Finale Of The Michael Jackson Memorial At Staples - "We Are The World/Heal The World"

[Turborama]

Run time: 08:43 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY7F9CbrK5w   Posted on YouTube: July 07, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: July 07, 2009 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 1993

 
Introduction by Kenny Ortega, Choreographer for the This Is It tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB2pOJXiM0o

I have to admit to not feeling any emotion about all this until I watched the memorial, this piece made me shed a tear. Even though I wasn't a fan of Michael Jackson, the sentiments of these tracks are touching.

[Taverner]

1. This is a polticial video?

[Turborama]

2. The lyrics are

There have been innumerable Michael Jackson posts on here over the past week or so and they've all been allowed, I thought that this 'finale' might be an apt way to end it all.

Personally, I didn't care much for Michael Jackson an his weird/opulent lifestyle but I've always had a soft spot for the last track on this medley.

[Tx4obama]

3. Yep

Heal the World, We are the World, and Earth Song are all considered to be political since they are an attempt to fix some of the problems our world.

We are the World raised over $63 million for famine relief.
From Wikipedia:
"We Are the World" is a 1985 song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced and conducted by Bruce Springsteen and Quincy Jones and recorded by a supergroup of 45 popular musicians billed as USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa).<1> The charity single was intended to raise funds to help famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia, which had experienced unusual drought and political instability in 1984/1985.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_are_the_world

After the "Heal the World" song/video Michael started the Heal the World Foundation, a charitable organization which was designed to improve the lives of children. The organization was also meant to teach children how to help others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heal_The_World

The Heal the World Foundation is a charitable organization founded by entertainer Michael Jackson in 1992. The foundation's creation was inspired by his charitable single of the same name. Through his foundation, Jackson airlifted 46 tons of supplies to Sarajevo, instituted drug and alcohol abuse education and donated millions of dollars to less fortunate children, including the full payment of a Hungarian child's liver transplant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heal_the_World_Foundation

"Earth Song" was Jackson's first song that overtly dealt with the environment and animal welfare.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Song

[Taverner]

4. ""Earth Song" was the first song that overtly dealt with the environment and animal welfare."

Um, didn't Marvin Gaye write this song called "Ecology Song"????

[mzteris]

5. read carefully . . .

it said "Jackson's first song"

[Turborama]

6. Thanks a lot for the background info

I din't realize that "the charity was to provide medicine to children and fight world hunger, homelessness, child exploitation and abuse" until going to those links.

[Tx4obama]

7. You're welcome

I didn't realize either until a couple of days ago when I did a little research.
I think there are tons of people that probably don't have a clue about how much 'good' Michael did in his life.
Since it wasn't overly publicized while he was alive, in my opinion, it is even that more special ;)

[Tx4obama]

8. Regarding the memorial - the only thing missing...

I understand that they had tons of details to think of and take care of in order to pull of the memorial without a hitch...

BUT I wish someone had thought about slapping up a URL for the 'Heal the World Foundation' website up on the screen up above the stage when the song was being sung at the memorial or someone could have made an announcement that anyone wishing to donate in the memory of Michael should go to the website or some other charity or something like that. I think a great opportunity was lost to raise funds for the children.