The Big Jacko Gig

Concert promoter wants Jacksons to play London tribute

14 July 2009 - The man promoting Michael Jackson’s This Is It concerts has revealed he wants to stage a one-off London tribute concert featuring the Jacksons and other artists.

Speaking exclusively to 6 Music, Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, said no dates or plans for the concert have yet been finalised, but he was “confident” that it would be decided this week whether or not to hold a gig to mark Jackson’s birthday, on 29 August 29.

"The number one item I’m discussing is presenting This Is It the production, hopefully with the Jacksons and maybe Janet, and other artists," Phillips said.

"We have to make some hard decisions this week otherwise it will be too late to even contemplate doing anything on the 29."

Several press reports suggested recently that a concert had already been planned for Jackson's birthday, to feature artists such as Leona Lewis and Justin Timberlake.

The reports were denied by Phillips, who said he is currently in discussions with Kenny Ortega, who was directing Jackson's concerts.

"What we're thinking about is one massive tribute that's broadcast around the globe," he revealed.

"We've opted to go to broadcast television, either cable/satellite, or traditional broadcast."

"It's going to be hard to fill those dates now, if not impossible."  Randy Phillips, AEG Live

Phillips said he would like to hold the tribute concert at London's O2, but that unless the gig was to run over several nights, the majority of the 27 dates booked for Jackson at the venue this year would not be filled.

"Since it's the middle of the summer and the height of the festival season, probably the building would only have had about 8 to 10 of those dates booked anyway," he explained. 

"It's going to be hard, unless we do something with the Michael tribute, to fill those dates in now, if not impossible."

Ticket refunds

Meanwhile, for those fans who are choosing to retain their tickets for the original gigs instead of asking for a refund, Phillips revealed he's hoping to print extra copies of the booklet prepared for Jackson's memorial service in LA.

So far only 12 percent of people who bought Jackson tickets through the major exchanges have decided whether or not to keep their passes or opt for a refund.

Phillips said he predicts around 20 to 30 percent will choose to retain their tickets.

"We're getting a huge demand for this beautiful memorial book," he said. "They're going for 400 or 500 dollar bids for the few books that are on the internet."

LA Costs

However, the star-studded memorial event, which was attended by 17,000 fans and watched by billions across the globe, has run into controversy after government officials in Los Angeles said it cost almost £900,000 to police.

Phillips rejected calls for AEG to reimburse the local authorities.

He added: "Someone of this fame dies, do you not give them a proper funeral in the city of Los Angeles? Frankly if you're asking me as an individual I think the city should cover these costs.

"No one planned on Michael dying; he died here and his family was here and he lived most of his life here. We may contribute some, we’re not sure what the appropriate thing is to do."

Rodrigo Davies