- Michael Forever
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Michael Forever - The Tribute Concert Location(s) Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom Years active 2011 Founded by Katherine Jackson Date(s) Saturday, October 8th 2011 Genre Pop music
Rock musicWebsite www.michaelforevertribute.com Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert was a music concert which was held on 8 October 2011 at the 74,500 seater Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.
The concert was dedicated to American entertainer Michael Jackson, who died on June 25th 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of his solo career.[1] The concert helped to raise awareness and funds for Aids Project Los Angeles and The Prince's Trust.[2]
Contents
Background
The event was already in "advanced stages" in April 2011, when it was presented to the majority of the Jackson family. Katherine Jackson said "Michael gave his entire life to the world through his love, his music and his devotion to healing the planet. I am positive that this event will be an event great enough in scale, talent and imagination to form a worthy celebration of Michael's life."[3]
Production and broadcasters
The concert was organized by Global Live Events, led by founder and CEO Chris Hunt. The organising team also included Live Event Director Andy Picheta, Steve Cole and US CEO Eric Bute.[3]
It was expected that the concert would be broadcast throughout the world to 30 countries in 2D and 3D formats. However, this was later canceled due to copyright issues.[4]
Tickets
Tickets were priced from £55. Standard seats cost £87, with a restricted view at £55. Standard middle and upper-tier tickets cost £175 and £137 respectively and the more restricted standing tickets were sold at £97. The best seats in the middle tier were priced at £240 each, while the best standing tickets cost £195.[5] Student Tickets were also available from £25 from Total Students [6]
Support
The event was organized by Global Live Events and had the support of Jackson's mother Katherine Jackson[5], and his siblings LaToya Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson and Jackie Jackson, but not that of Jackson's brothers Randy and Jermaine Jackson, sister Janet Jackson, several relatives, the official Michael Jackson Fan Club and even the singer's executors as they claimed the concert would distract from the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr Conrad Murray, Jackson's former doctor. Randy and Jermaine Jackson issued the following statement in opposition to the event:
While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honours our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death. As everyone knows, those proceedings commence September 20th, and this Michael Forever concert takes place in Cardiff, Wales, on 8 October. In light of this, we feel it is inappropriate to be involved with such an ill-timed event and its promoter, Global Live. Furthermore, the decision to proceed with this concert disrespects opinions and wishes expressed in the strongest terms to Global Live during conversations in April when this event was presented to the majority of the family as an idea already in its advanced stages. There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael. But we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.
- Randy Jackson and Jermaine Jackson[7]The Michael Jackson Fan Club agreed with the two brothers, issuing a similar statement:
"We share their concerns that this concert is taking place at a most inappropriate time when everyone's care and attention should be focused on the matter of justice. We believe that, as stated by Jermaine and Randy, the most important tribute we can give to Michael Jackson at this time is to seek justice in his name."[8]
Performing Acts
Musical acts who participated in the event included the Jackson Brothers, Christina Aguilera[1], Beyonce, Alexandra Burke, Yolanda Adams, 3T[1], Alien Ant Farm[1], Cee Lo Green[1], Pixie Lott, Diversity, Craig David[1], JLS[1], Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Gladys Knight, LaToya Jackson, Leona Lewis[2] and Smokey Robinson.[2]
In the days running up to the event three of the acts originally booked to perform pulled out. These included The Black Eyed Peas, due to "unforeseeable circumstances", which led to speculation in the media that the band were splitting up. Chris Brown failed to enter the country for the event, as his working visa was denied over the assault of former girlfriend and pop singer Rihanna. And, Jennifer Hudson also failed to participate citing "production issues" as the fault.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Michaels, Sean (12 August 2011). "Michael Jackson tribute concert lineup revealed". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/aug/12/michael-jackson-tribute-concert-lineup. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Christina Aguilera to play Jackson concert". BBC News. 12 August 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14502151. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Leadership". Global Live Events. http://www.globalliveeventsuk.com/category/leadership. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ Quinn, Ben (26 July 2011). "Family divided over plans for Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales". London: guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/26/michael-jackson-tribute-concert-wales. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Line-up for Cardiff's Michael Jackson tribute concert revealed at last". CardiffOnline. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2011/08/12/line-up-for-cardiff-s-michael-jackson-tribute-concert-revealed-at-last-91466-29222230/#ixzz1VBpZndfH. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ "Student Tickets for Michael Jackson tribute concert". Total Students. http://www.totalstudents.co.uk/event.php?eid=54011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Cardiff show: Brothers criticise timing". BBC. 26 July 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-14287845. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ "Statement From MJFC". MJFC. http://mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4721:statement-from-mjfc&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Official Facebook Page
- Official Twitter Page
- Video of Concert Announcement from BBC News
- Link for £25 Student Tickets
Culture and recreation in Cardiff Performing arts Cardiff Singer of the World • Welsh Singers Competition • BBC National Orchestra of Wales • Welsh National Opera • Wales Millennium Centre • Motorpoint Arena Cardiff • St David's Hall • Cardiff City Hall • New Theatre • Sherman Cymru • Chapter Arts Centre • Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama • National Youth Orchestra of Wales • Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra • NoFit State CircusMusic venues and acts Music of Cardiff • Clwb Ifor Bach • Coal Exchange • Spillers Records • Barfly • Cardiff University Students' Union • Bute Park • Catatonia • The Automatic • Jem • Funeral for a Friend • Lostprophets • Bullet for My Valentine • Stereophonics • Manic Street Preachers • Super Furry Animals • Kids in Glass Houses • Los Campesinos! • We're No Heroes • The Hot Puppies • The Oppressed • Pagan Wanderer Lu • Budgie • Shakin' Stevens • Charlotte Church • Shirley Bassey • Gorky's Zygotic Mynci • Only Men Aloud! • Under the Driftwood TreeFestivals and concerts Cardiff Big Weekend • Cardiff Film Festival • Cardiff Comedy Festival • Cardiff Design Festival • Sŵn • National Eisteddfod • Urdd Eisteddfod • Party in the Park • Tsunami Relief Cardiff • Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert • Welcome to Wales • Armed Forces Day • Millennium Stadium concerts • Cardiff Arms Park concerts • Sparks in the ParkMuseums and galleries National Museum Cardiff • St Fagans National History Museum • Museum of the Welsh Soldier • Norwegian Church Arts Centre • The Gate • Doctor Who Exhibition Centre • Pierhead Building • Techniquest • Cardiff StoryEntertainment and dining Red Dragon Centre • Mermaid Quay • Hard Rock Cafe • Millennium Plaza • The Glee Club • Eastside • Café QuarterRecreation Cardiff Central Library • Libraries in Cardiff • Leisure centres in Cardiff • Bute Park • Roath Park • Victoria Park • Roald Dahl Plass • Llandaff Fields • Thompson's Park • Llanishen ReservoirShopping Arcades • St. David's • Queens Arcade • Capitol Centre • Central Market • Castle Quarter • The Hayes • Howells • Mermaid Quay • Retail ParksCategories:- Benefit concerts
- Michael Jackson concert tours
- Events in Cardiff
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