Sports & Celebrity Newswire

Posts Tagged ‘Michael Jackson Funeral’

Michael Jackson

Today we were witness to part of  an inspirational tribute to a man who not only gave the world  unprecedented artistry through his music but also gave the world positive and spiritual messages with such songs as “We Are The World” and “Man In The Mirror” and how to “Heal the World” and make this world a better place.

May all who loved him find peace and comfort. RIP Michael, knowing the world will always love you. Your music will live on forever.

The funeral service began shortly before 1:30 ET with Smokey Robinson reading messages from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross.The public memorial for Michael Jackson began at 1:30 ET today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The private service for the family at Forest Lawn cemetery in Hollywood Hills ran late, pushing the memorial ahead 30 minutes.

Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Kobe Bryant, Brooke Shields, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Lionel Richie, John Mayer, Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice, Shaheen Jafargholi (Britain’s Got Talent) also appeared.

Lionel Richie Tribute Memorial at Staples Center LA Video

Mariah Carey Honoring Michael Jackson with “I’ll be there” at his Memorial at Staples Center LA

Stevie Wonder sings “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer” and “My Destiny”. He prefaced his performance by saying, “This is a moment that I wished that I didn’t live to see coming.” Watch Video

Jermaine Jackson sings Smile by Charlie Chaplin

Michael Jackson Funeral – Usher sings Gone Too Soon

The memorial ended followed by a prayer, with the performers on stage singing the Jackson anthem, “We Are the World” and “Heal The World”.

Michael Jackson Funeral We are The World Video

Michael Jackson Funeral Heal The World Video

One of the more poignant moments came at the end when Jackson’s daughter Paris broke down saying “Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine.” It was heartbreaking.

The memorial ran live on most US cable news and network channels.

Details of Michael Jackson’s funeral remained sketchy over the past few days, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Jackson’s funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at The Los Angeles Staples Center. AEG Live owns both The Staples Center and The Nokia Theatre which are next to each other. The funeral will utilize both facilities and the surrounding plaza.

Earlier plans for Neverland to be used as the site to show Michael Jackson’s body did not pan out. The media reported that the Jackson family were planning a public viewing of Michael’s body at his former Neverland Ranch so fans could say a final goodbye.

Instead, relatives and Jackson’s advisors have chosen to hold a public memorial at The Staples Center which holds a 20,000 capacity. The Staples Center is where Michael was rehearsing his comeback show a day before his death, reports RadarOnline.com.

Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter writes that AEG will put gigantic screens outside the facilities for the thousands who will not get inside. No word yet on how ticketing will be handled. In order to do this, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, scheduled to begin its run at Staples on July 8, had to be persuaded to postpone moving into Staples by several hours. Somehow it seems appropriate. It will be a day for the Greatest Show on Earth to follow The Biggest Funeral in History.