Jackson fans hope for memorial tickets

6 Jul 2009, 8:14 am   -   Source: AP/AFP/SBS
0 Comments
Share This
+ Comment
0
Michael Jackson fans have set up impromptu tributes to the pop icon in Los Angeles

Michael Jackson fans have set up impromptu tributes to the pop icon in Los Angeles

More than one and a half million music fans are set to learn whether they are among the lucky few to win tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service.

RELATED

More than one and a half million music fans are set to learn today whether they are among the lucky few to win tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles.

Some 1.6 million US fans registered online for free in the random draw. Just 8,750 names will be chosen, with each person selected receiving two tickets to Wednesday's service.

Michael Roth, a spokesman for AEG Live, the owner of memorial venue the Staples Center, said winners were in the process of being notified.

The tickets will admit 11,000 people to the Staples Center plus 6,500 in the Nokia Theater overflow section next door.

Streets around the stadium will be closed to prevent those without tickets from trying to attend, and organisers have appealed to them to stay away.

No details of what the service will involve have been revealed, but organizers say the 90-minute event will be a celebration of the life of Jackson, who died on June 25 at age 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest.

Private family funeral planned

The show's producer told the New York Daily News the service would likely feature performances from stars but would be restrained.

"It will be a celebration of Michael's life (but) we're not approaching it as a TV show," Ken Ehrlich was quoted as saying.

"In the future, there may be a tribute to Michael Jackson. This is really a memorial service. It's not going to have all the bells and whistles. We want to keep it low-key.

"People who are watching it, both live and on TV, can expect to see people who have played a role in his life, who will both be reminiscing about him and speaking to the impact he's made," he added.

More than 10 days on, the cause of Jackson's death is still unclear; autopsy results are not expected for several weeks.

The pop icon's family is planning a private funeral ceremony at Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills, LAPD Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.

Live TV broadcast of memorial

Tributes and accolades keep coming: Madonna had a Jackson impersonator dance to Wanna Be Starting Something at her concert on Saturday in the same London arena where he was to stage his comeback.

Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state, said in an interview that Jackson had controversy in his life, but in death his art should be celebrated.

"Yes, there were some challenges in his life," the former secretary of state told CNN's State of the Union.

"Yes, there was a great deal of controversy about him. But he's now passed on. Let's celebrate his art."

The memorial service will be broadcast on five US television networks, after NBC executives changed their minds and decided to air the service live alongside ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E!
Entertainment.

Police preparing for huge crowds

Before the ticket drawing, officials of AEG will "scrub" the entries to eliminate duplicates and any suspected of being made by automated systems, Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine said.

Winners receive a unique code and instructions on how to pick up their tickets at an off-site distribution centre. When they pick up their tickets, a wristband will be placed on their wrists.

To prevent ticket scalping, fans must have both the ticket and the wristband to enter Staples Center. Wristbands that have been ripped, taped or tampered with will be voided.

Los Angeles authorities are preparing for huge crowds. Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell would not say how many police would be on the job, but alluded to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the recent championship celebration for the Los Angeles Lakers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The ceremony will not be shown on Staples' giant outdoor TV screen and there will be no funeral procession through the city.


 

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.