BBC Radio 2 to celebrate Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson over August Bank Holiday weekend

The network will mark the trio's 60th birthdays
Celebrate: BBC Radio 2 will mark Madonna turning 60 with a special show
Jeff Fusco/Getty Images
Natasha Sporn2 August 2018

BBC Radio 2 will celebrate the 60th birthdays of pop icons Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend.

The network is dedicating the August Bank Holiday (25-27) to the trio of artists, playing the bestselling tracks all weekend.

The weekend will kick off with a Pick of the Pops focusing on Prince – who would have been 60 two months ago – and Madonna, who celebrates her birthday on August 16.

Paul Gambaccini will countdown their 20 biggest hitters with data compiled by The Official Charts Company and guaranteed to celebrate the best of their illustrious careers.

Michael Jackson - In pictures

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On Bank Holiday Monday, the channel will mark what would have been Michael Jackson’s birthday week counting down his best hits from 60 to one throughout the day.

A host of DJs will join in throughout the day but Trevor Nelson will take the helm for the final 20 tracks, also playing archive audio of Jackson himself as well as hearing from famous friends and fans of the late star.

Honour: Trevor Nelson will countdown Michael Jackson's top 20 tracks (BBC via 7Digital)
BBC

Contributors including Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Alice Cooper and Pixie Lott will pay tribute to Jackson, who died in 2009.

Gambaccini said: "Our Pick of the Pops special is dedicated to two of the leading artists of the past forty years.

Prince - In pictures

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“Prince set the standard for musicianship in the 1980s and Madonna for stage presentation in the 1990s. Throughout both decades, they each provided a nonstop sequence of memorable hits.”

While Nelson hailed the chance to honour his “icon”, adding: “It seems only right that we honour what would have been a milestone birthday with a complete run-down of his most well-loved songs.”

Lewis Carnie, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna are three of the most important musicians of modern times.

“It seems only fitting to honour them in the year they would all turn 60."

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