Michael Jackson Rehearsal Might Get Dvd Release As 'final Performance'

Though Michael Jackson never played a single date of his intended nine-month O2 residency, fans may yet get a taste of the tour that never was. The singer's final concert rehearsal was recorded, according to reports, and may be released on CD and DVD.

"We have a live album in the can," an anonymous official from O2 promoters AEG Live told The Wrap. Though the concerts were to begin in early July, Jackson had already been rehearsing in Los Angeles for two months, preparing with dancers, choreographers and even allegedly developing a "sequel" to the moonwalk dance-move.

According to The Wrap's source, Jackson's rehearsal at the Staples Center on Wednesday, one day before his death, was recorded in multi-camera high-definition video and multi-track surround-sound audio. AEG are now allegedly considering the release of this footage, as a "live" album and DVD.

As mourning fans snatch up Jackson's albums – emptying retailers' shelves and helping songs like Bad to storm the charts – the singer's "final performance" would be likely to sell millions. This could be valuable revenue for AEG: the promoters must refund more than 750,000 O2 tickets, and there are reports the gigs were not fully insured.

Jackson was "electric" in the final rehearsal, according to lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe. This was a change from the previous week, Woodroffe told BBC4, when "[Jackson] hadn't really been with us".

Over several hours, Jackson interacted with dancers, musicians and aerial performers. Speaking to Bloomberg, AEG president Randy Phillips raved about the performance. "I take great solace in the pride and confidence [Jackson] exhibited in the rehearsals on Wednesday night. This is the memory I will cherish for the rest of my life."

"It was quite an emotional moment when we realized that, well, he had it," Woodroffe said. "Of course we all had a view as to whether he would be able to survive these 50 shows."