Is Jermaine Jackson (above) hogging the spotlight for an MJ tribute Sept. 26 in Vienna? Some in the family seem to think so. Also scheduled to appear (at right, from top) Akon, Mary J. Blige and Chris Brown.
Tattle: Is it a tribute to MJ or a showcase for JJ?
IF YOU THOUGHT the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna was going to come off with no drama, you haven't been paying attention for the last 40 years.
Yesterday the Associated Press reported that Mary J. Blige, Akon and Chris Brown would participate in the Sept. 26 show, which also will feature a virtual duet between Michael and one of his brothers.
That would be Jermaine.
Meanwhile, TMZ.com reported that his mother, Katherine Jackson, and his siblings are mad at Jermaine because of the concert.
Sources told TMZ that Katherine consented to support the event only because Jermaine had badgered her and that only Jermaine would be going to Vienna.
The Jacksons, in one of those rare instances in which they agree with Tattle, can't figure out why Vienna should be the site of a tribute concert to Michael.
One unnamed Jackson, calling the event "The Jermaine Jackson Show," said it's another example of Jermaine doing what's best for Jermaine.
As for the talent lineup, the reporters who filled Vienna's city hall weren't all that impressed. It was only a few weeks ago that names like Madonna and U2 were being dangled.
"Just hold your horses!" Jermaine said, suggesting some major names might be added.
Promoter Georg Kindel said that up to 25 performers are expected to participate and that more names will be unveiled later this week.
Besides the three performers mentioned above, Sister Sledge, Natalie Cole, Angela Bassett and the Germany-based boy band US5 also are among the 13 artists confirmed. In addition, Michael'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.
The Associated Press story said Michael's family and children are expected to attend.
We'll see . . .
Mind-boggling book deal
Is best-selling author James Patterson (the Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club and "Maximum Ride" series) a genius, a hack or both?
Patterson, who writes novels at the rate some people write e-mails, has agreed to a 17-book deal with his longtime publisher, the Hachette Book Group.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Patterson is surely making enough to pay his co-writers, including Maxine Paetro, Andrew Gross and Howard Roughan, a very good novelist on his own.
Seventeen books. For most writers this could be a life's work.
Patterson's deal? Three years.
