Inside the Michael Jackson Memorial: Tears and Tributes as Stars, Fans Say Farewell
At 7:55 a.m., an usher at the glass doors outside
The man in the purple polo shirt then instructed ticket-holders how to line up, and that fans would have to leave their flowers and other “gifts” on a table outside the arena, all while insisting that “it is our pleasure, it is our privilege to welcome you …” It was a moment of genuine warmth at an otherwise outsized international media event, and was maybe a better indication of what was to come than the chaotic days of planning that finally led to Tuesday’s gathering.
Part funeral, part musical celebration, the two-hour Jackson tribute was a deeply emotional and public outpouring of grief, with rousing testimonials to the late singer and inspired musical performances from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson. It was also the year’s hottest ticket. Though 17,500 tickets were distributed freely to fans by lottery, online prices were reportedly as high as $2,000, but fans outside the arena found scalpers selling for as low as $200 each.
(Photos from Michael Jackson’s
The media encampment across the street was like the Oscars and a political convention combined, with satellite trucks and television cameras to the horizon. Updates were coming from virtually every direction and cell phone. Two hours before the ceremony began, word was that
As most fans hovered by the main entrance, others gathered at the rear driveway to await the arrival of
Others lined up near the entrance to sign the collection of large white
Once inside the arena, fans and mourners were handed free programs with pages of photographs and testimonials from
Smokey Robinson began by reading statements from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela, and the first of many fans fan shouted, “We love you, Michael!” But it was mostly silence and then a standing ovation as
Mariah Carey was the first to perform, stepping out in a black, low-cut gown to begin a fragile “I’ll Be There,” the