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Just days remain until thousands descend on the Millennium Stadium for a tribute show honouring King of Pop Michael Jackson. Ciaran Jones met the Thriller singer’s brothers to discuss the controversial gig
THEY are the driving force behind a troubled tribute show in memory of one of the world’s greatest musical icons.
But relaxing in a high-end London hotel yesterday, three of Michael Jackson’s brothers – and former Jackson 5 bandmates – brushed off the controversies that have plagued Cardiff’s Michael Forever tribute concert since it was announced.
Just hours before, high-profile act Black Eyed Peas – only added to the bill late last month – withdrew from Saturday’s show citing “unavoidable circumstances”.
Yet speaking to the Western Mail yesterday lunchtime Michael’s older brothers did not appear to know the hip-hop act had pulled out, with Marlon claiming it was their “first time hearing that”.
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As well as ongoing confusion surrounding the show’s line-up and uproar over a planned ticket ballot based on charity donations, which was subsequently scrapped, fans and members of the Jackson family have criticised the timing of the show.
It comes midway through the trial of Michael’s personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, in connection with the star’s sudden death in June 2009.
Texas-based cardiologist Murray, 58, could face four years in jail and the loss of his licence if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
He is alleged to have provided the Billie Jean star with a fatal amount of the anaesthetic propofol. Murray denies the charge, saying the singer administered the lethal dose himself.
Michael’s siblings Jermaine, Randy and Janet are not taking part in Saturday’s show due to the ongoing court case.
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But Marlon denied the decision to go ahead with the concert – featuring performances from stars including Christina Aguilera and Smokey Robinson – had caused any division in the family.
“They’re [Jermaine, Randy and Janet] speaking what they feel in their hearts and it’s our brother.
“To you he may be ‘Michael Jackson, icon’ or whatever. To us he’s our brother and each one of us feels different about our brother and if they don’t want to partake or participate in this then we respect their decision, but that’s their decision.
“That’s how they feel right now because it’s their brother, but what I feel is I want to do this because I want to enjoy the other side of my brother’s life, the joyful side.
“I’m not saying that they don’t want to but it may not be the time for them. But for me, I feel it’s the right time for me.”
Tito, 57, said the gig had been planned more than six months ago and the proposed trial date had changed a number of times.
“We were there [at court] last week with our mother and it was quite rough on her, and that’s one thing with the timing – I look at it actually as a good release and a relief for my mother to be able to look at the brighter side of things and celebrate her son’s contribution and not to be in a court hearing how things happened with his life.
“It was so hard on her last week and I’m so happy that she’s able to smile. She’ll be smiling on Saturday remembering all the good and beautiful things that Michael represented instead of being stuck inside a court hearing testimony.”
Jackie added: “Also the courtroom has only eight seats they can give the family and we’re such a large family so some of us are out here to celebrate the tribute show, others are going to court.
“But when we get back we’ll be going to court as well.”
And they said the legal proceedings had been particularly upsetting for Michael’s children Prince, Paris and Blanket. The children are due to attend Saturday’s show, as spectators.
“They’re so glad to be here, they’re going to have a great time,” said Jackie.
“They might be on the stage. Come the finale they might be on the stage, you never know. It’s a spontaneous reaction, whatever happens, happens.”
And he said the family had rallied around to look after the children – aged 14, 13 and nine – since their father’s death.
Jackie told the Western Mail: “They’ve got a lot of support. They’re around the nieces and nephews every single day and that’s what we should do, we should cover them with a lot of love and support…”
Saturday’s show is unlikely to be the final tribute to the Thriller singer, with his brothers promising to continue to honour his memory.
Tito said: “People ask ‘What do you think Michael represented when he was here on earth?’ and my first answer is not music but his heart, what he did for people, how he tried to change the world and make the world a better place.”
He spoke warmly of Michael’s charity work and generosity, adding: “If there was a family that needed Christmas, he would send over $5,000 to that family so they would have a beautiful Christmas and that was the true Michael Jackson.
“The things you don’t hear about that we know he did is what makes him a very beautiful person. He never wanted publicity or bragged about it – he just did it out of the heart.”
And he mooted the suggestion of an annual tribute for the singer, who died at just 50.
Tito said: “Hopefully we can do this every year to remember his legacy, that’s something that we enjoy doing.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/n...brothers-speak-to-walesonline-91466-29547274/
THEY are the driving force behind a troubled tribute show in memory of one of the world’s greatest musical icons.
But relaxing in a high-end London hotel yesterday, three of Michael Jackson’s brothers – and former Jackson 5 bandmates – brushed off the controversies that have plagued Cardiff’s Michael Forever tribute concert since it was announced.
Just hours before, high-profile act Black Eyed Peas – only added to the bill late last month – withdrew from Saturday’s show citing “unavoidable circumstances”.
Yet speaking to the Western Mail yesterday lunchtime Michael’s older brothers did not appear to know the hip-hop act had pulled out, with Marlon claiming it was their “first time hearing that”.
<NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>
As well as ongoing confusion surrounding the show’s line-up and uproar over a planned ticket ballot based on charity donations, which was subsequently scrapped, fans and members of the Jackson family have criticised the timing of the show.
It comes midway through the trial of Michael’s personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, in connection with the star’s sudden death in June 2009.
Texas-based cardiologist Murray, 58, could face four years in jail and the loss of his licence if found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
He is alleged to have provided the Billie Jean star with a fatal amount of the anaesthetic propofol. Murray denies the charge, saying the singer administered the lethal dose himself.
Michael’s siblings Jermaine, Randy and Janet are not taking part in Saturday’s show due to the ongoing court case.
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But Marlon denied the decision to go ahead with the concert – featuring performances from stars including Christina Aguilera and Smokey Robinson – had caused any division in the family.
“They’re [Jermaine, Randy and Janet] speaking what they feel in their hearts and it’s our brother.
“To you he may be ‘Michael Jackson, icon’ or whatever. To us he’s our brother and each one of us feels different about our brother and if they don’t want to partake or participate in this then we respect their decision, but that’s their decision.
“That’s how they feel right now because it’s their brother, but what I feel is I want to do this because I want to enjoy the other side of my brother’s life, the joyful side.
“I’m not saying that they don’t want to but it may not be the time for them. But for me, I feel it’s the right time for me.”
Tito, 57, said the gig had been planned more than six months ago and the proposed trial date had changed a number of times.
“We were there [at court] last week with our mother and it was quite rough on her, and that’s one thing with the timing – I look at it actually as a good release and a relief for my mother to be able to look at the brighter side of things and celebrate her son’s contribution and not to be in a court hearing how things happened with his life.
“It was so hard on her last week and I’m so happy that she’s able to smile. She’ll be smiling on Saturday remembering all the good and beautiful things that Michael represented instead of being stuck inside a court hearing testimony.”
Jackie added: “Also the courtroom has only eight seats they can give the family and we’re such a large family so some of us are out here to celebrate the tribute show, others are going to court.
“But when we get back we’ll be going to court as well.”
And they said the legal proceedings had been particularly upsetting for Michael’s children Prince, Paris and Blanket. The children are due to attend Saturday’s show, as spectators.
“They’re so glad to be here, they’re going to have a great time,” said Jackie.
“They might be on the stage. Come the finale they might be on the stage, you never know. It’s a spontaneous reaction, whatever happens, happens.”
And he said the family had rallied around to look after the children – aged 14, 13 and nine – since their father’s death.
Jackie told the Western Mail: “They’ve got a lot of support. They’re around the nieces and nephews every single day and that’s what we should do, we should cover them with a lot of love and support…”
Saturday’s show is unlikely to be the final tribute to the Thriller singer, with his brothers promising to continue to honour his memory.
Tito said: “People ask ‘What do you think Michael represented when he was here on earth?’ and my first answer is not music but his heart, what he did for people, how he tried to change the world and make the world a better place.”
He spoke warmly of Michael’s charity work and generosity, adding: “If there was a family that needed Christmas, he would send over $5,000 to that family so they would have a beautiful Christmas and that was the true Michael Jackson.
“The things you don’t hear about that we know he did is what makes him a very beautiful person. He never wanted publicity or bragged about it – he just did it out of the heart.”
And he mooted the suggestion of an annual tribute for the singer, who died at just 50.
Tito said: “Hopefully we can do this every year to remember his legacy, that’s something that we enjoy doing.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/n...brothers-speak-to-walesonline-91466-29547274/