Remembering Michael Jackson: The service is a thriller [Updated]
It’s poignant. It’s wrenching. But most of all, it’s so very Michael.
Tuesday's public memorial at Staples Center could have performed the function such events often do, channeling all the different stories into one narrative, helping make the emotions that Jackson's death has generated feel neater and easier to digest.
Instead, the service (or was it a concert? Or a political event?) operated on several levels at once. Yet its two hours of music and eulogies made for many poignant and even wrenching moments, its incongruities adding up to the only reasonable response to an artistic giant whose meanings were always multiple and often contradictory.
Focus for a minute on just one musical offering: the rendition of "Smile" by Michael Jackson's older brother, Jermaine. Following a bravely personal remembrance by Brooke Shields, Michael's friend and fellow former child star, Jermaine took the stage wearing one silver glove and a red rose to sing this simple tune, which was co-written by Charlie Chaplin and served as the theme for his much-beloved film "Modern Times."
Where to start in interpreting what happened in the four or so minutes while Jermaine Jackson sang?
There was the personal pathos of the older brother, whose own youthful success was so dramatically eclipsed by his sibling's, and who in recent days has told the media that he wishes he had died instead of Michael, singing in a voice eerily reminiscent of the one now lost. Jermaine nearly broke down near the end, right after the line, "What's the use in crying"; the fans' applause lifted him back up.
Then there was the song itself, a gentle admonition to cancel negative emotions behind a careful mask -- a particularly loaded message in light of the history of African American music, with its roots in the tangled history of blackface minstrelsy. Michael Jackson was hardly the first black pop star to deploy an often unreadable smile: one thinks of Louis Armstrong, and of that earlier crossover star, Nat King Cole, who similarly broke down barriers but was sometimes criticized for being too assimilationist.
Jermaine Jackson held his arms outstretched for much of the song, his gesture mirroring an image of Michael on the screens above him. It seemed like he was bearing a burden as well as celebrating a triumph. None of the memorial's other musical performances were as rich in subtext as this one, but each was its own kind of maze that the singers had to negotiate.
Mariah Carey and her frequent duet partner, Trey Lorenz, were the first to try, giving a gentle spin to "I'll Be There," which was a hit for her as well as for the Jackson 5. Lorenz nearly toppled the song by coming on too strong, but Carey steered it back toward a tender reading, perfect for raising the much longed-for spirit of the young Michael, full of promise and innocence.
Gospel reminder
Backed by the Andrae Crouch Singers -- another resonant choice to perform, since Crouch is one of gospel's most famous "crossover" modernizers -- Lionel Richie sang "Jesus Is Love" with his finger pointed skyward and as much grit as he could muster in his voice. This was one of many times that the memorial went back to church, reminding the fans in attendance that this was a service, not simply a concert.
The gospel elements also reinforced the connection between Jackson's career and the civil rights movement made in speeches by several political leaders, including two of Martin Luther King Jr.'s children, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and the Rev. Al Sharpton.
"He outsang the cynics, he outdanced his doubters, he outperformed the pessimists," said Sharpton of Jackson, making a strong contribution to the fascinating process of Jackson's posthumous rehabilitation as an African American hero.
One would have expected Jennifer Hudson's role in the memorial to also serve this purpose.
After all, the mighty-voiced ingenue has been christened the New Aretha Franklin by many, a singer with enough gravity and guts to serve history's needs.
Singing "Will You Be There," Jackson's most gospel-inspired song, in an angelic white dress, Hudson fulfilled that position. But again, it got complicated. Surrounded by the dancers who would have appeared onstage with Jackson during his comeback "This Is It" tour, she kept her composure while enduring some serious showbiz choreography. The image reminded those present that Jackson was a Hollywood child, as well as an inner-city baby -- and that Oscar winner and former "American Idol" contestant Hudson is also a product of those twin legacies.
The night's other younger performers had to finesse their roles in reinterpreting Jackson's meanings, and their own in relationship to him. John Mayer was tasteful performing an instrumental version of "Human Nature," and though he didn't seem as connected to the event as some of the participants, his presence made sense in light of Jackson's well-known love of rock guitar.
Usher, a direct inheritor of Jackson's style, made the risky decision to croon the melancholy "Gone Too Soon" while nearly touching Jackson's golden coffin, but this assertion of closeness seemed justified when he choked up late in the song and was almost immediately enveloped in hugs by the Jackson family.
Twelve-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi was also in a tricky spot. The "Britain's Got Talent" finalist wailed his way through the Jackson 5 song "Who's Loving You," right after the song's writer, Smokey Robinson, had spoken about his astonishment at the child Michael Jackson's skill with such "adult" compositions.
Jafargholi had spunk but not a lot of nuance. (He shouldn't have to worry too much about the media anointing him the next Michael.) Kenny Ortega, the director of Jackson's ill-fated comeback, explained after the boy sang that Jackson had been a fan, and that's why he was there.
Really, though, what made more sense than featuring a child performer? As much as we are now mulling the intricacies of Jackson's relationship to race and to the history of entertainment, we must also consider his status as an avatar of childhood.
The memorial's final number, a group sing of "We Are the World" and "Heal the World" that included, among many performers, both the Andrae & Sandra Crouch Youth Choir and Jackson's own three children, placed Jackson's belief in the symbolic power of the child front and center.
As much as viewers were touched by the impromptu speech from Jackson's daughter, Paris, at the memorial's end -- her declaration that "Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine" was heart-crushingly direct and true. It's worth remembering that the child was a primary subject of Jackson's art too, and that we have only begun to absorb the complexities of that matter.
Wonder shines
Memorials often raise such knotty issues. Even ordinary souls, and certainly not ones as huge as Michael Jackson's, cannot be contained within one set of remembrances. Yet simpler moments can also be profound, and this event had at least one.
Playing piano and singing a medley of two songs that seemed to speak directly about Jackson's sudden death -- "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and "They Won't Go When I Go," a song about finding relief in heaven -- Wonder found the musical route into unadorned mourning. The Staples Center crowd stayed quiet, taking it in.
Like Shields' tear-inducing talk, Wonder's performance wasn't addressed to an icon, or a set of half-formed meanings. It was a message to a man, from a friend. And in that moment, the man's loss was felt.
Jermaine is not the eldest. Jackie is.
Posted by: Kim | July 07, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Thanks Ann Powers for your measured, thoughtful observations. Quincy was the missing person, wasn't he? My hunch is that he was grief stricken and chose not to show up.
Take care,
billy james
Posted by: Billy James | July 07, 2009 at 10:28 PM
this man touched so many lives throughout the world not only with his music but with the love and kind heart....he was a man that never really had a childhood for he entertained us throughout his life I grew up with the jackson 5 then watching michael go on to super stardom.....and having the pleasure to see him perform live...I find myself still shedding tears....Michael you are loved in my heart and the millions you have touched around the world
Posted by: michael caree | July 07, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Why does everything need to be dissected so? Do we need to know everything? I fear there is nothing private or sacred anymore, even a man's death. The memorial was touching and fitting for a man who lived large and gave even larger. The "black face" reference is a bit of a stretch. Wasn't even thinking about that. We all put on masks, every single day of our lives. We smile when we want to cry, don't we? MJ was a flawed, lonely, talented, loving human being. We should celebrate his legacy as a musical genius. Someone who gave more than he had to give. In the end he sacrificed his life. God bless.
Posted by: Willy | July 07, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I rushed home to watch the memorial yesterday evening, not being a massive fan, but always liking Micheals Music, i was interested in how it would be done, and slightly worried it would be a circus. I had nothing to worry about, it was amazing, not over the top, just about right.
I was very moved by his daughters words, not a dry eye in our house
Its all so very sad
Jo Davies
Looe
Cornwall
England
Posted by: Jo Davies | July 07, 2009 at 11:21 PM
The description of this ceremony is very accurate, respectful and well thought and written.
Thank you for pointing out what most of us missed in the commotion of saying goodbye to the King. Rest in Peace Michael. Thank you for all you have given to the world.
Posted by: Sabrina | July 07, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I want to start off by saying... Michael, I love you, always have and always will!
For a man that I have never met, I have great love for and miss him daily!, Like many people I too grew up listening to Michael and my heart just aches my eyes haven't been dry for days. He was a man that had thee biggest heart and a talent unmatched by anyone! Watching the memorial was beauiful, I cried during the entire thing, I would have given my right leg to go...didn't happen for me. At least I was able to watch it on the TV, I was worried that they wouldn't show it. I'm so glad they did, it helped me in my mourning of a worldwide icon. It was wonderfully put together and I felt as though I was there. Thank you..Thank you,
My huge condolences go to the Jackson family and your in my thoughts and prayers every night!
Thank you for giving us Thee greatest entertainer and humanitarian the world has ever and will ever see!
Love Christine
Posted by: Christine M. | July 08, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Paris' impromptu farewell at the end was a clear glimpse of Michael Jackson as a person - far from the caricature sketched out by mass media. The curse of being a celebrity is that you become public property, objectified in any manner for the purpose of selling a story. And Michael Jackson was an object of entertainment buzz for so long we all have forgotten that he is just mortal: with feelings and emotions just like the rest of us. When Paris said "Daddy", it was a piercing revelation that Michael Jackson was indeed a genuine father and the image Whacko-Jacko was no more.
Posted by: Joe | July 08, 2009 at 12:06 AM
i just want to say that i really loved michael jackson< i never believed the media, with their made up versions/opinions, they are only there to make money, not tell the truth, the postives, the government should do something to stop them ruining innocent celebrities life, let them live their life, allow them to be human, have a sense of normality. i loved micheal jackson, had the biggest crush on michael, even with all his plastic surgeries, and allegations, i believed in him always was a loyal fan, i wish that michael was still here today, but at least he will be free no worries, no one commenting. I can only imagine what he went through in his life, i wish people treated him better, cause he was'nt out there to make money, act greedy, show off, "bling, bling money aint a thing", NO he was down to earth, loving,kind,giving,loyal,successful,a good decent, LOVING soul.... I LOVE YOU ADMIRE YOUAND BELIEVE IN YOU ALWAYS MAY GOD KEEP YOU SAFE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US ALL, i know your family will take good care of your precious children, god willing. YOU ARE A LEGEND, there are no words to describe the loss we all feel loosing such a wonderful caring soul.............GOD BLESS YOU MICHAEL JACKSON< THE ONE AND ONLY........... LOVE YOU NOW AND FOREVER......
Posted by: natasha moodley | July 08, 2009 at 12:43 AM
It's sad that despite all claims of journalistic integrity, something as simple as research is thrown out the window. I stopped paying attention to the article after the first couple of paragraphs.
If Katherine Jackson is a Jehovah's Witness as everyone says she is, then she doesn't believe Michael's "soul" is wandering the earth. He is simply "asleep in death," awaiting a resurrection. These are the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses as based on clear Bible scriptures.
Second, Charlie Chaplin WROTE "Smile." That ANYONE would think he was merely a co-writer denies him the genius of his skills. The co-writers would be the ones who added lyrics in the 1950's.
The beauty of Jermaine Jackson singing "Smile" was a great tribute to MIchael. The true test of an artist is how good their songs sound in other genres. "Smile" has been sung by people as diverse as Nat King Cole and Steven Tyler. Michael Jackson's music, as shown by John Mayer, has that same transcendent quality.
THAT is why he is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, entertainer the world has ever seen. So many lives touched... he and his art will be missed.
Posted by: Phil | July 08, 2009 at 04:03 AM
This memorial had some good points but, all in all, it was a horrible show of black racism. Sharpton should have never been allowed to speak. Secondly; it would be very fitting that Jackson be lauded as a performer but there was less focus on this than on his person. This was disingenuous since he wasn't a role model for anyone. No matter what his talents may have been, he did not inspire anyone to greater heights !
Posted by: gjdagis | July 08, 2009 at 06:47 AM
i wish if MJ did not come from america cos they did not appreciate his life & his talent. however, the world has spoken through the love he saved to every single person in this world. also i would like to say that whoever wrote (media) lies about MJ, i ask my creature to destroy their lives as much as they did to Michael Jackson. MJ helped the poorest (specially kids around the world) with unconditional loves and his money to save their lives. Also MJ changed the view of America across the world where amarica is hated but when MJ arrived they cheered him with joy and love. We could see more surprise from him but the media wasted his time. Through accusations and allegations. R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON i appreciate my life that i witness MJ living in this earth and i hope his kids will be protected and cared whoever takes care of them. I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSOM MORE THAN MY LIFE..
Posted by: jeff | July 08, 2009 at 08:47 AM
"In the days after his death, Michael Jackson's mother reportedly worried that if her son's funeral was too long delayed, his soul might wander the earth."
Correct me if I'm wrong Ann Powers, but I thought the Jehovah's Witnesses believed that the soul and spirit ceases after death?
Posted by: Tracie R. | July 08, 2009 at 10:45 AM
That California taxpayers have to pay one dime for this media circus crosses the line into the obscene. I for one hope that the forces of justice go after the service organizers and recover every dime. In an era where we must cut back on services, lay off teachers and other critical public servants, etc., we can ill afford as a state to mirror the excesses of Jackson's life.
Posted by: Paul | July 08, 2009 at 05:10 PM
i loveed michael jackson i wish he was still alive. love cheyanne p.s i miss michael jackson and love him
Posted by: cheyanne | July 08, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Let's take a high level view of the “Pop King”, The good: Jackson was a "pop music" icon. Pop music, you know; disposable, catchy 2 minute tunes, churned out for the youth markets, inherently dumb often moronic lyrics with little ability to communicate anything meaningful... The bad: On his own admission "I have slept in a bed with many children": Macaulay Culkin, his brother Kieran, age 12, Jordy Chandler ($13 mil settlement), 1993: Jason Francia, ($2mil settlement), 1993: Unidentified boy, ($20mil settlement) 2002: Gavin Arvizo criminal trail blown because of a lack of credibility with the accusers family. Why does Black America ignore Jackson's obvious attempt's to abandon his African heritage with over 10 face surgeries, skin depigmentation and white cake makeup? Jackson’s bizarre spending habits wiped out over half a billion dollars earned over his career and he died $400 million in debt. During his 2005 trial a forensic accountant said he was spending between $20-$30mil a year more than he earned. Let's not forget his daily drug intake - Demerol, Vistaril, Dilaudid, Xanax, Prozac, and Zoloft. Why do fans look the other way when it's time to recognize this guy for what he was. No contribution beyond a "gifted" pop artist, uncomfortable in his own skin and a drug addicted pedophile. I am curious to see how the stars and spiritual leaders that eulogized him react when the truth is out on this lunatic pedophile. Al, Jesse and the rest hold on, it's coming....
Posted by: enuffalready | July 09, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Michael Jackson is tha man andd he will always beehh !
Posted by: brettany and ash | July 09, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Michael Jackson is and always will be the best pop star there is
ASH LOVES YOOH MICHAEL JACKSON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BRETTANY DOES TOO!
Posted by: brettany and ash | July 09, 2009 at 04:37 PM
I saw some comment regarding Michael as not giving. Not Giving Back? This is a man who has contributed millions to cancer hospitals for children. Gave money to help sick and dying children overseas get the medical care that they desperately needed. He actually built Neverland for children suffering from cancer to be able to come to his ranch and spend their day(s) behaving like children and not like cancer patients.
Michael had his faults, probably drugs was the worst one. As for harming children, I don't for a minute believe it. And since he was aquited of child molestation he is not guilty of any crime and it should be done with.
The parents of those two boys just wanted Michael's money and decided that having their boys lie about what happened to them was a way of getting it. They used their sons and harmed them by teaching them that lying is a way to make get a huge payday from someone that is really their friend. In fact the first boy admitted that his parents convinced him to lie and told him what to say.
So why not look at most of the good things Michael did. That man is gone now and his legacy is his music and his desire to help those in need - the children.
Enough is enough.
Posted by: ZoesNonni | July 12, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Michael we love you and you are forever in our hearts.GOD NEEDED YOU WAY MORE THAN WE DID.REST IN PEACE MY SPIRITUAL HUSBAND!
Posted by: porsha | July 18, 2009 at 04:15 PM
R.I.P Michael Jackson
Posted by: val | July 20, 2009 at 09:46 AM
rip! mayb u finally can u r the king i grew up wit ur music n i listen 2 it every day now i remember u when u was on the ed show thats how long i loved u n janet i love u just as much u tooo r an amazzzzzzzzing person inside n out
Posted by: unity | July 27, 2009 at 05:41 PM
The Crouches are big fakes! They love the money and fame..........Not GOD!!! God will judge them today and I am glad!!!!!!!!! AMEN AND AMEN~!!!!
Even his children went to Jehovah's Witness meetings after he passed. That shows that the Crouches had NO EFFECT on him or his family whatsoever...........
YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUIT!
Their fruit is evil.....just plain evil and God will prove that! His judgment is just!!!!!!!
Posted by: tobygrill | August 03, 2009 at 01:31 AM