Page 13 - Off Stage News Today

Look into the final days of michael jackson. as the sun rose above the exclusive los angeles hills, inside michael jacksons mansion, the entertainer began the morning of june 24th, 2009, doing what he loved -- preparing for a show. >> now do it slow. he and i would start around noon, 1:00 at his home. wed dance a few hours and stretch. you have to have a full attitude. you have a half attitude. do the full one. >> reporter: michael payne was jacksons long-time choreographer. >> we were on a jo...

>> when my brother died, the world cried. >> mourning a legend. ♪ going to see the king hallelujah hallelujah were going to see the king ♪ [ male announcer ] everyone deserves a car they can count on. a car that keeps going, when others might quit. a car that stands strong... when you need it most. and expects to handle the unexpected. at chevrolet, we created a team of red x engineers who are obsessed with quality. red x torture tests every car down to the smallest detail. because everyone ...

>> reporter: on the afternoon of june 24th, jackson arrived at the staples center in downtown los angeles. rehearsals for "this is it" often ran late into the night. on the surface, the man many say was born to perform, never looked better. was his voice getting stronger over a period of rehearsals? >> absolutely. >> was his dancing getting stronger? >> absolutely. >> his body? everything? >> absolutely. >> reporter: michael bearden, the musical director for "this is it" was on stage that last n...

>> i felt that he could do it because of the way the shows were spaced out and it wasnt like every day. ♪ see, like when we first started we were doing one-nighters where every day youre in a different place, riding the bus and youre sleeping on top of each other. thats tough. but this was -- and you didnt have to take the stage now you were in one location. >> i think that night he finally accepted down deep in whatever the inner reaches of an artists soul are that he could do this. >> report...

♪ >> reporter: since age 5, he had electrified audiences around the world with hit songs like "i want you back." and the world appeared ready to welcome him back. it had been 12 years since jacksons last major performance. the king of pop was poised to regain his throne. >> this is it. i mean this is really it. this is the final -- this is the final curtain call. >> reporter: according to the contract with concert promoters aeg, michael was to perform 50 concerts it at the 02 center in london ...

Of an icon. ♪ >> an icon. a pop star. ♪ a legend. words that didnt seem big enough to describe the man that eventually became the king of pop. >> when my brother died, the world cried. >> he meant so much to me. he influenced like my whole world. >> michael, thank you for the music you gave us all. the world will miss you. we love you. >> then, nearly three weeks after the singers death, a hollywood memorial service that rivaled royalty, seen by millions around the world.

>> and one year after michael jacksons death. >> dr. murray is a fall guy. this is bull [ bleep ]. >> one of the most famous families in the world is still searching for answers. >> we love you. were here for you. >> michael jackson didnt have to die. ask anyone in his family, theyll tell you the same thing. were they worried about him? of course they were. but the family members want someone to pay. until the verdict is read, until a decision is made, i dont think the family will really be able...

Is it" was on stage that last night. >> he looked back at me, after we did one number and he looked at me as if to say, "yeah, im michael jackson and i got this." you know, he looked really good and i teased some of the dancers when i see them because mj was 50 years old and theyre like half his age and he still was wearing them out. >> reporter: on stage, always a perfectionist. off stage, a legend with a sense of humor. >> hes making big-money decisions, then woe lean over to me and just say s...

Stretch. you have to have a full attitude. you have a half one. do the full one. >> reporter: michael payne was jacksons long-time choreographer. >> we were on a journey with michael that was going to return him to the stage that he loved so much. i know we were eight days away from leaving for london. >> reporter: the stage is where michael was most at ease. on stage, there was no one better. ♪ >> reporter: since age 5, he had electrified audiences around the world with hit songs like "i want...

50 dates at 50 years old? thats a lot of dates. i was just thinking i hope he gets a physical trainer, someone to really work him out, make sure hes healthy and prepared. >> reporter: jermaine jackson says his little brother was ready. >> i mean he could have did 200 shows. >> reporter: i sat down with jermaine following band rehearsals for an upcoming tour to gambia. >> i felt that he could do it because of the way the shows were spaced out and it wasnt like every day. see, like when we first s...