Mary J. Blige, Akon and Natalie Cole Will Perform at Michael Jackson’s Vienna Tribute

Michael Jackson (n/a)

A tribute concert for Michael Jackson will be held in Vienna on September 26, and it will be filled with stars such as Mary J. Blige, Akon, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge and Germany-based boy band US5.

At a Tuesday’s press conference about the concert, Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson and producer Georg Kindel told reporters that thirteen artists so far have been confirmed to perform at the concert, with more stars due to be announced this week. Organizers also added that those famous names will sing some of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits at the concert.

Musicians and dancers who were due to perform in Jackson’s comeback shows in London this summer will also grace the stage in front of Vienna’s sumptuous Schoenbrunn Palace, alongside actress Angela Bassett. Not only that, the concert will also have feature a virtual duet between the King of Pop and one of his brothers.

When asked about the missing (but much-anticipated) names on the lineup, such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2 and Lionel Ritchie, organizers said, a total of 20 to 25 artists are expected to confirm eventually. Kindel informed that more names will be revealed at separate news conferences in London on Wednesday and in Berlin on Thursday.

R&B singer, Chris Brown was actually on the lineup list, but the news had been denied by his publicist. As we quoted from E! Online, the publicist for Brown’s label said, “Chris is not confirmed to perform or participate in any capacity for this show.”

The organisers were expecting 65,000 fans to attend the Tribute concert at Schoenbrunn, down from an initial estimate of 85,000. Tickets went on sale last month even before any line-up had been announced, with prices ranging from 63 to 518 euros (91 to 750 dollars). Last week, half the tickets had already been sold, the organisers said.

Kindel said, “We will honor on this night not only the musician and artist Michael Jackson but also the humanitarian. He’s really someone who changed the history of music.” He then added, a “significant portion” of the proceeds from the event will be donated to charity.

The concert plans include: Jermaine will sing a duet with his late brother, probably with video of Michael to be projected onto nearby walls. Actress Angela Bassett, who played the role of Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine in the two part film The Jacksons: An American Dream, will present one part of Michael’s life. And then in the grand finale, all performers will sing either Heal the World or We are the World together.

It sounds like a great tribute to see!

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