Today’s memorial to the life and work of Michael Jackson had no shortage of heartrending moments. Many of them came during the speeches: Brooke Shields, Smokey Robinson, and especially young Paris Jackson all brought tears to my eyes.
But oh, that music. For me, the show’s emotional peak came when Jermaine Jackson (pictured) sang his late little brother’s favorite song, Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” How sad, and how beautiful, that one-gloved rendition was. And that’s not to shortchange the other heartfelt performances given by everyone from Mariah Carey to Stevie Wonder to Jennifer Hudson to John Mayer, who showed real class by playing a near-wordless version of “Human Nature.” No tribute concert could really do justice to Michael’s legacy, but today’s line-up came pretty close.
Which of today’s musical moments did you find most touching? Click through to the jump to vote on the full list of today’s performers, then let us know what you think in the comments section.
More on Michael Jackson on EW.com:
Michael Jackson memorial: full video and our commentary
Michael Jackson memorial: Ken Tucker’s review
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1991-2009)
Michael Jackson: A life in pictures (1958-1988)
Michael Jackson: 10 top videos
Michael Jackson: 18 milestones
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Maroon 5 covers Frank Sinatra
Stream new Portugal. The Man track, “Everyone Is Golden” — an EW exclusive!
Twilight’s Blue Foundation: Stream an exclusive new version of “Watch You Sleeping”
Karen O, MGMT to guest on new Flaming Lips record
Comments (1-30) of 302 Add your comment
I loved the choir performance at the beginning, Usher and Stevie. But I especially loved Jennifer Hudson’s performance considering her recent terrible loss. Especially since the song she sings refers to a mother and brother, and she lost both last year. Such a wonderful memorial, I was so moved. I will forever love MJ, the King of Pop and a beautiful, kind, unique soul. May he RIP.
We are the World!
http://www.gotchamediablog.com/2009/07/mjs-memorial-we-are-world.html
Mariah tore me up.
Mariah tore me up.
Jermaine and Usher had me in tears.
Stevie Wonder because thanks to the media leaks, you knew he was singing “I Never Dreamed…” but when he starting singing “They Won’t Go When I Go” I lost it. We are stuck here on earth while MJ has moved past his pain and suffering. RIP King of Pop
I thought his daugthers comments were some of the most heartfelt and genunely moving remarks I have ever heard. I am a 44 year old man working in an office and I have to say tears welled up.
All performances were great. The following performances made me break down:
- Mariah, Jermaine, Usher, We are the World.
The rest of the performances made me respect the performers more.
Stevie Wonder’s performance is an equal to Elton John’s Candle In The Wind. Beautiful, haunting, emotional and sad.
Stevie Wonder, all the way. What a guy, what a legend himself.
Rest in peace, dear MJ. I love you always. Your eternal fan, Ann.
Jennifer and Usher’s performance was the ones that got to me the most. Who am I kidding, the whole tribute did and was beautiful. Paris and Brooke got to me when they spoke.
It’s love, i tell you
it’s love
what MJ had, was love
it’s love, i’m telling you
it’s love
from up above they give love
some of us share it down below
michael knew how to love
and now we must let him go
now, we must let him go
but forever in our hearts, i know
with love to the king of pop, forever
your fan
Ann
The most touching part were the when Brooke Shields spoke and when he’s daughter told the world how she felt about her father. Jermaine’s was the most heartfelt.
To be honest I didn’t like Jennifer at all. I don’t think she did the song justice
It was a very beautiful service. I cried during most of it. I’m not a big Mariah fan, but her performance today made me cry and realize how great of a singer she is. When is beautiful daughter spoke, it made me cry even more. May God be with Michael’s children. He will be missed.
Mariah’s performance made me tear up. It was a wonderful performance.
The music was certainly moving and brought me to tears. I felt so bad when Usher broke down at the end of his song. The one thing that truly made me cry was Paris. The whole family was hugging her and supporting her, but she was desperate to speak and say what she really wanted to say. The moment she said, “Daddy” I couldn’t take it. She is only eleven–far too young to have lost a father that was far too good. R.I.P Michael Jackson. We love you so much.
Totally lost it when Jermaine sang. Lost it again when Paris spoke. From someone who also lost her dad at 11 years of age, she’s got a long road ahead of her. He raised three beautiful kids. Godspeed MJ.
John Mayer was all about what Michael was all about – the music. I normally loathe Mayer but all props to him today. Stevie Wonder was heartbreakingly wonderful. I normally like Usher but I cringed when he left the stage and kept his damn sunglasses on.
what a beautiful memorial and tribute it was for dear michael jackson. his lovely daughter paris broke my heart as did germaine,brook shields,john mayer,we are the world. wish i was there,michael had a heart of gold and was/is the worlds greatest entertainer.i will never forget him,love him always.may he rest in peace
@queen of disrepair – Usher took the shades OFF at the end, right after he was looking at MJ at the end. He took them off and gestured to the family and all.
Jermaine’s was brillant… he’s been a great spokesperson. And obviously he can still sing! Plus he’s the best-looking of the other brothers. Big sigh.
Jacko was a wacko, and a sicko.
I don’t care that he is dead.
His family is even more sad then he was….are we going to keep putting his dead body on stage until no one will pay to see him (like the Pope on tour?). Money hungry family is sad
Stevie Wonder.
The hottest celeb scenes at http://www.actressscene.com
I thought it all sucked, he is a pervert and child molester and should not have been given the media attention. Al Sharpton also is an idiot.
to me.. all of the performances were great EXCEPT for Mariah Carey. She was hoarse.. she couldn’t hit the notes. so, instead of letting her voice go out (like she did in the beginning), she started compensating with a “yeah yeah yeah.” it was awful. Trey was miles better than her. She was horrible. Everyone else was great… from Jennifer Hud to Stevie Wonder. They were fabulous.
I don’t know why Jeniffer Hudson has to yell every time she sings but the Best performance was Jermaine Jackson singing Michael’s favorite song Smile by Charlie Chaplin.
to all those that have negative thoughts and comments it shows that your the ignorant fools his music could not reach. the one comment that changed my entire thoughts of michael were al sharptons when he told his kids. “YOUR FATHER WASNT STRANGE THE THINGS HE HAD TO DEAL WITH WERE STRANGE” that man dealt with things your dumb ignorant asses could never ever imagine.. you dont know what its like to never be able to walk in a park randomly without having to shut it down to public. or running to a taco bell and he’s lived that way since he was a kid. not too mention INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY WHICH HE WAs not found so too all those with negative comments “SDFU” LET THE MAN BE !
I was most moved by Stevie Wonder’s & John Mayer’s performance
Stevie had amazing emotional knowing and expression; he lived his song. Very beautiful, very loving and honoring.
John Mayer & Co. created the sense of a band supporting a missing main performer (MJ); dignified & respectful, honoring the soul. Very nice.
Michael Jackson inspires me to, all day every day, consider who I am and who I be for myself and others; God doesn’t make spare parts.
God bless all of us.
Why does Mariah still sing live? Her voice is shocking!
All The Performences were GREAT!
it Was Very Very Sad! Though That Are King! Has Passt!! 
My He R.I.P WE LOVE YOU MJ!! YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON! In ARE hearts! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!! Always….. <3
x0×0x0