Michael's meccas: places to honor Michael Jackson's Memory
[cnn-photo-caption image="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/jackson.wrap/art.mj.gate.afp.gi.jpg" caption="Workers fix the gate at Neverland Ranch's entrance this week in Los Olivos, California."]
TIME.com
Tickets to Michael Jackson's Staples Center memorial in L.A. are gone, and fans without them are wondering where to say a special goodbye. From East Coast to West, these places either are part of the Jackson legend or had a hold on his heart.
Neverland Ranch
The famous wrought-iron gates of Jackson's 2,700-acre ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif., have been replaced by wooden doors, which will be closed for the memorial service. But just outside them — where more than 7,000 visitors have left flowers, balloons and teddy bears — mourners are expected to continue their vigil on July 7, 2009, and beyond.
Gary, Ind.
Jackson was born and raised in this hard-luck town in a one-story home on 23rd and — wait for it — Jackson Street. He rarely looked back once he moved away at age 11. Nonetheless, Jackson is a great source of pride to Gary, and the ongoing celebration at the house reflects that. A memorial service is set for July 10, 2009, at the town's U.S. Steel Works ballpark.
The Apollo Theater
Jackson's appearance with his brothers at the famed Harlem theater in 1976 is credited with launching the Jackson 5's career, and the Apollo has taken the East Coast lead in remembering Jackson's life. Thousands of fans have signed a remembrance wall that has had to be replaced three times to allow more signatures.
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Filed under: Michael Jackson |
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All the humanity is now kneeling beside you Mickael Joseph Jackson recognizing you were born to share LOVE in the name of GOD.
Your songs about the hurts of Earth and the hurts of the humans beeings sound as divine prayers of this century.
Your enchanting mission as a prophet of an unique religion : LOVE,
is accomplished. We heared your voice, your pure spirit mooved us, your generosity lighted CHILDREN'S LIFE.
We now have to prove you that these prayers you spread all around the WORLD reach your children and the children of the future generations for ever and ever.
GOD BLESS YOU MICKAEL JOSEPH JACKSON.
I enjoyed Michael's music through the years like so many others but I came to respect and admire him more for his spirit and vision. When he did the half time show at the Superbowl I was bedridden with a life threatening illness. During Michael's performance the fans in the stadium held up drawings by children all over the world while he sang 'Heal the World". I cried like a baby because it gave me hope that perhaps peace on earth could happen someday. That day I understood Michael Jackson and the purpose of his persona. Yes, he was a dancer and singer but he was also a philosopher, an idealist, philanthropist and change agent.
Michael was no one yet everyone. He was black and looked white, he was male and had feminine traits, heacted old when he was young and young when he grew older. In a sense his image represented the very essence of the song "we are the world". I believe he felt this notion so deeply that it was made manifest in his persona. Michael Jackson was a kind, loving, hopeful soul who saw possibilities for peace, unity and progress all over the world. Many people may call his vision naive yet Robert Kennedy challenged all of us to see the world as Michael did when he said the following words, ".Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not?" Michael Jackson's fans can best honor his memory by acting on his vision– volunteer in a thid world country or your local soup kitchen or help a neighbor in need, get involved with your community and show the world you care. "Make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race." Michael threw the pebble in the pond now let's keep the ripple effect going..
Michael was the love of my life. I grew up with his Music. I can't remember what age I was when 'We are The World" campaign for Africa was launched. That Music taught me how to love unconditionally, regardless of race and color. It has and will always be my favorite song in this world for as long as I live (I do love all his other hits though).....but coming from a third world country, where so much love and attention is needed, 'We Are The World' is my connection to the love of my life MJ, who gave so much of himself to the world and to me.
It is a shame that it took his death for those who were more blinded with greed and hunger for money to appreciate the Michael Jackson the world, his family, his closest friends and his true fans loved....
Thanks for all that you did for us Michael. On behalf of all Ghanaian Fans, I say thank you, for healing the world with your music and sharing your heart with us. You are an extraordinary talented human being that ever walked this earth and we are all blessed to have enjoyed what you gave us while with us. We will continue to hold on dearly to you because you left so many wonderful memories in our hearts and here on earth that will forever be cherished. You will forever and ever be the love of my life, because there will never be another you. I am terribly going to miss you. My deepest condolences to the Jackson family. I love you Michael Jackson..... I wished u were still here 🙁
R.I.P MJ...
at this moment earth is missing an angel,becaue heaven is going to be in everlasting concert wiht the earths greatest performer that everlived.MICHAEL i will always love and miss you.I found the memorial was tasteful .I hope the world would remember all the good that MICHAEL did the world over,and not the negative that the haters are publishing. MICHAEL was tried in a court of law and found not guily .MICHAEL was not strang,he was just big enough that he did not have to conform .How meny of us wish we did no have to conform ?I thank all the press that are adverising positive and i turn of the negative ones..To all the haters you have a choice to turn the channel.Love you MICHAEL R.I.P. suzan texas
A living legend is now just a legend. I grew up listening to him in Pakistan. I remember his songs were so popular in Pakistan, even though most of the people didn't even understand a word of it.
It was the music that moved people, no matter if they understood the words or not.
I specifically remember that he was so popular that even the local shoe companied who were making "Moon Walking Shoes" had Michael Jackson printed on the sole of the shoe.
God bless him and he is in a better place.
I am 50+ years old and enjoyed Michael's music through the years like so many others but I came to respect and admire him more for his spirit and vision. When he did the half time show at the Superbowl I was bedridden with a life threatening illness. During Michael's performance the fans in the stadium held up drawings by children all over the world while he sang 'Heal the World". I cried like a baby because it gave me hope that perhaps peace on earth could happen someday. That day I understood Michael Jackson and the purpose of his persona. Yes, he was a dancer and singer but he was also a philosopher, philanthropist and change agent.
Michael was no one yet everyone. He was black and looked white, he was male with feminine traits, he was old when he was young and young when he grew older. In a sense his image represented the very essence of the song "we are the world". I believe he felt this notion so deeply that it was made manifest in his persona. Michael Jackson was a kind, loving, hopeful soul who saw possibilities for peace, unity and progress all over the world. Many people may call his vision naive yet Robert Kennedy challenged all of us to see the world as Michael did when he said the following words, ".Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not?" Michael Jackson's fans can best honor his memory by acting on his vision– volunteer in Guatemala or your local soup kitchen or help a neighbor in need, get involved with your community and show the world you care. "Make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race." Michael through the pebble in the pond now let's keep the ripple effect going.
You know I watch all of this since he died and why is it that the ones who were close to him could not talk to him about what he is doing to his health or even try to get him the help he needed.He was my icon growing up in winnipeg,manitoba-canada,I had the curls like him.I remember one day me and friends were cruisin to the store and i was wearing the red jacket with white glove,pulling up to the store,the guys were telling the kids that michael jackson is in the car.I remember signing this kids shoes and all the kids were so excited.you meant the world to a lot,and you are with the kings of kings.Your Kids will heal over the years and see what you went thru in life.RIP.
My thoughts and heart goes out to the Jackson family.
Mentioned in one of AC360 interview tonight 7/9 was discussion regarding the casket. The report stated 'it would be hard to find out details"
It was made by a small company in Batesville, IN, I believe they said the cost was $25K two were made and the family chose between the two.
CNN/ Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon and etc Thank you, thank you for doing such a good job covering the Jackson's Memorial .
I cried so hard and my heart is aching . I have always felt that he had a gentel and loving soul. Too bad he is gone now. I could not stop crying for him.
I grew up with the Jackson fives and later I was so into Michael and his songs.
Michael was a selfless man and a shinning light. Very unique, great and a compassionate man.
Rest in Peace. I will never forget you. My prayers go out to his children and family.
michal jackson will forever be missed his music touched my heart i grew up on his music and loved all of his stuff he sang i am sad for his three wonderful kids who lost there dad to soon not to worry though his mother and the uncles aunts cousins will take very good care of them some times i think i am dreaming that he not gone that he is still here but then i tell myself he will always be here with us just like the song says just call my name ill be there thank you michal for the memerios and god bless the jackson family michals not gone or forgotten its been a life dream to someday meet the jackson family that would be cool we love you michal thanks again the keisel family pleasent grove utah
While I would not have classified myself as a "fan" of Michael Jackson's – I certainly grew up to his music – just 10 years younger than Michael, his music was truly a part of the fabric of my generations lives – when allegations against Michael were lodged and charges filed – I knew enough about Michael from random interviews I had seen, his "we are the world" campaign – or actually, just call it intuition – this man was innocent – horrific attempts by a desperate family to somehow profit or gain notoriety – and wow, for the media – it was a ratings boom – but it was never a subject that I paid more than a few seconds of my attention to – simply went back to my self absorbed life – over the past week i have learned much about myself, the world and Jackson – about myself – I see how my pasivity on things that seem outside of my world or concern, while benign for one ,can be downright ,as a group, toxic or terminal – I see that Jackson never made this his way – he acted on all that inspired him – It seems to me, at first glance, that most of the media now see that, as odd as Jackson may have seemed, he was innocent of those charges – I see guilt and remorse on their faces (anchors and reporters) and a sense of awe – a sort of "i didnt realize..." – but then, I have to wonder – is this too for ratings? I will never forget this day – and Jacksons service – as I said above – I am certainly not the "groupie" type – not impressed with the Hollywood status – but I certainly AM impressed with the Michael Jackson that I have only now come to know – and I am SO sad that he himself was not here to see all of this – his vindication – he deserved better – from all of us – those who sat by quietly, those who bought the horrific tabloid and news stories – hook, line and sinker – and the media – who profitted greatly from the hype – the story makes me so sad – that we lost such a wonderful and talented person – that our culture contributed greatly to this gentle man's demise – my thoughts and prayers are with his close friends, family and those precious children –
I've cried and cried while watching the memorial.
I cant stop thinking of how people dİd so many cruel things to such a pure and naive soul,how they wounded him how they injured his childish pure soul.Ow I cant discribe my grief to those who tried to hurt him, hurt his soul.
I think B. Shİelds is so lucky. She had a chance to know and live and have such a great times with MJ.
I wish I was B. Shields...
Love u MJ .R.I.P.
I was vacationing on the west coast on June 25th, standing on the beach of the Pacific Ocean in Ocean Shores, Washington when I heard the new of Michael's death. As a RN I felt that he was really too frail to continue to make it thru the London concerts. He was only doing it for his fans. Not for money. The drugs were his evil. Too bad that he didn't seek help. I pray for the family and especially his children. His memorial service served him well and helped for me to know him as a person.
I am so sorry for your loss...I grew up with MJ's music and he will be missed..may god bless all of the jackson family and god will give you the strength to get through this! To his children just know how many people loved your daddy and he will be forever in everyones hearts...prince, paris and blanket you are in my prayers and may god bless you! RIP MICHEAL!!!!!
I still not believe I did not hear any comment from Oprah Winfrey on Michael Jackson death ! Is she still connected to the world news ? Come on, it has been almost two weeks ! Suspicious !!!
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Anyway, rest in peace Michael Jackson, nobody is perfect, you helped as much as you could and I put you in the hands of God ! I hope that, from where you are, you can see how people are soooooooooo sad about your death ! We did not know each other, but you your death made me cry until now, You deserve peace, rest, and that I guess God saw that you could not get it from down hear. Once again, reast in Peace !!!
for God so loved the world that he deprived himself for 50 years of his personal entertainer so that we may be entertained. thank you Michael! i hope no one was offended by the biblical reference.
1969...( or maybe older) i did a Modern Slow Dance. I won first place..I was in 5th grade. I used "Ill Be There" and it was a huge success. I know MJ's music gave me the edge to win. Other music used by other dancer's was very boring.
I felt that song in my heart just not during my presentation but I felt it always. It still plays over and over in my mind. Wish I could move that way now! Haha
MJ was amazingly talented. He crashed and burned..like many wonderful musical artist from the past.
I am thrilled and feel blessed I knew his music and life.
Even though I am 15 years old, my love for Michael has grown over the years. I hope he is in peace with God. My love goes out to the family as well with my prayers. We will miss Michael so much. I will love him allways. R.I.P Michael
I remember the jackson tv show and cartoon and when i was a teen i got 2 c the victory tour. I love that family and just how powerful micheals music is my son is 1 and when i watch the billie jean video he dance and tried 2 sing i started 2 cry and said mike u touch another soul i love u king.
It was such a wonderful gift the Jackson family gave to the world today. Sharing thier sorrow so personally with all of humanity was a gesture beyond compare. Michael left too soon, and at a time when he was not appreiciated as much as he should have been in life. You don't know what you have until it's gone. His influence has stretched the globe for nearly forty years, and his music will touch so many generations far into the future. I feel so privileged to have grown up in a time to enjoy his works from a child and into adulthood. His style and grace will never be duplicated, he is one of a kind. His misunderstood gentle soul should be smiling down from heaven, the love the world has shown should make him rest easy. May God bless him for eternity. And may God bless his wonderful family.
i'm thinking of the last time i had tears coming down from my eyes... probably when i was a little kid... god damned i'm close to 40 now!
MJ will always be our musical genius and king forever and ever. Great memorial service! No one can be good to us as you were. We love you Michael.
Oh how I loved to dance and play whenever the J5 or MJ would be on the radio. I have his first solo album in storage, little did I know how precious that album would be. TO his Mom, nothing can ever replace him to you, a part of you has left with him, that much we know, but his children need you more than you will ever know. I hope the media will only report what is significant and not speculation arousing the "haters" of the world who get on blogs everywhere and make rude offensive comments. True that this is a free America, but it makes me wonder if they have a sole, conscience or heart to be so cruel. I can only pray for them. TO the Jackson family, you will see your brother again and he has only paved the way for you to all meet up again in joyous music. I hope that his unpublished music does come out and is released to the public. Peace be with you Michael.
Micheal Jackson was and is the greatest entertainer in the world. There has been no one before him to do what he has done in the music world and there will be no one after him. We love you Micheal. Our prayers go out to Micheal's beautiful children and his family.
I am Nelson, I am sending a regaurd to the jackson`s family. GOD BLESS YOU JACKSON R.I.P.
I am heartbroken over Michael. I saw him and his brothers (Jackson 5) at a concert in Baltimore city when I was 15 and he was 13 (1971). I was mesmerized by his talent. I will hold those memories close. We fans have been crying for days. We feel like someone in our family has died. I will never ever ever believe he did any of the bad things they said. We all know it was about MONEY! The root to all evil. The things people will do to obtain it! Like Marlon said maybe they will leave you alone now!!! May god watch over his children and family.You will live on in our hearts forever Michael....We Love You!!
I just want to say I am so sad that I was not able to meet Michael
I feel he was a true pure spirit that we got to have for a short time.
I have been crying all day for the lost of Michael and I really feel the pain he was suffering...........
He gave so very much and the people that are not spirtual just don't get Michael Jackson............
I love you Michael..and will miss all you would of given to us all...
I know you are in pure love somewhere with god....................
Sending my prayers to the whole Jackson family...........
The drug has to be continuously infused to keep someone sedated, so if it was administered in some type of automated way, the negligence is even that much more horrific.
And these doctors did this for years! Over a decade even.
Why to throw trash over the celebration of Michael Jackson life mentioning these negative aspects of his life. As a metter of facts, how come we celebrate Washington’s life without mentioning his Hemp plantations and the coup attempt of his army against the government of John Hanson, the first president of the United States.
Michael reportedly said Neverland was no longer a home, just a house. With all of the bad memories stemming from his time there, would he really want to be laid to rest there?
One thing that keeps bothering me is: Why hasn't anyone asked his personal physician why he waited until after noon to check on him when he told him he wasn't feeling well the night before?
And if it comes out that he did administer Diprivan to Michael in his home, he should have never left his side and should have been continuously monitoring his vitals. The drug has to be continuously infused to keep someone sedated, so if it was administered in some type of automated way, the negligence is even that much more horrific.
Please let him rest in neverland thats is real home and thanks to cnn for every thing just think if some cop comes and thaks your life away and your home because thats what he did to M,J l wish every one would stop and thinl of M ,J because he wanted us to make this a better wourld to live and hes a dam good dad to his children, so lets try and help the Jackson Family pay for this to day we can do it all to gether like his song. god bless you all love Jean from brampton ont, can.
I can't say I cry often, but today I cried!
My name is Miranda, I grew up with "jackson 5" when I was just about 5 or 6 I used to play my 45's records yes I said 45's not 8 tracks not cassetts not CD's. I loved dancing in my room to ABC, I WANT YOU BACK,STOP THE LOVE YOU SAVE, and on and on even my parents enjoyed the music and did not mind if I turned it up being I just had a small record player I would also watch the JACKSON FIVE CARTOONS!
When I traveled through europe with my late beloved father the cassette "BAD" was just released I took Michael all over europe with me I was born in Holland and my father from Germany!
There is no other like "Michael Jackson" we were both born in 1958, I was born in Febuary and Michael in August.
God Bless you Michael and R.I.P.
It was nice to see cnn take a break from slandering Jackson and respect the services and put thier personal need for tabloid journalism aside now would someone PLEASE tell Nacy Grace and her freak show to do the same she is by far no Angel
I really thought the memorial was quite touching. He was really a lost
soul. As a recovering addict one can really tell in in others behavioral
patterns. There is no doubt about his talent and legacy as perhaps the
best ever at what he did. I think Dr. Drew can describe what he was going through as well as anyone. When one is additcted to drugs they'll do anything for them. I know. There is no doubt he would lie to
his closest friends, family and advisors, nobody wants to admit they're
and addict. Complete denial. On another front. I was in Cuba in the
early to mid nineties. I met some very important Cuban officials. They
all told me Michael Jackson had been visiting the Island for medical
reasons relating to his skin. Evidentaly Cuba has the only medical facility to deal with this medical matter. Jackson's pigment etc. I've known John Branca for many years. I couldn't think of a better person
to handle Michael Jacksons affairs. I've been in the entertainment business for along time and there are many people high in stature that
are recovering addicts and currently dealing with drug issues.
I remember back when the Jackson Five started, I was young had five children. Some of them were musicly inclined. The music of Michael and his brothers was so Unique, we just loved them. I bought my kids the Michael Jackson Red Jackets and I was working on creating the Stockton Five.We didn't make it, but we Thank God for Michael Jackson and his Family for the music . Michael we love you. God Bless