Major Jackson tribute planned for Vienna

Vienna: The King of Pop is to get a royal send-off in Vienna. Events promoter World Awards Media GmbH confirmed Monday that members of Michael Jackson`s family and a "high-profile lineup of international stars" are planning a tribute concert to be held within a few weeks in the Austrian capital. Organizers said they`ll announce the date soon, but the venue is set: the sculpted and sprawling grounds of Vienna`s former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace, where an outdoor stage shaped like a crown will be built. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 20, World Awards Media said on its Web site. "For one incredible night Michael Jackson`s unforgettable music will be brought to life again," it said. "Some of the world`s leading artists will perform Michael`s greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the `King of Pop.`" Organizers said Jermaine Jackson and other family members "will lead a high-profile lineup of international stars on stage to celebrate the life of his brother and perform some of Michael`s unforgettable songs." They would not confirm Austrian media reports that the outdoor tribute may include U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston. There were conflicting reports Monday about the date. Some said the tribute still might be held Aug. 29, which would have been Jackson`s 51st birthday; others said it will be staged in mid-September because organizers need more time to plan. Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles. The choice of venue came as something of a surprise. Many had expected the tribute to be held in London, where the pop star was booked to perform a series of concerts. But in a Friday evening appearance on "Larry King Live," Jermaine Jackson said the Austrian capital was "a very dear place for Michael." "And he loved castles. And we`re going to have this huge celebration in front of a castle," Jermaine Jackson said. Michael Jackson visited Vienna at least four times starting in 1988, on three occasions to perform and once — in 1998 — just to sightsee and shop. In 2003, he canceled plans to give a concert and promote a charity project for children in the alpine ski resort town of Ischgl, citing security risks related to world political events. Two years later, he caused a stir in Austria when he was seen wearing the Order of Vienna medal — a gold star with an eagle — during a televised court appearance in California. Jackson had never been awarded the honor, and Austrian media reported at the time that one of his aides had purchased the medal at a Vienna antiques shop. Schoenbrunn, one of Vienna`s biggest tourist attractions, has enough standing room to accommodate about 85,000 people. World Awards Media said grandstands would be set up for 5,000 VIP guests, and that a special stage would be constructed in the shape of a crown, with the majestic yellow edifice in the background. The daily Oesterreich said giant screens would be set up in parks around Vienna to handle the huge overflow crowds expected for the event. Strictly speaking, stately Schoenbrunn is more of a palace than a castle. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its history dates to the 14th century, but it`s best known for slightly more recent occupants: members of the royal Habsburg dynasty, which ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Open-air concerts — usually featuring opera and classical music — are often held on its grounds. Austria already has played host to a Jackson tribute: Last month, Jermaine Jackson performed some of his brother`s hits on a stage erected outside a mothballed nuclear power plant west of Vienna, where Michael was posthumously honored with a Save the World Award for his humanitarian work. That event was also organized by World Awards Media. "Austria is so beautiful and the Save the World Awards were produced so professionally that I asked their executive producers, Georg Kindel and Christian Baha, if they would like to stage the global tribute for Michael," Jermaine Jackson was quoted as saying in a statement posted Monday on the World Awards Media site. He said the upcoming tribute concert was conceived as an annual event "to keep not only his unique music alive, but his spirit as well." Bureau Report