As rehearsals began for Michael Jackson’s "This Is It!" event, concert promoters worried whether the singer had the stamina for the 50 concert engagement, especially after he missed several rehearsals.
But as preparations for the tour began to build, Jackson’s musical director and tour choreographer said the singer was getting stronger and more confident about his ability to handle the grind.
These revelations are part of “Michael Jackson – The Final Days,” a CNN special hosted by anchor Don Lemon, which will air Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The documentary includes concerns expressed by music producer Rodney Jerkins and Randy Phillips, CEO of concert promoter AEG Live, as well as reflections from Tito and Jermaine Jackson about where they were when they got the news that their brother was rushed to the hospital. Various recollections from other players intimately familiar with concert plans and footage from the final night of rehearsal – Jackson’s last appearance on a stage are also included.
“If there was anything unusual (about the final performance), it was that Michael had a serious glow about him that night,” musical director Michael Bearden told Lemon about the night of June 24. He said Jackson appeared to feel confident about the tour - and it showed.
On the afternoon of June 25, Jackson was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center from an apparent overdose of propofol, a powerful anesthetic, and other sedatives. Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He is expected to go to trial this summer.
Bearden, choreographer Travis Payne and Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, all told Lemon that Jackson’s dancing and voice were strong, that the singer was optimistic and that over time, his stamina surpassed that of the dancers preparing to tour with him, many of whom were half the 50-year-old singer’s age.
Others, however, said they saw warning signs that all was not well.
Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli told Lemon that Jackson may have been using propofol as long as five or six years before his death and that Jackson was first exposed to painkillers after his scalp was seriously burned when pyrotechnic sparks set his hair on fire during a taping of a Pepsi commercial.
In 1993, Jackson admitted an addiction to prescription drugs. Taraborrelli linked it to the first allegation against Jackson that he sexually molested a boy who had visited Jackson’s Neverland ranch. No charges were filed in the case, but Jackson reached an out-of-court financial settlement with the child’s family.
While Jermaine Jackson said he was unaware of the extent of his brother’s alleged drug use, family friend Dr. Deepak Chopra confirmed that Michael Jackson was a heavy user of prescription drugs and had a series of what Chopra called “concierge” doctors in several cities who would prescribe the sedatives.
Chopra said Jackson once asked him to prescribe painkillers for him, but when Chopra refused, the singer broke down and cried.
“He said, ‘You don’t understand. I’m in great pain,’” Chopra said, adding he was so concerned about Jackson that he arranged an intervention with another family member, but Jackson stormed out in anger.
Jermaine Jackson told Lemon he believed there was a conspiracy to kill his brother. Asked if he believed Murray was responsible in any way for his brother’s death, Jackson said, “I think he knows the players. And I think if you squeeze his hand hard enough, he would say.”
After the documentary, a special "Larry King Live" tribute program highlighting the King of Pop’s career will air at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. A photo archive and details about the investigation into Jackson’s death are also available at You are not allowed to view links.
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