- Title: KENYA: Kenyans join the world in mourning Michael Jackson
- Date: 27th June 2009
- Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JUNE 26, 2009) (REUTERS) VIEW OF NAIROBI STREET PEDESTRIANS ON BUSY NAIROBI STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) RAY OGOLA, NAIROBI RESIDENT, SAYING: "He really made the world talk. Right from the beginning, right from the time he started singing with the Jackson Five to now his death, you know all the stories all the issues but one thing that stands clear is that he was one of the greatest artists the world ever had and that ever came through the world and one that is so clear is that the world has lost an entertainer regardless of everything, all the accusations wrong, good, bad, he was an entertainer and it's a mourning time for the world, not only the states but for the whole world." PEDESTRIANS ON BUSY NAIROBI STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAM MUCHENE, NAIROBI RESIDENT, SAYING: "Well, he was the main guy, he was the main guy that time. So we used to flock to places like Cameo here, with those you remember, those white socks, copying him and you know we had very few dancing clubs here in Nairobi and so the most popular guy was him." PEDESTRIANS ON BUSY NAIROBI STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) ESTHER OMCHENGI, NAIROBI RESIDENT, SAYING: "There are a lot of stories which have been told about Michael Jackson, we don't know whether its true or it is false, I particularly don't know whether it is true or if it is false. The major thing is that we have lost as a very good musician and it is sad that we have lost him." VARIOUS OF BUSY NAIROBI STREET
- Embargoed: 12th July 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Obituaries
- Reuters ID: LVAEE8I6O51DIIOCK5B7LFQIQWX0
- Story Text: Residents of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi said on Friday (June 26) that Michael Jackson will be remembered for his musical genius rather than a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals which overshadowed is stardom.
Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world who mourned his death, including fans in Kenya.
The child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing, and fans in Nairobi say he should remembered as a global entertainer.
"All the stories all the issues but one thing that stands clear is that he was one of the greatest artists the world ever had and that ever came through the world and one that is so clear is that the world has lost an entertainer regardless of everything, all the accusations wrong, good, bad, he was an entertainer and its a mourning time for the world, not only the states but for the whole world," said Ray Ogola, Jackson's fan in Kenya's capital Nairobi.
Jackson's lifetime record sales tally was believed to be around 750 million. With his 13 Grammy Awards and boundary-breaking music videos he was one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
His Fans in Africa remember him for the way he danced and most started making a living imitating his moves while in disco halls, where the main voice heard was Jacksons.
"Well, he was the main guy, he was the main guy that time. So we used to flock to places like Cameo here, with those you remember, those white socks, copying him and you know we had very few dancing clubs here in Nairobi and so the most popular guy was him," Nairobi resident Sam Muchene said.
Jackson led a reclusive life after his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, the second time he had faced ultimately unproved allegations of abuse of young boys.
"There's are allot of stories which have been told about Michael Jackson we don't know whether its true or it is false, I particularly don't know whether it is true or if it is false. The major thing is that we have lost as a very good musician and it is sad that we have lost him," said another fan Esther Omcheni in Nairobi.
Michael Jackson's death dominated news bulletins, radio airwaves and social networking sites the world over as tributes poured in for a man called the "King of Pop" and "natural heir to Elvis". - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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