JLS Plan Tribute to Michael Jackson

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Boy band celebrate the hero they hoped to support

JLS, the chart-topping boy band which includes Fulham's own Oritse Williams, are planning to head the bill at a Michael Jackson tribute concert on September 30.

JLS, short for Jack the Lad Swing, shot to fame last year when they reached the finals of the ITV show X Factor.

Now their single Beat Again is number one in the charts for the second week running, and they are reported to be teaming up with Diversity, the dance troupe who won ITV's Britain's Got Talent, for a joint performance at the Mobo Awards Michael Jackson tribute concert in Glasgow.

Ironically, JLS were tipped to become the support act at the series of London dates planned by Michael Jackson before his death in June.

The group, whose other members are Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and Jonathan "JB" Gill, have said that Jacko was their biggest hero. And said Aston: " Supporting him really would have been a dream come true — even to watch the concert, but to support him… Wow. He was such a huge influence on us musically."

The band, who have attracted a huge following among teenage girls, undertake their first major British tour next spring, including two dates at HMV Hammersmith Apollo on February 13 and 25.

For founder member Oritse, 22, this is home turf. Before forming the group in 2007, he lived at home with his mum in Wandsworth Bridge Road.

July 28, 2009