Big surprise: Jacko performance a flop
Remember all the buzz about Michael Jackson making his big comeback by performing "Thriller" at the World Music Awards? It was a bust.
Rather than sing his 1983 classic as previously announced at last night's show in London, Jackson instead chose to sing the chorus from "We Are The World" -- yes, our pick for worst song of the 80s -- with a choir of children surrounding him. (Creepy!) When Jackson reached for but failed to find the high notes, the song ended abruptly, leaving the crowd and critics baffled.
"It was enough to make you cry. And not in a good way," one review in a London newspaper said.
One media outlet even reported that Jacko was booed off the stage. Not a good payoff for the World Music Awards organizers, who had to supply a private jet, 20 first-class plane tickets and reserve an entire hotel to accommodate the former star.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Shocked....SHOCKED I AM...at this stunning development...
Posted by: Greg Williams | November 17, 2006 at 01:14 AM
"Not a good payoff for the World Music Awards organizers?" ...
Hate to be a cynic (no I don't) but they did just fine ... once the curious crowd is lured, and viewers, the investment paid off ... Like a Tyson ear-biting, the weirdness of seeing Jacko flop like that was better than a run of the mill performance!
chase
Posted by: chase | November 16, 2006 at 10:37 AM