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Fans and stars remember Jackson Fans and stars remember Jackson
(10 minutes later)
Fans, family, friends and stars are saying farewell to Michael Jackson at a memorial service in Los Angeles.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.His coffin was carried into the Staples Center in Los Angeles by his brothers following an earlier private funeral.
It was put in front of the stage as his siblings, parents and children sat in the front row, with the brothers wearing single jewelled gloves.It was put in front of the stage as his siblings, parents and children sat in the front row, with the brothers wearing single jewelled gloves.
Stevie Wonder paid tribute, saying: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you."Stevie Wonder paid tribute, 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 crowd cheered as the golden 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 class="" href="/2/hi/entertainment/8139422.stm">Reporters' log: Live updates Michael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single gloves
Mariah Carey opened the show, performing I'll Be There, ending with the words: "We miss you."Mariah Carey opened the show, performing I'll Be There, ending with the words: "We miss you."
Jackson's brother Jermaine took to the stage to perform the song Smile, while others paying tribute included Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Brooke Shields.Jackson's brother Jermaine took to the stage to perform the song Smile, while others paying tribute included Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Brooke Shields.
Some sang, while others spoke about their memories of the King of Pop and his influence on music and society. Many embraced family members as they left the stage.Some sang, while others spoke about their memories of the King of Pop and his influence on music and society. Many embraced family members as they left the stage.
The BBC's Matthew Price, who is in the arena, said: "It's had to clearly see the family but the glimpses I'm getting show a family both in mourning, and in celebration of his life.The BBC's Matthew Price, who is in the arena, said: "It's had to clearly see the family but the glimpses I'm getting show a family both in mourning, and in celebration of his life.
"There are moments of the intensely personal in this very public event.""There are moments of the intensely personal in this very public event."
Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute with the words: "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever."Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute 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.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.
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 Diana RossMichael 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 Diana Ross
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.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."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 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.""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."
The stage was adorned with flowers and a tribute to Jackson Reporters' log: Live updates
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.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."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."
There is a huge international media presence outside the Staples Center
Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV.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.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.
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.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.
One person not attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.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."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.
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.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.
Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.


Are you a Michael Jackson fan?Are you a Michael Jackson fan?
Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send us your video tributes to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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