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| Michael Jackson |
Several members of Michael Jackson’s family announced plans for a grand tribute concert in October. But problems come along...
But those plans were immediately called into question when Jackson’s estate said it had not authorized the event, and two of Jackson’s brothers said they would not support it because the event was scheduled to take place during the criminal trial of Jackson’s doctor.
Organizers of Michael Jackson tribute concert, supported by the pop star's mother and four siblings, promise they will announce "an incredible line-up very soon" that will include "some of the greatest names in music".
Jackson’s mother, Katherine, along with four of his siblings — La Toya, Tito, Jackie and Marlon — held a news conference in Beverly Hills, California, to announce plans for Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert, scheduled to take place on October 8 at the Millennium Center in Cardiff, Wales, a theater that can hold 75,000 people. Performers were not announced, but Chris Hunt, a British promoter working with the family, said that further details would be revealed in coming weeks and that profits from the show would go to charities in the United States and Britain.
The four-hour concert, scheduled for the 40th anniversary of Jackson’s first solo single, “Got to Be There” would be “a show fit for a king,” Katherine Jackson said. Michael Jackson died two years ago at age 50.
But after the news conference, a spokesman for the Jackson estate said that the executors were not aware of the plans and had not authorized the use of Jackson’s name for the concert. Complicating things further, two of Jackson’s brothers, Jermaine and Randy, released a statement later saying that they did not support the event.
“We want to make clear that this does not reflect the position of the entire family,” the brothers’ statement said. “While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael’s death.”
Jury selection in the trial of Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, is expected to begin on September 8, with opening statements beginning on September 20. Dr. Murray has pleaded not guilty.
“There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael,” Jermaine and Randy Jackson added in their statement. “But we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.”
Family members organizing Michael Forever did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
