Janet Jackson at BET Awards in honor of Michael Jackson

Pres. Obama YouTube address: June 26, 2009: health care reform

Filipino inmates pay Thriller tribute to Michael Jackson

Terra Naomi tribute to Michael Jackson: “You Are Not Alone”

911 call for Michael Jackson

Lisa Marie Presley expresses love for Michael Jackson in MySpace blog post

Click here for Lisa Marie Presley’s statement after Michael Jackson’s death

Here’s a brief (very touching) passage:

“The hardest decision I have ever had to make, which was to walk away and let his fate have him, even though I desperately loved him and tried to stop or reverse it somehow. After the Divorce, I spent a few years obsessing about him and what I could have done different, in regret. Then I spent some angry years at the whole situation. At some point, I truly became Indifferent, until now.

“As I sit here overwhelmed with sadness, reflection and confusion at what was my biggest failure to date, watching on the news almost play by play The exact Scenario I saw happen on August 16th, 1977 happening again right now with Michael (A sight I never wanted to see again) just as he predicted, I am truly, truly gutted.”

Off topic, but check out this restaurant review:

CBS reports Michael Jackson dies at 50 after cardiac arrest

Click here for CBS video coverage

“I Want You Back”

25th anniversary of Thriller video:

Farrah Fawcett dies of cancer

Justice O’Connor on Letterman

SC Gov. Mark Sanford, missing last week, admits affair with Argentinian woman

Pres. Obama answers question from Iran

Esmee Denters practicing 1-2-3-4

Jon and Kate file for divorce video

YouTube videos on Iran

Click here for YouTube’s special channel for videos on Iran

Obama comedy routine Correspondents’ dinner

Pres. Obama weekly YouTube address June 20, 2009: financial reform

What is Toobla?

CBS launches old Star Trek clips on YouTube

Pres. Obama Youtube address June 12, 2009: health care reform

PS22 chorus performs “Landslide” on YouTube — the best thing on YouTube

News: I was watching Nightline last night and heard about this amazing group of 5th graders at PS22 who sing in a chorus at school in Staten Island, New York. Their music teacher is Gregg Breinberg. They’ve received several million views on YouTube and have drawn attention from media and musicians alike through their postings on YouTube. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac reportedly cried listening to this video of “Landslide” and invited the students to her concert today.

Here is their website, and YouTube channel.

Analysis: I have received many complaints on how YouTube has gone downhill to a commercialized site filled with unispired videos. While that may be happening, the PS22 videos reminded me of the amazing creative amateur spirit that first pervaded YouTube. Thanks for the reminder, kids. You are the best thing on YouTube right now.

Footnote: The always IP-sensitive Techdirt blog wonders whether the RIAA will send YouTube a DMCA notice of alleged copyright infringement to shut down the kids’ performance of copyrighted music. Well, by the positive reaction from Stevie Nicks and Tori Amos to the kids’ performance of their songs, I seriously doubt it. I have written extensively about how “informal copyright practices” fill in the gaps in copyright law, such as here where no formal license has apparently been granted but it appears the practice is accepted by the copyright holders. You can download my article “Warming Up to User-Generated Content” by clicking here.

Esmee Denters debut song “Outta Here”

YouTube sensation Esmee Denters is finally out with her first song “Outta Here” produced by Justin Timberlake. Catchy, techno tune. Hard to believe she was discovered from her bedroom on YouTube.

Here’s the making of video:

Pres. Obama is part German

Pres. Obama in Cairo speech

Borat Sasha Cohen sticks butt in Eminem’s face at MTV video awards

Was this staged or real?