Michael Jackson: A Goodbye For The Ages

Fans worldwide tuned in to the Michael Jackson memorial on Tuesday, a Hollywood-style ceremony that unfolded over two hours at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

It was a star-studded, bittersweet event in a place where, less than two weeks ago, the entertainer had been rehearsing for a concert tour to begin in London. 

The most unexpected moment came at the very end, when Jackson's daughter Paris -- for so long shielded from the media -- stood on stage and addressed her father: "Ever since I was born, Daddy was the best father I could ever imagine," she said. "I just want to say I love him so much."

The ceremony began with pastor Lucious Smith welcoming the millions watching around the world. “To millions, MJ was an idol, a hero, even a king,” he said. 

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sang an emotional version of “I’ll Be There,” and Lionel Richie, wearing a yellow rose and backed by a gospel choir, sang a hymnal. Jennifer Hudson, left, sang a moving version of "Will You Be There." Jermaine Jackson, above, sang a sad, a capella version of the song, "Smile."

His brother Marlon Jackson alluded to the singer's controversial life when he said at the end of the ceremony, "Michael, maybe now they will leave you alone."

Queen Latifah saluted Jackson’s symbolism as an African-American hero. “He let me know that as an African-American, you could travel the world, there was a world outside of America, all you people who came here to pay respects to someone who was one of you, a human being first. “

In a spotlight at the front of the arena, Michael Jackson’s golden coffin, heaped with roses, stood where just 13 days ago he was rehearsing.

Berry Gordy, left, the legendary Motown producer, hailed Jackson as “simply the greatest entertainer who ever lived.”

The Jackson brothers were dressed in darks suits, yellow ties, and sequined gloves on their right hands. Jackson’s three children sat between Jackson’s parents Katherine and Joe.

Basketball star Magic Johnson recalled going to Michael Jackson’s house and ordering grilled chicken, and finding that the singer had instead gotten Kentucky Fried Chicken.

“That made my day,” he said. “That was the greatest moment of my life. We had the greatest time, sitting on the floor eating that bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

He added: "I want to thank Michael for opening up so many doors for African-Americans. For Kobe (Bryant) and I to have our jerseys in homes all over the world. He opened all those doors for us."

Brooke Shields, left, weeping, recalled a friendship that went back three decades to when she was 13; While many thought their friendship odd, she said, “It was the most natural and easiest of friendships -- Michael knew he could count on me to support him, be his date, we’d have fun wherever we were.”

She recalled teasing him when Jackson began wearing a glove.

 

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