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Jackson hologram could dance with Timberlake at 02 tribute show
By Amar Singh Last updated at 08:54am on 13.07.09
A Michael Jackson tribute concert at London's O2 arena is to be announced within the next few days.
Singers Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Usher and Ne-Yo have all been approached by promoters AEG live to perform covers of some of the star's biggest hits.
The one-off gig is scheduled to be held on 29 August, when Jackson would have turned 51. It is to feature clips of Jackson performing from his heyday and footage taken from the rehearsals of the 50-show residency he had planned for the O2 this summer.
Producers are exploring whether a hologram of Jackson can be projected on stage, so that his routines can be shown alongside real life dancers.
The show will also feature members of Jackson's family and will be put together by Kenny Ortega, who was producing Jackson's This is It concerts. When asked about putting on a tribute show, Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, said: “We're just starting to get into that now, to figure out how to unveil all the stuff we have to the world.”
An AEG Live source said: “There has been frantic activity both in AEG's London and LA offices.
“It will be a celebration of Michael Jackson's life through his music. The producers want to avoid a sombre memorial tone.”
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Reader views (6)
Im a fan...but opted for a refund..simply because Michael Jackson would never fleece his fans by asking them to pay 75.00 for a ticket stub!! I refuse to line AEGs pockets and I think it is a disgrace that they didnt send out the tickets to the 800,000 fans who were due to go as momentos...and gave a refund less the postage and admin costs......I spent two hours on the morning of release at my computer and finally got tickets despite the O2 "priority" site crashing...AEG are now milking every opportunity to make money from his death and treating the fans like cash cows....
- Anna, London
I agree with Alastair from London. It might be a bit strange though. R.I.P MJ
- Ben, Northern Ireland
I would go to either a tribute show or one showing rehearsal footage. The rehearsal footage being my preference.
In reply to Steve's comments - this will never happen as even keeping the ticket would not mean you got to go to a rehearsal show as there is too much money to be made from this. The fact you are being charged to keep your ticket proves this point. I find it insulting that you think the true fans are the ones who opted to keep there tickets. Yes I would like the ticket and was going to the show on 5 dates but why should someone who paid for the lower price seats get a ticket stub for a cheaper price than those who spend more on better seating. The designs are slightly different but that’s it not the price of the actual stub. In a years time there will be some many fakes floating around you won't know the difference. The only people profiting are AEG on this.
Since Michael's passing I have become increasing more angry at the amount of people trying to make money out of his death - the tickets should have been give for free. Just look on auction sites at the memorial funeral programmes for sale. These people were lucky enough to have gone a then selling them for a quick buck.
I've a collection of memorabilia and know I won't be selling any on to make a profit. The only way I would ever consider parting with any of it is if it went to a museum for people to enjoy - Now that's what I call a true fan not someone with a ticket stub!!!
- Darren, UK
I cannot see what the attraction is to see Timberlake plus others give some sort of tribute to Michael Jackson.I can only see a Timberlake fan going.
There is no subsitute for MJ,i will keep my money and play his cds and dvds.
ray london
- Ray, london
Why don't AEG keep the concert exactly how it would of been if Jacko was alive, but use the hologram and the other singers. It would of been nice to see the sets and what Jacko had planned?
- Alastair, London
Fans want to see the rehearsal footage, there not really that interested in the other acts, AEG should have put this together and shown the rehearsal to fans who opted to keep tickets and not the refund (as they are the true fans). That way everyone wins, fans get to see the last perofmance by MJ and AEG puts on a show.
- Steve, UK
