Jackson fans pack downtown for celebration
In remembrance
By Adam Folk | Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Isaiah Brown's mother may have been the Michael Jackson fan, but the 10-year-old Collins Elementary student has the late singer's moves.

Isaiah danced his way to free concert tickets Tuesday night during a contest at the downtown celebration to honor the King of Pop's passing last week. He used the singer's famous moonwalk and crotch grab to win the prize.

"I just kept on looking at his videos," Isaiah said, describing how he learned to mimic Mr. Jackson.

Hundreds packed into the Augusta Common to pay their last respects to a musical icon who called one of Augusta's own sons his inspiration.

The tribute, sponsored by several local radio stations, brought fans young and old downtown to say goodbye.

Denise Brown, a daughter of Mr. Jackson's idol James Brown, spoke to the crowd from the base of her father's statue as people lit candles in honor of the King of Pop. "He truly, truly loved my father, and (my father) truly loved Michael," Ms. Brown said.

Fans sang along to the late singer's hits and watched as an impersonator used some of Mr. Jackson's signature moves while dancing to his hit Billie Jean .

Wearing a Michael Jackson T-shirt and button, Julius Raynor, 50, proudly proclaimed that he was born the same year as the singer and even stood about the same height. He recalled listening to the Jackson 5's hit ABC on vinyl as a 6-year-old.

"We didn't have a good stereo back then, just the 45," he said. "I remember it like it was yesterday."

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.

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