Comeback poses more questions

Is it a comeback or a swansong? Will he sing or lip synch? Has he still got the moves?

Michael Jackson's brief appearance on Thursday at London's O2 Arena, where he plans a series of 10 concerts starting on July 8, raised more questions than it provided answers.

The 50-year-old did at least show up, looking more robust than in recent photographs.

But his announcement was confused, and left reporters and hundreds of screaming supporters wondering whether his first series of gigs in 12 years would actually be his last.

"These will be my final shows ... performances in London," Jackson said. "When I say this is it, I mean this is it. I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, this is really it, this is the final curtain call."

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, which signed Jackson for the concerts, had few concrete answers.

He did not rule out more concerts in London and elsewhere in the future, and much more than just music appears to be riding on the summer shows.

"None of us are sure," he said. "I didn't want to get so far ahead of what he wanted to do. We're holding dates," he added, referring to the O2 Arena. "We don't know how big the demand will be."

Asked if Jackson would sing or lip synch on his eagerly awaited return, he replied: "He's singing."

AEG Live has a plan to work with Jackson for the next three and a half years that involves concerts, new music and movies, including a big-screen adaptation of Jackson's seminal hit and video Thriller.

The agreement could earn Jackson "well over $400 million", Phillips said, although that would depend on all of the ventures discussed being carried out.

Agencies

(China Daily 03/07/2009 page11)