Anyone watching Michael Jackson's memorial?

[Mickeyistheman]

I am very emotional right now. I knew it would be moving and I was curious if his children would speak. Brooke got me really going because you could tell she was upset and I truly enjoyed hearing the people that really knew MJ and spent time with him about the fun things they did. Magic and his KFC and Berry Gordy and playing baseball etc.

I thought John Mayer was great and I was pleased he just played guitar. Usher got me when he went down to the casket and when he got choked up forget it.

I actually thought for once Al Sharpton spoke well, he was shouting a bit much but what he said to MJ's children about him not being strange, that hit home for me and he is right.

Marlon really hit home for me when he said to give his twin Brandon a hug, woo that was tough. My brother who is 22 was a twin. My mother lost one as well and to hear Marlon say that moved me greatly. I also don't know if anyone saw when the Jackson's were up there how Paris was clinging to Janet and holding her hand and leaning on her. Janet was going to speak but Paris really wanted to, Prince also clung to Janet or maybe Latoya.

I also did not know that he is in the Guiness book for giving to the most charities. Also him going to Walte Reed hospital as well.

I just hope he is smiling and dancing up there right now, we may cry for him and his family today but he will live on forever and ever.

There will NEVER be another Michael Jackson.

 

[j_dp456]

Poor Mariah is loosing her upper-register.

I think she was just upset.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Unfortunately, he wasn't this loved when he was alive. A month ago people in the US didn't care about Michael Jackson. They weren't buying his albums, playing his music. He was the butt of pedophile jokes.

Really? Could have fooled me. I work at Target and we always have several MJ albums on hand. They always sell well, though of course since he died they sold out quickly and probably will for awhile. And I can't remember the last time I heard 1 of those jokes being made about him. Seems like ppl sure cared about him to me.

 

[daisy2]

So very sad. It had to hard for everyone to come up and perform while morning MJ's death. The song that got me the most was when Jennifer Hudson sang WOW I lost it than when Michaeals daughter said her words. "I love you daddy". And Brooke Sheilds she was so amazing when talking about her and Michael

 

[IDoDis]

What a wonderful memorial service and tribute to MJ. Poor baby girl, Paris. My heart breaks for her and her brothers.

Despite the oddities of MJ, I believe he was a good man who did many wonderful things for humankind. I've always been a fan, and while I haven't bought music in years, the reason is not because I stopped being a fan, but because he hasn't had any new music to buy. Just a few weeks before his death I was up late one night on youtube watching his live performance of Billie Jean and reliving those moments when I first saw him do the moonwalk. I must have watched it 4 or 5 times that night.

May he Rest in Peace.

 

[snapppyd]

It saddens me that so many people are willing to believe the worst about him. Anyone who REALLY knew him said there is no way he did those things. Whoopie Goldberg was talking about him this morning and she just reinforced what I always believed.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Really? Could have fooled me. I work at Target and we always have several MJ albums on hand. They always sell well, though of course since he died they sold out quickly and probably will for awhile. And I can't remember the last time I heard 1 of those jokes being made about him. Seems like ppl sure cared about him to me.

Yep. We bought The Essential Michael Jackson at Target 2-3 years ago and DS bought the Thriller video for his iPOD earlier this year. DS knows the entire Thriller dance and many of Michael's other moves. Our family never stopped listening to his music (though we have enjoyed seeing and hearing a greater variety than we usaully do this week).

 

[RadioNate]

I cared...I bought his music and listened to it all the time! Don't make a generalization like that...and even if people weren't affected by him recently, many had been at some point in their lives.

I thought that was beautiful...so glad Paris got up there to confirm the fact that he was a great father to those children. Can't wait to watch it again and see the parts I missed.

I think you are right that Jackson's music did touch many people throughout their lives but I suspect you are in the minority if Jackson was a regular on your playlists. I think many people, myself included, forgot about much of his great music.

That doesn't make you right or wrong. The poster asked if Michael knew he was 'this' loved. And I answered that I don't think he did because people didn't show their love for him.

You can totally feel differently but I do think there are people rediscovering Michael Jackson because they hadn't though of his music in a long time. Sure Thriller maybe but not much else. When people thought of MJ a month ago, it was about his problems and eccentricities.

 

[RadioNate]

Really? Could have fooled me. I work at Target and we always have several MJ albums on hand. They always sell well, though of course since he died they sold out quickly and probably will for awhile. And I can't remember the last time I heard 1 of those jokes being made about him. Seems like ppl sure cared about him to me.

My point is that you didn't hear anything about MJ. I didn't even know he was back in the US. After the 06 trial he moved to overseas. No one was 'talking' about Michael Jackson. He wasn't getting much radio airplay or anything like that.

I think people liked his music but it certainly wasn't front burner. The last MH album I bought was HIStory but that was more than 10 years ago. Up until 2 years ago, I worked in radio, and MJ wasn't played. Maybe Thriller at Halloween or some of the Jackson 5 on an oldies station but not much more. Not the way it is now.

If you really think about it, I think you'd agree. It isn't disrespectful or putting down Jackson, it is just the fickle cycle of pop culture.

Yep. We bought The Essential Michael Jackson at Target 2-3 years ago and DS bought the Thriller video for his iPOD earlier this year. DS knows the entire Thriller dance and many of Michael's other moves. Our family never stopped listening to his music (though we have enjoyed seeing and hearing a greater variety than we usaully do this week).

I don't know, I don't think buying a compilation album 2-3 years ago equals the guy being on the forefront of last month's American pop culture. Today's kids only know Michael Jackson through the Thriller dance.

Sure there is MUCH greater awareness now but in his final days in the US I don't think there was. Sorry.

But really I don't want to debate. I responded originally because I don't think Jackson, at the end of his life felt the love from the greater population. I responded to the direct quotes and will leave it at that.

This thread is about his memorial service anyway.

 

[marivaid]

Unfortunately, he wasn't this loved when he was alive. A month ago people in the US didn't care about Michael Jackson. They weren't buying his albums, playing his music. He was the butt of pedophile jokes.

I was refering more to his family than to his fan base.

Personally I hadn't thought of him in years, until that kid Shaheen sang one of his songs on Britain's Got Talent. Then I started listening to his stuff again and then poof, he's gone.

 

[Buckalew11]

I doubt he knew how loved he was---esp. by the people who loved him deeply. Do we ever know how loved we are or who we've touched? Sometimes a little, but not much. It is a shame that, as people, we often wait until it is too late to tell people how loved and treasured they are.

I think Michael Jackson felt he had something to prove with this upcoming tour. That in itself speaks volumes. I am sure the stress of the concert helped take his life. JMHO.

 

[disney1990]

I doubt he knew how loved he was---esp. by the people who loved him deeply. Do we ever know how loved we are or who we've touched? Sometimes a little, but not much. It is a shame that, as people, we often wait until it is too late to tell people how loved and treasured they are.

I think Michael Jackson felt he had something to prove with this upcoming tour. That in itself speaks volumes. I am sure the stress of the concert helped take his life. JMHO.

Maybe we should all take this to heart. Tell somebody you know just how much you love them. Tell them now, while you still can. I know I will.

 

[Buckalew11]

Maybe we should all take this to heart. Tell somebody you know just how much you love them. Tell them now, while you still can. I know I will.

Amen.

"Stating the obvious" is something I try to do but often am distracted and don't do. It may be obvious to me that I love and care for someone but do they really know it?

You get some funny looks but you walk away feeling like if your time comes or their time comes, you've said what your heart needed to say.

 

[Buckalew11]

And since it was his brothers' hope that something good would come of his death, people learning to reach out to one another would be a very good life lesson to get from his death. Just a thought.

 

[RadioNate]

I was refering more to his family than to his fan base.

Personally I hadn't thought of him in years, until that kid Shaheen sang one of his songs on Britain's Got Talent. Then I started listening to his stuff again and then poof, he's gone.

I hope his family showed them. I would think they had. I would hope friends like Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson and Usher still supported him.

I hope he knew how they felt.

They were what was sad about the memorial service to me.

I have very mixed feeling about Jackson but that doesn't take away from the fact that his friends and family are grieving.

And since it was his brothers' hope that something good would come of his death, people learning to reach out to one another would be a very good life lesson to get from his death. Just a thought.

I think that is something we can all agree on.

 

[C.Ann]

I also did not know that he is in the Guiness book for giving to the most charities. Also him going to Walte Reed hospital as well..

Despite the oddities of MJ, I believe he was a good man who did many wonderful things for humankind. I've always been a fan, and while I haven't bought music in years, the reason is not because I stopped being a fan, but because he hasn't had any new music to buy. Just a few weeks before his death I was up late one night on youtube watching his live performance of Billie Jean and reliving those moments when I first saw him do the moonwalk. I must have watched it 4 or 5 times that night.

May he Rest in Peace.

It saddens me that so many people are willing to believe the worst about him. Anyone who REALLY knew him said there is no way he did those things. Whoopie Goldberg was talking about him this morning and she just reinforced what I always believed.

There are so many kind and generous things that Michael has done throughout his entire career in order to help others and truly make the world a better place.. Yet many people have chosen to spend years focusing on only the "bad" press about Michael - mainly the child molestation charges - (things that have never proven to be true) - and things that most people have only read/heard about via the rag mags or on television.. I wonder how many of those people have ever taken the time to read the numerous books that have been written about Michael - from his childhood right on up - that might shed a different light on his odd behavior - and point out the inconsistencies in these child molestation allegations? Was his behavior bizarre at times? Definitely.. Was he a very troubled soul? Definitely.. Was he the monster he was made out to be? Questionable..

Whatever the case may be, he was a great entertainer, he was a great humanitarian, he was a great son, he was a great brother, he was a great father, and like it or not, his music and his legacy will live on forever..

 

[Feralpeg]

I think you are right that Jackson's music did touch many people throughout their lives but I suspect you are in the minority if Jackson was a regular on your playlists. I think many people, myself included, forgot about much of his great music.

That doesn't make you right or wrong. The poster asked if Michael knew he was 'this' loved. And I answered that I don't think he did because people didn't show their love for him.

You can totally feel differently but I do think there are people rediscovering Michael Jackson because they hadn't though of his music in a long time. Sure Thriller maybe but not much else. When people thought of MJ a month ago, it was about his problems and eccentricities.

I don't know how many people had Michael on their regular playlists, but I know of two. DD and I both have listended and will continue to listen to his music on a regular basis.

I remember when DD was about 4 years old. I showed her the video of Thriller. I had taped it when it first came out on MTV. She watched it over and over. One day, I went to the living room to find her dancing to the video. She had the moves down. It will always be a great memory for me.

DD has continued to be a huge Michael Jackson fan. We have every CD and she has watched his Moonwalker video so many times, I'm surprised it still plays. She was so excited when she heard he was going back on tour. She immediately told me that she would be going when the tour came to the US. She didn't care where she had to go, but she would see him. She was so sad when the news came of his death.

I really hope that Michael realized that he had many loyal fans. He brought so many hours of enjoyment to my life and my daugher's. I hope he is in a kinder, gentler place. I picture him dancing his way through heaven with a big smile on his face. He will continue to live on in my heart.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.

 

[ford family]

I really hope that Michael realized that he had many loyal fans. He brought so many hours of enjoyment to my life and my daugher's. I hope he is in a kinder, gentler place. I picture him dancing his way through heaven with a big smile on his face. He will continue to live on in my heart.

The astonishing speed at which his London concerts sold out was a great example of how loyal his fans were and how much they wanted to show it.


ford family

 

[MM27]

http://justjared.buzznet.com/gallery/photos.php?yr=2009&mon=07&evt=paris-jackson&pic=paris-jackson-speech-michael-jackson-tribute-01.jpg
I don't know if this was posted yet, but they have a 10 photo spread of the kids at the memorial. I don't think anyone forced those kids on that stage and nobody made Paris speak. They had a lot of support around them and it looks like they do a pretty good job of taking care of one another.