From big cities to small towns, fans, family members and well wishers are expected to show their devotion on Friday, June 25 to mark the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.
In the U.S., MJ’s most devoted fans woke up listening to Jackson’s music on the radio while most major networks also dedicated a portion of their morning news programs to this emotional day.
On Thursday, June 24, fans stood outside Jackson’s final resting place at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California. Fans are also expected to pay tribute to their idol at the family’s compound in Encino, California. Later during that day, in Gary, Indiana, Katherine Jackson, the 80 year old matriarch of the Jackson family will unveil the only “official” Jackson memorial outside the house where Jackson and his seven brothers and sisters were raised.
In Harlem, N.Y., pictures of Jackson hung on a wall outside the Apollo Theater where Jackson and his brothers won amateur night decades ago. Throughout the day the Magic Johnson movie theatre will screen “This Is It,” the documentary about Jackson’s preparation for his London concerts and in New York City, Wax museum Madame Tussaud was installing an exhibit as part of a global celebration of Jackson’s career.
In Japan, hundreds of fans met at Tokyo Tower on Friday to honor Jackson with a candlelight vigil and a gospel concert. Fifty guests who were picked from 10,000 people paid $1,100 each to sleep overnight at the Tokyo landmark to look at the late “King of Pop” memorabilia while dancing to his music before observing a period of silence.
The inmates of the Cebu jail in the Philippines, who became an internet phenomenon when they were filmed performing the dance song “Thriller” in 2007, will be marking Jackson’s death by staging another version of “Thriller” that will be presented to the public on Saturday, June 26.
Fans in Hanoi, Vietnam, held a night of performances of Jackson’s songs. In China, cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin organized tribute events that were attended by more than 10,000 fans.
Jackson fans lit candles around his posters in Jammu, India, on the first anniversary of his death.
Over the Atlantic, France was planning weekend long celebration tributes that will include a series of concerts, shows, and clubs events that will embody Jackson’s music.
On June 25, 2009, Jackson died at the tender age of 50 of a drug overdose administered to him by his then personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray.
According to Billboard magazine, since Jackson’s death his estate has generated more than one billion dollars in revenues, through the re-issue of his music, films and other commercial spin-offs.
Written by Valerie Varasse
