BEIJING, May 22 -- It has been billed as the biggest
comeback in pop history. But thousands of Michael Jackson fans have been left
disappointed even before a note has been sung.
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U.S. pop star Michael Jackson receives
the Diamond Award during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London
in this Nov. 15, 2006 file photo.(Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)
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Organizers of the star's lucrative 50-date London
tour at the O2 arena, which begins in July, have cancelled the first four
opening shows blaming "technical issues."
The dates have already been rescheduled but it now
means virtually all of the 80,000 fans who had bought tickets will have to wait
up to eight months to see the concerts. Many of them live abroad and will now
have to make new travel arrangements, which could cost hundreds of pounds in
cancelled flights.
The show's director Kenny Ortega took the decision
Wednesday, with a spokesman saying a clash with Madonna, who is also performing
at the venue at the beginning of July, had left Jackson with no time to rehearse
at the arena.
The opening show on July 8 is now being moved to July
13. But fans with tickets for three other initial concerts will have to wait
around nine months until spring 2010 if they want to make it to the rescheduled
concerts.
A show scheduled for July 10 will be moved to March 1
2010, a July 12 date will be moved to March 3 2010, and a concert for July 14
will now take place on March 6 2010. Randy Phillips, President and CEO, AEG Live
who are organizing the concerts said: "Kenny and Michael are, at the same time,
both creative pioneers and perfectionists.
"This show has grown in size and scope, thereby,
necessitating more lead time for manufacture of the set, programming the content
for the massive video elements, and, most importantly, more time for full
production and dress rehearsals.
"As much as we agonized over this change in the
original schedule, we are sure the fans will understand when they experience the
level of entertainment Michael Jackson intends to deliver while also ensuring
the safety of the musicians, cast and crew and the crisp execution of the
production.
"It is AEG Live¡¯s sincere hope that those lucky
enough to have purchased tickets will have enough time to change their personal
schedules and travel plans if they are coming from outside of London. We do not
want anyone to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience."
The postponements will be a huge blow to fans as Jackson is already facing
questions over his fitness for the sell-out concerts after it was claimed he is
fighting skin cancer.
The 50-year-old, who is currently rehearsing in the
U.S., was reportedly diagnosed last month after doctors saw spots of cancer on
his neck and pre-cancerous cells on his face, although his representatives have
denied it.
His comeback has also been marred by planned tube
closures on the London Underground in July and August. Scheduled engineering
works mean the only underground station to the venue will be shut down for a
number of weekend concerts.
Organizers said that fans who had bought tickets to
the original shows had been notified by email and that those who could not make
the new dates would be offered a full refund.
Tickets cost between ¡ê50 and ¡ê75 when they went on
sale, although thousands were immediately resold through online auction sites
for thousands of pounds.
Ortega added: 'After directing the Dangerous and
HIStory tours, I know what the fans expect and myself and the team want to
deliver a flawless production. 'We apologize to all disappointed Michael Jackson
fans and remain extremely dedicated and focused on creating an exceptional live
music experience."
Today, Jackson emerged from a medical canter in
Beverly Hills, unusually exposing his face in a bid to dispel rumors he has skin
cancer.
He is usually seen wearing surgical mask, but on this
occasion he showed off his pinched nose, cleft chin and pale skin. Jackson's
spokesman, Dr Tohme Tohme said: 'He is in perfect health. He doesn't have any
disease.'
(Source: chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)
