"Major" Michael Jackson tribute planned for Vienna

[Zint]

Aug 10, 10:53 AM EDT

Major Michael Jackson tribute planned for Vienna

By WILLIAM J. KOLE

Associated Press Writer

VIENNA (AP) -- The King of Pop will get a royal send-off next month in Vienna.

Events promoter World Awards Media GmbH confirmed Monday that members of Michael Jackson's family and a "high-profile lineup of international stars" are planning a tribute concert in the Austrian capital.

Organizers said the venue will be the sprawling grounds of Vienna's former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace, where a giant outdoor multimedia stage shaped like a crown will be built.

Jackson's brother Jermaine said recently that Vienna was special for Michael, who "loved castles." Tickets will go on sale Aug. 20.

"For one incredible night Michael Jackson's unforgettable music will be brought to life again," World Awards Media said on its Web site. "Some of the world's leading artists will perform Michael's greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the 'King of Pop.'"

Organizers said Jermaine Jackson and other family members "will lead a high-profile lineup of international stars on stage to celebrate the life of his brother and perform some of Michael's unforgettable songs."

They would not confirm reports that the tribute may include U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston.

World Awards Media chief Georg Kindel said Monday it would be held in the first part of September. Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles.

Many had expected the tribute to be held in London, where Jackson was booked to perform a series of concerts, or a larger European capital such as Berlin, Paris or Rome.

But Friday, on "Larry King Live," Jermaine Jackson said Vienna was "a very dear place for Michael."

"And he loved castles. And we're going to have this huge celebration in front of a castle," Jermaine Jackson said.

Spokespeople for promoters AEG Live, which had been organizing Jackson's London concerts, had no immediate comment on the Vienna tribute. But London fans expressed displeasure.

"If he likes castles, they could've done it anywhere in the UK. We've got them here, too," said Peter Chowng, a 42-year-old London businessman.

Kindel said he hoped to secure official permission within the next eight days to hold the concert at Schoenbrunn.

The venue has enough standing room to accommodate 85,000 people. The daily Oesterreich said giant screens would be set up in parks around Vienna to handle the huge overflow crowds expected.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Schoenbrunn dates to the 14th century, but it's best known for more recent occupants: members of the royal Habsburg dynasty, which ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Jermaine Jackson said, in a statement on World Awards Media's Web site, that the concert was conceived as an annual event to keep alive not only Michael Jackson's music, "but his spirit as well."

Kindel said a "not insignificant" portion of the proceeds would go to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, which helps patients who can't afford heart surgery.

Monday's announcement drew an angry reaction from an organization calling itself Resistance for Peace Vienna.

The group, citing Jackson's legal entanglements over allegations of child molestation, sent Vienna City Hall and Schoenbrunn's supervisory board a letter urging authorities not to approve the plan "for ethical reasons."

tribute website

Schoenbrunn Palace

Edited August 10, 2009 by zint61

[axl_on_drums]

I heard Prince may also be doing it, that would be awesome

[Black Sabbath]

It is possible I suppose, but I don't think they will be able to be there to be honest. The head into the US next month, and I can't see them flying the whole way to Vienna for the tribute and then the whole way back to the US.

Either way, this is really cool. I didn't read the whole thing, but do they plan on taping it? The must. It'd be stupid not to.

[Black Sabbath]

True. We'll see I suppose.

[Zint]

k...so

Tickets go on sale for this in 17 hours...and no performers have been announced??

[Spoon87]

So, so far this looks quite underwhelming. Confirmed acts are: : Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown, Natalie Cole, Angela Bassett, US5 and Sister Sledge.

7 more acts are said to be announced by the end of the week.

Any thoughts, or more infos on this?

Here's the official homepage:

http://www.tribute2009.com/

Edited September 10, 2009 by Spoon87

[Zint]

So, so far this looks quite underwhelming. Confirmed acts are: : Mary J. Blige, Akon, Chris Brown, Natalie Cole, Angela Bassett, US5 and Sister Sledge.

7 more acts are said to be announced by the end of the week.

Any thoughts, or more infos on this?

Here's the official homepage:

http://www.tribute2009.com/

I heard Blige Backed out and Chris Brown can't go because of probation.

Nice of them to invite a convicted woman beater though.

I also heard Jermaine is going to duet with a video of Michael...

It's craptastic so far..but they did manage to snag US5 away from their busy schedule though.

[Nobodys_Fault]

Wow. This is going to be shit.