Michael Jackson memorial: Jermaine Jackson sings 'Smile'

Pop & Hiss brings you quick thoughts on some of the main performances at Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial.

What: Jermaine Jackson's "Smile."

A song that was nicely set up by actress Brooke Shields. Her speech will likely stand as one of the day's best, offering personal, humorous looks at the pop singer, as well as some touching insights. She would hold his hand, Shields noted, as long as it wasn't covered with Jackson's famed white sequined glove.

And his favorite song, Shields noted, was "Smile," a tune originally used in Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times." Michael covered the song on his 1995 double-disc set "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I."

Michael's brother Jermaine performed the song here immediately after Shields' speech. Ann Powers is inside the Staples Center.

"The older brother keeps his composure for the most part, the wobble in his voice echoing Michael's own, but during an a capella moment near the end, he almost loses it," Powers writes. "It's possible in this overwrought moment to see the lineage that extends from Louis Armstrong -- who also employed a very tricky smile -- to the man being celebrated here, as above all an African American icon. To feel the sorrow, compromise and determination behind every entertaining smile."

-- Ann Powers and Todd Martens

Photo credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Rodney Smith]

What a supurb rendition by a very moved Jermaine. I think that I am a big man but boy did it bring the tears rushing down my cheeks.

[john stevens]

This is a huge expense for the tax payers of LA with no benefit to them.

It is a lot of fuss over a child molester and drug abuser.

Al that needs to be said is he mads some good music. All the little boys can now rest easy. He's dead.

[Amos D. in San Diego]

Jermaine Jackson sang "Smile" in a very touching rendition of this timeless Charlie Chaplin song. During the last year John Mayer has sung this tune with Chris Bodie (sp) accompaning with his excellent command of the trumpet. On this day Mr. Mayer played his guitar in an instrumental version of one of Michael Jackson's hits.

Jermaine was smooth, sensitive, and real in his delivery that touch the hearts of many who were fortunate to view the memorial.

God be with you Michael,

Amos D.

[Melissa]

Im tired of seeing all the comments of Michael Jackson being approved of ridiculing him. He was a man of peace. He was a person too and deserves to be left alone now. No one but him and the accusers know the truth. Let that be between him and God.
Jermaine thank you for the beautiful performance. Michael Jackson will always be remembered and loved by millions of people around the world.
I strongly believe that people with rotten comments should keep there typing to themselves during this time of mourning.
It was nice to see Michael Jackson remembered as man not an entertainer.

[danny]

Great event. Michael, you will be missed. You're the best of all time.

most people around the world love him very much

[danny]

great even. Michael, you will be missed. you're the best. that's why so many people around the word love you very much

[valerie hall frazier]

we all give something to this world. he gave himself..he served his purpose. we all come to do a job and i commend him on a job well done. we now can look back and see his job was not easy..his gift was..he was a child prodigy...we did not know it then, but as we look back ..we now know what we had and he will be forever missed. his music will live on forever. move over elvis...

[vince]

I can sing and nither can Jermaine Jackson he missed up that song smile they should had got someone else to sing it