Two planned tribute concerts in London to mark what would have been Michael Jackson’s 51st birthday have been cancelled, according to reports.
The star's brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson were set to celebrate the late King Of Pop, who died on 25 June, with a pair of special gigs, the first of which was due to be played on his birthday on 29 August at London's O2 Arena.
Bosses at AEG Live, the promotion firm behind Jackson's ill-fated comeback concerts, had planned to stage the two star-studded shows in memory of the Thriller icon, who was due to perform his 50-date This Is It residency at the venue this summer.
But the gigs - set to star Justin Timberlake and Leona Lewis - have been axed because the company failed to secure enough big name performers, according to The London Paper. The organisers are still planning a show to remember Jackson - but not until 2010.
An insider tells the publication, “If they ever happen, it will not be until next year. We didn’t want to rush out something that was sub-standard - we would rather wait until we have got the best possible people.”
An official tribute concert honouring the star, to be held in Vienna, Austria next month, was announced on Monday.
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