Family discussing Jackson tribute show: promoter

By Mike Collett-White

LONDON (Reuters) - The promoter of Michael Jackson's planned run of 50 concerts in London wants his family to stage an all-star show in his memory and said on Tuesday he had discussed the idea with them.

Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live, also said Jackson appeared to be fit and ready to perform the day before he died last Thursday, aged 50, after suffering cardiac arrest.

"At some point the world needs to see this production, and I would imagine if we could do it, it would be done as a tribute with the family ... but also other stars who loved Michael and were influenced by him," Phillips told Sky News.

"But the world needs to see this production, and it's done," he said, referring to the spectacular that Jackson and AEG Live created for the run of shows at London's O2 Arena which had been scheduled to open on July 13.

"We're discussing that with the family and obviously the sooner the better."

Countering suggestions that Jackson was in poor health and should not have been pushed to rehearse for a series of physically demanding concerts, Phillips said he had spoken to the star the day before he died.

"He gave me a hug and whispered into my ear: 'Now I know I can do this', he was that engaged."

Photographer Kevin Mazur told Reuters earlier that Jackson had been "full of energy" at rehearsals in Los Angeles.