A year after Michael
Jackson's
death
caused a worldwide outpouring of shock,
tears and tributes, the anniversary of his passing was being marked
Friday on a quieter scale, as fans remembered their fallen King of
Pop with vigils, prayer and, of course, music.
The electric, enigmatic and troubled icon died on June 25, 2009,
at age 50 as he was preparing for a series of comeback
concerts
in
London
. Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with
involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death for administering the
powerful anesthetic propofol to Jackson to help the pop star
sleep.
At Jackson's final resting place at Forest Lawn in Glendale.
Calif., hundreds of fans, some weeping, filed past barricades to
get close to the mausoleum where Jackson is interred Friday
morning. Some carried bouquets, others were armed with cameras to
document the moment.
Erick Dominguez, 37, a sales rep from Victorville, Calif., wore
a black shirt with Jackson's photo that read: "In Loving
Memory."
"He's been my idol all my life since I can remember. I feel like
I haven't had closure," he said, starting to weep from behind dark
sunglasses.
Yugi Aoki, 33, of Tokyo, came with 13 other Japanese fans of the
pop star. They were all wearing sparkling gloves and fedora hats,
one of Jackson's signature looks. Aoki smiled as he described how
Jackson influenced him: "Michael Jackson changed myself. We love
his dancing and songs."
Jackson's family members were expected to arrive at the cemetery
later in the day, said his brother, Randy Jackson.
Across the country in Harlem, pictures of Jackson hung on a wall
outside New York's Apollo Theater, where Jackson and his brothers
won amateur night in the late 1960s. A sidewalk plaque honored the
singer alongside such other legends as James Brown and Smokey
Robinson.
Since the Apollo helped launch the Jackson 5, it has had a
strong connection to the late pop star. After Jackson's death, it
became the de facto gathering place for New York fans. It was an
emotional though more low-key scene on Friday morning, as
Jackson's
music
blared from boomboxes and passing cars.
"We are really honored to have played a part in launching
Michael's musical career and to serve as a gathering place for
people to come and celebrate his lifetime of achievement," said
Jonelle Procope, Apollo president and CEO.
Procope placed Jackson's black hat and sequin glove, both from
the theater's collection, beside his plaque.
D.E. Cayard said he spent 68 days at the Apollo after Jackson's
death. He returned Friday, flying in from Miami, to present an
artwork as tribute to Jackson.
"I want to be among the people that are telling the world that
Michael is forever," he said. "Michael is celebration."
Elsewhere in Harlem, the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 movie
theater screened "This Is It," the documentary about Jackson's
preparation for his London concerts, throughout the day. And the
Rev. Al Sharpton was to lead a
moment
of
silence
in the afternoon.
In Gary, Ind., Jackson's hometown, there was to be a tribute at
the family home; city officials said they expected Jackson's
mother, Katherine Jackson, and his niece,
Genevieve
Jackson, to show up, along with
thousands of others.
Katherine
Jackson
also lent her support to a "Forever
Michael" fan event in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday.
In Japan, hundreds of fans met at Tokyo Tower to honor Jackson
with a candlelight vigil, a gospel concert and more. Some got a
chance to see a collection of his possessions, including costumes
from his tours and even a 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom that he used to
drive around Los Angeles.
"I don't know what to say. Seeing all his things makes it all
come back to me," said Yumiko Sasaki, a 48-year-old Tokyo officer
worker who has been a Jackson fan since she was 12. "It makes me so
sad to think that he is gone. He was wonderful."
About 50 guests paid $1,100 each to sleep overnight at the Tokyo
landmark, where they had catered food, watched a gospel choir,
looked at
Jackson
memorabilia
and danced to Michael Jackson's music
before observing a period of silence as the sun rose.
But not every memorial for Jackson was to be somber. In France,
weekend celebration plans included a concert and tribute show, and
other places across the globe, including the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in Cleveland, planned parties for the man who embodied dance
music.
"They want to celebrate his life and music," DJ Jon Quick said
of the expected partygoers at club Taj on Friday, where he would
play Jackson tunes.
On Twitter, "RIPMJ" was one of the most popular topics. Mariah
Carey said she was marking the day by watching the video to "You
Are Not Alone."
"Love and prayers to MJ `
King
of
Pop
,'" Carey tweeted. "You will be remembered
forever. We miss you."
___
AP Entertainment Writers Jake Coyle in New York and Anthony
McCartney in Los Angeles, Associated Press Writer Eric Talmadge in
Tokyo and Solvej Schou in Los Angeles contributed to this
report.
August 20th, 2010 at 05:11 pm
fuck that was bad, and they were sober to, at least i think.
August 20th, 2010 at 05:21 pm
Wow. That was god awful.
August 20th, 2010 at 08:14 pm
Wait until you hear the great Manhattan Sur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEQLzr-hShs
August 21st, 2010 at 05:57 am
I made it through 41 seconds before my ears began hemorrhaging.
August 21st, 2010 at 09:29 am
Looks like Plan A didn't work out... stick to Plan B like other Mexicans (illegally cross into the US (except Arizona) and live off of taxpayers' money for free).
August 22nd, 2010 at 01:07 pm
actually, they're brazillians. looks like your plan A didn't work, which would be learn something at school, so how about work at wendy's ?
August 23rd, 2010 at 08:55 am
Funny that in your attempt to "Burn" this guy, you revealed your own grammar shortcomings
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:14 am
haha "comings"
August 22nd, 2010 at 06:18 pm
@pratik ahahaha BURN!!!
August 23rd, 2010 at 08:40 am
Children from Argentina play better than this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_4aGXTHo7w
August 23rd, 2010 at 09:41 am
I thought they were going to cover Blink 182.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 am
Can someone invent a machine that will allow me to unhear that.
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Wow, thats jsut messed up dude.
Lou
www.privacy-tools.eu.tc
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