LA plans for massive crowds during Michael Jackson public memorial; ticket lottery announced

August 18th, 2009 President to attend memorial for Walter CronkiteNEW YORK — The White House says President Barack Obama is among the dignitaries scheduled to speak at a memorial service for the late CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite next month. The memorial is set for Sept.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson memorial ends with star's kids on stageLOS ANGELES — An emotional public memorial for Michael Jackson has concluded in Los Angeles. The ceremony attended by thousands in the downtown Staples Center and watched by millions around the world had a spiritual tone punctuated by performances and remembrances.

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 7th, 2009 Emotional public memorial for Jackson concludesLOS ANGELES — An emotional public memorial for Michael Jackson has concluded in Los Angeles. The ceremony attended by thousands in the downtown Staples Center and watched by millions around the world had a spiritual tone punctuated by performances and remembrances.

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 Fans gather outside Jackson memorial siteLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson fans have come from near and far to say goodbye to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. and Europe for his public memorial in Los Angeles.

July 6th, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson fans who try to enter the venue of the King of Pop's funeral in Los Angeles Tuesday without a ticket will be dealt with strictly, police said Monday. Officials have warned fans to stay away from the star's memorial service as they can face a hard response from police if found without a ticket, reports contactmusic.com.

July 6th, 2009 Clarification: Michael Jackson-TVNEW YORK — In a July 4 story about various television networks' coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial service, The Associated Press reported that Fox News Channel had not announced its plans. Fox communicated its plans Friday to several news organizations, not including the AP.

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 4th, 2009 Networks to offer live Jackson memorial coverageNEW YORK — The memorial for Michael Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn't be hard to find it on television. ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment are among the networks that have already announced plans to offer live coverage of the Tuesday memorial, set for 10 a.m.

July 3rd, 2009 Jackson memorial tentatively set for Tuesday in LALOS ANGELES — An executive with a concert promoter says Michael Jackson's memorial service will be Tuesday at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles — if that's what his mother wants. Randy Phillips, chief executive for AEG Live, which owns Staples and was Jackson's promoter, says he met Thursday with Jackson's brother Randy.

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 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 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Late King of Pop Michael Jackson's family have declared that they will not be having a public viewing of the superstar's body at the Neverland Ranch. The family's publicist Ken Sunshine announced that there would be a public memorial for the fallen King of Pop, but it would not be held at his famed Ranch.

June 27th, 2009 LONDON - Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed has said that a Michael Jackson memorial statue will be put up at the Knightsbridge store. Fayed said: "I'm distraught, can't believe this could happen, it's a total shock.