Las Vegas Weekly

March 16, 2009 · 5:33 AM

Michael Jackson begins rehearsals; Ne-Yo, Will.I.Am work on album

By Robin Leach

Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson.

Photo: TVT

It’s highly possible that Michael Jackson’s new 50-concert run in London is part of a three-year master plan that could net the King of Pop a staggering $500 million! I’ve talked all weekend long with my old Fleet Street pals and discovered a goldmine of gossip nuggets!

There’s a solid rumor that when Michael’s first England run ends in September and resumes again there in January that he may well do a series of U.S. concerts. Although AEG wants him to appear in Las Vegas, it’s more likely it will be in New York or L.A. where there are arenas with 15,000 to 20,000 seats.

“The London ticket sales were really a testing of the waters,” one source told me. “There’s no question that Michael and AEG are discussing a world tour now.”

AEG is the giant concert promoter that also controls the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and The Colosseum at Caesars Palace here. In fact, owner and Denver billionaire Phillip Anschutz had to give his OK and the guarantee to the company to sign Michael to the $50 million to $100 million earnings commitment in London!

To date, AEG has been able to secure insurance for only the first 10 shows. However, Anschutz is prepared to self-insure the remaining shows in Britain, but negotiations over large premiums with Lloyds of London underwriters are continuing.

Here’s what else I learned:

*Michael is now back in L.A. where the show’s strategy and rehearsals will get underway with director-choreographer Kenny Ortega. Michael is already plotting a new dance routine to outshine his moonwalk.

*Vegas superstar Ne-Yo will join with Will.I.Am to complete Michael’s album, which will be released at the same time as the first concerts. Ne-Yo is scheduled to perform in July on one of the open alternating dates at 02 Arena.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Ne-Yo.

*It’s rumored that a new 3D version of “Thriller” will be produced in time for the London premiere July 8! AEG’s London chieftain Randy Phillips commented: “There will be a new Michael Jackson single before the first date.” He also hinted that the new album might even be given away free to fans who attend the shows. “Michael has got some new music, and he is looking for a new way of disseminating his material to his fans.”

*Michael was wooed for two years by AEG for the London gigs. When he decided to green light them, he told them it was for his financial future and that his children were now old enough to see him in concert. Kenny, who produced the “Sirens of T.I.” on the Strip, is promising the most elaborate and fabulous spectacular ever staged!

*Phillips revealed: “Michael wants to use some technical effects that have never been seen before.” London insiders say that could include an opening where he duplicates Criss Angel or other Strip magicians by floating over the stage and landing on a center mark!

*A small army of Michael Jackson look-alike dancers might be recruited as a backup troupe to handle the more challenging routines so the 50-year-old singer won’t be strained during the nightly 100-minute production, his first since 1997.

Photo: The Associated Press

Michael Jackson appears in London to announce his final concerts in the British capital in March 2009.

*First headlines out of London indicate that Rod Stewart might rent Michael his sprawling mansion on a 180-acre estate 4 miles outside London.

On a final note about the current L.A. activities of our on-and-off Vegas resident: The proposed April 21 auction of his Neverland estate can go ahead for now with promotion, advertising and catalog mailings at least until an April 3 court hearing. Apparently, Michael wanted to keep the gates to Neverland that were listed in the auction catalogs, and that is one of the sticking points.

Vegas DeLuxe will continue to monitor the auction, as well as the concerts as the July premiere ticks closer. Remember I will be there on opening night to send back live reports from the concert that you’ll only read on Vegas DeLuxe as it happens!

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