The boy who lived.

[upsticks]

Watching the Michael Jackson Memorial: Live from LA on BBC2, and it's slightly uncomfortable: his silver coffin takes centre stage, literally, and they're all there to see him, but he's not there. The majority of the audience are wearing black, and there are flower arrangements all over the stage, but the fans are applauding and asking for more; the presentation of photos behind the speakers, showing photos of him as musician, charity worker, entertainer, brother, son. It's like a very personal funeral service that's open to thousands and thousands of people who never knew him.

An awkward number of photos show him in the same pose that Jesus wore on the Crucifixion. And that religious 'Godly' element follows into the whole thing: over the course of the hour and a half, it's almost like he's been promoted to Saint, people even saying he will "live forever and ever".

Those who were so certain of his weirdness; his wrongdoings; how quickly they've changed their tune, denouncing him as the washed up oddball singer who'd gone too far, and naming him as humanitarian, a man full of heart, a king. Funny how  you only see the good bits after they're gone.

Speakers have ranged from the founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, to Queen Latifah, to the son and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Usher teared up during a heart felt rendition of "Gone Too Soon", and Jermaine Jackson's version of Michael Jackson's favourite song, Charlie Chaplin's "Smile", rightly received a standing ovation. Jennifer Hudson brought an understated strength to the stage, and Britain's Got Talent's Shaheen Jafagoli appearance and performance was a pleasant surprise.

It's very touching - that can't be denied - and I can admit I cried a little myself - all these people telling their little stories of how Michael Jackson used to eat KFC sat on the floor when guests were over, or laugh at silly impressions or visit wards full of injured soldiers and thank them is heartwarming and saddening all at the same time.


As an entertainer, he'll be remembered as a legend; as a friend, so many people have said he was pure of heart, and silly and caring; but as a human, it couldn't be clearer that he was the boy who never grew up.

RIP MJ.

Comments

[purpleface.livejournal.com]

His coffin were gold/bronze. But aye, it were kinda awkward really, especially at the end when his daughter spoke.

[glitterfairy25.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure whether it was or not, but I thought it looked more silver so I put that.

Yeah, the whole thing felt kind of awkward, not least because everyone was emphasisng and even exaggerating his status as King of Pop. The religious references didn't make it any easier for me, but that's what they wanted.

And his daughter... yeah, "Daddy, I just want to say, I love you." Aw man. Seeing him as 'Daddy', as a father, is just so strange. I really felt for her though, and that was the thing I guessed I understood the perspective of most. I wonder what'll happen to her.

[purpleface.livejournal.com]

I hope his children can start to live normal lives now, I guess more for the fact that it'd be bad for them to follow the same path as their Dad; not really having a childhood and then spending most/all of their adulthood tryingt o achieve what they missed.



TORCHWOOD YES. It was EPIC I WISH IT WERE TOMORROW ALREADY.

[glitterfairy25.livejournal.com]

I read somewhere that MJ's dad was trying to get them to perform, like he did. I sincerely hope they don't do that, ever. Especially underneath Joe Jackson O__O

Not really having a childhood and then spending most/all of their adulthood trying to achieve what they missed.
Did you see that Martin Bashir interview? It highlighted just how much of a child Jacko was :(