On December 30, 2006, thousands of people gathered in an arena in Georgia to say a final goodbye to the legendary James Brown. Among the crowd stood a man who usually lived behind a wall of bodyguards and a very famous public image.
Michael Jackson did not come to perform or to dance for the cameras that day. He walked up to the microphone with a heavy heart. It was the moment the world finally heard him speak as a grieving student at James Brown’s funeral.
Michael Jackson speaks at James Brown’s funeral
Fans who watched this moment felt like they were finally seeing the real Michael for the first time. One fan said that seeing him kiss his teacher’s forehead was the most human thing they had ever seen a celebrity do.
To understand why Michael was so crushed in 2006, you have to look back at the fire that James Brown first lit inside of him. Their story did not start with a goodbye, but with a high energy meeting that changed music history forever. It was a time when he was young and ready to show his master everything he had learned.
The Root of the Inspiration — 1983 Live Performance
In 1983, a much younger Michael jumped onto a stage after James Brown called his name out to a cheering crowd. The audience went wild as the two icons shared the same floor. Their live performance showed that their bond was built on real sweat and talent. It was the night the torch was officially passed from the master of soul to the new king.
Michael Jackson spent his whole life trying to reach the bar that James Brown set for him. His journey was full of massive highs and very lonely lows, but he never forgot where his magic came from.
He remained a humble student of the craft until his very last day on earth. His voice and his style will always remind us that every great artist started out as a kid with a dream and a hero. Follow Michael Jackson on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep the rhythm of his story alive.