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SHOWBIZ> Celebrities
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Michael Jackson emerges as 10,000 fans less than thrilled at cancellation of concerts
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-21 15:46
 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. Organisers 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 yesterday, 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 organising 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. |
