I wish there were more videos from the American Idol Live tour. Apparently, American Idol alum, Michael Johns, who died on Friday from a blood clot to his ankle, was honored Saturday night at the concert in Kansas City. I did a search on Youtube and came up with nothing, unfortunately.
Winner, Caleb Johnson, shared the details with People magazine:
Season 13 champ Caleb Johnson, who says he admired and “looked up” to Johns before he landed on the reality show himself, dedicated a tour stop to him over the weekend. The two met at a movie theater in Los Angeles a couple months ago, when Johns warmly complimented the newly minted winner, Johnson says.
“That was just a magical moment,” he tells PEOPLE of honoring Johns at the Idol concert. “You got that feeling and that warmth, and the audience was great with it. It was just a really powerful moment. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family, because I know this just has to be a shock, and it’s a tragedy.”
I’m really glad the kids took a few minutes to honor Michael at the concert. I’m sure the Idol fans in the audience really appreciated it. Also, it’s important to remember the Idol contestants who set a path ahead of you. Sam Woolf, for instance, can thank Michael for being “saved” by the judges after he was eliminated at Top 8. It had to be–at least in part–Michael’s surprising ouster during the same week, that inspired the producers to introduce the “Judges Save” in season 8. The new twist gave worthy contestants who were the victims of wonky voting, a second chance.
As far as plans for a stateside memorial service are concerned, Michael’s friend, Kevin Hyland, told People that everything is still “up in the air,” as the singer’s family travels from Australia to be by the side of his wife, Stacey.
“I don’t think anything has been concrete yet,” he said of funeral plans. “I’m sure something like that will go on. I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t. There were so many people who loved him.”
“He was a special guy for sure,” Haaland said. “Outside of the crazy voice and musical talent that he had, he was also just genuinely one of the funniest people to ever walk [the Earth]. He loved to laugh and to make other people laugh, and people just wanted to be his friend.”
The duo, Haaland told People, were in the process of recording new songs together. There are unfinished tracks that may never be released. “I really don’t know at this point,” said Hyland. “I haven’t been able to bring myself to listen to him sing yet.”
Via People Magazine
