This Is It (concert residency)
This Is It was a planned concert residency by American singer Michael Jackson, scheduled to take place at the O2 Arena in London, between July 13, 2009 and March 6, 2010. However, the concerts were cancelled following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, eighteen days before the first slated performance.
Location
London, England
July 13, 2009 (scheduled)
March 6, 2010 (scheduled)
2 (all cancelled)
50 (all cancelled)
Jackson announced This Is It at a press conference at the O2 Arena, and said it would be his final series of concerts in London. AEG Live, the concert promoters, released a promotional video that used an entire commercial break on ITV, setting an ITV record. Initially, only 10 concerts were announced, but 40 more were added following public demand. Ticket sales broke several records and Jackson's album sales increased following the announcement. More than 1.5 million fans caused two sites offering pre-sale tickets to crash within minutes of going online. In the space of four hours, 750,000 tickets were sold. Two million people tried to buy pre-sale tickets in the space of 18 hours. AEG Live estimated that the first 10 concerts would have earned Jackson approximately £50 million.
In preparation for the concert series, Jackson had collaborated with figures including fashion designer Christian Audigier, choreographer Kenny Ortega and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno. Prior to his death, Allgood Entertainment sued him for $40 million, claiming that he had breached an exclusivity agreement by agreeing to the This Is It concerts; the case was dismissed.
After Jackson's death, AEG Live offered either refunds to ticket holders or a special "souvenir" ticket designed by Jackson. The cancelled shows, record-breaking ticket sales[1][2][3] and potential for a world tour[4][5] led to This Is It being described as "the greatest concert[s] that never happened".[6][7] Columbia Pictures acquired the footage of the rehearsals and released a documentary film, Michael Jackson's This Is It, accompanied by a soundtrack album.
Litigation[edit]
In June 2009, concert promoter Allgood Entertainment, represented by Ira Meyerowitz and Jon Kekielek of MJlawfirm, sued Jackson for $40 million. He claimed that Jackson, through his manager Frank DiLeo, had agreed to a single and a $30 million reunion concert with The Jackson 5 and his sister Janet Jackson. According to the concert promoter, the alleged contractual agreement prevented Jackson from performing elsewhere before the reunion concert and for a three-month period after it. Thus, agreeing to a 50 date residency at the O2 Arena was an alleged breach of the Allgood Entertainment contract. The filing company stated that AEG Live knew of the alleged agreement with Jackson and used their dominance in the industry to coerce Jackson into agreeing to the residency.[34][35][36] In August 2010, the judge dismissed the case, stating that there was no evidence of a binding agreement, no contracts were signed.[37] The case was in limbo as of 2013.[38]
Preparation and concert details[edit]
The 50-concert run was originally slated to start on July 8, 2009 and conclude on February 24, 2010.[39] Each of the shows would have been performed at the O2 Arena in London, to approximately 15,000 people per show; approximately a total of 750,000 people would have been attended all 50 shows.[40][41] New York designer Zaldy was head costumer. Jay Ruckel of La Crasia Gloves recreated Jackson's iconic single glove.[42] The costumes were encrusted with 300,000 Swarovski crystals.[43] From April 13–15, 2009, more than 700 dancers auditioned for Jackson, who helped select the 11 finalists.[44] Kenny Ortega, who had collaborated with Jackson previously, was to work on the overall design and direction of concerts. Ortega said that the final product would have been a "theatrical musical experience".[45][46][47] According to Randy Phillips, $20 million was to be spent on producing the concerts, which would have included 18–22 songs and 22 different sets. There also would have been aerial dancing similar to routines by Cirque du Soleil.[46] Carla Ferrigno told Reuters that her husband Lou had been helping Jackson train in advance of the shows. Jackson and Ferrigno had previously worked together.[48]
On May 20, 2009, it was announced that the first concert would have been postponed from five days to July 13, and three other July 2009 dates would also being postponed to March 2010. AEG Live said that the delay was necessary because more time was needed for dress rehearsals. The revised schedule called for 27 shows between July 13 and September 29, 2009, followed by a three-month break, before resuming in the new year with 23 more shows between January 7 and March 6, 2010.[39] Some fans petitioned for the reversal of AEG Live's decision.[49] On June 24, 2009, several hundred seats for each show went on sale. These seats were held back until production logistics were finalized.[50]
It was suggested that after the London concerts, Jackson might head to Australia, Europe, India, China, Hong Kong and Japan before moving on to North America. Randy Phillips, the CEO of AEG Live, told the LA Times that Australia was part of Michael Jackson's international tour plans.[51]