Jermaine Jackson vows to help keep Michael's music alive

The brother of Michael Jackson tonight spoke of the need to keep the star’s music alive as he prepared to perform in his brother’s honour at the Mobo music awards.

Jermaine Jackson will perform the track ’Smile’ in memory of the King of Pop at the awards, which celebrate music of black origins, in Glasgow.

His sister, Latoya, is to introduce the performance of Jackson’s favourite song on stage.

Speaking as he arrived at the awards, Jermaine Jackson said he had a “responsibility” to keep his brother’s musical legacy going.

“My brother was everything to me,” he said. “He was a wonderful artist and a wonderful human being.

“I’m here to do what I can, it is part of our responsibility as a family to continue his legacy and keep it alive.”

He added that he hoped his efforts would help his brother’s fans “accept” his death.

“Just to be here at the Mobo awards is for my brother and to keep the music going,” he said.

“Michael has a lot of fans here – all over Europe – and I think it is important for the fans to be here too, to accept it and be a part of it. That is part of our job too, to keep the legacy going.

Jackson’s sister Latoya said it was a “bittersweet” night for the family.

“It is a very, very special night and it’s going to be beautiful,” she said.

“I thought it would be wonderful to have a tribute to my brother. He was such an extraordinary talent. He was a wonderful person and a wonderful human being.

“I want the world to know extraordinary he was.”

The singer added that she was “not at all” coming to terms with Jackson’s death in June, and would struggle to hold back the tears during the ceremony.

“I started crying last time I saw a tribute to him,” she said. “I’ve got make sure I won’t do that tonight.

“I’m so touched by it – it’s a wonderful tribute.”