Fans and stars remember Jackson…

BBC NEWS

07/07/09

Fans, family, friends and stars are saying farewell to Michael Jackson at a memorial service in Los Angeles.

His coffin was carried into the Staples Center in Los Angeles by his brothers following an earlier private funeral.

The coffin was placed in front of the stage before Mariah Carey opened the show singing I’ll Be There, ending with the words: “We miss you.”

Stevie Wonder also appeared, saying: “This is a moment I wished I didn’t live to see come. Michael I love you.”

The crowd cheered as the flower-draped coffin entered the arena to the strains of a choir singing “Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the King” from the song Soon And Very Soon.

The stage was adorned with flowers and a tribute to Jackson Reporters’ log: Live updates

Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, delivered a personal tribute, ending with the words: “Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever.”

The 17,500 people in the arena cheered as clips of Jackson’s life and music were played on big screens.

Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross.

The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. “I’m trying to find closure,” it said.

“I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center I am there in my heart.

“Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express.

“Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they ever need me. I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him.”

There is a huge international media presence outside the Staples Center

Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah also paid tribute.

Other people taking part include Usher and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller – Live.

The stage is adorned with the star’s image, alongside a mural carrying the words: “In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop – 1958-2009.”

Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV.

Roads were closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Center, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his sudden death aged 50 on 25 June.

Family members had earlier attended a funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.

It is not known where Jackson’s final resting place will be. Early reports suggested he would be buried at his infamous Neverland Ranch, but this may prove impossible due to California’s complex planning laws.

He could be buried at Forest Lawn, alongside the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Andy Gibb, Liberace, Mary Pickford, George Burns and Clara Bow.

MEMORIAL LINE-UP Stevie Wonder (pictured) Mariah Carey Usher Lionel Richie Kobe Bryant Jennifer Hudson John Mayer Martin Luther King III Rev Al Sharpton Smokey Robinson Brooke Shields Shaheen Jafargholi Berry Gordy

More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the memorial event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.

BBC News reporter Peter Bowes says there was an “air of tension” as fans filed into the memorial.

“Security is intense but the process of getting people inside has been orderly,” he added.

“The huge media presence outside has created a circus-like atmosphere.”

The Los Angeles Police Department, trying to avoid a mob scene, warned those without tickets they would not be able to get close to the venue.

One person not attending is Jackson’s former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.

“The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael’s legacy,” her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement.

“Debbie will continue to celebrate Michael’s memory privately.”

Jackson’s long-time friend Elizabeth Taylor has also declined the opportunity to speak at the memorial.

“I cannot be part of the public whoopla [sic],” she wrote on Twitter.

“And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word.”

“I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event.”

About 50 cinemas across the US are showing the memorial live.

It is also being relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.