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Thousands of fans who paid up to £1,000 per ticket for Michael Jackson's London shows will today be offered a souvenir' hologram ticket - if they waive their right to a refund.
Concert promoters AEG Live face having to pay out close to £50 million as part of the biggest mass refund in live music history.
But the US entertainment giant said today that its official ticketing agencies have been inundated with calls from fans saying they would like to keep the tickets for the concerts as a memento.
The move could limit the damage to AEG - already reeling from a £300 million loss on empty nights at the O2 arena.
The ticket features eight different images of Jackson, including the star in his white suit and fedora from the Smooth Criminal' video, Jackson as a giant robot from the film Moonwalker and in a classic black jacket and white vest from a performance of Billie Jean.
Fans who opt for the refund will be reimbursed fully, after filling out details on the official website which had been set up for the tour.
The hologram will take up the entire face of the ticket, which will include the seat number and date originally booked.
Randy Phillips, AEG Live's Chief Executive who persuaded Jackson out of exile for one last tour said: “The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known.
“Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death.”
AEG Live has insisted that the hologram tickets were the original ones created for the 50 shows and have not been designed to tempt fans into declining a refund.
An AEG source said: “They could be worth something in the future. Yes, there may be 750,000 tickets, but millions of people wanted to attend those shows.”
Ticket holders requiring information about receiving a full refund should go to www.MichaelJacksonLive.com from Wednesday, 1 July.
Reader views (1)
Has anyone tried to apply for a ticket refund via ticketmaster?
They ask you to complete an online form, which seems to contradict itself by saying you must choice one option, refund or souvenir, but then when you try to submit, it says you have to select both options!
Can anyone help me? I don't want to get sent souvenir tickets that i don't want!
- James, London, 02/07/2009 11:48
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