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Fans celebrate Jackson's life and music
26 Jun 2009Harlem came together today to celebrate the life and music of Michael Jackson.
At the legendary Apollo Theatre people gathered to sing the songs made famous by the King of Pop.
Elsewhere on a warm New York evening, cars opened their windows and blasted Jackson's tunes into the night.
In 1967, the Jackson Five won an amateur night competition at the Apollo. Today in a tribute, the venue lit up his name. It's marquee referred to him as "A True Apollo Legend".
The atmosphere was joyful, almost party-like, despite the sad news that had brought people out onto the streets.
For one night at least people appeared only to want to celebrate his music rather than mourn his death.
The focal point was a woman in the centre of the crowd who held her portable music system overhead and led people through a number of his biggest hits.
"I'll be There" sang the crowd, their arms aloft and swaying in time to the music.
Others held home-made memorial banners, while one quick-thinking trader set up a stall with Jackson T-shirts and other memorabilia.
Anthony Maxwell, a 42-year-old social worker, was one of the scores of fans who came out for the impromptu Apollo event.
He said: "We are sad but we are rejoicing. Michael Jackson was an icon, not just for our community but for the whole world. Everyone knows the words to his songs."
"I do not think anyone realised what an impact he had until he was gone. And it is not just the black community, it is the world. He was a true American icon."
Kathleen Colan said she was at home in Brooklyn when she decided she had to come to Harlem: "I just said, 'I'm going to Harlem, I gotta go'. The only place to be tonight is Harlem."
Kelli King, a PhD student at Columbia University, met up with friends before deciding to join others outside the Apollo.
She said: "I have grown up with Michael Jackson my whole life. He has had a major influence on a lot of areas in my life.
"There is a connectivity with Michael Jackson. Whether you are black, white or Asian, whether you liked country, rap, jazz or even opera, there was something about his music that was captivating."
Ms King said she wasn't surprised that Harlem had reacted to news of his death by celebrating his music.
She said: "Part of the African American tradition is to celebrate life through music, through song, through spirit, through dance.
"So one way to honour someone is to do the tradition that he lived, whether that is song or dance. And so we honour him in that tradition."
