Blog posts by category: Michael Jackson
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 12:07 AMDame Elizabeth Taylor on Michael Jackson in 'This is It'
Who needs movie reviewers?
Actress Elizabeth Taylor, good buds with Michael Jackson for years, expressed herself on her Twitter feed, over and over, about "This is It," the documentary about Jackson's rehearsals for his ill-fated string of London concerts that was deep-sixed by his death last June.
Herewith, I cut and paste from Taylor's Twitter feed so you don't have to, her breathless review:
DameElizabeth I was honored with the great privilege of seeing "This Is It" last week. I was sworn to secrecy, but now I can let you know about it.
DameElizabeth It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael's genius in every aspect of creativity.
DameElizabeth To say the man is a genius is an understatement. He cradles each note, coaxes the music to depths beyond reality.
DameElizabeth I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again.
DameElizabeth And we have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him.
DameElizabeth God blessed him and squandered nothing, but loved it all. Michael knew how to put together every tone, every nuance to make magic.
DameElizabeth To say he was a genius seems so little. I wish my vocabulary encompassed what I feel.
DameElizabeth You owe it to yourselves and your loved ones to see this again and again. Memorize it and say to yourselves, "I saw genius in my lifetime"
DameElizabeth I loved genius in my lifetime. God was so good to me. I will love Michael forever and so will you, if you don't already.
DameElizabeth I hope I don't sound condescending. I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about, but go to see it again and again.
DameElizabeth I meant to repeat myself. I love you. I remember Michael loved you. He was totally up to now and the message of today in all his songs.
DameElizabeth If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang.
DameElizabeth I won't use words like preaching because that is off-putting, but listen. Listen to his messages..
DameElizabeth From "Black And White", "Man In The Mirror". The inspiration behind "We Are The World". We must take his words of responsibility seriously.
DameElizabeth We cannot let his life be in vain / and always done with love. Remember that. Remember him and thank God for him and his genius.
DameElizabeth Kenny Ortega did a masterful job of directing the process that goes into making a complete show before hitting the stage.
DameElizabeth From A to Z you get Michael's input on every level. Michael's genius at work with the dancers. Mr. Ortega catches Michael in his every mood.
DameElizabeth You see in front of your eyes Michael's genius blossoming on this piece of film thanks to Kenny Ortega and his crews.
DameElizabeth I truly believe this film should be nominated in every category conceivable.
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:34 PMMichael's daughter Paris speaks
You would have to be made of stone not to be moved when Michael's daughter Paris spoke.
With her aunt, Janet Jackson, whispering, "Speak up, honey," Paris said, between sobs: "I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... and I just want to say I love him so much."
She broke into loud sobs and was hugged again by Janet.
The family then said goodbye and exited, as Jackson's casket was rolled out.
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:30 PMUsher should have lost the sunglasses
Dark sunglasses at funerals are common, but in Usher's case, it's a fashion choice -- it's his "look." I think he could have done without that look just once, as he sang "Gone Too Soon."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:13 PMSmokey Robinson jokes, 'I wanted to see his birth certificate'
A video of a young Michael singing "Who's Loving You" with the Jackson 5 in a late '60s clip was shown in the Staples Center.
Then Smokey Robinson came out to the podium. "I wrote that song," he said, eyes flashing mischievously. "I thought I sang it! I wrote that song back in um, um ... a few years later, here comes this little kid, he's 10 years old.
"Berry had this gathering at his house, he said come on over, I want you to hear somebody special. So these five young guys were there.
"A couple weeks later, they recorded my song, and I heard it. I thought to myself, 'Now they have pulled a fast one on us because this boy cannot possibly be 10 years old. This is about somebody involved with somebody, but they treated them bad ... so they lost them and now they are paying the price of wanting somebody back that they treated bad, but lost. How could he possibly know these things? I wanted to see his birth certificate. I could not believe that someone so young could have so much feeling and soul. It was wonderful, as a songwriter, to have someone sing your song like that.
"I never would have thought I'd be here today. This is my little brother over there. You just don't think you're going to live to see him gone, but he will never really be gone. He is going to live forever and ever and ever and ever."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:07 PMA representative from the world of politics
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas spoke, representing the House of Representatives and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Jackson-Lee told how the House paused for a moment of silence "for this legend and icon."
To his family, Jackson-Lee said "America appreciates and thanks you for Michael Jackson's life."
Then to tremendous applause, she presented a framed House resolution proclaiming Michael Jackson as "an American legend and icon, a world humanitarian, someone who will be honored forever and ever and ever ..."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:57 PMBernice King, daughter of MLK, shares a story
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King, and her brother Martin Luther King III, spoke at Michael Jackson's service.
Bernice told an interesting story about how MJ called her mother to offer encouragement during her last illness. She couldn't speak because of a stroke, but listened as he talked to her by phone.
"She listened as he said to her he had been praying on his knees for her every day. He wanted to know what music was being played in her room, because of its healing effect.
"If he only could have seen the glow on her face," King said.
"That day, Michael Jackson made our mother's face smile in spite of her condition. What an unforgettable moment. He was such a thoughtful and selfless man, full of the unconditional love of God and good works that touch and change lives.
"In remembrance of Michael, may we all be inspired to go and let our lights shine."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:53 PMBrooke Shields emotional in tribute to friend
Actress Brooke Shields spoke emotionally about Michael's sensitivity and most of all, his sense of humor.
"Both of us needed to be adults very early. But when we were together (she started to sob) we were two little kids having fun.
"We never collaborated together, we never performed together or danced on the same stage - although he did try in vain one night to unsuccessfully teach me the moonwalk and just shook his head at my attempts. We never filmed a video or recorded a song, but what we did do was laugh. It was always a competition to see who could make the other one laugh more or be sillier.
"Michael loved to laugh. His heart would burst out of him when he laughed. He loved it when I did silly imitations or told him stories. MJ's laugh was the sweetest and purest laugh of anyone I ever knew."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:47 PMThe brothers Jackson honor Michael with glove
Each of Michael's surviving brothers are wearing one sequinned glove in his honor.
Now his brother Jermaine Jackson is singing what Brooke Shields just said was MJ's favorite song, "Smile" from the Charlie Chaplin film "Modern Times."
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:29 PMJohn Mayer performs 'Human Nature'
John Mayer is playing a wonderful instrumental (so far) version of "Human Nature" on guitar.
One thing Michael Jackson's death has brought forward to even those of us who thought we were on top of it was how deep his catalog really was.
It's good that the music is so far telling his story as much as the words.
Category: Michael Jackson
Posted by Susan Whitall (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 2:16 PMYet another Michiganian, Magic Johnson, speaks
Basketball heroes Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson came out to talk about Michael Jackson's humanitarian work.
Magic Johnson told a story that broke up the audience at the Staples Center. It had to do with Michael's modest taste in food.
"I met Jackie Jackson about 30 years ago, he was a season ticket holder for the Lakers," Johnson said. "Jackie and I became friends and he began to invite me out to their home. Then I got to know the brothers and sisters and his incredible mother and father. Berry, just like you lost to the Jacksons in softball, so did I.
"Then Jackie invited me to go on tour with the brothers, and then I got to see the genius of Michael Jackson. It was so incredible, he always had command of the band, his brothers, but also the audience. I truly believe he made me a better point guard in basketball as I watched him be so great and the greatest entertainer ever.
"One day Michael called and talked to me about being in a video, 'Remember the Time.'
"But I had to double check with Jackie to make sure it was really Michael. I was scared to death to go to his house because this was my idol. I went over to have dinner, the chef came out and said to me, 'What would you like?'
"I said grilled chicken ... so he brought me grilled chicken, and he brought Michael out a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. I went crazy. I said, 'Wait a minute, Michael, do you eat Kentucky Fried Chicken?' That was the greatest moment of my life. We had the best time sitting on the floor eating that bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
"This is a celebration of his life, his legacy. I want to thank Michael for opening up so many doors to African Americans to be on a late night show, to allow Kobe and I to have our jerseys in homes across the world because he was already there, and he opened up so many doors to us.
"His three children have the most incredible grandmother that God has put on this earth to take care of them. Michael's three children will have incredible uncles and aunts to take care of them as well. And they will have plenty of cousins to play with. So may God continue to bless this incredible family, we're praying for you, remain strong."
