Bangalore to pay tribute to Jackson on his birthday

Bangalore: To give a "fitting" tribute to the King of Pop Michael Jackson on his 51st birthday, a musical carnival is being organised in Bangalore to celebrate the legendary singer's music.

Christened Heavens Can Wait, the musical event will be organised August 29, the day Jackson would have turned 51. It has been nine weeks after he died of a suspected cardiac arrest on June 25.

The Score, a magazine on music is the brainchild behind the event. Bangalore and Chennai's popular Bands - Lounge Piranha, Rusty Moe, Slain, Public Issue and E-flatwill pay tribute to the musical icon.

Mother Tekla Auditorium, Casa Brigitta on Brunton Road will be the venue.

"Bangalore's love for pop legend MJ is known to all. Thus we want to celebrate Michael Jackson and his music on his first birth anniversary after his sudden death," Alan Hadle, founding member and director of The Score said.

"It will be a musical salute to the late music legend's talent. There will be no dance at the show. We will also launch our magazine, The Score, on the same stage. Our magazine will carry a cover story on Michael Jackson, covering his entire career graph," added Hadle.

Tickets of the musical gig are prized at Rs.300 and Rs.500, with special discounts.

A portion of the proceeds of the concert will be directed towards funding the Aastha Children's hospital which is part of the Rourkela Childcare Private Ltd.

"A part of the money collected from the show will go to charity. MJ did a lot for the betterment of the world and he loved children, and it is fitting that a part of the money will go to a children's charity," Hadle said.

Giving details on the rock bands which will perform at the show, Hadle said music bands from Bangalore and Chennai will take part in the show.

"Chennai's line-up includes bands like Rusty Moe, E-Flat and Public Issue. They are reputed in their own right and famous for their people-friendly music. City bands like Lounge Piranha and Slain will also perform at the event," he added.

Along with performing Jackson's hit songs, including the humanitarian anthem Heal the World, rock bands will also perform their own numbers.

The organisers are expecting a huge crowd at the show, as Bangalore has many die-hard Jackson followers.

"We're receiving large number of queries from Bangalore's music lovers. We are for hoping a huge gathering, around 1,000 on the day," said Prathibha Muralidhara, coordinator of the show.