Jackson’s promoter to provide 11,000 free tickets for memorial

July 7th, 2009 LA sets up Web site for Jackson memorial donationsLOS ANGELES — Deficit-ridden Los Angeles is asking Michael Jackson fans to help pay the bill for police and other public servants needed for the entertainer's memorial service. A Web site was posted Tuesday seeking donations to cover the costs, estimated at between $1.5 million and $4 million, according to Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

July 7th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Thousands of police deployed in downtown Los Angeles early Tuesday as the world's entertainment capital braced itself for the memorial service of one of the greatest entertainers in history. Police said the operation ahead of the public memorial for Michael Jackson exceeded that of all past events in the city's history, including the 1984 Olympics, the Los Angeles Times reported.

July 6th, 2009 OMG!! Jackson memorial passes start to trickle outLOS ANGELES — Who's getting the tickets? Like a modern-day Willy Wonka tale, more than 1.6 million fans waited to learn Sunday whether they were among the lucky few to win access to Michael Jackson's memorial service Tuesday at Staples Center. On Sunday evening, fans around the world started posting Twitter messages about receiving tickets.

July 6th, 2009 Tears turn to tweets for Jackson memorial tickets LOS ANGELES — Thousands of fans shouted, posted and tweeted with celebration as they learned they were receiving the hottest ticket in the nation to Tuesday's Michael Jackson memorial at Staples Center. "Congratulations, your application was successful," said an e-mail message to Deka Motanya, 27, of San Francisco.

July 6th, 2009 Judge backs Michael Jackson lawyer and friendLOS ANGELES — A judge said Monday that Michael Jackson's longtime attorney and a family friend should take over the pop singer's estate for now, rejecting a request from Jackson's mother to be put in charge. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff backed attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, who had been designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to administer his estate.

July 6th, 2009 LA would 'love' Jackson contribution for memorial LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe will attend the pop superstar's memorial service. Former Jackson business associate Marc Schaffel said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that Rowe was confirmed for VIP seats.

July 5th, 2009 LONDON - The funeral of pop legend Michael Jackson is expected to be unforgettable with a massive crowd gathering and Stevie Wonder performing as a final tribute.he singer will be playing a rendition of 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' with the lyrics changed to, 'Michael knows that I'm here and I love you.' "The memorial is going to be one of the most memorable and outstanding shows ever. There are still a lot of plans being discussed but one thing for sure is that Michael has always been a great show and sending him off with a great show is the best tribute we could pay him," the Mirror quoted Jeffrey Daniel, of 80s pop group Shalamar - the man who taught Jackson his signature moonwalk.

July 5th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - More than 1.2 million Michael Jackson fans had requested tickets by Saturday afternoon for admission to his memorial tribute Tuesday in Los Angeles, a number that could climb to over two million. Only 8,750 of those people will win two tickets each for themselves and a partner to attend the event at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, Tmz.com reported online.

July 4th, 2009 LONDON - Nearly half a billion Michael Jackson fans flooded the website handing out tickets for the King of Pop's funeral at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fans were told to register on www.staplescenter.com to enter the draw for 17,500 free tickets to grab a chance to attend the two-hour funeral on July 7.

July 3rd, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Organisers Friday released the first details of Michael Jackson's public memorial service, confirming that it will take place at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday. A total of 17,500 tickets will be available via lottery for fans who register online at Staplescenter.com.

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 Ticket plans announced for Jackson memorial in LALOS ANGELES — Details of next Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson are being released in Los Angeles by the owners of Staples Center. Staples Center boss Tim Leiweke (LY'-wihk-ee) says 17,500 tickets free tickets will be provided.

July 3rd, 2009 LA police plan for huge crowd at Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds downtown during Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson at Staples Center. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.

June 30th, 2009 LONDON - Promoters of Michael Jackson's planned London concerts said Tuesday fans who bought tickets can either have the money back or keep the souvenir ticket as collectors' items. Promoter AEG Live said the tickets for the sold-out comeback concerts, titled This Is It, feature 3D graphics "inspired and designed" by the music legend, who died last week at the age of 50.

June 26th, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson fans were Friday waiting to be told whether they would receive refunds for tickets to the massive series of concerts series he had planned in London in July. Concert organisers AEG said an announcement was expected later Friday, following coordination with agents in the US.