Jackson Promoter: The Show Should Go On

Randy Phillips, At Hospital When Star Died, Says It's Not About Money; May Turn Concert Series Into Tribute

(CBS)  The plan was for 50 concerts in London, and it was a sellout.

CBS News correspondent Richard Roth reports that Michael Jackson's fans spent around $85 million snapping up 750,000 tickets within five hours of seats going on sale.

London wasn't just to be Jackson's musical comeback, it was to be his financial climb back from mounting debt. He named the tour with a phrase he kept repeating: "This is it. I mean this is it."

The concert series was due to kick off just 12 days from Wednesday, rehearsals had been well underway and Jackson was "fully engaged, and incredible," according to concert promoter Randy Phillips, who rushed to the hospital last week just as Jackson was brought in.

"They brought him in on a stretcher and they put him into the ER. I was sitting in a chair right outside the actual room, the operating room, and there was tons of activity and they were trying to resuscitate him and save him," Phillips recalled.

Told there was no hope, Phillips said he immediately thought of Jackson's three children.

"They were around the corner in a room, and who was gonna tell them? That was the first thing that hit my mind," the promoter said. "And then the fact that we've all lost this incredible talent. He was a very, very kind, very soft-spoken... He was smart, he was clever."

Phillips said he was standing in the doorway when Katherine Jackson was told her son had died.

"The reaction was, you know, what a mother's reaction would be; Disbelief and stuff like that. But she pulled herself together and is the matriarch of that family, and it's a very diverse family. As the matriarch, she was strong and impressive."

"I actually spoke to her last night and told her that I was beyond impressed about how strong and how together she kept everybody," Phillips said of Mrs. Jackson. "Right to the point where she was just out shopping in the Target, buying toys for the kids."

"The question now confronting the businessman with a huge investment in the Jackson brand, is what happens next. And his answer seems to be that the show, or some version of the show, should go on.

"At some point, the world needs to see this production," Phillips said. "I would imagine if we could do it, it would be done as a tribute... with the brothers performing and some sisters and stuff like that, but also the stars who love Michael and were influenced by him."

"The world needs to see this production," Phillips emphasized. "It's done, we have it, we have it in a vault, the intellectual property content, we have the sets, we have everything, the costumes. It would have been, which is the tragedy here, one of the most amazing arena shows ever."

The timing of any such tribute concert series is uncertain, but Phillips says the sooner, the better.

Just how much money Phillips stands to lose isn't known. Some reports claim his exposure could be as high as $500 million, with insurance covering just a tiny fraction of that.

Asked if he's lost money because of Jackson's death, Phillips replied: "I lost one of my closest friends, so it's not about money, necessarily."

[GFJ56]

It would be hard for me to believe that Mr. Phillips is some sort automitron lacking emotion. He would have had to gain MJ's trust to work with him for starters. I am sure that their relationship was closer than money. He was at the hospital, not his office when MJ died. His first thoughts were about the kids.
Give the guy a break. He's nearly half a billion in the hole, could be facing bankruptcy. I think his idea of a tribute is a great way to make lemonade out of lemons. I for one would like to see what message Michael had for us. He himself even said that this show was more about the message than about him. It is all that is left now. Those that want to trash Randy Phillips don't have a clue.

[elliecaufield]

So.. I just heard that MJ had a fallout with AEG?!?! Check it out the full story- http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/exclusive-aeg-s-randy-phillips-talks-about-1003990387.story

[robrob791]

It will be difficult to find another little black kid that wants to be white and willing to get on stage and keep holding his privates to the screams of ignorant little girls. In fact I doubt he will be replaced, so, let him be buried in peace and forget all this hype.
Maybe all the hangers on could find a legimate job and give something back to society instead of being sucks all their lives.

[John_Merritt]

It's all about money, it always is. This promoter could not pay the money back if he wanted to. Why you ask? He has already started paying the contracts and others. It is amazing how fast money can circle the globe in the shortest period of time possible. Yes, it is EVERYTHING about money. sign me: cynical

[truthseeker60]

MICHAELJACKSON MICHAELJACKSON MICHAELJACKSON !!! Here's some of the real news from yesterday today that the US Media refuses to report.

Israeli forces have boarded a ship trying to carry aid and pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel's blockade of the territory.

The 20 passengers include former US congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Nobel Prize winner Mairead Maguire. Ms McKinney described it as "an outrageous violation of international law", as the boat was on a humanitarian mission and was not in Israeli waters.

[Sky017]

Asked if he's lost money because of Jackson's death, Phillips replied: "I lost one of my closest friends, so it's not about money, necessarily."

Huh?!

Umm... It's now been confirmed by several people that Michael thought he was signing for 10 concerts, and he got hoodwinked into signing documents for 50 concerts.

You bast***s... you could have charged 5 times as much for each ticket and the 10 concerts would still have sold out.

50 concerts for a frail 50 year old man.

Insane!

At any rate, they were probably videotaping the production for Michael and the directors to review and tweak the show. So I guess in time they may prepare and release a Blu-Ray or DVD of his "That's it." And that as a 'special commemorative edition' may well sell 10 million units at $30 or $40. So it may gross $300+ million in revenue, and net maybe $150+ million.

[dartplayer501]

Check out eBay.co.uk and see how much non-concert goers are trying to sell their tickets for!!

[lyndar2]

I would be thrilled to see this tribute! It might mean grocery money but that would be okay. Michael Jackson has gotten bad press for years and we owe it to him to present this masterpiece concert to everyone. He worked really hard on it along w/hundreds of other people that need to be paid. RIP Michael...we love you.

[formrusmcsgt]

Jackson was paid well for his work. We "owe" him nothing.

[barbaram99]

It is called GREED. That is it. I trully don't think Michael Jackson could have done the shows. He was 50. Going by the photos of him I think his age and health be poor. He just could not do as he once did. He gave and the fact is the man is DEAD.
My friend of 26 years has told me more than once Money is evil. I have to agree with him. All ready they are fighting over it.
Sure ye need money to live..The man is DEAD. He can't do the shows. Eat the bkoody money. Just keep his music out there. I am apllwd at the greed.

[formrusmcsgt]

Randy Phillips, At Hospital When Star Died, Says It's Not About Money
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PUHLEASE.

"CBS News correspondent Richard Roth reports that Michael Jackson's fans spent around $85 million snapping up 750,000 tickets..."

It's all about not refunding 85 mil.