Usher Sings 'Gone Too Soon' At Michael Jackson Memorial .jpg)
A star-studded public memorial service paid a farewell
tribute to late pop star Michael Jackson on Tuesday as thousands of randomly selected fans joined family, friends and entertainment stars to say goodbye to the King of Pop.
Jackson, who died on June 25 at a Los Angeles hospital
after being rushed there in a cardiac arrest, was hailed as the " greatest entertainer that ever lived" during the two-and-a-half- hour ceremony, which featured musical performances and speeches.
The most emotional moment of the event came as Jackson's
11- year-old daughter Paris, together with family members, went to the stage and said a tearful goodbye to her father.
"I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, daddy has
been the best father you could ever imagine," she said through tears. " And I just wanted to say I love him so much."
The girl then broke down weeping, with her aunt Janet
embracing her on stage.
The public memorial service, which followed a family
memorial at the Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, was in fact a celebration of the life of Michael Jackson, who died at the age of 50.
"Through his words, his music and his countless good
deeds, Michael did so much to try and heal our world," said the Rev. Lucious Smith, a longtime Jackson family friend, in his speech during the event.
A church choir opened the memorial service by singing
"Soon and Very Soon," as the singer's flower-covered casket was wheeled to the stage in Staples Center of downtown Los Angeles.
It was the beginning of a series of musical performances,
including songs by Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder. Young stars like Usher, John Mayer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hundson also performed to pay their tribute.
Jackson's brother Jermaine performed "Smile," a song
written by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 film "Modern Times," which believed to be Michael Jackson's favorite song.
The final part of the ceremony were performances of "We
Are the World" and "Heal the World," two famous songs co-written by Jackson in 1980s as an effort of African famine-relief aid.
The Jackson family including mother Katherine and father
Joe sat in the front row, looking over a stage that included a large video screen that showed photos and videos of the singer throughout his 40-year career.
The ceremony also had its humorous moments, including a story from former Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson, who said he was once invited to have a dinner at Jackson's home and shocked to see that the superstar was having a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
It was still unclear where Jackson's body would eventually be taken. Jackson's brother Jermaine had expressed a desire that
Jackson be buried at Neverland Ranch, his former home in Santa Barbara County, about 200 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles.
Needless to say that the death of MJ have touched and wounded millions of hearts around the world. I personally feel great sympathy to his family and children. Over the last few years MJ had not been "stable" in the public eyes but how do we know what really goes on in his world behind closed doors. He truelly deserve our respect for all the kindless that he had given to thousand of unfortunately kids, not to mention that he was and still is the inspiration to many of today's entertainers through East to West.
I hope you rest in pease MJ. Your work will live on.
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