Est. 1998
Special Event In London
David Gest and Universal Pictures today announced they will co-host a special all-star event in London on November 2nd. Please see the official press release below.
PRODUCER DAVID GEST AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES ANNOUNCE ALL-STAR WORLD PREMIERE OF GEST’S NEW FILM ‘MICHAEL JACKSON: THE LIFE OF AN ICON’ IN LONDON ON 02 NOVEMBER 2011 AT EMPIRE LEICESTER SQUARE, 7:00PM
London, Wednesday, 5th October 2011 – David Gest and Universal Pictures today announced they will co-host a special all-star event to celebrate the world premiere of Gest’s new film ‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ to be held in London at 7:00pm, Wednesday 02 November 2011 at the Empire Leicester Square. The film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 31 October 2011.
In attendance will be Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine, brother Tito, sister Rebbie, David Gest, the film’s director Andrew Eastel and lawyers Thomas Mesereau and Susan Yu (who successfully acquitted Michael Jackson of all charges during his child molestation court case in 2005). They will all participate in a special Q&A to discuss their involvement in the project prior to the screening. Joining them at the event will be more than 100 celebrities including many of the music industry’s top recording artists, motion picture and television stars, sporting legends and other well-known personalities. In addition, Michael Jackson fans from all over the world will have the opportunity to win tickets to attend this event. They will be able to join celebrity guests on the red carpet, view the film and have a chance to be selected to pose a question during the audience Q&A. Universal Pictures will soon announce details for Michael Jackson fans to participate in this event.
Television star and producer David Gest, who produced Michael’s last concert ‘Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration’ in 2001, which was the highest-rated musical television special in history and featured the final reunion of the original Jackson 5, said: “I am thrilled that Katherine, Tito, Rebbie, Andrew, Thomas and Susan as well as 100 stars will be in attendance for the world premiere of my new film ‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’. There is going to be a jam at the invitation-only after-party following the premiere and more than 20 legendary artists who appear in the film will take part. I am thrilled because so many of today’s contemporary artists who are friends of mine are really looking forward to performing with these legends. This party is going to be historic!”
Musical legends already confirmed to perform at the exclusive after-party include: Russell Thompkins, Jr., the original lead singer off all the Stylistics hits (‘I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)’, ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’, ‘Rockin’ Roll Baby’, ‘Sing Baby Sing’); Peabo Bryson (‘A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)’, ‘Beauty & The Beast’ ‘Tonight, I Celebrate My Love’); Deniece Williams (‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’, ‘Free’, ‘Too Much, Too Little, Too Late’ & ‘It’s Gonna Take A Miracle’); Kim Weston (‘It Takes Two’, ‘Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)’ & ‘Helpless’); Brenda Holloway (‘Every Little Bit Hurts’, ‘When I’m Gone’ & ‘You Made Me So Very Happy’ which she co-wrote); Jimmy Ruffin (‘What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted’, ‘I’ll Say Forever My Love’, ‘It’s Wonderful’ & ‘Hold On To My Love’); Martha Reeves (‘Dancing In The Streets’, ‘Heatwave’, ‘Jimmy Mack’ & ‘ I’m Ready For Love’) and many more to be announced. According to Tito Jackson: “this is going to be like a 60’s, 70’s and 80’s soulfest with so many legends gathered in one place in honour of my brother. Michael loved soul music and grew up on it and my mother, sister and I are really excited to hear and see all these great performers in one room. It is going to bring back a lot of wonderful memories!”
‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ is a powerful behind-the-scenes account of the star’s life, providing fresh insight into his early years with the Jackson 5, his rise to global solo-stardom through to the final moments of his sudden death in 2009 featuring exclusive interviews with Katherine Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Smokey Robinson, David Gest, Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Paul Anka, Michael’s manager, the late Frank DiLeo in his last interview, Valerie Simpson and her husband, the late Nick Ashford in his last interview, Petula Clark, Mickey Rooney, legendary record producers Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, the songwriting team of Brian Holland-Lamont Dozier-Eddie Holland and more than 50 friends, peers and associates share intimate and fascinating stories about the singer’s celebrated life. Released on DVD and Blu-rayT on Monday 31 October 2011 from Universal Pictures International Home Entertainment, the film will feature performance footage as well as never-before-seen family photography.
Directed by Andrew Eastel and produced by Michael Jackson’s childhood best friend David Gest, ‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ gives Katherine Jackson the first chance to tell her side of the story about Michael’s upbringing in Gary, Indiana, his relationship with father Joe, her support for her son during the court cases and her thoughts on the life he faced afterwards. Rebbie Jackson, Michael’s eldest sister, gives a very rare interview and recounts the star’s childhood growing up in Gary, Indiana and his extraordinary bond with mother Katherine. Gest’s other best friend, Michael’s brother, Tito provides an in-depth look into Jackson’s history and what his mother and family went through during the sensational child molestation trial in 2005 that he was acquitted from an all counts.
Michael’s mother Katherine says: “‘Michael Jackson: The Life Of An Icon’ is a truly remarkable film that captures the true character, wit and sensitivity of my son. Producer David Gest takes you on an emotional roller coaster that will bring people to tears as well as really understand who the man behind the music was and is.”
For details of how to win tickets to this event, please check our web site tomorrow or sign up to receive our FREE MJ Bulletin by clicking here.
Source: Freud Communications & MJWN
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