Jackson Tribute = Brown Comeback?

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 8th 2009 06:42AM

Singer Chris Brown has experienced a dip in popularity since his felony assault of ex-girlfriend Rihanna, but he may be hoping that the universal appeal of Michael Jackson's music can turn things around. The 'Kiss Kiss' singer hasn't performed live since the incident, but Brown is now set to headline the upcoming tribute concert to the King of Pop in Austria.

Along with Brown, Mary J. Blige and Natalie Cole will be among the top artists performing at a Sept. 26 Michael Jackson tribute concert, organizers said.

Jackson's brother Jermaine told reporters that up to 25 performers are expected to perform outside a 17th-century palace in the Austrian capital. More names will be unveiled later this week in London and Berlin, he said.

Sister Sledge, Akon, Angela Bassett, and the Germany-based boy band US5 are also among the 13 artists confirmed so far, Jackson and event promoter Georg Kindel said. Jackson's original band and dancers will also perform.

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Rihanna and Chris Brown

Chris Brown has been sentenced to five years of probation and six months of community labor for his felony assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna in February.

Robyn Beck, AFP / Getty Images

The Brown-Rihanna Case

Chris Brown has been sentenced to five years of probation and six months of community labor for his felony assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna in February.

Robyn Beck, AFP / Getty Images

In his first communication with the public about the attack this summer, Brown told his fans how sorry he is about the beating incident. "I am very sad and very ashamed of what I have done... I've told Rihanna countless times and I am telling you all today that I am truly, truly sorry that I wasn't able to handle the situation both differently and better. " he said.

TMZ

Back in April, Brown pleaded not guilty to both assault and criminal threat charges in court.

X17

Brown's manager, Tina Davis, was named by TMZ as the woman behind the text message that sparked his alleged beating of Rihanna. She has since denied the claims, saying: "The rumors in circulation are false. There are no emails between Ms. Davis and Mr. Brown of the type which have been described in media reports."

Arnold Turner, WireImage

Court documents revealed that the police report claims Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna in his car after she discovered a text message on his phone. According to the report, Brown smashed her head against the window, and then punched and bit her.

Getty Images

TMZ obtained a photo that appears to be singer Rihanna, taken shortly after Brown allegedly beat her following a pre-Grammy party. Police have said the woman had visible injuries, and that Brown was gone from the scene when they arrived.

TMZ

Brown can be seen leaving the police station after being booked. According to police reports, he assaulted Rihanna in the car, and told her "I'm going to beat the s--- out of you when we get home." He also allegedly threatened to kill her after she told her assistant to call the police.

X17online

In their cover story, PEOPLE spoke with the father of Rihanna, who says he hopes his daughter is done with boyfriend Brown after his alleged assault. Shortly after, reports that Rihanna and Brown were back together in Miami emerged.

PEOPLE

Brown, seen a day before the alleged attack, released a statement on Feb. 15, which read in part, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired."

X17online

Organizers are billing the event as the main global tribute to Jackson, who died June 25 in Los Angeles. Jackson's family and children will be in Vienna, and 65,000 fans are expected to attend, Kindel said.

Jermaine Jackson has said Vienna was chosen as the venue because his brother "loved castles," and because Jermaine was impressed with how a smaller tribute held in July outside a mothballed nuclear power plant was organized.

Negotiations are ongoing to select a broadcaster to show the event live to an estimated 1 billion fans worldwide, Jackson said.

Tickets went on sale last month.

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The Michael Jackson Funeral

Michael Jackson's children and father arrive to the late singer's funeral, an invite-only event held at the Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park. See More Arrivals To the Funeral >>>

AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

Michael Jackson Snapshots

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2009 file photo, Natalie Cole is shown backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Organizers say Natalie Cole is among 13 artists who will headline a Sept. 26 Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

In a Feb. 12, 2009 photo Singer Mary J. Blige arrives at a amfAR gala to kick off fashion week and to raise money for AIDS research in New York. Organizers say Mary J. Blige, is among 13 artists who will headline a Sept. 26 Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna. AP Photo/Peter Kramer/file)

FILE - In a Tuesday, July 10, 2007 file photo, District Attorney Michael Jackson talks with reporters inside the Perry County Courthouse, in Marion, Ala. Jackson is the prosecutor in the case of James Bonard Fowler, 73, who is accused of fatally wounding Jimmie Lee Jackson when law officers disrupted a protest march in Marion on the night of Feb. 18, 1965. More than two years have passed since Fowler was indicted in the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson. Fowler's trial is nowhere near due to feuding between the prosecutor and judge, who has taken the unusual step of hiring his own lawyer. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)

In this photo taken, Sept. 25, 2008, clothing designer Christian Audigier arrives for the 26th Annual Macy's Passport to Fashion gala in Santa Monica, Calif. Michele Elyzabeth, a spokeswoman for the Ed Hardy clothing founder, said Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, Audigier would move into the sprawling Holmby Hills mansion, most recently rented by King of Pop Michael Jackson, at the end of Jackson's lease on Dec. 15, 2009. Jackson died June 25. He was 50. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

FILE- In this file photo taken, June 29, 2009, the rented home of Michael Jackson is seen from the air in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. Jackson died June 25. Clothing designer Christian Audigier will not transform Jackson's former home into a public space. Michele Elyzabeth, a spokeswoman for the Ed Hardy clothing founder, said Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, Audigier would move into the sprawling Holmby Hills mansion at the end of Jackson's lease on Dec. 15. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, FILE)

LaToya Jackson arrives at Michael Jackson's funeral in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., Sept. 3.

Reed Saxon, AP

Fairgoers "drag" a video of late US pop icon Michael Jackson on a giant interactive screen at the stand of German telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom at the IFA (Internationale Funkaustellung) International Consumer Electronics Trade Fair, at Berlin's fair ground on September 4, 2009. The IFA, one of the largest consumer electronics trade fairs in the world, takes place from September 4 to September 9, 2009. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Singer Jermaine Jackson arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Jackson

Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Producer Suzanne De Passe arrives for a memorial dinner for Michael Jackson at Villa Sorriso on September 3, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Suzanne De Passe

Getty Images

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Tags: chris brown, ChrisBrown

Comments

(17)

Tuesday 08 September

By Nancy

Vote down Vote up Report this

Austria's far enough.

By NoEthicsJacksons

I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE JACKSONS WERE SO STUPID NO TO PUT RESOURCES INTO THE INVESTIGATION OF MICHAEL DEATH SO THAT CRIMINAL CHARGES OF MURDER COULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST SOMEBODY. The only thing the Stupid Jacksons have wanted to do is make one more dollar off a forsaken cash cow, that Family Members did not even care enough about to put in Rehab and save his life. The Jackson Family ignored Michael Jacksons Addictions just so they could stay on his Payroll. It is appropriate for Jermain to feature CHRIS BROWN....due to fact they are all ENABLING THUGS INVOLVED IN A TRAGEDY.

By Ben

It's not that they didn't bother getting MJ help, THEY TRIED. Have you read all the reports? The whole Jackson family, as well as friends and even some doctors tried to intervene and help him. But Michael had a way of not being approachable when he didn't want to be bothered. He shut people out, including his family. Even his nanny tried to intervene, with the consequence costing her employment. All the Jacksons want to do is give they fans what we missed out on this past summer, I, as well as millions of fans would like to see this. And the MAIN reason Jermaine wants Chris to be apart of it is because he is one of the most influenced by Michael's style.

By Coco

What's up with the Orville Redenbacher sweater and bow tie?

By melissa

I agree with you NoethicsJackson, They just want to keep making money on their son, which they could of cared less for. I wouod be ok wibth it if we knew if it all went to his children or to all those charities he dealed with, but we all know this will never happen. Then, to top it off they have chris brown sing his song, WTF. Chris Brown has no right singing songs which mean nothing to him. I wish they would just let MJ rest in Peace.

By MJ Fan 4-ever

We fans miss him and truely loved him and are sad that since he was born it seems everyone wanted to make money off of him and his talent and never cared how much it affected him. His Dad, family members,the children's parents that he helped (the ones that accused him of their children to get his money)media, book publishers, women that took his money to carry his children (biological or not), doctors that wanted his $$ not even caring if what he was doing may kill him...just so they ALL got a piece..soo sad..he is now dead due to stress (drugs helped I guess) and the world's greed of money, and bullying.

Don't anyone take time out to grieve?

By Amy

Still grieving and will probably be for a long time. I think the concerts and other tributes should be postponed for a while so people can grieve. By continuing to have these events just keeps the would open and take longer to heal. I was beginning to feel better about it but since the burial took so long to take place, Im back where I started on June 25th. At least the media coverage has slowed down a bit.

By hipknotiq

Why dampen the show with Chris Brown. He` doesnt deserve the honor of performing with real stars.

By Lisa

Can't believe they would ruin a tribute to an icon by inviting Chris Brown to be a part of it. Once an abuser, always an abuser. His "apology" means NOTHING !!! He needs to go back home to his mommy who is in total denial

By MJ Fan

I do not believe Chris is the pop star that was the most influenced by MJ!! The only other pop star that can even come close (not as close though) to MJ's talent is Justin Timberlake but I guess no one wants to acknowledge that because he is white. Justin has often spoke of MJ's influence on him. He was performing since a child on stage(like MJ), in a boyband earlier in life (like MJ) and went out on his own.He has had more #1 hits than others and has some bad a** dance moves. He has class like MJ and dresses sharp like MJ.

It appears that anyone who tried to help MJ after he was acquitted in 2005, he shut out of his life. The trial took a toll on his wellbeing and he was forced to live a different life that he didn't believe in. I think the damage to Neverland, the various lawsuits, financial turmoil, and the fear of where his life direction should go took a toll on his health and mental state. I think the most devastating for him was when he was forced to leave the only home where he could be free, at peace, and help sick children. This is what he believed in, made him who he was, and wanted to be. When all that was gone, part of him died.

By kay

ms. Lisa thats not true, ok haters what mistakes have you made in life and was forgiven. Why Chris can't be forgiven, check some of your folks out that has made news, its off the hook, much worst than what Chris did.

By its me

Chris choked Rihanna till she blacked out. Alot of people die from being choked to death. I wonder if she was dead today due to that and he put away for life, would you say "we have all made mistakes"? Hopefully we have not all made this type of mistake. If she were your daughter would you belittle this woman's beating?

By Eish!

Come one now people, this is so yesterday. Please move one and let the Jacksons be and importantly let Chris be. He was punished and is busy doing what is expected..hard labour.
Im sick of this Chris bashing and what could have happened. POINT IS - RIHANNA WAS NOT KILLED OR IS NOT KILLED. And if I have to believe turbloits (like this one), they are planning a weekend in Mexico. So what now?

Thursday 10 September

By Are you kidding?

Eish! It's very sad that you think the dismay and outrage being expressed about Chris Brown would only be appropriate if Rihanna were dead. You don't seem to have grasped the fact that violence of any form and against anyone is inexcusable.

Furthermore, the man is a convicted felon. The fact he is not in prison has perhaps made you think that what he did was not serious but just you think about your mother, sister, daughter, brother, son, friend being subjected to that and remember that it could happen. Because of people who think like you and would do nothing to prevent it.

By Kefira

To Ms.Lisa girl can you please get a life. Because what Chris did was an mistake people makes mistakes like you haven't.I am a BIG FAN of Chris!!! You Guys need 2 stop living in the past but it is never forgotten.Chris will still remember this because it was something he did.As for Jermaine letting him do this. This is great because this is his first appearence so this is great on his behalf.

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