Gig shambles: Lazy Jackson’s 2-week effort
JACKSON was LAZY and only put in a few hours of rehearsals for his comeback shows, says the concerts' promoter.
AEG boss Randy Philiips said Jacko ducked out of more than two and a half months of preparation for the 02 shows and only put in any effort in the last two weeks before his death.
Speaking exclusively to the News of the World, Phillips said: "The public have to understand - Michael wasn't the hardest worker in the world.
"A lot of the rehearsals had been for the dancers, musicians and backing singers, he wasn't actually participating."
But Phillips said the final rehearsal before the star died of a cardiac arrest was "magnificent".
He told how the star - who at first had doubts about the 50-long run of shows - said afterwards: "I now know I can do this."
The AEG boss also denied his firm pushed Michael into committing to the 50 shows. He said: "The original deal was 30 shows. We started with 10 - putting 30 is a disincentive for people to buy early."
But he said the unprecedented demand - and the spiralling £15millin costs of the extravagant production - meant they would need more dates. He said: "Michael did everything bigger and better than everyone else."
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This article has 18 comments
The only one lazy is Randy Phillips trying to make a fortune off of Michael doing 50 shows while he sits around yelling for them to work harder and more hours. Let his fat ass dance in 50 shows, nobody would watch though.
By tina. Posted November 9 2009 at 12:25 AM.
He didn't see it doesn't mean it'd never happened.
By BetterAof. Posted August 28 2009 at 6:18 AM.
Michael Jackson was the loveliest, gentlest caring man. Everyone around him had a part to play in his death,family, carers, doctors, friends and they still can,t leave him alone.You would think they would have some compassion and leave the kids alone, they,ve sufered enough. Love you Michael and wish you were still with us.
By carol. Posted August 18 2009 at 4:58 PM.
Love u Michael, there shall never EVER be another you, you will live forever in all of us WHAT A LEGEND...what a BEAUTIFUL soul....WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL MAN!!!
By sandi. Posted August 11 2009 at 3:59 PM.
50 concerts for a guy who looked thin and fragile and hadn't performed live for several years,, i don't get how Jackson agreed to this, I agree with the others that AEG saw $$$$$,, and told MJ he'd have to go from 10 to 50,, really,, they should have just signed him for 10 shows, see how it goes and maybe he'd still be alive. I think the stress and worry of having to commit to 50 shows played a role in MJ's early demise, not to mention him visibly under weight and addicted to all sorts of meds. Everyone, the doctors, the promoters, all saw dollar signs with MJ. Based on his past concerts and rehearsals, MJ was a perfectionist who rehearsed and rehearsed,, he put alot of work into his shows, that's why they were so phenominal. If he seemed "lazy" or "disinterested" in rehearsing, they should have suspected something was up. I really think MJ knew the end was near and that he knew he wasn't going to be able to do 50 shows. It is very sad.
By Kris. Posted August 10 2009 at 1:23 AM.
After 45 years so in show business, and being the best ever performer, I shouldn't think Michael Jackson would need to constantly rehearse as he was a naturally gifted singer and dancer. Nobody else could dance like him. He was pure magic and I still cannot believe he is no longer with us.
Perhaps if some of is so called friends had actually taken the trouble to look at his health issues he might have been saved. Where were his family in all the years he was beating himself up with the drugs?? Did anyone around the poor man actually care about him or was it just about money all the time? Very sad all this.
By Karin Connor. Posted August 9 2009 at 3:08 AM.
people needs to stop making bad comments about him. they need to look at thair own lifes and stop judging him, there's notting wrong with being child like we all do it sometimes. He has done a lot of good deeds for people how many of us has done that? love you michael, god bless you x
By chris. Posted July 26 2009 at 6:55 PM.
It seems like those shows were pushed on him. If you know someone's heart is not into rehearsing for one show why shove 50 or 30 down his throats. The math just doesn't add up unless the answer was given without it.
By Luke45. Posted July 20 2009 at 9:50 PM.
I brought a both Michael Jackson CD's ; Number Ones & Thriller ( The King of Pop 1958 -2009 )!
By Vuwea Scott. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:59 AM.
Funny isnt it ? All these people saying nasty things
about The GREAT MICHAEL JACKSON when he is dead, but kissing his A..se when he was alive.
By De Lady. Posted July 14 2009 at 10:46 PM.
let's see Phillips' saggy arse get up there and do a show like that. there is a reason performances aren't critically reviewed at rehearsal. i dare him to show one video ever of Michael being LAZY. not possible- MJ was an Olympian of song & dance!
By AAN. Posted July 14 2009 at 2:23 AM.
50 concerts, thats ridiclous. do you think its easy to sing and dance at the same time? Phillips should just shut up. would he put such an unnecessary pressure on his son? promoters of the concert should have known better, the man had aged and he was fragile and unhealthy. even as an energetic young man, did mj ever do 50 shows? bloodsuckers.
By addy. Posted July 12 2009 at 7:10 PM.
For Christ's sake Randy Philips: 'The public have to understand - Michael wasn't the hardest worker in the world.' At the time of these concerts he was underweight, reliant on medication to sleep and for energy, and fragile physically. Would Randy Philips have put himself of the line in that condition? Jackson was a seasoned and professional performer--he did what he had to do, rehearsal-wise, and no more. Philips can't say anything about Jackson's physical fragility, because if he does it's an admission AEG were irresponsible and exploitative promoters. The man does not deserve to be commenting on Jackson's character.
By Whirlicote. Posted July 6 2009 at 11:28 PM.
oh com'on! he was perfect, He was A REALLY good worker and artist.
By leah. Posted July 6 2009 at 10:58 PM.
50 concerts are unhuman!!!! I cant belive it! He was 50, and not in great health! Someone must have pushed him! I despise them !! I guess they dont care about his death at all, because of all the money they`ll earn now. Maybe thats what they wanted by putting such a pressure on him?
By Jeane. Posted July 6 2009 at 1:19 AM.
Well put, both of you. I don't know how people can live with themselves, slandering someone who's dead this way, and such a wonderful person at that.
Love to you, Michael. Just love, our angel.
By MM. Posted July 5 2009 at 7:02 PM.
I agree. The people who surrounded Michael have his blood on their hands, inc Randy Phillips for pushing him into 50 dates. To expect that of anyone without months of preparation and a decent fitness and nutritional regime is unbelievable. At least nobody can leach off him now. Rest in peace Michael. x
By km. Posted July 5 2009 at 4:49 PM.
These people can say what they like now he is no longer here to defend himself, but their greed no doubt played a huge part in the end of his life, the man was not capable of pushing himself to the extremes these concerts demanded and anybody with his right interest in mind and heart would have seen that. I hope they lose an awful lot of money and learn from this that these people are not just puppets to perform on their demand, they are human too and they have limits, nobody is super human, especially not a 50 year old man who quite clearly was not in great health. RIP Michael, dazzle them in heaven xx
By Jo. Posted July 5 2009 at 3:48 PM.