Ticketholders are demanding refunds for an upcoming Quincy Jones show after Jones removed Michael Jackson’s name from the concert title, likely due to the negative attention against the singer.
The show was originally titled “Quincy Jones Presents Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad.” It was understood that Jones, a longtime collaborator and friend of Jackson, would perform three iconic Jackson albums back-to-back with a live symphony orchestra. However, the concert is now dubbed “Quincy Jones Presents Soundtrack of the 80s.” The ticketing website states that the show will include “blockbuster 80s hits with very special guest artists to be announced” and will feature tracks like “Thriller,” “Give Me The Night,” “Yah Mo Be There,” “P.Y.T.,” “Rock With You,” “Ai No Corrdia,” “Man In The Mirror,” and more.
It is unclear whether or not Jackson has been removed from the promotional material because of the recent HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, which showcases two men who were allegedly abused by Jackson as children. However, one thing is for sure: ticketholders are mad. Many fans expressed their frustration online:
I was going but now I want a refund. This is false advertising.
— Elysia Melville (@ellie1981) May 4, 2019
Not anymore. This is not what we paid for. Questions need answering. Neither am I attending any collaboration with @oprah and @johnlegend. They’re cancelled.
— oughut (@oughut) May 3, 2019
Give back the money you stole from the MJ’s fans. Shameless fraud???.
— Himura Kenshin (@HimuraBattou28) May 4, 2019
What happened to this? #snake pic.twitter.com/q2MWCCkDUX
— Liam Edwards (@LiamEdwards0) May 3, 2019
What the hell is this
It was supposed to be Off the wall, Thriller and Bad not anything else Quincy what’s going on— Angelo (@shutdown_k) May 4, 2019
I bought tickets on the basis of this being Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. This is now not the show I paid for. Unhappy about this.
— Casey Rain (aka S-Endz) (@CaseyRain) May 4, 2019
How do I get a refund now your performing a totally different show to what you advertised?
— Fee fee (@fee2fee2fee) May 4, 2019
Many fans are calling Jones a “snake” and said that he has disrespected Jackson’s legacy. Last year, Jones reportedly told Fader that while he hates “to get into this publicly,” Jackson stole songs like Donna Summers’ “State of Independence” and “Billie Jean,” saying that “the notes don’t lie” and “he was as Machiavellian as the come.”
Jones has not responded to the event’s name change or ticketholders’ requests for refunds. The show will take place at The O2 in London on Sunday, June 23.
