The Master of the Big Top
A live blog of the Michael Jackson memorial:
The motorcade rolls towards Staples, "Blanket" is in the back with his brother Michael Joseph "Prince" Jr., 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11.
My first thought, is when does all the programs from the memorial hit ebay?
Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly...
Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had
Have you seen my Childhood...
- Childhood / HIStory / Michael Jackson
9:37 am Los Angeles:
"It would be insane if his coffin was there too" interview of a woman outside the Staples Center.
9:55 am Los Angeles:
"He's family, he's a brother, he's a part of every African American family, we want to celebrate his life" Tom Joyner
9:59 am Los Angeles:
Over a billion estimated to watch the Memorial. I wonder what the ad rates are?
"Wait till we see the television ratings for this" MSNBC
"Everyone is on the edge of their seats" spectator inside Staples via MSNBC
Do You Remember The Time
When We Fell In Love
Do You Remember The Time
When We First Met
Do You Remember The Time
When We Fell In Love
Do You Remember The Time
- Remember the Time / Dangerous / Michael Jackson
10:12 am Los Angeles:
Tributes from Diana Ross, Nelson Mandela read by Smokey Robinson.
"Be Strong" - Nelson Mandela
Silence.
I see flashes, despite the "no video, no cameras", people are taking home memories on their digital devices. We hold those close to our hearts, those bytes of "01010".
10:21 am Los Angeles:
Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky
Gone Too Soon
Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon
Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night
- Gone Too Soon / Dangerous / Michael Jackson
10:30 am Los Angeles:
Silence still. Staples Center is quiet, the audience waiting for a sound of a voice.
Like most funerals and memorials, it's all a waiting game. Waiting for that moment when you realize what you lost or that sparkle of light when you see what the rest of your life will be.
10:33 am Los Angeles:
Choir. Michael Jackson's flower covered coffin makes it's entrance. As in life and in death - its the same coffin James Brown had, a polished gold coffin, worthy of Michael Jackson and not straying too far from his style of life. Each pall bearer has one bejeweled glove.
10:34 am Los Angeles:
Pastor Lucious Smith speaks.
As I watch, my mind goes back to every church service I have ever been to. Am I only inspired when someone marries or dies?
10:40 am Los Angeles:
Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz singing, and she is barely making it through, a very emotional time for her.
I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad I found you yeah
I'll be there with a love so strong
I'll be your strength
You know I'll keep holding on
The Jackson 5's 1970 hit "I'll Be there"
- Mariah Carey
10:45 am Los Angeles:
"We felt he was there... I wanted to get the robot going, to be like the Jackson 5. He let us know that there was a world outside there" - Queen Latifah
10:50 am Los Angeles:
Lionel Ritchie. "Father love your children...teach them to love one another"
10:54 am Los Angeles:
"He raised the bar and then broke the bar..."
"Yes, he did make questionable choices in his life.."
Barry Gordy, founder of Motown Records
11:03 am Los Angeles:
A video tribute montaged with newsreels. A trip down all our our memory lanes.
"I just want to be considered as a person, not a personality"
11:07 am Los Angeles:
Stevie Wonder : "This is a moment I wished I didn't see coming...God must have needed him far more."
11:16 am Los Angeles:
Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson. "I got to see the genius of Michael Jackson..I saw his command of the audience. He made me a better basketball player." Magic Johnson
Now we know Michael Jackson loves Kentucky Fried Chicken. A moment that brings home that he was human.
11:21 am Los Angeles:
Jennifer Hudson.
"Will you be there?"
In my trials and my tribulations
there were doubts
in my turbulence
in my confessions
in my anguish
in my joy and in my sorrow
in the promise of another tomorrow
for you always in my heart...."
11:25 am Los Angeles:
Rev. Al Sharpton
"A mother and father of nine children...they had a dream and they kept on believing."
" I came here to thank you Michael, thank you for pulling down the barriers, thank you Michael!"
11:32 am Los Angeles:
John Mayer.
If they say -
Why, why, tell em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say -
Why, why, tell em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
- Human Nature
11:37 am Los Angeles:
Brooke Shields.
"Thinking back to when we met...whenever when we were out there would be photographs, the caption would say "what an odd couple", Michael could always count on me to support him"
"We both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very young age..."
"Both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were together we were both kids together".
11:47 am Los Angeles:
Jermaine Jackson sings:
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, youll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
s in the sky, youll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
Youll see the sun come shining through for you
12:15 pm Los Angeles:
Smokey Robinson
12:19 pm Los Angeles:
Shaheen Jafargholi, the 12 year old Britain's Got Talent sings "Who's Loving You?"
It is hard not to draw parallels of a childhood lost when Shaheen sings and with Michael Jackson's.
12:22 pm Los Angeles:
Kenny Ortega. Choreographer.
12:25 pm Los Angeles:
Closing with everyone on stage.
A final farewell from Paris Jackson:
"Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," the 11-year-old girl said. "And I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Good bye Michael Jackson.
She's Out Of My Life
She's Out Of My Life
And I Don't Know Whether To Laugh Or Cry
I Don't Know Whether To Live Or Die
And It Cuts Like A Knife
She's Out Of My Life"She's Out Of My Life"
- "She's Out Of My Life"
