Tuesday 26 July 2011

Michael Jackson tribute show confirmed

Several members of Michael Jackson's family last night unveiled plans for a tribute concert in Wales to the late King of Pop.
The show, supported by Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson, will be held on October 8 in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium, which holds about 75,000 people.
It will be broadcast live via satellite on pay-per-view television and into movie theaters around the world, some of which will screen it in 3D, according to promoter Global Live Events.
Katherine Jackson told reporters at the unveiling in Beverly Hills, California, that she is proud of the event and the caliber of singers performing, although no names were announced.

Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson, tried in vain to mount a tribute concert in Vienna in 2009, but plans were scrapped after he struggled to get big-name acts and the event's organiser went out of business.
Jermaine, Janet, and Michael Jackson's father Joe, were not on hand at Monday's announcement. Instead, Katherine was joined by family members, Tito, Jackie, Marlon and La Toya.

No artists have yet been announced for 'Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert' - which will be held in front of 75,000 fans - but it is expected that performers will be revealed daily until August 4, when tickets will go on sale.

However, Tito promised the concert will feature "all the artists [Michael] admired and respected so much.

"Michael loved doing things on a large, major scale. This is definitely one that he would approve."

Global Live Events, who are staging the concert, promised it will be a fitting tribute to the King of Pop's musical legacy.

Chris Hunt, president of Global Live Events, said: "We wanted to do something decent and worthy of Michael's musical genius yet something fun and authentic that you would envision Michael attending with excitement and joy surrounded by talent that he respected and loved."

It's intended that the concert will raise awareness and funds for Aids Project Los Angeles and two other charities to be announced later.

It was not explained why Michael's siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy were not in attendance at the press conference, but his brothers later blasted the "inappropriate" timing of the concert, which is scheduled to take place less than three weeks after the start of Dr. Conrad Murray's trial for the involuntary manslaughter of the singer.

Jermaine and Randy said: "While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honours our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death.

"There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael. But we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.

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