SPREAD

Right from the very start it had a mixture of respect, humour, sadness and above all else, the message of peace. I really enjoyed the speeches given by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy. Two people who I hadn't invested much of time in before but somehow managed to pull me in with their stories of a young Michael Jackson. Both seemed more wanting to talk in a humourous way rather than sadness.

In terms of moving and emotional moments on the night, I'd have to say that the speeches from Brooke Shields and Paris Jackson, as well as the performance of 'Smile' by Jermaine Jackson, really struck the heart strings of the audience. Who knew of the great trusting friendship that MJ shared with Shields to the point that it was a competition to make each other laugh! It was great to hear stories of a true man behind a performer. 

Im curious for the future of the Jackson children. It was almost a moment of unveiling. From the obscurity of not really ever seeing their faces or hearing their voices, we got both as well as the invaluable insight of true emotion from Paris for the closing speech. Jermaine Jackson can still sing. Period. From his eyes welling up at the very start to the almost being unable to finish the song to throwing his rose onto the coffin at the end, he will definately never forget Michael. It was a performance where every word had a memory attached to it.

For some reason, the performance I most anticipated for the night was Shaheen Jaffargholi's. I was surprised to see he had been given the final solo slot. Not that I felt he didn't belong there, more that it should have gone to someone more meaningful (i.e. Jermaine) or someone more well-known (Usher?! Good performance too). That said, I was pleased to hear Berry Gordy's intention to sign the young artist to Motown! I wish him all the best.

Finally, it was nice that the stage was left fitting. A shining spotlight with only the microphone on stage. Just the way the world's greatest ever entertainer would have wanted it. Just how he would have done it himself!