http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/02/01/arts/01grammy06/popup.jpg
From left, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Carrie Underwood.
A touching high-tech tribute to Michael Jackson
Viewers at home and in the Staples Center see a 3-D film that was to be part of his 2009 comeback concerts. His children also make short speeches.
By Greg Braxton
February 1, 2010
In the first Grammy Awards since his death last June, Michael Jackson was saluted in an elaborate tribute that mixed 3-D technology, a rousing all-star chorus and a
poignant appearance by two of his children.
After an introduction from Lionel Richie, television viewers and the Staples Center audience were instructed to put on 3-D glasses and view footage for a film originally produced for Jackson's comeback concerts. The film showed a little girl in an ecological paradise that is destroyed by bulldozers.
As images of the girl playing in lush forests unfolded, Jackson's voice was heard speaking about his awe for nature. After the opening lines of "Earth Song," Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson appeared one by one to accompany Jackson's voice.
Some in the star-studded crowd applauded politely, while others cheered with urgent enthusiasm. Beyoncé could barely stay in her seat, and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino vibrantly bobbed his head. Beyoncé's husband, Jay-Z, did not wear the 3-D glasses.
However, everyone seemed captivated by two of Jackson's children, Prince Michael and Paris, when they appeared on stage to accept their late father's lifetime achievement award. It was one of the first public glimpses of Jackson's children since their emotional appearance at his televised memorial service last year.
Prince Michael said his father's songs had a simple message -- love -- "and we will continue to spread that message." Paris said her father had planned to perform at this year's Grammys. Both children ended their short speeches with "I love you, Daddy."
greg.braxton@latimes.com
Times staff writer Geoff Boucher contributed to this report.
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/news/env-et-grammy-jackson1-2010feb01,0,65568.story
The Jackson Kids Channel Michael's Love
By Brian Orloff
Sunday January 31, 2010 10:30 PM EST
Michael Jackson's eldest children spread a simple – yet powerful – message at Sunday's Grammy Awards while accepting their late father's Lifetime Achievement Award midway through the live telecast.
"Through all his songs, [our father's] message was simple: love," Prince Michael, 12, said on stage at the Staples Center, surrounded by his cousins and sister Paris, 11. "We will continue to spread his message and help the world."
In an emotional moment during a performance-heavy telecast, the late King of Pop's children thanked fans for their support after Jackson's death on June 25. "We are proud to accept this award on behalf of our father," Prince Michael said. "We'd like to thank God for watching over us for these past seven months and our grandma and grandpa for their love and support. We would also like to thank the fans; our father loved you so much because you were always there for him."
His sister, Paris, who gave a touching tribute to her father at his memorial service over the summer, told the crowd, "Daddy was going to perform this here [last year]," then said, "Thank you.
We love you, Daddy."
Moments earlier, Lionel Richie introduced the segment, which began with a powerhouse collaboration, featuring Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Smokey Robinson, who sang Jackson's "Earth Song" backed by images of nature and featuring vocals recorded by Jackson. The segment was also filmed in 3-D, with glasses available for viewers to pick up from Target before the show.
"In the song we're about to hear, Michael beautifully expresses the need for our humanity to be in greater harmony with Mother Earth," Richie said.
"Earth Song" was scheduled to be included in Jackson's July 2009 comeback concerts in London, and part of the video clip was included in the recent documentary, This Is It. It also marks the first time an awards show featured a 3-D performance.
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/article/0,,20332903_20340512,00.html
Michael Jackson 'Earth Song' Grammy Tribute
Focuses On His Love Of The Planet
The Michael Jackson Grammy tribute focused on his love of the planet. Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Carrie Underwood and more singers took part in the 3-D tribute.
So much emotion came from the Michael Jackson tribute during the Grammy Awards on Sunday night (January 31). Lionel Richie — Jackson's longtime friend and "We Are The World" collaborator — introduced the set, saying Michael "dared to believe that he could make the world a better place."
As the performance began,
we heard the timeless icon's voice talk about the how he hated pollution and destruction of the earth. "That stuff really bothers me," Jackson said in the recording. "That's why I write these kinda songs, to give some kind of awareness and awakening and hope to people. I love the planet. I love trees. When the colors are changing in the leaves, I love it." The recording led into Jackson's "Earth Song."
Usher followed up MJ's vocals, walking onstage singing, "Did you ever stop to notice/ All the blood we've shed before?/ Did you ever stop to notice/ The crying Earth, the weeping shores?"
"What have we done to the world?" Jackson's voice came back in. Behind the performers was a mini-movie, which was featured in the concert film "Michael Jackson's This Is It," playing on huge screens. The film was in 3-D, and you could see celebrities in the audience such as Beyoncé and Rihanna wearing 3-D glasses.
"What about flowering fields?" Carrie Underwood came out singing. "Is there a time?/ What about all the dreams/ That you said was yours and mine?" Jennifer Hudson then joined in, and Smokey Robinson came next.
As the song ended, they all turned, with their backs facing the audience, to look at photos of the late Jackson on screens that hung above the stage.
Jackson's children, Prince Michael and Paris, accepted a Grammy lifetime-achievement award for their father after the performance.
"Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity," Prince said. "Through all his hard work and dedication, he has helped many charities and donated to all of them. Throughout his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, Daddy."
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/16..._michael.jhtml?rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler
