Plans for Jackson tribute show ignite family row

Michael Jackson's mother and four siblings announced Monday plans for a star-studded tribute concert for the late pop icon, but the show was blasted as "ill-timed" by two other Jacksons.

Jermaine and Randy Jackson said the family should be concentrating on the upcoming manslaughter trial of their brother's doctor, which will be going on in Los Angeles when the planned show is staged in Britain in October.

The Michael Forever show is set for October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, and will be broadcast to 30 countries around the world, said his mother Katherine Jackson, sister La Toya and brothers Tito, Marlon and Jackie.

"The world's greatest performing artists" will play at the show, according to its website, although promoter Chris Hunt declined to name names, saying they will announce artists at another press conference in London on August 3.

Jackson's mother said "as many members of my family that are available" will be at the concert, adding: "Michael gave his entire life to the world through his love, his music and his devotion to healing the planet.

"I am positive that this event will be an event great enough in scale, talent and imagination to form a worthy celebration of Michael's life," she said at a press conference in Beverly Hills.

But Randy and Jermaine Jackson -- who tried but failed to organize a tribute show after Jackson's 2009 death -- blasted the timing of the new show, which will coincide with the September manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor.

"While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death," they said.

Doctor Conrad Murray, charged with manslaughter for giving the singer an overdose of powerful sedative propofol, is due to go on trial with opening statements on September 20, less than three weeks before the Cardiff concert.

"In light of this, we feel it is inappropriate to be involved with such an ill-timed event and its promoter, Global Live," said Jermaine and Randy Jackson in a statement.

"Furthermore, the decision to proceed with this concert disrespects opinions and wishes expressed in the strongest terms to Global Live during conversations in April when this event was presented to the majority of the family."

Global Live chief Chris Hunt defended the Cardiff plans, saying they would be "worthy of Michael's musical genius ... something fun and authentic that you would envision Michael attending with excitement and joy."

Tickets for the concert in the 75,000-seat Millennium Stadium in Cardiff -- with a fully retracting roof the biggest indoor venue in Europe, according to the organizers -- will go on sale online on August 4, they added.

The concert will raise money for charities including Prince Charles' Prince's Trust in Britain, and the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA). (AFP)

I'm cool aunt to Michael's kids, "Janet Jackson"

Janet Jackson has revealed that she is often referred to as the "cool aunt" by her nieces and nephews.

The 'Make Me' singer told Closer that she has a good relationship with her family, particularly the late Michael's kids Prince, Paris and Blanket.

"'We are a very close family. I love them all very much," Jackson explained.

"A lot of my nieces and nephews come to me when they need someone to talk to. I've been told I'm the cool aunt!'

The For Coloured Girls star previously confessed that she thinks of her late brother every day as they shared "every dream, every confidence".

Jackson has previously revealed that she would not want to have children while in the public eye as she believes that fame is too difficult for kids to handle.

She is currently in the middle of an international greatest hits tour and also signed a production deal with Lionsgate Films earlier this year.

Jermaine Jackson confirms book on Michael

Jermaine Jackson is writing a book about his brother Michael, it has been announced.

The musician is penning a set of memoirs titled You Are Not Alone, Michael: Through A Brother's Eyes. The book will chart The Jackson 5's rise to fame and Michael's life story, including the circumstances surrounding his death in 2009 aged 50.

He said: "We don't want Michael's life - or death - to be an eternal mystery. This is the truth as we know it.

"I have read so much about what people think they know about Michael, but this is about what really happened. I hope to make sense of the occasions when the outside world struggled to understand my brother's world."

The 56-year-old, who has previously slammed the press for its portrayal of his late sibling, explained that he hoped the book would show his brother in a new light.

"By sitting down and sharing memories, I hope his millions of fans will see him anew, and that those who have not been so kind will find room for more compassion," he added.

"Everyone has said it all about Michael and us. They cannot say anything more. Now it is our turn. We cannot bring our brother back but we can ensure his legacy is never forgotten in a book that commemorates his life - and says the things he never got the chance to say."

The book will be published this autumn by Harper Collins in the UK and Touchstone in the US.

Janet Jackson 'verbally abused by brothers'

Janet Jackson has revealed that her brothers used to taunt her over her appearance.

The singer spoke of how Michael and her other brothers called her names such as "horse", "pig", "cow" and "slaughter-hog", which she admits affected her deeply.

In an interview on the Today show, Janet admitted: "I would literally bang my head up against the wall because I didn't feel attractive. There was a lot of pain in my life. But I did. I felt very unattractive."

On her brothers' teasing, she said: "It makes you laugh, it really does. It makes you laugh. I guess some people could say, 'Oh that's, you know, brothers and sisters joking, it's all affection, it's all, you know, it's in a loving way,' but not everybody can brush it off, and I was one of those."

Janet went on to recall that her issues with her weight began when she was asked to shed pounds for a role on a TV show at the age of 10.

She explained: "I was asked to lose weight. I wasn't a heavy kid on the show but I was 10 years old and developing very quickly so they would put gauze around my chest to make me smaller, and I think that has an effect on you as a child as if who you are isn't good enough."

Jackson's mansion to turn into music school

King of pop Michael Jackson's house Neverland Ranch might turn into a music school for teenagers soon.
The mansion owners want to turn the building into a fame school for teenaged musicians, where children from all walks of life could learn to write and perform music, reports thesun.co.uk.

"It's an interesting idea and we'd be open to it," said a spokesman for Jackson's estate.

The mansion is owned by a private real estate firm Colony Capital that is looking into using Jackson's name to promote the venture.

However, Santa Barbara County officials are yet to sign the project.

Janet Jackson helps raise money for charity

Singer Janet Jackson is reportedly helping raise money for a hunger charity in Los Angeles.
She allowed Mattel toy manufacturers to immortalize her appearance on US reality show "American Idol" earlier this year in plastic, complete with a replica of her designer black and red gown.

Contactmusic.com reports that only one Janet Barbie doll was made and is worth USD 15,000. It is now up for sale to benefit Project Angel Food, which delivers meals to families affected by terminal illnesses in Los Angeles.


Sanjay Dutt, Maanyata deposit twins' stem cells with LifeCell

Bollywood Actor Sanjay Dutt and his wife Maanyata Dutt, who were recently blessed with twins, have taken the innovative step to bank their babies' umbilical cord stem cells with LifeCell, a pioneer in stem cells domain in India.

The couple who joins many other celebrities in this decision, will stay connected with the latest trends in healthcare and provide their children a secure future with the gift of lifetime, a company release here today said.

With Sanjay Dutt signing up for this service, LifeCell has expanded its celebrity clientele portfolio with Bollywood actors like Hrithik Roshan, Raveena Tandon, Madhavan and many others having banked their child's stem cells with LifeCell, it said.

The baby's umbilical cord blood and tissue are a rich biological resource of stem cells, which have the potential to treat over 75 serious ailments through the innovative concept of stem cell therapy.

Umbilical cord stem cell banking is a service wherein the baby's umbilical cord blood and cord tissue are collected immediately after birth which is otherwise discarded after birth.

Janet Jackson confirms world tour plans

Janet Jackson has confirmed plans for a world tour.

The 'Make Me' singer, who released her retrospective LP Number Ones earlier this year, will play 35 dates across the globe where she will perform each of her 35 number one hits.

In a blog on her official website, she said: "During the past several months I've had such wonderful experiences. I've released my Number Ones CD...and throughout this time I've heard from you - my fans - whom I cherish dearly.

"Many have asked when I will tour again - well today I'm really excited to answer that question, and I announce my largest ever world tour, celebrating 35 number ones.

"This tour will be different from those of the past in the way that I will exclusively perform songs from my number ones. You'll hear all the hits in 35 cities, which I want you to help me select."

She added: "Wherever possible I will perform in venues that will allow me to be up close so that I can be with you in a much more intimate setting."

After fans submitted their suggestion to the star's official website, the first city announced for the jaunt is Hong Kong, where she will perform next year on February 14. Further dates are expected to follow shortly.

Earlier this year Jackson promised that she would return to the UK for a live date in the near future.