Me To Jermaine Jackson: Shame On You!

Yesterday afternoon, Jermaine Jackson held a press conference in London to formally announce plans for a Michael Jackson tribute concert to be held in Vienna, Austria on September 26th. Performing at the concert, besides Jermaine of course, is Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Akon, and more.

Actually, scratch Mary, Chris, and Natalie off that list, since their representatives claimed they never agreed to the show.

In fact, for good measure, cross off Stevie and Akon too, because I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled out as well.

That's because this show, meant to be a tribute to one of pop music's most iconic figures, is nothing but a posturing, indulgent, and tacky attempt to cash in on his death.

Now, I'm not saying that Jermaine is some callous money-hungry graverobber, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he has to know that this concert serves no purpose.

He claims that this was for Michael's European fans. As if they didn't have televisions and couldn't watch the official memorial when it was held in July. As if they didn't attend the viewing parties held all over the world. As if they didn't schlock by the tens of thousands to Michael's Dangerous and HIStory tours, which saw no dates in the United States.

And if you were going to hold such a concert, why the hell in Austria? No offense to the country, it's lovely, but Michael had zero connection to that country. How about the United States, where he was born? Or Romania, where he held his massive HBO concert in 1992? London? Paris? Berlin? All of these places would have made sense, but not Austria. Unless, of course, Austria was the only place that would hold such a farce on their soil, and that they are the only ones that would bankroll it.

There is no tangible reason for this concert's existence, which is why "performers" are dropping out left and right. This is simply more of the same; exploitation of a man who's seen it since the age of five. Even in death.

I know that money is a powerful motivator, Jermaine, but for the sake of your family, the fans, your dignity, and Michael, stop this stupidity and let your brother rest in peace.