Stevie Wonder grieves Michael Jackson -- on my dime
Filed under: Consumer Complaints
Stevie Wonder is grieving Michael Jackson. This was very clear at the Summerfest Concert on Sunday night, when he opened the gig with a rambling speech about MJ and honoring him for his gifts to music.
OK, I have no problem with that. I loved Michael, especially his dance moves. He was probably the best dancer to ever grace a stage.
But the concert seemed slow in getting going. Then Stevie piped in a Michael Jackson song and began to cry on stage. His tears turned to sobs and then his head collapsed in his arms over his piano.
Neither I or the audience had a clue what was happening. Did he faint? Have a stroke? His daughter walked over and said a few words in his ear while she comforted him. He slowly regained composure and went on to the next song.
I understand that Stevie and MJ were close friends. I get it. But I paid a lot of money for that ticket, $69, and it wasn't to do therapy for Stevie. He said later in the concert that "I'm not afraid to show my heart." Fine, but does it have to be on my dime?
He then launched into some great favorites and a long set where each band member got to showcase. Yes! This is what I came for. "Superstition" got the crowd rocking and I thought we were on our way. But all too quickly, the show came to an abrupt end.
Stevie got up and again began to discuss Michael Jackson. Then the whole band got up and a very long medley of taped Michael Jackson songs were played while the band stood on stage. Did I mention I liked Michael Jackson? But the problem is I didn't go to a live concert to hear canned music. I didn't pay to see Stevie Wonder to review MJ's career.
Go ahead and grieve. But not on my dime.
Barbara Bartlein is The People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please visit: The People Pro.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-30-2009 @ 3:22PM
DEE said...
You are a cold hearted bastard! Stevie is human too and have emotions, And he probably had every intention of coming out and give a great show, as he usually does, in spite of the loss of his friend, but when it came down to it, he couldn't hold back his emotions. He probably didn't want to just cancel the show, or bastards like you wouldn't have understood that either and would have just called him a flake or no show! I sure hope you don't lose anyone close to you while at work or in a working environment, you black hearted bastard to hell with you and your $69! Next time sing to yourself, you jerk Bastard!
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6-30-2009 @ 3:52PM
tim said...
I was there too, it was awesome!
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6-30-2009 @ 6:52PM
Verpissdich said...
This is why I don't leave comments on the Internet, generally. People air their petty little grievances, call it a blog, opine about mundane affairs with little if any style, you know the drill. Heaven forbid that anyone react humanly to any event, ever, since sincerity has been barred from every sector of the public sphere. Barbara Bartlein truly deserves the title of DOUCHEBAG.
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7-01-2009 @ 12:07AM
JILL said...
YES I TOTALLY AGREE WITH DEE THAT PERSON IS COLD PERSON I WOULDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THAT PERSON I WOULD TELL HIM/HER WHAT I REALLY THINK YES YOU PAID FOR A CONCERT BUT, MJ WAS A PART OF OUR WORLD WHERE YOU DON'T BELONG HERE IF YOU CAN'T ACCEPT THAT STEVIE WONDER IS A PERSON ALSO THAT PERSON WHO WROTE THAT MUST NOT BE HUMAN
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6-30-2009 @ 4:57PM
JILL said...
I AGREE WITH DEE THAT PERSON IS NOT HUMAN AND THAT STEVIE WONDER IS HUMAN JUST LIKE ALL OF US. I WOULD REALLY HATE TO SEE THAT PERSON LOSE A FAMILY MEMBER AND SOMEONE SAY THAT TO THEM WHAT A LOSER MJ WAS A PART OF OUR LIVES JUST LIKE STEVIE WONDER SO YOU PAID FOR A CONCERT BUT HE HIS HUMAN AND HAS FEELINGS AND THEY WERE FRIENDS
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6-30-2009 @ 5:23PM
Marie said...
Dee You are a dumb-f--k bitch yourself!!!!! For starters In my opinion MJ was nothing but a child molesting Faggot trash!!!!! And second when you are paying to see someone perform live than that is what you should get if they are doing a concert to pay tribute to someone else and that persons life and work than lable the concert as such. I am sure that a lot of dumb A-- people do not look at the fact that most people would not pay more than $20 mill in hush money if they were not guilty,and would still keep looking at him as some kind of god and pay to see one IN MY OPINION queer monkey crying for the other!!!! I use to like both of these but not after all I saw happening in front of me as for in my opinion "Wonder FAG" as much as he seemed to be in love he was probably molesting right along with MJ!!!!!! So I want nothing to do with that pos either!!
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6-30-2009 @ 6:18PM
chris said...
you crackers are stupid as hell.. stop eating mayo sandwiches and screwing your sisters and cousins and learn how to appreciate good music .
6-30-2009 @ 5:42PM
Ashlee said...
I agree with the other people here...have some compassion, for God's sake! I will admit that I am not a huge Michael Jackson fan, but even I can respect the overwhelming sense of loss felt by the music industry. Maybe you ought to try a little tenderness!
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6-30-2009 @ 6:01PM
melba said...
cold-hearted bastard is right. can't believe i even bothered reading this drivel. You reap exactly what you sow, though. Just wait till one of your loved ones die.
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6-30-2009 @ 7:45PM
Marie said...
Chris say what you want about us "crackers" I just happen to be one that does not agree with child f---ing and if you do than no matter what your race you must not have evolved enough to figure out that is WRONG!!!@! So go suck on you watermelon and scratch your sisters A--- and it'll be better in the am
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7-08-2009 @ 12:39AM
Mya said...
Marie,
Just what the hell are you talking about child-f***ing???
You are nothing but a disgusting, worthless, excuse for a human being to even suggest such a stupid comment. Perhaps you have grown up around people who are just as indecent and as illiterate as you!
Maybe you need to shut up and go educate yourself before you make a nasty comment like that again. It's losers like you that have to put other people down because your own life is miserable...in that case go kill yourself because you're going to rot in hell anyway.
7-01-2009 @ 12:04AM
ruby said...
What is wrong with you people? She paid good money to hear Stevie Wonder sing not witness his breakdown! Not everyone is saddened by a celebrity death. Wonder had an obligation to perform, if he could not then cancel, go grieve in private and give the people their money back. It is not 'cold' to want to carry on with your life when a person YOU DO NOT EVEN KNOW PERSONALLY passes on. She stated she liked MJ as much as the next person, but to have to listen to someone's warbling on my dime would make me wanna puke!
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7-01-2009 @ 1:02AM
C. said...
REALLY PEOPLE.....
First of all, the writer of this "little" column, Has a small, very very very small point.
Anyone attending a concert in the last couple of days would expect some outward grieving from Michael Jacksons friends. Songs in Tribute. Yes. Some may have shown too much for certain peoples taste. But, you were given a good show so, sorry, but 69 bucks. Thats All? For Stevie Wonder? Get over it.
Secondly.......
The kid came forward the other day......and admitted guilt in lying over the molestation charge. Admitted his father made him do it.........Now.......Wheres the chance to beg forgiveness for lying?........No where.
Rest in Peace Michael. You were a true wonder and talent
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7-01-2009 @ 12:45PM
Majykfive2 said...
To Barbara & Marie: Try walking in the other persons shoes, ladies. I doubt Stevie Wonder would post the poison you wrote if you were in his audience sobbing over the loss of your dear friend and the cost of producing this event was a heck of alot more than $69. While we appreciate most comments, please refrain from spreading your poison and lowering yourselves further by calling people such aweful names just because you disagree with their comments. After all, he who has not sinned, cast the first stone. It's about love and compassion for one another in order to evolve to a higher state. Try it, it works. Have a blessed day.
majykfive2
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7-07-2009 @ 2:15PM
Cindy said...
I don't think it is cold hearted at all. The lady paid to see Stevie perform.. if he was not up to it, he should have cancelled and given everyone their money back. Not everyone is a MJ fan. Imagine if you paid to watch a concert and someone other celebrity died -- let's say Lindsay Lohan -- and the performer spent their time talking about Lindsay and playing her music.. would you NOT be mad?
I am sorry for Stevie Wonder's heartache and everyone else who has been affected by MJ's death, but the world did not stop when he died..
..and this lady should get her money refunded to her.
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8-10-2009 @ 2:07AM
Rumina said...
This individual who complained about Stevie Wonder's heartfelt homage to Michael Jackson had to "eat it". Too bad he hasn't the heart to feel Stevie's heart, to feel Stevie's love and compassion for a great artist like Michael who was like an "antelope" on stage as Quincy Jones said. An artist which such an energy an spirit who has been disrespected and vilified and ridiculed. More than one should be ashamed for that. And Stevie, who has a big heart, expected the best from his audience. May all of us recognize substance and disregard all the irrelevance that surround us.
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