Source: EOnline

The events will mark Jackson's first live performances on a mainland stage in eleven years and the first reunion with his brothers, the Jackson 5 (Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael and Jermaine) and The Jacksons (Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael and Randy), in twenty years. The two evenings will be filmed as a two-hour primetime special for the CBS Television Network to air during the 2001-2002 Season. In addition to Michael Jackson the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons the line-ups are as follows:

Friday, September 7, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Ray Charles; Deborah Cox; Destiny's Child; Gloria Estefan; Billy Gilman; Whitney Houston; James Ingram; Quincy Jones & The Legends Of Jazz including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David "Fathead" Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry & Cassandra Wilson; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; *NSYNC; Jill Scott; Shaggy featuring Ricardo "Rikrok" Ducent & Rayvon; Britney Spears; Tamia; 3T; Usher and many surprise guests.

Monday, September 10, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Deborah Cox; Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott; Nelly Furtado; Gloria Gaynor; Al Jarreau; Gladys Knight; Lil' Romeo; Ricky Martin; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; 98 Degrees; Jill Scott; Usher; Luther Vandross; Dionne Warwick and many surprise guests.

Chairmen for the event are: Alfred R. Berkeley III (Vice Chairman, Nasdaq), Jeff Bezos (Founder & CEO, Amazon.Com), Whitney Houston, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Leslie Moonves (President & CEO, CBS), Liam Neeson, Veronique and Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor and David Weild (Executive Vice President, Nasdaq).

For further information contact: Susan Blond, Inc. at (212) 333-7728.

Source: Susan Blond Inc

The highly-anticipated performance, which is part of Michael Jackson's 'All Star Tribute to Michael Jackson - The King of Pop', had been thrown into doubt by Jermaine Jackson last week.

A statement issued on behalf of him and brother Randy claimed neither would appear at the Madison Square Garden event, because of fears over ticket prices and a lack of charitable donations.

However, Marlon Jackson has now issued a statement, insisting that Randy will definitely be performing. "Randy Jackson will reunite with the original Jacksons: Michael, Jackie, Marlon and Tito.

"I am very sorry for the confusion my brother Jermaine has caused by his statement which he also attributed to my youngest brother, Randy. "The statement from Jermaine was totally false regarding Randy's non-participation in the show. Randy has never even seen the statement that Jermaine sent out. Randy will be a part of these evenings and the public will see the original Jacksons reunite."

Meanwhile, Jermaine Jackson has now claimed that he never had any intention of dropping out, following claims from, David Gest, president of the concerts' organizers, World Events LLC. "David is painting me out to be a bad person who's twisted this whole thing up," Jermaine claimed. "I just want the show to be a special moment. It was my understanding that it was just going to be a reunion and that the profits would go to charity."

Tickets to the tribute concerts on September 7 and 10 go on sale on July 31 at 10am. Other stars expected to appear include Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Whitney Houston, Shaggy, Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige.

Source: Dotmusic

A reunion of all six brothers had been billed as a highlight of two all-star concerts slated for September at New York City's Madison Square Garden to celebrate Michael Jackson's 30 years as a solo artist.

But an open letter last week attributed to two of the brothers -- Jermaine and Randy -- raised objections to ''exorbitant ticket prices'' being charged for the shows and to plans for the Jacksons to share the stage with other performers during their reunion.

In response, the producer of the shows, David Gest, issued a statement Friday excluding Jermaine Jackson from the talent lineup and leaving unclear the status of Randy, the only one of the brothers who was not a member of the original Jackson 5.

On Monday, promoters issued another statement, this one attributed to Marlon Jackson, saying Randy would join him, Michael and two other founding members of the Jackson 5 -- Jackie and Tito -- for the reunion but that Jermaine would not appear.

``I am very sorry for the confusion my brother Jermaine has caused by his statement, which he also attributed to my youngest brother, Randy,'' Marlon wrote. ``Randy has never seen the statement that Jermaine sent out .... We wish Jermaine all the best on his solo career.''

A Jackson family spokesman, John McLaughlin, said on Friday that Jermaine and Randy ``were together'' in the memo circulated to the media. He said then that despite their misgivings about certain aspects of the show, both planned to participate.

But a spokeswoman for the producers said Monday that Gest ''only wanted people (in the show) who are happy doing it'' and he ``interpreted'' Jermaine's remarks in the memo to mean that he ''did not want to participate in the event.'' Gest also was described as irked by the way in which Jermaine aired his complaints to the media instead of addressing them to organizers of the event.

While the Jermaine-Randy memo last week insisted there was ''no rift between Michael and any of his family members,'' the statement from Marlon indicated that five of the brothers were closing ranks with Jermaine being left out.

Marlon Jackson noted that it was Jermaine who split off from the group when the four other members of the original act -- Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Michael -- left Motown in 1975 and signed with Epic, adding Randy to the lineup and changing their name to the Jacksons. Motown retained rights to the name the Jackson 5.

Jermaine, who was then married to Motown founder Berry Gordy's daughter, Hazel, initially stayed at Motown but rejoined his brothers at Epic in 1984 for the ``Victory'' tour and album.

Source: Susan Blond Inc

Marlon Jackson Announces: The Original Jacksons to Reunite with Randy at ``Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years''

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 23, 2001--``Randy Jackson will reunite with the original Jacksons: Michael, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito,'' announced Marlon Jackson, an original member of the group.

According to Marlon, ``I am very sorry for the confusion my brother Jermaine has caused by his statement which he also attributed to my youngest brother, Randy. The statement from Jermaine was totally false regarding Randy's non-participation in the show. Randy had never even seen the statement that Jermaine sent out. Randy will be a part of these evenings and the public will see the original Jacksons reunite. Randy is as excited as all my brothers about this reunion and we all look forward to singing with 'N Sync on Dancing Machine. We love 'N Sync and are so glad they are part of this tribute to Michael.''

Marlon went on to state, ``When the Jackson 5 left Motown and changed names to the Jacksons, Jermaine was not a part of the group. He was not featured on any of our hits, including Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), Heartbreak Hotel, Lovely One, Show You The Way To Go, and Blame It On The Boogie. We look forward to performing many of these songs as well as a number of the Jackson 5 classics at both the Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 shows.''

Tickets to the public will go on sale Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 10:00A.M. through Ticketmaster for the Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 performances. Ticket prices begin at $45.00.

For further information contact: Susan Blond, Inc. at (212)333-7728

Source: Susan Blond Inc

The statement from Jermaine and Randy read, in part: "As of today, we have not formally signed a contract to participate in the concerts and dinner celebrations for a number of reasons. The exorbitant ticket prices being charged by promoters will prevent some of our most loyal and true fans from attending. Let it be known that despite the $1,200 fee we have each been offered to participate, Jermaine wishes to go on record stating that he'd do the shows absolutely free for the legion of Jackson fans who have patiently anticipated a reunion since the 1984 Victory tour."

The statement concluded: "Performing together has been something that all the brothers and our parents have been looking forward to for 18 years. I do not think we should share this most precious and memorable moment with anyone. Despite the aforementioned problems we have with the events surrounding the show, the Jackson family is united in their unfailing support of brother Michael and there is no rift between Michael and any of his family members."

Moments after Jermaine and Randy issued their reasons for opting out of the gala, concert organizer David Gest issued a reply that read, "I am sorry Jermaine has chosen not to participate in this event. This is an event for Michael Jackson. It is a salute to a truly great and legendary artist. Jackie, Tito and Marlon, original members of the Jackson 5, will join their brother Michael on stage for this very special reunion" Gest's statement concluded: "I only wish Jermaine the best on his solo career and hope he finally gets the attention he so justly deserves."

Another one of Michael's siblings has yet to confirm her status for the September concerts--Janet Jackson tells LAUNCH, "I'm actually going to be on tour, and I'm trying. He asked me to participate and I don't know if I can because it's one of those things where they ask you, like, two or three weeks a little too late, where everything with the tour is kind of etched in stone, so it kind of switched things around. I'm gonna try and see if I can make it work," she says.

Of her thoughts about a full Jacksons reunion, Janet says, "I hope that really pans out, 'cause, oh God, I know my brothers are probably sick of me. For the longest time, I've been talking about them getting together because I'm a fan, and I miss that. I miss seeing them perform on stage, and I thought their shows were always so awesome. I don't know. If they do, best believe I'm going to be front row and center. I love watching them--they're really entertaining and they put on a great show as, as brothers."

Source: Launch

"I am sorry Jermaine has chosen not to participate in this event. This is an event for Michael Jackson. It is a salute to a truly great and legendary artist. Jackie, Tito and Marlon, original members of the Jackson 5, will join their brother Michael on stage for this very special reunion," said World Events LLC President David Gest. "I only wish Jermaine the best on his solo career and hope he finally gets the attention he so justly deserves."

According to published reports, Jermaine and Randy Jackson have not signed contracts confirming their participation in the event, to take place Sept. 7 and 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Gest made no mention of Randy Jackson in the press release.

Jermaine and Randy have stressed that they have every intention of partaking, according to Billboard Online, but in a press release, the two stated that they are upset that the top ticket price is $2,500 and that none of the proceeds are going to charity.

The show was scheduled to include a reunion of Michael with his brothers, who have not performed together since they toured as the Jacksons in 1984. The event will mark Jackson's first U.S. solo appearance on a mainland stage in 11 years. More than 250 celebrities are slated to attend the event at Madison Square Garden.

Confirmed performers include:

Friday, Sept. 7: Marc Anthony; Ray Charles; Deborah Cox; Gloria Estefan; Billy Gillman; Whitney Houston; James Ingram; Quincy Jones and the Legends of Jazz including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David "Fathead" Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry and Cassandra Wilson; Monica; Mya; 'NSync; Jill Scott; Shaggy featuring Ricardo "Rikrok" Ducent and Rayvon; Britney Spears; Tamia; 3T; and Usher.

Monday, Sept. 10 : Marc Anthony; Mary J. Blige; Deborah Cox; Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott; Gloria Gaynor; Al Jarreau; Gladys Knight; Lil' Romeo; Ricky Martin; Monica; Mya; 98 Degrees; Jill Scott; Usher; Luther Vandross; and Dionne Warwick.

Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31. In an earlier press release, Gest said that tickets will range from $45-$500. However, published reports cite the highest ticket price as $2,500.

At the performance, Jackson is scheduled to debut a new single, "Invincible." The show will feature a 48-piece orchestra, 12 background singers, a 300-member gospel choir, 200-member children's choir and a 40-person dance ensemble. The event will be filmed as a two-hour prime-time special for CBS.

Source: LiveDaily

Source: MTV

As Oasis' Liam and Noel Gallagher continue to make headlines with their continuous bickering and threats to split the band, pop history decrees the terrible twosome won't be the first pair of siblings to succeed in the music world only to see relations strain as ego and fame come into force. Travel through the turbulent arguments, bitter words and public outbursts as we examine more cases of family strain...

The pop scene has seen a number of family groups come and go, with one of the most famous being the Jackson Five. Consisting of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson, their father Joe also encouraged sisters Janet and LaToya to forge their own careers in TV and music. The band notched up several hits but both Jermaine and Michael left to concentrate on solo careers - Michael Jackson becoming one of the biggest superstars in the process and overshadowing everything the Jackson Five ever achieved.

Hot on the heels of the Jacksons came the Osmonds. Hailing from Utah, brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay backed the youngest member of the group - little Donny Osmond who, like Michael Jackson, broke free from the fold and forged a successful solo career. Undeterred by their brother's success, Merrill, Jay and Alan are still doing the rounds as the Osmond Brothers but have so far failed to achieve Donny's level of fame.

Along with the Jackson Five and the Osmonds, the 70s also saw brother-sister act, The Carpenters, rise to fame. Karen Carpenter and her brother Richard's cover of (They Long to Be) Close to You took them to the top. After winning two Grammys, the pressure increased causing Richard to fall into drug addiction whilst Karen became anorexic. In 1979, Karen started work on a solo album only to go back to her brother. Sadly her health deteriorated further and on February 4th 1983 she lost the battle with her eating disorder. Critics blamed Karen's deep possessiveness over Richard for their topsy-turvy relationship and her failed marriage, proving not all was well between the wholesome duo. [....]

Source: AOL

Source: ABC

The reunion, announced earlier this week, has a cautious side to it. The five - who have performed either singly or as The Jacksons without their brother for the past 20 years - are releasing a new LP, their first since 1989, which they say will include songs by brother Michael. (Michael has his own solo record due out in 2001, as well.) No touring plans have been announced yet, but one feels fairly certain that they are being discussed, given the lucrative nature of reunion tours of bands from that era. (Tina Turner, for example, scored the most profitable tour of 2000, beating out even N’Sync and Eminem for the honour.)

Of course even without the greed factor, it’s hardly a surprising development, having happened time and again in the annals of pop music. A band breaks up with all the best intentions, only to realise after long years of unsatisfactory solo sales that its public will pay more to see it in its original form. The Eagles. Pink Floyd. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Even the Sex Pistols, those hard-nosed arbiters of integrity, succumbed to the fell call of fame, reforming in part for money, but more likely because they - like their public - really missed the glory of days gone by, really longed to play the old music again.

And one can hardly blame the five for wanting to take part once again in the group dynamic. After all, today’s pop zeitgeist is very much about boy bands, and the Jackson 5 really were the very first of that breed. With the help of their father, they invented the genre in all its glory. The matching outfits, the heel-spinning dance moves, synchronised hand-jive ... these things are the five’s personal province, and all the others who came in their wake - from the awful Osmond Brothers all the way up through Bel Biv Devoe, Menudo, New Kids on the Block, Take That, Backstreet Boys and N’Sync - are merely poachers who pale by comparison. How galling it must be to see the terrible legion of poseurs who are cashing in on what was once such a beautiful art? Besides, it was without a doubt a magical time, and if for us, why not for them too?

The Jackson 5 represent a lot that was good about black American culture that is no longer extant. This was brought home to me quite forcibly on a recent visit to the Motown Jazz Cafe in the city of Las Vegas.

This is a theme restaurant cum archeology museum which features, among other things, rotating groups of extremely talented black teenagers dressed in period costumes as the Supremes, the Temptations and other Motown acts who sing their hits (complete with hand gestures) while you dine on catfish and chitlins. The restaurant also houses a number of glass-fronted museum cases which reverently hold the real outfits of Motown singers such as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and Lionel Richie, and there is something desperately poignant about these artefacts. One case in particular, I recall, contained five little suits for the Jackson 5.

They are made of some indestructible plastic material that looks like it would be very uncomfortable to sweat in, appliqued with giant flowers in shocking pink and green. Each suit - one for Michael, one for Tito, one for Jermaine, one for Marlon and one for Jackie - is a size bigger than the last, but all of them are minuscule: clearly, the outfits date from very early in the Jacksons’ career.

God, I can hardly think of their sweet little faces without smiling. Remember Michael, beaming at you from the TV screen, spinning on his heels, pointing at the camera, opening his mouth wide to sing ABC or I Want You Back, or Rockin’ Robin? That face, those tunes, that era are irresistible in retrospect. Even if (or maybe I mean especially if) you were a five-year-old child, like me, the J5 exuded everything fun and glamorous and hope-filled about the 1960s, things like the Civil Rights movement and bellbottoms and hairdos, minus all the stuff about war and pestilence and Nixon.

Indeed, thinking back, alongside his brothers, Michael Jackson practically single-handedly made black culture look cute, at a time when most portrayed them as scary, edgy, angry or just plain poverty stricken.

Before the Jackson 5, to little white kids like me, African America meant the jazz, the blues, the ghetto, the Other. Afterwards, it meant groovy tunes and colourful clothes and a kind of cool that we’ve all been attempting to glom onto ever since. The Jackson 5 had 13 No1 hits in all, and no wonder: their music - the cream of which was recorded from 1969 to 1974 and put out by Motown Records in its heyday - is the distilled sound of innocence and laughter, syncopated and turned into a delightfully melodic dance number. Along with other Motown records of that era - by the Supremes, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye - they are the soundtracks to some of the most inspiring aspects of pop’s past, and all the more so because the Jackson 5 were essentially Motown’s last great act.

Then, of course, everything changed: soul music became disco and Michael himself morphed into a psychotic freak who’s personal issues with race and gender are written on his flesh for all of us to see and shudder at. He’s pretty hard to look at - as , in consequence, are all things to do with the Jackson 5 as well. Indeed, if you’re like me, you can’t hear those joyous early songs without feeling a twinge of nostalgia - which is exactly why a proposed Jackson 5 reunion is such a very bad idea. After all, there is something about reunited bands that merely reminds us of our own mortality. And the Jackson 5 are particularly prone to the ravages of time, because they began so young. One can barely bear to see oneself in the mirror these days. How could one bear to see them?

In the recent Sex Pistols biographical movie, The Filth and The Fury, director Julian Temple made the incredibly smart decision to show the band members present-day selves in shadow, so that viewers could not measure how much they have aged. If the Jackson 5 must tour, it would be nice if they used a similar tactic and performed with paper bags over their heads. That would be far better than harrowing our psyches with the sight of them old, enfeebled and, in the case of Michael, damaged by life.

Source: The Scotman

Source: KOP Discussion

Source: KOP Discussion

Jermaine Jackson told a Las Vegas radio station yesterday that the brothers would record and tour again this year. "We're in the studio working very hard on a new J-5 album that will be released this summer," Jermaine said. "We're going to do a new tour. We're very, very excited." Asked if the new CD and tour would include Michael, Jermaine said: "Absolutely!" Rumors that the Jackson brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Randy and Tito would get back together have been around for the past couple of years. Sister Janet Jackson fuelled the fire by saying she would love to get on stage with them all together again. Their last time together, in 1984, was the Victory Tour - and the world has wanted them back ever since. Some of the Jackson Five's big hits include ABC, Never Say Goodbye and I'll Be There. Michael Jackson is in Los Angeles recording his first album for five years. He is said to be joining Janet for another duet to feature on the CD.

Source: KOP Discussion

Jermaine Jackson told a disc jockey with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. that the legendary bubble-gum pop and soul group would play together for the first time since 1984.

"We're in the studio working very hard on a new J-5 album that will be released this summer," Jermaine matter-of-factly told radio personality Holly Levis. "We're going to do a new tour. We're very, very excited." While Jermaine offered no further specifics, Levis asked if the new CD and tour would include Michael. "Absolutely," Jermaine said.

It's been rumored for years that the brothers would reunite for first time since the much-hyped 1984 "Victory Tour." Brooklyn-raised rap artist Lana Moorer - better known to her fans as MC Lyte - was there when pal Jermaine spoke to the station, and told The Post she believes he's telling the truth.

"I don't think he'd joke about something like this," Moorer said. MC Lyte is a backer of New York-based Sirius, a new satellite radio operation that's set to beam its 100 music and talk stations on the airwaves in mid-2001. Sirius was broadcasting a trial run at a consumer electronics show here when Jackson unexpectedly came to the broadcast booth to visit Moorer. "I was too young to take myself to see the Jackson 5, so as an adult to have the chance to see them perform would be a just a dream," Moorer said.

The siblings from Gary, Ind. - brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Randy and Tito - performed under a host of names including "The Jacksons," "The Jackson 5," and "The Jackson Family." The brothers produced a string of hit songs in the 1970s, including pop landmarks such as "I'll Be There," "ABC" and "Never Say Goodbye."

Source: NY Post

Jackson, who became a star in 1969 at the tender age of 11 after performing "I Want You Back" with his brothers on national television, has agreed to lend his skills to two or three songs on the album, which has yet to be assigned a release date. Jackson has not recorded with brothers Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon, and Randy since 1984's Victory and its subsequent world tour. The Jackson 5 has proved an undeniable hit over the years, tallying in some of R&B's most famous hits, including "ABC," "I'll Be There," and the aforementioned "I Want You Back." In related news, Jackson's upcoming as-yet-untitled solo album, his first since 1997's Blood on the Dance Floor, is due on Epic Records in the spring.

The King of Pop will also be hosting a panel of experts and celebrities discussing the "fine art of balancing romantic love, familial love, and professional dedication" at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 14 from 7-9 p.m. Proceeds from the panel will benefit Heal the Kids, an organization which aims to make children a greater priority in adults' lives and of which Jackson is chairman. Additonal panelists include Johnny Cochran, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Mother Love, Chuck Woolery, and Judith Regan.

Source: KOP Discussion

Source: MTV

'We're all really excited,' Jermaine told Las Vegas radio station Sirius Satellite Radio. ' We're in the studio now working very hard on a new album that will be released this summer.' Asked whether the line-up would include Michael, Jermaine replied, 'absolutely.'

Jermaine's surprise announcement came as Michael Jackson's spokesman claims that Jacko has no plans to tour to promote his new album, due for release in March. The spokesman, Howard Rubenstein also denied there were any problems with the recording of the album and that Sony executives were not happy with the finished results. 'Michael's a perfectionist and he wants the album to be excellent. The album is coming along fine and is not in trouble. The first single hasn't been chosen yet but that doesn't mean there's a problem.'

Source: Worldpop

'We're all really excited,' Jermaine told Las Vegas radio station Sirius Satellite Radio. ' We're in the studio now working very hard on a new album that will be released this summer.' Asked whether the line-up would include Michael, Jermaine replied, 'absolutely.'

Jermaine's surprise announcement came as Michael Jackson's spokesman claims that Jacko has no plans to tour to promote his new album, due for release in March. The spokesman, Howard Rubenstein also denied there were any problems with the recording of the album and that Sony executives were not happy with the finished results. 'Michael's a perfectionist and he wants the album to be excellent. The album is coming along fine and is not in trouble. The first single hasn't been chosen yet but that doesn't mean there's a problem.'

Source: Worldpop