Mumbai, July 08: Fans, friends and family of Michael Jackson bid adieu to the ‘King of Pop’ at the public memorial held at Staples Centre here in a grand ceremony which has been described by many as the ‘biggest media event ever’.
In the ceremony, which was watched by over a billion people around the world, the pop icon was remembered by everyone from Nelson Mandela to basketball legend Magic Johnson, with some of the biggest names in the music industry performing in honour of the legend.
The family of Jackson, including his parents,eight siblings and three young children were in attendance, seated in the front row close to the bronze casket containing the body of the “greatest entertainer that ever lived”.
Eleven thousand lucky fans chosen through a lucky draw attended the ceremony at Staples Centre and millions others joined in through the live public screenings held throughout USA, including at Times Square, New York, Neverland Ranch, Gary, Indiana and at Planet Hollywood, Los Angeles.
The ceremony began with legendary crooner Smokey Robinson reading out messages of condolence from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross.
“Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express. Michael wanted me to be there for his children, and I will be there if they ever need me,” read the message from soul diva Ross who was a close friend of Jackson’s and has also been named as the back-up guardian to his children in his will.
The Centre which was filled to it’s capacity of 20,000 exuded a church like ambience and many in the crowd broke down in tears as Jackson’s casket was brought in by his five brothers while a choir sang Andrae Crouch’s gospel song “Soon We Are Going To See The King”.
Mariah Carey was the first performer and she payed tribute to Jackson by singing “I’ll Be There” a No. 1 hit for the ‘Jackson 5’ in 1970. She was joined by Trey Lorenz who sang the part originally sung by Jermaine Jackson.
Actress Queen Latifah took the stage next and remembered Jackson as “the biggest star on earth”, amid thunderous applause from the audience.
“He let me know that as an African-American, you could travel the world, there was a world outside of America. Other people. All you people who came here to pay respect for someone who you felt was one of you, a human being first,” said Latifah.
Singer Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song ‘We Are The World’ with Jackson, received standing ovation with his rendition of ‘Jesus is Love’.
Like Latifah, many of the speakers at the service praised Jackson’s role in bringing down the “colour curtain”.
“He opened doors of many African Americans, like me and Kobe. This is a celebration of his life and legacy,” said basketball player Magic Johnson.
“It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos together. He created a comfort level where people that felt they were separate became connected with his music. Those young kids grew up from being teenage fans of Michael’s to being 40 years old and being comfortable
–Agencies