Pop Icon Michael Jackson Dies at 50

MICHAEL JACKSON'S MEMORIAL RECAP AND VIDEOS:
A lot of people made an impact at MICHAEL JACKSON'S memorial yesterday but nobody more so than AL SHARPTON and Michael's 11-year-old daughter PARIS. Sharpton delivered a rousing, impassioned speech about what Michael meant to the world. He said, quote, "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 interconnected with his music." Then he addressed Michael's children, saying, quote, "I want his three children to know: Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what he had to deal with. But he dealt with it." Check out some of Reverend Al's comments here . . .
 

Then there was Paris . . . who just about broke everyone's heart when she spoke at the end of the service. As the ceremony was winding down, the Jackson Family took the stage for some final words. JERMAINE spoke briefly but only to say he didn't really have anything to say. Then MARLON JACKSON gave an emotional speech. Then Paris closed things out by stepping up to the microphone and crying as she said, quote, "I just want to say that ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just want to say I love him so much." Her aunt JANET then took Paris in her arms as the family left the stage. Here's the video, but be warned . . . it WILL choke you up . . .

 

So much happened at MICHAEL JACKSON'S memorial service aside from REVEREND AL SHARPTON'S speech and PARIS JACKSON'S heart-wrenching message to her dad. Here are the highlights in a respectful nutshell . . . SMOKEY ROBINSON kicked things off by reading statements from DIANA ROSS and NELSON MANDELA . . . both of whom did not attend. Diana, by the way, pledged to be there for Michael's children if they should need him. (There were reports that Diana was taken by surprise when Michael named her as a backup caretaker for them in his will . . . but obviously, she doesn't have a problem with the concept.) Then, to the accompaniment of a gospel choir, Michael's casket was brought out. His brothers acted as pallbearers and they all wore a single white glove. After some words from a pastor, MARIAH CAREY and TREY LORENZ sang "I'll Be There". Here's the video . . .

 

QUEEN LATIFAH came out next, and talked about what Michael meant to her. Then she read a poem that MAYA ANGELOU wrote specifically for the memorial, called "We Had Him". Here's video of that . . .

 

LIONEL RICHIE then came out and sang "Jesus Is Love". Heres that Video . . .

 

He was followed by Motown founder BERRY GORDY the man who helped put the JACKSON 5 on the map. He tossed out one of the big applause lines of the night when he called Michael, quote, "the greatest entertainer that ever lived." Then there was a video montage. Which you can watch here . . .

 

STEVIE WONDER came out next. After a few words, he sang an old song of his with an appropriate title, "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer". Watch it here . . .

 

After Stevie, KOBE BRYANT and MAGIC JOHNSON hit the podium. Kobe spoke about Michael's charitable works. Magic talked about sitting on the floor at Michael's house eating from a bucket of KFC.   

 Up next was an insanely pregnant JENNIFER HUDSON who sang "Will You Be There". It's a track from Michael's 1991 album, "Dangerous" and also on the "Free Willy" soundtrack. Here's the video . . .

 

Then it was time for Reverend Al Sharpton to TESTIFY. His speech was pretty amazing. Check out all 7 minutes of it here . . .

 

Sharpton was followed by JOHN MAYER playing an instrumental version of "Human Nature" on guitar. There were some vocals, courtesy of the backing choir. Here's video . . .

 

BROOKE SHIELDS also presented a very moving tribute to Michael whom she's been friends with since they were both child stars. She talked about teasing Michael when he started wearing his white glove. She recalled telling him, quote, "I was like, what's up with the glove?" She also recited a line from Michael's favorite song, "Smile" which was co-written by CHARLIE CHAPLIN for one of his movies back in the 1930s. Brooke went on for almost 9 minutes. Here's the whole thing . . .

 
This was also a perfect segue into JERMAINE JACKSON'S performance of "Smile". Here's a clip . . .

 

Jermaine was followed by MARTIN LUTHER KING the 3rd and his sister BERNICE the children of MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Then came U.S. Representative SHEILA JACKSON LEE a Democrat from Texas. Her speech included a rather forceful reminder that Michael was INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. (That was probably directed at Sheila's fellow House member Peter King, of New York who's been trying to get media attention over the last few days by calling Michael a pervert and a child molester.) 

USHER then came out and sang "Gone Too Soon". (It's a song off Michael's "Dangerous" album. He wrote it for RYAN WHITE . . . who died of AIDS in 1990, at the age of 18.) Usher actually walked over to Michael's casket and placed a hand on it and broke down at the end of the song. Here's the video . . .

 

Smokey Robinson came back out to say a few words, which was a good segue into SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI. He's a 12-year-old kid who sings a lot like a young Michael Jackson. He was discovered on "Britain's Got Talent". He sang the Jackson 5 classic, "Who's Loving You" which was actually written by Smokey Robinson. Here's the video . . .

 

Shaheen was followed by KENNY ORTEGA. He worked with Michael on several of his tours and was working on Michael's big "This Is It" shows that were set to kick off in London next week. (He also directed the "High School Musical" movies.) Kenny introduced the backing singers and dancers from Michael's no-longer-upcoming show. They performed a number Michael had created for the show set to the songs "We Are the World" and "Heal the World". The rest of the night's speakers and performers then came onstage and joined in. That was the finale and it was followed by brief comments from Michael's brothers, Jermaine and Marlon and the now-famous dedication from Michael's 11-year-old daughter Paris. (Here are pictures from the Michael Jackson memorial . . .)

 

  

 

THERE'S STILL NO WORD WHERE MICHAEL JACKSON WILL BE BURIED:   

There's still no word where MICHAEL JACKSON will be buried. And that might be because the family hasn't decided yet. RadarOnline.com claims there's some disagreement among the family about Michael's final resting place. JERMAINE JACKSON has said publicly that he thinks Michael should be buried at Neverland. And if they can't get legal clearance for a burial, he wants Michael cremated so that his ASHES can be brought there. But Michael's mother, KATHERINE, is dead-set against Neverland. Michael left Neverland for good years ago, after police raided the place as part of their investigation into his child molestation case. A so-called "source" says, quote, "He felt violated by law enforcement  He felt this place he had built had been tainted. Katherine continues to be her son's protector even after his death."

 

 

MICHAEL JACKSON'S FUNERAL MAY HAVE COST UP TO $4 MILLION: 

Estimates have place the logistical costs of MICHAEL JACKSON'S memorial service at anywhere between $1.5 million and $4 million. And, as you probably know, California really doesn't have that kind of money. And the City of Los Angeles is $530 million in debt itself. So they're accepting TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS. If you'd like to help pay, check out the city's official website. (Here's the link . . .)

 

 

Here's a tribute video that was supposedly produced for the BET Awards, but never used. It's set to "Gone Too Soon"  the song USHER sang yesterday at Michael's memorial service . . .


(Michael's brother Jermaine issued an official statement from the family right after the announcemnt of MJ's death. You can watch it here . . .)

("Entertainment Tonight" got what could be the last photo of Michael Jackson. It's a shot of him being wheeled into the hospital on a gurney. Here it is, along with a photo of fans crowded outside the hospital when they heard the news. . .)
 

(And here are some shots of Michael through the years . . .)
 
 
 
 
 

MICHAEL JACKSON: THE BIOGRAPHY:

Here's MICHAEL JACKSON'S life in a nutshell . . .
Michael was the seventh of NINE children born to JOE and KATHERINE JACKSON in Gary, Indiana. Joe pushed his kids to be entertainers from early on. Michael and four of his brothers debuted as the JACKSON 5 in 1964 when Michael was just six years old. They recorded numerous chart-topping hits over the next several years, including "ABC", "Dancing Machine", "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There". In 1978, Michael played the Scarecrow in "The Wiz" a quote-unquote "urban" remake of "The Wizard of Oz" that starred DIANA ROSS as Dorothy and Michael as the Scarecrow. One of Michael's bosses on that film was legendary music producer QUINCY JONES. They ended up forming a partnership that led to Michael's HUGE solo success in the 1980s. Quincy produced Michael's 1979 solo album, "Off the Wall" then "Thriller" in 1982 and "Bad" in 1987.

"Thriller", as you probably know, is likely the best-selling album of all time. In March of 1983 riding the success of "Thriller" Michael performed "Billie Jean" on a TV special celebrating the 25th anniversary of Motown. That's where he first unleashed the MOONWALK upon the world. The following year, his hair caught on fire while he was filming a Pepsi commercial.

In 1984, he threw his older brothers a bone by doing one last JACKSONS album, "Victory" followed by a world tour. In 1985, Michael co-wrote the charity single, "We Are the World", with LIONEL RICHIE on behalf of USA For Africa. Just about every major pop star at the time contributed vocals and showed up for the video shoot.

In 1993, Michael sat down with OPRAH WINFREY, and denied rumors that he bleached his skin. From that moment until his death, he blamed his pale skin on a dermatological condition called VITILIGO. He also revealed that his father had beaten him and his siblings when they were young. Also that year, Michael was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch. He settled that case out of court for an undisclosed sum which was said to be at least $15 million. Before settling, though, Michael made a statement in which he denied the allegations claimed he would be vindicated in a court of law and complained about how his penis was photographed during the police investigation. (He also admitted to having been treated for a dependency on painkillers. That dependency allegedly continued right up until Michael's death and many people are speculating that it CONTRIBUTED to his demise.) (Here's video of that statement . . .) Despite settling the case, the specter of those allegations would continue to haunt him for the rest of his life.

In 1994, Michael married his first wife, LISA MARIE PRESLEY. They divorced in 1996 but not before turning millions of stomachs by KISSING for the cameras at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. Several months after divorcing Lisa Marie, Michael married DEBBIE ROWE a nurse at his dermatologist's office. Debbie bore Michael his first two children son Michael Joseph Jackson Jr (a.k.a. Prince Michael Jackson Jr.) and daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. (There was always speculation whether or not Michael was the kids' biological father. They're VERY white not that that's proof of anything in and of itself. Macaulay Culkin is their godfather, by the way.) Michael and Debbie divorced in 1999 and Debbie subsequently signed all parental rights over to Michael. (In other words, she basically gave her kids away. Although the prevailing wisdom is that she was paid quite handsomely in exchange for them.)

In 2001, Michael released his 10th and final album, "Invincible". But by then, Michael was seen as more of a freak show than a bankable artist. Even though it sold something like 10 million copies worldwide, it wasn't really seen as a success when measured against his past achievements. In 2002, Michael produced a THIRD child, Prince Michael Jackson the Second also known as BLANKET. The mother's identity was never revealed but Michael claimed the child was conceived via artificial insemination using HIS sperm. Michael introduced the kid to the world by dangling him from the balcony of a fourth-floor hotel room in Germany. Here's video of that craziness . . .

2003 saw the release of journalist MARTIN BASHIR'S documentary, "Living With Michael Jackson". In the video, Michael discussed sharing his bed with children. Shortly thereafter, one of the kids featured in that documentary accused Michael of sexual harassment. Michael was hit with seven counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent in order to commit abuse. (Michael would allegedly give children wine putting it in soda cans and calling it "JESUS JUICE".) In May of 2005, Michael was acquitted of all charges.

With his finances allegedly in ruins, Michael sold off the Neverland Ranch in November of last year. Michael hadn't lived there since the place was searched by police as part of the investigation into the child molestation allegations years earlier. Michael retained an undisclosed ownership stake in the property which had fallen into pretty serious disrepair from years of neglect.

Michael was scheduled to kick off a 50-date run at London's O2 arena, beginning July 13th. All 50 shows were sold out. Despite being dogged by the usual rumors of failing health, including talk of skin cancer, Michael was getting in shape for the gigs right up until the end. He'd hired "Incredible Hulk" star LOU FERRIGNO as his personal trainer, and even held a rehearsal gig the night before his death at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

DID DRUGS KILL MICHAEL JACKSON???

Before MICHAEL JACKSON'S body even had a chance to get cold, there was already speculation that his death was brought on or at least speeded up by his alleged painkiller addiction. The not-always-reliable British tabloids even say that an injection of Demerol caused Michael to collapse. A so-called "source" says, quote, "Shortly after taking the Demerol he started to experience slow, shallow breathing. His breathing gradually got slower and slower until it stopped. "His staff started mouth-to-mouth and an ambulance was called which got there in eight minutes, but found he was in full respiratory arrest, no breathing and no pulse. They started full CPR and rushed him to the hospital. "When he arrived they started resuscitation, giving him heart shocks and inserted a breathing tube and other supportive measures to try and save his life. He never regained consciousness. The family was told that he had passed."

Meanwhile, Jackson family attorney BRIAN OXMAN said straight up on CNN last night that this is indeed a case of, quote, "abuse of medications." And he blamed some shady people in Michael's inner circle for letting it happen. He said, quote, "This family has been trying for months and months to take care of Michael Jackson. The people who have surrounded him have been enabling him. "If you think that the case of ANNA NICOLE SMITH was an abuse, it's nothing in comparison to what we have seen taking place in Michael Jackson's life." He added, quote, "I do not know the extent of the medications he was taking, but the reports that we have been receiving [from] the family is that it was extensive." (You can listen to this, here . . .)

The night before Michael's death, he was rehearsing for his upcoming London concert series with a gig at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. And while several sources claim he was in excellent form there's also talk that the stress of his upcoming gigs took a major toll on his health. One source says, quote, "He was just overwhelmed by the huge commitment and responsibility. The stress was really getting to him."


MICHAEL JACKSON: THE TRIBUTES:

Here are some of the more notable tributes . . .

QUINCY JONES: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. "He had it all talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."


ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S rep issued this statement: "Dame Elizabeth Taylor is too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time. We will direct her words to you once we receive them." (Elizabeth was VERY close friends with Michael. She's also the first person to call him The King of Pop.)


LISA MARIE PRESLEY (Michael's ex-wife): "[I'm] completely shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to his children and his family."

MADONNA: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."


BEYONCÉ: "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop! I love you Michael."


EDDIE VAN HALEN: "I am really shocked; as I'm sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on 'Beat It' back in '83 . . . one of my fondest memories in my career." (Eddie played the guitar solo on "Beat It".)


USHER: "I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. "He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten."


DIDDY: "Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life!! He made me believe in magic. I will miss him!"


JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: "I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. "I will always cherish the moments I shared with him on stage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones."


LUDACRIS: "If it were not for Michael Jackson I would not be where or who I am today. His Music and Legacy will live on Forever. Prayers to the fam. R.I.P."


MC HAMMER: "I have no words. I loved Michael Jackson. RIP."


JOHN MAYER: "Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ. I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to 'Thriller' on the record player."


SHERYL CROW -who was a backup singer on Michael's "Bad" tour): "His was a rare talent that we witness once in a lifetime . . . I had the great privilege of watching him every night doing what he did best - entertain. "I am grateful to have known him for the 2 years I worked for him and will mourn his loss with his many millions of fans across the world."


BRITNEY SPEARS: "I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!"


MILEY CYRUS: "Michael Jackson was my inspiration. Love and blessings."


LINDSAY LOHAN: "NO OMG . . . sending my love and prayers out to Michael and his family . . . I feel sick."


AL SHARPTON: "I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogize our mutual idol, James Brown. "I have known him at his high moments and his low moments and I know he would want us to pray for his family."


LOU FERRIGNO'S wife, Carla, also released a statement. As you probably know, Lou was supposed to be getting Michael into shape for his upcoming run of shows in London. Carla said, quote, "He was so great and we all loved him. Lou can't even form words right now he's in total shock he thought he was going to be training Michael tomorrow. "He was planning on flying back to Los Angeles to do it. He's very shocked right now. Michael was so cute and sweet he didn't deserve this."


COREY FELDMAN'S STATEMENT:
It's time to address the elephant in the room. That elephant is, of course, COREY FELDMAN. Corey and MICHAEL JACKSON were TIGHT back in the day. But the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 changed all that. As you may recall, Michael headlined an all-start tribute show for himself at Madison Square Garden on September 10th. Corey was there, but he and Michael got into an argument over something petty. The next day, when the planes hit, and Michael's entourage started heading for greener pastures, Corey claims that Michael refused to let him travel out of the city with them!!!
One of Michael's brothers (Jermaine, if I'm not mistaken) ended up sneaking Corey onto one of Michael's buses. But Corey never forgot how Michael LEFT HIM TO DIE. In fact, he even accused Michael of doing just that in a song he released a while later, called "Megalo Man". Anyway, Corey is terribly upset that he and Michael never mended their relationship. He claims they were supposed to talk things out at LATOYA JACKSON'S birthday party three weeks ago, but Michael never showed up because he was too busy rehearsing for his upcoming shows. Corey says, quote, "I am trembling and shaking at the moment and it is very hard to type. I am filled with tremendous sadness and remorse. "All I choose to remember from this point is the good times we shared and what an inspiration he was to me and the rest of the world. Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry, and he was so close to doing it all again.
"I am truly, and deeply sorry for all of the heartbroken fans and supporters worldwide. I think I am still in shock. So I must end this now."