A Tribute to Michael Jackson

A Tribute to Michael Jackson - Vienna Online http://www.vienna.at Der informative Online-Dienst für Wien mit minütlichen Nachrichten, Wetter, interaktiver Unterhaltung, Chat, Forum, Anzeigendatenbank, Partnerbörse u.v.m. de-AT medienhaus.com GmbH Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:15:46 GMT Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:15:46 GMT http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS SNPE redaktion@vienna.at redaktion@vienna.at om:vienna:tributetojacko_english redaktion@vienna.at SNPE Vienna Online http://www.vienna.at/SysRes/VIENNASkin/Images/Logo_Small.png http://www.vienna.at 77 40 Der informative Online-Dienst für Wien mit minütlichen Nachrichten, Wetter, interaktiver Unterhaltung, Chat, Forum, Anzeigendatenbank, Partnerbörse u.v.m. <![CDATA[Mary J. Blige rejects claim she will perform at Tribute]]> austriantimes http://www.vienna.at/michaeljackson/artikel/mary-j-blige-rejects-claim-she-will-perform-at-tribute/cn/news-20090910-03162413/dc/om:vienna:tributetojacko Reports have it Blige is to attend a fashion show in Italy that night.

Organisers of the event, taking place on 26 September in front of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, presented Bilge as the line-up’s headliner. And they dismissed rumours about performances of Madonna and U2, stressing these names were only mentioned in speculations carried on by journalists.

It meanwhile also emerged that Chris Brown is unlikely to perform as well. The US rapper was slapped a five-year suspended sentence and 180 days of charitable work for beating up his ex-girlfriend and singer Rihanna.

Tribute initiator and former "Jackson Five" member Jermaine Jackson is now reportedly trying to engage singer Stevie Wonder who also performed at the Michael Jackson commemoration in Los Angeles in July.

Speaking in London yesterday, Jackson said R’n’B singer R. Kelly and pop band Maroon 5 may also perform in Vienna, but stressed no contracts were signed yet. Jackson broke out in tears during the press conference, saying: "It is so hard to wake up the mourning and take care of his legacy at the same time."

American singers Angela Bassett and Natalie Cole, rapper Akon, the band Sister Sledge and boygroup US5 were announced as performers for the event in Vienna later this month.

Asked by Austrian journalists at Tuesday’s press conference taking place at the City Hall whether really big names would also be added to the bill at some point, Jermaine Jackson replied: "I don’t understand this question. They are all big stars."

Michael Jackson’s three children and his mother, who currently has preliminary custody of them, are also expected to attend the event.

Organisers have been criticised for high ticket prices which range between 63 and 518 Euros, while city council opposition parties are furious about a 600,000-Euro subsidy by the ruling Social Democrats (SPÖ) for the event.

"This is an imperial subsidy," Vienna Greens culture spokesman Marie Ringler said. "Will concerts of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga also be supported with such sums from now on?," she asked.

By Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:26:39 GMT http://www.vienna.at/michaeljackson/artikel/mary-j-blige-rejects-claim-she-will-perform-at-tribute/cn/news-20090910-03162413/dc/om:vienna:tributetojacko http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090910-03162413 <![CDATA[Michael Jackson 'performance' promised for tribute event]]> austriantimes http://www.vienna.at/michaeljackson/artikel/michael-jackson-performance-promised-for-tribute-event/cn/news-20090909-11313778/dc/om:vienna:tributetojacko Head organiser Georg Kindel, a former Austrian journalist, said the "performance" would be with his brother and co-Jackson Five member Jermaine at the event scheduled to take place in front of Schönbrunn Palace on 26 September.

He is expected to take the stage alone as footage of one of Michael’s performances is played behind him on a giant screen.

But the line-up of performers at the gig which was announced today, lacks top stars such as Madonna, Whitney Houston or U2 who had been rumoured to be preparing to play at the concert.

Instead, American singers Mary J. Blige, Angela Bassett and Natalie Cole as well as rappers Akon and Chris Brown will perform at Schönbrunn Palace. The bill will be completed by the bands US5 and Sister Sledge, it was announced in Vienna today.

The singers and bands will perform Michael Jackson’s biggest hits, including "Beat It", "Heal the World" and "Man in the Mirror".

But Jermaine Jackson said he was in touch with more acts about possible performances, adding more information will be given out at upcoming press conferences scheduled across Europe. He said around ten more acts will be confirmed.

Speaking about already confirmed performers, he said: "I think it is an interesting mixture which will attract various target groups and fans of any age."

Organiser Georg Kindel said the band and dancers set to perform at Jackson’s comeback gigs at London’s O2 arena will accompany the artists at the Vienna event. Kindel also revealed that Michael’s mother Katherine will attend the event together with Michael’s three children who are under her preliminary custody.

Kindel explained the artists will be paid expenses for coming to and staying in Austria, but will not receive a fee. Part of the earnings will go to various charities, including Jermaine Jackson’s "Earth Care Foundation" and the "Larry King Cardiac Foundation".

Organisers also said that the stage will be 50 x 25 metres and 20 metres high. "A crown will be its centrepiece. With Schönbrunn Palace as its backdrop, this will be a setting more than worthy of honouring my brother," Jermaine Jackson said.

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Vice Mayor Renate Brauner said the city of Vienna will give a 600,000 Euro subsidy for the event as political and business leaders hope it will give the city a boost in terms of its image and economic figures.

"This is a unique chance for our tourism industry," Brauner said.

Opposition parties are furious about the announcement.

Deputy FPÖ Vienna whip Herbert Madejski called on Vienna SPÖ leaders to instead invest in renovating the city’s roads and its canal systems. He said: "The SPÖ prefers to throw money out of the window."

By Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:44:58 GMT http://www.vienna.at/michaeljackson/artikel/michael-jackson-performance-promised-for-tribute-event/cn/news-20090909-11313778/dc/om:vienna:tributetojacko http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090909-11313778 <![CDATA[Former Jackson manager to co-produce tribute concert]]> other http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/former-jackson-manager-to-co-produce-tribute-concert/cn/news-20090825-05250321 World Awards Media Gmbh said Ron Weisner, manager of the "Jackson Five" and Michael Jackson for eight years, had agreed to act as co-producer of the show set to take place in front of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace on 26 September.

Organising director Georg Kindel said: "Weisner will bring in all his experience in dealing with TV specials, but we are also hoping he can make use of his great connections to stars all over the world."

Kindel added contracts with American production partners and light and sound experts will be signed in coming days, before organisers eventually announce a full line-up of acts performing in the mega-event.

A first batch of tickets for the show was sold at www.tribute2009.com last week, while the rest will go on sale at some stage in the near future. Organisers are currently trying to organise for two public viewing video screens to be set up in Vienna so thousands of fans who were unable to get tickets can watch the show – which will be broadcast live by several international stations – together.

Katherine Jackson, mother of deceased Michael and tribute concert initiator Jermaine, told organisers earlier this week she fully backed the concert.

"An event of such dimension keeps Michael’s vision alive and gives millions of fans the possibility to experience his music and celebrate the life of my son. I am convinced Michael would have loved it," the 79-year-old mother of ten, who has been granted preliminary custody of Michael Jackson’s three children, said.

Stars like Madonna and U2 are rumoured to be set to perform at the event, but former "Jackson Five" member Jermaine Jackson is the only confirmed act to date.

Von Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:25:15 GMT http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/former-jackson-manager-to-co-produce-tribute-concert/cn/news-20090825-05250321 http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090825-05250321 <![CDATA[Madonna rumoured to be in Vienna over Jackson tribute]]> other http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/madonna-rumoured-to-be-in-vienna-over-jackson-tribute/cn/news-20090825-05243345 Austrian media claim the American singer may have come, or could be coming, to Vienna between gigs in Munich last Tuesday and Budapest on Saturday to meet organisers of the event – set to take place in front of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna on 26 September – to discuss playing at the gig.

Newspaper Österreich claimed the Imperial Suite Victoria in the city’s Palais Coburg has been permanently reserved for the superstar, as well as 17 more rooms for her entourage. The 51-year-old pop star recently said: "Vienna is absolutely beautiful. I want to visit some museums soon."

Organisers of the event set to honour the late "King of Pop" have meanwhile dismissed rumours that performances by stars like Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston have already been agreed. They said no other acts apart from Jermaine Jackson – Michael Jackson’s brother and initiator of the event – were confirmed. But head organiser Georg Kindel said a complete line-up of acts would be announced soon.

Jermaine Jackson meanwhile said "a considerable part of earnings" would go to his "Earth Care Foundation" as well as to the "Larry King Cardiac Foundation" and to "Feed the Children."

Around 85,000 people are expected to turn up for the show and organisers World Awards Media Gmbh have persuaded city officials to block all road traffic in western Vienna on the day.

Vienna tourism bosses are hoping for a boom in visitors around the event after announcing yesterday a decrease in tourist overnight stays so far this year.

Von Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:24:57 GMT http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/madonna-rumoured-to-be-in-vienna-over-jackson-tribute/cn/news-20090825-05243345 http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090825-05243345 <![CDATA[Jackson tribute gig not in doubt, organisers say]]> other http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-gig-not-in-doubt-organisers-say/cn/news-20090825-05241593 According to a report by American celeb-news website tmz.com, the singer promised a performance by the "Jackson Five", but his siblings were outraged he had used their name to boost ticket sales.

His brother Tito even claimed he had not been invited to the event taking place on 26 September at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace.

A spokeswoman for concert organiser World Awards Media Gmbh, however, said the event was not in doubt and added tickets would go on sale as planned from Thursday (www.tribute2009.com), and they would announce next week who would perform.

Rumour has it U2, Lionel Richie and Madonna may be among the acts hitting the stage in front of the top tourist attraction in the Austrian capital.

Vienna tourism bosses, meanwhile, hope for an immense "image boom" for the city, which is already one of the most-popular tourism destinations in the world.

Von Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:24:30 GMT http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-gig-not-in-doubt-organisers-say/cn/news-20090825-05241593 http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090825-05241593 <![CDATA[Jackson Tribute to give Vienna "image boom"]]> other http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-to-give-vienna-image-boom/cn/news-20090825-05235266 Robert Nürnberger of the Vienna Tourism Board said today (Fri) the Austrian capital – one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world – could only benefit from the event, which will take place on 26 September in front of Schönbrunn Palace.

Nürnberger argued planned international live TV coverage would show many beautiful sides of the city but added that the event’s advertising value could not be estimated yet.

Nürnberger stressed Vienna could reach "an audience of millions" by staging the spectacular event, which was initiated by Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson. "This is an unique chance for us. The organisers’ decision to chose Vienna as host city for the concert is world class in my opinion," he added.

Nürnberger said he could not predict how many people would come to stay in Vienna on the weekend of 26 September, arguing that would depend on how many residents of the city would be among people attending the gig.

He revealed Vienna was a bit lucky since hotels were almost fully booked on the preceding weekends because of several international congresses taking place in the Austrian capital.

Nürnberger stressed some details were yet to be sorted out between Vienna officials and organisers of the show and added everything was being handled "professionally".

He also announced it had still not been decided where exactly – in Schönbrunn park or on the street side of the Palace – the event would take place, adding that was up to the organising team.

Organising team member Michi Kandler earlier this week rubbished reports they had already agreed with top stars such as U2, Whitney Houston and Madonna on performing that night.

"Jermaine Jackson is so far the only confirmed act," Kandler stressed, adding there would be a large public viewing area somewhere in the city where fans could watch the gig free of charge on giant video screens. Tickets will be on sale from 20 August at www.tribute2009.com

Von Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:24:12 GMT http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-to-give-vienna-image-boom/cn/news-20090825-05235266 http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090825-05235266 <![CDATA[Jackson Tribute organiser refuses to confirm line-up]]> other http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-organiser-refuses-to-confirm-line-up/cn/news-20090825-05231279 Speaking to newspaper Kurier today (Weds), Michi Kandler of the organisation team behind the concert, said: "I’m wondering where tabloid media got their information from. Not more than five per cent of reports are true."

Kandler said Jermaine Jackson, brother of the late "King of Pop", was the only confirmed act.

But international media claim Madonna, U2 and Whitney Houston could perform at the gig outside Schönbrunn Palace on 26 September.

Vienna officials only gave the green light for the show to take place in the park at the city’s top tourist attraction yesterday afternoon. Tickets go on sale from 20 August on www.tribute2009.com

Organisers said there will be a large public viewing area where fans can watch the gig free of charge on giant video screens.

Jermaine Jackson, who revealed plans for the event on CNN’s "Larry King live" last weekend, said he will stay at Vienna’s Steigenberger Hotel for three weeks to organise the concert. The singer also revealed he planned the production of a "making of" documentary.

Von Thomas Hochwarter

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:23:46 GMT http://www.vienna.at/news/om:vienna:tributetojacko_english/artikel/jackson-tribute-organiser-refuses-to-confirm-line-up/cn/news-20090825-05231279 http://www.vienna.at/rss-comments/news-20090825-05231279