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According to the Time Online, Jermaine Jackson announced on Tuesday that Chris Brown – convicted of assaulting pop star ex-girlfriend Rihanna in June – would be headlining a Michael Jackson memorial concert in Austria this month.

This show will mark a comeback for the shamed R&B singer, who was once referred to by Rolling Stone as the next Michael Jackson.

The tribute will also host performances by Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige and Akon. The show will be held on the property of Schoenbrunn Palace September 26, and will also feature appearances from actress Angela Bassett, German boy band US5 and disco-wielding American girl group Sister Sledge.

Jermaine Jackson said of Brown: “Michael was his idol and he dedicated his first No. 1 hit in the US to Michael, called ‘Run It.’ Chris is a very, very talented artist.”

 Obviously Jermaine is choosing to ignore the widespread denunciation of Brown, and the concert will allow Brown to be back on an international platform, as CNN plans to broadcast the performance worldwide.

Opinion has it that Jermaine is standing behind Brown because the R&B singer stood by Michael Jackson even as his career deteriorated. Brown sang “Thriller” at the 2006 World music Awards as part of a tribute to Michael Jackson.

Before Jermaine announced the tribute’s lineup, it was rumored that there would be performances from Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and several other big name acts – but these names were not announced for the event.

Jermaine told gathered reporters: “This is not the final lineup – maybe some of the names you mentioned you will hear within the next couple of days.”
The show – to take place in both London and Berlin - is to be the main Michael Jackson tribute concert and a crowd of 65,000 is expected at the event.