17 YEARS AGO: FANS TOOK ONE OF THEIR LAST PHOTOS WITH MICHAEL JACKSON On this day, May 29, 2009, Michael Jackson was in the midst of preparations for his grand return to the stage with the This Is It tour. During rehearsals, Michael stopped to take photos and share a moment with some fans. Little did he know, those images would become some of the last photographs of Michael with his fans. At that point in his life, Michael was completely focused on returning to the stage after years away from major tours, preparing for a new chapter that millions of people eagerly awaited.