Austria to host MJ's memorial concert

A tribute concert to honour late King of Pop Michael Jackson will be held in Austria next month.

The concert in Vienna will have an all-star line-up performing the Thriller hitmaker's hit songs.

Rumours of a memorial gig started circulating after Jackson's death in June.

Some gossip websites even suggested that the show could be held at the O2 Arena in London, where Jackson had been due to place a 50-date residency.

However, the late singer's brother Jermaine has finally confirmed that it is being planned to hold a massive concert in the grounds of Vienna's former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace in September.

An official date for the concert is yet to be announced.

But those organising it say that they have secured a "high-profile line-up of international stars" who will pay tribute to Jackson through a night of musical celebrations.

'For one incredible night Michael Jackson's unforgettable music will be brought to life again. Some of the world's leading artists will perform Michael's greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the King of Pop,' the Daily Star quoted a statement issued by World Awards Media, the company behind the event, as reading.

Bosses at the events company say that they decided not to hold the concert on August 29, what would have been Jackson's 51st birthday, because it "would have been an extreme logistical challenge."

Explaining the reason for the choice of location, Jermaine said that his brother was always fond of Austria, and visited the country at least four times throughout his life.

The concert will be broadcast live on TV, and over 85,000 fans will be given the chance to attend.

Ticket sales for The Tribute go on sale on August 20.

Image: Fans pose with a new waxwork figure of Michael Jackson depicted from his 'This is It' tour, displayed at Madame Tussauds in London. (Photograph: Stephen Hird/Reuters)