Thousands attend Bash in honour of Jackson

Michael Jackson impersonator Hector Jackson (centre) dances with thousands of other fans to "Thriller" in celebration of the late singer's 51st birthday in Mexico City August 29, 2009. Over 12,000 fans danced to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" at the event, breaking a Guinness world record. REUTERS

Posted Sunday, August 30 2009 at 18:15
NEW YORK, Sunday
Thousands of Michael Jackson fans danced the rain away in a Brooklyn park yesterday at a party hosted by filmmaker Spike Lee, marking what would have been the 51st birthday of the late pop star.
“I was just like everyone else. I loved his talent,” said Spike Lee, who directed two music videos for Jackson in 1996. He also reminisced how Jackson had visited him in his home in Brooklyn to talk about their music video collaboration.
The day was also designated Michael “King of Pop” Jackson Memorial Day by Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz.
“We all know Michael Jackson had fans around the world, but we all know the best fans come from Brooklyn,” Mr Markowitz boasted to a roaring crowd that grew as heavy rain in the morning lightened to a drizzle by mid-afternoon.
On Friday, Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide from drug overdose on Friday, fuelling speculation his personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, may soon be charged with manslaughter or another crime.

In another development, the date of the funeral for pop legend Michael Jackson has been changed to September 3, the singer’s spokesman has said.

Jackson was scheduled to be laid to rest August 29, on what would have been his 51st birthday.
The private ceremony will still take place at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, according to a statement from Ken Sunshine.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 of cardiac arrest. The famed entertainer was 50.

There have been conflicting reports about Jackson’s burial. Early this month, reports said that the King of Pop has been laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood. (Reuters)

Read More: Thousands attend Bash in honour of Jackson