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Jackson Clan to Boogie in Berlin

DW staff (dc)July 14, 2005

Berliners can dust off their dancing shoes -- it's really happening. After much speculation, the family of exonerated pop star Michael Jackson will hold a reunion in the German capital. And they've got lots to celebrate.

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Will Berlin play host to his comeback?Image: AP

Not long after being acquitted of child sex abuse charges, Michael Jackson flew to Bahrain to relax. Now, though, it's time to party. And for that, the king of pop looks set to join the rest of his family in Berlin, where a party is being planned on July 22 to thank European fans who stood by the singer during his trial.

Joe Jackson
Joe JacksonImage: dpa

The family has an additional reason to celebrate, as patriarch Joe Jackson marks his 76th birthday that same weekend.

"This is of course a very special occasion for us," said a spokeswoman from Berlin's Estrel Hotel, confirming the rumors of a Berlin comeback for Jackson.

But -- lest the Gloved One's German fans rejoice too soon -- it's not yet 100 percent certain that Michael will be attending his own party. "One can't know that for sure," said a spokesperson from the Ricercar agency, which is helping to organize the fete.

The invitation list also appears to be open, as between 1,000 and 2,000 guests are expected, among them the Jackson siblings La Toya, Jermaine and Janet.

Blame it on Berlin?

Michael Jackson und Sohn Prince Michael in Berlin
Michael Jackson dangles his baby son, Prince Michael II, over the balcony of his room at Berlin's Adlon Hotel.Image: dpa - Bildfunk

Chances are good, though, that younger brother Michael will show, as Berlin has a special effect on the performer. During an infamous 2002 visit, Michael, a guest at the city's posh Adlon Hotel, reported being so overcome by the "excitement of the moment" that he dangled his baby son over his fourth-floor balcony. It's a moment few of the onlookers below are likely to have forgotten, either.

There's no telling what exciting moments Jackson's upcoming visit might bring -- no details about the weekend's program have been released so far.

But according to reports in the Berliner Zeitung daily, the family might enjoy a blast from the past as they revisit their disco roots. Papa Joe Jackson is said to be eyeing Berlin as the location for a new nightclub modelled on New York's legendary Studio 54.