July 5, 2009

Madonna Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson In London Concert

By Jayson Rodriguez (MTV.com)

Madonna paid tribute to the late pop sensation Michael Jackson during her concert at the O2 arena on Saturday night. The London theater was the same venue Jackson was scheduled to perform in a 50-show farewell tour beginning last month.

Mid-way through Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour concert, the Material Girl stopped the show in its tracks. One of her dancers, whom she later identified as Kento, made his way across the stage, wearing Jackson's trademark fedora, fitted slacks, white socks, white glove and penny loafers and mimicking Jackson's spinning, gyrating and moonwalking.

A medley of Jackson's hits then played, from "Billie Jean" to "Wanna Be Startin' Something." From the stage, Madonna led the cheers for one of the only other '80s icons who could eclipse her. She clapped her hands, swayed from side to side and jumped up and down while images of Jackson over the years flashed on a big screen.

"Let's give it up for one of the greatest artists the world has ever known," Madonna urged the crowd. "Michael Jackson!"

Toward the end of her show, according to a report on Hollywood.com, Madonna honored Jackson by wearing a black armband and a white glove while the lyrics to one of Jackson's most touching hits, "Man in the Mirror," flashed on the screen behind her.

Madonna and Jackson have been the biggest pop stars of this generation. They shared a professional working relationship in addition to an intimate friendship. They took turns alternately ruling the Billboard charts and MTV airwaves in the mid-'80s. And in 1991, the superstars memorably attended the Academy Awards as each other's dates. Madonna was slated to join Jackson at one of his O2 arena shows, according to Hollywood.com.

Before her concert, Madonna expressed her grief over Jackson's death.

"I am so terribly sad about Michael Jackson's death," Madonna said in an interview. "I don't know what artist wasn't inspired by him."