Michael Jackson’s children appear at tribute show

Chart-toppers, soul singers and three generations of Michael Jackson’s family – including his children – celebrated the King of Pop at an energetic tribute concert, urging fans to focus on the star’s music rather than his death.

The run-up to the ‘Michael Forever’ concert on Saturday was overshadowed by the Los Angeles manslaughter trial of Jackson’s doctor, and marred by fan criticism, sluggish ticket sales and dissension within the Jackson family. But once the four-hour show started, Jackson’s musical genius, and the warm tributes of friends and family, carried the night.’We’re very happy to be here on this special night to honour our father,’ said Jackson’s 13-year-old daughter Paris, who made a brief onstage appearance alongside brothers Prince (14), and nine-year-old Michael Joseph Jr, known as Blanket.The children wore outfits evoking their father’s famous styles – Paris most strikingly, in a red and black ‘Thriller’-style jacket. Blanket stood stoic and shy, but the older children smiled and appeared confident in the spotlight.On a stage shaped like a giant glove, musicians including Christina Aguilera, Gladys Knight and Cee Lo Green performed songs from across Jackson’s career – from his childhood with the Jackson 5 through monster solo albums like ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’.Participants urged fans to ignore the criticism and controversy, and to revel in the celebration of Jackson’s musical legacy. ‘It’s not about the controversy,’ said R&B star Ne-Yo, who performed ‘Billie Jean’, complete with some passable moonwalking. ‘It’s not about the trial. It’s not about his death. It’s about celebrating his life. It’s about celebrating his music.’The 50 000-strong crowd at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium did just that, roaring with approval as Jackson’s brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie – three-fifths of the original Jackson 5 – took the stage to perform ‘Blame It On the Boogie’ with British boy band JLS.’Can you feel his spirit in the house tonight?’ asked Marlon. Judging by the cheers, the fedora hats and the sequined gloves in the audience, many could.Jackson died in June 2009, at age 50, as he was preparing for a string of comeback concerts in London. His last hours are being relived in graphic detail at the manslaughter trial of Dr Conrad Murray, accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol and other sedatives on June 25 2009.’This is a great counteract to that,’ said Motown great Smokey Robinson, who gave a soulful rendition of ‘She’s Out of My Life’. ‘And it gives people something happy to do, rather than thinking about what’s going on in the trial.’The show mined a rich trove of Jackson hits. Leona Lewis crooned ‘I’ll Be There’, Beyonce delivered the early single ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are’ and Jamie Foxx performed ‘Rock With You’. Aguilera sang Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’ – one of Jackson’s favourite songs.’Tonight is a history lesson,’ Foxx told the crowd. ‘We’re going to cover five decades of greatness.’The show reached a climax with Knight performing the poignant ‘Gone Too Soon’ before a rousing finale that brought most of the performers – and the Jackson children – back onstage for the exuberant ‘Don’t Stop Til’ You Get Enough’. – Nampa-AP

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.