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Michael Jackson signs huge deal for up to 50 London summer concerts
Amar Singh4 Mar 2009
Michael Jackson will take over the O2 arena in London for two months this summer after signing a deal worth more than £100 million, the Evening Standard can reveal.
The 50-year-old singer, who will formally announce the concerts at the venue tomorrow, will earn the extraordinary amount for the residency scheduled for June and July.
The deal, which a source said could go "up to 50 nights", was hammered out this week following months of negotiations between the singer's representatives and AEG, operators of the 20,000 seat-venue. Jackson was in London to sign the deal.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith also played a key role. They will be the only concerts Jackson performs in the world this year with tickets from £75 upwards and will be his first major performances since he was acquitted on child abuse charges in 2005.
This is the longest run of shows by any one act since the venue at the former Millennium Dome opened two years ago.
It is the type of deal which until now had only been seen in Las Vegas, where both Elton John and Celine Dion have had long-running residencies which were established by Frank Sinatra.
A source close to the deal told the Standard that negotiations have involved a series of "creative commercial opportunities" connected to the residency, which could include a new album being given away free to fans, a share in merchandise sales and an official DVD of the shows.
Jackson is said to be putting the finishing touches to his first new album since 2001, and has collaborated with songwriters Kanye West, Will.I.Am and Ne-Yo.
The source continued: "Michael Jackson will not be playing anywhere else in the world so there will be huge demand for tickets.
"The exact number of dates are not finalised yet but could go up to 50. He will have no problem selling out that many shows."
AEG are thought to have received reassurances about Jackson's health after he was photographed in Las Vegas, just before his 50th birthday last August, dressed in pyjama trousers and looking gaunt.
The source added: "Performing live is what Michael Jackson does best and he is a professional entertainer. He wouldn't be going in to this if he wasn't feeling 100 per cent up to it."
The singer is reportedly more than £100 million in debt and is clearing out his Neverland ranch for an auction next month.
More than 2000 items - including the property's gates - will go under the hammer during the five-day sale in Beverly Hills.
Also for sale are the sequinned glove Jackson wore in the Billie Jean video, a customised Harley Davidson and a Rolls-Royce.
In 2007, Prince performed 21 sell-out shows at the O2 and gave away his new album free to fans.
The Outside Organisation, the agency which represents Jackson, declined to comment. AEG also would not comment.
Reader views (20)
MICHAEL WE LOVE YOU!!!
- Rafalll, POLAND, 09/03/2009 16:00
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Lee Wilson from London: lol and I couldn't agree more. I'm sure these days, Michael Jackson is the King of the Couch and nothing more. He's not like Madonna who's remained top of her game for years.I guess time will tell.
- Anna, London, 05/03/2009 14:34
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please, I would like to have 4 tickets for the first show. My family and myself would like to be a part of the History!
- Germán Rubio, Sevilla ESPAÑA, 05/03/2009 11:54
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Hurrah for the return of Micheal.
- Anon, Los Angeles, 05/03/2009 10:30
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We love You Michael!!! Come back and show everybody who's THE BEST!!!
- Dangerous_Girl, POLAND, 04/03/2009 18:22
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RETURN OF THE KING!
- Erna Shorter, Poland, 04/03/2009 17:58
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Always ready for your show! THE RETURN OF THE KING! Show them MJ, show them how priceless you are
- Tanczacy Delfin, POLAND, 04/03/2009 17:31
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I hope I get tickets!
- Margaret, RSA, 04/03/2009 16:58
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KING IS BACK !!
- Tom, Poland, 04/03/2009 16:50
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Michael, we love you! You know it, we need you 
KING IS BACK
- Jeanne, Poland, 04/03/2009 16:08
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Wow - how exciting! I read on another website he plans on having boyz 4 men as the support act...
- Joe, London, 04/03/2009 16:07
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I cant' wait!
We love you Michael so so much!
- Littlesussie, Poland, 04/03/2009 16:07
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I predict that Jackson will be seated for most of the show with movement mostly coming from dancers. I also predict that vocals will be heavily suplenented by pre recorded vocals that Michael sings along to (the old Madonna trick!). I also expect the stage time will be around 90 minutes at the most with a 25 minute break in the middle.
We shall see.
- Lee Wilson, London, 04/03/2009 15:35
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I want to go on the concert so much...
MJ 4EVER!
- Shulamitka, POLAND, Cracow, 04/03/2009 15:02
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Michael is the best artist in the world. This big day-KING OF POP IS COMEBACK. Michael- We Love You so much everytime.Poland Love You
- Kacmurka, Poland, 04/03/2009 14:46
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How exciting! I bet the tickets will be sooo expensive though. I just saw Thriller Live in the West End (which was brilliant BTW)so it has totally got me in the mood to see the man himself! When do the tickets go on sale?!?!
- Anne-Nicole Gaines, London, 04/03/2009 14:12
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How will he do this with no face ? Surely he will scare the children !
- Jo, London, 04/03/2009 13:59
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Michael we love You!!!!!
HIStory RETURNS!!!!!
- Viva, POLAND, 04/03/2009 13:44
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I wouldn't worry about Michael Jackson's ill health, they are nothing but rumors. I've been a fan for 26yrs (since the age of 11), and I've seen Michael Jackson on his Bad, Dangerous and History world tours. He truly the greatest live on tour, not other pop star comes close.
- Ben S, London, 04/03/2009 13:39
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I guess the plus side is with the weak pound, that all the international visitors will make it over - but interesting - will it work - or will this be a repeat of the 1999 eclipse for Mr Goldsmith (good to see he is alive though still).
And is Michael Jackson physically up to doing 50 gigs!
- Jc, se1, 04/03/2009 13:25
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