Michael Jackson’s former guitarist Orianthi discussed his crazy rehearsal schedule before his 2009 death in a new Let There Be Talk interview. Michael Jackson Message To Woman In 2009 Leaks.
I could imagine. I remember watching the film and you guys were rehearsing at the Staples or The Forum, one of the two…
“Both. We actually started rehearsing, then we moved to The Forum, and then he booked out the Staples Center, and we were just working at the Staples Center every day.”
So insane! And it looked just grueling, long, long, long hours.
“Oh, really long hours. Honestly, we’d get there around about 10 AM, work through to about 1 AM. And then some days were earlier, but Michael was a hard worker.
“He was working with the dancers, he was working with the production team, he was working with the clothes designers, he was working with the band… It was exhausting just watching him do everything.
“I was like, ‘God, this is a lot!’ And the comeback and the pressure of that too, a lot of stuff people don’t put in consideration, coming back after all that time, and then putting together a show, and then just making sure everything’s perfect and the way you want it.
“And as an artist, I think everyone around could definitely feel the pressure that he was feeling. But excitement too.”
Jackson sadly died from drugs in June 2009 before his tour could launch. Ultimate-Guitar transcribed her comments.
