Madonna, Janet Jackson pay tribute to King of Pop at the MTV Music Video Awards

At last night The MTV Video Music Awards kicked off on a poignant note for the late King of Pop.Janet Jackson and Maddona looked visibly performing her tribute to Michael at the MTV Video Music Award.

Janet Jackson performs at the MTV Music Video Awards, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 in New York

Madonna opened the show with a speech about her friend Michael Jackson, telling of her almost lifelong relationship with him. It all began when they were kids, she said, and she looked up to the young child star. Then they both got to hang out in the early '90s, going out to dinner and watching movies at her place later.

"Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being, but yes, he was a king," she told the crowd at Radio City Music Hall, which included Joe and Jermaine Jackson. "Long live the king."

After Madonna's opening homage - "It was good to finally get to say my piece," she said later in the press room - the musical tribute started with MJ look-alikes recreating his moves from such memorable videos as "Bad," "Smooth Criminal" and "Thriller."

When "Scream," Jackson's duet with sister Janet, appeared on the jumbo screen behind the stage, she came out to dance as they both did in the original video. When the number was over, she looked up, and then bowed her head.

Host Russell Brand played nice, as well he should have, where Jackson was concerned. "Tonight is dedicated to the great Michael Jackson," the British comedian said. "Let's honor Michael tonight by loving one another in his memory."


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2nd person died after Madonna;s stage collapse..

A second person has died during construction for Madonna's upcoming concerts in Marseilles, France, authorities said Friday.Firefighters leave the Stade Velodrome stadium in Marseille after the accident on Thursday.

The Marseille hospital authority says the second person is a British worker died Friday from injuries suffered in the accident.Know more by voice ...

2 died after collapse of Madonna stage

A second person has died during construction for Madonna's upcoming concerts in Marseilles, France, authorities said Friday.
Firefighters leave the Stade Velodrome stadium in Marseille after the accident on Thursday.

The Marseille hospital authority says the second person is a British worker died Friday from injuries suffered in the accident.The second fatality was a British citizen, the British Foreign Office said. It was not clear whether the person was a man or woman, but the next of kin had been informed, the Foreign Office said.A French worker was killed immediately when the roof fell apart on top of several workers Thursday.A 53-year-old French man was killed when a crane collapsed at the venue, a fire department spokesman in the southern French city said.Eight other people were seriously hurt, including an American who was hospitalized in a life-threatening condition.More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock, according to authorities.None of the victims' identities has been released.

The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club.Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them.Madonna performs during her concert on 11 July in Belgium.The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tourAbout 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said.The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councilor Maurice Di Nocera.

Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane.Madonna said she was "devastated" by the news. Her concert, planned for Sunday, has been canceled. Madona said "I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by Live Nation, the organizers of the concert.

"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news."