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LONDON: Jacko did not want to play London concerts, ex-manager claims
Robert Mendick, Chief Reporter29 Jun 2009
Michael Jackson confessed to a close friend that he did not want to return to the stage next month.
His former manager Dieter Wiesner today told the Standard: “I had many conversations with Michael and he didn't want to go back on stage at any point again in his life. I was 100% sure he would never even do one concert let alone 50.”
The singer last toured in 1997 and told Mr Wiesner on several occasions, and as recently as two months ago, that he never wished to play a live concert again.
He but had agreed a deal for the O2 concerts with promoters AEG Live that would have earned about £100million and wiped out much of his debts.
Mr Wiesner, 59, an entertainment manager based in Germany, first worked with Jackson in 1996 and was given his power of attorney for five years until 2003 when the singer was engulfed in the child abuse scandal which destroyed him financially and from which he never fully recovered. Mr Wiesner spent a lot of time with Jackson at the star's former home Neverland Ranch.
He met Jackson in Chicago after the This Is It comeback was announced and recently spoke with him again in Los Angeles.
“He was pushed into this comeback,” said Mr Wiesner. “I spoke with him in Chicago and again in Los Angeles about two months ago and even then it was very clear he didn't want to do it. He told me he didn't want to do it.
“I don't want to mention any names but the money situation was exactly the point why he had to do it. If Michael could decide by himself he would never agree to this. I know this for a fact.
“When I heard he signed for these concerts I couldn't believe it. When I first heard the news [of his death] I thought he had done it to himself.”
Jackson had been due to fly with his three children to London this week ahead of his first concert at the O2 on 13 July. Mr Wiesner went on: “I cannot believe he is dead at 50. He didn't have any problems he should die from. If you have pressure like this it has killed him. He was thinking it was too much.”
“Michael was always addicted to pain killers. He was in such a bad mood he would take these things and he would be sleeping like a zombie.”
Mr Wiesner echoed claims made at the weekend that Jackson had believed he was committed to closer to 20, and not 50, shows. He added: “And 10 would have been too many, let alone 50.”
Reader views (1)
I believe Mr.Wiesner,100%. I read somewhere else months ago that Michael never really wanted more than 10 concerts and that he was more or less forced into this by people who have only money for themselves on their mind,not the human being Michael Jackson.I bloody hope they all feel guilty as hell now.RIP Michael,your fans will never forget you,you are immortal through your work.
- H.J., London, 02/07/2009 10:36
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