Michael Jackson Cancels Two New Year's Eve Shows

Michael Jackson's New Year's Eve performances on both sides of the international dateline have officially been called off, according to the company that was to produce both shows.

''We have just been informed that the planned Michael Jackson shows in Sydney and Honolulu will be postponed to next year,'' said a statement issued by Marcel Avram of Mama Concerts. The plan called for Jackson to perform a Dec. 31 concert in Sydney, then fly to Honolulu -- which is 12 hours behind -- to perform at another show.

''Michael Jackson has decided to complete recording his long-awaited new album,'' the statement said. Jackson is also conceiving a new show that will include songs from the new album, new videos and new choreography.

According to Planet Jackson, the website of the Jackson fanzine ''Black & White,'' a new Jackson album is expected to be released by March.

The Sydney show began to unravel last month when promoter Australian promoter Kevin Jacobsen reportedly pulled out of the show. Earlier this month, Jackson's camp issued a press release saying that he and his second wife, Debbie Rowe, are getting divorced. Rowe mothered Jackson's two children, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 2, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 1. The children live at Jackson's Neverland Ranch, and Rowe lives near San Diego.

Jackson's first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, is expected to release her Glen Ballard-produced debut album in January.