Several thousand fans joined Michael Jackson’s family, friends and music industry figures to bid farewell to the “King of Pop” at a public memorial service at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Jackson’s 11-year old daughter Paris Katherine struggled to hold back tears as she remembered not the pop icon, but the man who took care of her: “Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine,” she said. “And I just wanted to say I love him so much.”
Tuesday’s event was a star-studded, emotional tribute to a global superstar whose appeal easily crossed lines of race, religion and nationality.
Some 18,000 fans had entered an Internet lottery to win tickets to the service in the arena or to watch a live screening in a nearby theatre.
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of a large picture of Jackson that read “In Loving Memory of Michael Jackson, King of Pop, 1958-2009”.
The ceremony opened with singer and record executive Smokey Robinson reading messages of condolences from former South African president Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson’s close friend, Diana Ross.
With Jackson’s family seated in the front row, the service continued with renditions of various Michael Jackson hits performed by a line-up of high-profile artists, starting with Mariah Carey who sang Jackson Five 1970 ballad “I’ll be there”.
Shortly after Carey’s performance, singer Lionel Ritchie paid a tribute to Jackson, singing “Jesus is Love,” backed by a gospel choir
Seated on at a black grand piano, a visibly moved Stevie Wonder said a few words about Jackson before launching into a soulful rendition of “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.”
Other testimonials came from rapper and actress Queen Latifah, who read a poem by Maya Angelou. “Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon”, Angelou wrote.
Civil rights leader Al Sharpton spoke of the racial obstacles Jackson had to overcome; Motown record label founder Berry Gordy, whose reference to Jackson as “the greatest entertainer that ever lived” earned thunderous applause; and actress Brooke Shields, visibly moved, reminisced about Jackson’s playful sense of humour and sensitivity.
France 24 correspondent Gallagher Fenwick, reporting via Twitter from inside the arena, described the event as “restrained” but “moving”.
Outside the Staples Center, an additional 1,400 police officers were on duty to provide security, as masses gathered to celebrate a perfomer whose music, revered by fans and critics alike, promised to outlast a life that never ceased to stir controversy.
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