Michael Jackson will be buried on his birthday, August 29, as stated in a press release from Sunshine, Sachs & Associates on behalf of the Jackson family. The burial will take place at 10 a.m. PST in the Great Mausoleum’s Holly Terrace at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. It will be a private ceremony to be attended by family and close friends. Media will be allowed nearby the park.
The Forest Lawn Memorial Park has 300 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds and around 250,000 people are buried there, including numerous celebrities like James Stewart, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Humphrey Bogart, Jean Harlow and Walt Disney. Also more than 60,000 people have also been married there such as Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman. It is a popular tourist attraction which draws around 1 million visitors per year.
The Holly Terrace in the Great Mausoleum, where Michael Jackson will be interred, features a replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s stained glass Last Supper and all the major art works of Michelangelo. A regal final resting place fitting for the “king of pop“.
The Jackson family stated in the news release , they once again wish to express their “gratitude to Michael’s fans around the world for their support during these difficult times.”
On the day that Michael Jackson will be buried would have been his 51st birthday.
Thousands of people turned out for the Michael Jackson hometown memorial in Gary, Indiana. It took place at the US Steel Yard baseball park, a mile away from his childhood home, with an upbeat celebration of his music and life.
The memorial featured performers that sang and danced to his hits. It was full of children singing and dancing. There was even a performance of “Thriller” which even included a cemetery.
Mayor Rudy Clay bid his farewell, noting that Michael Jackson put the city of Gary on the map of the world.
“He’s going to put on those golden slippers and he’s going to dance all over God’s heaven.”
A video of Michael Jackson in Gary was played on the jumbo screen in the stadium, where he talked about his love for his hometown.
“Gary, you will always have a special place in my heart. And Gary, you are more than a good friend, you are my family and you always will be.”
More than 30 Jackson family members showed up for the event including a brief appearance by Joe Jackson.
“This is a pleasure to be back to see so many people here. It’s always good to come back home, you know that.”
At the conclusion, 700 people holding candles sang “We Are The World”, the song Michael Jackson co-wrote with Lionel Richie for USA For Africa.
The Michael Jackson memorial on July 7th had performances from Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Usher and more. Most performed one of his famous songs. Jermaine Jackson performed a heartfelt Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”, which was Michael Jackson’s favorite song.
Here are the Michael Jackson Memorial songs in the order they were performed:
Andrae Crouch Choir – Soon and Very Soon
Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz – I’ll Be There
Lionel Richie – Jesus Is Love
Stevie Wonder – I Never Dreamed You Would Leave In Summer & They Won’t Go When I Go
Jennifer Hudson – Will You Be There
John Mayer – Human Nature
Jermaine Jackson- Smile
Usher – Gone Too Soon
Shaheen Jafargholi – Who’s Loving You
Group with singers from Jackson’s This Is It Tour - We Are The World & Heal The World
Usher’s version of “Gone Too Soon’ was poignant and fitting considering the sudden death of Michael Jackson. It was originally written by Michael Jackson to honor his friend Ryan White who died of AIDS at the young age of 18.
I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.
That about says it all for the touching tribute to Michael Jackson at his memorial that took place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7. Many celebrities like Brooke Shields, Berry Gordy, Smoky Robinson made speeches and remembered him. Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Usher, Jennifer Hudson and others sang some of his songs. Jermaine Jackson sang Michael Jackson’s favorite song “Smile”, which was written by Charlie Chaplain. Near the end of the Michael Jackson Memorial, the family came on stage. Marlon Jackson, shared his thoughts about his brother. The highlight of the show though was when Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris spoke a simple but heartfelt statement about her father.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 after going into cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old. Although his personal physican, paramedics and doctors at the hospital tried in vain to save him, they weren’t able to. The unexpected death left the whole world in shock and there has been an array of unanswered questions. The Los Angeles coroner at this time hasn’t completed tests to pinpoint the exact cause of his death.
Michael Jackson was in the prime of his life about to commence a comeback tour in London starting July 13 with already sold-out concerts. Had he lived, this may have generated into a world tour, a release of a new album and taken his music career to a new height.
A Michael Jackson Memorial was organized by his family and his concert promoter AEG as a public tribute for his fans around the world to share. It took place on July 7, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, with around 18,000 people attending, broadcasted live on television and over the internet to millions. The memorial showed how Michael Jackson touched people’s life through his music and humanitarianism.
Michael Jackson changed pop music and will be remembered as one of the greatest entertainers in history. Although gone too soon, his legacy will live on.
Michael Jackson will be buried on his birthday, August 29, as stated in a press release from Sunshine, Sachs & Associates on behalf of the Jackson family. The burial will take place at 10 a.m. PST in the Great Mausoleum’s Holly Terrace at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. It will be a private ceremony to be attended by family and close friends. Media will be allowed nearby the park.
Thousands of people turned out for the Michael Jackson hometown memorial in Gary, Indiana. It took place at the US Steel Yard baseball park, a mile away from his childhood home, with an upbeat celebration of his music and life.
The Michael Jackson memorial on July 7th had performances from Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Usher and more. Most performed one of his famous songs. Jermaine Jackson performed a heartfelt Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”, which was Michael Jackson’s favorite song.