[ 2011-10-07 ]

40,000 Jackson show tickets sold
Organisers said 40,000 tickets have now been sold
ahead of Saturday night's stadium concert in
Cardiff in memory of Michael Jackson.

Although 10,000 tickets remained for the show at
the Millennium Stadium they were confident of an
eventual sell-out.

Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Smokey
Robinson are among performers, while Beyonce will
sing via video link.

Marlon, Jackie, Tito and La Toya Jackson will also
pay tribute to their brother.

Chris Hunt, head of organisers Global Events Live,
said: "I'm excited about tomorrow's event,
especially with ticket sales going so well."

He added that, although there were still tickets
left "we hope to sell out on the day" and reach
the event's 50,000 capacity.

"Buzz is really building and some key acts have
already been spotted in the city. Doors will open
at 4pm tomorrow for what will be a fantastic
evening," he said.

Michael Jackson died aged 50 in June 2009, during
a rehearsal period for his This Is It tour.

The Michael Forever concert has been criticised
for coinciding with the trial in Los Angeles of
the singer's physician Dr Conrad Murray, who
denies involuntary manslaughter.

Randy, Jermaine and Janet Jackson have confirmed
they will not be attending the event because of
the "bad timing".

But brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie and his
sister La Toya will be in Cardiff.

"Greatly honoured"

Their mother Katherine Jackson also said she was
"greatly honoured" to attend the tribute to her
son.

BBC Radio 1 presenter Fearne Cotton will co-host
the event with Hollywood actor and singer Jamie
Foxx.

Beyonce will appear via a video link.

Chart-topping act Black Eyed Peas were among the
biggest acts in the line-up, but the group pulled
out with just days to go, citing "unavoidable
circumstances".

Meanwhile, Cardiff council confirmed that an email
was sent by the Millennium Stadium to its "key
stakeholders," including Cardiff council staff,
offering "a number of free tickets" to the
concert. The offer was available on a
first-come-first-served basis.

A council spokesman said he did not know how many
free tickets were available but it was not
believed to be a large amount and free tickets had
not been offered to all council staff.

Doors open at 16:00 BST for Saturday's show, with
the first act on stage at 18:00 BST.

"It's going to be a huge and spectacular event,"
said Mr Hunt.

He added: "This is a Jackson family evening. I
think it's easy to underestimate this. I think it
will be a hugely emotional evening. Mrs Jackson
and the children will be very visible."

The tribute concert, will be broadcast around the
world, with profits raising money for three
charities including the Los Angeles-based Aids
Project and the Prince's Trust.

Giving the event her "complete blessing",
Katherine Jackson said: "Michael gave his entire
life to the world through his love, his music and
his devotion to healing the planet."

She added it would be a "worthy celebration of
Michael's life" and that "this is how Michael
would have wanted it".

Source - BBC

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