Greatest Show on Earth – Goodbye Michael Jackson

 

Yesterday’s night was witnessing the moment of a great memorial service ever paid to a celebrity. Yes, Michael Jackson was that celebrity as around 20000 people gathered with Jackson family at the Staples Centre in LA to pay their tribute and mourn on MJ’s death. Actually, to celebrate his life, as he will never ever die in millions of hearts.

Every TV channel was deeply involved in telecasting the live programs which were to be held at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, for private memorial and later on at Staples Centre, LA for public memorial. I decided to stick with CNN to watch the entire memorial program as they were showing the latest pictures and that too without a single commercial break. Oh my God! what memorial program was that? I had neither seen nor anticipated such memorial that was dedicated to MJ’s life and achievements. Many popular celebrities participated to pay their homage by contributing song and speech, shared their experience of having even a single moment with MJ and praising MJ for his legacy that he has left behind. Almost everyone said that “He was a true pop icon”.  

You name one and he/she was there to contribute by way of word, and music. Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Lionel Richie, Berry Gordon, Stevie Wonder, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Al Sharpton, Brooke Shields, Martin Luther King III (along with his sister Bernice), Usher, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Smokey Robinson, the little Shaheen Jafargholi, Kerry Ortega, and all his brothers were there to attend the memorial service of Michael Jackson. Though absence of Debbie Rowe was frustrating even though it was in the news that she would be missing the ceremony.

I took charge of the TV at nine in the evening and watched the entire program on CNN till two in the early morning. I didn’t let anybody watch any program because yesterday was MJ’s day.

Summery of the Memorial Service program:

The program started off by reading a written message of Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela who are said to be very close to MJ. Then MJ’s casket was brought in at the down center of the stage by his brothers among the singing chorus who were disseminating beautifully written lyrics. Next was Mariah Carey, who contributed by singing Michael’s favourite I’ll be there. Then Queen Latifah took charge of the podium and said a few words about Michael. Lionel Richie was the next on the list to fill the auditorium with his great voice. The next person to come on the stage praising Michael was the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordon, who shared his experience by remembering Michael that how Michael’s and his family used to play baseball every week. He also told the audience that how the Motown 25 was arranged that turned around Michael’s career altogether when he performed Billie Jean live in that program, and turned everyone mad through his Moonwalk. He also told that Michael Jackson was a totally different person ‘onstage’ as compared to ‘offstage’. He was indeed a master and a good human being. Gordon was successful in getting a standing ovation for his speech. Then, glimpses of Michael’s songs were shown on mega screens all around and people started cheering and shouting as they have been doing in Michael’s live performances until now. Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson were next on the card to come and talk about Michael Jackson. Both of them, particularly, Magic Johnson shared his experience of moments with Michael, that, how he called him and invited over dinner to talk about the video he wanted him to appear in – obviously how can I forget the grilled chicken incidence. Jennifer Hudson then mesmerized everyone with her voice by singing Will You Be There. This is one of my favourites. Then Al Sharpton took over the stage and remembered that he met Michael during 70s and was amazed by seeing his perseverance and courage to achieve his dreams. Also, praised Michael for unifying the different cultures of the world through his music –and also that his fan following is right from a normal man up to the President of the United States. “Michael never stopped” was echoed in Staples Centre in his impressive voice. At the end he didn’t forget to thank Jackson family to give Michael to the world who gave so much love and hope.

"There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one.” – Michael Jackson  

The above quote was written by Michael and was displayed many times on the mega screen during the program.  John Mayer then played Human Nature on his electric guitar. It was now the turn of Brooke Shields who turned so emotional while remembering Michael. She shared that she met Michael when she was 13. She also told that how Michael had asked her to accompany him in Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding -  and how they sneaked in to the Elizabeth’s room to see her wedding dress. I didn’t know this but she has never ever performed any show and has not even pictured with Michael. Now, Jermaine Jackson came on the stage to sing Michael’s favourite song “Smile” which was actually written by Charlie Chaplin for the movie Modern Times. He also made everyone cry. Not only musicians and performers registered their attendance but also some politicians like Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who praised by calling him a legend and pop icon – and Martin Luther King III along with his sister Bernice. Usher was really great in singing Gone Too Soon which at times was sung by Michael for Ryan White who became a national icon and hero when he was expelled by his school as he was suffering from AIDS during 90s. Usher touched everyone’s heart when he came downstairs and touched Michael’s coffin, it was even noted and discussed by Larry King. There were some more performers like Smokey Johnson (who wrote the song that he had sung in Ed Suvillan show), there was also Stevie Wonder, blind, but filled with great talent sung, Never Dreamed You Would Leave In Summer, with piano tunes played by himself. Shaheen Jafargholi was outstanding as he sang Whose Loving You. Kerry Ortega (Director, Michael Jackson Tour at London) informed that the little boy was specially invited by Michael to sing and perform with him during his London tour. Just before the end of the show, various artists performed We Are The World which was written and composed by Michael for Africa. Family was now on the stage singing along and waving their hands to the fans of Michael, rather, everyone had started singing by this time. Then some Chinese looking artist, (I don’t know who was she), sang Heal The World,  who was gradually joined by Michael’s family and other artists as well. Those 120 minutes were really amazing which were about to end when Michael’s brothers Jermaine and Marlon appraised Michael once again and thanked everyone, present there, for their continuous emotional support.

You must be thinking by now that why I am writing about the program in such a detail even miniscule. You know by writing about Michael, if I am able to tell about him even to a single person, I would be pleased and relieved that I have done something to contribute to his art. Through this post, I can at least deliver a reason to listen to his music, love and hope that he has given us by way of his songs. Take this writing as my contribution instead of paying him off for his great music.

"They say the sky is the limit and to me that is true.” – Michael Jackson