14 DAY TRIAL // Jermaine Jackson and sister La Toya were in Glasgow last night, where the late King of Pop was awarded the first posthumous accolade for his impressive career at the Music Of Black Origin Awards, MOBO 2009. The two performed a very touching tribute for Michael, while also speaking of the Jackson family's duty to keep his legacy alive through his music, as the Daily Record informs.
La Toya took to the stage to accept the lifetime-achievement award on behalf of Michael and to speak for the first time to such a large audience of what was life without him like. The singer revealed that, earlier that day, as she was rehearsing for her performance, she broke down in tears realizing she would be accepting an award for Michael because he was no longer there to do so himself. It was a “bittersweet” event that touched her deeply, La Toya further said, and that would have certainly made Michael happy.
“My brother was everything to me. He was a wonderful artist and a wonderful human being. I’m here to do what I can, it is part of our responsibility as a family to continue his legacy and keep it alive. It’s a very special night but it’s still very tough. Just to be here at the Mobo awards is for my brother and to keep the music going.” Jermaine told the audience, as he was preparing to perform “Smile,” one of Michael’s favorite songs and the same Jermaine also performed at the public memorial service at Staples Center in LA.
Young British singer Shaheen Jafargholi was also invited on stage, where he performed “I’ll Be There” and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Dance act Diversity, winner of the latest season of Britain’s Got Talent, followed suit, doing dance scenes from “Bad,” “Black or White” and “Billie Jean.” La Toya spoke afterwards, again thanking the fans for the constant love and support they had shown since Michael’s passing in June this year.
“It is a very, very special night. I thought it would be wonderful to have a tribute to my brother. I thought I’d be OK but at the rehearsal for the tribute earlier today, I started crying. The pain doesn’t go away, it’s a bittersweet evening. I’m so touched by it – it’s a wonderful tribute. He was such an extraordinary talent. Michael was a wonderful person and a wonderful human being. I want the world to know how extraordinary he was. There will never be another performer like my brother. There will never be another star like my brother.” La Toya said in her touching speech.