Rome Tribute Cancelled

A tribute concert planned for Rome’s Olympic Stadium on June 25th to commemorate the first anniversary of Michael’s death, has been cancelled. Different reasons have been given so far, the first being poor ticket sales (only 3,500), and the next reason being furious protests from Michael’s brother Randy. It was reportedly set to star Michael’s brother Marlon, Missy Elliot, Joss Stone, Akon and Dionne Warwick.

Concert organisers also claimed that the dancers from ‘This Is It’ would perform pieces from the tour that Michael was rehearsing before his death last year.

According to the report by the Las Vegas Review, Randy Jackson blasted bosses behind the proposed event last month and called for it to be scrapped.

In a series of posts on his Twitter page, Randy wrote; “I have some serious concerns about this tribute to my brother on the 25th of June in Rome… I have… concerns… First, where are the proceeds from ticket sales going…?? Second, the coordinator is telling fans that my brother is alive & will be there in disguise…. That deeply disturbs me… My family has plans to be at Forest Lawn on the 25th of June…

I am outraged at the insensitivity and self-promotion of the tribute organisers.”
No official reason has been given for the cancelled tribute.

Source: Las Vegas Review Journal & MJWN