Michael Jackson Last rehearsal

A video released Thursday showed Michael Jackson vigorously practicing a song-and-dance routine days before his death, supporting accounts he had been in good health.

In footage obtained by AFP, the pop legend performed at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 23, two days before he died, as he prepared for a 50-date set in London starting in July.

Jackson, while thin, is seen dancing with energy in a tightly choreographed sequence with a group of performers. Jackson sings on a headset and at one point pushes back his jacket to reveal his red shirt underneath.

In the footage, Jackson switches sharply in styles in a medley of some of his hits. The video starts with Jackson dancing wildly in front of a rock 'n' roll guitarist before a pause for dramatic effect.

Jackson then shifts to a snippet of "Billie Jean," one of his greatest hits, before singing, "They Don't Care About Us," one of his most controversial tracks in which he brought in a hip-hop influence.

The set ends with a sample of a car horn. The stage then fades to black as an outside voice instructs, "Hold for applause."

Associates of Jackson have described the 50-year-old pop star as being in good form, including at another rehearsal just hours before his death.

Jackson collapsed and died on June 25 at his rented Los Angeles mansion. Speculation has focused on whether Jackson was taking painkillers or other medication.

Jackson's voice coach Dorian Holley said Jackson was in an upbeat mood in the days before his death, joking around with his wardrobe and makeup staff.

"My friends call and ask, 'Was Michael sick? Was he weak? Was he ill?' It's the absolute opposite of that," Holley told CNN.

"He was very energetic, he was happy. He was even more playful than he normally was at rehearsal," he said.

Holley said Jackson, 50, did not show his age.

"I'm sure that he was in pain after some rehearsals. But I got to tell you something -- the guys and girls dancing with him were all in their 20s," he said.

"When Michael was on stage with them, there was only one person that you could watch and that was Michael Jackson," he said.

A similar account came from Kevin Mazur, who was attending the rehearsal sessions as a photographer.

"He was like an expectant father pacing up and down the stage," Mazur told Britain's Sun tabloid.

"He was just so focused. Between songs, he burst into laughter and joked around with his dancers and the director. I have never seen him so happy," Mazur said.

Jackson had planned a series of concerts at London's O2 Arena starting on July 13, part of a comeback for the King of Pop whose personal and financial life had sharply deteriorated in the past decade.

Concert promoters AEG Live, who released the video, are offering full ticket refunds for the concerts.

British media reports said about 50 million pounds (59 million euros, 83 million dollars) has been spent on 750,000 tickets.

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[Lindy384]

wow! it´s amazing !!!! he´s a really good dancer !

[kulaaa]

i bet his doctor killed him !

[TheJulianarodrigues]

Michael....it's hard to watch this and to think that 14 months ago you were here with us...alive.. This hole and pain will never heal. This kind of gift comes once in a lifetime and yes, i am blessed to have lived at the same era as you...but now i paying the price for be able to watch the greatest entertainer and one of the most incredible man that ever walked on earth with all this pain to see you leaving us.

RIP - that's all for L.O.V.E. and love lives forever..just like you

[TheJulianarodrigues]

Michael....9 months ago you were here with us....you were there..reharsing and happy to be able to give your best.

It seemsi am in a nigthmare...but, yes, you are going to live forever in my heart.

RIP - that's all for L.O.V.E. and love lives forever

[tommybevano]

that smile at the very end summed him up. he loved his music, he loved to dance, he loved to perform. May his memory be kept true forever..

[cAReFrEEgAl2]

I miss him..I really wan him to be alive until he's like 100 years old!

[hersheygirlx]

They even keep moving his burial date. It was supposed to today than they were going to freeze his body but NOW there doing it sept. 3? Michael's been known to have many doubles, and Michael wasn't even recignisable by the people who took him to the hospital. Michael likes to do big and crazy things, maybe this is all for his This Is All conert? Make everyone mourn over him . and then BOOM he comes up on one of his tribute concerts and says "MisS ME?"I dont know, just my theory. happy birthday<3

[hersheygirlx]

(2/2) When Joe was talking about Michael's death he was so pumped . None of Michael's close freinds talked about Michael at his memorial . michael was actually spotted in England a few times !! & it makes me even more suspiciaous that one of the picutes shown at his memorial was had the words " I am alive and will be forever" (or something a little bit like that ). The Jacksons are planning concerts, without the star , huh? I dont think so.

(ONE MORE) xD

[hersheygirlx]

(1/2)

I dont know I dont feel he's gone . Is it weird that at his memorial when Paris was talking about her dad and "crying" that the picture behind her was Michael when he was holding on to the camera and SPYING on people in the video Librerian girl? It's not a coincidence there was an unknown old man in the 2nd row and it had the same features as Michael . And the Jackson's were "crying" but did you REALLY see any tears??

[geoffreychankm]

Mmm... sorry,..... that's at 00.24, the very short changing tone. ... but thx for your reply yeah!

[clinquehappy]

If you mean the part they are singing at 0:39 it's from MJ's song "History"