Remembering Michael Jackson
The Michael Jackson memorial birthday party hosted by Spike Lee took place on Saturday, despite the gloomy weather, and The New York Times reports “It went over without a hitch.” Guests included Reverend Al Sharpton, comedian Tracy Morgan, and radio personalities Ed Lover and Free, as well as DJ Spinna, who played classic MJ tracks….
The Michael Jackson memorial birthday party hosted by Spike Lee took place on Saturday, despite the gloomy weather, and The New York Times reports “It went over without a hitch.” Guests included Reverend Al Sharpton, comedian Tracy Morgan, and radio personalities Ed Lover and Free, as well as DJ Spinna, who played classic MJ tracks. “It was a Brooklyn family affair where, for once, being packed like sardines felt like a privilege,” said the Times. The Times also reports in a separate article, that the MTA will not be honoring the late king of pop by renaming the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station after him. The request to rename the station, where Jackson shot the music video for “Bad” in 1987, which was directed by Martin Scorsese, began with City Councilwoman Letitia James and has gathered momentum. Supporters of the idea have been rejected on all counts: the MTA will not rename the station, mount a plaque, nor allow a memorial of any sort. So now MJ fans are investigating the possibility of raising funds to purchase naming rights to the station, as Barclay’s has done with the Atlantic-Pacific station ($4 million for 20 years). This solution seemed more possible than the others, based on the MTA’s response; “I would defer on commenting on any hypotheticals,” said Kevin Ortiz, a spokesman for the transportation authority. But he added: “We are in the middle of developing some guidelines and protocols and helping us move forward with what we feel is a viable revenue source.”
In Celebration of MJ [The Local, NYT]
Spike Lee Throws MJ Birthday Bash [NY Daily News]
Compromise for the MJ Subway Station [City Room, NYT]
Image from “Bad” video, 1987
Well, you should have come on into the Park, ENY! There’s talk of this becoming an annual event now. To get a taste of what it was like, check out the photos posted on the “Closing Bell” (as well as the Flickr links).
OH…OK, now I got it. I was driving by the park this weekend and saw a bunch of funky-looking people coming in and out and wondered to myself, “WTF????”
First of all, the party was hot! And it was very well-orchestrated by Spike, DJ Spinna, Tracey Morgan and crew. Best of all the massive crowd, which was diverse in every way imaginable, was upbeat and focused on just having a good time celebrating Michael in the Nethermead. The entire event was captured on film/video in real time and simultaneously played back on a large screen for all to see. Tons of memorable dancing and singing moments from the crowd, including participating MJ look-alikes. At the end of the day, it sure looked like Spike went home with some perfect filler material for a future MJ movie.
“Michael Jackson! Stand clear of the closing doors…”
I like that. Didn’t know he Scorcese shot ‘Bad’ there. Only knew Ramo from Beat Street got electrocuted there. Spike’s gonna make a film out of this, no?
***Bid half off peak comps***