Guest: Many wept during Michael Jackson’s funeral
By · CommentsGLENDALE, California – Paris Jackson wept as she stepped into the mausoleum where her father, Michael, was to be entombed. Katherine Jackson, overcome by sorrow, turned back when she was faced with her son’s final resting place.
On a sultry Thursday evening, amid a sea of white flowers and with a bejeweled crown placed atop his casket by his children, the King of Pop was given an intimate, private version of the lavish public memorial held shortly after his death in June.
The funeral at Glendale Memorial Park was simple but touching, according to one guest. The person, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the day, said Gladys Knight’s performance of the hymn “Our Father” (The Lord’s Prayer) soared in the vast mausoleum and moved many to tears.
When it was over, many of the 200 mourners hugged each other. Among them were Elizabeth Taylor, Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Barry Bonds and Macaulay Culkin.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who gave a eulogy at the public event and at Thursday’s service, also extolled Knight’s earlier performance of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”
“Gladys Knight sang her heart out. Now we prepare to lay him to rest,” Sharpton posted on his Twitter account during the service that was held outside and then within the marble mausoleum.
The mourners followed the crowned, lushly flower-draped casket as Jackson’s five brothers each wearing a bright red tie and a single crystal-studded glove carried it into the mausoleum. The 11-year-old Paris cried as the group entered the imposing building and was comforted by her aunt, LaToya.
Paris and brothers Prince Michael, 12, and Prince Michael II, 7, known as Blanket, began the service by placing the crown on their father’s golden casket. They were composed through most of the hour-and-a-half ceremony.
As it ended, Katherine Jackson appeared extremely weary and had to be helped to her car, according to the guest. Earlier, she had a difficult time going into the mausoleum; she was overcome, turned back, and it wasn’t clear if she went in at all, the guest said.
The Jackson family’s tardy arrival delayed the service for nearly two hours; no explanation was given to mourners. The invitation notice indicated the service would begin promptly at 7 p.m.; it began closer to 8:30.
The 77-year-old Taylor and others were left waiting in the late summer heat, with the temperature stuck at 90 degrees just before sunset, and some mourners fanned themselves with programs for the service. As darkness fell, police escorted the family’s motorcade of 31 cars, including Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, from their compound in Encino to Forest Lawn, about a 20-minute journey, with the hearse bearing Jackson’s body at the end.
About 250 seats were arranged for mourners over artificial turf laid roadside at the mausoleum, and a vivid orange moon, a mark of the devastating wildfire about 10 miles (16 kilometers) distant, hung over the cemetery.
There were two oversized portraits of a youthful, vibrant Jackson mounted next to the casket amid displays of white lilies and roses. At Jackson’s lavish public memorial, red roses covered his casket.
A large, blimp-like inflated light, the type used in film and television production, and a boom camera hovered over the seating area placed in front of the elaborate marble mausoleum. The equipment raised the possibility that the footage would be used for the Jackson concert documentary “This Is It,” or perhaps the Jackson brothers’ upcoming reality show.
More than 400 media credentials were issued to reporters and film crews who remained at a distance from the service and behind barricades. The few clusters of fans who gathered around the secure perimeter that encircled the cemetery entrance struggled to see.
Maria Martinez, 25, a fan from Riverside, California, who was joined by a dozen other Jackson admirers at a gas station near the security perimeter, gave a handful of pink flowers she had picked at a nearby park to a man with an invitation driving into the funeral.
“Can you please put these flowers on his grave?” she told him. “They were small and ugly, but I did that with my heart. I’m not going to be able to get close, so this is as close as I could get to him.”
The man consented, adding, “God bless.”
Glendale police said all went smoothly and there were no arrests.
Jackson will share eternity at Forest Lawn with the likes of Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields, entombed alongside them in the mausoleum that will be all but off-limits to adoring fans who might otherwise turn the pop star’s grave into a shrine.
The closest the public will be able to get to Jackson’s vault is a portion of the mausoleum that displays “The Last Supper Window,” a life-size stained-glass re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece. Several 10-minute presentations about the window are held regularly 365 days a year, but most of the building is restricted.
The Jackson family had booked an Italian restaurant in Pasadena for a gathering Thursday night, and family members and guests were seen coming and going late into the night.
“I feel like I watched Michael finally given some peace and I made a commitment to make sure his legacy and what he stood for lives on,” Sharpton said outside the restaurant around midnight. “So at one level we’re relieved; another level we’re obligated.”
The ceremony ends months of speculation that the singer’s body would be buried at Neverland Ranch, in part to make the property a Graceland-style attraction. An amended copy of Jackson’s death certificate was filed Thursday in Los Angeles County to reflect Forest Lawn as his final resting place.
In court on Wednesday, it was disclosed that 12 burial spaces were being purchased by Jackson’s estate at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles (13 kilometers) north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.
The King of Pop died a drug-induced death June 25 at age 50 as he was about to embark on a comeback attempt. The coroner’s office has labeled the death a homicide, and Jackson’s death certificate lists “injection by another” as the cause.
Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, told detectives he gave the singer a series of sedatives and the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep. But prosecutors are still investigating, and no charges have been filed.
Dead stars and classic art will surround Michael Jackson
By · CommentsLOS ANGELES, California — Seventy days after his sudden death, Michael Jackson will be interred in what may or may not be his final resting place Thursday evening.
Only his family and closest friends will attend the private funeral inside the ornate Great Mausoleum on the grounds of Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California.
The news media, which has closely covered every aspect of Jackson’s death, will be kept at a distance, with cameras no closer than the cemetery’s main gate.
Little is known about the planned ceremony, though CNN has confirmed that singer Gladys Knight, a longtime friend to Jackson, will perform. Her song has not been disclosed.
The massive mausoleum, which is normally open to tourists, was closed Wednesday as preparations were completed for the funeral. A security guard blocking its entrance said it would reopen to the public on Friday.
Fans of Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and dozens of other celebrities buried on the grounds have flocked to Forest Lawn-Glendale for decades, but Jackson may outdraw them all.
It is unclear how close tourists will be allowed to Jackson’s resting place. Security guards — aided by cameras — keep a constant vigil over the graves and crypts, which are surrounded by a world-class collection of art and architecture.
The Forest Lawn Web site boasts that the mausoleum, which draws its architectural inspiration from the Campo Santo in Italy, “has been called the “New World’s Westminster Abbey” by Time Magazine.
Visitors will see “exact replicas of Michelangelo’s greatest works such as David, Moses, and La Pieta” and “Leonardo da Vinci’s immortal Last Supper re-created in brilliant stained glass; two of the world’s largest paintings,” the Web site says.
Jackson’s burial has been delayed by division among Jackson family members, though it was matriarch Katherine Jackson who would make the final decision, brother Jermaine Jackson recently told CNN.
He preferred to see his youngest brother laid to rest at his former Neverland Ranch home, north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County, California.
That idea was complicated by neighbors who vowed to oppose allowing a grave in the rural area — and by Jackson family members who said the singer would not want to return to the home where he faced child molestation charges, of which he was ultimately acquitted.
The mystery of where Michael Jackson would be buried became a media obsession in the weeks after his death.
After his body was loaded onto a helicopter at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center hours following his June 25 death, it stayed in the custody of the Los Angeles County coroner for an autopsy.
It was only later disclosed that Jackson’s corpse was kept in a refrigerated room at the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn cemetery until his casket was carried by motorcade to downtown Los Angeles for a public memorial service in the Staples Center arena.
Again, speculation about Jackson’s whereabouts grew when the media lost track of his casket after his brothers carried it out of sight inside the arena. Though the family has not publicly confirmed where the body was taken, most reports placed it back at the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn while awaiting his family’s decision.
Though Thursday’s interment may settle one Michael Jackson mystery, a more serious one remains. The coroner announced last week that he had ruled Jackson’s death a homicide. A summary of the coroner’s report said the anesthetic propofol and the sedative lorazepam were the primary drugs responsible for the singer’s death.
Los Angeles police detectives have not concluded their criminal investigation and no one has been charged.
Star-filled mausoleum awaits Michael Jackson
By · CommentsGLENDALE, Calif. – One month after a lavish public memorial for Michael Jackson, the pop singer’s family prepared to inter him privately Thursday in a mausoleum filled with legendary entertainers.
On Wednesday, a judge said Jackson’s estate will bear the funeral costs, which were characterized by an attorney as “extraordinary.” It was disclosed in court that 12 burial spaces were being purchased at Forest Lawn Glendale, about eight miles north of downtown Los Angeles, but no details were offered on how they would be used.
Jackson will rest in the cemetery’s Great Mausoleum with Hollywood stars including Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields.
Jackson’s funeral won’t end the legal drama over his drug-induced death at age 50, which authorities have labeled a homicide. No criminal charges have been filed over his June 25 death, which came on the cusp of London concerts meant to restore Jackson to his once-incandescent stardom.
Last week, coroner’s officials said they believed Jackson’s death was homicide, and his death certificate has been amended to reflect that. It cites “injection by another” as the fatal injury.
Investigators have said a mix of the powerful anesthetic propofol and another sedative killed the pop singer. The new record lists “acute propofol intoxication” as the main cause of death and “benzodiazepine effect” as another significant contributor.
The certificate does not mention Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Jackson’s personal physician. He told detectives that he gave the singer a series of sedatives and propofol to try to help him sleep.
The coroner’s determination of homicide makes it easier for prosecutors to seek criminal charges, but does not necessarily mean a crime was committed.
We Killed Michael Jackson
By · CommentsWhere were all the weeping fans, the artists who hail him as their hero, the radio DJs who can’t stop playing his music? Where were they 10 years ago? Oh right. Everyone thought Michael Jackson was a freak – a plastic surgery addicted child molester. His last studio album “Invincible,” released 2001, failed to garner true hit single because radio stations refused to play the songs. Music critics tore him to shreds. He was blackballed. People made fun of him, he was considered a washed-up, has-been, crazy person.
The success of “Thriller,” which as sold over 110 million copies worldwide and counting, can never be matched. (“Invincible,” for the record managed to sell respectful 13 million copies worldwide to date. No artist can keep up that kind of string of hits. But, he put his heart and soul into every new recording he did, but judgment had already been cast before anyone heard the music.
He was a desperate man in pain and everyone threw stones at him. Now it’s fashionable to be a Michael Jackson fan. Radio stations now play his music on heavy rotation. His albums are flying off the shelves. Urban Outfitters even carries a commemorative vinyl collection that hipsters can frame and put on their walls. Suddenly the entire world has rediscovered Michael Jackson. He’s dead damn it. Imagine what this kind of love would have done for him while he was living? Maybe then he wouldn’t need drugs to sleep.
Michael’s body was still warm when celebrities, music execs, family members and even his personal staffed whored themselves to TV news programs professing to be Michaels’ best friends. People who didn’t even know him were releasing statements. Where were these so called best friends when Michael needed an intervention? Needed help? Nowhere. Yes, some tried, and Michael would not listen — so keep trying!!!
Things had gotten so strange in Michael’s world, that before he signed with AEG to do a string of concerts, one management company was trying to convince him to be ‘virtual Michael.’ No joke – they were going to set up a 3D Internet portal so Michael could interact with the world without leaving his house. That’s enough to make anyone feel nuts.
The AEG deal gave him new life. It brought him back to what he does best – perform, be in front of fans, be around humans. Only the inner sanctum at AEG believed in him. The public and the pundits were waiting for him to fail. Many fans who bought tickets to the sold out concerts just wanted to go to see a historic spectacle, hoping they would witness a car crash.
We killed Michael Jackson. We helped create his gilded cage and then we rejected him. Death serves you well Michael, the world is finally acknowledging the amazing force of nature you were. You changed the face of music. Rest in peace.
(Tamara Conniff)
Lyrics:
Jackson, Jackson,
The legend Michael Jackson,
Forever remember where you was when it happened,
Everybody staring at phones reading their flashes
In hope it was just a rumour and sooner well get the facts in.
Ill always remember the spot where I was standing
Exact same spot where I felt like collapsing.
Our relationship with music he has always been the captain
Even after confirmation it sunk, it never sank in.
The same year I was born Michael brought you Thriller.
Funny the 1st ever album that I was brought was Thriller.
Out of this world his moonwalk done brought us all together.
An important figure cant figure a human force thats bigger.
It wasnt right how the media handled Mike
Disgusting how theyre always discussing if he was black or white.
His mum was black, his dad was black so it aint rocket science to say hes black alright.
But that didnt matter to him, cause he was not racist.
Self proclaimed Bad thus he caught cases
There aint a smooth criminal without court cases.
Said he was touching, I said he was touching all nations,
Even before Dangerous hes like a thousand times bigger than rest
Rewind his tape like a thousand times Elvis was a great and Lennon was a Legend and Michael J was like both over a thousand times.
They said that his sales declined but after about 750 million whats left to yell about?
There aint a music act that doesnt owe Jacko, jack
So hes always gonna sell as long as theyre about
Watching his life was an honour and I dont mean no kinda disrespect to Madonna
But Michael was on a different level, and he adopted all of us in his songs
While he was trying to heal the world like a doctor.
I hope the money goes to the kids, as I hold these two O2 tickets. For his 50 date tour less than 50 days away so from his death at 50 wish he had 50 days more but never got half, pasted on the 25th of June and we should remember this day as his.
I believe he never left and he would never leave, never been a legend that lived that can ever breathe, never been a martyr that fought that can forever bleed, never been a leader that walked, that can forever lead, God will give him to us same God will to take him from us. Now hes in his rightful place cause he was so heavenly. All for one and one for all he made a song for all, so I put a copy of his Off The Wall on the wall.
My town misses him, your town misses him, everybody since motown misses him. Now when you think of him picture him standing on a stage with his hand up one glove glistening, whole world at a standstill listening anticipating his next move the King is him.
From age 5 and the days of J5 hes never took a break, no rest to take 5, therell never be a next the rest just aint Mike.
Time to pay our respects and watch the angels take flight
Out into the sky and never ever land, cos his house was in the sky and never, never never land.
Under all the pressure he never ever ran, hes the best forever damn, who dressed forever glam.
The biggest man on the planet, not just a brother to Janet, our thoughts go out to his family,
He gave his hearts to the fans and he paved the way for the future, still his flame is in you, cos he inspired song writers, record labels, producers,
They saying Michael Jackson was the King of Pop.
But Im saying he was the King full stop.
People saying Michael Jackson was the King of Pop,
but Im saying he was the King full stop.
Katherine Jackson Granted Permanent Custody Of Kids
By · CommentsMichael Jackson’s mother has officially been granted permanent custody of the pop superstar’s three children after a Los Angeles judge approved the motion in court on Monday.
Katherine Jackson reached an agreement with her son’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, over the care of the kids and their younger brother Prince Michael II, aka Blanket, last week (ends31Jul09).
The case went before L.A. Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff on Monday, when consent forms from Prince and Paris were presented before the court stating their desire to remain with their grandmother.
Beckloff signed off on the custody deal, naming the 79 year old the youngsters’ legal guardian, while Rowe was given visitation rights.
Both parties are expected to return to court for a follow-up hearing on 2 October.
During the court session, Katherine Jackson was also granted her request for a monthly allowance from the singer’s estate to help provide for his kids.
The amount of the payments was not specified, but Beckloff ruled Katherine was eligible to claim 83.5 per cent of the money requested dating back to 25 June – when the King of Pop died.
The allowance figures will be reviewed in six months time, while another hearing has been set for 11 January, 2010.
Michael Jackson’s personal chef has spoken out about the day the King of Pop died.
Celebrity chef Kai Chase, who had been invited to London to cook for Jacko during his series of comeback concerts at the O2 Arena, said she first knew something was wrong when Michael’s doctor, Conrad Murray, failed to pick up Michael’s breakfast of juices and granola as usual.
She said: “I thought maybe Mr Jackson is sleeping late; at about 12:05 or 12:10 Dr Murray runs down the steps and screams, ‘Go get Prince!’”
She continued: “He’s screaming very loud. I run into the den where the kids are playing. Prince (Michael’s oldest son) runs to meet Dr Murray and from that point on you could feel the energy in the house change.
“I walked into the hall and I saw the children there. The daughter was crying. I saw paramedics running up the stairs.”
At that point, Kai, 37, said the children, their nanny, a housekeeper and her all held hands and began to pray.
At about 1:30pm, she said, security guards told her and other staff to leave the mansion because “Mr. Jackson was being taken to the hospital.”
When she came outside ambulances were in the courtyard and a crowd had gathered.
The chef added that Dr Murray sometimes joined them for dinner, that he conferred with her about the 50-year-old pop singer’s food and made sure that he ate.
The only oddity was the oxygen tanks the doctor brought downstairs after staying the night, Kai said. She said she never asked about the purpose of the oxygen and she saw no sign that Michael was on drugs or was in failing health.
Authorities have searched Dr Murray’s Las Vegas home and medical office as part of an investigation that included raids last week of his clinic and storage in Houston.
The request for Kai to accompany Jacko to London was personally made to her by his 12-year-old son, Prince Michael II.
“Prince said, ‘Daddy wants me to tell you he wants you to go to London with us,”‘ she said. “I said, ‘Tell your daddy that I’m pleased and honoured.”
Kai had already filled out paperwork and submitted a copy of her passport to the Jackson staff and expected to leave for London on July 3.
On June 23, she said Jackson told her: “I’m packed and I’m ready to go.” Two days later, he was dead.
On most days, she said, Dr Murray would bring Jackson the special fruit juice drinks she had prepared for him, followed by granola with almond milk. For lunch, Jackson would eat with the children from a menu that included spinach salad and chicken. Dinner would consist of a dish like seared ahi tuna.
“I came to the house and the first people I met were the kids. They started interviewing me,” she said. “They told me: ‘We’re into healthy eating.”
“We developed a really great bond,” she added.
Most days, she said, Jackson made a point of having both lunch and dinner with the children, Prince, 11-year-old Paris; and 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, and each meal was preceded by Paris saying grace.
After weeks of healthy food, she said she wrote Jackson a note with a suggestion: “I said, ‘What about doing comfort-food Saturdays? We could do barbecued chicken and corn on the cob, maybe Mexican food or soul food.”‘
She said he loved the idea, but as the concerts approached, healthy eating returned full time.
“He said, ‘I’m a dancer,’ and he wanted food that would not make him cramp up while he was dancing.”
The chef, who has also worked for Macy Gray, Jamie Foxx and catered a fundraiser for President Barack Obama, now treasures little notes she received from the children and from Jackson and a present he gave her.
“One day he handed me a little gift bag and said, ‘This is for you from me and the children.’ He had given me an iPod Touch because the children told him I still had a Walkman. It had the 25th anniversary ‘Thriller’ album loaded on it.”
She said she has visited with the children since Jackson’s death and they are doing well. “They have so many cousins to play with.”
As for her future, she said Jackson encouraged her to write a cookbook and she has written one tentatively titled, “Fit for a King.” It includes recipes she cooked for Jackson and the story of the time she worked for him.
“He was an inspiration to me,” she said.
Buy Michael Jackson music online
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Michael Jackson DVD store
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