CARDIFF, Wales (AP) - October 9, 2011
The run-up to the "Michael Forever" concert was overshadowed
by the Los Angeles manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor, and
marred by fan criticism, sluggish ticket sales and dissension
within the Jackson family. But once the four-hour show started,
Jackson's musical genius, and the warm tributes of friends and
family, carried the night.
"We're very happy to be here on this special night to honor our
father," said Jackson's 13-year-old daughter Paris, who made a
brief onstage appearance alongside brothers Prince, 14, and
9-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., known as Blanket.
The children wore outfits evoking their father's famous styles -
Paris most strikingly, in a red and black "Thriller"-style
jacket. Blanket stood stoic and shy, but the older children smiled
and appeared confident in the spotlight.
On a stage shaped like a giant glove, musicians including
Christina Aguilera, Gladys Knight and Cee Lo Green performed songs
from across Jackson's career - from his childhood with the Jackson
5 through monster solo albums like "Thriller" and "Bad."
The Black Eyed Peas, probably the biggest act on the bill,
pulled out of the lineup this week, citing "unavoidable
circumstances."
Participants urged fans to ignore the criticism and controversy,
and to revel in the celebration of Jackson's musical legacy.
"It's not about the controversy," said R&B star Ne-Yo, who
kicked off the show with a rendition of "Billie Jean," complete
with some passable moonwalking. "It's not about the trial. It's
not about his death. It's about celebrating his life. It's about
celebrating his music."
The 50,000-strong crowd at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium did just
that, roaring with approval as Jackson's brothers Marlon, Tito and
Jackie - three-fifths of the original Jackson 5 - took the stage to
perform "Blame It On the Boogie" with British boyband JLS.
"Can you feel his spirit in the house tonight?" asked Marlon.
Judging by the cheers, the fedora hats and the sequined gloves in
the audience, many could.
Jackson died in June 2009, at age 50, as he was preparing for a
string of comeback concerts in London.
His last hours are being relived in graphic detail at the
manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of giving Jackson
a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives in the
bedroom of his rented mansion on June 25, 2009.
"This is a great counter-act to that," said Motown great
Smokey Robinson, who gave a soulful rendition of "She's Out of My
Life." "And it gives people something happy to do, rather than
thinking about what's going on in the trial."
The show mined a rich trove of Jackson hits. Leona Lewis crooned
"I'll Be There," Beyonce delivered the early single "I Wanna Be
Where You Are" and Jamie Foxx performed "Rock With You."
Aguilera sang Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" - one of Jackson's
favorite songs.
"Tonight is a history lesson," Foxx told the crowd. "We're
going to cover five decades of greatness."
The show reached a climax with Knight performing the poignant
"Gone Too Soon" before a rousing finale that brought most of the
performers - and the Jackson children - back onstage for the
exuberant "Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough."
The concert has divided the King of Pop's family and followers.
The three brothers, sister La Toya and vocal group 3T - composed of
three of Michael's nephews - all performed, while 81-year-old
matriarch Katherine was in the audience.
But Michael's brothers Jermaine and Randy and sister Janet have
stayed away, saying it is wrong to hold the show at the same time
as Murray's trial.
Before the show, Marlon Jackson said he respected his siblings'
decision, but said he was sure Michael would have approved.
"Each one of us grieves differently," he said. "We want to
celebrate the positive side of his life, the positive things that
he did."
Some fan groups around also criticized the show for ticket
prices that started at about $100 and for what some regard as an
out-of-the-way location in Cardiff, 150 miles (240 kilometers) west
of London.
"I believe it should wait, not only because of the Murray
trial," said Wesley Noorhoff, president of a Dutch Michael Jackson
fan club. "If you do a tribute to Michael, it has to be the best
there is, just like Michael."
But those who came to Cardiff said it was a fitting antidote to
the grim courtroom spectacle in Los Angeles.
"There's a lot of negativity in that courtroom," said Ronnie
Lee, a 32-year-old truck driver from Pembroke, Wales, sporting a
"Thriller" T-shirt. "This is a chance to say, 'Thank you
Michael' and celebrate the music."
As the crowd poured out of the stadium, opinion was divided.
"Rubbish," said Sophie Stockdale, 23. "If you wanted to watch
Beyonce on video link, you could do it on YouTube."
But Sophie Morris, also 23, said she'd loved it.
"It was amazing," she said. "I actually cried three or four
times."
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Online:
http://www.michaelforevertribute.com
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Jill Lawless can be reached at: http://twitter.com/JillLawless
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