July 9th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
While the whereabouts of Michael Jackson’s body remain a mystery, it’s been revealed how his golden casket exited the Staples Center without attracting the attention of the hundreds camped outside: E! News reports that security moved the casket through an underground tunnel that connects it to the Nokia Theatre. Janet, LaToya and Rebbie Jackson used the same means to get to the theater to thank fans watching the memorial there on Tuesday.
From the tunnel, MJ’s body was transferred to a waiting van at an L.A. Live loading dock and taken to a refrigerated mortuary storage at an undisclosed location.
The Jackson family has yet to reveal where Michael’s final resting place will be.
July 9th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
No one ever said saying good-bye to the King of Pop would be easy — or inexpensive: L.A. shelled out $1.4 million to provide security, security, traffic control and other services for Michael Jackson’s memorial service, city officials said Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.
Most of that went towards the $1.1 million in overtime pay for the 4,173 police officers who were securing the Staples Center, Forest Lawn cemetery and any other area that attracted large numbers of people, the LAPD said. Money also went towards traffic control and cleanup.
City officials are looking at ways to defray the cost, including forcing third parties to pay some of the bill, and setting up a Web site urging fans to make tax-deductible donations to help out. So far contributions have reached $17,000 but have been set back by technical problems.
July 8th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
Mariah Carey had the responsibility of being the first performer during yesterday’s memorial service for Michael Jackson, opening with the Jackson 5 classic, “I’ll Be There.” And if she seemed a little off, a little less Mariah, there’s a reason.
She explained her choked up performance via a series of Twitter posts, saying:
“Just recovering from the day. Still filled w/sadness as we listen to KJLH in LA (Stevie Wonder’s radio station) paying tribute to MJ. Trying to sing today was basically impossible for me. I could barely keep myself from crying. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to pull it together and really do it right, but I was literally choked up when I saw him there in front of me. One thing I know is, we will never really have to say goodbye to MJ. His legacy lives on through his music and the millions of people. He inspired with his timeless music. He will be forever in our hearts.”
July 7th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
Today’s memorial service for Michael Jackson will have no lack of famous faces, as his friends, family and fans all arrive at L.A.’s Staples Center for the 1 p.m. PT tribute.
Thus far, the Jackson family has arrived in a group of SUVs with Rev. Al Sharpton. Others making their way into the Staples Center include Brooke Shields, Usher, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Martin Luther King III, Kim Kardashian (who Tweeted about driving to the ceremony), choreographer Wade Robson, Jesse Jackson, the Wayans family, Tatum O’Neal and Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam.
Stay tuned for more.
July 7th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
Eventually, Michael Jackson will join his idols Fred Astaire and Sammy Davis Jr. when he’s buried near them at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in L.A. But the late King of Pop has miles to go before his final resting place.
His family honored his memory with a wake at Forest Lawn last night, and gathered again this morning for a private funeral at 8:15 a.m. PT. However MJ won’t be buried just yet, reports Eonline.com, as his coffin will travel next to the Staples Center 11 miles away for the public memorial, which will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. PT.
“It’s kind of mind-boggling. An estimated billion people are going to watch this across the world,” Jackson family spokesman Ken Sunshine told CNN this morning. “I don’t think there’s ever been a world entertainer like Michael Jackson… it’s unparalleled.” Read more »
July 7th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
Soon after billions watch the Michael Jackson memorial service broadcast from L.A.’s Staples Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland will continue the tribute with a candlelight vigil, the Associated Press reports.
Tonight’s event will include speeches from a local pastor and Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Fans will also be encouraged to give their own testimonial about MJ during the outdoor ceremony on the Hall of Fame’s plaza.
The museum will also unveil a special memorial wall devoted to the King of Pop, who was inducted into the RRHOF twice: once in 1997 as part of the Jackson 5 and again in 2001 as a solo artist.
July 7th, 2009 / Author: Mary Beth Quirk
Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson became friends at just 13, when both were already famous. In a special commemorative issue of Rolling Stone dedicated to MJ, Brooke remembers how easy and childlike that friendship really was.
“Nothing was jaded about him,” she tells the magazine, adding that it was comfortable being friends because sexuality wasn’t part of their relationship. At the time, she was “the most celebrated virgin ever” during a period in Michael’s life when other women “wanted to throw themselves at [him] and feel like they were going to teach him.” Read more »
July 6th, 2009
The stage is being set for Michael Jackson’s family to fight to gain control over his estate. Lawyers for Katherine Jackon, MJ’s 79-year-old mother, and two co-executors of his 2002 will, John Branca and John McClain, are going to meet in Los Angeles Superior Court today.
Before the will’s existence was revealed, the court had granted Katherine temporary control over his affairs. The will however, only gives her legal guardianship over his three children, Prince Michael Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael II, aka Blanket. In the will, Michael leaves his estate to the Jackson Family Trust, his kids and various charities.
His estate is valued at more than $500 million, even though at the time of his death he was reportedly $400 million in debt. He had assets that could be valued as high as $1 billion, some reports indicate, including include part ownership in a music catalog of songs from the Beatles and other recording artists.
A separate hearing involving custody of his children with ex-wife Debbie Rowe has been postponed until July 13.
July 6th, 2009
Mariah Carey first performed the Jackson 5’s "I’ll Be There" in 1992 on MTV’s Unplugged, a move that reacquainted fans with the 1970 classic. And now Mariah will reportedly be paying tribute to Michael Jackson with her version of that song during the King of Pop’s memorial service tomorrow at the Staples Center in L.A., TMZ reports.
Another big name performer rumored to be paying respect to MJ through music is Jennifer Hudson.
Over 1.6 million people have registered for tickets to the event, which will also be broadcast live at the nearby Nokia Theater. In anticipation of the large crowds, L.A. police are urging fans to stay home and watch the memorial service.
