TORONTO - Jermaine Jackson marked the second anniversary of his brother Michael's death with a nostalgia-filled performance that celebrated his superstar sibling with a new song proclaiming: "Thank you for the legacy."
The tribute came Friday at the Bollywood-themed IIFA Rocks concert, where Jackson took the stage in a red sequined jacket, V-neck white shirt, black slacks and a sparkling black cummerbund with the number "5" prominently displayed in red.
The former Jackson 5 performer sang a medley of hits including his brother's "Scream," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin"' and "Can You Feel It," by the Jacksons.
He ended with a new song dedicated to his brother and his brother's fans that culminated with a rousing chorus of: "First I want to say how much I love you/ Because I see Michael in each one of you."
Earlier on the red carpet, Jackson said he's had an emotional week as Saturday approached, marking the second anniversary of his brother's death.
"What comes back to mind is when we were young and we were on tour with the Jackson 5 and doing our thing," said the singer, who walked the carpet in a black suit with a badge on the lapel bearing the initials "MJ."
"He had the most wonderful smile and we're going to continue to keep his music alive and his legacy and the message which was: Let's bring awareness to the less fortunate in the world and the planet. That's the most important to him and that was the most important to the whole Jackson family."
Jackson was among the first performers at a star-studded concert and fashion show known as IIFA Rocks, one of the marquee events at a three-day Bollywood carnival mounted by the International Indian Film Academy.
South Asian celebrities including "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Anil Kapoor, Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan and veteran stage and film star Anupam Kher drew cheers and hollers from thousands of fans who filled a west-end arena.
It's the first time the annual touring showcase, meant to promote the Indian film industry, has come to North America.
The main event takes place Saturday with a performance-laden awards show oft-described as the Indian Oscars. It can be seen live on pay-per-view or July 24 on OMNI.
Kher acknowledged his Canadian hosts by appearing on stage in a red Roots jacket decorated with a large Maple Leaf and the letter "C" on the front.
He was among several stars to bestow technical awards in advance of Saturday's bash.
But the night was stacked with high-energy musical performances as well as brief fashion shows that featured a parade of male and female models in evening attire.
Jackson's medley of hits featured pyrotechnics and bursts of smoke. He switched to a white military-style jacket with gold accents for the tribute song "This Is It" and was joined onstage by co-writer and Indian singer Sonu Nigam.
The duo was backed by a dozen dancers in sequined black blazers, white shirts and black hats, while black and white photos of Michael Jackson were displayed on screens behind them.
Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 at age 50, just as he was set to launch a comeback tour.
