Usher sings a touching rendition of “Gone Too Soon” next to the casket of legendary entertainer Michael Jackson at the public memorial service for the star held at Staples Center on Tuesday, July 7th in Los Angeles, California.
The whole service was a very touching and very well put together. Berry Gordy said it best, “To say he’s the king of pop is an understatement, he was the greatest performer that ever lived!”
Other performers and celebrities that attended the public service were: , John Mayer, Queen Latifah, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Brooke Shields, Al Sharpton, Jennifer Hudson and more. Check out all the photos below.
If you missed the full program, make sure to check out the CBS stream video we posted or CNN & YOUTUBE through out the upcoming hours. I’m pretty sure they will have it available somewhere.
well mariah and her hardcore fans can blame it on her emotion all they want but there are other performances where it’s obvious that she can’t sing the same. she either lips certain notes or just can’t sing like she used to
i cried during “we are the world”. sweet performance
everyone else gave good performances as well. though jhud wasn’t great, you can tell she has a HUGE voice so i let it slide
I thought the memorial was beautiful.
John Mayer was awesome on the guitar.
And even on a bad day MC sings way better than I do, so it’s whatever. Her heart was in the right place, even if her vocals weren’t. That’s what matters.
I was only able to catch the last half, but I did get to see Usher perform. He has such a beautiful voice. Those people who were singing at the end, I don’t know who they were, couldn’t sing and needed to shut up! It was a very nice service though. That’s so great that he was able to have an actualy funeral for all of his fans around the world! And to whoever said that Chris brown didn’t need to be there, oh grow up and get over it. You still on that? It’s funny because every singer including the “victim” herself has forgotten about it and forgave but someone unimportant as you hasn’t. This aint about Chris, but everybody whos fans of MJ deserved to be there and MJ went through worse troubles himself. I wish I would’ve seen Mariah perform. It’s funny how Chris Brown never did drugs or was an alcoholic and made one mistake. Beating a woman repeatively and controlling her a woman beater! Hitting a woman because she provocted you is totally different!
@Vee I agree with u and I like MC , people saying emotions got the best of her u could tell she was trying to get them notes, she must had for got she didnt have them special effect she usually have thats why she had oh dude 2 sing the most diffcult parts, and if she wasnt trying 2 prove that she still got it when the music stopped she would have stopped,instead she kept going like she was hitting them notes lol.
It was a beautiful service fit for the King of Pop! May he rest in peace and may his family and close friends be comforted by memories of the beautiful times that they shared.
At Lady Love: The Truth Hurts, yeah that is true. But nothing about your statement is the ‘truth’. Its just your ignorant, completely un-fact based opinion!
Corey Feldman went tooo far with the Michael gear. A glove, sure. Maybe the hat OR glasses, fine. Full-on MJJ outfit, a straight joke. It was too much.
why is everone hating on mariah? i think she did great, she had a few problems at the beginning, but she did good after that.
Her vocals arent the ones they were back in the 90s…same thing that will happen to christina, alicia and so on…
damn, whitneys voice isnt half as good as it used to be…
personally i think, stevie hit more wrong notes than her…
cant hear his performance without shaking, and that wasnt a good shaking…
nonetheless beautiful service, glad they didnt send madonna
Some of yall need to get a life..so what Chris Brown was there..so what if Mariah’s voice was shaky! Damn can some of yall celebrity obsessed asses croke already!
It was not about them it was about MJ..geez!
Chris Brown deserved to be there just like anyone else that was in there!
Worry about where yall fathers and boyfriends are at instead of that mans whereabouts!
Dummies!
PS! Glad Beyonce wasn’t there trying to steal the spotlight…………….yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
crying again….Love you MJ!!!
I think some of you are so pathetic for being grateful Beyonce was not at/apart of this service. No, it isn’t it about her, but if she wanted to be there, I don’t see any problem with her doing so. Other big name stars, including Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, etc. were not there either. I don’t see anyone else celebrating them not being there. It’s ridiculous. I guess people really do hate this woman.
*End of rant
I thought the service was absolutely beautiful. Usher really moved me with “Gone Too Soon.” Rev. Al Sharpton spoke extremely well, but little Paris was the highlight. So sad.
Michael Jackson will forever be remembered as the greatest entertainer to grace this earth. There is only one, and there will NEVER EVER be another. Long live the King of Pop!
* a part
@ 44. I agree, there was something about Usher’s performance and the way he touched the casket… not that I know him or how sincere he was, there was just something abt it that seemed choreographed.
It was an appropriate memorial tho, respectful, beautiful and classy.
The memorial was very touching and cried throughout the whole ceremony, from the time the casket came in up until after Paris said she loved her father so much. I’m not going to get on Mariah for her performance…yes her voice didn’t sound as good as it has in the past, but you all need to realize her performance was the first of the memorial as well as the first time she saw Michael’s casket. She was overcome by emotion I know, simply because I was and I was watching from the comfort of my own home. Jenifer Hudson’s performance was great, I loved the Free Willy song, Usher’s singing “Gone Too Soon” was emotional especially when he broke down at the end. Overall it was a moment/memorial that I will never forget, it was well put together and I know Michael would be pleased. My prayers go out to the entire Jackson family.
Oh, they just reported that Mariah was the only singer there who had not had a chance to rehearse, and that it was very emotional for her. She did the performance anyhow, because she wanted to. So stop ragging.
Usher sang the mess outta that song. Jennifer Hudson did too. Jermaine sang the touching song, Smile. I didnt think he had the strength to finish but he did. Mariah sounded terrible, but did her best…I was surprised at how hoarse she sounded. Overall the memorial was full of elegance and dignity.
Ok…so I just read that Mariah was really overwhelmed with grief to really sing…that’s understandable. Singing with a coffin in front of you is no easy task.
Damn did you all miss the message this service was about no one but MJ and his family…it was not about who can and can not sing it was not about who was there it was about his life and how he affect the world..I feel like any day now this world is going to end because there is no more compassion left. This is why I have not had any children. I would not want them to suffer in a world where people are no longer human and have no good will toward there fellow man.
Yeah i agree this shouldnt be bout chris brown this is bout Michael. But just for the record I still dont think he shoulda performed. And for the ppl talkin bout Kobe, I’ll say he was still wrong for that and I dont even kno why he was on program. He didnt kno Mike.
Concreteloop – can you please take down the Mariah Carey wallpaper and put Michael Jackson back. After all, long live the “King.”
Can we get some info on the asian/black woman who sang lead on “We Are The World” and “Heal the World???” She had a great voice!! No studio effects needed
oh yeah and john mayer made me like him because he played that guitar really well
Why was kobe there. Chris Brown I’m so proud of you, let your haters be your motivators. There is no doubt in my mind the type of person Michael was he wanted you there. America hated on Michael they were nasty mean and just plain old evil to him while he was here. So don’t go anywhere in hide just becareful take care of you in stay positive because the negative will wear you down. Keep God first always love you respect your mom in don’t take the hater bait. Thank you for respecting Michael he knew you were there long live the King in people like you.
I don’t know about you guys but i’m surely glad that man beater Chris Brown didn’t perform LMAO see that’s what you get Chris and from the look of that picture it looks like Chris been sniffing you know what he just don’t look right sometimes he looks weird and foolish I believe he’s on drugs that’s just the way he look I mean he don’t look like he use to when he first camed out with the single Yo he looks foolish to me i’m glad he didn’t perform becase he would be sending the wrong messages out to young people you feel me.
I been reading some of these bulls*** messages on here and I have one question 1.) Why do some of you people on here feel like Chris deserve to perform and be praised when he done so much wrong I mean NO ONE is trying to judge Chris but come on now let’s get serious and think about this from a positive and reality point of view okay. Micheal was for Peace and Harmony Mike was not for Violence whenever you beat a girl well anyone, whenever you beat someone so bad they turn black and blue and when someone actually been bitten by someone teeth print I mean that’s mean and hatred and also it’s very gross but if Chris Brown had a disease RiRi could have caught what he had I mean when you bite someone I mean damn that’s hate I mean Spitting on someone and biting someone that’s the most cruel and hateful and hurtful thing to do to someone I mean yeah IF GOD’S WILL and a liitle bit down the road when everyone done forget about it or beginning to forget about it yeah Chris can come back other than that DON’T NOBODY WANT TO HEAR S*** CHRIS HAVE TO SAY PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also>< Think about this what about the young generation if Chris made a comeback right now he will be setting an example that’s negative and don’t nobody want that for their Children,Nieces and Nephews,Cousins, ETC so that’s why everyone is ignoring him right now because everyone feels like he’s not ready yet for a comeback plain and simple crystal clear and I don’t care who get mad on here just like Number 82 says the TRUTH HURTS SO GET MAD I DON’T CARE AND I’M SURE EVERYONE ELSE ON HERE WHOSE SPEAKING THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIS DON’T GIVE A F*** AS WELL
RIP MICHAEL YOU WAS THE WORLD’S GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
u knoe he is the king of pop his music wil live forever n he made our black race lifted up high u noe regardlss of what!!!!we gt the talent mj showed the wrld n we lost a legend bt still life goes on i hope he rests in peace n his family will have peace as well (rest in peace mj love u)
R.I.P. MJ you will forver be in my heart!!!! The king of pop!
Btw i know this is irrelevant but what was the cell that chris brown had thx!!!
Love ya Michael Jackson
That service was perfect. PERFECT. I hoped Mariah would sing that song. When she came out as the first performer I was sooo excited. Yeah she didn’t sound like Mariah. Did she have a cold? But I still enjoyed it immensely. Usher….OMG…that was the most moving performance…..OMG……(who cares where Chris Brown was)….Usher was the perfect pick.
I was moved by Berry Gordy’s speech. The King of Pop does not do MJ justice. And everyone there seemed to agree. And the Coretta Scott-King story wasn’t a surprise at all.
The only thing that hurts me is that I think MJ didn’t know how much he was loved. I really, really hope he was looking down at the service and was in awe.
And J-Hud looked soooo beautiful!
I just saw that Mariah’s CD dropped yesterday. Thumbs up to her for not plugging her CD release.
When they brought his casket out I just kept saying to myself, “this is not happening, I can’t believe this.”
#21 I feel the same way. That was such a wonderful gift his family gave to US. They didn’t have to share him with us. Celebs even said they were shocked when the casket came in. And the silence at the Staples Center was CRAZY! I wasn’t there but I have been to many Laker games and that silence spoke volumes. Wow.
I’m sorry guys but I may leave 7 more comments.
#51 I LOVE Fantasia but I don’t know anyone who could pull off ‘I’ll be there’ like Mariah. When I first heard of the Memorial (didn’t know Mariah would be there) I said oooh I hope Mariah sings ‘I’ll be there.’
I really, really hope these ‘entertainers’ of today would look up to MJ for EVERYTHING he did and not just try to copy his moves etc. I don’t believe in reverencing ANY man however MJ took his talent and tried to make the world a better place. Now when you compare him to lets say Madonna, what has she done to make the world a better place. Ok so what you’ve made hit songs. But what have you done??? She only did things to shock ppl. How is that making the world a better place. These celebs don’t seem to get, as MJ did, that there may be a bigger purpose to why you have the gift to entertain. It’s not to tongue kiss two young women on stage. But that’s why I honestly don’t know of any of celeb (maybe Oprah, maybe) that I would skip work and sit at the t.v. for 10 hrs until I literally had a headache from watching it.
Ok I am going to bed. I am in Ca so it is still Wednesday 10:00pm lol. Laughing at my last post/time.
I know (I hope) MJ is still in shock up in heaven viewing the turn out and outpouring of love soo many ppl had for him. When the minister asked ppl there and in tv land to grab someone hand to pray, my sis and I did with no reservation. I don’t know of anyone outside of my immediate family that I would do that for. It was as if we all (everyone, everywhere) needed comfort b/c it was hard to say goodbye. I still can’t believe that was Michael Jackson being rolled out in that casket……..it doesn’t make any sense. If he was 80 I would still be sad but 50! I did not turn the tv on not one time today. Nor the radio. It’s too much. It’s overwhelming. Good nite guys.
R.I.P. MJ YU WERE THE BEST AND YOU STILL ARE AN ANGEL TO US IN THE MUSIC WORLD AND A HERO TO MANY OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD AND FOR THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRUELY BLESSED TO BE TOUCHED MY AN ANGEL WE LOVE YU AND FOREVER WILL WE MISS YOU YOUR MUSIC HAS CHANGED THE WORLD
Great photos! I didn’t know Mike Tyson, Wesly Snipes and Minister Farrakhan was there! Wow, what an event.
Chris Brown was here and the motherf**ker Jay-z couldn’t stop him this time
I don’t believe all thhe comments on Mariah, She was upset too and most likely nervous by going first. At least she was asked to perform. She wasn’t tryin to shine she was doing it for Michael, so that he could. When will you ppl learn, you all seem to miss the point of the gathering. healing waa a big part of it. So let’s get off of Mariah, and make the world a better place.
I have heard alot of people bashing mariah for her performance. I think that is rude and inconsiderate. No on knows how hard it would be to stand infront of one of the worlds greatest after he has passed away and perform one of his songs. I think she did amazing under the circumstances. it can not be easy to perform after loosing someone to influential to EVERYONE. I think she held it together amazing and that it made her performance mean so much.
I CRIED SO MUCH!! THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE THING!!
JOHN MAYER DID AN AMAZING JOB
MARIAH DIDN’T DO AS GREAT AS I EXPECTED, BUT I GUESS SHE GETS A PASS LOL
USHER DID A WONDERFUL JOB! HIS ENDING MADE ME BAWL.
JERMAINES PERFORMANCE WAS GREATT! SO TOUCHING.
AS FOR SPEECHES AL SHARPTON SPOKE REALLY WELL, I LOVED WHAT HE SAID ABOUT MJ NOT BEING STRANGE..LOVED IT!
PARIS BROKE MY HEART : ( SHE SEEMED LIKE THE ONLY ONE WHO MISSED HER FATHER.
I LOVE YOU FOREVER MJ!! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE
Micheal (MJ) Jackson.He is/was the greatest gift of all.
@68 (and any other post that mentions her) – Beyonce was reported to have attended the private service with the family. As far as her “Broadway” – thank BET for not letting her perform I’ll Be There as THEY thought it was too sad and wanted Ave Maria. The set list is floating all over the net and this is still unclear?
Anywhoo, RIP MJ G.O.A.T.
Such a beautiful collection of photos. Thanks to Tyrese for directing me to this website. MJ, you’ll live in my heart forever. You truly are the KING OF MUSIC!
It was a beautiful service–something that we will never ever forget. MJ was the original, the blueprint, the masterpiece. As a child, he was my first boyfriend–cool chocolate brother with a big afro and bell bottoms accompanied by 4 other fine chocolate drops. I am all cried out. My heart is forever broken over the loss of this brilliant gift from God. I know he is finally at peace and for that, I am glad.
WAIT! CHRIS BROWN was there but didn’t PERFORM? first he was asked to perform at the BET AWARDS in TRIBUTE to Michael Jackson, but it was said that REV. Al SHARPTON & JAYZ had a say in him not being able to perform.
And now a once in a life time event (MEMORIAL service for the ICON that inspired him) he still had to sit down & WATCH?
CHRIS BROWN still has fans, that love him still (Despite the RIHANNA incident) . I think we will more than WELCOME him back with open arms, & what better time than now. CHRIS can sing really good & He can dance his ass off. We would embrace his come back 100%. Why is this young man still being punished for his WRONGS / MISTAKES? My god he is a human being. NOBODY IS PERFECT—-LET HIM SING & DANCE!
ANYWAY…I was a huge Michael Jackson fan back in the day (anybody 30 & older grew up with MJ music in the house, & had his posters on their wall almost for certain. If you are younger & knew about MJ music & videos…your parents get credit for schooling you on the music ICON).
THE MEMORIAL service was BEAUTIFUL way better than I thought it would be. If you didnt shed tears when Michaels daughter Paris spoke toward the very end of the ceremony…you are just a cold hearted person. This is such a sad, sad, situation & how Michael had to leave the world like he did. The WORLD can be SOOOO CRUEL sometimes. Like Marlon said, “MAYBE NOW they would leave you alone…”
Even if they dont leave him alone (which the MEDIA is NOT), his spirit is FREE from the body it inhabited for 50 years. Michael Jackson was put through so much during his stay on this earth. NOW he wont give a damn—where he is right now, none of this CRAP MATTERS.
People need to forget about Chris Brown performing. Maybe it would have been alright for BET,but anyone who watched the memorial knows that it wasn’t about somebody IMITATING MJ(which is exactly what Chris would have done). It was more of a classy,spiritual event. It wasn’t about trying to dance and sing like MJ. I’m ick of this stale argument. It is pointless. Chris was there to pay his respects. You all need to do the same and take this discussion to Chris’ fansite. This is all about MICHAEL JACKSON!!
I believe with all my heart Michael would’ve been remarkably impressed with this service and at the same time proud..
It blew me away I cried like I was in attendence..I’m happy Chris Brown got to be there..it still sucks my ticket wasn’t picked
Oh and for the record mariah’s performance pissed me off! Just like it did at Pres Obama’s ball..I don’t know what’s up with her but she seriously needs to get it together
I mean I REALLLY wanted her to perform this, crossed my fingersand all! And for her to half step?? What?! She shoulda just sang One Sweet Day then (in which case would really make me cry) and let Boyz II Men sing I’ll Be There
@ QUEEN IM GLAD YOU DONT HOLD THE KEYS TO DEATH HELL AND THE GRAVE. CHRIS HAD EVERY RIGHT TO BE THERE MICHAEL WASN’T PERFECT NOBODY IS AND WHILE I DON’T CONDONE VIOLENCE NONE OF US REALLY KNOW WHAT THE ALTERCATION WAS ABOUT. ALL OF THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY MIKE HAD ON HIM AND HE STILL CAME OUT AND GAVE THE WORLD A GREAT SHOW. IF MIKE/ CHRIS WENT BEFORE THEIR MAKER IN PRIVACY AND ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS THEN THAT’S THE END OF IT. WHO THE H’LL ARE YOU TO JUDGE. IGNORANT!
IN GENERAL YOU REAP WHAT YOU SEW. IF YOU CAN’T FORGIVE YOU WON’T BE FORGIVEN. EVERYBODY TRYING TO ACT LIKE CHRIS DID SOMETHING SO UNFORGIVEABLE. HE WASN’T ACCUSED OF HAVING SEX WITH SOMEONES CHILD. I FIGHT FOR CHILDRENS RIGHT. BUT WE ARE HERE GRIEVING STILL FOR MIKE BECAUSE WE APPRECIATED HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. CHRIS IS TALENTED AND I HOPE HE COMES BACK STRONGER THAN EVER! EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. @ QUEEN THE NEXT TIME U F’CK UP ROYALLY PAUSE BEFORE YOU ASK FOR FORGIVNESS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT U WROTE!!! HYPOCRITE……………… ugggh humans