NEWS Global tribute marks year since Michael Jackson’s death Saturday, June 26, 2010
•••Michael Jackson fans across the world have paused to remember the man they called the King of Pop today on the first anniversary of his death. Thousands have filed silently through the gates of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, where Jackson’s body is entombed in the mausoleum. In Jackson’s hometown of Gary in Indiana Jackson’s mother Katherine has unveiled a monument in the front yard of the modest home where her children grew up, while in Japan hundreds of people have lit candles in Jackson’s memory. Jackson died on June 25 2009 at age 50 just before he was to begin a comeback tour.
Dr Conrad Murray who allegedly provided Jackson with a powerful mix of sedatives has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in relation to the death. • Latest News & Headlines » Home «
NEWS Michael Jackson’s boyhood hometown plans anniversary vigil Wednesday, June 23, 2010
•••The childhood hometown of Michael Jackson is planning a tribute on Friday at his former house to mark the one-year anniversary of his death, and the mayor says his mother is among the people expected to attend.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says Katherine Jackson will attend the event along with her granddaughter, Genevieve Jackson, the daughter of Randy Jackson. The event will include speeches, performances and a candlelight vigil.
“We expect thousands to show up,” said city spokeswoman LaLosa Burns.
Workers at the house on Tuesday said Katherine Jackson wanted the house spruced up for the event. She was in the city 48km southeast of Chicago for several days recently and planned the renovation, Clay said.
The flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and signs that covered the front lawn for weeks after Jackson’s death from an overdose of sedatives are gone.
The tiny house already has a new roof, a fresh coat of white paint, newly poured concrete along the walkway and driveway and is surrounded by a black wrought iron fence.
New sod was being installed and some bushes were awaiting planting.
“She wanted all of this done,” worker Nathaniel Donald said. “People from all over the world come here and she wanted it fixed up.”
“It looks nice,” said Arthur Houser, an 81-year-old retired trucker who lives several blocks away. The house – and its address – are widely known because The Jacksons released the album 2300 Jackson Street in 1989.
The family moved to the West Coast after the Jackson 5 struck it big with the release of their first album. The Jackson 5 played two concerts at West Side High School in Gary in 1971.
The only other time Jackson returned to his hometown was in 2003, when plans for a Michael Jackson Performing Arts Centre in the city’s downtown were announced.
It was never built.
Jackson’s father and city officials announced plans earlier this month to move ahead with plans to build the performing arts centre and a museum, but many in the city have their doubts whether it will ever be built.
Chuck Hughes, executive director of the Gary Chamber of Commerce was a member of City Council in 1995 when talk about the performing arts centre was first discussed with the Jackson family.
“It was politics that squashed it,” he said.
Clay said the city hopes to make the memorial an annual event.
“This is where it all started,” he said. “Our love for the Jackson family and Michael began before they were famous and it is still entrenched.” • Latest News & Headlines » Home «
NEWS Michael Jackson Museum Plans Announced in Singer’s Hometown Thursday, June 3, 2010
•••Michael Jackson’s hometown is moving ahead with plans for a museum and arts centre dedicated to its famous resident.
Mayor Rudy Clay says the Jackson Family Museum and Hotel and the Michael Jackson Performing Arts and Cultural Center and Theaters in Gary, Indiana, will cost about $300 million.
The mayor says the money will come from investors and donations but the city is donating 120 hectares of land for the project. Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, attended a Wednesday news conference in Gary. He says he’s carrying on his son’s legacy by making sure the project comes to fruition.
Michael Jackson was last in Gary in 2003 to talk about the project but nothing had happened since then.
Thousands have filed silently through the gates of Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, where Jackson’s body is entombed in the mausoleum.
In Jackson’s hometown of Gary in Indiana Jackson’s mother Katherine has unveiled a monument in the front yard of the modest home where her children grew up, while in Japan hundreds of people have lit candles in Jackson’s memory.
Jackson died on June 25 2009 at age 50 just before he was to begin a comeback tour.
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