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Hundreds gathered under gray skies Tuesday night at the Chene Park Pavilion to say goodbye to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, who died last week at the age of 50.
“His passing means we lost a body, but we didn’t lose a spirit,” said Michael Crouch, 42, who was selling $15 Michael Jackson T-shirts with Cierra Washington. “It was a tragic death, but his spirit lives on.”
As a slide show of Jackson through the years played on a video screen, Velocity and Asiid took to the stage to perform Jackson’s famous “Thriller” dance, a song that brings back memories for 36-year-old Edward Cotton of Southfield.
“I grew up on Michael Jackson, and I used to imitate him a lot when I was a kid. He was a great icon and a great entertainer. He’s going to be truly missed.”
The free Chene Park tribute, the brain child of Shahidah Mausi and Tony Wilson, took three days to put together, said Shaharah Abdullah, assistant stage manager of Chene Park.
“This is Motown,” she said. “Detroit is all about musicians, creativity and expression. This event gives people a time to experience and reflect on what Michael Jackson meant to them.”
Other performers at the benefit included local groups Serieux & Friends, HotSauce, Keith Washington and Spyder. Donations received at the tribute will benefit the Motown Museum.
