Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Michael Jackson Memorial Service
Friends, family and famous faces have tonight said their goodbyes to Michael Jackson at an emotional memorial service at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. The service, which was broadcast live on mtv.co.uk, began with tributes sent by Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela; both close friends of Michael’s.
Their letters, read out by Smokey Robinson, spoke of Jackson’s kindness, compassion and unique talent. Next was a moving performance of Soon And Very Soon sung by Michael’s favourite gospel choir, as his rose-covered gold coffin was wheeled out to the front and centre of the stage; greeted by cheers and followed by a moment’s silence.
Following a tribute by Jackson family pastor Lucious Smith, Mariah Carey took to the stage for powerful rendition of I’ll Be There, holding back the tears as images of a young Michael were projected behind her.
Queen Latifah lightened the mood with memories of trying to dance like Michael as child, before thanking him for inspiring African-Americans to succeed. The actress then read a poem written specially by Maya Angelou: “Sing our songs among the stars,” it read, “and walk our dances across the face of the moon.”
Next was Lionel Ritchie, a close friend of the Jackson family, who lit up the stage with an impassioned version of Jesus Is Love. 79-year-old Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, was next at the rostrum, casting his mind back to hearing Michael at Jackson 5’s audition for his record label. “He [Michael] was 10 years old that July day in 1968,” he recalled. “He blew us all away.” Gordy later described Jackson as being out of this world: “Michael Jackson went into orbit,” he said, “And never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful.”
After one of the night’s most powerful tributes came perhaps the night’s most powerful performance: Stevie Wonder. The singer, a lifelong friend of Michael and fellow child star on Motown, raised the roof with a flawless, heartfelt delivery of his song Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer. “I love you, Michael,” said Wonder. “This is a moment I wished I’d never have to see.”
The memorial then saw basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson pay tribute on behalf of the sporting world. Johnson’s favourite memory of Michael - the day they shared a KFC bucket sat on Michael’s floor – got the biggest laugh of the night. Jennifer Hudson and John Mayer paid their respects, as did Reverend Al Sharpton - who addressed Michael's children telling them: "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with," to raptuous applause - before actress and close friend Brooke Shields took her turn. Struggling to hold back the tears, she recalled tales of their mischief and Michael’s sense of fun.
Jermaine Jackson then delivered a brave performance of his brother’s favourite song – Charlie Chaplin’s Smile, which was met with a standing ovation and a group-hug from his brothers.
Following emotional speeches by the children of Martin Luther King and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (who pertinently reminded us that “people are innocent until proven otherwise…”), Usher took to the stage to sing Gone Too Soon. The R&B sensation, who has attributed his whole career to Michael’s inspiration, approached the coffin during his performance – a gesture which left him too upset to finish the song.
Clips were then shown of Michael performing as a child, reminding viewers just how impossibly gifted he was even at that age. Smokey Robinson, writer of Jackson 5 hits such as Who’s Loving You and close friend of Michael, then paid an emotional tribute, which concluded: “Michael will live forever right here. The world will never, ever forget Michael Jackson.” It was then the turn of Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who Michael had apparently invited to join him onstage during his 02 dates after seeing him sing one of his songs on YouTube.
Some were worried that the size and importance of the occasion would be too much for the 12-year-old from Swansea but those concerns were quashed by a gigantic rendition of Who’s Lovin’ You, which commanded one of the biggest responses of the night - the sight of another gifted child offering some hope as to the continuation of Jackson’s almighty legacy.
The memorial closed with a tribute from Kenny Ortega, director of the 02 Arena concerts that Jackson never gave, and performances of Heal The World and We Are The World, as produced for the This Is It dates.
The final farewells came from the Jackson family, mainly Marlon, who cried as he spoke of Michael’s inability to live a normal life. "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone,” he said. Speaking publicly for the first time, Michael’s 11-year-old daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson ends the evening on its saddest note: "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, bursting into tears. “I just wanted to say I love him so much." And with that, the world bid farewell to its greatest entertainer.
Their letters, read out by Smokey Robinson, spoke of Jackson’s kindness, compassion and unique talent. Next was a moving performance of Soon And Very Soon sung by Michael’s favourite gospel choir, as his rose-covered gold coffin was wheeled out to the front and centre of the stage; greeted by cheers and followed by a moment’s silence.
Following a tribute by Jackson family pastor Lucious Smith, Mariah Carey took to the stage for powerful rendition of I’ll Be There, holding back the tears as images of a young Michael were projected behind her.
Queen Latifah lightened the mood with memories of trying to dance like Michael as child, before thanking him for inspiring African-Americans to succeed. The actress then read a poem written specially by Maya Angelou: “Sing our songs among the stars,” it read, “and walk our dances across the face of the moon.”
Next was Lionel Ritchie, a close friend of the Jackson family, who lit up the stage with an impassioned version of Jesus Is Love. 79-year-old Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, was next at the rostrum, casting his mind back to hearing Michael at Jackson 5’s audition for his record label. “He [Michael] was 10 years old that July day in 1968,” he recalled. “He blew us all away.” Gordy later described Jackson as being out of this world: “Michael Jackson went into orbit,” he said, “And never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael's life was beautiful.”
After one of the night’s most powerful tributes came perhaps the night’s most powerful performance: Stevie Wonder. The singer, a lifelong friend of Michael and fellow child star on Motown, raised the roof with a flawless, heartfelt delivery of his song Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer. “I love you, Michael,” said Wonder. “This is a moment I wished I’d never have to see.”
The memorial then saw basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson pay tribute on behalf of the sporting world. Johnson’s favourite memory of Michael - the day they shared a KFC bucket sat on Michael’s floor – got the biggest laugh of the night. Jennifer Hudson and John Mayer paid their respects, as did Reverend Al Sharpton - who addressed Michael's children telling them: "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with," to raptuous applause - before actress and close friend Brooke Shields took her turn. Struggling to hold back the tears, she recalled tales of their mischief and Michael’s sense of fun.
Jermaine Jackson then delivered a brave performance of his brother’s favourite song – Charlie Chaplin’s Smile, which was met with a standing ovation and a group-hug from his brothers.
Following emotional speeches by the children of Martin Luther King and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (who pertinently reminded us that “people are innocent until proven otherwise…”), Usher took to the stage to sing Gone Too Soon. The R&B sensation, who has attributed his whole career to Michael’s inspiration, approached the coffin during his performance – a gesture which left him too upset to finish the song.
Clips were then shown of Michael performing as a child, reminding viewers just how impossibly gifted he was even at that age. Smokey Robinson, writer of Jackson 5 hits such as Who’s Loving You and close friend of Michael, then paid an emotional tribute, which concluded: “Michael will live forever right here. The world will never, ever forget Michael Jackson.” It was then the turn of Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who Michael had apparently invited to join him onstage during his 02 dates after seeing him sing one of his songs on YouTube.
Some were worried that the size and importance of the occasion would be too much for the 12-year-old from Swansea but those concerns were quashed by a gigantic rendition of Who’s Lovin’ You, which commanded one of the biggest responses of the night - the sight of another gifted child offering some hope as to the continuation of Jackson’s almighty legacy.
The memorial closed with a tribute from Kenny Ortega, director of the 02 Arena concerts that Jackson never gave, and performances of Heal The World and We Are The World, as produced for the This Is It dates.
The final farewells came from the Jackson family, mainly Marlon, who cried as he spoke of Michael’s inability to live a normal life. "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone,” he said. Speaking publicly for the first time, Michael’s 11-year-old daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson ends the evening on its saddest note: "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said, bursting into tears. “I just wanted to say I love him so much." And with that, the world bid farewell to its greatest entertainer.
Michael Jackson: 1958 - 2009.
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