No Jackson Concert Tonight, But Hundreds Gather Anyway

Hundreds of fans are camped out in the front of the O2 arena in London where Michael Jackson was to begin his 50-concert stand today, the BBC reports. “I want to feel a bit closer,” said one of the approximately 600 fans. “We’ve been reminiscing and sharing memories with everyone. When more people arrive there will be quite a party atmosphere.”

One fan who came from Denmark expressed bittersweet feelings. “We should have been going to the concert but we’re standing here instead,” he said. “It doesn’t make any sense.” Though there is nothing going on inside the arena now, plans are brewing for the future. “I think at some point we’ll show Michael's last masterpiece, This Is It, to the world,” the concert’s promoter said. (More Michael Jackson stories.)