Jackson plaque for Lyric Theatre

[*Mo*]

Jackson plaque for Lyric Theatre
Published Date: 20 June 2010

A permanent memorial is to be erected in London's theatreland in memory of Michael Jackson.

The singer died suddenly in Los Angeles on June 25 2009, weeks before he was due to perform 50 sell-out dates of his This Is It tour at the 02 Arena. He was 50.

On the eve of the first anniversary, on Thursday June 24, a plaque will be unveiled in the foyer of the Lyric Theatre in the West End.

The venue is currently home to Thriller Live, the show featuring a string of the King of Pop's solo hits and those with the Jackson 5.

Shocked fans flocked to the theatre after his death, creating a shrine of candles, tributes and flowers and signing 40 books of condolence.

Britain's Got Talent 2009 winners, dance group Diversity, who had been booked to appear at Jackson's London concerts, and the show's cast will attend the event to mark the milestone and the 18 months the show has been in residence.

Before Friday night's performance, six of the youngsters who have played Jackson in the production will sing Speechless - The Tribute.

The song, originally recorded by Jackson, will be released this month in aid of War Child.

The show's executive director, Adrian Grant, said: "The sentiment behind the song, and what it now means to me in Michael's passing, truly reflects the emotions one feels due to his loss - those of sadness, but also remembering the joy he gave the world as we celebrate his life."

http://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/lates ... 6373124.jp

[simalves]

Do acts promote themselves by saying they were booked to perform for the TII concerts.

I don't know which came first - Diversity or Lady Gaga.