This article takes a look at some of the biggest celebrity funerals in history and the controversy surround them. Who made it to #1? Let’s take a look.
Be sure to comment with your thoughts.
1. Michael Jackson:
The city of Los Angeles did not have a hand in planning or regulating Michael Jackson’s funeral; however, it spent nearly $1 million to ensure that the public services would be held for the mega star.
The funeral, held in the summer of 2009, created a large controversy as to who will pick up the public cost of Michael Jackson’s funeral.
Two organizations eventually paid the city back, helping recover some of the expense. AEG and Jackson Estate both agreed to help pay about $1 million to recover the cost of providing public services for Michael Jackson’s funeral. Additionally, they donated $300,000 in cash and equipment to the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Some of the equipments that the Police received, included scanners for officers patrolling skid row.
2. Whitney Houston:
Houston’s ex-husband Bobby Brown was not wanted at Houston’s funeral, but was rather invited at the last minute, despite protests by some family members. Houston’s family members blame Brown, believing he was instrumental in getting the late singer addicted to the drugs, which ultimately killed her.
Right after Whitney’s funeral, Bobby Brown was to be taken away by private jet to perform with the New Edition at the Mohegan Sun Indian Casino in Connecticut, leaving his daughter Bobbie Kristina to grieve by herself.
Brown was allowed to bring two guests with him to the funeral, but instead brought an entourage of nine, despite the funeral being an invite only. When Brown demanded that his group be able to sit with him in the front row, Houston’s family fought back and had him escorted out of the church.
3. Lucio Dalla:
Lucio Dalla died in March of 2012 at he age of 68. He was buried in his home town of Bologna, the city with the oldest university in Europe. His companion gave one of the most emotional addresses that over 50,000 people watched on television. Dalla’s funeral was marked by controversy over the homophobic issues existing in Italy. In Italy, you can have a funeral in a Church as long as you don’t reveal you’re gay. Italy basically turned a blind eye to this for his funeral.
4. Joe Paterno:
Joe Paterno, the head football coach for Penn State Univesity won 409 games in 46 yeas. He died in January of 2012 from lung cancer.He was shortly diagnosed after he was dismissed from the Penn State in the aftermath of Sandursky sexual assault cases.
Mr. Paterno’s career was overshadowed by his sudden firing at age 84. This was one of the most tragic narratives in modern athletic history and constitutes something that still conflicts students, colleagues, scholars and authority figures. He was one of the most successful head coach in the history of major college football, but the circumstances of his dismissal led to a stain that cannot be removed.
Joe Paterno was honored in services inn State College, Pa. Officials representing the Westboro Baptist Church protested this service and attempted to bring their anti-homosexuality message to State College.
5. Steve Jobs
Westboro Baptist Church protesters used their iPhones in October of 2011 to announce via Twitter that they would demonstrate against Steve Jobs’ funeral. The controversial group angered most people in USA, protesting at the funerals of U.S. soldiers as well as celebrities. The group went far enough to threaten to protest at the funerals of Norway massacre victims.
Westboro accused Steve Jobs of mishandling his fame. According to Margorie Phelps, Jobs has a huge platform: gave God no glory and taught sin.
This website exists for those who want to downloaded movies or music- it is legal and illegal- depending on what you’re downloading. The users are given a chance to locate and share torrent files. The Pirate Bay created controversy some time back but because it was found that it offered text files and not data that was illegal as such, attempts to shut it down failed.
Ogrish.com featured such images and data about accidents, executions and war that were uncensored and therefore, shocking. The material was gory and graphic enough to make the viewer nauseous. Its catch line was changed from “Can You Handle Life” to “Uncover Reality” and the website’s design was drastically changed.
This is another ‘shock website’ which basically collects morbid and gruesome photographs. This includes images of deformities, bloody fatalities and autopsies. Rotten was a subject of great controversy when it was founded about 14 years back but hasn’t changed much since then. The website is truly disgusting, to say the least.
There are certain websites out there that exist for the sole purpose of showcasing gang fights and the like for the viewing pleasure of the public. The more disturbing part here is that kids end up beating each other up just to record it and then post it on the site.
Websites like NAMBLA are encouraging the development of physical relationships between adults and those minors that give their okay. Sadly, these sites have become quite popular over the years as people like Allen Ginsberg have made it clear that they support the so-called movement.
This album was released by Type O Negative in 1992 and the cover photo was said to be ‘cheeky’. It featured a derriere that was held by two hands and the image was in gray. It was said that it belonged to Peter Steele, the lead vocalist.
This album by Pantera was released in 1994. It showed a drill that was sticking out of a human’s anus. It was then replaced with the image of a skeleton and the same drill, it seemed, was coming out of his forehead instead.
This album was released in 1994 by The Black Crowes. It showed a woman wearing an underwear which had the American flag printed on it. A few strands of hair were poking out which is why it was banned.
This Guns n Roses album was released in 1987. The name was taken from a painting by Robert Williams. The cover showed a very graphic rape scene which is why retailers across the country refused to stock the album. The cover was then replaced by a common image of skulls.
The cover of this album by Marilyn Manson released in 2000 shows the singer against a black background. His arms are stretched upwards and it looks as though he is being crucified. The disturbing part is that his jaw is missing and when he was asked about that, he replied saying that it was symbol of censorship. The image is very violent and was later removed completely from the album cover.
This is probably Eminem’s greatest song of all time. It was featured in the movie “8 Mile,” which he also acted in. It has a strong message and a fantastic chorus. This song will be remembered for a long time, and be known as possibly the best of Eminem’s many masterpieces.
Another incredible rap song by Eminem. This song delivers a beautifully crafted image of Eminem’s life. The chorus is great, and in Eminem’s last verse he talks about getting clean. This song often will leave you in awe of how deep the message in the lyrics is, and it is truly an incredible song.
The Beastie Boys are a very funny rap band that delivers both funny lyrics and funny music videos. This song is a party anthem and has one of the best music videos of all time.
