Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Michael Jackson Memorial Service
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.
South Carolina Serial Killer Was Shot To Death
Patrick Burris, 41, was shot to death by officers investigating a burglary complaint at a home in Gastonia, N.C., 30 miles from where the killings started June 27. Ballistics tests showed his gun matched the one used to kill residents in and around Gaffney over six days last week, said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Reggie Lloyd.
While authorities said evidence left no doubt he was the killer, they still had no idea why he did it. "He was unpredictable. He was scary. He was weird," said SLED Deputy Director Neil Dolan.
Burris had a long rap sheet filled with convictions for larceny, forgery, and breaking and entering in states across the Southeast. He had been paroled from a North Carolina prison after serving nearly eight years for felony breaking and entering and larceny.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Roddick To Miss Davis Cup Quarters
WIMBLEDON, England -- Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick withdrew Monday from the U.S. Davis Cup team's quarterfinal at Croatia, citing a right hip flexor injury.
The U.S. Tennis Association announced that Roddick wouldn't participate in this week's Davis Cup matches because he was hurt during his loss a day earlier to Roger Federer at the All England Club -- a match that finished 16-14 in the longest fifth set in Grand Slam final history.
Roddick slipped and tumbled to the grass in the eighth game of the fourth set Sunday.
He stayed down for a few moments, then rose, grimacing, and toweled off.
The 26-year-old American would go on to play for more than another 1½ hours, finally succumbing when Federer broke him for the first time all match in the 77th and last game.
After the match, Roddick was asked whether he hurt himself in that fall, and he replied, "No. It was OK."
Roddick is ranked No. 6, while Fish is No. 23.
Roddick had played in 18 consecutive Davis Cup matches for the United States, helping the country with the 2007 title.
"Andy has been a stalwart for this team the past nine years, and his dedication to Davis Cup and his teammates is unquestioned," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe said.
Croatia hosts the U.S. on clay at Porec, Croatia, starting Friday.
"Mardy is a Davis Cup veteran and we appreciate his willingness to join the team on short notice. He has been playing well and we are glad to have him back in the singles lineup," McEnroe said. "Andy had a great run at Wimbledon. He battled for more than four hours yesterday and fought hard to reach the final.
Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ivo Karlovic and Marin Cilic will lead Croatia, which won the Davis Cup in 2005."It's worse for us," Goran Prpic, Croatia's Davis Cup captain, said in Porec. "Instea
d of an injured Roddick, who after such a final at Wimbledon would have had to play matches on clay, we'll have to face a motivated Fish."