Top artists such as Mary J. Blige, Akon and Chris Brown will sing some of Michael Jackson's greatest hits at a Sept. 26 global tribute that also will feature a virtual duet between the King of Pop and one of his brothers, organizers said. But the much-anticipated lineup Tuesday was a disappointment to a throng of reporters who had speculated that superstars such as Madonna would be part of the show to be staged in front of a 17th-century palace in the Austrian capital. “Just hold your horses!” Jackson's brother Jermaine said at a packed news conference in Vienna's city hall, suggesting that some major names might still be added to the list. Event promoter Georg Kindel said that up to 25 performers are expected to participate in concert that is being billed as the main global tribute for Jackson. More names will be unveiled later this week in London and Berlin, Kindel said. Sister Sledge, Natalie Cole, Angela Bassett, and the Germany-based boy band US5 also are among the 13 artists confirmed so far, Jermaine Jackson said. In addition, Jackson's original band and dancers will take part. “We're very excited - the list is growing more and more,” Jermaine Jackson said, adding that “many major Bollywood names” and artists from the Middle East also would be involved. Over the course of the evening, Jermaine will sing a duet with his late brother, probably with video of Michael to be projected onto nearby walls, organizers said. All artists will sing either “Heal the World” or “We are the World” as a grand finale. Jermaine Jackson, meanwhile, acknowledged in response to another question that organizers were “in contact” with artists such as Madonna, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross.
