July 7, 2009
Posted: 2032 GMT

LONDON, England - Torrential weather in London did not stop an outpouring of love from Michael Jackson fans attending memorials and visiting makeshift shrines across the capital Tuesday.

Fans gather at London's O2 arena to watch a live broadcast of Jackson's memorial.
Fans gather at London's O2 arena to watch a live broadcast of Jackson's memorial.

Overlooked by the imposing dome at London's O2 Arena - the very spot where Jackson was to give his final 50 concerts this fall - several hundred fans watched a live broadcast of the star-studded memorial taking place in Los Angeles.

Twenty-one year-old "die-hard" fans Jenny Kemp and Miina Markkannen - who became good friends after meeting on a Jackson fan Web site - were obviously shaken as they spoke of their biggest idol. "I am still in denial. It really is like losing family," said Kemp, as rain splashed down on her Michael Jackson umbrella.

Both agreed that what they admired most in the pop star was his "gentle soul. He genuinely cared about other people."

Others at the event went as far as crediting Jackson with causing the thunder and lightning.

"Michael may have caused this weather because he is angry and wants to come back," said 22-year-old Jackson impersonator and life-long fan, Chris Doody.

Doody had bought three tickets to watch Jackson perform at the O2 Arena and said he would hold on to one "to remember this."

"His only weakness was his kindness," he added.

Standing beside Doody, fan Celeste Dixon said: "Michael IS the King of pop, not WAS. He is bigger than life and nothing will ever compare to him."

In central London crowds gathered outside the Lyric Theater, where flowers and notes written in numerous languages adorned the venues' outside wall. Lyric has has been showing "Thriller Live," a Jackson musical, since February 2009, and the audience for Tuesday's show had big hopes.

Jason and Claudia Li from Hong Kong had booked tickets for the show before the singer's passing and were very excited about the show: "It's very special to be here," said Claudia "and we hope the show's producers plan to make it even more special tonight."

A few meters down the road, more walls were filled with Jackson praise and love at another London theater hotspot, the Trocadero.

And in the usually frantic rush hour of London streets, cars with open windows calmly drove along to Jackson tunes like "Heal the World" and "You Are Not Alone."

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Filed under: London • Michael Jackson


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sucheta   July 7th, 2009 2047 GMT

Every now and then the world is given a special soul, rarely a soul is given to a world that is not quiet ready for it.

God bless you Michael, your children... better still... God bless the world for it's loss.

ananymous   July 7th, 2009 2105 GMT

Where is Oprah ? Disappointing. Brand protecting or what

anyhony micallef   July 7th, 2009 2112 GMT

briliant star genius never forgoten

menno   July 7th, 2009 2114 GMT

I´m sorry, but I´m getting a little sick of all this.
All this (media) attention throughout the world is in my eyes a waste of time and MONEY. I hope that in "the will" of MJ it would said; make a nice (little) party and for the rest give the money to africa/south-america/asia etc where the children (he loved) needed the most!
Money is being wasted, as always, do we never learn?

Sophia Cross   July 7th, 2009 2121 GMT

A man truly gone too soon...he was on loan to this world and now he is where he will be making sweeter music. What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

Julie   July 7th, 2009 2241 GMT

just watched all MJ service=sad Ben was the first single I brought. But I think they just forgot all the great black singers 10 years before MJ. Nat K Cole, Ray Charles, The great Sam Cooke. Bob Marley – I'm sure they did just has much to discourage racistim as MJ.

aris   July 7th, 2009 2258 GMT

sabes michael jackson tu siempre seras el rey del pop y de la gente
we love

Steven Papadakis   July 7th, 2009 2323 GMT

I figured out today why it is that Michael Jackson was able to unite millions of people from every different background imaginable, more so than The Beatles or Elvis or any other entertainer.Think about it! Every other entertainer hits a cord inside of you that makes you feel good. Michael took it one step further with his music because he didn't only make you feel good, his music somehow made you feel good about yourself and your place in the world and filled you with hope and love and made you believe that you can do anything you set your heart on. THAT was the difference in the Michael Jackson package. I will forever remember him, and dance with him, and sing with him, and love him like the anthropomorphized expression of love he was... thank you Michael!!!

Warner   July 7th, 2009 2339 GMT

Why is it that Michael Jackson died almost two weeks ago now and he's STILL the main article on the front page of both the national and international editions. I could understand it being ON the front page after two weeks but it's seriously still the, take-up-two-spaces, main article?

tutty   July 7th, 2009 2340 GMT

Touched, deeply lost, but bless for his freedom of sorrows, he was just a victim of greed, and jealousy of his success. Farewell KING OF POP, you was great, and fantastic, there would be no other MICHAEL JACKSON.
Lots of strength for his children and his family, he will remain in our heart.

Parik Gosselin   July 8th, 2009 125 GMT

Dear all,

Thank you very much indeed for having broadcased this tribute in the loving memory of our dear and faithful departed Michael Jackson.

He is already greatly missed around the world. R.I.P Michael wherever you might be.

Patrick Gosselin – Occupation : Actor
Location : France – Paris.

Joyce Gleason   July 8th, 2009 205 GMT

I have been watching all week. It seems MJ new alot of very different people and I feel he must of been a person who was not judgemental.
Like Billy Joel Sings ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tami Shue   July 8th, 2009 228 GMT

Michael Jackson was more than an entertainer he was
a wonderful human being that God aloud to be apart of
our lives for 50 years and for that I'll be forever thankful.
To look in Michael's eyes you saw all the love he had
for humanity. I love Michael and I will miss him but
I know he is at home now.....in Heaven.... with God,
singing with all the angels and of course putting a smile
on all the children faces. No more pain or sorrow,
no more pressure, no more false acquisitions, no more
tears. To know that he is truly happy now makes me
truly happy because in his life here on earth he truly
made so many people happy, he gave us all so much joy.

Tami

Peggy Sue Jenkins   July 8th, 2009 249 GMT

My friend David (Pete) McQueller of Leavenworth, Kansas wrote his phone number on the Michael Jackson's Thriller album. I long and miss my friend as I will Michael.
God needed Michael for the lead singer for His choir in heaven.
His light will always shine.

YONDA monita   July 8th, 2009 321 GMT

It's true that i will always miss and love you. YOU are my best idol. i love every single of your moves and songs. You are the greatest person who put us as one. Cambodia is the kingdom of wonder we cambodians will pray for you. May Buddha put to into peace and with care. Your " Man in a mirror" will always remain in my ringtone.
My warmly regards,

Nita

YONDA monita   July 8th, 2009 325 GMT

Dear all my people in the world,

Monita is loving you 4ever. the greatest man in the world of music is MJ the king of POP.

Janaka Kamalgoda   July 8th, 2009 617 GMT

He was a person who could think differently and do something differently. He was a person who could change mindset of the others. He could make happiness and joy among the people. That is being proven every second in the world in this moment.

Janaka Kamalgoda/CEO
South Asian International Institute of Higher Education
Sri Lanka

tobi peters   July 8th, 2009 710 GMT

i really do love micheal jackson, and now that his gone i will really miss him and his moves and musics. So Rest In Perfect Peace, Micheal Jackson. I LOVE YOU.

Louell Rhyle   July 8th, 2009 804 GMT

As I watched a special presentation featuring about what Michael Jackson really is in real life- how he helped countless individuals and unpriveledged souls: how he had eminently inspired listeners with his astounding music filled with soul-stirring messages for the world we’re living now, full of turmoil and depression; and how he uplifted not only the music industry and show business, but also the the conception of how we must look at our life- as a priceless gift from the Almighty- I believe I have seen a better, brand new light of him – having the realization that all those allegations on him were built on lies.

Michael's life was a constant struggle, but he proved that he was the hero in his own life story. He may have almost faltered along life's dreary way and was bitterly criticized occasionally , but the good thing about him was that he never gave up...and i believe that that is the essential lesson that he left us pondering upon. To MJ, from the deepest recess of my heart, I am truly grateful for the memories you gave us. You are the greatest inspiration of my life.

Jasmine from Iran   July 8th, 2009 927 GMT

Thank you CNN for broadcasting this event.

Michael Jackson was loved globally and he and his song are going to be in our hearts.
Right now when we are facing such evil and dictatorship his music fills our heart with joy and makes us see that the we can achieve anything and change things.
May God bless his gentle soul

Jessica   July 8th, 2009 931 GMT

We love you Michael!!! Great post

Maria Leonor Gourgel   July 8th, 2009 943 GMT

I Listen to Michael Jackson's songs and watch his movies for years and my four kids love him as well. A couple of months ago I was driving/taking my three girls to school when a pedestrian that was selling copies of CD's passed close to my car, they start yelling " Mammy please buy the CD". I bought the CD and we went all the way singing together but when we were close to their school, the eldest asked me to slow the driving so that she could listen to all the musics but I was already late to work and could not do what she was asking.

In the week he died, I was driving back home listening to " Heal the World" in the car and couldn't control my emotions, I cried...

Lorianne   July 8th, 2009 1023 GMT

a great loss indeed. we love you.

Renata   July 8th, 2009 1053 GMT

Why Michael , Why?

EB   July 18th, 2009 928 GMT

I still can't believed that he's gone, I admire him a lot, a very talented person, he's the King of Pop. Everytime I read something about him, I cried, cannot control my emotion.

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