Michael Jackson Laid To Rest

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was finally laid to rest last night more than two months after he died at age 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest on June 25th. Jackson was interred in a crypt alongside Hollywood legends such as Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, David Carradine, Sammy Davis Jr., and others following a private sunset ceremony at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

The guests were limited to family members and close friends, including Berry Gordy, who signed 10-year-old Michael and his brothers to a recording contract in the late 60s, and Gladys Knight, who discovered the Jackson 5. Knight sang “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” at the ceremony.

Others attending the funeral included Michael’s friends music producers Quincy Jones and Teddy Riley, actors McCauley Culkin, Elizabeth Taylor, Corey Feldman, Clifton Davis (who sang the Jackson 5 hit “Never Can Say Goodbye” — a song he wrote); actress LisaRaye, comedian Chris Tucker, industry veteran Suzanne de Passe, the Jackson 5’s road manager and mentor; Lisa Marie Presley, one of Jackson’s former wives, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and others. Jackson’s longtime friend Diana Ross did not attend.

Michael’s brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy, and the two boys Michael raised as his own — Prince Michael I and Michael II., all wore black suits with red ties, black arm bands and a single white sequined glove. The funeral was delayed over two months due to a rift between Michael’s mother Katherine and his brother Jermaine over the final burial plans.

Jermaine Jackson