Jackson bash on track

2005-07-20 13:42

Berlin - Michael Jackson's father has confirmed that the best-known family in pop music will hold a party in Berlin on Friday but said he was uncertain whether Jackson himself would attend.

Joseph Jackson told a press conference in the German capital on Wednesday that his sons and daughters including Michael's sister Janet, a global star in her own right, will come to the event in a Berlin hotel.

He said the party was to celebrate his 76th birthday and also to thank Michael's European fans for their support during his trial in the Californian town of Santa Maria which ended last month in his acquittal on all charges including sexually abusing a young boy.

"We have a lot of fans in Europe. They were in Santa Maria to support the family," said Joseph at the Estrel hotel where the party will take place.

"It's about the European fans, those who care about the family."

Speculation over whether Michael will attend

But Joseph refused to be drawn on whether Michael would be making one of his rare appearances since the trial ended in mid-June.

"We don't know yet exactly if he will be here or not," he said. "He is recovering from the trial."

Ute Jacobs, the manager of the hotel, said it was "70% sure" Michael would make an appearance at the party.

The Jackson family have reserved the 250 square metre presidential suite of the hotel in the unfashionable Berlin suburb of Neukoelln.

The hotel specialises in package deals which include performances by show business impersonators.

There will also be a party in the hotel's adjoining convention centre for around 1 000 Michael Jackson fans, organisers confirmed.

It was in Berlin three years ago that Jackson infamously dangled his nine-month-old baby from the window of an upper storey window of a luxury hotel.

- AFP