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
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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.