Michael Jackson's Memorial Service-what it meant to me
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
July 09, 2009
Thirty one million viewers tuned in to watch the memorial service for Michael Jackson on Tuesday. I was one of them. I watched the hearse drive up with his casket inside. When it was removed and placed on the front of the stage it was draped in roses. That was the moment that his death truly hit home for me, as well as, for much of the remainder of the world. News reports had suggested that the mood was celebratory up until that moment when things became somber.
Billboards flashed pictures of Michael Jackson outside of the Staples stadium. Jumbo-tron television screens carried the ceremony from inside the Staples stadium outside to the people who had not been fortunate enough to win seats to this momentous event. CNN panned between various venues across the world as fans gathered to collectively mourn the loss of the ´King of Pop´.
Smokey Robinson would be considered the host of this event and he did a fabulous job of executing it. He spoke eloquently about his first meeting with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. Smokey said that Michael had a maturity and insight that was unusual for such a young child and that was communicated in his songs.
Queen Latifah spoke for the fans stating that she had not known Michael personally, but was touched by his music and dance---as we all were. Latifah said that she used to try to mimic his dance moves as a young girl----and didn´t we all? She read a touching poem that was dedicated to the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.
Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson also enlightened us from the perspective of fan made friend. Magic Johnson told the crowd about how he had first met Jackie Jackson as a Laker´s game because he (Jackie) and Marlon held season tickets. They became fast and easy friends. One day Magic received a call from Michael asking him to do a cameo in one of his videos. Magic was blown-away, but did not want to make a mistake by showing up at Michael´s house under wrong pretences. He called Jackie to confirm this invitation and was admitted into Neverland to meet and dine with Michael. The chef asked Magic what he wanted for dinner to which he responded that grilled chicken would be nice. A few minutes later the chef returned to the dining room and placed the grilled chicken in front of Magic and a bucket of Kentucky Fried chicken in front of Michael. Once again Magic was surprised and delighted that Michael would eat such common fare. They both decided to move into a more comfortable room, sit on the floor picnic-style, and eat the Kentucky Fried chicken directly from the bucket. From that moment on Magic and the Jackson family had many memorable occasions. This story was touching and gave us, as fans, some insight into the man off stage.
Brooke Shields was a very close friend of Michael Jackson. She was lovely in his final showing and spoke with candor and emotion about how the media and people in the public dubbed them the ´odd couple´. Brooke said that nothing could have been further from the truth. Everything between them seemed to be natural and easy. It was a friendship that knew no bounds. She said she met Michael when she was thirteen and said that he loved to be teased, but not in a nasty or ugly way. She mentioned that she had also been a child-star. Her career began as a Gerber Baby when she was eighteen months old. She once teased Michael about what took him so long to get into the entertainment industry---he was five when he took to the stage and began to dazzle the audiences around the world. Another time, soon after Michael began wearing one glove, she said "what´s up with the glove?" And then told Michael that if he was going to hold her hand please use the ungloved hand because the sequins hurt her hand. Brooke spoke about her and Michael being the "un-official parents" in the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor. She imparted a side of Michael that most people never got to see, let alone be part of. She mentioned that Michael´s favorite song was not one of his own, but the song "Smile." I was touched by her sentimentality and generous sharing of their experiences together. She painted a fun-loving and adventurous picture of this child-star/man-child. Her love and adoration for Michael was palpable.
Jermaine Jackson proved his bravery and courage under fire when he took to the stage and sung the song "Smile" that Brooke had made reference to in her speech about Michael. He sang with passion. He sang with emotion. He sang for Michael. He was every inch the performer I recall from the Jackson Five days. Well done Jermaine!
Usher, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and more sang moving tributes to Michael Jackson. Reverend Al Sharpton gave a glowing and supportive thank you to Michael Jackson. Thanking Michael for all he gave his family, friends, and fans. In the end friends and family gathered on the stage to sing "We are the World" and "Heal the World". Paris, the daughter of Michael Jackson, closed out the service by speaking very emotionally about how [paraphrase] ever since she was born Michael was the best daddy ever and that she loved him and missed him very much. I doubt there was a dry eye at any place around the world when she was done.
I was mesmerized by the entire memorial service for Michael Jackson and could not tear myself away from watching it. It was extremely well done and extremely emotional. All people participating in this momentous event were spectacular beyond their collective callings. The emotions evoked by watching this moving memorial ranged from laughter and love to sadness and anger because he (Michael) was lost so young. My eyes were red rimmed and hurt from crying. I could not imagine how it must have felt to be part of this spectacle and how those friends and family must feel to know that he is no longer in their lives, at least not in the physical sense of ´being there´. I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson and will miss his presence immensely, but will listen to his songs and music for the remainder of my life. May he now rest in peace!
Reference;
CNN News coverage of Michael Jackson's Memorial Service, Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Billboards flashed pictures of Michael Jackson outside of the Staples stadium. Jumbo-tron television screens carried the ceremony from inside the Staples stadium outside to the people who had not been fortunate enough to win seats to this momentous event. CNN panned between various venues across the world as fans gathered to collectively mourn the loss of the ´King of Pop´.
Smokey Robinson would be considered the host of this event and he did a fabulous job of executing it. He spoke eloquently about his first meeting with Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. Smokey said that Michael had a maturity and insight that was unusual for such a young child and that was communicated in his songs.
Queen Latifah spoke for the fans stating that she had not known Michael personally, but was touched by his music and dance---as we all were. Latifah said that she used to try to mimic his dance moves as a young girl----and didn´t we all? She read a touching poem that was dedicated to the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.
Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson also enlightened us from the perspective of fan made friend. Magic Johnson told the crowd about how he had first met Jackie Jackson as a Laker´s game because he (Jackie) and Marlon held season tickets. They became fast and easy friends. One day Magic received a call from Michael asking him to do a cameo in one of his videos. Magic was blown-away, but did not want to make a mistake by showing up at Michael´s house under wrong pretences. He called Jackie to confirm this invitation and was admitted into Neverland to meet and dine with Michael. The chef asked Magic what he wanted for dinner to which he responded that grilled chicken would be nice. A few minutes later the chef returned to the dining room and placed the grilled chicken in front of Magic and a bucket of Kentucky Fried chicken in front of Michael. Once again Magic was surprised and delighted that Michael would eat such common fare. They both decided to move into a more comfortable room, sit on the floor picnic-style, and eat the Kentucky Fried chicken directly from the bucket. From that moment on Magic and the Jackson family had many memorable occasions. This story was touching and gave us, as fans, some insight into the man off stage.
Brooke Shields was a very close friend of Michael Jackson. She was lovely in his final showing and spoke with candor and emotion about how the media and people in the public dubbed them the ´odd couple´. Brooke said that nothing could have been further from the truth. Everything between them seemed to be natural and easy. It was a friendship that knew no bounds. She said she met Michael when she was thirteen and said that he loved to be teased, but not in a nasty or ugly way. She mentioned that she had also been a child-star. Her career began as a Gerber Baby when she was eighteen months old. She once teased Michael about what took him so long to get into the entertainment industry---he was five when he took to the stage and began to dazzle the audiences around the world. Another time, soon after Michael began wearing one glove, she said "what´s up with the glove?" And then told Michael that if he was going to hold her hand please use the ungloved hand because the sequins hurt her hand. Brooke spoke about her and Michael being the "un-official parents" in the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor. She imparted a side of Michael that most people never got to see, let alone be part of. She mentioned that Michael´s favorite song was not one of his own, but the song "Smile." I was touched by her sentimentality and generous sharing of their experiences together. She painted a fun-loving and adventurous picture of this child-star/man-child. Her love and adoration for Michael was palpable.
Jermaine Jackson proved his bravery and courage under fire when he took to the stage and sung the song "Smile" that Brooke had made reference to in her speech about Michael. He sang with passion. He sang with emotion. He sang for Michael. He was every inch the performer I recall from the Jackson Five days. Well done Jermaine!
Usher, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and more sang moving tributes to Michael Jackson. Reverend Al Sharpton gave a glowing and supportive thank you to Michael Jackson. Thanking Michael for all he gave his family, friends, and fans. In the end friends and family gathered on the stage to sing "We are the World" and "Heal the World". Paris, the daughter of Michael Jackson, closed out the service by speaking very emotionally about how [paraphrase] ever since she was born Michael was the best daddy ever and that she loved him and missed him very much. I doubt there was a dry eye at any place around the world when she was done.
I was mesmerized by the entire memorial service for Michael Jackson and could not tear myself away from watching it. It was extremely well done and extremely emotional. All people participating in this momentous event were spectacular beyond their collective callings. The emotions evoked by watching this moving memorial ranged from laughter and love to sadness and anger because he (Michael) was lost so young. My eyes were red rimmed and hurt from crying. I could not imagine how it must have felt to be part of this spectacle and how those friends and family must feel to know that he is no longer in their lives, at least not in the physical sense of ´being there´. I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson and will miss his presence immensely, but will listen to his songs and music for the remainder of my life. May he now rest in peace!
Reference;
CNN News coverage of Michael Jackson's Memorial Service, Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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