Forums Forums National News King of Pop Michael Jackson Has Died

I was looking at the photos of him today with his kids. I think it did show a different side to him. A normal man. Its a tragedy for those kids. I bet they loved him to bits and didn't care what he looked or sounded like. He was simply 'Dad' to them

Pics in Daily Mail

Jackson's family album seen for first time



Happy family? Michael Jackson holds 'Blanket' and Paris while Prince, right, looks into the camera



Family fun: Jackson with Prince and Paris in fancy dress at a children's party in 2003




Bottle blond: Eldest son Prince with dyed hair, right, sits in the back of the car with his sister Paris



Proud father: Jackson poses with daughter Paris



Party time: Jackson cuddles 'Blanket' while Prince and Paris, both in paper hats, look on



Doting: Prince enjoys popcorn with a friend and Jackson

Public Memorial Confirmed



Sky News sources have confirmed a public memorial for late pop star Michael Jackson is going to take place at Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Tuesday.


Plans to allow fans to mourn the singer's death stalled after his family said his body would not go on show at Neverland, his luxury home in California.

It had previously been suggested Jackson's remains could be taken to the property following his fatal cardiac arrest last week at the age of 50.

Once a symbol of Jackson's success and excesses, Neverland - the 2,500-acre ranch in the hills of Santa Barbara County's wine country - has become the site of a makeshift memorial.

Meanwhile, the battle over Jackson's legacy was set to continue after it emerged Jackson left his fortune to his three children and his mother.

SKY NEWS

Powerful Sedative Found In Jackson's Home



Diprivan, a powerful sedative, has been found in the home where Michael Jackson suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, a US law enforcement official has said.


The drug is an intravenous anesthetic widely used in hospitals to induce unconsciousness in patients before operations.

It is also administered to terminally ill patients who are in pain or who have just days to live.

Other prescription drugs have been found in Jackson's Holmby Hills home since the star died on June 25.

Officials have previously said they think the singer was addicted to the pain killers Demerol and OxyContin.

They also revealed the singer received an injection of Demerol shortly before he died.

Meanwhile at a news conference in Los Angeles, it has been announced that 17,500 tickets will be on offer to fans who want to attend Jackson's public memorial.

The event will take place next Tuesday next week at 10am local time at Los Angeles' Staples Centre.

Tim Leiweke, president, CEO of AEG Live, which owns the Staples Centre and was Jackson's promoter, said fans will have to enter a draw to be randomly selected.

People who want to be in with a chance of getting a ticket must register at Staplescenter.com, but the website says only US citizens may apply.

Mr Leiweke said for those fans who miss out on tickets, the memorial will be broadcast around the world via a video feed.

Los Angeles city officials said ticket-less fans would be barred from the area surrounding the venue.

They gave no details about where Jackson would be buried or what Tuesday's order of service would include.

In another development, it has emerged that Jackson's promoter AEG took out a $17.5m (£10.7m) insurance policy in the event of the singer's 50 London gigs falling through.

TMZ.com said AEG's chief executive Randy Phillips revealed that the policy covered an overdose but not death from natural causes.

SKY NEWS

Listened to his music all the way thru life. Leaves a bad feeling knowing there's going to be no more.
RIP MJ

Fans and family remember Jackson


Michael Jackson's family and fans have said farewell to the pop superstar at an emotional memorial service.

Jackson's daughter Paris, 11, fought back tears to describe him as as "the best father you can ever imagine".

The singer's coffin was placed in front of the stage during the event at the Staples Center in Los Angeles after an earlier private funeral.

Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey paid tribute before the family joined a sombre finale on stage.

Stevie Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I didn't live to see come. Michael I love you."

The crowd cheered as the golden flower-draped coffin entered the arena to the strains of a choir singing "Hallelujah, hallelujah, we're going to see the King" from the song Soon And Very Soon.

Mariah Carey opened the show, performing I'll Be There, ending with the words: "We miss you."

Jackson's brother Jermaine took to the stage to perform the song Smile. It was said to be the King of Pop's favourite song, featuring the lyric: "Smile though your hearts are aching."

Others paying tribute included Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah and Brooke Shields.

Some sang, while others spoke about their memories of the King of Pop and his influence on music and society. Many embraced family members as they left the stage.

The BBC's Matthew Price, who was in the arena, said: "It's had to clearly see the family but the glimpses I'm getting show a family both in mourning, and in celebration of his life.

"There are moments of the intensely personal in this very public event."

Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton gave a fiery speech, telling Jackson's children: "There weren't nothing strange about your daddy."

"It was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it."

Motown boss Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson Five, ended his tribute with the words: "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. you will live in my heart forever."

Actress Brooke Shields, who first met Jackson when she was 13, broke down in tears as she took to the stage.

Describing Jackson as "pure", she said: "He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince. Michael saw everything with his heart."

The 17,500 people in the arena cheered as clips of Jackson's life and music were played on big screens.

Messages were read from absent guests including former South African President Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and singer Diana Ross.

The message from Ross was read by Smokey Robinson. "I'm trying to find closure," it said.

"I want you to know that even though I am not there at the Staples Center I am there in my heart.

"Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can't seem to find words to express.

"Michael wanted me to be there for his children and I will be there if they ever need me. I hope today brings closure for all those who loved him."

Other people taking part include Usher and Britain's Got Talent finalist Shaheen Jafargholi, who has played the young Michael Jackson in the musical Thriller - Live.

The stage is adorned with the star's image, alongside a mural carrying the words: "In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009."

Millions of fans around the world are watching on TV.

Roads were closed off and concrete barriers erected outside the Staples Center, where Jackson had been rehearsing a comeback show before his sudden death aged 50 on 25 June.

More than 1.6 million fans applied to attend the memorial event, with 8,750 people chosen at random to receive a pair of tickets.

One person not attending is Jackson's former wife and the mother of two of his children, Debbie Rowe.

"The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," her lawyer Marta Almli said in a statement.

About 50 cinemas across the US are showing the memorial live. It is also being relayed to big screens across the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.

Family members earlier attended a short funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery.

THE BBC

I think that he loved his kids and was proud of them and wanted them to live a good life. Now hes passed away everyone is sad

Obviously

Your point is?