HE'S TREATED AS A GOD AT APOLLO

Ref : http://www.nypost.com/seven/06272009/news/nationalnews/hes_treated_as_a_god_at_apollo_176368.htm

By IKIMULISA LIVINGSTON and SHARI LOGAN
SHOW OF LOVE: Golda Romelien (above) holds a photo of Michael Jackson yesterday as fans at the Apollo Theater remember the iconic singer, who...

Michael Jackson PollView ResultsLast updated: 7:22 am
June 27, 2009
Posted: 3:05 am
June 27, 2009

Hundreds of New Yorkers, tourists and other Michael Jackson fans converged yesterday on the Apollo Theater to celebrate his life and music with makeshift memorials and shrines.

JACKO WENT OUT IN A DRUG DAZE

ONGOING MICHAEL JACKSON COVERAGE

PHOTOS: MICHAEL JACKSON DIES

Georgia Weekes, 71, recalled being at the Jackson 5's first performance at the Harlem theater 40 years ago -- when Michael was 9 and the group won on Amateur Night.

"It was a sold-out show and he had this big Afro. You just knew he was going to be a star," said Weekes, of Brooklyn.

"I remember the choreography, they were so precise. Then the intonation of his voice, he was so unique," said Khalil Mustafa, 65, of Queens, who also saw the 1969 show.

Younger fans came to the renowned Harlem theater on West 125th Street yesterday to recognize Jackson's death as a historic moment.

"The passing of a legend only happens every once in a while," said Nick Rumaczyk, 24, of upstate New York. "I wanted to come when James Brown died, but I couldn't make it. I felt I couldn't miss Michael Jackson."

Jackson also was mourned around the world, where his passing drew notice from government ministers to the man in the street.

In Japan, where Jackson was adored, many TV channels switched to special programming about the pop icon and a major Japanese online retailer was flooded with orders for Jackson's recordings.

The top government spokesman and other ministers expressed their condolences.

"He was a superstar. It is an extremely tragic loss. But it is fantastic he was able to give so many dreams and so much hope to the people of the world," said Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela issued a message through his foundation saying Jackson's loss would be felt worldwide.

"I don't think anyone can be indifferent to Michael Jackson, my husband included," French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy told RTL radio in France. "I will enormously miss his voice, his songs and his presence in our world."

At the Apollo, fans wrote tributes and remembrances on cardboard, shared memories, listened to Jackson's music -- even broke into moonwalks.

"I came out here to be with people who would respectfully show their sentiments to Michael Jackson and his family," Annette Thomas, 53, wearing a brown T-shirt emblazoned with images of the Gloved One.

Two Swedish tourists, Nickolas Spjuth, 43, and his wife, Sandra, 30, heard about Jackson's death on a car radio.

"This is the best place for people to come together," said Nickolas, who saw Jackson perform in Sweden during his 1996-97 "HIStory" tour.

Tour buses and private cars on 125th Street slowed down as they passed the theater -- where the marquee read "In Memory of Michael Jackson. A True Apollo Legend" -- so that passengers could listen one more time to his music.

"God bless him. I know he's singing with the angels right now," said Rolando Rosado, 49. "And I'm pretty sure he's making them happy."

Jackson tributes sprouted across the country.

Flags flew at half-staff at city hall in Gary, Ind., Jackson's birthplace, and Jackson's "Bad" was piped through the building's intercom. Mayor Rudy Clay said he would like Jackson to be buried in Gary.

Dozens of Detroit mourners placed stuffed animals and other mementos at a makeshift memorial at the Hitsville USA building, the original home of Motown Records, where Jackson's career was launched.

ikimulisa.livingston@nypost.com