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Announcement of Whitney Houston Joining "30th Anniversary" Concerts

Michael Jackson, “PRNewswire” (August 16, 2001) (mirror) (archived mirror)

I feel Whitney is one of the greatest voices in the world. She could sing the yellow pages and I would buy it. I absolutely adore her and am her greatest fan.

“PRNewswire” (August 16, 2001) (mirror) (archived mirror)

`Whitney Houston will join the illustrious line-up of stars performing at the all-star salute to the 'King Of Pop,' MICHAEL JACKSON: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, THE SOLO YEARS,'' announced producer David Gest (pronounced guest). Houston has confirmed performances for both Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 at the all-star tribute in honor of Michael Jackson at Madison Square Garden. According to Gest, ``Whitney is one of my closest friends and I am delighted she will share this special occasion with Michael, who happens to be her favorite artist. They will perform a duet together.'' According to Michael Jackson, ``I feel Whitney is one of the greatest voices in the world. She could sing the yellow pages and I would buy it. I absolutely adore her and am her greatest fan.''

The event will mark Jackson's first live performances on a mainland stage in eleven years and the first reunion with his brothers, the Jackson 5 (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Michael and Marlon) and the Jacksons (Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael and Randy) in twenty years. The two evenings will be filmed as a two-hour primetime special for the CBS Television Network to air during the 2001-2002 Season. In addition to Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons the line-ups are as follows:

Friday, September 7, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Bobby Brown; Ray Charles; Deborah Cox; Destiny's Child; Gloria Estefan; Billy Gilman; James Ingram; Quincy Jones & The Legends Of Jazz including Al Jarreau, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David ``Fathead'' Newman, Jimmy Smith, Clark Terry & Cassandra Wilson; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; 'N Sync; Jill Scott; Shaggy featuring Ricardo ``Rikrok'' Ducent & Rayvon; Britney Spears; Tamia; 3T; Usher and many surprise guests.

Monday, September 10, 2001 (alphabetically): Marc Anthony; Bobby Brown; Deborah Cox; Missy ``Misdemeanor'' Elliott; Nelly Furtado; Gloria Gaynor; Al Jarreau; Gladys Knight; Lil' Romeo; Ricky Martin; Liza Minnelli; Monica; Mya; 98 degrees; Jill Scott; Usher; Luther Vandross; Dionne Warwick and many surprise guests.

Chairmen for the event are: Alfred R. Berkeley lll (Vice Chairman, Nasdaq), Jeff Bezos (Founder & CEO, Amazon.Com), Whitney Houston, Sean Lennon, Yoko Ono Lennon, Liza Minnelli, Leslie Moonves (President & CEO, CBS), Liam Neeson, Veronique and Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor and David Weild (Executive Vice President, Nasdaq).

Tickets for both the Friday, September 7, 2001 and Monday, September 10, 2001 performances are sold out.