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Fans remember Michael Jackson during the Michael Jackson public memorial at Apollo Theater in New York - Source: Reuters -
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A public memorial for pop star Michael Jackson took shape on
Friday when a concert backer and family spokesman said the event
would take place next week, even as doubt lingered over the
guardianship of the singer's children.
The pop star's former wife Debbie Rowe told a Los Angeles TV
station she wanted to care for her two children with Jackson, but
her attorney said her words were distorted and a court hearing over
custody was delayed by one week.
A public memorial for Jackson, who died suddenly last week, will be
held on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) in Los Angeles, and about 11,000
tickets will be given away free of charge for the 20,000-seat
Staples Center arena, said concert promoter AEG Live and family
representative, Sunshine Sachs & Associates.
The pair said in a statement the memorial was set for 10 am PDT
(5am NZT) at the rock concert and sporting venue in downtown Los
Angeles, and that futher details would be unveiled Saturday.
AEG Live is part of a group of companies that controls events at
the Staples Center.
Jackson's death on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his
rented Los Angeles mansion has provoked worldwide tributes from
fans and musicians and sent many of his records back into the top
of music charts.
Meanwhile Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two eldest children, Prince
Michael Jackson Jr 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11,
appeared to set the stage for a legal tussle with Jackson's parents
over their future.
"I want my children," Rowe was quoted as telling NBC4 television in
Los Angeles.
But her lawyer, Eric George, told reporters that Rowe was still
considering her position.
"I am representing to you now, Debbie has not reached a final
decision concerning the pending custody proceedings," George
said.
"Distortion of the truth"
"I have no reason to doubt that what was reported from that
conversation was accurately and ethically recorded, but that said,
it would be a distortion of the truth to allow that single snapshot
of a single conversation to stand as the truth of Debbie's
position," he said. A court hearing on guardianship originally set
for July 6, has been changed to July 13.
Temporary guardianship was granted earlier this week to Jackson's
79-year-old mother, Katherine Jackson. A 2002 will signed by
Jackson specifically cut Rowe out of his estate and asked that his
mother take care of the children.
Jackson did not mention his funeral wishes in that will.
The Staples Center is the site of the singer's last rehearsals for
a planned 50-concert comeback tour in London that was due to start
on July 13 and was backed by AEG Live.
Video clips of a rehearsal two nights before he died, that showed
Jackson looking thin but performing more like his old superstar
self, were released to CNN on Thursday.
An official autopsy has been performed but toxicology tests won't
be ready for weeks. Results of a private autopsy by a Jackson
family doctor have not been released.
Law enforcement sources said the US Drug Enforcement Administration
had been asked to help Los Angeles police in their investigation.
Several bags of medicines have already been removed from Jackson's
house by coroner's officials.
Speculation has swirled in the media that the 50-year-old pop star
was abusing prescription drugs and perhaps intravenous drugs before
comeback concerts this month in London.
His brother Jermaine Jackson said that reports of Michael Jackson's
possible drug use had hurt his family.
"Michael has always been a person who was against anything like
that. ... But in this business the pressures and things that you go
through, you never know what one turn(s) to," Jermaine said on
NBC's "Today" show.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmotukowhai said on 2009-07-08 @ 22:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
"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.
Vaai said on 2009-07-08 @ 14:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
REST IN PEACE KING OF THE POP WE LOVE YOU
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
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"
jaxlino said on 2009-07-08 @ 12:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
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!
boyracer said on 2009-07-08 @ 11:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
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!