Las Vegas Weekly

July 3, 2009 · 7:01 AM

CNN and AEG confirm our Michael Jackson video rehearsal story

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson shoots rehearsals of his London show under the eye of High School Musical director and choreographer Kenny Ortega.

Photo: Courtesy

Here’s the first video footage of Michael Jackson courtesy of YouTube rehearsing his This Is It song-and-dance segments filmed just two days before his death:

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper obtained the video from concert promoters AEG, who were producing Michael’s shows. The video confirms our Vegas DeLuxe story that AEG taped the last dress rehearsal at Staples Center in Los Angeles before the move to London. Click HERE for that story.

Michael was set to kick off the 50-concert run at the 02 Arena in London on July 13. Instead, this Tuesday a memorial service for tens of thousands of fans will be held at Staples Center where this footage was shot. Click HERE for our story with the photos that WireImage founder Kevin Mazur shot of the same rehearsal.

AEG released the video last night to show fans that Michael was in good shape and enthusiastically performing. High-definition cameras and a multi-track system recorded the excerpt of Michael singing “They Don’t Care About Us” from his album HIStory .

There has been no official confirmation that eventually the video and recording will be released as a DVD and a CD or that the sound and images of Michael could be used for a repackaged This Is It show with either members of the Jackson family or pop stars hosting the tribute and even singing along with the late King of Pop.

Until last night, it was “no comment” from AEG head honcho Randy Phillips that video of the dress rehearsal existed, as Vegas DeLuxe reported. Yesterday, Randy delivered the clip to CNN to refute allegations that Michael was not able to perform.

Now it’s expected that the video also will be used as evidence that massive insurance claims resulting from his death should be paid, as it shows Michael was all set to go with This Is It.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

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