This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend ‘The Official Michael Jackson Exhibition’ at London’s 02 Arena. Somewhat bittersweet in that the venue is where the King of Pop was set to perform a record-breaking 50-concerts as part of his ill-fated ‘This Is It’ project, the exhibition was like no other I’ve been to before. Simply amazing.
The classy, well put-together showcase, featured priceless Jackson memorabilia such as his original, signed Motown contract, countless worn video outfits and props, his ’This Is It’ costumes, and even the Neverland gates!
At each turning, it felt like I stood before a small piece of my childhood; and for the first time since Michael’s passing, I felt legitimately able to really celebrate the life of what is (present tense) the greatest entertainer of all-time.
Perhaps the best thing of all though, was seeing young children, who were dressed as Michael, emulating his famous moves. This really warmed my spirit; after all, here were kids who were no doubt born long after Michael’s last album was released, yet here they were singing and dancing along to all his classic hits. It simply serves as a testament to Michael’s lasting legacy. No scandal, no naysayer, no nothing, can take away from the enduring impact Michael has had and will continue to have.
With the exhibition having finished its run here in London, reports say it is headed to the States next. Though it goes without saying, I’d thoroughly recommend it to anyone able to attend. A great celebration of a life which touched so many. Long live the King!
27 COMMENTS
Dave
March 2, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Aww, I love it. I’m glad they’re doing this for Mike.
[Reply]
deejaybaps
March 2, 2010 at 12:41 pm
awwww AMAZING
[Reply]
MushyLove_1992
March 2, 2010 at 1:19 pm
This is amazing! Bless them all..
[Reply]
Support jordin
March 2, 2010 at 1:43 pm
This is so amazin i wanna cry
[Reply]
Bi
March 2, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I visited the exhibition four times and each time I was amazed! Almost surreal! He is THE king and always will be! There were people of every age and race, Michael is the one and only who united the human kind.
[Reply]
mari tom
March 2, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I went with my sister on Sunday. It was such an overwhelming experience. At the beginning of the tour we were shown a 4 min video charting Michael’s musical career which left some people quite tearful just before we began the exhibition. We saw costumes from his concerts even the ones planned for This Is It and many sequined gloves. I was disappointed not to see the Thriller costume. Original Beat It lyrics wriiten in Michael’s own hand. We walked under the Neverland Arch, however I did not see the gates. I managed to touch the green rocket used in Leave me Alone vid. There were items from his bedroom at Neverland and the famous Nordal Triptych. There were so many items of great significance in Michael’s life that I could not adequately describe them here. You could feel Michael’s spirit there. One had a feeling of peace and solitude. By the end everyone was tearful and signing the condolence book was incredibly moving. No one wanted to leave. I am so glad that I went.
[Reply]
Sharon
March 2, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Saw this just over a week ago with my cousin and our kids……..absolutely blown away. We were utterly surprised that everything was not closeted away in glass cases, but there, right in front of you. This gave it a such a personal feel…..just as I imagine Michael would have wanted it. If, wherever it goes next, you can get to see it, it will be well worth it. You may never get the chance again to be so close to such iconic items of Michaels ever again. Superb !
[Reply]
Kingnoah3000
March 2, 2010 at 3:30 pm
wow! blown away!
[Reply]
Aaliyon [AHLIYON]
March 2, 2010 at 4:07 pm
AMAZING!!!!! MY IDOL IS THE GREATEST!!!! GLAD THE WORLD RECOGNIZES WHAT TRUE GREATNESS IS!
[Reply]
Benjamin Waldron
March 2, 2010 at 7:19 pm
How the hell did you get photograph the items when i went it specifically said no photography or you would be thrown out
[Reply]
Ben
March 2, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Wow, cool stuff. I was able to attend the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles a couple of months ago, and they had a Michael Jackson exhibition with some of his concert footage, light up dance stage, costumes that he wore(including the Hugo Boss white suit worn on the Thriller cover), and some of his famous gloves. I think it is nice that we all are getting a chance to look up close and personal at all of this priceless stuff.
[Reply]
Its Me Again
March 2, 2010 at 8:18 pm
“…the life of what is (present tense) the greatest entertainer of all-time.” – DAMN RIGHT! You need to capitalize and underline that shit!
Long Live the King of Pop.
[Reply]
camelia
March 2, 2010 at 8:22 pm
so sad he is gone.
the exhibition was really nice. it would have been nicer…if he was still alive. and peaple had not been after him for so long. or if he just didnt care about it. but he did. ;(
[Reply]
Deirdre B Pride
March 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm
You lucky dog……You need to watermark these bad boyz.
[Reply]
Deirdre B Pride
March 2, 2010 at 10:55 pm
What was the replica of him pulling his face from? I don’t remember a video where he did that. I don’t recall him doing it in Thriller, yet it looks like it is from Thriller.
@ Camelia, I think the fact that he’s gone makes this exhibition even more phenomenal and breathtaking. Hope that statement isn’t taken out of context. I can’t even describe how I felt looking at these pics, but wish he was here instead. They had a marathon of his videos on Sunday and I still cried. Those of us who adored him the most were cheated. People were so mean to him but he’s resting in paradise now.
[Reply]
Truthwillprevail
March 2, 2010 at 11:01 pm
omg..i just wanna cry.
[Reply]
Julie McNamara
March 3, 2010 at 2:21 am
I too, attended the MJ Exhibition TWICE!!! Whilst I had a lump in my throat during the film they show when you first arrive (awesome footage of the greatest performer!) right up to the Condolence Book (where I wept whilst reading some of the touching comments/messages and drawings left, especially by young children), I was amazed by the intricate details on his clothes/shoes (what I’d give for one of those jackets!) and how incredibly gifted this man was. I have been deeply affected by his passing – there will truly never be another like Michael. I strongly recommend you get chance to see some of the personal items MJ possessed. He will live forever – god bless him.
[Reply]
Julie McNamara
March 3, 2010 at 2:24 am
Deirdre, just read your comment and the cast where Michael is pulling his face (at the Exhibition) is from the video “Ghost”! If you haven’t seen this, do so, I still can’t decide if its better than “Thriller” – it is amazing!
[Reply]
Claire-Louise
March 3, 2010 at 3:33 pm
@Dierdre B pride,the 3 face models are from Michael’s mini movie “Ghosts”. If you haven’t seen it,its on youtube. Its fantastic and even better than thriller IMHO.
Went to the exhibition twice,quite emotional the first time and needed a second visit to take it all in.
R.I.P Applehead xxxxxxxxxxx
[Reply]
Stoney-Brie
March 3, 2010 at 9:29 pm
this is awesome!
long live the king!
[Reply]
Cookie
March 4, 2010 at 12:50 am
Thank you for your very heartwarming post, and the great pics.
[Reply]
Deirdre B Pride
March 4, 2010 at 1:58 am
Wow, thanks Claire. I had forgotten all about it. They never showed in any of the marathons. I guess it would have been in poor taste considering. Nobody has ever danced like that. He was a musical genius.
[Reply]
Caitlin
March 13, 2010 at 8:59 pm
This is amazing. I’m so glad a whole new generation is being brought up on Michael. Thank you for this!
[Reply]
laura
April 1, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I went to the exhibition 3 times! Once on the 2nd day it had opened (back in Oct) and the 2 other times i actually went with a girl i met online who is also a massive MJ fan! we have remained firm friends and plan to go to LA in June to pay respects at Forest Lawn!
Anyway, the 3rd time we went .. we were the the last 2 people through the doors on the very last day(28th feb).. which was AMAZING!
i dont know what got into me but i ended up getting so emotional, knowing it was going to be packed away within a couple of hours.. that we ended up touching the clothes!
Ranging from the Ghost’s shirt, Smooth Criminal outfit from TII.. GoldPants.. Bad tour bodysuit.. ETC!! anything we could get our hands on!! THE MOST AMAZING day of my life!!
the security guards were so caught up in trying to close the exhibition down, they didn’t seem to care!! IM SO GLAD I DID IT (even if it was naughty!)
[Reply]
Michael Jackson – A That Grape Juice Tribute | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?
June 25, 2010 at 10:17 am
[...] Also, click here to check out our review of The Michael Jackson [...]
annon
June 25, 2010 at 11:05 am
HAHA sam you sound like youre promoting this too much. try to tone it down a little so we will actually believe you. LOL ie make it less obvious youre promoting this exhibition because of the money
[Reply]
UGh
June 25, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I wish the exhibit would come to Canada. i want to go so bad.
[Reply]
LEAVE A COMMENT:
That Grape Juice now allows Gravatars! These are the little pictures that show up beside your name when you leave a comment on this blog and probably the rest of the blogs you visit too. Click here to get your own FREE Gravatar account if you haven't already done so.