Jacko’s memorial service set to be the ‘greatest show on earth’

September 30th, 2009 LONDON - A private memorial service to honour actor Patrick Swayze will be held at Sony Studios in Culver City, California, Sunday. The late actor's mother Patsy, brother Donald and wife Lisa Niemi are expected to attend the exclusive get-together, reported aceshowbiz.com.

September 19th, 2009 LONDON - Locals of a North Carolina community, where Patrick Swayze's film 'Dirty Dancing' was shot, are planning a memorial service for the late star. The 'Ghost' star died on Monday evening after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

July 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Los Angeles officials have launched an investigation into Michael Jackson's memorial service, examining where was the taxpayers money spent. The ceremony, held at Staples Center on July 7, worked up a whopping 1.4-million-dollar bill, most of which was spent on policing, traffic control costs and emergency services deployed at the event attended by 17,000 fans.

July 9th, 2009 LONDON - Jade Goody's family is reportedly livid with her husband Jack Tweed for missing her memorial service over a raunchy music video shoot. Jade's two sons by TV presenter Jeff Brazier - Bobby, six, and Freddie, four, her mother Jackiey and even Jack's brother Lewis attended the half-hour service of unveiling of a memorial stone and bench in London.

July 8th, 2009 LONDON - Late King of Pop Michael Jackson's daughter Paris, made her first public statement as she paid tribute to the superstar by calling him "the best father I could imagine" at his memorial service in Los Angeles. The emotional tribute by the 11-year-old girl, who Jackson shielded from public view during his life, capped a sombre, spiritual ceremony that celebrated the superstar's work through his life.

July 8th, 2009 LA city attorney seeks funds for Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles city attorney's office is investigating how the city can legally press third parties to pick up at least some of the costs for Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center. City attorney spokesman John Franklin said Wednesday that his office aims to have a report ready for the City Council by Friday.

July 7th, 2009 List of guests invited to Jackson's memorialList of guests invited to public memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles: Larry King Dionne Warwick LeVar Burton Mariah Carey Spike Lee Wesley Snipes Lou Ferrigno Stevie Wonder Usher Lionel Richie Brooke Shields Kobe Bryant Berry Gordy Jennifer Hudson Magic Johnson John Mayer Chris Brown The Rev. Jesse Jackson The Rev.

July 7th, 2009 Elephants lumber to Staples before Jackson serviceLOS ANGELES — Hours before a public memorial for Michael Jackson, a herd of elephants were on the march through downtown Los Angeles in a fitting start to a circus-like day. Eleven Asian elephants and seven horses from the Ringling Bros.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson daughter speaks at memorialLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson protected his children from the press, but the three youngsters appeared on a world stage Tuesday to honor their father at his public memorial service. Daughter Paris-Michael addressed the crowd, making an emotional statement to an audience of thousands at the Staples Center and millions more around the globe who watched the service on TV.

July 7th, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, will not be attending his memorial service. The 49-year-old mother of his two eldest kids, Prince and Paris, believes that her attendance would probably distract from the celebration of his life.

July 7th, 2009 LONDON - Sir Paul McCartney has accused Michael Jackson's dad for many of the late superstar's troubles. The former Beatle said that the King of Pop's alleged beatings from his dad Joe, 79, might have been responsible for his troubles.

July 5th, 2009 More than 1 million seek tix for Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — More than 1.2 million people have now registered to get tickets for Michael Jackson's memorial service next week. Only 11,000 tickets will be given out for the Tuesday service at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

July 3rd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Fans wanting to bid their final adieu to late King of Pop Michael Jackson can attend his memorial service free of charge. The Jackson family has confirmed that a memorial service for the late pop icon will take place on Wednesday at the Staples Centre arena in Los Angeles About 11,000 tickets will be distributed free of charge for the event, the family said, through a public relations company engaged to handle the event.

July 3rd, 2009 LA braces for horde of Michael Jackson mournersLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles officials are scrambling over the holiday weekend to figure out how to accommodate an expected horde of Michael Jackson fans who will show up for a public memorial service next week. The Jackson family said in a statement that the event has been set for 10 a.m.

June 29th, 2009 LONDON - While the sudden death of Michael Jackson has left many fans heartbroken, his records have re-entered all charts at top positions in Britain. The moonwalking superstar has a posthumous chart-topper with album Number Ones.