Michael Jackson Memorial Fit For A King

by Billy Johnson, Jr.

The build-up to the event promised to make it one of the biggest spectacles ever televised-but seeing Michael's brothers push his 24-karat gold casket down the aisle as a choir sang the gospel hymn "Soon and Very Soon" sent a message that the memorial would be treated as an intimate funeral even though there were some 20,000 in attendance.

Family, friends, and fans memorialized Michael Jackson in a two-hour ceremony held at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, officially settling any debate over whether he was truly the King of Pop. Despite the star-studded roster of speakers such as sister Janet, Mariah Carey, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, Brooke Shields, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, and Kobe Bryant, the tribute never came off as artificial. Instead, it was an often-touchingly sincere celebration of life.

Viewers were drawn with emotion when Jermaine Jackson took to the stage to perform his brother's favorite song, "Smile." The elder Jackson wept as he struggled through the song originally recorded by Charlie Chaplin.

When Stevie Wonder sang "They Won't Go When I Go," he amended part of the lyric in Michael's honor. "Michael, they won't go where you've gone," Stevie sang.

Usher was one of the most visibly moved performers as he delivered a chilling rendition of Michael's "Gone Too Soon." Usher frequently sang directly to Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, and knelt before her when he finished.

One of the most surprisingly sincere tributes of the morning was John Mayer's acoustic interpretation of Michael's "Human Nature." Mayer offered minimalistic vocals, mainly offering the song as a touching instrumental.

The ceremony closed with two even more powerful gestures. Lionel Richie kicked off his and Michael's pleas for global peace, "We Are the World" and "Heal the World," joined by background singers and dancers from Michael's comeback tour "This Is It" that was scheduled to begin next week. Michael's middle child, daughter Paris, 11, accompanied her aunts and uncles on stage to convey her love for her late father.

Motown founder Berry Gordy, The Reverend Al Sharpton, Pastor Luscious Smith, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. children Martin Luther King III and Bernice King were among those who offered uplifting speeches about Michael's legacy.

Wikio