WESTERN BUREAU:

Thirty-four years after performing for a massive crowd at the National Stadium in St Andrew, two of the 'Jackson Five' will return to Jamaica for Reggae

Sumfest 2009, the event organisers have announced.

Tito and Jackie Jackson will grace the Reggae Sumfest stage for the first time since their brother, King of Pop Michael Jackson's death, and the Summerfest Production chairman, Robert Russell, said there was a strong possibility the group's other members, Marlon and Jermaine, will share the limelight.

Tribute to jackson

The deal, which was brokered by New York journalist Vinette Pryce, a friend of the Jacksons, has been dubbed a major coup by the promoters who had taken a decision to dedicate the entire show to Michael after his sudden death on June 25.

"Michael was the most important entertainer in our lifetime," Russell said two weeks ago. "His departure was quite sudden and unexpected and has saddened all of us. It is only appropriate that a festival like Sumfest should pay tribute to him."

Fourteen days later, the promoters have hit the jackpot and have adjusted their line-up to accommodate Tito and Jackie, who will perform on International Night II, along with award-winning artistes Toni Braxton, Ne-Yo, Damian Marley and Nas.

Since word got out that the two were coming to Jamaica, Russell said he has been fielding calls from the international press.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, who played a pivotal role in getting the artistes booked, with the help of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, said Jackson matriarch Catherine has also expressed a desire to come to Jamaica with her grandchildren, but she is currently grieving.

Addressing at a press conference at the Hilton Kingston hotel in New Kingston yesterday afternoon, Grange said Jamaica would have the family that bore the world's best musician and that in itself was a great matchup.

The Jackson brothers will be flown to Jamaica from California, via private jet, and will be staying at a seven-bedroom villa on the north coast.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com