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July 7th, 2009
01:46 PM ET
A concert-like memorialThere is nothing more appropriate than to say goodbye to Michael Jackson than singing - and lots of it. This memorial for the King of Pop is like a concert. The Andrae Crouch Choir sounded like angels. There are screens everywhere for those with nose-bleed seats to watch the singing, and those fans are just thankful for getting in the Staples Center. Mariah Carey just finished belting her heart out. Look for the memorial tribute album soon. Still up next: Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Usher and Stevie Wonder.
July 7th, 2009
01:41 PM ET
World is watching Jackson goodbye The Staples Center in Los Angeles is not the only place to see Michael Jackson's funeral, funeral "watch parties" are gathering internationally. In Raleigh, North Carolina, the three-hour service includes performances from area musical groups, testimonials from Jackson fans and large screens showing the live memorial at the Raleigh Convention Center. In Harlem, New York, the service is being shown on the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building at 125th Street. People also are watching a CNN feed in Times Square, Manhattan. In Detroit, Michigan, the funeral is being shown at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. In Berlin, Germany, fans are watching the live event at O2 World Arena and outside the O2 Arena in London. Read CNN's coverage of watch parties around the globe.
July 7th, 2009
01:40 PM ET
Does not get more down-to-earth than KFCFormer NBA star Magic Johnson recalls how at a meeting for the music video "Remember the Time," the NBA star went for the grilled chicken, but Michael Jackson kept it real with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. The crowd roared with laughter. Who knew this side of Jackson? Well, his fans did. As speakers and performers recount stories and lessons learned from Jackson at his memorial, iReporters are remembering when they met Jackson. And all of them commented on how human and down-to-earth he was.  iReporter Tabitha Messick said the news about Jackson's death brought back a cherished memory of Jackson dining at the same restaurant as her in an Orlando, Florida Benihana in 2003. The owners closed the restaurant to additional customers and allowed patrons to take pictures, at right, and talk with Michael for more than two hours. "Michael was so gracious and generous," Messick remembers. iReporter Randy Goldfarb recalls her "unbelievable and surreal" moment with Jackson, who made a surprise afternoon appointment with Goldfarb's dentist office in 2004 in Boca Raton, Florida. Goldfarb and the rest of the staff thought it was joke, but then Michael appeared around noon with one bodyguard. "He was the nicest guy you could imagine. He introduced himself as if he was an ordinary guy that I had never heard of," Goldfarb said. Michael was "soft spoken, gentle, and kind. He signed autographs, took pictures with us, and even sang." Do you have any Michael Jackson meetings to share? Post them below: – Writer/Producer Intern Breeana Hare
July 7th, 2009
12:55 PM ET
iReporters share exclusive Jackson images When iReporter Robin Randol exited the "Captain EO" attraction at Disneyland, she saw a man wearing a fur-lined coat and a top hat. The pop icon starred in the film. Her dad insisted it was Michael Jackson. "No one was around him but my dad insisted it was Michael Jackson," Randol said. "I remember not believing it was him as it seemed too She said her father walked past Jackson, who wasn't surrounded by security at the time, and snapped this photograph. Randol said that when her father took the picture, "Michael said 'hi' in his famous soft voice." "It was a moment I will never forget," Randol said. For more stories like these, and exclusive iReport photographs of Jackson, go to iReport's collection of stories. - Writer/Producer Intern Breeana Hare
July 7th, 2009
12:43 PM ET
LA official said funeral will cost millionsMatt Szabo, Los Angeles mayor's senior press secretary, talks with CNN.com's Nicole Lapin outlines the city's plan for Jackson's funeral. Since California is steeped in a financial mess, Szabo said the mayor is asking funeral goers to contribute money to help fund the costs of the service. Szabo said he didn't know how much the memorial will cost until the end of the day but will be "millions of dollars."
July 7th, 2009
12:33 PM ET
Ex-Vibe editor reflects on JacksonDanyel Smith, former editor for Vibe magazine, reflects on the impact Jackson had on her life with CNN.com's Melissa Long. Smith said Jackson was not only a death to her family but for "everybody's" family. "I don't remember a time when Jackson wasn't on the radio," Smith said. "I don't remember an era in my life when Jackson didn't provide some soundtrack." |
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