35 Michael Jackson Fan Communities Oppose His Memorial Concert
Opposition to the Michael Jackson memorial concert in Wales is growing. The concert is scheduled for October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, with the presence of well-known stars from the music world—though their full list has not yet been announced. The event is supported by Global Live Events and some members of the Jackson family—Catherine, Joe, Jackie, Marlon, Tito, and La Toya.
However, 35 online communities of Michael Jackson fans, in an open letter to the company hosting the concert, have encouraged the company to cancel the program by stating that they will not support the memorial concert.
The concert has not been met with much enthusiasm from the start because it coincides with the trial of Michael Jackson’s killer. Especially since two of Michael’s brothers, named Jermaine and Randy, publicly showed their opposition to other family members and refused to support the concert. But the opposition intensified widely after the company invited a rock music group called KISS to perform at the concert. Before the news had even been announced, various media outlets once again published the offensive remarks by KISS singer Gene Simmons—who had accused Michael of sexually abusing children. The company’s uninformed move, supported by Catherine Jackson, not only tied Gene Simmons’s name to this memorial concert, but also filled the media once again with false accusations against Michael.
The Facebook page dedicated to this event—which should have been used for promotion—now reflects fans’ anger and dissatisfaction. In addition, last week the trustees of the Michael Jackson Foundation announced their dissatisfaction with the way the concert is being organized, saying they were very disappointed because Gene Simmons was invited. They are also against holding the concert because the company did not receive permission from the foundation, and it is unclear which charities will receive the proceeds from ticket sales. However, it does not seem that they will take action against the concert out of respect for the Jackson family.
Paul Ring, one of the concert organizers, has recently said in an interview with the BBC that the concert will go ahead as planned.
Under these circumstances, the millions-strong fan communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, Germany, and many other countries—whose number reaches 35—have asked Global Live Events officials to cancel the Michael Jackson memorial concert by sending an open letter to Chris Hunt, the founder and president, and Paul Ring. The movement was initiated by MJJCommunity, the largest online community of Michael Jackson fans in the world and winner of the Best Fan Website award for an artist. This community has called the memorial concert “doomed to fail.”
What do you think? Should the concert be canceled? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.
Read the text of the letter below.Dear Mr. Hunt and Mr. Ring:
As steadfast supporters and backers of Michael Jackson, we refuse to support the memorial concert. Although the invitation to Gene Simmons has been withdrawn, the damage has already been done. Your apology is far too late and does nothing to ease the pain.
From the very first day the news of the concert was announced, Michael Jackson fans made their concerns known to you. One of the main concerns has been the way they were treated on the concert’s Facebook page. The page administrators delete comments with disrespect.
Now that you say you’re hearing the voices of the fans and you removed Gene Simmons from the program, many of them have become doubtful about you. Global Live Events does not care about the fans—it is only worried about negative media coverage. And that will affect ticket sales.
From the concert date, which falls in the midst of Dr. Murray’s trial, to the ticket prices and the ambiguity regarding the list of charities that will benefit from ticket sales—and the fact that there is no guarantee that we will see performances by the artists whose names have been announced. And if that isn’t enough, the story of Gene Simmons, the disrespect, and the tarnishing of Michael Jackson’s legacy should be added as the final blow. With all the damage that has been done, fans are left to deal with what has happened to Michael Jackson’s legacy.
Please understand that this concert is condemned to failure and destruction. The Michael Jackson Foundation has informed you in a letter of its concerns. Make the right decision for Michael Jackson and cancel the concert.
Source: eMJey.com / Stereo Board