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Jackson fans 'can keep tickets' Tickets offered to Jackson fans
(about 3 hours later)
Michael Jackson fans are being given the chance to keep their tickets for his 50 live UK dates - provided they forego their right to a refund. Michael Jackson fans who paid in advance for the singer's UK concerts have been offered their money back or a souvenir ticket as an alternative.
Promoter AEG Live has already offered full refunds to up to 800,000 people who paid to see the star's This Is It concerts at London's O2 arena. Promoter AEG Live said the tickets feature graphics "inspired and designed" by the music legend, who died at the age of 50 on Thursday.
Now it says they can opt to receive the tickets instead of reclaiming their £50 to £75 outlay in the wake of his death. An estimated 800,000 people paid £50-£75 to watch the star perform 50 concerts at London's 02 arena.
The tickets feature lenticular images, which give them a 3D moving effect. The company will not be printing any further tickets as collectables.
Eight different versions of the tickets were printed and AEG Live said fans had been contacting authorised booking agencies to ask whether they could keep them. 'Magical Jackson'
Company president Randy Phillips said of Jackson: "The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known. It adds that the originals will become collectors' items, and feature special images which give them a 3D moving effect.
Fans have until 14 Aug to take up the offer of receiving the original tickets for the This Is It dates.
Jackson sparkled in rehearsals, said photographer Kenny Mazur
AEG also released pictures of Jackson rehearsing in Los Angeles for the concerts just days before he died.
Photographer Kenny Mazur, who captured his image several times in the 1980s, said: "When he hit the stage at rehearsal, I was thrilled that the magical Michael Jackson was back.
"I felt the same adrenaline rush as when I photographed him the first time moonwalking."
AEG president Randy Phillips said of Jackson: "The world lost a kind soul who just happened to be the greatest entertainer the world has ever known.
"Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death.""Since he loved his fans in life, it is incumbent upon us to treat them with the same reverence and respect after his death."
The company will not be printing more of the tickets and it anticipates the originals will become collectors' items. Ticket holders can get information about refunds or keeping the tickets at www.michaeljacksonlive.com from Wednesday.
Ticket holders can get information about refunds or keeping the tickets by visiting: www.michaeljacksonlive.com from Wednesday.