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Tito Jackson to pay tribute to brother Michael with live show
Updated 16:34pm on 20 Aug 2009Michael Jackson's British fans will have the chance to see a live tribute to the King of Pop, when his brother Tito performs a string of concerts.
The late singer's big brother is supporting soul singer Gladys Knight on her "farewell" arena tour Midnight Train To Love.
Concert organisers said that other members of the Jackson family are planning to join Tito for the tour, which kicks off in Manchester on October 6 and travels to seven cities.
Tribute: Tito Jackson is supporting Gladys Knight on tour
Supported by his 14-piece band The Funk Brothers, the 55-year-old will perform hits penned by both Michael and The Jackson 5, as well as new tracks.
The announcement should cheer fans after hopes for a tribute to Michael at London's 02 arena faded.
A show celebrating Michael's life is being planned for Vienna next month.
Michael had been booked to play 50 concerts at the 02 arena, but died on June 25 aged 50, just weeks before the gigs were due to start.
Sony Pictures is thought to have paid in the region of £30 million to AEG Live, Jackson's concert promoters, for the rights to the backstage footage, filmed largely in June at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles and The Forum in Inglewood, California.
Plans are afoot to release the footage as a movie.
"The UK was a very special place to my brother Michael and I'm so excited to be able to pay my respect to his fans there," said Tito.
"To be able to do this whilst supporting our dear friend Gladys is a complete blessing."
He continued: "Not many people know this, but it was actually Gladys who introduced my brothers and I to Berry Gordy, which led to our signing to Motown Records and the rest, as they say, is history."
The series of concerts will be Tito's first solo tour in the UK.
Reader views (2)
I think it's wonderful that the Jackson family are prepared to come this far to pay their respects/make a mint of the back of their dead relative (delete as applicable)
- Keith, Kings Cross, 20/08/2009 23:03
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The Jacksons are coming to town with Gladys Knight to play tributes to their brother Michael and of course collect a few bob on the way from Michaels fans,i really do not think fans will fork out hard earned cash to hear singers who had their days 30/40 years ago also the fact that big brother Jermaine seemed to have snubbed the UK fans by putting on a tribute concert in Vienna because they have castles and Michael liked castles,of course we do not have any,mind you he probably realised that ticket sales to see him and his clan would probably not cover their first class air fares etc.
Am i angry,of course,i feel that his family did nothing to help Michael in his years of trouble,they just kept out of his way but now want to cash in on his death.Well if the tickets were free i would bin them and listen to Michael on cd and dvd at least it is the original.
ray london
- Ray, london, 20/08/2009 18:38
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