The show opens on Wednesday at the capital's O2 Bubble, just yards from where Michael Jackson was due to stage his comeback concerts this summer.
Among the exhibits are an oil painting of the pop icon dressed as a king and three joined images of the singer being crowned, knighted and holding a magical sword.
A 1984 letter to Jackson from the then US president Ronald Reagan wishing the star a quick recovery after his hair was set on fire, is also being shown.
Michael Jackson, The Official Exhibition will open just hours after the This Is It film documentary of the singer's final months is premiered around the world.
As some of Jackson's best-known hits are piped through the building, visitors will wander around a regal archway with a crown and crest from the star's fairytale Neverland ranch.
Beneath it stands Jackson's 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom, used by the singer and his close friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor to go for spins around Los Angeles.
Slightly wackier items include a rocket ship used in Jackson's Leave Me Alone video and a carousel-style rocking horse which was a gift from Dame Elizabeth.
The saddle of the horse is inscribed: "To MJ love ET".
Other exhibits include an original Jackson Five contract, the King of Pop's trademark jewelled gloves and a pair of shoes with part of the heel cut out used when the star performed his hit Smooth Criminal.
The Reagan letter dated 1984 reads: "I was pleased to learn that you were not seriously hurt in your recent accident.
"I know from experience that these things can happen on the set - no matter how much caution is exercised.
"All over America, millions of people look up to you as an example ... You've gained quite a number of fans along the road since I Want You Back and Nancy and I are among them."
Jackson died in June aged 50, just weeks before his 50-date comeback concerts were due to start at the O2.
A new album of the singer's music, titled This Is It, has been released to coincide with the premiere of the documentary of the same name.
-----------------------------------------------
As some of Jackson's best-known hits are piped through the building, visitors will wander around a regal archway with a crown and crest from the star's fairytale Neverland ranch.
Beneath it stands Jackson's 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom, used by the singer and his close friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor to go for spins around Los Angeles.
Slightly wackier items include a rocket ship used in Jackson's Leave Me Alone video and a carousel-style rocking horse which was a gift from Dame Elizabeth.
The saddle of the horse is inscribed: "To MJ love ET".
Other exhibits include an original Jackson Five contract, the King of Pop's trademark jewelled gloves and a pair of shoes with part of the heel cut out used when the star performed his hit Smooth Criminal.
The Reagan letter dated 1984 reads: "I was pleased to learn that you were not seriously hurt in your recent accident.
"I know from experience that these things can happen on the set - no matter how much caution is exercised.
"All over America, millions of people look up to you as an example ... You've gained quite a number of fans along the road since I Want You Back and Nancy and I are among them."
Jackson died in June aged 50, just weeks before his 50-date comeback concerts were due to start at the O2.
A new album of the singer's music, titled This Is It, has been released to coincide with the premiere of the documentary of the same name.
-----------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment