Las Vegas Weekly

August 31, 2009 · 12:26 PM

Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson tribute at The Pearl in the Palms

By Robin Leach

Erich Bergen and Holly Madison during "Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson" at The Pearl in the Palms.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

It was downright uncanny! As an 11-year-old, Michael Jackson wowed the world with his fancy footsteps, dazzling dancing and super singing. So it was only appropriate at the weekend tribute concert to the King of Pop on what would have been his 51st birthday that the spotlight shined on another 11-year-old wonder.

Pint-sized Elijah Johnson performed Michael’s hit “Dancing Machine” at the show and simply outshone all the other Strip performers. Don’t think for a minute that all the other stars weren’t terrific, because they were all marvelous. However, Lil’ Elijah, who portrays Young Simba in The Lion King at Mandalay Bay, is a superstar in the making, maybe even a future Michael Jackson phenomenon.

It also was another tribute to Michael that had the audience at The Pearl in the Palms on its feet. As the two-hour show neared its conclusion, a duo from England known as Signature, early front-runners on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, appeared onstage. The two male dancers blew the house away with their comedy introduction and “Billie Jean” moves!

You can follow my rundown of the show in real time Saturday afternoon via Twitter HERE.

Mirage headliner Terry Fator sent goose bumps through the crowd with his dead-on impersonation of Michael’s voice sung through his Paul McCartney ventriloquist doll. Terry sang the Michael and Paul duet “The Girl Is Mine,” and then Terry sang “Ben,” which was his first impersonation when he was just 7 years old.

Terry told me after the show: “Performing at the Michael Jackson tribute was one of the great honors of my life and career. I only wish Michael had known what a huge influence his genius has been on my life as an artist before he passed away, but now he lives on through those of us who owe him a debt of gratitude for his amazing inspiration.”

My other favorite act of the afternoon was the Australian pop group Human Nature, discovered by Michael’s friend and fellow Motown superstar Smokey Robinson -- be sure to check Vegas DeLuxe tomorrow for our new Human Nature and Smokey Robinson stories. It was 12 years ago that Human Nature, who sang “I Want You Back,” opened for Michael Jackson on his HIStory tour Down Under.

Among the Strip stars not in the show but turning out in the audience were comedy king and queen Bobby Slayton and Rita Rudner and hypnotist Anthony Cools. Onstage were my friends Zowie Bowie, Clint Holmes with partner and wife Kelly Clinton, Holly Madison and her Peepshow cast, the casts of Jersey Boys, Phantom -- the Las Vegas Spectacular, Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity, Sirens of T.I., Mosaic, the Las Vegas Mass Choir, the Captain EO Orchestra with the Santa Fe Fat City Brass, Earl Turner and Lana Misalucha.

The concert raised more than $100,000 for music education programs in our Cark County schools, according to show co-producers Erich Bergen of Jersey Boys and my celebrity journalist pal Steve Friess. They filmed the show for a future DVD release to raise additional funds.

Michael’s sister LaToya had hoped to attend, but her flight from Los Angeles was delayed so she didn’t show up in time. However, she sent a message: “While my family and I continue to mourn the loss of our beloved Michael, it warms our heats to know of the very special event on his birthday. Michael’s true love was his music and his fans, and I am certain he would be honored to know of his music and talent being celebrated in such a wonderful manner. Causes which support music education have always been near and dear to the Jackson family, and to know that some of Michael’s musical masterpieces will help young people in Las Vegas pursue their dreams is a tribute befitting Michael.”

Click HERE for our Vegas DeLuxe coverage yesterday of the Celebrity Star presentation emceed by yours truly that followed the concert. While upstairs in the Brenden Celebrity Suite at the Palms, Palms owner George Maloof and Michael’s father Joe Jackson said that Michael had wanted to do a show at The Pearl. It would have been a thank you to George, who let Michael stay at the resort with his children while he was recording in the Palms recording studio last year and this year.

Tomorrow, we will have our conversation with Joe about how he hopes and believes justice will be served as a result of the investigations into his son’s death. Joe said he knew nothing of the drugs Michael was allegedly taking and added: “Today would have been Michael’s 51st birthday. That’s the only thing we should focus on now. There will be another day for the rest.” Accordingly, we respect his wishes!

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue commented: “This show proved there is so much talent here in Las Vegas. For those of us who live here, I think we take it all for granted. We are so blessed. You could tell that the outstanding performers who donated all their time and talent really, really reached deep into their hearts and gave it their all. I found myself feeling the passion and emotion coming through my cameras while I was shooting the concert. To share these moments through my photos is so rewarding and heartfelt.”

Even though the Los Angeles Police Department and California State Attorney General investigations into his death continue, Michael’s body will be laid to rest this Friday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif.

Click HERE for Senior Editor John Katsilometes’ tribute concert coverage.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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