Michael Jackson hailed during emotional memorial service

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The 31-car funeral procession for Michael Jackson arrives at Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks in Glendale. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Prince Michael Jackson, far right, with Katherine and Joe Jackson in the background, sits through his father’s funeral. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Lisadawn Marble, right, and other fans hold a banner of Michael Jackson as they wait for the pop singer’s funeral service at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale. Jackson died June 25 in Los Angeles. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Photographers trained their lenses on every vehicle entering the cemetery. During the service, singer Gladys Knight sang the gospel hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” accompanied by Greg Phillinganes. Songwriter Clifton Davis sang the Jackson 5 song “Never Can Say Goodbye,” which he wrote for the group. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Actress Elizabeth Taylor, a friend of Jackson’s, arrives at the funeral. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Hundreds of media representatives wait outside Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale, where Michael Jackson was to be interred Thursday in a private ceremony. Elizabeth Taylor, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Macaulay Culkin, baseball player Barry Bonds, comic Chris Tucker and lawyer Thomas A. Mesereau Jr., who successfully defended Jackson on charges of sexual molestation four years ago, attended the event. Jackson, 50, was stricken June 25 at his rented home in Holmby Hills. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has ruled his death a homicide and determined that a surgical anesthetic combined with other medication killed him. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Jackson fan Demarco DeLeon shows his “Love4 MJ” license plate outside Forest Lawn. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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Police stand at the intersection of Chick Hearn Court and Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles in the pre-dawn hours before the Michael Jackson public memorial. (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Police gather to discuss security in the pre-dawn hours on Olympic Boulevard as fans gather to pay respects to Michael Jackson at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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From left, Michelle Ushe and Cassandra Anderson from Orange County relax on Olympic Boulevard in the early morning hours as they wait for the Michael Jackson public memorial to start. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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From left, Hannah Chavez, 16, Orpha Chavez, 18, Tikeira Tillis, 13, and her mom, Celesia Allison, wake up in the early morning hours on Olympic Boulevard after arriving the night before for the public memorial service. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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The Jackson family motorcade arrives at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills for a family service prior to the Staples Center event. (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

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The casket containing the body of Michael Jackson is carried to the hearse at Forest Lawn cemetery. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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A close-up view of Michael Jackson’s casket draped with red roses as his body is transported from Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills to Staples Center after a private memorial. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Family and friends follow a hearse carrying Michael Jackson’s casket from Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills to Staples Center after a private memorial. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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The funeral procession for Michael Jackson arrives at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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The hearse containing Michael Jackson’s coffin arrives for the singer’s memorial at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans wait to enter Staples Center for Michael Jackson’s memorial. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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A fan gets the crowd going with words from a Michael Jackson song outside Staples Center. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Serena Romaya, 12, of San Diego, waits with her mom, Marcella, to enter Staples Center. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Anthony Angel, 8, of Los Angeles, poses for his mom, Michelle Javellana, in front of a board where fans could leave notes outside Staples Center. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Lindsay Parker, 25, of San Diego holds her Michael Jackson memorial ticket in her gloved hand while she waits in line to enter the Staples Center area as fans gather for the memorial service. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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A video screen shows Michael Jackson waving as fans, police and people selling Michael Jackson merchandise gather around Staples Center. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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A street vendor holds a Michael Jackson picture for sale at 11th and Flower streets near Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Ticket holders to Michael Jackson’s public memorial line up early at the corner of 11th and Flower streets while police block the road near Staples Center. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Bobby Urbaitel, 27, wears his favorite Michael Jackson buttons on his lapel before entering Staples Center for the pop singer’s memorial. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans stand around a heart made of roses in memory of Michael Jackson in front of Staples Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Chris Escobar, 13, does the moonwalk for ticket holders before entering Staples Center for Michael Jackson’s memorial. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

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Ticket holders to Michael Jackson’s public memorial line up early at the corner of 11th and Flower streets near Staples Center. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton surveys the scene outside Staples Center before the public memorial for Michael Jackson. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Naomi Belayneh, right, of Seattle buys T-shirts from vendor Randolph Hill, left, as fans, police and people selling Michael Jackson merchandise gather around Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial service. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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The first group of fans wearing wristbands for entry into Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial service cross Olympic Boulevard into the cordoned off area just after 7 a.m. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans relax in the shade at Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Above them, a tribute to Jackson is projected on the wall of a car wash. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans wait until 7 a.m. to make their way across Olympic Boulevard at Figueroa Street for the Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Only those with tickets and wristbands got in. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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Fan Inga Schuenemann leads others in song at 11th and Flower streets near Staples Center. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans who weren’t lucky enough to get memorial tickets mingle outside the Staples Center, sharing memories of the pop superstar. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans sing and chant at 11th and Flower streets near Staples Center. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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A fan tribute board to Michael Jackson outside Staples Center. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

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Cartasia Perkins, left, weeps with her sister Nichole Thompson along Flower Street. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ticket holders are given programs at Staples Center. (Genaro Miolina / Los Angeles Times)

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Guests look through programs before the memorial service for Michael Jackson at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

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Onstage preparations continue as people begin to gather for the Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson arrives at the Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Fans grieve as they listen to opening remarks during Michael Jackson’s memorial at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Michael Jackson’s casket, covered in roses, was taken to Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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A fan, holding a single rose, watches the Jackson memorial. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Smokey Robinson speaks at the memorial service for Michael Jackson at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Music producer and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. was among those who spoke at the event. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Michael Jackson’s memorial begins with an Andrae Crouch Choir performance at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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A crowd fills Staples Center for the Michael Jackson memorial in L.A. Jackson, 50, died June 25, after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Queen Latifah, left, speaks under a huge image of Michael Jackson during a memorial at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Mariah Carey, left, and Trey Lorenz sing at the memorial. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz perform “I’ll Be There.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Lionel Richie sings “Jesus Is Love.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Jennifer Hudson performs. The “American Idol” vocalist took on Jackson’s 1991 single, “Will You Be There,” transforming it into a rousing, feel-good anthem. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Stevie Wonder sang “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer,” noting that Jackson had covered the song himself “so incredibly.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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The rose-covered coffin holding the remains of singer Michael Jackson rests in the front of the stage at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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R&B star Usher sings his rendition of “Gone Too Soon,” a song originally dedicated to young AIDS victim Ryan White, from Jackson’s album “Dangerous.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Jermaine Jackson sings at his younger brother’s memorial service. About 17,500 members of the public received tickets to attend the event. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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The King of Pop’s rose-covered casket at Staples Center. (Kevin Mazur / MJ Memorial via Getty Images)

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Pallbearers take Michael Jackson’s coffin from in front of the Staples Center stage. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Pallbearers carry Michael Jackson’s coffin. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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The rose-covered coffin of Michael Jackson is carried out after the memorial at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

By Geoff Boucher and Cara Mia DiMassa

July 7, 2009 1:07 PM PT

Music legends, sports figures, and civil rights leaders paid tribute to Michael Jackson today during an emotional, song-filled service at Staples Center that was part polished entertainment, part revival meeting.

Jackson was praised as a music pioneer and a barrier-breaking cultural figure, who the Rev. Al Sharpton said paved the way for other black entertainers to reach superstardom.

“Michael made us love each other. Michael taught us to stand with each other,” Sharpton said.

Audience members -- dancing along to some musical performances, and stifling tears at some of the many tributes to the singer. There were also shouts from the audience of “Power to the people,” “Long live the king,” and “We miss you Michael!”

The service culminated with Jackson’s 11-year-old daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson -- in tears -- telling the audience from the stage, “I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

It began as Jackson’s gilded casket -- borne by a group of pallbearers each wearing sequined glove -- was brought into Staples Center to a standing ovation. Many in the audience snapping pictures with their cellphones. A gospel choir sang in front of a backdrop made to resemble a stained glass window.

Event producer Ken Ehrlich said that the service was showing all of the many facets of Jackson’s influence. “All the colors of his life are coming out, everyone is saying something different and authentic,” he said as the show was under way.

Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sang Jackson’s “I’ll Be There.” Jennifer Hudson sang his hit “Will You Be There.” And John Mayer performed “Human Nature” on his guitar.

Lionel Richie sang his Commodores song “Jesus Is Love.” And Jackson’s brother, Jermaine Jackson, sang what actress Brooke Shields called Jackson’s favorite song: “Smile,” from the Charlie Chaplin movie “Modern Times.”

Holding back tears, Shields told the crowd that the two former child stars were always “two little kids having fun” when they were together. She recalled Jackson trying to teach her unsuccessfully -- to do the moonwalk.

“He was caring and funny, honest, pure, non-jaded and a lover of life,” she said.

Lakers star Kobe Bryant called the singer a “true humanitarian, who gave as much off stage as he did onstage.”

Queen Latifah read a poem from Maya Angelou that praised the singer’s global influence, from Japan to Ghana. “We are missing Michael Jackson,” the poem read. “But we do know we had him, and we are the world.”

Motown founder Berry Gordy said that Jackson -- who began his career as part of the Jackson 5 for Motown -- “was like a son to me. Gordy called Jackson “the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” The pronouncement was greeted with massive applause.

“He was driven by his hunger to learn,” Gordy said, “to confidently top himself, to be the best, the consummate student. He studied the greats and became greater. He raised the bar and then broke the bar.”

Gordy made note of Jackson’s checkered past--which included a series of allegations of child molestation. “Sure there were sad times and questionable decisions on his part, but Michael Jackson accomplished everything he dreamed of.”

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who said that she honored Jackson’s “American story,” also appeared to refer Jackson’s legal troubles.

“We understand the Constitution, and we understand laws, and we know that people are innocent until proven otherwise. That is what the Constitution stands for,” she said.

Near the end of the service, the immediate Jackson family, clad in black, gathered on the stage. Most of Jackson’s brothers wore matching yellow ties, with red roses on their lapels.

Brother Jermaine Jackson thanked the people in the arena for coming to the service. “As you know,” he said, “I am lost for words. I was his voice and his backbone. I had his back. So did the family. But we thank you. That’s all I can say. We thank you very much. “

Brother Marlon said that “we will never understand what he endured, never being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathering.”

“Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone,” he said.

Jackson’s three children were seated in the front row, next to his mother, Katherine Jackson. They stood up and applauded with the crowd as Sharpton praised Jackson as a trailblazer for African Americans.

The service was televised live around the globe. Fans started gathering outside Staples Center as early as 1 a.m. this morning. The lucky ones wore gold and silver wristbands, which designated them as the holders of approximately 17,500 tickets to the memorial service, given out through an online lottery.

Those who streamed into a cordoned-off area around the Staples Center included Savoy Brown, 42, an educator from Diamond Bar, said he almost missed attending because he was serving as a deliberating juror for a trial in Pomona.

He told his fellow jurors Monday morning that he had gotten a ticket from a friend who won the lottery. “I went in and was like, I have a ticket so I hope we get outta here today.”

It looked like a long shot, but after lunch “there was kinda a breakthrough and we reached a verdict,” he said.

Just north of Olympic Boulevard on Figueroa Street, vendors yelled “MJ stickers,” “one for three, two for five -- Michael Jackson photo postcards,” and “Ice cold bottled water!”

As police told the street vendors without permits to pack up and leave, someone gave the young woman a ticket. She broke into tears, her black mascara running down her face.

“I didn’t think that there would be someone that would give me a ticket,” said Akiko Seno, 25, who said she flew from Kanagawa, Japan for the memorial. She spoke in Japanese to journalists and a reporter from The Yomiuri Shimbun helped translate.

The service was attended by celebrities representing all ranges of Jackson’s influence on American entertainment and culture. Louis Farrakhan and Jesse Jackson arrived within minutes of one another. Mickey Rooney, Don King, Barbara Walters, Wesley Snipes, directors Brett Ratner and Spike Lee, and TV stars Lou Ferrigno, Tyler Perry and Omarosa were all spotted entering or inside the Staples Center.

While the Los Angeles Police Department deployed 3,200 officers for both a private service at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills and the public ceremony at Staples Center, LAPD Chief William J. Bratton said that the crowd appeared to be smaller than initial estimates. “After the event starts, we will begin to de-escalate our presence, which is good news from a financial standpoint,” he said. “Very good news.”

As the show got under way, LAPD Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz reported that most people seemed to have followed the plea to stay home and watch it on TV.

“We have less than 600 people on the Staples Center perimeter,” he said. “We are very happy the public heeded the message that best place to watch was on TV.”

Still, public officials were concerned enough about the cost of policing the event that the city of Los Angeles posted a plea on its website to Jackson fans, asking them to “help the City of Angels provide the extraordinary public safety resources required to give Michael the safe, orderly and respectful memorial he deserves.”

It offered people the chance to help defray city costs for the service, using PayPal, saying that all donations are tax-deductible.

Outside the cordoned-off area around Staples Center this morning, 32-year-old Anthony Spearman held a sign that said “Stop USEing My Taxes 4 Millionaires.

Spearman said he works for USC and has been living in Los Angeles for two years. He said his hours have recently been cut at work and it’s hard to pay rent “but they’re going to use my taxpayer dollars to pay for his funeral.”

“I have respect for MJ and everything,” Spearman said, “but I don’t think it’s right.”

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Times staff writers Maria Elena Fernandez, Andrew Blankstein, Kimi Yoshino, Ari B. Bloomekatz, Harriet Ryan, Chris Lee, Louis Sahagun, Hector Becerra, Richard Winton, Ruben Vives, Jia-Rui Chong, Rong-Gong Lin II, Nicole Santa Cruz and Phil Willon contributed to this report.

Michael Jackson hailed during emotional memorial service

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