Your comments about We are the world being the first time a recording of that nature was done is not true. Michael and Lionel were inspired by Bob Geldof's "Do they know it's Christmas" song recorded by UK music artists. Bob Geldof tried to get US musicians to do a version but was unsuccessful, but once Quincy and Lionel and Michael got involved everyone wanted to participate.

So props to Michael but it wasn't his idea.

AC- You are incorrect- about Michael Jackson being the 1st do an ensemble cast of Musicians for a cause– Bob Geldof was the 1st one to do this with "do They Know It's Christmas" & "Band Aid" and a double Concert on July 13, 1985.
"We are the World" then followed.
May He rest in Peace, but please cover it correctly.

It's a sad statement about our culture that when someone of questionable morals and stability (thinks it's alright for strange kids to sleep in his bed with him and ran around with a chimp) is more notable news then the 8 US soldiers that were killed in Afghanistan in the last 2 days. I think we really have our priorities screwed up. Nobody knew this guy. He was a recluse and a strange one at that. So why the alligator tears? What makes him so much more important then the troops in harms way? IMHO the men and women that serve should garner much more attention...and not be on the "3rd page" of the news.

Anderson: you are very quiet and respectful and focused on the service. Soledad on the other hand is just yapping to hear herself yap.
This is a funeral people. Shut the heck up about finances and the will and everything else. Focus on the somber moment we are in teh midst of.

Is anybody going to talk about how goulish today's Michael Jackson event really is???? I see Jesse Jackson preening for photos ... tshirts being hawked ... a rock concert around a casket? I know this is a rock family but, come on! Is there so little dignity being shown this man? And is this really just a commentary on where we are as a society today? I think there's a bigger story here ... come on, Anderson!!!!!

Sorry folks, but this has got to be the dumbest most hypocritical thing I have ever heard of. I'm at work so I will not be watching TV but even if I were at home, I wouldn't watch this.

A month ago the only time Michael Jackson was ever mentioned, was in a joke. Now....... he's Ghandi.

This would be like Sarah Palin dying and, suddenly, everyone's crying and saying how she was such a great leader – so intelligent – so reliable... CNN would have round-the-clock coverage and people could send in Ireports and testify, "....how Sarah's words changed my life.....", "I know that I, too, can see Russia from my house if I just believe......."

Have any of you stepped back and looked at how bizarre, exploitative, and macabre this has become?

Michael Jackson was a talented performer. That's it. Nothing more – nothing less. This whole charade is absolutely ridiculous.

Michael you are the best and I'm really going to miss you. You will always be in my heart and your cds and dvds wil remain at the top of my stock.Words cannot explain the way I fell I will love you always.

Rest I Peace my Star

Dear Anderson Cooper,

Soledad's reporting from MJ's memorial was soooo tacky. I am so turned off by her vicious comments.

M. Murphy

I am deeply saddened for Michael's children. I hope they will be well taken care .
I am also wondering if the doctor that was present with Michael during the time of his death administered Narcan, which is a drug used in hospitals to reverse the affects of all narcotics ? Did any doctor think to give that to him along with all the demerol and propofol and whatever else he was on in case he went into respiratory arrest? So the money he paid them was more important than his life? Maybe he could have been saved?.

I am watching the serivce for Micheal Jackson. Can you tell me how can I get a program. I live in Kankakee Ill and would love to get one for my kids. Please email me back and let me no something. I will pay for it. Thank you Belinda

Now that Michael is gone, the Jackson brothers will actually have to find jobs.

Rest in Peace, dear lonely Michael.

The

M usic
I ndustry
C annot
H ave
A nother
E VER
L ike Michael Jackson

I know they are asking for the fans cover the cost of the event of Micheal Jacksons memoral but, why not ask the media to help cover the cost also?

I think the whole world has gone nuts and hope the news media will shut up since this will finally be over. Maybe the National CNNquirer will get back to normalcy.

Thank you God for sending all of us an angel of love. we will always be mindful of our responsibility to one another. we also know that you had to take him back home.
we will never forget you Michael Jackson . May you rest,rest,rest in
God's loving arms.
Vivian and natalie and Michael

Many of us should be ashamed of our treatment of Michael while he was alive.
Glorifying him now does not do any thing for Michael since he is no longer with us.
It is just another show.

Strangely and coincidentally, perhaps a month or so ago, I remember there being a commercial on television with the musical track "I'll Be There". I remember thinking to myself, 'oh that's a young Michael Jackson singing', and how wonderful and powerful his voice was, marveling at the thought that he was so young when that song was recorded. There are some songs that make me a bit teary. I come from a musical family, and my parents used to sing "Daddy's Little Girl", and remember that that song as a toddler would make me cry. I don't understand the notion still that a song could move me when I was little, yet I remember it. "I'll Be There" is one of those songs too, and the voices behind its beautiful message make that song all the more moving. I'm definitely a fan of Michael Jackson and believe he was a child prodigy, an old soul in a young human being. It seems to me that bright lights flicker and illuminate, seemingly so powerful it hurts one's eyes, and then in a flash they are exstinguished; our eyes have to readjust and we are left to ponder over what we saw, heard and felt and must rely on our memories, our joy, our feelings, and how that bright light was a feast for the eyes (and ears). Why is it that remarkable things are so very fleeting? I send my sympathies to all the Jackson family, children, parents, siblings, and friends. Whenever there is any sort of tragedy, if I hear something on the news concerning war, illness, loss, I always say a silent prayer for that instance, and I have said one over the passing of Michael Jackson. As I watched the Memorial, the words spoken by so many eloquent people, spoke to me not just the loss of Michael Jackson, but also of my own personal losses. Their words reminded me that people do live on in our hearts, minds, in the kind words we speak of them after they left this earth. I'd like to believe that all mankind reunite after our earthly existence. Their words made me teary, thinking about the great grief the Jackson family was feeling, for the eulogy spoke volumes, relating to all people who experience loss. I said a silent prayer for myself and for my dear loved ones who have passed on before their time. How I miss them! When Mariah Carey began singing "I'll Be There", I was surprised by the big crocodile tears that sprung from eyes. That song is so poignant. So long as we hold those we love and care about in our hearts, they will always be there for us. God is always there for us to help bear our burdens; and hopefully, I burden will become lighter, our tears will sometimes fall, but never so much that we can't look into our hearts and see once again the bright lights that have illuminated our days and gave us joy, laughter, and love. God Bless everyone during their times of sorrow. I pray for peace for everyone. And today, I pray for peace, blessings and love for Michael Jackson and his loved ones and all who loved him.

You ROCK Michael.........I will always love you and your music. You will always be remembered for all the good things. There are no bad.

So, sad about our lost, our world has lost a wonderful artist, human , and a greatest performer of them all, God bless him and my prayers to his family.

I was sexually abused by a leader in my church youth group for 5 years. I know first hand what affect this type of abuse can have on your life; now at the age of 34, I continue to suffer from serious emotional disorders and substance abuse. This person was ultimately arrested and sent to prison. Which is where Michael Jackson should have died. It is very sad to see our society giving such praise and tribute to a pedophile. I really wonder if Madonna would be calling him the "King of Pop" if he exposed himself to one of her children or if Berry Gordy would be up on a podium praising the pedophile as the "greatest entertainer that ever lived" if he preyed on any children in his family. We have now reached the point as a society where we value music and entertainment over human life. Rather than celebrating a "great entertainer" like most of the world, I am going to just say a prayer for the boy's life he selfishly decided to destroy.

Frank from Northbridge, MA.

To: Lori and Alex along with the many others that feel that this is not an im portant day in the history of mankind. Michael used his God-Given talent and money to better this world no matter what you think or say can take that away from him or his fans.

Wait til the kids find out that he wasn't their biological father.

Thank you CNN for your tribute to Michael Jackson very well done bless all of you at CNN!!!

Hi Anderson, don't forget to breathe...:)

the little boy that sang at the end was on brits got talent that was the song he sang that got him through

The young boy who sang "Who's Lovin' You?" was in the show BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT. He can be found on Youtube. He didn't win the whole thing, but I think he was in the finals.

Having read most of the various articles concerning Michael Jackson on this blog, it is astounding how many have such degrading and untrue comments to put out here...on the internet. Michael Jackson was never proven guilty of any of the accusations that so freely fly from persons willing to partially reveal their own identity on the blogs.

Let the man rest in peace.

Let those of us who mourn him and feel he possessed the innocence of child, will indeed continue to carry our beliefs of goodness for this now deceased, talented and humanitarian.

Micheal Jackson you will be missed by me so much...When I was a child you helped me though alot of hurt in my life by your music....You always knew the right song to sing when I need to hear it the most ....I can't thank you enough for helping me though my childhood when I felt so alone inside.....Your songs and music made me dance when I didn't want too...... There will never be another one like you... My heart goes out to the family and most of all those 3 beautiful children......We can always have him here though his songs and remember his love for the world cause he had so much to give......I love you and will miss you so much......May you Rest In Peace Micheal Jackson..........

As great as an entertainer that Michael Jackson was, when you peel the onion back, we are paying unnecessary tribute to a child molester.

He needlessly terrorized young boys and then used his wealth to cover up his mis-deeds. As a father of 5, it brings me joy to see one less child molester on this earth. There are no excuses to justify what he did to young children over the years.

To Carolyn: What money? I thought he was in debt up to his eyeballs. To quote another post from today (Peanuts on KTAR) "Lets all bow our heads for a moment of thanks to the Lt. Brian Bradshaw, 24, died in Kheyl, Afganistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. I dont know him or anybody related to him, but he has bravely sacrificed his life for you, me and our freedom. He has made the greatest sacrifice for his fellow Americans GOD BLESS HIM" So in respect to your comment about it being such an important day in "the history of mankind" I respectfully disagree.

To those who keep calling him a pedophile. What do you really know? Like seriously cut it out. He was proven innocent. So not you nor anyone else can claim they know what happened. Do you personally know any of those boys or their families? I don't get people running their mouths off cheap tabloids. Instead of snatching at a dead man who cannot refute your assumptions go take your negative energy elsewhere. He is gone..what else do you want?
I guess the service today and photos of fans worldwide mourning the loss of a great humanitarian and a musical genius is enough of an answer for people like you.

This was a beautiful service. However, I do feel that Anderson Cooper has been very insensitive during the entire press coverage of Michael Jackson's death. I used to enjoy watching Anderson Cooper deliver the news, but now with much dismay he has shown a side of himself that the public shouldn't have witnessed during this coverage. It seems like he's forgotten that he experienced a troubled sibling. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and Anderson Cooper.

Anderson,

Your comments were very good! As I like your work!

Soledad for sometimes could have talked less and, perhaps, she lets you talk more!

Thanks

to all you haters when any of you do 1% of what michael did ,speak and speak loudly. until then shut up and as the chicano nation says ( TOMA )

i cannot believe all of this coverage for michael jackson, a person that most of us didn't know, a person of questionable stability, a user of drugs (all kinds) and who chose to spend so much time out of the USA.
i can't think of much he has done for this country. did he ever think of a real job, such as fighting for his country. when the going got tough, he left the USA and went into hiding in another country. very strange DUDE!!

again to all you haters he was aqutted on the charges , but then again you don't respect the law either , as a veteran we have a brotherhood that streches world wide . and to those that have given all, they will never be forgotten. and as far as the negativity you try to sound as if you were there personally. take a look in the mirror eh! ( TOMA )

I noticed Anderson was inquisitive about the casket Michael was in. It is called The Promethean and is made on a 48oz bronze shell with 14k gold hardware. This is the same casket James brown was buried in. You can see the casket at Batesvillecaskets.com

I'd get out of the car like Anderson and walk over rather than fight the traffic and go in circles as long as you had to. Too bad the cops didn't take your press bracelets very much – I'm glad you got in – it was an amazing show. How many people do you estimate were there??

I have no idea why haters speak as if they're some kind of moral authority. It also makes me wonder what their views would be if their own lives were under the microscope. If you don't really know anything about him but what the tabloids tell you then silence is golden. Let those who want to mourn the death of a legend do so.