LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson was cut off financially by promoters of his last concert tour days before he died and told he couldn’t have another advance of $1 million because he was missing rehearsals, according to testimony today.
Five days before Jackson died in 2009 of an anesthetic overdose, AEG Live was threatening to “pull the plug” on his 50-concert tour, and cut him off, testimony and e-mails revealed in court.
AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips testified that Jackson was seeking a $1 million advance on June 19, 2009, when he had to be sent home from rehearsals because he was in such bad shape.
At dawn the next morning, Phillips e-mailed one of Jackson’s lawyers Michael Kane, “This is why it is impossible to advance any $$$. He may, unfortunately, be in anticipatory breach at this point.”
Kane wrote back: “And I thought it couldn’t get worse.”
Phillips replied: “It could. (Tour director) Kenny Ortega could quit.”
Phillips said he felt that Jackson was breaking his contract by failing to show up for rehearsals.
Asked if his expected Kane would relay his message to Jackson, Phillips said, “I was just responding to his request.”
Phillips also denied he had ever threatened to cancel the tour, although there have been more than two “pull the plug” references in the dozens of emails introduced into evidence.
Phillips’ testimony was drawn out by Jackson family lawyer Brian Panish, who wants to show that The King of Pop was being pressured by AEG Live to perform even as his health was failing.
Jackson’s loved ones are suing AEG Live, claiming it had no regard for MJ’s well-being and played a role in his death.