Sky News Business "Jacko's Back - Just Don't Mention The 'H' Word"

Our latest feature for the Sky News Business Homepage;

"Can you imagine what it must be like to be able to earn about £35m for around a two weeks' work, just for coming out of retirement?

Well, if the rumours are true, that's how much Michael Jackson will be getting for his run at the O2 in the summer, and that was for just 10 dates - he's since announced a further 35 "final curtain call" shows this week making it 45 performances in total.

But Michael Jackson could probably sell a further five charging twice the price under the headline "no really - this is it - no more after this (In London)" to bring it up to a nice round 50. He could probably do a world tour over the next four years doing the same if he was physically able to, and make an absolute fortune - that is, if he sticks to the hits, and doesn't stuff it full of his new stuff!

However, by doing these shows, with no new music on the horizon, Michael Jackson will become what is known as a "heritage act", a term that makes Adam, Larry, Edge & Bono shudder of U2, and probably work that little bit harder in the studio. A heritage act refers to artists that used to shift millions of records worldwide, but sales have since dried up, their new music is no longer deemed credible and their live shows consist of an audience waiting to sing a long to the old stuff, popping to the bar or chatting during the new tracks.

Or course, I very much doubt Michael Jackson is concerned with this term due to the rumours surrounding his finances, and if Keith, Mick and the other two are anything to go by, it might be something of a life line for the King of Pop. The Stones 2005 - 2007, taking over an amazing $558m. The second biggest grossing tour? U2's 2005-2006 Vertigo tour, taking over $389m followed by The Rolling Stones again, the 1994-1995 Voodoo Lounge tour grossed over $320m. It goes without saying, that the artists in question are earning far more from their tours, than they are from record sales."

Read the full feature here!