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VIDEO: Michael Jackson's last rehearsal ever
Ben Bailey03.07.09
A video of Michael Jackson's latest ever rehearsal was released today as it was announced a public memorial to tthe star will be held at the venue.
AEG Live, the promoter of the King of Pop's planned series of London concerts, said fans could gather at the Staples Centre, in Los Angeles on Tuesday, to pay tribute and mourn.
Jackson rehearsed at the venue on June 23 - two days before he died from a suspected cardiac arrest.
The rehearsal was recorded, and turned out be the last video of the star performing.
In pictures: Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
Meanwhile, a US judge delayed a guardianship hearing for Jackson's children until July 13.
The ruling was made at the request of lawyers acting for the singer's mother and his ex-wife, Deborah Rowe. It had been due to take place on Monday.
Lawyer Eric M. George said Ms Rowe had not reached a final decision on whether to seek custody of the two children she had with Jackson.
Jackson's mother, Katherine, will retain temporary guardianship of the children until the hearing.
Last night footage of Jackson performing some of his most famous hits for the final time was released.
The star appeared in full flow as he danced around the stage in typical fashion during rehearsals at the Staples Centre.
He was preparing for his 50-night residency at London's O2 arena, which had been due to begin later this month.
Jackson died on June 25 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
Uri Geller, a friend of the singer, said the footage raised a "big question" about what prompted the star's dramatic demise.
See pictures of Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
"The question is: What happened from that point to the day that he died?" said Geller. "In the photographs I've seen, he looked in shape, he was smiling, he was happy.
"What happened? That's the big question."
Kevin Mazur, 48, the photographer who captured some of Jackson's final moments on camera at the rehearsals, said the star appeared to be back to his best and had a "incredible energy".
Mr Mazur, co-founder of WireImage, told the Daily Mirror: "When he hit that stage, everyone was just mesmerised."
The photographer said Jackson was happy and joking with the dancers as he rehearsed.
He told the newspaper that Jackson performed his set for 90 minutes until nearly midnight on June 23.
"He was totally there - 100% there in fact," said Mr Mazur. "You would never suspect this would have ever happened - especially after his performance on stage."
It emerged yesterday that America's anti-drugs agency had launched an investigation into Jackson's death.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called in by Los Angeles police to assist as they probe allegations the star was on powerful painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants, sources close to the investigation said.
The agency has vast experience in dealing with drug abuse and could evaluate the potential role of illegal drug manufacturers known as pill mills.
Jermaine Jackson said he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports showed his brother had abused prescription drugs.
He told NBC he did not know of any drug abuse by the 50-year-old.
But he added: "In this business, the pressure and things that you go through, you never know what one turns to."
Plans for Jackson's funeral are still being worked on, with fans still waiting to hear if and where a public memorial would take place.
Brother Jermaine said he believed Neverland - the singer's vast estate in Santa Barbara, California - should be Jackson's final resting place.
More details have emerged regarding what is believed to be the singer's last will.
The seven-year-old document was filed in an LA court, leaving Jackson's entire estate to a family trust and naming his mother and his three children as beneficiaries.
Jackson's estate was estimated to be worth 306 million dollars (£187 million) at the time the will was written, but tougher economic times for the singer since means his fortune is likely to have been considerably less when he died.
Joe Jackson, Michael's father, was not named in the will and nor was Ms Rowe.
In pictures: Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
Reader views (9)
RIP Singing or not, this man was a genius have some respect
people he's just lost his life and left his kids father less
are your life's so empty you end up making cynical comments about this genius
- Viktor, USA cHICAGO
What a sad end to to one of the greatest entertainers ever. I just hope the children will be ok as only they would have experienced what he was like. I wish you all the best in your sweet precious young lives. As he sang in his last rehearsal video...'some things in life they just don't want to see.' I wonder if it was his harshest of critics he was referring to. Thank you for your creative energy, which has thrilled and excited me for many years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Rest in peace Michael.
- Deb, Australia
King of pop - I'm sorry but miming and dancing with work-a-day dancers is the domain of "Summertime Seaside Special" not the pinnacle of music.
But not bad for a 50 year old.
- Mr Pastry, Brisbane
Totally miming, totally ill & PR stunt, completed.
50 CONCERTS?
No way.
He knew when to bail & he bailed.
- Suzyn, Essex, UK
As many of you like myself mourn the death of Michael Jackson, we mourn more now for his kids. For his kids will be the ones to carry his legacy. Yeah, you and me will continue to keep his memory alive by playing those old 45's and thriller records...but its those children who will keep the memory of their father alive the most. For it is they, that know the truth behind the allegations. It is they, that know their father the best. When the funeral is over, and the days and nights have passed and you and me have grown old and dreary and dead in our beds. We can honestly look back and say...he truly was an ambassador to "pop" music and what an inspiration to million of his fans across the world. He will be greatly missed and I hope and pray that as they lay him to rest that millions of us will give him that proper respect that he deserves and that he will be buried at his former home. It's the way it should be...Rest in Peace MJ. You'll be greatly missed!!!!!
- Randy Conrad,, Hays, Kansas USA
After watching his last rehearsal, it's obvious to me that he was never ready for any concert, let alone 50! He knew it was never gonna happen. He had a plan, and it was well executed. Once again the world seemed to be hypnotised by this man. AEG at the 02, put him back on the map and he became a credible artist again! Had he not died, would these concerts have ever taken place? I doubt it, he would of been a laughing stock. candygirl
- Candice, brighton
This footage shows Michael Jackson would have proven his critics wrong. Michael Jackson never lost the magic that made him the King of Pop.
- Ben S, London
Wished he´d tucked his shirt in, or did he get one of his minders to dress him?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
I managed to catch a snippet of the footage on GMTV this morning...and I don't know where anyone got the impression he was singing live???...he was totally miming the entire song!!!
- Ali Sichilongo, London
