First anniversary of Jackson's death to be honored
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The Jackson Family Foundation and VoicePlate Productions announced on Tuesday that a red-carpet event will be held on Saturday in Los Angeles to honor the first anniversary of the death of pop star Michael Jackson.
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U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London Nov. 15, 2006. [Xinhua/Reuters] |
"This red-carpet event will be dedicated to the humanitarian efforts of Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer of all time," according to a statement on VoicePlate's website.
"The vision is to bring together Michael Jackson family members, celebrities, fans, supporters and the community to celebrate and honor his legacy," it said.
"We have all shared in Michael's message, and now we encourage all of you the world over to join us in continuing to spotlight Michael's endeavors by making a conscious effort to help save our planet."
The event will also serve as the premiere release of Katherine Jackson's book, "Never Can Say Goodbye," the statement said.
Among those expected to perform at the event are The Chi Lites and Genevieve Jackson, the daughter of Michael's brother Randy.
"Michael's love for mankind is not only found in his music but also in his (charitable) contributions," Jackson Family Foundation president Simon Sahouri wrote in a letter posted on VoicePlate's website.
According to VoicePlate, a portion of the proceeds from Saturday 's event will be presented to some of Jackson's favorite charities.
"I know that Michael would be very honored and very pleased that his fans all over the world are coming together to celebrate his life," Jackson's mother, Katherine, said in a video posted on YouTube.
"And I'd also like to thank friends all over the world for the love and support that they have given me and my family this last year," she said. "Thank you very much, we all love you. And if Michael was here, he would say, I love you more."
Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009. He was found unconscious at his rented Holmby Hills estate in Los Angeles, where he was staying while preparing for a series of concerts in London. He was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The coroner's office determined that the 50-year-old singer died of propofol intoxication, a powerful sedative, prescribed by his personal physician, Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and is awaiting trial.
