Michael Jackson Memorial Set For Tuesday

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's memorial service has been set for Tuesday at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

AEG Live, which owns the Staples Center and was Jackson's promoter, called a press conference for Friday at 10 a.m. to announce details, according to a press release from the office of the Jackson family's publicist.

Randy Phillips, AEG's chief executive, said tickets would be free. He was not sure how they would be distributed.

But Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine said the Jackson family should consider delaying the public memorial to allow more time to plan. He also said the cash-strapped city can't afford to pay police overtime.

"If you can imagine 100,000 people show up and you have 20,000 capacity (at the Staples Center), there is not sufficient room. Now you have a crowd-control problem," Zine said. With the July Fourth holiday weekend "it's the worst time ... to work something out."

Comments

[wingnutgator]

when elvis died, his longtime manager col. tom parker stated that it was elvis's best career move yet. elvis makes more money dead than he did alive. I believe the same will be true of MJ. Plus, after you're dead it's considered bad taste for people to make
negative comments about your life.

[davidwayneosedach]

It's too bad they couldn't have the services at Never Land. It was such an important part of his life.

[MISBB]

(POEM) KING OF POP

He was a talented gifted person from GOD whom will always be a star.
Who taught us that you can Love everyone no matter who they are.
With his MOMENTOUS personality he touched our lives in a special way.
Whom was a big INSPIRATIONAL to us day by day.
One of the most CHIVALOUS men’s that you could have ever met.
He always had Pride, HONOR, and Respect.
With such an EXTRAVAGANZA style that will always be the best.
He had an AMIABLE personality when he was put to the test
There were no LIMITS in his life on what he did achieve.
I give Thanks to GOD for allowing us to see HOW HE DID SUCCEED.

JOYFUL
ASTONISHING
COMPASSION
KIND
SUPERIOR
OUTSTANDING
NATIONALITY KNOWN

NOW THAT THE KING OF POP IS GONE
HE IS AT PEACE MAY HIS LEGACY LIVE ON
©Brigitte Norris

[IslandGyal]

----------­----------­---Did you all hear the Wasilla hillbilly is stepping down as Gov on July 25th?

[spiritpony1]

the family should pay for the police overtime; mostly, this is a dumb family, alas. They would have put citizens at risk on 101, and overwhelmed Santa Barbara if their prelim. plan had gone thru--------lots of lawyering told them they couldn't put up the risk bond or get the insurance----zippo biz capabilites. Ca. is broke, systems are furloughing and laying off---------this circus should be curtailed w/ a modest, graciaous memorial ------many ways to show respect. Problem is: some of the "fans" (who have been noticeably absent the last 15 years, are looking for a party excuse-------no reason the city taxpayers should subsidize it; if the entertainment industry and family want to pay for it, their choice---

[Jeneice Rainey]

Look at it like this! All the million of dollars that said to have been donated on the behalf of his (Michael Jackson) concerts! I think that this shouldn't be a issue to us as americans in honoring him for this with money donations on the cost for his memorial expense! Other entertainers can't compare to Mr Jackson contributions (media states over 33 different contributions on Michael Jackson behalf)! Has any of you thought of this! If you have a problem with this request for funding his memorial than just do like we americans do which is too keep comments & ideals to ourselves so that you don't take away on how others are affected by his achievements, plus respecting his death on the Jackson Family behalf!

Make this one for the guipper! I don't see this as a problem of getting funding for because we as amercians should be supporters of one another!

Happy Fourth of July Americans!

[Jeneice Rainey]

Jackson family thank you for this oppurtunity! Michael Jackson RIP!

[kutkreata]

They should set up a donation page so that fans can donate to help pay for the funeral procession. They are cheating the fans. I want to be there.

[Jeneice Rainey]

Thank you for this note. That would be wonderful but you know who's got a problem with that! Even if this could be done - still others would have a probelm with this! Contact the person that commented on the issue concerning if other would contribute to help with thiscost! Wonderful gester!

Thats a start!

[spiritpony1]

a lot of the fans need to grow up--------really

[kutkreata]

so should the haters

[joy316]

They are telling us to "celebrate his life AT HOME!" Why can't they have a procession that allows those of us who can't get into the Staples Center to pay our respect to this wonderful entertainer???

[jrb35]

Remember what happened after the Lakers won the title? THAT's why they want people to stay home. Also, the city is $500 million in debt and shouldn't have to pay a million plus in overtime for cops to provide crowd control for well over a 100,000 fans.

[joy316]

They are severely limiting the possible attendance to make sure that no previous memorial attendance records are broken.

[jrb35]

No, the city is $500 million in debt and shouldn't have to spend a million plus to provide crowd control for well over a 100,000 people. Let the Jacksons pay for it. They're rich. Why should my tax dollars (I live in LA) go to pay for the funeral of a multi-millionaire entertainer?

[tel8034]

Actually no-one is FORCING the fans, the press, and the oglers to attend the memorial service ............... But they will come by the thousands and thousands.

The number of people from all over the country and all over the world who will descend on LA, and the money they inject into the economy (hotels, food, transportation, shopping) will be more than enough to cover the costs of extra police needed for crowd control.

None of these people are responsible for the FINANCIAL MESS California has gotten themselves into under the leadership of a republican governor, who enacted the republican FAILED economic policies, and they should not be blamed for the failure of the California legislation to come together to solve the problem.

And besides California celebrity funerals have always attracted large crowds, with no complaints about the cost of crowd control.

What's your complaint about anyway? .............. Are you upset that even with the villification tactics levied against MJ by persons who were extortionists, and by those who just don't believe any black person should have fame and fortune, that MJ is STILL loved by millions around the world?

[amiri1]

Don't believe the hype. Michael's memorial is bring millions of tourists dollar to LA starting when planes taxi into LAX. The tax revenue raised will offset the cost of police and fire support.

[byteb]

Turning off the TV all day Tuesday. I can't wait for this circus to be over.

[Sweetbay]

So, you'll be out doing something productive? You'll be volunterring your time at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter?

I feel sorry for you that you don't recognize the contributions that Michael Jackson has made to the world throughout his career. That is what is so sad about his d.eath. He did a lot of good with his personal participation in charitable projects as well as donating an enormous amount of his earnings to help others.

Thank G.od we have more people in the world like Michael Jackson and fewer like you.

[lady49]

oops! another lost soul... pity, pity

[amiri1]

You cannot be too anxious for the circus to be over if you are commenting on a MJ article on HuffPo.

[DeeW]

I'm on overload with this stuff now - it's on everywhere 24/7. I long for the days when people reported the news and then just left it at that.

[MikeDu]

I've been seeing the phrase "the incomparable Michael Jackson" and I started thinking, is there any other artist who WOULD be at all comparable to him?
Hah! There is - Liberace! Wildly beloved by fans in his day, sold record like hotcakes, packed 'em in at concerts, same extravegant taste in decore & dress, same breathy little girl voice, and similar in *other* ways as well.

[HarlemFreeThought]

.Good Point Liberace was more for the demographics called, if one remembers the radio category, M.O.R. Middle of the Road. His audience was basically older mature adults. MJ spanned quite a few generations.

[aquarius64]

I feel AEG is trying to cash in on MJ's death, it's disgusting. Trying to raise this to the level of a state funeral, banners flying at the Staples Center with the look and feel of a concert promotion. I'm surprised AEG did not push for flags to be flown at half-staff or a 5-man formation with the lost man flyover. At the rate that group is going this will make Anna Nicole Smith's funeral look dignified.

Michael Jackson had made great contributions to the music industry that will live for the ages; but he had ugly aspects of his life that will be part of his legend. A thrown-together, circus-like memorial only adds fuel to the latter; give proper and thoughtful planning for his rememberance so all can enjoy the former.

[johnnygoodwud]

sugarbare5­04,,,,,,,,­,,,,,this isn't craigs list.