14 DAY TRIAL // Fans who did not get to attend the Michael Jackson memorial service held at LA’s Staples Center on Tuesday, or those who did not rush to buy a ticket to his “This Is It” final series of shows, should not lose hope. Today, on what should have been a historic date in the industry of music, commemorative “This Is It” items, which would have been made available on the opening of the show, have gone on sale online.
Aside from the regular cups, playing cards and keychains, organizers have also included a couple of items meant to remember fans that “This Is It,” the series of concerts that would have rewritten pop music as Michael called it during the press conference announcing it, was indeed to be a groundbreaking event, ShopDiary says. Consequently, organizers have also included a special t-shirt that will sell only for hours, being marketed as a collector’s item.
“July 13th was to be a historic night for Michael Jackson. It would’ve been the first of fifty shows for his ‘This Is It’ concert series at London’s famed O2 Arena. To honor Michael and memorialize this event, official concert merchandise featuring the London tour logo and a graphic of Michael is being sold online and will be available in stores. L.A. Times reports that the King of Pop himself sketched out ideas for the merchandise and helped design more than 300 items. There are the usual tchotchkes such as keychains, mugs, playing cards and apparel such as a varsity jacket, t-shirts, hats, belt buckles, scarves, tote bags and even white glitter socks.” ShopDiary confirms.
It is not yet known whether Michael had a say in designing the red t-shirt that will be available as a collector’s item alone but, for what it’s worth, it is already selling like hot cakes. In order to make it a special edition, the red t-shirt with Michael’s image in the front and the number “1” on the back to remind the world that July 13 would have been the first date for “This Is It,” becomes unavailable today at midnight.
“The red O2 Opening Night Commemorative Event t-shirt promises to be a collectors’ item as the shirt will only be sold until midnight July 13th, and then retired forever. Featuring a bold number 1 on the back to memorialize the first Michael Jackson show, the $30 shirt was to have been sold at the O2 only on July 13th 2009. This shirt will only [be] available exclusively at the Official Michael Jackson store.” ShopDiary further informs.