Michael Forever – The Tribute Concert
Encyclopedia
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. The concert helped to raise awareness and funds for Aids Project Los Angeles and The Prince's Trust.
, Steve Cole and US CEO Eric Bute.
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.
Student Tickets were also available from £25 from Total Students
, 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:
, Beyonce, Alexandra Burke
, Yolanda Adams
, 3T
, Alien Ant Farm
, Cee Lo Green, Pixie Lott
, Diversity
, Craig David
, JLS
, Ne-Yo
, Jamie Foxx
, Gladys Knight
, LaToya Jackson, Leona Lewis
and Smokey Robinson
.
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.
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, the capital of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The concert was dedicated to American entertainer Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, who died
Death of Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009, American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication after he suffered a respiratory arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said he found Jackson in his room, not breathing, but with a faint pulse,...
on June 25th 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of his solo career. The concert helped to raise awareness and funds for Aids Project Los Angeles and The Prince's Trust.
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."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 PichetaAndy Picheta
Andy Picheta is a Film and TV director, producer, screenwriter and editorPicheta has worked alongside some of entertainment's greatest and most famed names, such as Ian McKellen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Michael Flatley, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Prince, U2, Donny Osmond and many more,...
, Steve Cole and US CEO Eric Bute.
It was expected that the concert would be broadcast throughout the world to 30 countries in 2D
Standard-definition television
Sorete-definition television is a television system that uses a resolution that is not considered to be either enhanced-definition television or high-definition television . The term is usually used in reference to digital television, in particular when broadcasting at the same resolution as...
and 3D
3D television
A 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
formats. However, this was later canceled due to copyright issues.
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.Student Tickets were also available from £25 from Total Students
Support
The event was organized by Global Live Events and had the support of Jackson's mother Katherine JacksonKatherine Jackson
Katherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson musical family.-Early life:...
, and his siblings LaToya Jackson, Tito Jackson
Tito Jackson
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
, Marlon Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Marlon David Jackson is an American entertainer singer, dancer, former member of The Jackson 5, and elder brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Personal life:...
and Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson
Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and musician, a member of The Jackson 5, and the second child in the Jackson family.-Life and career:...
, but not that of Jackson's brothers Randy
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
and Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
, sister Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, 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
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."
Performing Acts
Musical acts who participated in the event included the Jackson Brothers, Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Beyonce, Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
, Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy- and Dove-award-winning Yolanda Adams is an American [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]]- and [[Dove Awards|Dove]]-award-winning...
, 3T
3T
3T is an American R&B / Pop music group featuring the three sons of Tito Jackson and Delores "Dee Dee" Jackson. The band members include, from eldest, Tariano Adaryll Jackson II , Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joseph Jackson .-Career:3T released their debut album Brotherhood in 1995...
, Alien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm is an American alternative rock band that formed in Riverside, California, in 1995. Their name comes from an idea original guitarist Terry Corso had about aliens and the earth: "I was daydreaming at my dull desk job with my feet up, and I thought to myself, 'Wouldn't it be cool if...
, Cee Lo Green, Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
, Diversity
Diversity (dance troupe)
Diversity are an English street dance troupe based in London. They are best known for winning the third series of Britain's Got Talent, famously beating Susan Boyle in the live final. They also won the Families United Positive Role Models at the Spirit of London Awards. The group, initially known...
, Craig David
Craig David
Craig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
, JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
, Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, LaToya Jackson, Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
and Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
.
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.