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This article was first published 15 years ago

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Last updated on: July 8, 2009 

Image: Memorials to pop star Michael Jackson are seen outside the gates of Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, California on July 1, 2009
Photographs: Phil Klein / Reuters

Michael Jackson's body arrived at the Staples Centre after a private ceremony on Monday. The hearse carrying the body of Michael Jackson arrived at the Staples Centre from the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where the pop legend's family held a private memorial service.

The public memorial service of Jackson will be attended by 17,500 fans and will be viewed by approximately a billion people worldwide.

Text inputs: PTI

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: A motorcade of family and friends for the funeral of Michael Jackson leave Forest Lawn cemetery in Los Angeles
Photographs: Mike Blake / Reuters

Michael's family said their goodbyes in private at a ceremony which was attended by the icon's three children among others.

The family arrived at the cemetery in a caravan of limousines escorted by the California Highway Patrol officers.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Musician Smokey Robinson speaks during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles
Photographs: Mark J. Terrill / Pool / Reuters

After the service, the hearse containing Jackson's casket was taken to the Staples Centre amid tight security. The California Highway Patrol temporarily shut down parts of the freeways to allow the hearse and its security motorcade to pass. Fans wearing gold and silver wristbands had begun streaming into the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles early in the morning, even as police cordoned off the area.

The tickets and wristbands to the event were distributed on Monday through an online lottery system. Those wearing gold wristbands were told that they would watch the event live in Staples Center. Those with silver bands will watch it live from the nearby Nokia Theatre.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Jackson Brothers accompany the casket during memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles
Photographs: Mark J. Terrill / Pool /Reuters

Los Angeles Police Department chief William J Bratton said Michael's $ 25,000 casket will be taken from the Forest Lawn memorial Park to the memorial venue in downtown Los Angeles. But he did not reveal further details about the transportation of the body, reported Los Angeles Times.

However, an official with AEG Live, the organisers of the memorial, said that there would be no funeral procession.

Some 3,200 officers are to be deployed during the memorial, said LAPD Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger.

Paysinger said that the deployment for past events, including the 1984 Olympics, 'pale in comparison to what we have assembled today.'

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Singers Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz sing "I'll Be There"
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz were the first performers at the memorial service for Michael Jackson. The duo belted out I'll Be There terrifically.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Lionel Ritchie performs during a memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles
Photographs: Wally Skalij / Pool / Reuters

Lionel Richie sang Jesus Is Love to an emotional audience.

Michael's close friend Diana Ross could not attend the memorial and sent her apologies. Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Michael on Thriller and We Are The World, is in Europe and remained absent as well.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Musician Stevie Wonder performs during memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Stevie Wonder performed to I Never Dreamt You'd Leave in Summer. "This is the moment I wished I never lived to see come," he said.

Queen Latifa also spoke of the icon. "We felt he was there for us... One of the first records we bought was Dance Machine and we tried to be like robots," she smiled, adding, "He was the biggest star on earth."

Musician Stevie Wonder performs during memorial services for pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Singer Jennifer Hudson performs at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Cente
Photographs: Kevork Djansezian /Pool / Reuters
Jennifer Hudson, who came into prominence thanks to American Idol, sang Will You Be There at the memorial.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Actress Brooke Shields speaks at Michael Jackson's public memorial service held at Staples Center
Photographs: Kevork Djansezian / Pool / Reuters

Brook Shields, who was rumoured to have had an affair with Michael, broke down at the memorial.

She spoke about the icon, and how he tried to teach her the moonwalk in vain.

Michael's close friends and basketball stars Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant also payed tribute to MJ. Singer Usher sang Gone too soon.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Singer Jermaine Jackson performs at Michael Jackson's public memorial service held at Staples Center
Photographs: Kevork Djansezian/ Pool / Reuters

Jermaine sang Michael's favourite song, Smile, which featured in the 1936 Charlie Chaplin film Mordern Times.

MJ's blockbuster songs We Are The World and Heal The World were also performed on stage.

Good Bye, Michael Jackson

Image: Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, cries as she attempts to speak during memorial services for MJ
Photographs: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

Michael's family was present at the memorial in full attendance. While Jermaine thanked fans for paying tribute, brother Marlon broke down while talking.

Michael's daughter Paris Katherine Jackson made her first public appearance, and broke down on stage.