No crowds for Michael Jackson in Phila.
The memorial service for Michael Jackson is being broadcast on the Jumbotron at the Piazza at Schmidts, but few have gathered to watch it.
No crowds for Michael Jackson in Phila.
Inquirer staff writer Liz Wagner reports:
The memorial service for Michael Jackson is being broadcast on the Jumbotron at the Piazza at Schmidts, but few have gathered to watch it.
Evan Osenfeldt, 27, of Northern Liberties, stopped while walking his dog. He described himself as a fan.
“Who wasn’t? Osenfeldt said, recalling how he used to dancer around in a beaded jacket and silver glove when he was a child.
At the nearby Darling’s Diner, hostess Bethany Willis watched the broadcast on two of the restaurant’s three televisions.
“It’s a part of history, you know,” she said.
Willis said her mother saw Jackson at the at the Apollo Theater in Harlem when she was teenage and that her father gave her her first album, Jackson’s “Off the Wall,” when she was three.
Willis said that when she was seven, she performed to “Beat It,” at a dance recital.
Read more breaking news in our From The Source blog.
Comments (49)
maude, explain, why with all that common sense in philly did you idiots elect John Street to two terms as mayor, especially when black voters are outnumbered by white voters in Phila? If not for Rocky and Cheese Steaks, philly would be known as the armpit of America.— Dexter- MJ was a band aid to a fractured world. There is noone on earth as fitting as MJ for such a tribute to his life. When you come to terms, Individual Americans are the most famous in the entire world. The most famous thing about Phila is the Judge Chambers and court in the public Stadiums. Talk about a legacy!!!— Dexter
- Funny, but I'd say the reason why hardly anyone showed because this site, as well as other media here, never bothered to let anyone know about it. I looked all over the local websites last night for someplace to see it. Luckily for me, I found a food court in University City that was showing it, and had lunch there while watching it. I'd say you folks really dropped the ball on this one.— smallwonder
Comment removed.- Please make that "GOOD" for Philly. I'm in a stupor from all of the over exposure to MJ mania!!— TexasLady
- Goof for Philly! Nice to see that somewhere in this country people have higher priorities than following this over done circus around for the past two weeks!! Enough already!— TexasLady
- For everyone that says MJ was a molestor, what is Woody Allen. I mean he only married his stepdaughter at age 18. Maybe he waited until she was legal before he piped her, NOT!!!— happyblackman
- Could it be that America as a whole does not care about this nearly as much as the press does?— McStug
- I agree with nugget to a point. MLK, JFK, people that made a difference in society deserve more recognition. However if you are referring the molestation allegations as his hideous side of life, he was acquitted by a jury of his peers. In the end money talks and creates a legecy. He still has the most successful album ever made (Thriller), and he was a shrewd business man. All of those qualities deserve respect, but not all of the media coverage. Maybe Then again Princess Diana got a lot of coverage and she didn't deserve any of it.— happyblackman
- The Michael Jackson inner circle has turned into a bunch of vultures pecking at a rotting carcass. Sorry spectacle. Hope it goes away soon.— DonQ
- I know that people are tired of the media coverage but that's just a testament to the enormous contribution that Michael has made to music and to pop culture. Whether you were a fan or not there is no denying that he is very much a part of the fabric of our lives. Generations of people have memories of Michael...from fans of the Jackson 5 to Thriller....we all have a Michael Jackson memory, we've all sung along to a song or two..we all sat and watched in awe of his videos and the magic that he made when he danced. RIP michael you will always be loved...— amjxray1
- philadelphia is so unbelievably low class as a city overall. i'm not surprised there were no tributes to the greatest entertainer, not to mention one of the greatest humaniatrians who ever lived. if it doesn't have to do with the eagles or the phillies, philadelphians couldn't care less. ugh! this is such a meathead town. it's no wonder we can't be known for anything more that fatty food, sports fanaticism, and crime.— trizzy215
- Hey phillygirl: SHUT UP!!— kemp6740
- Philly can be quite backwards. Millions all over the world are watching. He was the greatest in the world. None can touch him singing and dancing. And he gave millions to charity. MJ is outta here!— MsLou
Since when is Northern Liberties the pulse of the city?— gho_matt- Further still..., where was it advertised that it was taking place... and even further , who wants to watch something where 2 people were just killed at..... also philly.com did you show the outpouring of fan supporrt at the philadelphia internation records on broad and spruce a few days ago? no of course not— rayne215
- Um they invented television awile ago philly.com its not that serious..i for one wacthed it online at work... i dont need to be in a crowd standing watching a jumbotron.... it was a moving service...but if i wasnt in LA for the real thing tv/internet is fine— rayne215
- Simpler answer for the no shows... no one want's to get capped at the Piazza.— Capn_Chaos
- Yes, MJ indeed touched many lives..........and little children too.— Rudykizuty
- he sure touched a lot of people...— remyy
- Philly has more sense than brainless Lala land.— maude
- Alas, there is something we gotta give him credit for...he made touching yourself in public look cool...— MFPhils
- we are going out to dinner-this is ridiculous tv coverage-try to turn on the radio— nanfal
- Philly Girl, you nailed it right on the head. Way, way overdone.— bjps1353
- Yea, we are the city of brotherly love, not kiddy love...And I agree...he touched many people's lives...Funny...I wonder how the children, who's lives he had "touched", are dealing with this...What about them? It would be great if they showed up at every rape and murder victim's court ruling and glorfied the criminal.— MFPhils
- Yay Philly. This over-the-top coverage is nauseating to me. (and Who wasn't? me, for one. not my style)— aud
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- all of the kids being killed and blown to bits in the middle east should be getting all of this attention! not some nut job recluse that couldn't decide if he wanted to be black or white.— mattk
- it wasn't advertised. otherwise folks would be there. duh.— khase
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- Why would you watch a funeral on a screen???? Sounds pretty stupid to me!— cusoraider
- And oh yeah, Philly Girl, If he think he was just another celebrity, you've spent way too much time just watching TV already. Get a life.— thewiseone
- MJ is dead?? I hadn't heard....— joeolive
- Hey SouthJerseySteve, That wasn't the REAL Santa Claus you dope . . .— thewiseone
- We're watching on CNN.— PhillysOwn
- Um, it's Philly... the city that loves yous back--and boos and spits at Santa Clause at an Eagles Game.
- "her father gave her her" ouch... that might sound ok when spoken, but it looks awful on the page. 5 words and 3 of them are "her".— K,M
- Way to go Philly....He was a great musicain...and song writer and dancer BUT he was Just that....Let's save our tears for men who make a difference in the world like MLK, JFK...... MJ also had a hideous side to his life and should be pitied... ...but I am glad the city has not been led like sheep by the media to glorify an entertiner.— nuggett
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- Get over it media !!!— phillyflava
- I'm watching right now via cnn live.It fell so sad.Thanks Michael Jackson.Thank you for your music.— noisychildren
- I am watching the service and it is sad, this man is a legend and will be missed, he touched many lives, why can't people see the good. I believe he is a innocent man, people are selfish and all they want is $$$$$, and that was a way to get it and did, Michael Jackson you are the #1 KING OF POP— neen
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- Enough with the media coverage...you would've thought Tito died or something...— McShea25
Billy Mays made a more profound affect on my life than MJ...RIP Billy...- I'm proud of us.— Nutburgers
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