Spicezee BureauLos Angeles, July 08: Michael Jackson finally rested in style befitting a king. A host of celebrities and thousands of fans descended in Los Angeles to sing, cry, dance and share their memories of Jackson, as he was laid to rest.
Full Coverage: Goodbye Michael Jackson >>
The final farewell of Michael Jackson began at the Staples Center with condolences being read out by Smokey Robinson from the late singer's mentor and friend Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
His body was driven in a flurry of SUVs placed in a golden casket worth USD25,000. The casket was brought into Staples Center by his brothers as Andrae Crouch choir sang "Soon and Very Soon."
Pastor Lucious W. Smith of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena gave the invocation followed by singer Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz singing a soulful 'I'll Be There' of 1970 as she burst into tears at the end of her performance. The song is a part of MJ's first album The Jackson 5. The rendition was followed by Hollywood star Queen Latifah paying her tributes in sparkling words of an ardent fan. "He was the biggest star..thank you," she said.
"Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my life, part of the fabric of my life, in a way that I can't seem to find words to express" Diana Ross said in a message read by Smokey Robinson.
"We had great admiration for his talent and that he was able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life. Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry. And we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide," Robinson said, reading Mandela's message.
The singer’s family attended a private ceremony as per the rituals of their Jehovah's Witness beliefs at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Reverend Jesse Jackson said. A row os SUVs and other cars was seen departing from Encino, California, the family’s home early on Tuesday.
The Staples Center is the place where the superstar rehearsed in the last days of his life for London’s ‘This Is It’ concerts. The ceremony is due to begin at 1000 LA time (10.30 pm India time). The Centre has been blocked by concrete slabs and there is high security in the area.
Lionel Richie followed up Latifah's tribute to MJ with a moving 'Jesus is Love'
Motown Records chief Berry Gordy, who introduced the Jackson brothers in their first album, also paid his tributes by sharing a few memories he had with the child prodigy that became King of Pop. "The more I think and talk about Michael Jackson, I feel the King of Pop is not big enough for him," he said.
Stevie Wonder, an old friend of MJ and a legend in himself sang 'Never dreamed you'd leave in summer' to a thunderous applause. John Mayer played guitar on a whisper-light rendition of "Human Nature."
Others who paid their respects included Martin Luther King III, Jesse Jackson, Rev Al Shrapton, Magic Johnson, Brooke Shields and Kobe Bryant. Shields said MJ's favourite song was 'Smile', which was immediately rendered by MJ's brother Jermaine.
An estimated 20,000 people were in the Staples Center as Jackson's flower-draped casket was brought to the venue in a motorcade under law enforcement escort. Those who gathered constituted a visual representation of Jackson's life: black, white and everything in between, wearing fedoras and African headdresses, sequins and surgical masks.
More than 1.6 million people registered for free tickets to Jackson's downtown memorial. A total of 8,750 people were chosen to receive two tickets each.
The mystery surrounding the King of Pop’s death has been a sort of ‘thriller’ involving legal drama, frenzied fans, star power, unsavory accusations, and unending speculations.
Jackson died at age 50 with hundreds of millions in debts. But a court filing estimates his estate is worth more than USD500 million. His assets are destined for a trust, with his three children, his mother and charities as beneficiaries.
Full Coverage: Goodbye Michael Jackson >>