Despite rain, fans of the late Michael Jackson came out — in the thousands — to celebrate what would’ve been his 51st birthday in New York on Saturday (August 29) to remember one of music’s greatest talents ever.
Organized by filmmaker Spike Lee, the celebration in Prospect Park had thousands of fans dancing in the rain, all while decked out in MJ gear.
From white gloves and fedoras, to memorial t-shirts and buttons, it was like the late King of Pop was alive and well.
“51 years ago, he was born into the world,” Lee said, according to New York’s Daily News. “I’m like everybody else — somebody who loved his talent. We’re here to celebrate Michael Jackson.”
While attendees danced, DJs played Jackson’s music — spanning over his 30-plus year career, from his early stuff with the Jackson Five to his final tracks.
Lee even had a birthday cake made — a giant white birthday cake that read “Happy Birthday Michael Jackson” in red frosting. Balloons floated in the sky as well.
According to the Associated Press, the event was originally planned as “a block-party-style gathering for 2,000 in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park,” but was relocated to Prospect Park to accommodate a bigger crowd.
“I’ve been into Michael Jackson since I was 1 year old,” one 39-year-old fan, who wore a silver sequin glove on one hand, told the Daily News. “I’ve always, always celebrated his birthday.”
“I don’t even remember life without him,” actor Tracy Morgan said at Saturday’s party. “Michael Jackson was everything.”
“Happy birthday, Michael!” another fan yelled. “I wasn’t able to go to one of his concerts, but I’ll always remember this concert.”
Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest just over two months ago after his doctor, Conrad Murray, gave him a lethal drug cocktail at his rented Bel Air estate in June.
The death was ruled a homicide last week.
Source: BallerStatus
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