The furor on Jackson fan website and a Facebook page was the
latest setback for organizers a month ahead of what was planned as a glorious
tribute to the “Thriller” singer.
On Facebook, a group called Fans against Michael Forever
Tribute posted a link and screenshot of a Ticketmaster UK website running a “buy
1 get 1 free” promotion that is bookable starting on Sept. 16. According to the
posting, the offer would not apply to tickets already purchased for the Oct. 8 “Michael
Forever” concert in Cardiff, Wales.
Fan site www.mjstar.co.uk reported that ticket holders had
received a message from promoters announcing prices had been slashed by up to
50 percent.
Organizers Global Live Events did not immediately return
calls for comment on Thursday.
The Ticketmaster website also stated that R&B singer
Beyonce will be “making a special contribution on video” to the concert.
Promoters had earlier said that Beyonce would be contributing a song via
satellite.
Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Smokey
Robinson and Ne-Yo are among singers giving live performances at the sports
stadium venue in Cardiff, which has about 75,000 seats. Tickets went on general
sale on Aug. 24 at the end of an advance registration period.
The reported ticket deals were the latest sign of problems
for the promoters. A group of 35 Michael Jackson fan clubs from around the
world called in August for the tribute to be canceled, citing confusion over
charitable donations, high-ticket prices, and a swiftly withdrawn invitation to
Jackson critic Gene Simmons and his rock band Kiss.
The “Michael Forever Tribute” is backed by the “Thriller”
singer’s mother and several of her children, but not by Jackson brothers Randy
and Jermaine. The administrators of Jackson’s estate, also, did not authorize
the concert.
Michael’s sister Janet Jackson has said she will not attend
because the concert coincides with the trial in Los Angeles of the pop star’s
personal doctor, who is accused of involuntary manslaughter in his death in
June 2009. Jury selection in that trial began on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Earlier this week, Tito and Rebbie Jackson unveiled a rival
singing and spoken word tribute show to their brother on Monday that will tour
Britain starting in March 2012.
Jackson, 50, died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009 of an
overdose of the anesthetic propofol, just weeks ahead of a series of planned
comeback concerts in London.
