As night fell, candles were lit and a minute of silence observed. A few people shared their experiences watching Jackson in concert here in 1993 and 1996. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
HUNDREDS of mourning Michael Jackson fans turned up at the Speaker's Corner on Sunday night to pay tribute to the late King of Pop.
Armed with flowers, cards and posters of their idol, they began streaming in at 5pm for an evening of music videos, recordings, sharing and a candlelight vigil.
Cheers of 'We love you!' greeted hits such as Billie Jean, Thriller and Beat It, beamed to the crowd of more than 300 on a large projection screen. Fans also penned messages on a 5m-long banner.
The organisers, three fans in their early 20s, spent about $1,500 to put up the tribute. One of them, Mr Suraj Uphadiah, 21, will fly to Los Angeles with the banner and cards to attend Jackson's funeral.
As night fell, candles were lit and a minute of silence observed. A few people shared their experiences watching Jackson in concert here in 1993 and 1996.
Mr Mike Rajendran, 47, a former freelance Jackson impersonator, was one of many stunned by the star's death. 'I couldn't drive to work. I cried a lot,' said the sales and marketing executive.
He was approached for advice by Madam Norsiah Rejab, 46, who is worried for her 16-year-old son in junior college. 'My son has two exams tomorrow but he is upset and hasn't been eating or studying,' she said. Her family had tickets to Jackson's concerts in London, but will now pay a tribute visit to the US instead.
