EYEWITNESS TO A TRUE GOING AWAY PARTY

The wind raced across Lake Erie and rain pour torrentially on the crowd of thousands that gathered downtown hoping to pay tribute to our beloved homeboy Gerald Levert. The gray skies and howling rainy winds almost persuaded me to just stay in the house and watch the news or listen to the radio coverage of his life celebration but this was not just some celebrity ... this was G the brother that even when i was coming up in the business and relatively unknown always gave me VIP access to any function he was doing . I wasn't shocked when upon arrival i came across many of today's top pop ( black ) culture figures. What did shock me was that i was standing next to Christopher Williams who was my main reason for not first paying attention to the news that Gerald had passed away. Maybe you remember when about 7 months ago we were all bombarded with the news that CW had went to the studio in the sky only to find out it was a hoax.It's a damn shame that people find humor in killing off people via an email . I talked with Chris and we agreed that we both had hoped for the emails about Gerald were false but it was true and that truth had brought us both here to pay respects . Public Hall was alive with a different kind of energy that day ... Seemed as if people were not just there to mourn but to really celebrate life not just Gerald's but the one he had left us to keep going on with. The service was opened by Angela Winbush the lovely songbird sang Your Smile .. wow !!! I can't give a better compliment than that . It had everyone in tears she put her foot in the deliverance of every note. I was doing my best to keep back tears but as i looked around the room and even saw Iron Mike Tyson boo hooing I was like if he can sit here shedding tears who am I trying to be hard for. Reverand Judge Mathis gave those in attendance more to stir their souls with a eulogy worthy of a talent and person as Gerald . All i can say if his show is ever cancelled he could give Creflo Dollar a run for his money on the christrian circuit. Kim Whitley and Yolonda Adams came out together to be eachothers shoulder to lean on.Was really an emotional moment capped by Yolonda blessing the crowd with her vocal talents .
It was great seeing Marc and Sean together again was a damn shame for them to be sending their ( musical ) brother home.Though the place was packed with major major celebrities ... their was no larger star than Stevie Wonder in the place .... He sang All I Do ( check the background singers on that song ... G Levert Micheal Jackson Patti Austin )

I'm going to miss G ... His life was celebrated and as i come upon 40 his death has inspired me to take even better care of myself .Gave up bacon on double whoppers and doing at least 10 sit ups a day.