WASHINGTON - John Mayer has said that he chose not to sing at Michael Jackson’s memorial in Los Angeles because he believes that he cannot replicate the legend.

The singer had performed an instrumental of the hit single ‘Human Nature’ at the event in Staples Center.

“The decision not to sing came from knowing what’s best for me. I think it’s a mine field to try in any way to replicate vocally what Michael Jackson has done,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

He also explained that by not singing he wanted the absence of King of Pop to be realized.

He said: “And in a way, it was sort of respectfully leaving an absence, you know, sort of the presence of his absence.”

Mayer also revealed that he was amazed on being invited to the ceremony and wanted to confirm if the Jackson family wished him to come.

He added: “The first thing I said was a question, ‘Does this really come from the family?’ I think that was essential to me to be able to process the honor.

“It took me about 48 hours to strike the balance in how I was going to approach being invited to this unbelievable event without actually having the proximity to Michael Jackson, personally. I’d never met him.”

Mariah Carey, Usher and Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson had also performed at the event. (ANI)