Michael Jackson remembered a year after his death
Posted June 25, 2010 8:43 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Fans in Tokyo remembered Michael Jackson on the first anniversary of his death, Friday, with a candlelight vigil, a gospel concert and prayer while countless others worldwide were expected to commemorate the day with tributes, tears and, of course, music.
The “King of Pop” passed away at the age of 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, Calif.
Some started remembering the late King of Pop even before the anniversary began. On Thursday night, Julia Thomas clutched her “Thriller” liner notes and stood outside the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, Calif., Jackson’s final resting place, with about two dozen fans.
“Michael has just always been a part of my life,” said the 40-year-old Thomas, who has a tattoo of Jackson’s dancing feet on her left wrist. “I’m just hoping to embrace the fans from everywhere.”
Barricades were already set up at the Los Angeles-area cemetery for the huge throng of fans and Jackson family members expected to arrive on Friday. Five large wreaths of flowers and dozens of bouquets, drawings and photos of Jackson had been placed outside his private mausoleum.
Forest Lawn was to be just one of the many places around the globe where Jackson’s fans would gather to remember their fallen legend, who died at age 50 as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London.
In Gary, Ind., Jackson’s hometown, there was to be a tribute at the family home; city officials said they expected Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and his niece Genevieve Jackson to show up, along with thousands of others.
His brother Randy Jackson was hoping to make the official family commemoration at Forest Lawn on Friday morning.
“My family and I will be in attendance as we mourn the loss of my brother,” he said in a statement Thursday. Katherine Jackson also has thrown her support behind a “Forever Michael” fan event to be held Saturday at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. Tickets range from $150 to $500.
The Apollo Theater in Harlem, where a young Michael Jackson and his brothers won amateur night, on Friday was to host a commemoration of Jackson’s life in front of the recently installed plaque honouring him in the theatre’s new hall of fame.
And later in the afternoon in Harlem, around the hour of Jackson’s death, the Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network were to hold a moment of silence.
Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in his death for administering the powerful anesthetic propofol to Jackson to help the pop star sleep.
