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Version 32 | Version 33 |
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Emotional farewell to King of Pop | Emotional farewell to King of Pop |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service. | Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service. |
Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as "the best father you could ever imagine". | Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as "the best father you could ever imagine". |
The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral. | The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral. |
Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage. | Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage. |
Jackson's siblings, children and parents took part in a chorus of We Are The World and Heal the World. | Jackson's siblings, children and parents took part in a chorus of We Are The World and Heal the World. |
His family, with the brothers each wearing a single jewelled glove in Jackson's honour, then took to the podium. | His family, with the brothers each wearing a single jewelled glove in Jackson's honour, then took to the podium. |
Michael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single gloves | Michael Jackson's brothers wore his trademark single gloves |
Comforted by aunts and uncles, Paris stepped up the microphone. "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said. | Comforted by aunts and uncles, Paris stepped up the microphone. "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said. |
"And I just wanted to say I love him so much." | "And I just wanted to say I love him so much." |
Marlon Jackson spoke of the troubles his brother faced. "We will never, never, understand what he endured," he said. | Marlon Jackson spoke of the troubles his brother faced. "We will never, never, understand what he endured," he said. |
"Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed. How much pain can one take? | "Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed. How much pain can one take? |
"Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone." | "Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone." |
'Nothing strange' | 'Nothing strange' |
Jackson's brother Jermaine earlier took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching." | Jackson's brother Jermaine earlier took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching." |
At the start of the service, Jackson's brothers carried the golden flower-draped coffin into 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. | At the start of the service, Jackson's brothers carried the golden flower-draped coffin into 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. |
Mariah Carey was among the artists paying tribute, performing I'll Be There and ending with the words: "We miss you." | Mariah Carey was among the artists paying tribute, performing I'll Be There and ending with the words: "We miss you." |
Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you." | Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you." |
Civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy. | Civil rights leader the Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy. |
"It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it." | "It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it." |
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 Ross In quotes: Jackson memorial Jackson memorial gives web boost | 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 Ross In quotes: Jackson memorial Jackson memorial gives web boost |
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." |
Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage. | Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage. |
Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart." | Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart." |
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. | Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross. |
Images of Jackson flashed on screens as Stevie Wonder performed | Images of Jackson flashed on screens as Stevie Wonder performed |
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." |
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 was adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009." | The stage was adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009." |
'Everybody cried' | 'Everybody cried' |
Speaking after the event, one fan, Marianne Green, told the BBC the memorial was "heart wrenching". | Speaking after the event, one fan, Marianne Green, told the BBC the memorial was "heart wrenching". |
"It was really beautiful. A lot of people got up and said wonderful things," she said. | "It was really beautiful. A lot of people got up and said wonderful things," she said. |
Pamela Green added: "We laughed at some jokes, but everybody cried. I've never seen anything like that, ever." | Pamela Green added: "We laughed at some jokes, but everybody cried. I've never seen anything like that, ever." |
Millions of fans around the world watched on TV. | Millions of fans around the world watched 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. |
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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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |