MJ tribute announcement “imminent”
More details are beginning to trickle out over the arrangements for Michael Jackson’s official London tribute. Randy Phillips, the man directly responsible for booking and promoting Jackson’s ill-fated O2 residency recently spoke to BBC 6 Music and outlined his developing plans for an official tribute at the O2, which will take place on the late icon’s birthday, August 29th. Preliminary suggestions include “presenting This Is It, the production, hopefully with the Jacksons and maybe Janet, and other artists.”
Official announcements are expected to be made before the end of this week, however, as Phillips explained: “We have to make some hard decisions this week otherwise it will be too late to even contemplate doing anything on August 29.”
Presumably, the tribute will be tailored towards those who had originally purchased tickets for one of the 50 dates. For those without tickets, the tribute is probably going to mimic Jackson’s recent memorial, only with a more global approach: ”What we’re thinking about is one massive tribute that’s broadcast around the globe. We’ve opted to go to broadcast television, either cable/satellite, or traditional broadcast.”
This announcement continues the trend of global outpouring for Jackson, who died from a cardiac arrest on June 25th. The reaction has been universal. Tribute walls have been erected around the world and fans continue to boost the legend’s album sales. However, on the home front, the controversy surrounding Jackson rages on — fortunately, Los Angeles’ authorities have agreed to foot the bill for his tribute at the Staples Center, reportedly $1.4 million in cost. AEG, the company behind his “Is This It” tour,” is also thought to be contributing to these events.
Speaking of “Is This It,” Jackson was scheduled to start his tour on Monday. In his honor, hundreds of fans turned up at the O2 Arena to commemorate what many had hoped would be Jackson’s triumphant return to the stage. The world remains shocked.
Seconded. It’s crazy what the kids get up to these days… get a life man. Before it’s too late!
You’re so clever, Alex Yung. I wish I could be a deadbeat loser who trolled websites, too. But with the recession and financial matters at hand, there just isn’t time. How is it writing from the public library these days?
Moron.
It should have been Consequence of Sound that died.
What, Tommie, you don’t think LaToya is better than Janet? Come On!
Joking aside, I reckon Jermaine and Janet first and foremost, keep the kids as far away from the stage as possible (I keep hearing of them as ‘the Jackson 3′ which is totally lame).
Janet has been fairly reserved about this whole affair, but yes, she has the performing experience and I think we will be hearing more very, very soon.
janet’s last tour was not a sell out, in fact she had trouble filling arenas in north america. it didn’t help that she cancelled quite a few shows as well.
What…no love for Tito as the headliner? haha
The only way that this would sell Janet Jackson would have to be the star, that is the only way I see this going through. Janet Jackson is the female version of Michael Jackson and is the only artist that comes close to being like Michael no matter how hard other artist try, they will never come as close to being like Michael the way that Janet Jackson would, they dance a like, they look alike, and Janet can still pull the crowds in big arenas, before she started cancelling her concerts they were all sold out. Michael was once asked which artist did he think came close to his style of performing and entertaining and he name his sister Janet Jackson. So If Janet can headline this thing it would be greats.