Millions watch Michael Jackson public memorial
(AP) - A public memorial service for Michael Jacksonbegan Tuesday with Smokey Robinson reading comments from NelsonMandela, Diana Ross and other friends of the King of Pop. Following a long silent period
News 12 Staff
•
Jul 7, 2009, 5:50 PM
•
Updated 5,396 days ago
Share:
(AP) - A public memorial service for Michael Jacksonbegan Tuesday with Smokey Robinson reading comments from NelsonMandela, Diana Ross and other friends of the King of Pop.
Following a long silent period inside the venue, piano music anda gospel choir kicked things off with a stained-glass motif in thebackground.
An estimated 20,000 people filed smoothly into the StaplesCenter as Jackson's golden, flower-draped casket was brought to thevenue in a motorcade under law enforcement escort.
Fans with a ticket wore gold wristbands and picked up a metallicgold program guide on their way in. Pallbearers who placedJackson's casket into the hearse wore gold neckties.
Jackson's hearse had been part of a motorcade that smoothlywhisked his body 10 miles across closed freeways from a privateservice at a Hollywood Hills cemetery to his public memorial andawaiting fans.
The hearse pulled into Staples Center complex and drove into anunderground structure as fans began to file into the venue for thestart of the service.
