Michael Jackson tribute concert plagued by problems

Organizers of a Michael Jackson tribute concert say the event will go ahead this weekend in Wales despite disagreements among his family members and a last-minute withdrawal by a headline act.

The Black Eyed Peas announced Wednesday that they will not play at the Michael Forever concert on Saturday, saying the band can’t make it due to "unavoidable circumstances."

However, artists such as Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Leona Lewis and Cee Lo Green are still set to perform at the event, billed as a fundraiser for charities with links to Michael Jackson — the AIDS Project Los Angeles and Prince's Trust.

Chris Hunt, chief executive of event organizer Global Live Events, was predicting a "fantastic evening," and downplayed reports of poor ticket sales.

The Cardiff, Wales, Millennium Stadium, holds 60,000 people, but some fan clubs do not support the event and have lobbied for its cancellation.

One of the issues for fans, which also proved a point of dissent in the Jackson family, is the timing of the Michael Forever tribute during the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor charged with manslaughter in Jackson’s death.

The singer known as the King of Pop died June 25, 2009, as a result of a drug cocktail that included the anesthetic propofol.

Michael’s sister Janet Jackson and brothers Jermaine and Randy have declined to take part in the Wales concert while the trial is underway. 

However, Jackson's brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie and his sister La Toya will perform, and his mother Katherine, three children and several other close family members are expected to be present. Hunt said the squabbling among Jackson’s surviving family would not affect the event.

"If you can get any family of that size to agree about everything then it's a wonderful day. We've got nearly all the family here," he said. "A couple of them decided they didn't want to do it and they cited a reason which, to my mind, and indeed to most of the rest of the family, has no logic to it whatever."

Some fan websites had protested over reports that ticket prices had been slashed, with those who already had tickets unable to get the better price. Others were concerned over where the proceeds of the concert would go.

Part of the money is to go to a trust fund for Jackson’s children, Hunt said, but investors also have to be paid. He declined to say how many tickets have been sold.