LOS ANGELES -- The Jackson family is considering simultaneous celebrations across the globe as a way to commemorate the family's most famous member, Michael Jackson, who died Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest.
The Rev. Al Sharpton reported the possible plans after talking to Jackson brothers Jackie and Jermaine. He said the entire family wants to meet to solicit his advice on how best to remember the "king of pop."
Sharpton, who flew in from Atlanta Sundday, will be at the Encino home of the Jackson family Monday to discus the possible tributes.
"I'm here to make sure Michael gets in death what he never got in life -- he never got credit," Sharpton said upon his arrival in Los Angeles. "He was not somebody who was eccentric, he was innovative and that innovation smashed barriers and he should be given a lot more credit than he's given."
Sharpton, a longtime family friend, said the family is upset that so much of the news coverage of Jackson's death has focused on the more controversial aspects of his life, including allegations of child molestation and reports of prescription drug abuse. Sharpton said the singer's father, Joe Jackson, was "saddened" and wanted to protect his son's "king-of-pop" legacy.
"Michael Jackson was a genius," Sharpton said, "he wasn't a freak."
The inspiration for a series of global happenings, he said, is to show the world and, especially, Jackson's three children, that the entertainer was a musical force. The events, he said, would be upbeat.
Meantime, Sunday night's BET Awards show at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles was a celebration of Jackson's life.
His father, Joe Jackson, walked the red carpet and spoke about his son's death, saying he wished Michael could be there to "enjoy all of this."
Various performers did tributes to Jackson, and thanked him for his influence.
While accepting the award for Best Female R&B Artist, Beyonce Knowles said, "This is for Michael Jackson. I have to thank Michael Jackson for being my teacher, my hero."
Sister Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance at the end of the show.
"My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just to painful" she said. "They elected me to speak with all of you and I'm going to keep it very short, but I'd like to say that to you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family."
No comments:
Post a Comment