Michael Jackson - Greatest Entertainer that ever Lived
Berry Gordy (founder of Motown Records) said Michael Jackson was not “The King.”
Berry said Michael Jackson was “The Greatest Entertainer that ever lived.”
Fitting words for Michael Jackson’s farewell memorial.
Michael Jackson has entertained the people of the world
like no one ever before him, and I suspect no one ever after him.
The Michael Jackson Memorial Farewell Special was indeed that - very, very special.
It was respectful, profoundly moving, deeply touching and entertaining.
The A-List of stars paying their last respects to Michael was indeed
fit for a king:
Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice King
Queen Latifah
The Reverend Al Sharpton
Representative Sheila Jackson (D) Texas
Smokey Robinson
Berry Gordy
Lionel Ritchie
Stevie Wonder
Magic Johnson
Kobe Bryant
Brook Shields
Jennifer Hudson
John Mayer
Usher plus many others too numerous to mention.
(Conspicuously absent was Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor
and Michael’s ex wife Debbie Rowe).
Mariah Carey was the first celebrity singer to perform at the
Michael Jackson Memorial. Mariah sang one of the Jackson Five’s #1 hits…
“I’ll be there“. It was a very moving rendition bring tears to many eyes.
Berry Gordy told the story about how Michael Jackson (when Michael was 10 years old)
sang a song that Smokey Robinson wrote and recorded…
“Who‘s Loving You.“
Berry looked at Smokey and the audience.
He said he told Smokey ‘I think he’s got you.’
Smokey laughed and agreed.
Smokey later told the story of when he first heard the Jackson 5’s
recorded version of that same song. Smokey thought he was being tricked.
He said, No 10 year old boy could sing with such a depth of feeling, passion and emotion.
Smoke had to go see who this was for himself in person.
Brooke Shields could hardly contain herself as she told stories
of her and Michael - best of friends, always laughing and joking around.
How they snuck into Elizabeth Taylor’s room to see her wedding dress first,
(not realizing Elizabeth was in the room sleeping).
You could clearly see the pained expression on Brooke’s face as she spoke.
She almost broke down in tears and struggled to get the last words out.
Al Sharpton stole the show (at this point) with a rousing speech, as well orated as
any Martin Luther King, Jr or Barak Obama speech. He looked squarely
in the eyes of Michael Jackson’s children and said…
“There was nothing strange about your daddy. Strange things happened to him.”
Magic Johnson told the story of how Michael Jackson called him on the phone
and invited him to dinner. Michael wanted to discuss with him about doing a video
“Remember The Time.” The chef asked Magic what he wanted for dinner
and Magic said baked chicken.
When dinner was served and Magic’s baked chicken arrived, Michael Jackson
was having a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Magic joked with him “You eat Kentucky Fried Chicken?
Magic also (cleverly) mentioned how fortunate Michael’s children are to
have a loving grandmother like Katherine Jackson, (Michael’s mother)
to love and take care of Michael’s children.
A very special, magical moment came when Michael’s Brother Jermaine Jackson
of the Jackson 5 got up on stage and sang Michael’s favorite song called “Smile”
from the Charlie Chaplin movie.
People forget how really great Jermaine Jackson can sing and Jermaine
was in top form at times sounding like Michael himself. I’m sure many
a tear was shed during his performance worldwide.
It must have been incredibly hard for him to perform without breaking down.
Representative Sheila Jackson gave a moving speech and said Michael Jackson
fought for the tolerance of ALL people and said that according to United States
Constitution “We are innocent until proven otherwise.”
Lionel Ritchie and Stevie Wonder did solo performances that were inspirational.
John Mayer did a show stopping guitar solo of Michael’s song “Human Nature.”
Usher ushered into the hearts and souls of the audience and made many a dry eye
teary as he sang Michael’s song “Gone Too Soon.”
Michael wrote that song for Ryan White, Michael’s young friend who died from cancer.
Many of the speakers talked about Michael’s humanitarian spirit. How Michael
would visit the terminally ill in hospitals, how he broke the Guinness Book of
World Records for giving to more charities than anyone else in history, how
he would visit wounded and disabled veterans and thank them for their service.
They said we should look at the man or woman in the mirror and change the
way we treat each other. How Michael wanted to “Heal the World.”
The tribute ended with the Michael and Lionel Ritchie song “We Are the World.”
Michael’s London Tour group performed it along with the Michael Jackson
family, including his children, his brothers (all wearing one sparkle glove),
his sisters plus all the performers. A very fitting final performance.
When the Memorial was finished, Brother Jermaine thanked the audience
for coming. Then Michael’s little brother Marlon Jackson spoke.
He said we will never understand what he endured, not being able to
cross the street with stirring a crowd.
And he said that Michael was up in heaven with Marlon’s twin brother
(who died at birth) and he broke down crying. It was the most moving speech
of the Memorial.
And then Michael’s 11 year old daughter Paris spoke. She said:
“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.”
And she broke down crying and so did just about everyone else.
Good Bye Michael Jackson - “The Greatest Entertainer that ever Lived.”
Michael Jackson brought music to the world.
A fitting tribute that you can give to Michael and his message of peace and love
through music would be to have your children learn to play Michael Jackson songs
on a musical instrument.
If you or your children would like to honor Michael by learning to play
his music on your favorite musical instrument, click the link below:
http://www.hearandplay.com/479914
TAGS:
Al Sharpton, Barak Obama, Bernice King, Berry Gordy, Brooke Shields, Debbie Rowe, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Kobe Bryant, Lionel Ritchie, Magic Johnson, Marlon Jackson, Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King III, Paris Jackson, Queen Latifah, Representative Sheila Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Usher
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