BERLIN - Michael Jackson's parents and siblings are planning a big weekend bash at a suburban Berlin hotel next week, although the King of Pop has not signalled whether he will be on hand, organisers said Thursday.
Jackson clan patriarch Joseph Jackson has a soft spot in his heart for Germany, and his memoirs were released in this country prior to publication elsewhere last year.
The senior Jackson turns 76 on July 22 and has used that as the focal point for a "thank you, Germany" party to be attended by up to 2,000 hand-picked guests, according to a spokesman for the Estrel Hotel, venue for the party.
Along with dad Joe, other Jacksons who have already signalled participation include Janet, La Toya and Jermaine.
On-again, off-again rumours have abounded for weeks as to whether Michael might also fly to Germany for his father's birthday party. If so, it would mark the first public appearance by Jackson since he was acquitted last month on all charges in his headline-making child abuse trial.
The Berlin plans also coincide with promotion of a planned reality TV show involving the entire Jackson family.
The six-episode show is to feature Michael and other members of his family and was to focus on how his parents, Joe and Katherine, and eight siblings rallied around the entertainer after he was accused of child molestation in 2003 and how they are trying to overcome the scandal after the not-guilty verdicts.
Joe Jackson's agent in Germany, Ralf Sesselberg, has attempted to dispel persistent rumours that Michael might fly to Germany for a concert or other appearance at his dad's birthday.
"Everything that's going around is pure speculation," Sesselberg told Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "There's nothing to those reports."
He pointed out that the singing star has no concert manager in Europe at this time to make arrangements for a performance.
In Germany, Jackson's career peaked in 1997, the year when the entertainer was able to sell out two consecutive concerts at Munich's giant Olympic Stadium.
Source: DPA/eMJey