KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hundreds joined a tribute to Michael Jackson at Kansas City’s Power and Light District Friday night.
They sang and danced to ‘Bad’, ‘Billie Jean,’ and ‘Thriller.’ Some people sang tunes from more recent albums. No matter their age or race, Kansas Citians together said farewell to the King of Pop.
“I was looking forward to his new tour, his new music,” said Mark Carillo, a Jackson fan. “I’ve always loved his music. It’s an inspiration.”
As such, fans crowded around the Power and Light District stage. Some stood mesmorized by Jackson music videos they’ve seen thousands of times.
“He’s awesome,” Carillo said. “He’s probably everybody’s biggest music celebrity.”
Carillo even joined the dance contest. He raised two daughters on Jackson’s music. So guess what his oldest, Arianna, has in her I-Pod?
“‘They Don’t Care About Us’, ‘Thriller,’ and ‘Billie Jean,’” Arianna Carillo said.
Many others dressed as if it were a concert. Kansas City Manager Wayne Cauthen, who attended, said in a way, it was.
“I think a lot of people kind of took Michael for granted,” Cauthen said. “Now that he’s gone, people are trying to reflect on how talented he really was.”
“He’s not dead to me,” said Sahj Kaya, a Jackson fan who brought a 20-year-old sweatshirt signed by Jackson.
Kaya won a contest and spent a day with Jackson at his Neverland Ranch in California. She said his kindness changed her life. Clearly, his talent impacted many others who joined in a moment of silence for the King of Pop.
“Anywhere that you call out Michael Jackson’s name, you’re going to find some people that are walking around with some love in their being who want to share that love, expand that love and spread that love around,” Kaya said. “That’s what the world needs.”
Power and Light District management thought the Jackson family was going to have Michael Jackson’s memorial service Friday. However, when the family rescheduled, district management decided to go ahead and let Kansas Citians say goodbye Friday.
