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Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, cries as she attempts to speak at his memorial service - Source: Reuters -
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Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Usher led an emotional public
memorial for Michael Jackson as the music world, the Jackson family
and thousands of fans bade farewell to the King of Pop.
Jackson's brothers, each wearing a single sequined glove in homage
to his signature look, carried the singer's gold-trimmed casket
into the Staples Center sports arena, where Jackson had rehearsed
the day before his death for a highly-anticipated series of
comeback concerts.
Carey performed Jackson's 1970 ballad I'll Be There and singer
Smokey Robinson read out tributes from former South African
president Nelson Mandela and singer Diana Ross.
But it was Jackson himself who loomed larger than life over the
18,000-plus arena crowd, shown in old concert footage, music videos
and news clips, singing, dancing his signature moonwalk and
surrounded by adoring crowds.
"The more I think about Michael, and talk about Michael, the more I
think that 'King of Pop' is not good enough," said Motown Records
founder Berry Gordy, who signed The Jackson 5 in 1968.
"I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever
lived."
Jackson's sudden death from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles on June
25 at the age of 50 prompted a worldwide outpouring of grief and
sent sales of his biggest hits back to the top of the music
charts.
President Barack Obama, on a visit to Russia, said he was one of
the greatest entertainers of our generation, perhaps any
generation, and added: "I think like Elvis, like Sinatra, like The
Beatles he became a core part of our culture.
Tuesday's two-hour memorial focused on Jackson's 45-year music
career, his charity work for childrens' groups and his role in
opening the mainstream pop and celebrity world up to
African-Americans.
Gordy was among the few who referred obliquely to the darker side
of Jackson's life, which in the last 10 years had come to
overshadow his prowess as a performer and his 13 Grammy
awards.
"Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful. Sure
there was some sad times and maybe some questionable decisions on
his part, but Michael Jackson accomplished everything he dreamed
of," said Gordy.
Nothing strange about daddy
Jackson was on the eve of a comeback after his career collapsed
despite his acquittal in a humiliating 2005 trial on sex abuse
charges.
Civil rights leader Al Sharpton, angrily denouncing the media focus
on the bizarre aspects of his life, said he had a message for
Jackson's three children.
"Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your
daddy had to deal with," he said to cheers.
Jackson's three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11 and Prince
Michael II, seven, appeared with the family on stage at the end of
the performances.
Paris, in tears, took the microphone to say: "Ever since I was
born my daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine and I
just want to say I love him so much."
R&B singer Usher's voice cracked as he sang Gone Too Soon while
actress Brooke Shields, who briefly dated the singer, remembered
his laugh as the sweetest and purest of anyone's I had ever
known.
Jackson's family and close friends held a brief private ceremony
earlier on Tuesday at a Los Angeles cemetery before unexpectedly
bringing the singer's body to the memorial.
Fans watched from bridges as the funeral procession made its way
along freeways cleared of traffic for one of the biggest celebrity
events ever seen in a city accustomed to living with superstar
citizens.
Police had estimated that more than 250,000 people would gather
outside the arena but the orderly crowds were much smaller than
expected.
Many fans and downtown office workers appeared to have stayed at
home to watch the ceremony live on national TV networks or on the
Internet.
At the Staples Center, Los Angeles resident Parisa Ebraihimi, 28,
said she had been a Jackson fan since she was five years old.
"For me, his dance moves and his music - all his songs were
about a better world. He'll live on for generations," she
said.
Police, security, escorts and sanitation for the memorial ceremony
are expected to cost cash-strapped Los Angeles city council nearly
$US4 million.
The city council launched a website asking for fans to make donations towards the cost of hosting Tuesday's events.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmotukowhai said on 2009-07-08 @ 22:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
"If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then the pain, sorrow, failure and short life would be a calamity; but if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective." Quote by President Spencer W. Kimball. Take your rest now Michael and do so in peace.
Vaai said on 2009-07-08 @ 14:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
REST IN PEACE KING OF THE POP WE LOVE YOU
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
the media killed the princess and they did the same thing with Michael, do they have any respect? now Michael can rest and just watch upon his children ..i saw Miss Rowe being pressured by the media and gosh thats how much in your face they are!! they darn right wanna know your business..I know it's their job but they don't need to ruin peoples lives.. michael i have three words for you.. "GO GET EM"
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
RIP my friend, and hope you haunt the media stalkers.. they ***** with your life now it's your turn for revenge..sad to say I honestly and personally think he topped himself because of the media on his tail constantly and they let the whole world know his business, we loved his music, his children and his family not his personal indepth life, he was tired and couldn't fight no more, he had a huge debt that no-one gave a toss about, and now hes gone, all the media is like poor michael... whatever!
boyracer said on 2009-07-08 @ 11:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
Some people will always look at the negative side of things! Thats just the way they are. MJ was a VERY talented individual (Not just a singer and dancer), His message is in his songs (which comes from the heart). I was watching the memorial service this morning and thinking to myself how many people he touched on positively and what he means to them. His music will no doubt live on, and people will know in 20+ years who sang his songs!