Jermaine Jackson will be reuniting with the Jackson 5 for the “Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration, The Solo Years,” after all.
After feuding for the last month with the show’s producer, David Gest, over ticket prices, guest list and lineups for the all-star events, Jermaine agreed on Friday (August 10) to perform at the September 7 and 10 shows in New York.
Both the Jackson 5 (Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Jermaine) and the Jacksons (Michael, Jackie, Marlon, Tito and Randy) will perform at the concerts, to be held at Madison Square Garden.
Mary J. Blige, who was scheduled to perform September 10, is no longer on the bill – she had to pull out due to a scheduling conflict, her spokesperson said. Newcomer Nelly Furtado has been added to the lineup, as has former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and veteran singer/actress Liza Minnelli.
On July 20, Jermaine sent a letter to the media complaining about the events. Randy’s name was also on the letter, though he later denied signing it.
Three days later, Gest announced that Jermaine would not be performing.
“Having been accused of not wanting to be a part of my brother’s 30th anniversary concert for publicity reasons is not right,” Jermaine Jackson said in a statement Friday. “My concern was that our loyal fans were not invited nor able to attend because of excessive prices.
“It was also my hope that charities, that helped the less fortunate, be part of this important event and that my children be invited to attend. To do this, I myself was willing to forgo any payment. But, instead of accepting my statement with the good will with which it was intended, I have been accused of being self-serving.
“I place my family above all else and I would like to perform with my brothers in spite of all that has gone on,” he added. “I’m sorry that loyalty to my fans and family has been perceived as betrayal.”
Gest also issued a statement on Friday. “I am delighted [Jermaine] has signed his contract and will be joining his brother for these very special evenings,” he said. “All the brothers and I have been friends since our early teens and it is very gratifying that a dream will become reality as we celebrate these events together.”
The Jackson brothers convened in Los Angeles on Friday to begin rehearsing for the shows, which will also feature A-list pop stars such as ‘NSYNC, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, Ricky Martin and Whitney Houston.
The concerts will be filmed for a two-hour television special.