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This Day In Music: Michael Jackson’s Memorial
On this day in 2009, Michael Jackson was laid to rest. After a private family funeral, a larger memorial service was held in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California in honor of the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson needs no introduction. Like Elvis, his name is synonymous with pop music. And like Elvis, both his life and death were surrounded by scandal. From the cosmetic surgeries that changed his face and skin color, to the accusations of sexual abuse, to the strange names he gave his children, and the use of medical masks when he went out in public–Michael Jackson had become a figure of mockery for many.
But there was a time when Michael Jackson was the epitome of cool. And for more Americans than not–probably for most of the world–no matter what crazy scandal attached itself to his name, there was something more vital about Michael Jackson than other people, and that was his music.
From the still phenomenal video for “Thriller” to the infectiously danceable “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” Michael Jackson was a performer and a musician of the kind that only comes along once in a generation. Those lucky enough to have seen him in concert are aware of his charisma and talent.
Michael Jackson’s fame was as much of a tragedy as anything else. But what Michael Jackson’s memorial service reminded us of was the profound affect his music had on us as a culture and as a generation.
Sadly, MJ was about to stage a comeback right before his death, a process that was documented in the 2009 film, This Is It.