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Michael Jackson Funeral: Memorial Service Will Draw Record Crowds
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by Tina Kells | June 26, 2009 at 06:02 pm
20887 views | 5 Recommendations | 40 comments
A date for the Michael Jackson funeral has not yet been set but there is already speculation that his public memorial service will draw record crowds. The Jackson family will likely hold a private funeral for family and friends, but a public memorial will have to be held as well. If an official date of mourning for fans is not declared, it is certain that memorial services will be held around the world.
Sky News: Rev. Al Sharpton says Michael Jackson's family wants to hold memorials in key cities around the world.
Even the private family memorial for Michael Jackson will likely draw a huge crowd. When Princess Diana died more than a quarter of a million people lined the street to see her funeral procession pass. Other famous funerals drew similarly large crowds of mourners, including one of the first pop culture deaths, that of Michael Jackson's would-have-been-father-in-law, Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. In 1977, 75,000 people lined the streets to witness Elvis Presley's funeral procession. The population of the US in 1977 was around 220,239,000 meaning. In January 2009 the population of the US was 305,529,237. If the same percentage of the US population attend Michael Jackson's funeral procession the turnout will be near 105,000.
Once the official funeral arrangements have been made and announced look for fans around the world to plan coinciding memorials in his honor. These impromptu public memorials will be in addition to the official funeral procession and the collective mourners worldwide on the day Michael Jackson is laid to rest will could top one million.
Michael Jackson's funeral is likely to be the biggest in entertainment history, drawing tens of thousands of mourners and hundreds of millions of TV viewers.
It is expected to eclipse that of Elvis Presley in 1977, at which 75,000 fans lined the streets of Memphis, and could rival Princess Diana's 12 years ago when 250,000 gathered in Hyde Park alone.
Even the funeral of silent film star Rudolph Valentino in New York in 1926 drew 40,000 fans.
Update June 29, 2009: The Jackson family has announced that they will not even begin to plan a funeral for Michael Jackson until the independent autopsy results they have requested are returned. The Jackson family suspects foul play in the death of Michael Jackson despite a state autopsy report and police investigation that declared The King of Pop's death was not deliberately caused.
Michael Jackson's father says the family is not ready yet to plan his son's funeral as they are awaiting results from the private autopsy.
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at 17:26 on June 27th, 2009
I don't understand your comment - clearly MJ has just had more than he could bear. What did you mean?
at 02:58 on June 28th, 2009
Micheal has been and WILL be THE greatest singer and entertainer ever and I will always remember him. I will never forget the concert in Bucharest. Evem my mom who is in her 60's is a great fan. 'Gone too soon' from this world but not from our hearts or from world music history. R I P michael.
at 03:22 on June 27th, 2009
Michael Jackson: Before and after your death, I do not believe there exist an entertainer that have can or will come close to the extraordinary, magical, and breath taking gift that you have generously allowed us all to witness. I Love You and I pray your soul is resting in the hands of your higher power.
at 06:38 on June 27th, 2009
When michael passed, it was as if my world had stopped. He is gone and his talent has been taken with him.
May god bless him always, and his body be rested in a safer and better place.
Love you now, forever and always.
at 13:01 on June 27th, 2009
James Lewis, most property will be sold. Michael was in debt over $400 million. That is why he was doing a final comeback tour to get our of debt.
at 21:41 on June 28th, 2009
I can't stop thinking about Michael Jackson and the unlikely season of mourning that is set around us. Mourning this entertainer is unnatural as leaves falling in summer. I hear people numbering his faults and I remember that I, myself, was disappointed and disgusted by what I read. I had gotten cynical and forgotten the magic but it wasn't always like that. MJ had been with me as long I could remember (4 or 5) and I'm 28 years old now. My mother had grown up with him too- she turned 50 two days before he died.
When someone is with you that long, it's hard to forget them. It's hard not to know them and even harder to forget him. What I realize now was how vulnerable he was. He was not perfect. Yes, he was wrong and he sinned. He But judgment is not our domain and the thing that mattered was that he really tried to make things better even simply via lyrics. He showed me that being specIal is our purpose. Good night Michal.
at 10:11 on June 29th, 2009
I have been an absolute Mess. The Devastation and pain I feel is unbearable....I can't stop crying. I am contemplating going to LA for the funeral. Michael has touched my life and Moved more in more ways than mere words can express. My first Michael memory was loving the J5 when I was 2 1/2 (now 31) on the way to my Grandma's house singing and dancing in the car. By the time I was 4, when Thriller came out I loved not only the magic of his musical Genius, but his heart and compassion for those less fortunate in the world. I became an activist for human and animal rights largely due to his inspiration. I love him for his Talent...which is Pure Love and Light, and I love him for his generous spirit and charity work. When the pain lessons a bit, I will write down more about my love and devotion to him. I am sure he is at peace now. It is great that people are listening to his music Everywhere. It sadenns me that so many turned their backs on him when he needed their support most. His childlike innocence was often misunderstood. Likewise, I have felt that people and the media were focusig on his face instead of his musical genius....his rumours/scandels instead of his immense heart and humanatarian efforts. Many who miss him now seemed to have been part of the scrutiny he had to deal with for years. May he Truly be at peace from all of his pain and suffering which no one could truly save him from. May his children end up in a loving place and not be separated, nor end up living with Michael's abusive father. I will Always love him, and Always be inspired by him. My connection to Michael remains unwaivering. We were all blessed by his soul.
at 11:45 on June 29th, 2009
The bible says a starchild is born every 1000 years. michael jackson was the one sent from the sky... all the people that put him down when he was here are sadden now. When I here that song HOW DOES IT FEEL I sear to god I just want to fall on the floor and cry like a baby it hurts so much and so bad . They throw rocks at jesus like they throw lies at michael the worlds only to healer we ever had destroyed by a cold and hateful people on earth.. I can't said good bye it hurt to bad I am so sorry michael
at 18:15 on June 29th, 2009
This will be a collosal event. But even bigger will be the burgeoning revelation of just how vast MJ's impact was on contemporary music and culture.
For example, already country fans are clamoring for copies of Dr BLT's Kern County country rock (Kccrock) cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. The latest word from the Dr BLT people is that the sample will be available by July 1, and that the whole song will be available at:
http://www.drblt.net
by July 6, 2009.
In the meantime, fans are urged to catch this Dr BLT Michael Jackson tribute song:
Goodbye Michael Jackson
(Bittersweet Legacy)
Dr BLT copyright 2009
http://www.drblt.net/music/GoodbyMJFinalDemom.mp3
The sample of Billie Jean with additional psychological perspective will be offered here in the coming days at:
Psychology Comes Alive
http://www.psychologycomesalive.com
at 17:25 on July 1st, 2009
Jesus was not a mentally ill pedophile who blew his money on porn and overdosed on drugs - there are a few other differences too. I don't remember Jesus altering his face to look like a monster etc etc
You obvioulsy know nothiong about Jesus or MJ - maybe you've just heard the names?
at 15:13 on July 5th, 2009
What utter nonsense - you idiot!
at 22:17 on June 26th, 2009
definitely, it will, he will, he always draw huge crowds.. i love you so much Michael...forever in my heart...
at 00:30 on June 27th, 2009
You will always live in my heart.God bless you and rest in peace!i love you!
at 02:47 on June 27th, 2009
rip mj.. as long as pop music nd dance live n dis world u'll live n our hearts!!
at 03:35 on June 27th, 2009
Hey we'll miss your perfomance bra mike may your sole rest in peace hamba kahle tata
at 07:29 on June 27th, 2009
RIP, MJ.
You're always in my heart
at 17:01 on June 27th, 2009
I loved MICHEAL JACKSON AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. I am 36 years old and MICHEAL been apart of my life since i was 7 years old. Prayers are sent out for his family from me. May God given you all the strength, and remember GOD is not going to put no more on you that you can bare. Alway remember the senerity prayer. I LOVE YOU MICHEAL JACKSON ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
at 18:56 on June 27th, 2009
Michael Jackson is a rare entertainer who will be missed by fans all over the world. I grew up on his music and will miss being entertain by his incredible talent. Prayers goes out to his children and to the Jackson family. I will be a Michael Jackson fan forever and always.
at 12:33 on June 28th, 2009
he will be missed and loved by his family and friends and fans
at 15:27 on June 28th, 2009
You probably don't realize it but, you've changed the world for the better. I believe you'll be in everyones' hearts forever. You are a true inspiration to all of us. R.I.P. Michael.
at 08:17 on June 29th, 2009
you are the best micheal its your time to take rest may god bless u ma hero
at 08:53 on June 29th, 2009
michael will truly be missed, every year i get a cake with michael face on it, because, my birthday is the next day which is august 30. i was born august 30, 1972 and chris tucker was born august 31, 1972 both of us really will miss him. its like losing a family memeber and i think doing it public like james brown would make the fans feel more part of the service, without fans where would michael be, and michael gave all to his fans and he would probably want his fans to follow him until his final resting place. michael is smiling down right now from soul heaven with all the other great artists. so rest in peace michael, and we love you for always.
at 11:14 on June 30th, 2009
He will draw crowds. He was THE BEST. No one will ever surpass him- in music, dance or voice. He has become immortal, as he and his music will live in our hearts forever. God only takes the best. Michael I LOVE YOU. It's crazy but I can't even sleep since I've heard the news. Michael, you truly were one of a kind. It's so weird because people just don't understand him, just like Jesus. I hate to make that comparison, but it's so similar its scary. At least you are happy now. I will always love you.
at 17:14 on July 1st, 2009
fore
at 10:59 on July 3rd, 2009
r.i.p michael. ok so michaels funeral is on tuesday 7th july but im interested to know if there will be a memorial in london where fans can meet. will it be shown or screen somewhere outdoors?
at 14:10 on July 5th, 2009
Karen Highder,
I don't remember Jesus accusing even the guilty of crimes. 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' Michael was accuitted and for good reason, HE DIDN'T DO IT!!! This is why I hate the media and people who take the words of reporters whose jobs depend on reporting juiced up stories to the impressionable public. I remember when the first boy said that his father made him lie on Michael, they even had a little exerpt in the paper. The media didn't want to broadcast that over the world. They had this boys step-father and father on tape conspiring against this man. I heard it with my own ears and so did the police and attorneys. The second boys family was actually living with Michael and he was paying the boys medical bills. His mother even encouraged her kids to call Mike 'daddy'. When Michael told them they had to leave then the mother wants to pull the molestation card. She herself has been commited to a mental institution before. She was caught in various lies as was her son. It was proven in court that Michael had vitaligo, his skin changing was not his fault but he had to compensate for what was happening to his body; and a lot of people don't know that he was also diagnosed with lupus in 1984, and that diseas changes the skin as well. As far as his nose it is widely known that he was constantly teased as a child, especially by his own father. Its easy to sit and judgement of a person when you don't have to live their life! The only thing that Michael Jackson was guilty of was showing kindness to people who didn't deserve it!!!
at 19:13 on July 5th, 2009
Yes. Yes. Yes! Michael was a musical genius who had a heart for the less fortunate. We feel bonded with him even after his passing because of his rare ability to join cultures through his amazing gift given by our Creator and none else
I agree with Mjadore78. The passing of Michael is a devastating event for us all. He was given to us by Our Creator. Imagine the greatness of Our Creator who gave us Michael. Michael is with The Creator now and Michael can rest now and dance and sing without all the pressure and evil comments and ungratefulness.
May the One who made Michael bless him and keep him safe with Him until we can all meet at the end of time.
Wish I could be there to see him finally at rest. Michael,...save me a place. Mom,...say hi to Michael J. for me pleeeze!
at 18:14 on July 6th, 2009
They'll be streaming it live over at http://jjpeg.com/watch28015.html and there will be a download available afterward at http://jjpeg.com/file2018451.html so you can keep a memory of it. For now, though, the site is just streaming re-runs of Michael Jackson performances :)
at 21:52 on July 6th, 2009
Today, our world mourns the death of an individual so special, so gifted, and so iconic, that perhaps like me, millions others are unable to comprehend that Michael Jackson has left us. Pages can be written on Michael’s life, his music, and his legacy - but what made him truly iconic was the simple fact that Michael Jackson meant something to everybody - to legions of fans, he was a magician; to artists, he was inspiration; to the world, he was a larger than life personality; to music…well, he was MUSIC. Michael Jackson was and will remain an industry all by himself - a phenomenal innovator, a creative visionary, and the man who connected with you emotionally like no other…ask a Michael Jackson fan! We, artists…whether we are upcoming musicians, national acts, platinum or multi-platinum stars..pop, rock, hip-hop, gospel, R&B…it doesn’t matter - we are followers…no matter what song we write, and what dance step we ‘create’, there’s a bit of Michael in all of us! Because of his legacy, music will continue to flourish, and platinum records will still be made….and new artists will grow to have millions of fans around the world…but music may never moonwalk again.
RIP MICHAEL JACKSON.
at 11:49 on July 7th, 2009
Watch it here live
http://www.internetcurry.net/2009/07/watch-michael-jackson-funeral-and.html