Some of the Best Bits From Jackson’s Memorial — Brooke Shields

In a two-hour event which has been expected to have been watched by billions, there were certainly some moments to remember.

There were some stories of good times from friend to Michael Jackson, Brooke Shields. One of the stories included the time when the two snuck into the room of Liz Taylor, who was to be married. They were trying to get a look at the bride’s dress in advance of the wedding, but they were only to find the bride-to-be asleep in the room in bed. The chuckles resonated through the memorial, it was a sombre but light moment.

There were other moments to remember, including memories of what started off Jackson’s unbelievably momentous career over 40 years ago. The Jacksons were signed with Motown Records, with the founder saying that he was blown away by Michael’s audition when he was just 10 years old. The founder Barry Gordy even went on to say how he though the King of Pop’s cover of the song Who’s Lovin’ You was a lot better than the actual song which was originally sang by Smokey Robinson.

There was emotional support for Jackson’s three children, who are still stricken with brief and who were very upset at the event. A Reverend who spoke at the memorial gave a brilliant quote that raised the roof: “Wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with.”

There were many artists on stage at the event who said they were influenced by Michael Jackson. Even though some artists simply wanted to speak at the moving memorial, some decided to sing. One of them was Jennifer Hudson, who says that Jackson was one of her greatest inspirations for going into music.

Another significant moment was when young Paris Jackson addressed the audience, only to break down in tears. The event will remain in the hearts and minds of people for many years to come.

Jackson Brothers Reminisce on Good Times

During the tribute which was held for the superstar today, the Jackson brothers shared good memories that they had with their brother both on stage and in the programmes which were given to the lucky few who got their hands on tickets.

They included brother to Michael, Marlon. Marlon requested that Michael gave his twin brother Brandon a hug, who sadly died at birth. Marlon and Brandon were twins.

On a lighter note, Marlon reminisced on the times they had as members of the Jackson 5 and how they tried to do the things they lived around their hectic recording schedule: “I remember when we came home from school and we would try to watch The Three Stooges before they would ask us to the recording studio.”

The brother gave a bigger insight into the eccentric way that Jackson lived, talking about how Michael dressed up as an old person to buy records in a store.

“He was an older gentleman, short afro, crooked teeth and his clothes were crumpled. I went up to him and said, ‘Michael, what are you doing in this store?’ He turned to me and said, ‘Marlon, how did you know it was me?” I told him ‘You’re my brother, I could spot you anywhere. I know your walk, your body language, and your shoes do not help.’”

The tributes did not stop there, with brother Tito, also a member of the Jackson 5, praising Michael for inventing shoes that ‘had a resistance to gravity’. In the programme for the event, he concluded his short statement by saying very simply: ‘What a man!’

It is very notable about the talent seen in the Jackson family, with the vast majority of his family working in the music industry. Undoubtedly, it is Michael Jackson who was most successful, this can be seen through the moving tributes made today.

Jackson’s Brothers Lead Emotional Memorial Tribute

The brothers of Michael Jackson, whose public memorial service was today, lead the tributes at the Staples Center for 1,100 fans and millions, even billions more around the globe.

The four brothers of the late superstar lead the way for a list of other stars who were performing on a very emotional day for the many people who loved Michael’s work and legacy.

In a very moving set of songs, Jermaine Jackson sang one of Michael’s favourite songs, the Charlie Chaplin number “Smile”, which was followed by an incredibly emotional standing ovation.

Jermaine’s reaction to the strong reaction from the audience was that the event was not just moving for the them, but for Jackson’s family also. At the event’s conclusion, he said: “My family, my nieces, my nephews, my sisters, my brothers, I would like to thank everyone for coming out, I am lost for words. I was his voice, his backbone and so was his family, we thank you very much.” The statement installed the fact that the entire world was enduring the pain, grief and loss of the King of Pop forever.

Marlon Jackson, another of Jackson’s brothers, tried to emphasise how much pain and ridicule Michael had to endure on a daily basis because of his controversial and eccentric life, saying: “Being judged, ridiculed. How much pain can one take? Maybe now, Michael, they’ll leave you alone.”

“I thank you for all the times you have placed smiles in our hearts and all the work you have done in the Lord’s name.”

The memorial was preceded by Michael Jackson’s burial in the “cemetery of the stars” – the Forest Lawn Memorial Park. There have been various rumours surrounding the burial, including whether or not he was to be buried in concrete, buried without his brain or even buried in a gold casket.

Some of the Best and Worst Tributes to Michael Jackson

The past week have seen loads of different tributes to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson come to light.

Some of the tributes have been verbal and have mainly appeared on websites like Twitter. Currently, 30% of tweets on the social networking website are solely dedicated to Michael Jackson.

Celebrities have been doing their bit and have been making moving statements about how much of an impact the star has made on popular culture.

The media also has been covering all angles and many obituaries have been published in magazines and newspapers around the world. Barack Obama, the US president, even praised the media for focusing on the positives surrounding Michael Jackson rather than dwelling on the more tragic side of the superstar’s life.

The public have been arguably the most inventive people when it has been coming to tributes over past days.

In South Africa, over 200 people moonwalked in honour of the superstar. Nelson Mandela Square, in Johannesburg, was a riot of colour with some people even in Jackson’s famous white socks, black shoes and glitter gloves.

They danced to a variety of songs in the streets.

The project has been met with great success, particularly after local radio stations organised a collection of items to be donated to charity in honour of the superstar.

Meanwhile in Iowa, eyebrows are being raised after plans were revealed for a Michael Jackson tribute to be made solely out of butter for the annual State Fair.

Interestingly, the sculpture is planned to accompany a cow in the event and will be housed in an industrial-sized glass fridge for the duration of the event.

The event comes in honour of Michael Jackson and in respect for his grieving family. Michael Jackson performed there as part of the Jackson 5 at the Iowa State Fair back in 1971.

Celebrity tributes flood in for Jackson

Celebrities have been paying their repsects to the King of Pop, as one week passes since the superstar’s death.

US president Barack Obama, who hasn’t released a formal statement in the days following Michael Jackson’s death, told the media that he grew up on Michael Jackson’s music when he was young.

Obama added: “He will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. I grew up on his music. I’m glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer.”

“I think that his brilliance as a performer also was paired with a tragic and, in many ways, sad personal life.”

Musicians have also been contributing their respects to the King of Pop, with many claiming how much of an influence music from the star was to them.

Justin Timberlake had this to say: “We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together.”

Uri Geller was a close friend to the star. He said: “I’m shocked and devastated. I am hoping this is a dream I will wake up from, but it is not. Michael is dead. For him not to be around, that he’s gone, is just surreal. It cannot sink into my psyche. He was a genius.”

<Tributes have been flooding in around the world for Michael Jackson. Experts have not been surprised that Twitter has greatly increased the amount of communication users are making. It is understood that Michael Jackson related topics are accounting for 30% of the total traffic going through the site.