Michael
Jackson Seeks Comeback in London
By JILL LAWLESS
Associated Press Writer
 LONDON
(AP) -- Michael Jackson is making his first live
appearance in years, but will it still be a thriller?
The King of Pop is due to meet the press at a London
concert arena this week to announce the mother of all
comebacks - a string of concerts that organizers hope
will net the financially troubled star millions.
But after years of erratic behavior, health fears,
child-abuse allegations and money woes, is the
once-golden Jackson brand tarnished beyond repair?
"Because of what's happened to him and how he's lived
his life over the last 20 years, he's made it very
difficult for people to out themselves as Michael
Jackson fans," British music writer and broadcaster John
Aizlewood said Wednesday. "These concerts are a huge
opportunity for rehabilitation."
Jackson, 50, flew into London by private jet Tuesday
ahead of a "special announcement" Thursday afternoon at
the city's O2 Arena. It is widely expected he will
announce a string of up to 30 dates at the domed arena
beside the River Thames, which holds up to 20,000
people. It has become a venue of choice for big-name
acts and comeback performers. Britney Spears is due to
play there for eight nights in June, Prince did a 21-day
series of shows at the arena in 2007, and Led Zeppelin
played a one-off reunion gig there the same year.
If organizers hope to see a return of the fan frenzy
that once followed Jackson everywhere, they may be
disappointed. Only a handful of people joined the packs
of press photographers and camera crews Wednesday
outside Jackson's London hotel - and several of those
said they were seeking autographs to sell on eBay.
But even if Jacksonmania is a diminished force, his
comeback would be a huge event.
One of the best-selling artists of all time, Jackson has
sold more than 750 million albums and won 13 Grammy
awards. "Thriller," released in 1982, is still the
best-selling album of all time.
Jackson has not released a studio album or played a full
concert since 2001. His last major tour was the HIStory
World Tour in 1996-1997.
Since then, Jackson's ever-changing appearance and
erratic behavior have often overshadowed his music.
He was arrested in 2003 on child-molestation charges and
acquitted in 2005 after a trial in California. Since
then he has traveled the world, spending time in
Ireland, France and the Gulf state of Bahrain.
His last live performance in Britain was at the 2006
World Music Awards. He was scheduled to perform "We Are
the World" but only managed a few lines before leaving
the stage.
He has struggled to pay his debts after his financial
empire crumbled following his arrest. Last year he was
forced to give up the deed to Neverland, his 2,500-acre
(1,000 hectare) ranch and miniature amusement park in
California.
In November, Jackson reached an undisclosed settlement
with a Bahraini prince who had brought a $7 million
breach of contract suit against him.
In April, Jackson will auction more than 2,000 personal
items from Neverland, including platinum and gold
records, a customized Harley Davidson and a Rolls Royce
limousine.
His health is rumored to be as precarious as his
finances. He often looks gaunt in photographs, and
rumors of his condition have ranged from lung disease to
an infection acquired during nose surgery.
Bookmaker William Hill is already taking bets on whether
Jackson will show up for his first gig. It is offering
5/1 odds that he won't, and spokesman Graham Sharpe
anticipates brisk business.
"Once people start buying tickets they may well want to
have a bet that he won't show up as a form of
insurance," Sharpe said.
Aizlewood said he would bet on the ever-erratic Jackson
pulling it off.
"This is Michael Jackson playing his greatest hits -
some of the greatest hits in the history of music -
live," Aizlewood said. "It is a great event. I think
even Michael Jackson won't blow it."
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