Today, July 7, 2009, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was laid to rest. It was a somber day for family, friends and fans alike. It has been reported that live coverage of the memorial service was viewed by millions. The service was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Eight thousand seven hundred and fifty fans acquired a pair of tickets allowing a whopping seventeen thousand five hundred fans to be among the estimated 19,500 mourners to attend the service. Among the celebrities that took part in the service were Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Lionel Richie to name just a few. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III were in attendance as well as basketball greats Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.
Several thousand fans crowded around the outside of the building to pay their final respects to this legend. Coverage of the memorial services was carried by virtually all major networks and was simultaneously shown in 85 theaters across the United States. Jackson’s rose covered casket was carried into the Staples center by his brothers Tito, Jackie, Randy and Jermaine. All of the pall bearers wore gold ties and a single sequined white glove, a trademark of the King of Pop. The Jackson family received a standing ovation as they walked into the center. Michael’s three children, Paris 11, Prince Michael I, 12, and Prince Michael II, 7, sat surrounded and sheltered by the family.
The Jackson family along with all of those who took part in the service gathered on the stage for a final tribute and sang We Are the World which Jackson and Lionel Richie co-wrote. The service was packed with music and tributes to Jackson lasted more than two hours.
The service this afternoon was brought to a tearful conclusion when Paris, Michael’s eleven year old daughter who has never spoken in public said her final good bye to her dad. She said, “I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And, I just wanted to say I love him so much.” Having said this, she burst into tears and was consoled by her aunt, Janet.
Michael Jackson, the undisputed King of Pop, is finally at rest.
It is strange knowing that Michael is dead. He will be missed. I worry about the children and how they will deal with his untimely death.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe he is gone. Legends are supposed to live a good long life. He was so young. I was really moved by the tribute given by Paris. I always wondered what kind of a dad he was. I guess she answered that question for a lot of us.
ReplyDeleteIt was a magnificent send off, one I'm sure Michael would have approved of.
ReplyDeleteMichael was such a good looking kid, I really feel for him that he thought he needed to change himself to the extent that he did. He was so talented too. How can someone who has so much be so sad?
ReplyDeleteHey Poppi, when you're shoved in the limelight at a young age and never allowed to live life, you get a Michael Jackson. All he was ever allowed to do was work. I agree it is sad.
ReplyDeleteI recently read an article on the Jackson family. Their father was extremely strict and often his treatment of his sons bordered on abuse. It's a wonder he turned out as well as he did. Maybe now he will find the peace he was never able to find in life.
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