Alternative Michael Jackson tribute tour being proposed

Members of Michael Jackson's family are to team up with producer David Gest in a touring tribute to the late musician.

The singer's brother Tito and sister Rebbie will play a series of dates in the UK and Europe next year.

The proposed tour would also feature Jackson family friend Deniece Williams and a Q&A session with the audience.

David Gest said: "The majority of the show will be reminiscences and stories about Michael that the public has never heard."

The tour announcement comes ahead of next month's Michael Forever concert in Cardiff which will feature Christina Aguilera, Leona Lewis and Cee Lo Green.

Clash

The organiser of the Michael Jackson tribute concert defended the event to Newsbeat saying that they have the "overwhelming majority" of his family behind them.

It comes after opposition from Jermaine and Randy Jackson, who say the concert shouldn't go ahead because it will clash with Conrad Murray's trial.

Michael Jackson was preparing for a series of UK gigs when he died in 2009

Michael Jackson died in June 2009 aged 50 while rehearsing for his This Is It UK tour.

His former doctor is accused of involuntary manslaughter.

"There's nothing in this. It's not something to get excited about," said Chris Hunt from Global Live Events.

"The notion that an event which reminds people just how fantastic Michael Jackson was, what a loss he was to the world, what a great singer, a great performer he was, should be inappropriate - it doesn't compute, it doesn't make sense."

Jermaine and Randy Jackson also say Global Live has "mishandled" the booking as well as "misjudging" the event's timing.

Rock band Kiss were also dropped from the bill after over comments made by Gene Simmons about Michael Jackson.

The A Jackson Named Michael: Remembering A Legend tour will launch in 2012 with dates and venues to be confirmed.