Michael Jackson's Death: Fans Pay Tribute to the King of Pop

by amyjudd | June 26, 2009 at 10:43 am

4546 views | 35 Recommendations | 18 comments

Michael Jackson fans around the world are paying tribute to the King of Pop, who touched so many lives with his music and his talent and who has left his impression on the world.

Fans are gathering in public places to mourn together, holding vigils, moments of silence, singing his songs, dancing to his tunes, posting their feelings on the internet, and even making t-shirts for everyone to wear.

Thousands have gathered near Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and outside his family's home in Gary, Indiana. People are crying and lighting candles, writing the singer notes and laying flowers in tribute.

At the star, a small plastic boat sits on the ground with Peter Pan inside and a note that says 'Michael, here's Peter Pan to take you to Neverland'.

Among the crowd was Latonya Holsome, aged 45. She wore a white glove embroidered with gold thread, in the style of Jackson's military uniforms, holding it aloft for the TV cameras. In it she held a battered vinyl copy of Forever Michael Jackson signed by the singer.

As a black woman growing up in San Francisco, she said, Jackson opened up doors in her mind. "For all of us black folks, he showed us that there was a way, that we didn't have to hold back." When she gave up drugs in 1989, it was inspired by Man in the Mirror: "I'm gonna make a change, Once in my life."

In London, fans gathered in a few places together.

In London, shocked fans gathered at the Lyric Theatre, where a live show based on Thriller is being performed. The show was scheduled to go ahead Friday with a minute of silence before the performance. A candlelight vigil at London's Trafalgar Square was also planned to honour the singer.

In Bucharest, Romania, a board with condolences went up in the downtown area as Michael Jackson was the first person to perform there in 1992 after the fall of the Soviet bloc.

The inmates at the Cebu prison, who danced to Thriller on YouTube, plan to perform a commemoration dance on Saturday.

In Toronto, fans held a candlelight vigil in Dundas Square and people drew chalk pictures on the sidewalk for Michael.

Jesse Jackson Jr. called for a moment of silence in the House of Representatives, while hundreds of fans still held a vigil outside the UCLA Medical Center where Michael died.

Fans also gathered together outside Neverland Ranch, Jackson's house in Holmby Hills and the Apollo Theatre in New York. Michael Jackson performed here as a child. In Times Square, the giant TV screens told passers-by of Jackson's death and people flocked there to watch the news unfold together.

The Glastonbury Festival, currently taking place in the UK, plans to pay tribute to the late singer. Many wonder if Jarvis Cocker, who rushed the stage during a Jackson performance at the Brit Awards, will pay his respects to him on Saturday. Earlier today, Pharrell Williams paid tribute to Jackson, as did Gabriella Cilmi.

Record producer and rapper Williams said Jackson and Jones - who produced the Thriller album - "opened the door for human beings to explore a higher level of musical consciousness and what could be done and how one album could affect the world".

In Russia, a Michael Jackson impersonator tried to commit suicide by cutting his wrists, while in Moscow fans laid flowers on the streets and sang together.

Beijing record shops played his music and they plan to hold a candlelight vigil.

Numerous Facebook groups are also popping up, starting flash mobs and dance parties in memory to the singer.

Artists performing at the Black Entertainment Awards on Sunday are planning to pay tribute to Michael through performances.

Fans will continue to show their love and support for the singer and his music will not be forgotten soon it seems.

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arzaki

at 12:47 on June 26th, 2009

Embassy of the USA in Moscow

arzaki has contributed a photo to this story.

Marie Corner (not verified)

at 15:21 on July 2nd, 2009

This man so doesn't deserve any kind of tribute. I can't think of anything original he added to the world of music - even the moonwalk he stole from James Brown. It's just so sick to give attention to a man obsessed with his own looks, who rejected his black identity, was addicted to drugs & porn and who constantly lied and abused children. Whay people see in him I don't know - there are a lot of sick people in the world. it was the same when Hitler died - 'what a great man' many germans said and 'I wish I'd had his babies'. People will be embarresed that they thought Michael was worthy of any respect or attention in a few years.

sarahdg10

at 03:52 on August 20th, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HY-7cPh49Q

THATS WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

ahibadi

at 13:15 on June 26th, 2009

Fans gathered for a midnight vigil at Times Square in New York City

ahibadi has contributed a photo to this story.

mtippett

at 14:23 on June 26th, 2009

SCAN is also pulling in some other posts.

sara star

at 10:14 on June 28th, 2009

In My Anguish And My Pain
Through My Joy And My Sorrow
In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow
I'll Never Let You Part
For You're Always In My Heart.

... Michael Jackson, Will You Be There

kiran k (not verified)

at 11:20 on June 27th, 2009

micheal jackson will be missed forever he still lives on through his music hes a true legand not just a king of pop but a god of pop his music will last for generations nd he will live on

WE ALL MOONWALK WITH U MJ LY XXXXXX

JR Photographie

at 15:07 on June 27th, 2009

Tribute in Paris : http://www.jrphotographie.com/hommage-a-michael-jackson-devant-notre-dame-de-paris-diaporama-video-photos.php

JR Photographie has contributed a photo to this story.

Atikin

at 15:58 on June 27th, 2009

A tribute to Michael Jackson in Second Life.

Atikin has contributed a photo to this story.

sparksy734

at 23:30 on June 27th, 2009

The morning after fans descended on Trafalgar Square in London to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, one wall of the National Gallery had been used as a giant book of condolence for them to leave their personal messages of grief.

sparksy734 has contributed a photo to this story.

alicja (not verified)

at 00:35 on June 28th, 2009

The King died, long lives the King.

In Poland we also mourn and grief. Together with Pope John Paul II, Michael has changed my point of view at many subjects: saving the earth, helping hungry children, stoping the wars, not caring whether one is black or white...

Michael, we love you...

I have paid my personal tribute toMichael at: http://www.zark.pl/en/extra/computer_news

aaminanizar

at 08:07 on June 28th, 2009

This is a picture of the Amul billboard on Pedder Rd, Mumbai...

Amul is a huge dairy corporation in India and they have billboards scattered across the country which showcase current news through creative cartoons.

This is their tribute to the King of Pop - Michael Jackson

'Black or White...Everyone's a Fan

You Just Can't Beat It'

It's a testimony to MJ's popularity in the country. The restaurants in the city are playing his music and videos throughout the day and people are still shocked about the news of his demise.

May he Rest in Peace..

aaminanizar has contributed a photo to this story.

J0anna

at 13:14 on June 28th, 2009

Rest in Peace Michael - We Love You.

Ryuji23

at 07:16 on June 29th, 2009

Thank you Michael!

Brian in NYC (not verified)

at 14:12 on June 29th, 2009

I will miss MJ very much. He was such a great entertainer and made so many people happy. We put together a really nice tribute site for him at http://www.mjtributesite.com/ There is a chat room, condolences wall, photos, videos and links... stop by if you get a chance.

AlvarezGalloso

at 05:22 on July 2nd, 2009

This was touching. Thanks for posting.

Karri (not verified)

at 08:31 on July 3rd, 2009

Can't believe it...you will be missed. I grew up listening to your music and I loved you. You rocked this world. When i was 10 yrs old I dressed like u...had the glittery glove and socks. I really admire you. You're great. You will be sadly missed in this world. Rest in peace.

Dawood Mamedoff (not verified)

at 08:30 on August 21st, 2009

P Diddy had very precisely described the genius of Michael Jackson: "He showed that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic."Check other notable tributes paid to Michael Jackson by peers: www.tributespaid.com/category/m/michael-jackson