Celebrating Michael Jackson’s legacy in Kuala Lumpur

Yesterday (well, technically two days ago) was quite a full day for me. After the run in the morning (and nap in the afternoon), I joined Yin, Lionel and their running friends for dinner in Section 17 to celebrate completing the run.

While I was there, I received a text message from Ian asking if I was heading “to the party”. I had promised Yin before, so I turned him down. But we finished dinner about 9pm, and I thought maybe I could still make it. So I texted Kwee Siong from Sony BMG and he said that it would be going on for another half an hour. I rushed over immediately to 1-Utama.

The “party” was actually a Michael Jackson: Remembering The Legend event organised by Sony Music in tribute to the great one.  It was held at 1-Utama Shopping Centre in Bandar Utama and the organisers estimate 1,000 people who showed up.

I had missed all the impersonators and dancing segments (which Ian enjoyed very much). I got there in time for the sing-along session which I loved, being able to sing his music and feel the energy from so many people. Right in front were Yasmin Yusuff (who was also the emcee and wearing a vintage MJ hat!) as well as Chelsia Ng. Adam Carruthers was on the opposite side of the stage but we caught up after.

The crowd really got into the singing and there were many cups with a lit tealight candle for them. I almost cried when Heal the World came on. After a few songs, another impersonator came on to perform his tribute – a rendition of Michael Jackson’s Gone Too Soon, which was apt. He looked eerily like Michael too (picture of him below).

Then as they played a few more music videos (and all of us dancing around – well, just Yasmin, Chelsia, Ian, Jackie and I), people rushed to signed the board even more. I managed to find some empty space and left my note which simply read: “Live On”. I know it’s cheesy but it’s true, methinks.

After the event, Ian and Jackie (pictured below) wanted to get a couple of photos with the impersonator (such a wierd term, calling them that!) so they went backstage to hunt him down. We managed to find him and I got a shot too. Of course, there was some more camwhoring before we went off to Devi’s Corner in TTDI for a drink.

The thing about an event like this really shows how much of an impact Michael had on people. I was not a HUGE fan, but I feel the loss not oinly because it’s sensational. I just listen to the radio and watch television tributes to him, and each of his song from the different albums held memories for me. I may not have thought a lot about him while he was alive but his music was with me at every point of my life, particularly growing up in the ’80s.

I had a friend, Kenneth, who loved him so much that he had the gloves and hat for his immitations. We spent countless of hours perfecting the moonwalk – well, Kenneth perfected it, I tried to keep up. One of my sisters had a Bad poster in her room and we still have his albums – in cassettes! I am reacting more than I thought I would but the tears that sometimes come with suddenly listening to his song on radio have to mean something.

I think the 1,000 people at the event would agree with me.

Oh, and a quick shot with “Michael” (I look totally ghastly – I was tired from the run and was in no mood to do my hair though Chelsia did comment about how this was THE one time I should have wore my fedora. I didn’t think about it – silly me).

3.01am Malaysian time (+8 GMT)

Tags: Adam Carruthers, chelsia ng, Michael Jackson, yasmin yusuff