(PR) North Carolina's Who's Bad? aren't just America's best Michael Jackson tribute band, they are a full-blown celebration of the King of Pop, with a show that captures all the high-energy emotion of his groundbreaking music and dance steps. And now, for the very first time, they are taking their acclaimed act where Michael was most beloved�all around the world�starting Sept. 23 in Queretaro, Mexico, and finishing with seven dates in the U.K. in March, 2010. The tour, in which the group will perform in thousand-seat and larger venues, will also include stops in Vancouver, Curacao, Aruba, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland before concluding in Cheltenham, England, on March 13, 2010.
The untimely passing of Michael Jackson on the eve of his 50-date "This Is It" shows in London caused an outpouring of grief and a renewed interest in his music. Jackson album sales have soared past three million, with his catalogue dominating the charts over the summer, with Number Ones holding down the top spot until just recently. Who's Bad, widely acknowledged as the world's ultimate Michael Jackson show, is now trying to satisfy the world-wide demand to hear his music and honor his memory.
"We are here to keep the memory of the King of Pop alive, wherever in the world that might be" says the band's founder Vamsi Tadepalli. "We are undertaking this world tour for the first time largely because of the overwhelming demand from the fans in these countries. We look forward to entertaining as many of Michael's fans out there as we can in a spirit of global community Michael's fame transcended national borders.."
Founded six years ago by Tadepalli in Chapel Hill, NC, to recreate the music, choreography and legendary showmanship of Michael Jackson, from his days in the Jackson 5 through Off the Wall and Thriller to Invincible, Who's Bad have maintained a hectic touring schedule of between 120-150 concerts a year to sold-out audiences, including clubs, summer festivals and corporate shows. The seven-piece outfit, which also includes Tadepalli and two remarkable front men/lead singer's Joseph Bell and Taalib York, along with world-class musicians Darion Alexander, Ray McCall, Nyk Baglio and Patrick Cross, has obviously found itself in even more increased demand since Jackson's death.
"Michael Jackson's music meant so much to all of us," says Tadepalli. "This is just our way of spreading his message and his music everywhere we can. This is for those fans around the world who never got to see him perform live."
The group has also been noted for incorporating Michael Jackson's original choreography in its shows, while playing before some of the largest audiences of their career.
"We want you to have the feeling you had hearing 'Billie Jean,' 'Thriller,' 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' and 'Off the Wall' for the first time," adds Tadepalli. "No matter where you're from."
The group mounted a Neverland Victory Tour last year to celebrate the superstar avoiding foreclosure on his longtime Santa Ynez, CA, estate.Sept. 23: Nite Concert Hall, Queretaro, MX
Sept. 24: Centro Universitario, Puebla, MX
Sept. 25: Arena Monterrey, Monterey, MX
Sept. 26: TBD Guadalajara, MX
Oct. 12: River Rock Theatre, Vancouver, BC
Oct. 13: River Rock Theatre Vancouver, BC
Nov. 27: Breezes Resort, Curacao
Nov. 28: Breezes Resort Aruba
Dec. 15: The Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Feb. 19: Wiesbaden, Germany
Feb. 20: Heilbronn, Germany
Feb. 21: Krefeld, Germany
Feb. 22: Bochum, Germany
Feb. 23: Dortmund, Germany
Feb. 25: Zagreb, Croatia
Feb. 26: Maribor, Slovenia
Feb. 27: Celje, Slovenia
Feb. 28: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mar. 3: Zug, Switzerland
Mar. 5: Corn Exchange, Norfolk, England
Mar. 6: Ipswich Regent, Ipswich, England
Mar. 7: Potters Resort GT, Norfolk, England
Mar. 8: Manchester Palace, Manchester, England
Mar. 11: Buxton Opera House, Buxton, England
Mar. 12: The Robinson Bilston, Wolverhampton, England
Mar. 13: Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham, England
