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Michael Jackson Memorial Service recap
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Photo compliments of 7News Boston: Copyright ©2009 Sunbeam Television Corp.
"Ever since I was born, my Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine and I just want to say I love him so much." With those simple and profound words Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, closed the memorial service to her father today bringing tears to millions internationally. Thousands gathered to pay tribute and say good bye to The King of Pop at The Staples Center in Los Angeles. Among the distinguished and honored performers, speakers and guests were John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Brooke Shields and even former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson.
Mariah took the stage first singing an emotional I'll Be There. Her performance was followed by Queen Latifah who said, "Michael Jackson made me believe in myself." She went on to say "Michael was the biggest star on earth." which got a round of applause from the guests in attendance. She closed with a tribute to MJ written by Maya Angelo and sent for her to share.
Some of the most emotionally stirring performances came from Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder. After Wonder performed a rendition of Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer a fan watching the CNN live coverage posted a Facebook comment (Facebook was connected to the live internet stream of the service) in response and said, " It just hit me..... Michael Jackson is dead and It hit me when Stevie Wonder performed." And another followed by saying, "Me too I cried :(". Later, Jennifer Hudson's performance of Will You Be There prompted this response from a fan on Facebook, "I was a just a little teary-eyed until Jennifer Hudson - then I cried like a baby for the rest of the memorial."
Brooke Shields also moved many when she shared some of her most treasured memories with us. She said, "We had a bond. Maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very young age. I used to tease him and I'd say, 'You know I started when I was 11 months old. You're a slacker. What were you, five?' Both of us needed to be adults very early but when we were together, we were just two little kids having fun.". She said one night he attempted to teach her the moonwalk unsuccessfully and that he just ended up crossing his arms and shaking his head at her attempt. Shields continued by describing how much they laughed together describing his laughter as the sweetest and purest of anyone she has ever known, "His soul would burst out of him when he laughed." She concluded by sharing with us that one of MJ's all time favorite songs was Smile written by Charlie Chaplin. His brother, Jermaine followed Shields by singing this song. CNN Live reported after the service that his voice was very reminiscent of Michael's own.
The Memorial was definitely as legendary in scale as the Pop Icon. However it is preliminarily reported that the crowd estimates were widely over estimated. The total number of fans that gathered outside of The Staples Center in early estimates was only 50,000 +/-. CNN Live concluded just after the service ended that the law enforcement at times out numbered the crowds, saying there was one law enforcement officer per 17 fans.
Overall, as a nation and around this globe we're just beginning to realize what Michael Jackson meant to each of us and to this world. Few are born with a gift and talent that can leave this earth with such a legacy. I am grieved at what this generation and the next has lost so prematurely. And I wonder if our future generations will know a talent as utterly influential and brilliant as Jackson was and will remain in history...
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