Over the weekend, HBO held the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary concert and, just like many other shows have done in recent months, it too included a moment dedicated to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. Michael’s friend Stevie Wonder and John Legend sang “The Way You Make Me Feel,” with the former breaking down in tears in the middle of the song, as the Examiner can confirm.

Things got off to a good start, with Wonder urging the audience to welcome John Legend as he deserves to be welcomed on stage, with wild applause. As Legend sat at the piano and started to play, Wonder began a brilliant rendition of Michael’s hit. At the second verse, though, something seemed wrong as Stevie suddenly covered his face with his hand and appeared to be sobbing uncontrollably. The memory of Michael, who was one of his closest friends, was too strong to allow him to go on.

The music continued to play, but it took Wonder several good seconds to catch his breath and regain his composure. When he did, he sang just as beautifully as before, for which reasons the crowd gave him a standing ovation at the end, while Legend hugged him warmly. Fans on websites that are currently hosting the video say that, of all the tributes Michael Jackson has been paid in recent months, this was certainly the most sincere and, because of it, the most moving.

“Legendary performer Stevie Wonder performed a tribute to Michael Jackson on HBO’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Anniversary Concert, and it was enough to bring the man to tears. During a performance of Jackson’s ‘The Way You Make Me Feel,’ Stevie starts to break down during the second verse of the song and takes a few seconds to recover. At the end of the performance, John Legend embraces the icon as he receives a standing ovation,” Examiner writes of the performance.

Below is the video of the highly emotional Stevie Wonder & John Legend rendition of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Enjoy.