Balancing the delicate choices about entertainment vs. eulogy, the Michael Jackson memorial worked incredibly well as both without bowing to the expectations of either.
Tuesday's event as Staples Center was under a global microscope of fans, media and harrumphers, and few in the house -- and likely at home -- could argue its elegance, sense of purpose and breadth of emotions.
There was no glitzy entertainment in the interim, nothing really for the crowd to do. It was a surreal experience to be among 17,000-plus people sitting quietly for the first dozen minutes or so, until many felt comfortable talking among themselves.
Overall, there were many more smiles and laughs than tears during the two-hour-plus event. There also was a deliberate and noticeable lack of flash, again straddling that line between the showbiz so many craved and the sorrow so many felt.
Once the speakers and singers began, there was an unhurried pace -- far from the showbiz spectacle many expected, even assumed. A performance followed each eulogy, and the song choices mostly eschewed Jackson's huge hits for lesser-known material sung with a purpose.
Everyone who stepped to the podium seemed to have a singular purpose in their words. The Jackson family's pastor, Lucious Smith, offered words of comfort after loss. Queen Latifah spoke for the legions of Jackson's fans, recalling how she and her brother tried to master the Robot after buying the "Dancing Machine" 45. Kobe Bryant stressed the King of Pop's huge-scale humanitarian efforts.
Sharpton focused on Jackson as a bridge builder and a barrier smasher between races and cultures.
There was a little buzz in the room as he took the stage. The fiery orator seized the room immediately. "It was Michael Jackson who brought blacks and white and Latinos and Asians together," he boomed, earning one of the biggest cheers of the day.He also offered one of the event's best lines in any context. Speaking directly to Jackson's three children -- and likely to his many detractors -- he said, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy; it was strange what your daddy had to deal with."
The three most affecting speakers -- Berry Gordy, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Brooke Shields -- offered up very succinct and very different points about Jackson's life.
Shields gave a perspective with which few can really identify: the loss of innocence of a child star. Her remembrances of their laughing together and just being "two little kids having fun" were particularly moving, driving home the fact that Jackson never really had a childhood -- and won't get a chance at golden years either.
The performances ranged from outstanding to "thanks for coming out." Stevie Wonder began by saying, "This is a moment that I wished I didn't have to see coming." His soulful, sorrowful, heart-wrenching delivery of "They Won't Go When I Go" easily was the best of the day. At the other end of the spectrum, Mariah Carey made a number of missteps during her version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" early on.
The service had an undeniably Christian tone, which might raise a few eyebrows because of Jackson's high-profile conversion to Islam. But the service worked on so many levels: memorial and entertainment, mourning and celebration, remembrance and farewell. And after a finale of "We Are the World" that featured a stage packed with performers, the Jackson family was alone onstage.
Jermaine and Marlon lamented the loss of their brother, but it was Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, who left the crowd -- and the world -- with the most moving words of the ceremony.
"Ever since I was born," she began, sobbing and barely mustering the strength to speak, "Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much."
The wave of emotion washed over the room, with many audibly crying. It was an incredibly affecting end to an alternately somber and joyous day.
Janet Jackson (L-R), Paris Michael Katherine, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and
Prince Michael Jackson attend a memorial service for their brother and father, music
legend Michael Jackson, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7,
2009.
Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris (3rd R), cries as she attempts to speak and is
consoled by Jackson's siblings (back L-R) Jermaine, La Toya, Jackie, Janet, Randy,
(front L-R) Marlon, Tito, Rebbie, and her brother Prince Michael (2nd R) during
memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Michael Jackson's parents Joe Jackson (back C) and Katherine (front L) arrive with his
son Prince Michael (R) during memorial services for the late pop star in Los Angeles
July 7, 2009.
Katherine Jackson (R), mother of Michael Jackson, arrives with Michael Jackson's
daughter, Paris (C), for his memorial services in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
The Jackson Brothers accompany the casket into the memorial service for Michael
Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009.
Singer Janet Jackson attends the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at
Staples Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Actress Brooke Shields eulogizes at Michael Jackson's public memorial service held at
Staples Center in Los Angeles, July 7, 2009
Janet Jackson (L) and La Toya Jackson, sisters of the late Michael Jackson, stand with
his children, Prince Michael Jackson II and Paris Jackson (R), during the memorial
service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7,
2009.
Pastor Lucious Smith speaks at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at
Staples Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
John Mayer performs during memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson in Los
Angeles July 7, 2009.
Singer Jennifer Hudson (R) performs during memorial services for pop star Michael
Jackson in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Family members of Michael Jackson attend his public memorial service held at Staples
Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. Rebbie Jackson (L-R), Janet Jackson, Randy
Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson.
Family members of Michael Jackson attend his public memorial service held at Staples
Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. Rebbie Jackson (L-R), Janet Jackson, Randy
Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson.
Musician Stevie Wonder performs during memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson
in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Musician Lionel Richie performs during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the
Staples Center in Los Angeles, California July 7, 2009.
Queen Latifah speaks to people gathered at the Staples Center during a memorial
service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Singers Mariah Carey (L) and Trey Lorenz sing "I'll Be There" during memorial services
for pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles July 7, 2009
Musician Smokey Robinson speaks during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the
Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009
The Andrae Crouch Singers open the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009
Michael Jackson's casket is displayed at his public memorial service at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009
Reverend Al Sharpton (L) and the Supreme Minister and National Representative of the
Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan arrive at the memorial service for Michael Jackson at
the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009.
Actor Corey Feldman arrives at the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Martin Luther King III and actress Brooke Shields attend Michael Jackson's memorial.
Musician Usher, entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe and Erwin "Magic" Johnson
attend Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009
in Los Angeles, California.
Reverend Al Sharpton (L) and Kobe Bryant arrive at the memorial service for Michael
Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2009.
Actor Wesley Snipes attends Michael Jackson's Public Memorial Service at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
The body of Michael Jackson arrives at a memorial service at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles July 7, 2009.
The hearse carrying the coffin of Michael Jackson arrives at the Michael Jackson
public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009.
The stage area for the Michael Jackson memorial service at the Staples Center in Los
Angeles July 7, 2009.
Mounted Los Angeles police officers ride outside the Michael Jackson public memorial
service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
Fans gather in the perimeter of the Michael Jackson memRandy Jackson arrives at the
Jackson family compound for the memorial service for pop singer Michael Jackson on
July 7, 2009 in Encino, California.orial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles
July 7, 2009
Randy Jackson arrives at the Jackson family compound for the memorial service for pop
singer Michael Jackson on July 7, 2009 in Encino, California.
An L.A. police officer directs the funeral procession outside the Jackson family home
in Encino, California, July 7, 2009, enroute to Forest Lawn Cemetery
Cars filled with family and friends of Michael Jackson form a motorcade as they drive
through the Forest Lawn cemetery following a memorial service for Jackson in Los
Angeles July 7, 2009.
Jermaine Jackson departs the Jackson family compound for the memorial service for pop
singer Michael Jackson July 7, 2009 in Encino, California
Cars from a motorcade are pictured in a parking lot as family and friends gather for
the funeral of Michael Jackson at Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles July 7, 2009.
Joe Jackson departs the Jackson family compound for the memorial service for pop
singer Michael Jackson July 7, 2009 in Encino, California.
Boxing promoter Don King departs the Jackson family compound for the memorial service
for pop singer Michael Jackson on July 7, 2009 in Encino, California
Hearse seen leaving Forest Lawn Memorial Park on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles,
California.
Ticketed fans enter the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center
on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
Fans who have tickets pass through a barricadeas they arrive at the Staples Center in
Los Angeles, which is the site of the memorial service for Michael Jackson, July 7,
2009.
source : google news,vancouversun news,reuters,
