Prince and Spice Girls.

Jackson has rarely performed in public in recent years. Last week, he denied a claim by his brother Jermaine that the entire Jackson family would convene for a tour in 2009. Sources say Michael's decision not to participate may stem from his desire to do his own touring next year.

In related news, it was a banner week for Jackson's seminal 1982 album "Thriller," which jumped 41-1 on Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart after selling 31,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan (a 1,000% increase).

The set is 2008's top-selling catalog album, having shifted 688,000 copies.

Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?

Jackson offered London shows

5 hours 51 mins ago
WENN Print Story

The brains behind the Spice Girls reunion tour and Prince's recent London concert run are trying to lure Michael Jackson to the capital for a string of shows.

Promoters AEG Live have offered the King of Pop a "standing offer with no expiration" to play at the O2 arena, where Prince performed a run of shows and Led Zeppelin reformed to pay tribute to music mogul Ahmet Ertegun last December (07).

The news comes as Jackson's 1982 album Thriller returns to the top of the US charts - the Billboard's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart that is.

The album rocketed up the charts from 41 to one, thanks in part to ongoing stories about a musical based on the pop star's 14-minute Thriller video.

The album is 2008's top-selling catalogue album in America, according to Billboard.com.

Jackson offered London shows - Yahoo! News UK

Zitat von Been Told

Wenn das stimmt, dass das Angebot ist, dass er Thriller und ein paar andere alte Lieder performen soll, hoffe ich, dass das auf keinen Fall zustande kommt.
Denn damit sagt Michael: Ich performe jetzt nur noch altes Zeug, weil ich nichts neues mehr gebacken kriege.

Naja, Konzert wäre ja erstmal Konzert. Aber ich würde es absolut nicht verstehen. Gerade das wäre DIE Gelegenheit parallel auch neue Musik zu veröffentlichen und eventuell den einen oder anderen neuen Song performen.

Zitat von Screamlouder

...naja...bevor er janix mehr macht, wäre das ein Ansatz. Ein sehr gut bezahlter Ansatz. Das Angebot ist ja seit fast einem jahr das selbe. Wie und was Michael daraus macht, ist ja ihm überlassen. Ich könnte mir das schon nett vorstellen.

Aber ich kann mir irgendwie auch nicht vorstellen, dass er drei Jahre im Studio ist, neue Songs aufnimmt und dann dabei im Endeffekt nichts dabei herauskommt.

Meine These: Wenn er wieder performen wird, wird es auch etwas neues auf CD geben. Ob er von den neuen Songs dann auch welche performt, ist eine andere Frage. Zu raten und zu wünschen wäre es...

Rumor: Jackson Books O2 For Concerts In 2009

Paul Martin of Irish Daily Mirror today indicated that Michael Jackson has already booked two nights at the new O2 at Point Theatre, in anticipation of several intimate solo performances at the venue set to take place next summer. Martin stated that a source close to Michael announced that he will release his new studio album early next year, and will follow it up with "the greatest pop tour ever staged." The source insisted that Michael Jackson is going to make an extraordinary comeback, but forewarned that ticket prices will be expensive. Last week, Michael Jackson released a statement denying his participation in a family reunion tour, while stating: "I am now in the studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward to sharing with my fans in concert soon."

For more than a decade, Paul Martin has been writing a wide array of "exclusives" about Michael, some credible and some not. In 2006, Martin wrote exclusively about Michael's stay in Ireland. In 2007, Paul Martin accurately reported about Michael meeting Samantha Mumba in Los Angeles--and Samantha Mumba confirmed that Michael told her that he was considering a gig at some stage in Ireland. In July of 2007, Paul Martin initially reported about the alleged O2 concerts, stating that Michael Jackson planned on doing 10 dates at London's O2 Arena, as well as Ireland and other areas. Martin also reported on the unsubstantiated rumors that Michael Jackson was interested in purchasing an island off the Donegal Coast.

Coldplay is scheduled to be the first major band to perform at the new and improved O2, which is set to open during the first week of December.

(Redistributable with credit to http://MJJR.net/ - The Michael Jackson Repository)

Source: MJJR.net / Paul Martin

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Followup: Billboard Confirms O2 Offer To Jackson

As MJJR.net first reported several days ago, there are fresh, albeit quiet rumors making their rounds about possible Michael Jackson performances at The O2 in London/Ireland next year. Today, Billboard has confirmed that there is a "standing offer with no expiration" from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2.

Michael Jackson Repository Latest News and Information

Billboard has just confirmed that there is a "standing offer with no expiration" from AEG Live for Jackson to play at the O2. They appear to be referring to the London venue(s), the information I posted @ MJJR.net several days ago refers to the soon-to-be-opened Ireland venue.

Michael Jackson Eyeing London Run?