The upcoming tribute concert to Michael Jackson has hit hard times with a host of acts pulling out of the Austrian event.
Michael Jackson’s death devastated the entertainment industry. An icon, Jackson pioneered many of the ways in which pop music is disseminated in modern society.
Through his showmanship, choreography and use of videos Michael Jackson helped the music industry to evolve into its present state. After his death many of the world’s biggest stars lined up to pay tribute, with a new memorial being organised in Austria.
Due to take place on September 26th the new concert has been organised by Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine. The two were very close with Jermaine Jackson being entrusted with telling the public that the ‘Thriller’ star had died.
However the tribute concert has now run into problems. Originally stars such as Chris Brown, Mary J Blige and Natalie Cole had been confirmed as performing – however all of these performers have now pulled out.
Due to take place at Vienna’s Schonbrunn castle the memorial concert is expected to have an audience of 65,000 with a potential TV deal due to bring the show to more than one billion people worldwide.
Commenting on the line up the show’s producer Georg Kindel told a news conference: “The star is Michael Jackson – it’s not about name dropping and who else will be there”.
The line up currently includes the likes of Sister Sledge and Akon. Jermaine Jackson is set to duet with his brother Michael via a video screen.
Tickets for the Austrian event range from £55 to £453, with fans keeping their fingers crossed for a number of new star names.
