The set-up for the Michael Jackson tribute took a while, as more and more random people with video cameras and whatnot began to pack the room. It seems the death of the King of Pop is still big news—I wonder if this Grammy salute will finally put him to rest? They’ve certainly brought in the big guns: Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Smokey Robinson will come together on stage to honor the late pop great. It’s possible their tremendous voices are being under-utilized on “Earth Song,” since they’ve little to do but trade off lines with the Jackson recording while standing in front of jumbotrons running a 3-D video of a little girl running through a forest. As the song wears on, gorgeous shots of ponies and polar bears and snowy mountains slowly morph into a burning, post-apocalyptic landscape, before ending on a shot of Earth from outer space, and a moment of respect for Jackson. Again: All in 3-D! (Get your glasses at Target.) I’ll be curious to see how this plays with the folks at home—it’s possible the emotion of the moment will elevate things during the show. On a side note, I especially enjoyed that both Dion and Underwood were wearing their “Talent” credential stickers on stage, and would like to be introduced to any security personnel that might have a hard time identifying those two women sans sticky pass.
http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/01/30/...ovi-jennifer-nettles-michael-jackson-tribute/
Stars rehearse for MJ tribute
It is undoubtedly the most anticipated moment of the 52nd annual Grammy Awards Sunday night. I attended the rehearsal for the Micheal Jackson tribute in which Celine Dion is participating. It was a very moving tribute for the star...
"It's a bizarre emotion because we lost someone very big and at the same it's an honour to be chosen to continue his message. It's a very big honour," said Dion once she left the stage.
Dion will share the stage with Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher during the 3D performance. It will be the first time in the United States for such a performance.
The five artists will perform Earth Song. On the screens will be shown a 3D video that was supposed to be part of Jackson's "This is it" tour. I got to watch the rehearsal with 3D glasses, just like all those in attendance will do tonight.
The result is surprising. Birds fly above the audience, soap bubbles float around the room. Animals appear to jump out of the screen. Huge photos of Michael Jackson through the years will top off the show.
The performance opens with Jackson's voice talking about his love of nature.
"I love trees, I have respect for those kind of things," he said, as images of the jungle and animals pass by.
Dion is the first to come on stage, followed by Usher, Underwood, Hudson and Robinson. The moving performance peaks when the group asks, "What about us?" and Jackson answers them. At the end, they turn their backs to the crowd to salute Jackson.
There have been rumours that Jackson`s three kids will be part of the tribute and will speak. They were not at the rehearsal.
Dion seemed moved after the run-through.
"It's very emotional for me, I'm not only a fan, but I knew Michael too," said Dion, who was wearing a white leather blouse, tall boots and gray jeans. Amusingly and unlike the other performers, Dion had the sticker on her pants that allows access to the Staples Centre.
"I've been a big fan for forever," she said, with husband Rene Angelil at her side. "Michael was big inspiration for me, I had his posters on the wall of my room when I was young. He encouraged me to learn English because I wanted to have the same job as him and meet him one day.
"Michael was a visionary, he had all of the instruments him, he felt everything, he was an emotion," added Dion, who is still having a difficult time accepting the star's death and the image that has been painted of him in the media. "He was in top shape and at the top of his craft. It's very hard to accept."
Dion's stylist Annie Horth was in the room as well. She was trying to decide between two dresses for the singer; one is ivory-coloured and features precious stones from Aquilano Rimondi, and a more "rocker" style black dress from Balmain. She made her decision after seeing the images from the video.
Of course, security at the Staples Centre is intense. Every reporter has to pass through a metal detector and guards track our every move.
In the US, Target stores distributed millions of 3D glasses. Those watching from home with the glasses will be able to watch the performance in 3D as well, though unfortunately the feature is not available in Canada.
http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/01/30/12681011-qmi.html
