AllHipHop.com has teamed with UStream.com to bring live coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial service.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. Today (July 7), a huge memorial service is taking place for the world’s biggest entertainer.
According to reports, Jackson’s memorial service is expected to be the most watched event ever, in broadcast history.
Check out this live stream and coverage.
12:36: The Jackson family takes to the stage and memorializes their family member, Michael Jackson. The ceremonies are coming to a close. Michael’s casket has been wheeled out.
12:24 PM: “We are the World” is being performed in honor of Michael Jackson.
12:19 PM: Shaheen Jafargholi takes to the stage and performs the classic track “Who’s Lovin’ You.”
12:13 PM: Smokey Robinson returns to the stage. “He will never really be gone. He is going to live forever and ever and ever,” Robinson said. “He has made an enormous impact on all of our lives, all over the world. I am a firm believer in blessings. And I’ve had so many in my life. And one of greatest was to know The Jacksons and Michael Jackson. I believe so much in God. I believe so much that this is not it. We have life after this is done.”
12:07 PM: Usher takes to the stage and performs Michael Jackson’s haunting classic “Gone too Soon.”
11:59 AM: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaks to the crowd, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and the United States Congress. “To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson and to this wonder family of brothers and cousins, we understand the Constitution and we know the laws. And we know people are innocent until proven otherwise,” Congresswoman Lee told the crowd to a thunderous applause. This was in response to comments made by NY Congressman, Peter King. Jackson lee introduces house resolution 600 to officially honor Michael Jackson as a national treasure of the United States.
11:52 AM: Rev. Martin Luther King III and his wife Bernice speak on Michael Jackson’s passing.
11:47 AM: Jermaine Jackson takes to the stage singing “Smile” from Charlie Chaplin’s 1936 movie “Modern Times.” This was Michael Jackson’s favorite song.
11:45 AM: Rev. Al Sharpton hugging The Jackson family:
11:39 AM: Brooke Shields, one of Michael’s closes friends tearfully spoke. “Michael was one of a kind. I was thinking back to when we met and the many times we spent together. Whenever we were out together there would be a picture taken and a caption of some kind, like an “odd couple or unlikely pair.” But to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships. I was 13 when we met. From that day on, our friendship grew. We had a bond. Maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very young age. Both of us needed to be adults very early. But when were together, we were two little kids having fun.”
11:34 AM: John Mayer takes to the stage and performs “Human Nature”
11:25 AM: Reverend Al Sharpton gives a fiery sermon for Michael Jackson. “He created a comfort level, where people who felt they were separated, became interconnected with his music. Michael made us love each other. Michael taught us to stand with each other. There are those that like to dig around mess. But millions around the world, we are going to uphold his message. Michael rose to top. Michael never stopped.”
11:19 AM: Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful version of Michael Jackson’s “Hold Me Like the River Jordan.”
11:15 AM: Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Kobe Bryant speak. “He was so incredible. He always had command of his band, his brothers and the audience. I truly believe Michael made me a better basketball player as I watched him be so great,” Magic Johnson said.
11:13 AM: Here’s a picture of Michael Jackson’s golden casket.
11:09AM: This is a moment I wished I didn’t have to see come,” Stevie Wonder said. “As much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good. As much as we may feel, and we do, that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.” Performed “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer.”
11:03 AM: Michael Jackson montage begins.
10:54 AM: “He was the consummate student. He studied the greats and became greater. He raised the bar, then broke the bar. His talent and creativity thrust him and entertainment into another stratosphere. The Motown family mourns the death of Michael Jackson, who was like a son to me.” Berry Gordy.”
10:49 AM: Lionel Richie comes out and sings “Jesus Is Love.”
10:45 AM: Queen Latifah: “One of the first records my brother and I ever bought was “Dancing Machine. Thank you. Michael was the biggest star on earth. He let me know that as an African-American, you could travel the world. There was a world outside of America.” Queen Latifah read a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou.
10:40 AM: Mariah Carey starts, her beginning is a little rough. Trey Lorenz.
10:36 Pastor Lucious Smith begins opening comments. “As long as we remember our time with him, the truth is he is never really one at all. As long as we remember him, he will be there forever to comfort us.”
10:30 AM: Choir takes to the stage and service begins for Michael Jackson. R.I.P.
10:24 AM: Michael Jackson’s hearse:
10:11 AM: Service starts with Smokey Robinson leading the service with letters from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela.
10:07AM : Fans have been ordered to take their seats.
9:57AM: Casket is being offloaded and prepared for stage.
9:49 AM: Michael Jackson’s body has arrived in a golden casket, at The Staples Center.
9:45AM: Mariah Carey will sing, Stevie Wonder is going to sing “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer” and all artists will sing “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie
9:44 AM: Jesse Jackson and his family arrives
9:15 The hearse carrying Michael Jackson is enroute.
8:57 AM: Pictures of Michael Jackson’s progam:
8:40 AM – Thousands of fans are in front of the the Staples Center. Fans are beginning to enter The Staples Center. Four blocks are roped off and you need tickets to get any further than said blocks.
8:36 AM (PT): Michael Jackson’s body confirmed to be at The Staples Center in Los Angeles. Family members are currently in a private service this morning.