Refunds For Jackson’s This Is It Shows Begin Wednesday

Starting July 1st Michael Jackson fans who bought tickets to the king of pop’s sold-out 50-show-run at the O2 Arena in London will have to choose between spending up to $124 on a souvenir or receiving a complete ticket refund, concert promoter AEG Live announced Monday. Those who decide to keep the ticket will receive a keepsake copy of the ticket, which features graphics inspired and designed by Jackson himself. So what will it be loyal fans? Money or a pricy memory?

If you can’t decide, AEG informed that fans have until August 14 to decide. It has been reported that more than $90 million on tickets have been spent, all priced between $82 and $124 each. AEG is allowing fans to decide what it is that they want because Jackson would have wanted it that way. Here is what Randy Phillips, the AEG President and CEO had to say:

“The world lost a kind soul who 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.”

Could it be that a major concert promoter cares about the fans of one of the greatest legends of music history? Or are they aiming for a win-win situation?

MTV reported that the concert promotions firm has been left on the hook for tens of millions of dollars as a result of Jackson’s death, and it has not yet been revealed if insurance will cover all or any of the expenses. If it turns out that Jackson death was caused by a preexisting condition of a drug overdose, AEG would be held responsible for all loses including the estimated $30 million it spent on pre-production.

Michael Jackson was set to start the first This Is It show on July 13. AEG also reported that Jackson’s last run-through at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the evening before his death, was recorded.