Huge demand for Jackson tickets 

Source: ReutersPop star Michael Jackson waves to his fans as he arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse

More than half a million fans from around the world applied for 17,500 free tickets to Michael Jackson's public memorial service this week, organisers said, as a massive security operation got underway.
   
The life and music of the self-proclaimed King of Pop, who died of sudden cardiac arrest, will be celebrated at the Staples Center, a basketball arena in downtown Los Angeles.
   
Officials on Friday unveiled an ambitious online lottery that will allow fans to attend either the televised service at the arena or watch the proceedings on a big screen at the nearby Nokia Theatre.
   
But within minutes, the staplescenter.com server crashed.

Officials warned additional disruptions were likely as fans logged on ahead of the Saturday deadline.
   
"You might want to consider watching this from the comfort of your own home," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who is doubling as the city's acting mayor.
   
The ceremony will also streamed online.
   
A wide area around the venues in downtown Los Angeles will be blocked off for the 10 am local event.

Both local and state law-enforcement agencies have been marshalled for duty.
   
A local news-radio station reported that more than 1,400 officers from the Los Angeles Police Department alone have been asked to volunteer for duty.

The LAPD, which has about 9,000 officers in total, declined to comment on the report or to reveal a staffing number.
   
A Jackson family spokesman also declined to provide details of the memorial service, but said there would not be a funeral procession and Jackson's body would not be at the memorial.
   
Funeral arrangements have not been disclosed, but security has been beefed up at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills mortuary, where his body is believed to be held.
   
Officials were also tight-lipped about the cost of the memorial service, and who would pay for it.
  
Like other US cities, Los Angeles is strapped for cash in the global recession and similar questions about public tax revenues being spent for such an elaborate ceremony surfaced last month when a $US2 million celebration was given for the champion Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team.
   
That event, which attracted over 500,000 people, was eventually funded through private donations.
   
The city has already budgeted for LAPD overtime, Perry said, adding that officials would deeply appreciate help to offset incremental costs, such as transportation, sanitation and staging.
   
Winners of the tickets will be contacted on Sunday and directed to pick up a pair of tickets and wristbands on Monday. No tickets will be sold.

The massive demand raised the question of counterfeiting or scalping, drawing pleas from organizers for fans to act responsibly.
   
"For those that would try to take advantage of this, shame on them," said Tim Leiweke, the president and CEO of AEG, the closely held entertainment concern that owns the venues and was backing Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London.
   
Jackson's last performance was at the Staples Center.

The night before he died of sudden cardiac arrest, he rehearsed for the tour at the venue.

ONE News would like to hear from anyone who is holding their own memorial for Michael Jackson on Wednesday morning and would be willing to have the event filmed.

You can email the details to news@tvnz.co.nz or phone 0800 886 397.

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motukowhai ; 2009-07-08 @ 22:20 NZDT  

"If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then the pain, sorrow, failure and short life would be a calamity; but if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective." Quote by President Spencer W. Kimball. Take your rest now Michael and do so in peace.

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Vaai ; 2009-07-08 @ 14:01 NZDT  

REST IN PEACE KING OF THE POP WE LOVE YOU

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jaxlino ; 2009-07-08 @ 12:31 NZDT  

the media killed the princess and they did the same thing with Michael, do they have any respect? now Michael can rest and just watch upon his children ..i saw Miss Rowe being pressured by the media and gosh thats how much in your face they are!! they darn right wanna know your business..I know it's their job but they don't need to ruin peoples lives.. michael i have three words for you.. "GO GET EM"

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jaxlino ; 2009-07-08 @ 12:22 NZDT  

RIP my friend, and hope you haunt the media stalkers.. they ***** with your life now it's your turn for revenge..sad to say I honestly and personally think he topped himself because of the media on his tail constantly and they let the whole world know his business, we loved his music, his children and his family not his personal indepth life, he was tired and couldn't fight no more, he had a huge debt that no-one gave a toss about, and now hes gone, all the media is like poor michael... whatever!

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boyracer ; 2009-07-08 @ 11:00 NZDT  

Some people will always look at the negative side of things! Thats just the way they are. MJ was a VERY talented individual (Not just a singer and dancer), His message is in his songs (which comes from the heart). I was watching the memorial service this morning and thinking to myself how many people he touched on positively and what he means to them. His music will no doubt live on, and people will know in 20+ years who sang his songs!

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