JACKSON THRILLS, BUT DOESN'T 'JINGLE' ALL THE WAY.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

Michael Jackson had ``just helicoptered in from Neverland Ranch,'' informed KIIS-FM (102.7) DJ Rick Dees. Suddenly, people who had been missing from their seats for nearly all of Wednesday night's ``Jingle Ball'' concert at the Staples Center appeared from out of nowhere, tickets in hand, to claim their rightful vantage point.

The arena bristled with the kind of energy that only the King of Pop could inspire. People wore goofy grins and readied their cameras in anticipation of seeing Jackson, who would be accepting a sort of lifetime achievement award from the station. The KIIS-FM DJs, who hosted the holiday concert, and KTLA's bombshell entertainment reporter, Mindy Burbano, had been hyping this ``special surprise'' all night.

But the best surprises were the unexpected ones the audience discovered for itself earlier when Alicia Keys sat at her electric piano and resurrected Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Craig David launched into his smooth freestyle rhymes and r&b accompanied by a classical guitarist.

The happy-go-lucky Sugar Ray's West Coast pop was good for the party, too. In fact, the three performers outshone the night's lineup of mostly overrated corporate-pop acts, the biggest culprit being the Boston-based boy band LFO, whose brand of pop is better-suited for soft-drink commercials and not the stage.

And the only memorable moment in the opening performance by Toya, an r&b singer from St. Louis who also raps, was what was left of her pants, which appeared to have been torn from the gripping jaws of a mad dog.

Of course, the show wasn't a complete loss. Lifehouse brought down the house with its breakthrough single ``Hanging by a Moment,'' newcomer Michelle Branch got everybody to join her on her hit ``Everywhere,'' and Shakira ... well, Shakira tangoed in painted-on pants.

The biggest injustice was dealt to Five for Fighting (aka John Ondrask), who performed ``Superman'' as a tribute to the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Unfortunately, the impact was lost. Kind of like the build-up to Jackson's appearance.

Dees delivered the trophy (the kind you might get in Little League) to Jackson following a sci-fi-themed video retrospective of the pop star's life. He got some help from Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

Jackson, who was clad in black, walked onto the stage blowing kisses and giving the peace sign to the audience. He hugged Johnson (and later, Dees) but said little more than ``I love you very much'' and ``Merry Christmas.'' Everyone knew Jackson wasn't planning to perform, but there was always the chance - the hope - that he just might. To the disappointment of his fans, he was escorted off the stage. The audience chanted his name. But instead of a performance, they got his single ``Butterflies'' through the speakers.

``At least he could have sang,'' said one woman, seated near the floor section.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) The stage at Staples Center could barely contain the energetic Shakira during Wednesday's KIIS-FM ``Jingle Ball.''

(2) Soul singer and classically trained pianist Alicia Keys delivered an impressive set that included selections from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Gene Blevins/Staff Photographer