LOS ANGELES — Coming from the Michael Jackson memorial service that was thankfully staged with dignity, we stepped outside the Staples Center and were hurled back to harsh reality at the sight of TV crews waiting to pounce on the fans for sound bites.
A mic was thrust at us, with a question: “Do you think Michael Jackson’s body was really inside that coffin?”
Who concocts these ludicrous rumors?
Vacant seats
Speaking of empty, there were quite a few vacant seats throughout the Staples Center during the memorial service. Right behind us was a row of at least 10 unoccupied seats. We felt bad for the many fans outside who were hoping to get tickets at the last minute.
We thought Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer”/“They Won’t Go When I Go” number was simple but very moving especially when he cried out, “Michael, why didn’t you stay?”
John Mayer’s guitar rendition of “Human Nature” (from Jackson’s “Thriller” album), punctuated by soft vocals of the backup singers in the song’s chorus, inspired a reflective vibe.
The performances by the other singers were appropriately somber but we’ve been wondering all day—what if Aretha Franklin showed up and just let go, so to speak?
Rare glimpse
The audience listened intently to Brooke Shields’ emotional reminiscence of her times with Michael, which provided a rare personal glimpse of him as a friend and a person, not as a very private superstar.
Where was Quincy?
But where was Quincy Jones And Beyonce, who was announced as one of the performers?
“Gone Too Soon,” sung by Usher at the service, was the first song of the King of Pop that we heard on the radio right after we learned that he has tragically left us—too early.
Saddest circumstances
It was interesting to finally see Michael’s kids minus the masks he made them wear during public outings. Quite sad, too, that on the first time that they faced the public, it was under the saddest of circumstances.
We’ll take comfort in Magic Johnson’s words onstage that the three children “have the most incredible grandmother that God has put on earth.” Michael’s well-known affection for his mom, Katherine Jackson, augurs well for the kids. May she live long to guide and be around for the children’s sake.
Mariah’s rendition of “I’ll Be There” with Trey Lorenz did not live up to her very soulful 1992 live recording (also with Trey) of that Jackson 5 classic.
It was also tough for Shaheen Jafargholi to come out and croon “Who’s Lovin’ You” right after a video clip showed a 10-year-old Michael singing that same song with incredible poise and emotion. But the Brit, who’s only 12, showed that he really has talent.
Lament
We shared director Kenny Ortega’s lament that only less than two weeks ago, Michael was rehearsing (and doing well, based on the video that showed him singing and dancing a number) for his London concert on that very same stage at the Staples Center.
We’re definitely saving our memorial service ticket, gold and blue wristbands, and the glossy souvenir program, filled with photos and dedication to Michael by his family, which was given free to all those who attended the event.
The dawn march of the elephants of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus from a train station in downtown Los Angeles to the Staples Center apparently took place without a hitch.
The 10 elephants managed to make it to the back of the Staples Center before many spectators for the memorial service started showing up. The majestic pachyderms are part of the circus that was scheduled to begin performing at the Staples last Wednesday, the day after the memorial.
The memorial was dignified, not circus-like as some had feared. In fact, it was replete with the poised Queen Latifah reading a poem, “We Had Him,” which was written by Maya Angelou specifically for Michael and the occasion.
E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.
