Michael Jackson – A Brief Commemoration
Filed under:General | Tags:michael jackson
Add comments
Michael is one of those few figures whose influence knew no boundaries – neither political, religious, national, ethnic, gender …. Not just the “king of pop”, Michael was also the king of charity. The world has mourned his passing.
Below is an excerpt of Michael’s memorial service featuring two of Michael’s favorite pieces from what would have been Michael’s “This is it!” concert.
On a note relating to China – there has been talks of building a scaled back Neverland Ranch in Shanghai.
SHANGHAI (Reuters Life!) – Chinese developers are commemorating the late Michael Jackson by building a scaled-down replica of his Neverland Ranch on an island off Shanghai, a state-run newspaper said on Friday.
Investors in the project, which will cost about 100 million yuan ($15 million) to build, hope it will open on Chongming island ahead of next year’s Expo in Shanghai, the China Daily newspaper reported.
While they are not as popular as the Taiwanese and Hong Kong stars who dominate the music scene in China, Western artists are making inroads in the local market, thanks to young fans.
“By building a Neverland here in China, we want to pay tribute to him and at the same time offer the Chinese people an outlet for expressing their love toward him,” the report quoted Qiu Xuefan, one of the investors, as saying.
Jackson, who died on June 25 in Los Angeles, abandoned Neverland — once filled with theme-park rides and even a zoo — after his child molestation trial in 2005.
The Shanghai version will have “Chinese characteristics to have it blend in with the local environment”, the paper added, without elaborating.
But not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea.
“If the purpose is simply to pay tribute to Michael, I would suggest investors open it for free, just as Michael did for the children,” said Wei Wei, deputy head of Jackson’s Chinese fan club. “Otherwise, they are just making money from it.”
But Qiu, who professes his love for Jackson’s music, said the ranch would help keep the King of Pop’s legacy alive.
“His music is a legacy to the world and should not be forgotten. We also would like to set up a fund, with profits being used to help encourage children with musical talent.”
Last week, an “instant” biography of Jackson in Chinese hit the bookshelves, which local newspapers said was penned by two Chinese writers who worked on it for two days straight but who had never met their subject.
Is the building of a scaled back version of Neverland Ranch in Shanghai just another commercial project in China – or can this be made into something more “special”? If this project is ever completed, should it be offered for free to the public – especially to all the children of the world?
Does anyone have any general thoughts on Michael – his life – his music – his impact on the world?
There are currently no comments highlighted.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
He had beautiful music, a sad life, burnt out by the culture of Hollywood and dumbed down media who are more interested in rumors and gossips than what harm it could do to people in general.
Media is a weapon that can turn a man reclusive and self-loathing.
I just hope media do some self-reflections on themselves, but I know I hope in vain.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
While I feel sorry that Michael Jackson died, I do get sick and tired of hearing another Michael Jackson headline, even after 2 weeks after he died.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Western Media, milking a dead man for all the money. As usual, like vultures.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
This guy was brilliantly talented artistically, extremely retarded in life skills, a foolish and extremely weird looking perverts.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Most artists are very eccentric.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Rest in peace, Michael Joseph Jackson. About the eccentricity thing, from the interviews I saw, his first nose job was because a stage fall broke it. He felt the surgery affected his signing, and was never happy with himself since.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Strong mixed feelings of having a park for him in China.
* Bad. Cannot idolize a child molester and drug addict.
* Good. He could represent music of our generation after Presley, Beatles… Music wise he was not in that level, but he made up with his dances.
RIP, Michael. You had bought a lot of happiness to mankind. Your exciting life had many questions unanswered.
Is his famous nose going to Smithsonian?
Was he a racist as he tried to be white?
Will there be any fighting for the custody of the children when they find out no money left for the children?
It looks like you could not have children when you’re alive.
Seems a lot of famous folks die young. Is it a bargain with God?
July 10th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Theme parks built out in China probably will suffer invariable decline, like what happened in Japan during its boom years. Taiwan has a number of abandoned amusement parks in rural area.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Several years ago, there was an abandoned theme park (either in BJ or SH) when our tour bus drove by. the government did not allow the loan.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I agree with Charles, except rather than decline I think it’ll never really get off the ground. I just don’t think Michael Jackson has a wide enough audience in China or that his music is still relevant enough around which to build a theme park. No one I met in China ever mentioned Michael Jackson when we discussed music.
Now if it was a theme park dedicated to Deng Lijun, I’d be more confident. That woman has amazing staying power.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
In an interview, 1 of Michael Jackson’s “child molestation” accusers recanted his story, and said he was pressured by his father into making the accusation against Michael Jackson, and the subsequent legal settlement.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:59 am
That’s quite likely just a rumor, raventhorn4000.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Making fun of Michael, sorry.
Why you carried crazy glue all the time?
Why you did not adopt a black kid?
Why you settled the accusation of child molestation if you did not do so? A lover, but not a fighter?
Did he or Father Mahoney (a frictional child molessor) go to heaven?
Why they did not freeze him hoping some day they will find a cure for him?
All artists are eccentric, but when you reach to a point you’re better than any one, you will not accept intervention or any one who says no to you – even for your own good.
Neverland could be a very beautiful place. It was his dream that he did not want to re-visit. It is our human nature to give to the society that we did not have. He could have done more with his fame and money. Our next generation will judge him again with his music and videos.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Theme park is a bit cheesy and un-economical.
May be a restaurant/club with a MJ theme be better to remember his spirit.
He is missed by many.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
A married, black football player was shot dead by his girl friend (could be due to meeting another girl friend). The big news to me, he was honored as a hero, a legend…
He was a cheater and MJ was a child molester.
Just imagine how bad a black child has to idolize these 2 famous black men.
No matter how rich you’re and whether you’re black, white or yellow, education and family love/care are the keys for our next generation.