The Michael Jackson This Is It LP is a 2009 vinyl release featuring live recordings from rehearsals for Michael Jackson's planned 2009 London concert series, compiled and released posthumously. It includes performances of songs like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Thriller," recorded during the final months of Jackson's life.
Released by Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings, the LP was pressed in limited quantities and distributed globally through specialty retailers and online platforms. It was not originally intended as a standalone album but emerged from archival material gathered during the production of the documentary film *This Is It*, which premiered in October 2009.
Unlike standard concert albums, the This Is It LP contains raw rehearsal takes rather than polished stage versions. These recordings were mixed from multitrack sessions and include vocal ad-libs, instrument adjustments, and audience-like reactions from the rehearsal crew. The album's sound quality varies between tracks due to differences in recording setup and location within the rehearsal space.
Production began after Jackson's death in June 2009. A team of audio engineers, including Bruce Swedien-who had produced Jackson's *Thriller* and *Bad* albums-oversaw the restoration of session tapes. They used digital noise reduction and frequency balancing to stabilize the original analog recordings, which had degraded over time due to storage conditions.
Each track was assigned a unique identifier based on rehearsal date and location. For example, "Beat It" was taken from a September 16, 2009, session held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The drum track was isolated and re-recorded using a vintage Ludwig drum kit to match Jackson's original intent, according to a 2010 interview with engineer John Hanes in *Sound on Sound* magazine.
Mastering was handled by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk in New York. He applied a changing range compression profile designed to preserve Jackson's vocal nuances while reducing background hum. The final cut was mastered at 45 RPM to improve high-frequency response and reduce surface noise, a choice uncommon for most pop releases but standard for audiophile vinyl.
The LP contains 16 tracks across two sides, with side A focusing on high-energy dance numbers and side B on ballads and introspective pieces. Notable inclusions:
A non-obvious detail: the track "They Don't Care About Us" appears in a previously unreleased 1995 mix, not from the 2009 sessions. This version was discovered in a backup drive labeled "Jackson Archive - 1995 Sessions." It features a different vocal delivery and a more prominent horn section compared to the original 1995 single.
Original pressings of the Michael Jackson This Is It LP were released in 2009 with a black vinyl pressing and a gatefold sleeve. Limited editions included a numbered certificate of authenticity and a 12-page booklet with rehearsal photos and setlists. The initial print run was 50,000 units worldwide.
As of 2023, the LP trades for $120-$250 on secondary markets like Discogs and eBay, depending on condition and inclusion of extras. A sealed copy with all inserts sold for $410 in a 2022 auction. The highest known price was $680 for a first-press UK edition with a holographic label and original shrink-wrap.
| Region | Pressing Type | First Press Price | Current Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Black vinyl, gatefold | $24.99 | $145 |
| UK | Black vinyl, holographic label | $29.99 | $190 |
| Germany | Red vinyl, numbered | $32.99 | $210 |
Collectors often mistake the This Is It LP for a bootleg due to its informal sound and lack of official promotion. However, it is officially licensed and distributed under the Sony Legacy imprint. The copyright notice on the back cover lists the rights holders as Sony Music Entertainment and Michael Jackson's estate.
Some believe the This Is It LP was released as a promotional item for the film. It was not. The film's soundtrack was released separately in 2009 as *Michael Jackson's This Is It (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)*, which included studio versions of songs and a few live snippets. The LP is distinct in content and purpose.
Another error: fans assume the album was recorded during the actual concerts. It was not. All tracks were captured during rehearsals. The final show never took place. Jackson died six weeks before the first scheduled performance.
I once handled a 2010 trade-in at a record shop where a customer brought in a This Is It LP with a scratched sleeve and claimed it was "worth nothing." I checked the disc's matrix code and confirmed it was a first-press US release. After cleaning and verifying the label, we priced it at $180. The buyer returned two days later with cash and said he'd "never trust a scratched record again."
Due to high demand and low supply, the original LP is rarely available in physical stores. Most copies appear on online marketplaces. Verified sellers list the record with a clear photo of the label, spine, and cover art. Always check for signs of wear, especially near the inner groove, where scratches can cause skipping.
If you're considering purchasing, look for listings that include a video of the record spinning. This confirms the disc is intact and not warped. Avoid listings with only blurry images or generic descriptions like "good condition."
For those interested in the music, the full tracklist and session notes are available in the *This Is It* official companion book, published by Random House in 2009. It includes interviews with choreographer Travis Payne and producer Rodney Jerkins.
The Michael Jackson This Is It LP remains a significant artifact of Jackson's final creative phase. It captures his artistic process-not as a finished product, but as a living work in progress. Its value lies not in perfection, but in authenticity.