Jackson Family Split on Tribute Concert

Michael Jackson’s mother and four siblings announced Monday a fall tribute concert in the UK to honor the late King of Pop, but not everyone in the Jackson clan is on board.

Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson and siblings LaToya, Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson said “Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert” will take place Oct. 8 at the 75,000-seat Millennium Stadium in Wales.

The 4-hour event is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of Jackson’s first solo single, “Got to be There,” and proceeds will benefit a trio of charities, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Tito Jackson said his brother “would be proud to see artists he admired and respected very much come together," THR reported. Jackson’s family and representatives from Global Live Events did not reveal the event's headliners.

And notably absent at the Los Angeles presser were Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, and siblings Janet, Jermaine and Randy Jackson.

Jermaine and Randy later issued a statement slamming the family’s “inappropriate” decision to hold the concert so soon to the beginning of a criminal trial involving Jackson’s physician, The Wall Street Journal’s Speakeasy blog reported.

Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s June 2009 death. He is set to stand trial on Sept. 8.

“While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael’s death,” Jermaine and Randy Jackson said.

“There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael,” they went on to say. “But we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.”

Selected Reading: WSJ, THR, TMZ
 

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