[Tom]

his O2 tribute concerts have been cancelled


Two Michael Jackson tribute concerts that were due to take place at the London O2 arena have been cancelled after promoters failed to finalise deals with potential performers.

Organisers ran out of time to finalise deals with performers for the tribute concerts that were due to be staged on August 29 and 30. The opening night would have coincided with Jackson’s 51st birthday.

It is not clear whether the tribute will go ahead in the future. “If they ever happen, it will not be until next year,” a source close to the event told The Times.

“We didn’t want to rush out something that was sub-standard — we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people.”

Potential performers for the event included Justin Timberlake, Leona Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie and Jackson siblings such as Janet and Jermaine.

The event would have included a performance of Jackson’s stage show, entitled This Is It.

Another tribute concert will be staged on the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, it has been announced.

Dates, to be confirmed by the end of this week, will be between September 20 and 27.

A spokesperson for World Awards Media, the promoter, said that Jackson’s brother Jermaine will be leading the event and is “taking care of other stars attending”.

A 50-metre outdoor stage will be constructed. There will be LED walls and the palace in the background. It is hoped the event will accommodate 85,000 fans.

"It should be a major tribute in memory of Michael Jackson," the spokesperson said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...-O2-Arena.html