LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts) - Millions of people around the globe joined the estimated 20,000 who packed the Staples Centre in Los Angeles to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, the undisputed 'King of Pop', whose sudden passing on June 25 shocked the world. Television channels in nearly every major country showed the memorial service live because of its importance.
LAPD officials estimate that this is the largest event the police have handled since the Olympics were in Los Angeles in 1984.
- President Obama on Michael Jackson (the statement was done 15 minutes before the Jackon's memorial service begun): 'I grew up on his music,' he said. 'Still have all his stuff on my iPod. I think that his brilliance as a performer also was paired with a tragic and, in many ways, sad personal life. But I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great job that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.'
Motown diva Diana Ross - named by Jackson in his will as an alternative guardian to his children - meanwhile said she had chosen to mourn privately. "Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life," Ross's tribute said.
Jackson's long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor also opted to stay away. "I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event," Taylor said in a message on the Twitter micro-blogging site.
Michael Jackson memorial an event fans will never forget:
- Smokey Robinson begun the memorial by reading letters to the Jackson family
- Via a letter, Nelson Mandela 'sends his condolences and urges the family to be strong.'
- The event officially opened with the Andrae Crouch Choir singing the hymn 'We Are Going to See the King.'
- Pastor Lucious Smith welcomed the crowd: He references a number of Jackson song titles, including 'Remember the Time,' 'Gone Too Soon' and 'Heal the World.'
- Mariah Carey performed the Jackson 5 classic 'I'll Be There,' which was a chart-topping hit for her. 'I'll Be There' is accompanied by images of the Jackson 5 and of Michael in his youth. Carey ends the song singing 'We'll never say goodbye.'
- Queen Latifah called Jackson 'the biggest star on Earth,' and says he reminded her that there was a world outside America. Latifah read a poem called 'We Had Him,' written for this occasion by Maya Angelou. It contained an apt line: 'He was ours and we were his.'
- Lionel Richie took the stage, accompanied by a fantastic photo of him and Jackson from the 'We Are the World' sessions (Richie co-wrote the song). He sang the Commodores' classic 'Jesus Is Love,' aided by the choir.
- Berry Gordy spoke about Jackson as an innovator: "Michale Jackson was like a son to me and that he raised the bar, then broke the bar.
He said about the day the Jackson 5 auditioned at Motown Records: "Michael had a quality we couldn't completely understand, but we knew he was special.'
'When Michael sang his songs, you could feel the happiness in his soul.'
"The legendary Moonwalk at the Motown anniversary show was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down!'
'Michael was a master - a take-no-prisoners showman. I feel that the �King of Pop' is not big enough for him - I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that has ever lived.' That moving speech nets Gordy a raucous standing ovation.
- Stevie Wonder said: 'As much as we may feel that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more,' he says. 'We can't help but love you forever, Michael.' He then performed a fabulously moving rendition of 'I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer.'
- Kobe Bryan & Magic Johnson steped to the microphone to talk about Jackson's philanthropy. Bryant mentions Jackson's Guiness World Record for most charities supported by a single person.
- Jennifer Hudson sang 'Say You'll Be There.'
- Al Shapton spoke about meeting Jackson at a young age and being inspired by his barrier-breaking career. Sharpton credits Michael with the rise of Oprah, Tiger Woods and Barack Obama, because he broke down racial barriers and made people feel comfortable with people of color. 'As you climb up steep mountains, sometimes you scar your knee. But don't focus on the scars - focus on the journey. Michael never stopped!' Fianally Sharpton gave a simple message: 'Thank you, Michael!'
- John Mayer with his guitar played a bluesy version of 'Human Nature.' It was a dreamy performance with a sweet solo, recalling Jackson's collaborations with great axemen like Eddie Van Halen and Slash. Mayer closed by embracing Michael's brothers, all of whom are sitting in the front row.
- Brooke Shields, a longtime friend of Jackson: she talked about living in the spotlight with Michael. Shields was 13 years old when they met, and she says they had a bond because they both understood what it was like to be famous when they were both so young. Choking back tears, Shields said "about all the times she got to laugh with Jackson. He was a lover of life. He cared so deeply for his family and his friends and his fans.' Shields said also Michael's favorite song was 'Smile,' from the Charlie Chaplin movie 'Modern Times.' 'We need to look up, and we need to smile,' she says in closing.
- Jermaine Jackson took the stage for an a capella rendition of 'Smile,' which also appeared on Michael's HIStory album. A very emotional Jermaine makes it through the song, saying 'I love you Michael' at the conclusion.
- Martin Luther King III spoke about Michael's greatness. Bernice King talked about Michael's life in public, just like her parents. 'He epitomized the words of our father, that an individual hasn't started living until he rises above his own personal concerns to the broader concerns of humanity,' she says.
- Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee spoke on behalf of the United States Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus. She drives home Jackson's innocence in legal matters, and talks about how Jackson called the world into public service with his music. Also the Congresswoman told a story about Jackson visiting a veterans' hospital to talk to soldiers who were injured during the Iraq War. 'Michael fought for the tolerance of all people,' she says. 'Michael fought the good fight.' Sheila Lee announced that Congress stopped and had a moment of silence for Jackson when he passed away. She also added that she was introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives that acknowledges Michael as a legend and a humanitarian. 'Michael Jackson, I salute you,' she said.
- Usher sang the Michael ballad 'Gone Too Soon.' Usher walked towards the casket during the lyric 'Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight/ Here one day, gone one night.' Like many of memorial service's performers, he delivers his final line through tears.
- Smokey Robinson talked about meeting Michael when he was 10 years old, and how incredibly impressed he was with his talent and his ability to express himself. Robinson said he was amazed that Michael sang 'Who's Loving You' (written by Robinson) better than him. 'He has made an enormous impact all over the world. I'm glad that I live in this era, that I was able to see the greatest entertainer of all time.'
- Shaheen Jafargholi, a singer who made a name for himself on 'Britain's Got Talent.' The 12-year-old sang 'Who's Loving You' and is amazingly accomplished for his age. Jafargholi closed by thanking Michael Jackson 'for blessing me and everybody on this Earth with his incredible music.'
- 'This Is It' tour director Kenny Ortega (he also of the 'High School Musical' films) came out out to introduce Jafargholi (he was going to join Michael on stage in London) and to talked about the rehearsals for the concerts. Ortega introduced a piece that would have appeared in the 'This Is It' shows in London. It's a performance of 'We Are the World,' featuring a group of singers who would have backed up Jackson during the tour. For the finale of the song, the singers are joined by Jackson's children, Smokey Robinson, Usher, Brooke Shields and a host of others to sing the chorus.
- Following, another standing ovation, everyone stayed on stage for a performance of 'Heal the World.'
- Then Jermaine returned to the microphone to thank everybody for coming out. He's followed by Marlon, who tells a handful of stories about growing up with Michael (including watching 'The Three Stooges' with him). 'I have one request, Michael: I would like for you to give our brother Brandon a hug for me.'
- Jackson's daughter Paris took the microphone and talked about what a great father Michael was: 'I love him so much' before breaking down in tears. Jermaine said 'Thank you and good night' to send everybody home from a moving, emotional ceremony.
- As the family carried Michael's casket off the stage, 'Man in the Mirror' played over the PA and a single empty spotlight shines down on a microphone, leaving a final poetic reminder that a great artist is no longer with us.
- Pastor Smith returned one last time, encouraged everybody to follow the message of 'Man in the Mirror' to go out and inspire change. 'The music of Michael Jackson brings us together around the world,' he said. He closed the memorial with a prayer, asking everybody to hold the hand of the person next to them.
- After the memorial, the family went to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a private reception. It was unclear whether Jackson's casket would be returned to Forest Lawn for burial or taken to another final resting place.
Michael Jackson Memorial Gave Web Boost:
CNN.com drew 781,000 concurrent live streams at its peak, based on internal data. During the presidential inauguration, CNN set a single-day record as the Internet's largest live-video event, with 1.3 million concurrent live streams.
MSNBC.com on Tuesday drew 510,000 concurrent live streams at its peak.
While comments about Jackson seemed to dominate Twitter, Facebook users posted 800,000 status updates on the event. (By comparison, there were 1.8 million updates with "Obama" during the inauguration.)
The social network, which teamed with ABC News, CNN, E Online and MTV to offer live streams, says its Michael Jackson page hit nearly 7 million fans, possibly making it the largest following of anyone on the Web.
Yahoo said the ceremony was the single most streamed in its history with 5 million total streams.
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Fans Around The World:
Michael Jackson's fans may not have been at the star's memorial service in Los Angeles, but his fans around the world found their own ways to mark the event.
In Germany and Italy, mass screenings of the service took place both in and out-of-doors.
In Norway, people created open-air tributes, dressed up and sported tattoos.
Cafes in Lebanon featured the singer on their indoor screens and in Hong Kong, fans sang along to public performances of his hits.
They were miles from Staples Center, but those who filled the seats at the Krikorian Theatre in Monrovia acted as if they too were at Michael Jackson's memorial.
The world will not forget Michael Jackson, because in death he has become even larger. Top40 Charts WebTeam is not here to say goodbye. We don't even want to say goodbye... (words / echo of Jackson's famous lyric "I never can say goodbye...")
