Spinner

Michael Jackson Memorial Moves Fans

Everything leading up to the Michael Jackson memorial service at Los Angeles' Staples Center had an air of surreality most people had never experienced. Lottery winners and press members picked up their wristbands and tickets at Dodger Stadium beforehand, and embarked to a movie-like scene in downtown L.A. Tuesday morning, with literally as many as 20 officers at a time standing on street corners, and emergency vehicles lined up and down the block in preparation for the worst.

Inside, it was even more surreal to start as 11,000 people sat in silence. But by the time Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Katherine Jackson, spoke two-and-a-half hours later, countless attendees were in tears.

"It may have seemed like a show on TV, but inside it felt like a memorial," Jackson fan Craig Pratt told Spinner after walking outside of Staples Center. Diana, a 24-year-old who watched it on TV at a nearby pizza place, said that despite watching it on a screen, it felt just as it did for those inside. "I'd never been to a funeral and I felt like this was my first funeral," she said. "It felt very personal and emotional."

Pratt, along with several others, including 34-year-old Carla of San Diego, cited Brooke Shields' eulogy to her childhood friend as one of the memorial's most touching moments. "It felt like a moment where you got to see someone who really knew Michael," Pratt said, while Carla praised Shields' emotion.

Usher, John Mayer, Mariah Carey and Jermaine Jackson, Michael's brother, all paid tribute to the late King of Pop with song, but it was a speech by the Reverend Al Sharpton that drew the biggest applause. "To his three kids, I say your daddy was not strange, it was strange what he had to go through," Sharpton said. All the 11,000 attendees rose to their feet in applause.

As the Jackson family carried the casket from the Staples Center, and the fans emptied into the streets, the echoing sentiment was loud and clear: the world not only lost a King, it lost what Berry Gordy described as "the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

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Celebrating the King of Pop
Jackson's superstar friends, grieving famiily and loyal fans are devastated as they come to grips with the King of Pop's passing.
Kevork Djansezian, AP
Kevork Djansezian, AP

Michael Jackson Memorial Service

    Paris Jackson turns away from the microphone in tears after saying goodbye to her father Michael during the memorial service.

    Mark J. Terrill, AP

    All three of Michael Jackson's children -- Paris (left), Prince Michael Jackson I (right) and Prince Michael Jackson II (left, bottom) appear on stage during the memorial service.

    Mark J. Terrill, AP

    Usher performs beside the casket of Michael Jackson during the memorial service.

    Kevork Djansezian, AP

    The Jackson family is seen in the front row as they honor their late brother.

    Harrison Funk, WireImage

    Musician John Mayer plays a guitar tune in honor of Michael Jackson.

    Mark J. Terrill, AP

    Actress-singer Jennifer Hudson sang 'Will You Be There?' during the memorial.

    Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

    'Britain's Got Talent' child singer Shaheen Jafargholi was one of the standout performances of the memorial.

    Kevork Djansezian, AP

    Jermaine Jackson honored his brother by performing the song 'Smile.'

    Kevork Djansezian, AP

    Stevie Wonder performed 'They Won't Go When I Go' at the Michael Jackson public memorial service.

    Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

    Lionel Richie belts out 'Jesus Is Love' during the memorial service for Michael Jackson.

    Mark J. Terrill, AP

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feluther16

Bye Michael.

July 16 2009 at 3:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

Sharpton is wrong - he was strange! He had a strange life and all those around him never stepped up to help him, but just continued to let him live an obviously torchered life. He was more than strange - he was a total freak.

July 09 2009 at 5:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda Black

Michael gave so much to so many people through his music and through his humanitarian deeds. The world loved him and was so sorry to see him go, but maybe now he can be free to sing and dance with the angels in glory. We love and miss you Michael, but now maybe you can REST IN PEACE.

July 09 2009 at 4:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sellerscda

Comparing Michael to Elvis is like comparing every flash in the pan teen idol (Brittany and nearly every competitor on American Idol comes to mind) to the likes of Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand, or even Madonna. Elvis couldn't write a song or play an instrument to save his life. He could sing. Michael wrote everything he performed. And although I prefer my music a little more aggressive, Michael and Prince may be the two best pop songwriters ever. His talents made him the star he is. In the age of American Karioke where we are force fed garbage (and like sheep we ignore talent and make stars out of a people with a decent voices) the era of the true artist is breathing its last breaths. Michael had amazing talent. The Beatles and Michael define pop music. Elvis would probably been voted off during Hollywood week.

July 09 2009 at 4:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hermanrudolph

Get over it he's dead!

July 09 2009 at 4:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to hermanrudolph's comment
Linda Black

Why did you even come to the site--so you can add more insult to injury? Michael didn't need it and his family doesn't either. He meant something to some people, and if he didn't to you, you could have stayed away. We certainly don't need you to tell us how to grieve or how long to grieve.

July 09 2009 at 5:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Donna

Beautiful ceremony but still not sure that this person deserved such fanfare, there are many other people in this world who lived better lives, made better choices and didn't hurt others who get nothing when they pass! Michael made so many "bad jodgments" in his life. Guilty or not he still continued to act in the same way that often got him in trouble, just like a kid would, didn't learn from his first big mistake. Do his good deeds override the ones that were not good, I don't know. Yes he was one of the best performers the world has ever had, but in celebrating that you also have to celebrate the man, and there is where I question if he deserved to be idolized in such a way

July 09 2009 at 4:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mgmmartens

Way too much MJ....eniugh already!

July 09 2009 at 2:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Michelle

Michael,
You were, are, and will always be remembered for your music. You took us to places musically that no one could. Thank you.

May you finally rest in peace.

July 09 2009 at 2:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alice5543

r.i.p michael jackson you were loved by many

July 09 2009 at 2:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kerry

RIP and now let's move on to more important things that are going on all around the world.

July 09 2009 at 1:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply