Michael Tribute Concert Cancelled

The two tribute concerts due to take place at London’s O2 Arena have been cancelled. The tribute would have included a performance of Michael’s stage show, ‘This Is It’.

Organisers ran out of time to finalise deals with performers for the tribute concerts that were due to be staged on August 29th and 30th. (The opening night would have coincided with Michael’s 51st birthday).

It is not clear whether the tribute will go on in the future. “If they ever happen, it will not be until next year”, a source close to the event told The Times. “We didn’t want to rush out something that was sub-standard – we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people.”

Potential performers for the event included Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and Jackson siblings such as Janet and Jermaine. The event would have included a performance of Michael’s stage show, entitled ‘This Is It’.

An official tribute concert WILL be staged on the grounds of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. Dates will be confirmed by the end of this week, will be between September 20th and 27th, not around Michael’s birthday as previously thought.

A spokesperson for World Awards Media, the promoter, said that Michael’s brother Jermaine will be leading the event and is “taking care of other stars attending”.

A fifty metre outdoor stage will be constructed. There will be LED walls and the palace in the background. It is hoped the event will accommodate 85,000 fans. “It should be a major tribute in memory of Michael Jackson,” a spokesperson said.

Source: The Times & MJWN