The show must go on
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Chinese singer Cheng Lin (L), guitar legend Jimmy Page (M), Michael Jackson's guitarist Orianthi at the press conference in Beijing. [China Daily] |
The ambitious celebrity-filled International "Show of Peace" scheduled for April 17 at the Bird's Nest is having a few problems delivering on its promises.
The show - billed as one of Beijing's most spectacular music events - will go on, its organizer has said.
There has been speculation the "International Show of Peace," a globally televised and star-studded concert set to take place at the Bird's Nest stadium before an audience of between 50,000 and 100,000, will not take place.
But the show's promoter, television and music producer Rick Garson, insisted the curtain will rise, as scheduled on April 17.
He dismissed skeptics, saying his team has the expertise, experience and, most importantly, government approval, to make it happen.
"I have the trust and understanding of the Chinese government. It's going to happen, despite all the negativity," Garson said.
Garson unveiled his plans for the show at a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Beijing, on Jan 19, flanked by guitar legend Jimmy Page, Michael Jackson's guitarist Orianthi, UN Pathways to Peace representative Michael Johnson, and representatives from the Ministry of Culture and CCTV.
He also announced Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and Aerosmith's Joe Perry would perform at the event.
But last week China Music Radar, an English-language blog focused on the music industry in China, brought to light the fact that Lady Gaga was already booked to perform in Yokohama, Japan - the same day as the Beijing concert.
As news spread of the double booking, Garson, who is president of ZZYX Entertainment in Las Vegas, United States, was forced to issue an apology over the mix-up.
"It was anticipated that Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas' involvement in the Show of Peace Concert would be confirmed," he said in a statement. "Unfortunately, as often happens with music tours, schedules change, and currently Black Eyed Peas is not available to play live at the Show of Peace Concert."
Garson said he is still working to determine if Lady Gaga could somehow take part.
While the "Show of Peace" website also claims Aerosmith's Joe Perry "will be there taking part in the event," the guitarist's publicist, Paul Freundlich, at PSA Media in New York, told China Daily by e-mail: "The scope of his involvement is being determined."
Currently, the Show of Peace website lists several dozen "invited" superstars including Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Placido Domingo, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Justin Timberlake and Prince.
In addition to these international artists, a number of domestic musicians have also been invited to perform.
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