Michael Rass

Michael Rass

Michael Rass is a web producer for The World.

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Michael Jackson in Liberia

July 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Friends and fans of Michael Jackson honored the late singer in Los Angeles today. Tributes and condolences by celebrities, including former South African president Nelson Mandela, were read at a public memorial.

We’re going to close today’s program with the recollections of a man who grew up in Liberia. Emmanuel Gardiner was in his teens when he and his family left the west African nation after a 1980 coup.

emmanuel-gardiner460

He remembers the year before…when Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” album took Liberia by storm.

Emmanuel Gardiner lives in Boston and works as a marketing manager here at WGBH.

Discussion

2 comments for “Michael Jackson in Liberia”

  • Dewy

    I recently heard the interview with Immanuel about the impact of MJ’s death to Liberians home and abroad. I’ve always wondered why he made the song “Liberian Woman”.
    As someone who grew up in the caribbean MJ was huge and revered. Most of us wanted to be like him in the early 80′s

  • http://www.maneface.com kevin

    ONE LOVE M.J R.I.P SEE YOU IN THE NEXT LIFE I KNOW YOU I A BETTER PLACE. NOW MORE PRESS MAKING YOUR LIFE A LIVING RECK. PEACE AT LAST R.I.P