there at hollywood hills there. were about 100 people that attended this private memorial and ceremony this morning. we understand the casket will now be transported in the motorcade, a black town car and this hearse with the rest of the family to the staples arena massive memorial planned for days here. you can see, as they load michael jackson's body into the hearse. there were a lot of questions whether his body would be on display at staples. obviously, the family decided so many people wanted to come to this ceremony, wanted to be at the memorial and it would cheat them almost if they didn't get to see his casket. we do not know writ will be placed there. is a stage at staples center set up, almost like a church.

podiums on each side of the stage, floral arrangements in the front, three rows of chairs from the semi circle in front of the stage and huge mortars for peoples in the rafters and upper seating of that facility i believe you're seeing on the left hand side of your screen. the people, up to a million expected, in fact, to gather at the staples center there. i wanted to toss you over to robin meade, who will be covering this memorial live all day long with this. so, robin, it looks like they're start this procession now, as i understand it, about 20 minutes from both venues. >> christy, i'm really interested to see as well as our audience, just how that casket and the body of michael jackson being at the memorial will change the electricity. it's already a charged atmosphere and you have the man everyone is honoring, his body there. his career spanned four decades.

starting in 1965, and you are see writing they just placed the casket of michael jackson and the family will follow him to the staples center. jackson 5 started in 1964, and their first hit "i want you back, way back" in 1970. this picture, of michael jackson, we're burriying michae jackson, all the scandal, gone. we're watching the casket put into the car. i know where you are is where that casket is going to be going. what is the mood and there what kind of change do you expect once the body arrives? >> reporter: the mood is largely jovial also somewhat referential. a couple came from tyler, texas, and said, they wanted to pay their respects. others are breaking into song at times, many are wearing michael jackson t-shirts. it's a real crosscut of people, too. you have the young, the old,

crossing all color lines. they're just anticipating this. it almost feels like right before a big concert or college football game, there's that sort of buzz or electricity in this air right now, robin. >> paul, thank you so much. he's outside the staples center. i want to bring in mike brooks, our security analyst and done everything from the security task force to police detective. mike, talk to me about -- you know this area, how far it is from this cemetery, from these memorial gardens to the staples center and the kind of traffic problems you would run into on a normal day. >> i tell you, they won't run into the traffic problems at all. the l.a. p.d. that handles special events, dignitaries like this, they're used to this along with chp. it's about 20 to 25 minute drive from forest lawn to the staples center. they won't have any problems. i recently spoke to one of the assistant chiefs there at the staples center.

he said there are a lot of people there but not as many people they thought would be there. i think people are taking the advice we were talking about the last couple of days, stay home, watch it on hln. if you're down there and outside the staples center, you won't be able to see anything, no jumbotrons for overflow. if you don't have a ticket and wristband, stay home and watch it on hln. they are expecting more people as the ceremony and service gets going to come down there and say they were part of it right now there, have not been any problems with crowds and l.a. p.d. sheriffs are some of the best in the country dealing with large crowds and special events. >> i was struck by this live picture outside the memorial gardens. you have what i assume to be the family and loved ones and close people coming out there after the service. i'm struck by this, we're talking about a man and legend, we have to remember, we're

talking about a family who has a b big loss on their hands and children who remember their father. we're talking about logistics and see a number of performers and people remembering him, it is a family in mourning as well. mike, thank you so much. christy a little bit of look here at what is to come. that starts at 1:00 p.m. we'll be with you today. >> absolutely, yeah. the 1 p.m. actual memorial, public memorial at staples. i think what you're looking at now, this helicopter, i think, was on standby, as we understood it, if there were any logistical problems in terms of getting michael jackson's body from one venue to the other, that helicopter was going to do so in place of the motorcade that would take him there. a live picture you're looking at there. is the hearst carrying michael jackson's body and this is a family mourning a loss today and

energy at the staples center, i'm sure, will be very comforting to this family as they sigh good-bye to michael jackson. we believe his body will be brought back to the forest lawn memorial park. to be buried today. we do not have that confirmed but that this is belief at this point since this hall of liberty a 1200 seat auditorium on the ground is full of people, about 100 people, we believe, outside. we saw earlier, katherine jackson, his mother, with michael jackson's children by his side and people gathering. shortly, we believe, they will get in the motorcades and make their way to the staples center, i believe is about a 20 minute drive without traffic they will not have because so many roads are cordoned off. the 101 freeway was shut down for a while to get the motorcade to forest lawn memorial park.

i think the reason they chose, there was banter today about this, this is a really private cemetery, really shielded from the media. so that may be participate of the reason they chose this particular cemetery to bury michael jackson so as a family, they can mourn in private and do so respectfully to their son, their brother, and the children's father. again, you're seeing the people ex-sthigt auditorium here, this 1200 seat auditorium. they are all going to get ready to go ahead to staples center, where there is one big show performed. not a lot of somber moments, we understand, outside staples center right now, this is a celebration of michael jackson's life. we are going to continue obviously to share your views with him. we want you to know or want to know from you, if you would, give us a call, e-mail us and let us know what you thought of him as an entertainer. what do you think his legacy is

going to be? e-mail us at cnn doth k.com/hln. we want to give you a chance to let us know how you felt about this whole thing and michael jackson, how he might have moved you or changed your life. you can text us. hln.c hln.com. we will air your responses throughout the day. thank you so much for taking the time to let us know your feelings and thoughts and want to give you an avenue do so today. we will continue to bring you the latest developments leading up to his memorial in a couple minutes there. is some news we need to get to you. first of all, some relief for so many folks in south carolina right now because the suspected serial killer is dead. patrick burris is dead. they went to a home to investigate a burglary complaint. authorities say burris killed five people over six days last

week in gaffney, south carolina. there's his picture. he has a long criminal record. paroled from prison back in april, after serving almost eight years. >> look at this. this is like 25 pages. at some point, the criminal justice system is going to need to explain why this individual is out on the street. we owe that to the victims in this case, we owe that to the citizens who lived in terror for days. we owe that going forward. somebody's going to have to explain why this individual, who should have been away, behind bars, was out on the street. >> police say bullets in burris' gun do match the ones used in the south carolina killings. investigators say they had no idea regarding a possible motive. two people with him were also taken into custody. >> again, our big story today we're following for you throughout the afternoon, you're

now seeing people being allowed to enter the staples center. the flowers there, stage there, michael jackson's body, his casket is getting ready to be transported from a private ceremony to the staples center, where you will see a lot of people perform here. jermaine jackson will be singing charlie chaplain's "smile," been a family spokesman. and so many other people. jennifer hudson. you see that motorcade and people following michael jackson's body to the staples center, bringing all of it to you throughout the day. stay close.

live pictures for you outside the staples center right now. the giant crowd gathered outside, obviously, these are the folks that will not be able to make it inside staples center for michael jackson's memorial, but they wanted to be there anyway. inside, you see the screen that

says "in loving memory of michael jackson, 1958-2009." we are awaiting the memorial motorcade that will transport michael jackson's hearse, his body and his family and members who were at this private memorial this morning to staples center for public memorial we will be bringing to you live this afternoon. i'm sure you all have memories of michael jackson. so does president obama. he said michael jackson was one of the world's greatest entertainers with incredible talent. he said he and his wife grew up listening to his music. >> i don't think there is any doubt, he was one of the greatest entertainers of our generation, but perhaps any generation. i think like elvis, like sinatra, like the beatles, he became a core part of our culture.

you know, his extraordinary talent and his music was matched wi with, i think, a big dose of tragedy. and difficulty in his private life. and i don't think we can ignore th that, bu that, but it's important for us to affirm what was best in him. >> in a separate interview, president obama also said he was a jackson fan and has some of his songs on his ipod right now. the president is a busy man, wrapping up a two-day trip to moscow today met with prime minister vietnladimir putin. he said there won't be any new policy on divisive issues and said the u.s. and russia were not destined to be antagonists.

obviously, we're keeping a close eye on what could be the biggest celebrity send-off of all time. fans of michael jackson have been streaming. here are live pictures from downtown staples center for a public memorial in his honor that will get started shortly. we'll bring it to you live. these fans have more than an affinity to him, incredible loyalty to michael jackson. here, live pictures of the hearse and motorcade that will be taking michael jackson and his family from forest lawn, where they had a private memorial, now to staples center for a public memorial. very lucky for the tickets given out yesterday part of 1.6 million trying to get tickets to that memorial. our special live coverage continues in a moment.

live pictures coming to you. michael jackson's body is sitting in the hearse and they're getting ready to transport him to the staples center where we will keep you up to date on this grandfather well to michael jackson. robin meade is leading our special live coverage of this event, live pictures coming to

you from staples center. do you have more now on what we can expect? let's face it, people are watching this world-wide. >> did you see the crowd as well? imagine how many people are watching in the comfort of their homes or even now, we're hearing of different theaters opening up so people can view this not only in their home or crowd-like atmosphere as so many of these people have done coming down to the staples center and signing the memorial law. i can't imagine that wall will be big enough for all the people that want to sign it. i want to bring up jane velez-mitchell. you know her as a host. what you may not know, jane covered the jackson family a long time and covered michael jackson during the trials as well and a.j. hammer you know as the host of "showbiz tonight." we see the live pictures of forest lawn and we know this is the memorial wall outside the staples center. as someone who lived out in

l.a., this is not your run of the mill cemetery, correct? >> absolutely not. this is the very heart of hollywood. you can see universal studios, you can see disney. this is where the people who make the movies and the music videos and perform, the stars, that people watch around the world, this is where they lived and tragically, this is where they die and this is where they are buried, many many stars buried in the very same cemetery where that memorial service going on, the private one right now. you really get a sense he was part and parcel of hollywood. that whole area really is hollywood, the hollywood that exists in terms of the industry even though it's outside the physical boundaries of hollywood proper. so michael jackson really epitomized a hollywood "showbiz" in general. he really is perhaps the greatest entertainer of all time, certainly one of the top, and so this is really an

historic moment. it's an historic moment for hollywood, the passing of a generation. i think we all refer it to and relate to it because it's almost like we're mourning a part of ourselves. i remember the bubblegum soul when i was a kid, "abc" and dancing to that and i remember where i was when "thriller" happened and i remember where i was when other key things michael jackson put out. that's why we're so connected to this, because we can relate to it. >> absolutely. you know, a.j. hammer, i was reading, thought it was interesting, a little note that of the 17,500 tickets that were handed out to go to the staples center, the family actually held back 9,000 additional tickets for whomever they wanted. do we have any idea who those 9,000 tickets went to? >> we can only imagine. we have no confirmation, they've been so sketchy and limited with the details. it was interesting late last

night they finally released the names of some people expected to perform and perhaps speak at the event. in terms of who those other tickets go to, when you think about the jackson family and think about how many people they touched, as we watch these live pictures of the procession leaving the forest lawn cemetery taking michael jackson's body to the staples center in los angeles, where the memorial will be getting under way shortly, when you think about the lives they touched there, were so many people they owe themselves so much to. it's not spurprising if they wee going to throw a huge party they would have a huge guest list. i wasn't at all shocked by the number of tickets to make sure people that if they are, should be there. >> there are many black limousines and black suvs. this will be quite the procession to the staples center amater of miles here. we're going to take a break and

let you know our coverage is continuing here as we get ready to remember michael jackson. the service starts at 1:00 and our coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. eastern.

[ music ] >> welcome to comcast local edition, i'm donna richardson, and my guest this hour is christine bergmark who is the executive director of the southern maryland agricultural development commission. welcome, christine, it's good to have you here. >> thank you for having me. >> that's a big mouthful, and i know that you're working on an extremely exciting program, bi-local challenge. >> it is an initial that we launched two years ago, and essentially what it is is the last full week of july we ask everyone across the state of maryland and beyond to take a pledge, and the pledge is eat something or drink from a farm every day during that week.

>> oh. so where do we get the information about where to find the farms or how do we sign up for this pledge? >> well, there's a website. it's www.by-local-challenge.com that website will give you all sorts of information why to buy local and where to buy local and it connects you to other statewide initiatives that are going on at the same time. if you go to the website, we've added a count. people used to say, where do i sign up? normally you have to go buy, eat something from a local farm. this year we decided to add a counter to the website. when you are' counted, you can receive a certificate with your name on it that you can put up in your office or your home or wherever. >> which is very, very important. it's reduces your carbon foot print because you're driving hopefully a shorter distance,

you have access to local products that are available, and also it helps the farmers. >> well, and in fact, our theme this year is healthy plate, healthy planet. all kinds of benefits to buying local, benefits for you, healthy, nutrition, it's fresh, and preserving our farms survive, we keep clean water, we keep clean air, we reduce the carbon footprints from things traveling 1500 miles, and it tastes good. >> exactly. now for those people who may not cook, how can they be a part of this? >> yeah, sometimes people say, well, i hate to cook. that's okay. you can go to a store or to a restaurant that features local farm products, and there are more and more restaurants every year, some of them are on our website, and you can click throughout to find out who they are,. >> what kind of items can we acquire localfully. >> during the last week of july,

there is so much product available. there's sweet corn, blackberries, all kinds of tomatoes and melons are in season, and of course, there's always wine, cheese, eggs, meatss. >> so we do have a wide variety of things we can get. say that i go and i go to a local farmer's market and purchase something, what is a vegetable that i'm not quite familiar with, how did i find a recipe. >> excellent question. there are recipes on our website. people can post their own recipes of their own events and own blogs by why they buy local. some of the things i wanted to mention is the economic benefits. we talked about the planet, we talked about the fact that it tastes good, and it's fun, but there's also the benefit of

supporting our farms, and if every household in the state mucofmaryland were to buy just 2 worth of products for 8 weeks, basically the summer season that, would put $200 million straight back into the pockets of our farmers. that would do a lot to keep our farmers thriving. >> which is so important. i know we have less than 30 seconds, but you have some partners that you wouldn't typically think of who have now joined in. >> yes. hospitals are joining in this year. fact, they're looking to do a competition to see how many people they can get involved. >> have you exciting. christine, thank you very much for coming in today. >> thank you. >> my guest today has been christine bergmark with the southern agricultural commission. if you're interested in what comcast is doing in your area, go to on demand and click get local. for comcast local edition, i'm donna richardson.

♪ ♪ ♪ right now, thousands of fans are waiting at the staples center in l.a. to say good-bye to michael jackson, their musical hero. let me give you live pictures inside the staples center. we're told this is going to be something like -- it will look like a church service. someone remarked, it's not going be like a flashy cononcert. it will be very respectful. fans are taking their seats. look how many people are already inside. the massive memorial service, public one is scheduled to start in about a half hour. we'll take you there live. this is outside, 1.6 million

people registered obanline to attend this service. how much interest there was and people thought they could be there. 17,500 are being let in. you will see them trickle in right now. most will sit inside the staples center the building you're seeing here. the rest will watch the memorial right across the street in the nokia theater, a telecast set up there. looks like a beautiful stage even though it is very simple. a.j. hammer our host of "showbiz tonight." and jane velez-mitchell. aeg entertainment is heading up this service today. were they not the group that was going to be doing their upcoming concert tour, what a turn of events for them. >> absolutely. i believe there is perhaps a sense they can craft all these various videos they're putting together in to some kind of dvd

that will help them make up for the loss of the ticket sales and recoup money and also help the jackson family as well. this gets into the whole battle over the estate and why they were in court this week and why one of the executors wanted to get control, which he did temporarily until we have a hearing the beginning of august, so he could start fashioning these deals right now, so that money could be made to pay off the debt of the jackson estate and provide for the three children. that's the most important thing. there is huge debts but there's also massive assets. if they can take all of this and craft it in a way that makes money for the estate and provides for these children, then this would be another way to pay tribute to michael jackson. >> as we're watching the motorcade, that is this car, the hearse with the casket inside, i'm wondering how on-time this service is going to be able to start because you're dealing with a family who is transitioning from the forest

lawn cemetery in the hollywood hills and moving all those people and casket itself to the staples center, no small feet, i'm sure. let me talk to a.j. hammer. i'm almost expecting, i don't see it there, i wonder if people will be hanging out on the overpasses to get their own personal glimpse. >> it wouldn't surprise me at all if we saw a lot of that going on. everybody knows the route this motorcade is going to take. this is certainly an unprecedented type of motorcade and driving into the area cord don't off by the l.a. p.d. around the staples center. what a smart move. so far this morning, we've seen everything really under control, really impressive. what massive logistical undertaking. if it starts late today, it's okay, because even though everybody is covering this, this is not like the grammy awards they have all kinds of sponsorship dollars tied up in it. they have released this for anybody to carry.

we're going to be carrying it live on hln, obviously the only place you should be watching it. this is something that is not necessarily required, mandated to stay to a particular schedule. i will point out the show is being produced by kenn erlich, who has been producing many multi-facetted platform events in the industry. once they get rolling, he will run a tight ship. it certainly will have the flow and perhaps feeling of a very well orchestrated television event because, after all, this will be seen by probably more people than have viewed any other broadcast event in history. >> i want to go to -- a.j., thank you. let's go to paul, outside the staples center in l.a. paul, can you give me a feel for the sidebar here? everything from people jacking up the parking cost, to i read

about one woman selling king of pop soda. you have to really see all kind of things there. >> reporter: as we have and heard. let's go to the parking first. unbelievable. the other day, not far from here, we were trying to park a cnn satellite truck. the spaces used to cost $20 a day. they jacked up the price to $100 a day. a satellite truck takes up four spaces. imagine the money they made on all the satellite trucks that day, it was basically $400 a day per truck. you have a lot of side business, absolutely, you can say cannibalizing all of us in the media because they knew they had us in a bad spot. >> let me interrupt you real fast to go back to you. i want to point out, this is a moving picture of a crowd of people on an overpass, they are waving, hands in the air, as their own private salute to michael jackson, as the hearse

and motorcade goes by. paul, go back with what you're saying. >> as to those people on the overpass, when i was walking around in the pre-dawn dark, there were people milling about, people that can't get inside this perimeter i am in now and wondering if they can time it to see the hearse go by, people who don't have tickets. these villages pop up of michael jackson fans around the overpass trying to be part of this. you were talking about the production. it will be massive in scale, from what we understand. it takes a certain amount of production to put on events at staples. if you've ever been in here, it's a state-of-the-art event center, has a lot of camera facilities and switching equipment. i understand they had to bring in other vehicles and trucks, just boost it. we expects quite a spectacle. don't forget, they have been rehearsing for an event. so if any choreography or camera

shots or moves were in place, it might make sense to co-op this into the memorial as long as it's tasteful. >> i wonder how that will play out? will we have dancers at a memorial because they rehearsed before santana before? it will be interesting. >> now, an attorney coming to us out of detroit today, something you may not know about her, she has a really accomplished background. not only is she an attorney but a former backup singer for sean "p. diddy" combs, mary blige, snoop dog. i want to ask you, behind the scenes, how do musicians regard michael jackson? he is the king. i mean, a musical genius, innovator like no other. we can see even from the tape that is shot at the staples center at rehearsal shortly before he died, even though he's

a little bit thinner, smaller not like he used to be, this man has an energy, aura no other entertainer has matched since him or i think ever will. in the music business right now, everyone is mourning the loss of a soul that we all looked up to. that was the catalyst for so many of us taking that first step onto the stage and trying to convey that type of love and art onto others he gave to us. the music business is most certainly mourning today. >> something to aspire, to that's for sure. lauren, i'll be right back with you here. the police presence reportedly is going to be about 3,000 for security in this area. keep in mind, they only had 2,000 for the lakers victory parade, i say only loose lie here. let's bring in mike brooks, our hln security analyst. i understand you have been keeping in contact with your contacts out in l.a. 3,000 police, what kind of police do we have out there? are these people who haven't

left a desk job in a while. >> no. they handle special events all the time. what we see in the motorcade to the staples center, you have l.a. p.d., metropolitan division handled special events and you see them leapfrogging back and forth cutting off the ramps is chp. and the sheriff's department is part of this because they provide security for the subway system. they put together this plan on pretty short notice. talking with assistant chief out there, they have been working on this for days, almost 24/7, to make sure everything would go well, there would be no problems. we heard paul talking about the perimeter around nokia theater and staples center there. are certain places where people with wristband and tickets go through there. have been people try to get through there, try to get close

to staples center. law enforcement is not letting them do this. it was very very smart of them to put this perimeter up there, to make sure there wasn't a crush of people trying to get there. so far, everything's been orderly, it's not the super crowds they expected. i think some people took heed and did what police told them to do to stay home and watch it to see it better on tv. >> you heard of no major problems yet. >> no major problems, they're coordinating everything with aviation and ground units. they are the only cars on that road, heading down to downtown l.a. because the chp and l.a. p.d. are cutting off the on-ramps to make sure no one tries to get into the motorcade. you know how some people always want to get involved in something, they want to make sure that doesn't happen to this motorcade at all. >> wow, would you look at the beautiful flowers on that stage? that is massive, i think that's what i'm seeing there, beautiful colors. the stage is set to look, we

were told, basically like a church service or something that you would expect at a memorial, very respectful. jane velez-mitchell this is host of issues with jane velez-mitchell at night on hln. i think about the deep wound opened for a lot of different people who never even knew him. who else's death did we see a similar response as this one? >> i remember covering princess di and going to london and seeing the people standing in line for hours, waiting to pay their respects. every person i interviewed there seemed like they had been preparing their whole life to tell me what they wanted to say about princess diana and how she deeply touched their hearts, she didn't seem like royalty, she seemed of the people. i think it's the same thing here, there is something about a particular individual that goes right to the core of somebody's being and touches their heart, all be it that michael jackson had many, many flaurws, they we

flaws to a certain degree, some of us could relate, to feeling alienated, grappling with an addiction problem he at one point admitted he had. the fact he had these flaws made us to a certain degree relate to him more. this was a man also who could -- his charisma was unbelievable. when i was covering the trial in santa maria and he would walk out, even reporters host still to him, when he made eye contact with them and they would become giddy and say, look, he made eye contact with me. they would become child-like. he had an energy palpable and being in the same room with him, i could feel it. >> thank you. i want to ask -- natisha lance is a producer with the nancy grace show. you've talked to the fans and what's the reaction? are they getting word michael

jackson's body is on the way? >> they are getting word and they are overjoyed. you can hear cheers and people breaking out in song. some people dressed in black as if they're going to a funeral and others dressed up as if they're in a concert. many people have gone through, some people traveled by car 26 hours just to make it here, saying they want to be a part of history. once the news came out michael jackson's body is going to be instate in the memorial, i think that was really exactly what these fans were looking for today so they can say their final good-byes to the king of pop. >> natisha lance outside the staples center. on the phone right now, remember, this is your show, so if you want to tell us what michael jackson's music meant to you and thoughts, you are welcome to do that. we have laura from ohio on the phone right now. what do you want to say about what you're seeing or thoughts

today? >> caller: i want to say, i'm highly depressed we lost michael jackson. he wasn't just an icon to the music industry, but a revolutionary. he left a legacy that will never be forgotten, he is a part of all our lives and he will be deeply missed. >> is there a certain song or moment that really stick is in your mind as meaning something to you? >> caller: i can remember, when i was a small kid, i would play at the park i remember this song, "human nature," i thought it was beautiful song and song by michael jackson. "billie jean," so many points i can remember a michael jackson song being there and strange to know it will no longer be there. >> especially as you see this tape that wasn't taken that long ago. laura, thank you so much. >> a.j. hammer from "showbiz tonight." let me ask you a question. why are we seeing -- michael jackson's music is skyrocketing in sales. i mean, if you've been familiar with his music, you think who

wouldn't know this stuff? i suppose you're talking about a new generation. >> you are and you're talking about perhaps people fans throughout the earlier decades of his music who are now deciding to rezoifrdiscover it, that it's available digitally, easy to walk into a store and buy a cd and dusting off records and find a turntable in yourattic that works, people want to rediscover it. i know after this coverage, getting so heated a couple days in, i went home one night and went to youtube and started watching michael jackson videos. i encourage everybody to do that because there's been a lot of discussion of the story beyond michael jackson's music and influence as performer and everything that surrounded his life. that was a big part of the michael jackson story. if you want to get down to the roots of him as a performer, a true musical genius, easy to get lost in the words we're sitting here and talking about, go back

and watch this stuff, i tell you, you will feel exactly the same way. not at all surprising his albums are top in the charts right now, you have the essential michael jackson, number 1 catalog album, thriller, numb-number 8. i checked. not surprising. >> it's interesting to notice the difference between -- jane, maybe you can talk about this, the difference between "off the wall record" and "thriller," the next record. huge difference. he metamorphs not only physically, i'm talking about with his physical genius. >> you used the word "morphing," that's so much a part of what michael jackson's message was. like a.j., i was watching the videos, i was struck by black or white, everybody morph, female, black, white, spanish, asian, young, old, it was so powerful and such a break through.

michael jackson was the one who broke the color-barrier at mtv and set this stage for so many arti artists of color, african, latino, et cetera. and he set the stage for we should be looking at human beings at first and age and color and race, background, gender should come second. in an odd way, he sort of tried to do that with his own physique and own body as well less successfully. his message of a post racial world, you could even say set the stage for what we're seeing today with the election of an african-american president. he was such a part of the culture. that's why people who say, this is just about music, they're wrong. this is really about a culture morphing and changing as this particular prodigy and genius grew and changed and expressed these ideas in his work. >> lauren lake is an attorney, coming to us out of detroit today. i know there's so many legal

issues, i'll speak to you about those later on in the show. i'd like to talk to you, since you have a background in the music business as well. i want to ask you, doesn't it seem absurd to remember that this man helped integrate mtv? it seems absurdity ever was not. >> you cannot even believe there was a time mtv did not play black video, that fm radio stati stations wouldn't play black music. we're not too far away from those times. it's important to note this man single-handedly helped usher in african-american artist, artists of color into the mainstream. you can't even fathom there was a time james brown's music wouldn't be played on certain fm radio stations but it was true. it wasn't until michael jackson took the stage and his musical genius transcended race, transcended class, everything,

he was so amazing, he could not be denied. that talent spoke to every young child, every young black child, even myself growing up in detroit, michigan, they cannot deny my talent. they may want to deny me because of the color of my skin, where i come from, the street i grew up on, they cannot deny the musical talent that lees beneath and he represented that. >> thank you. we have, is it rose in delaware. you felt so moved, you wanted to call and talk to us today. what do you want to say? >> caller: yes. i felt that michael jackson's death was like one of those incidents that occurs, and you remember where you were and exactly what you were doing when it happened, sort of like 9/11, it was like that for me, when my mom called and she told me, you know, he had passed, i was like in complete shock for like a long time after that, you know.

it was really, you know -- i literally cried. i didn't have my cable on cable because i turned it off, i thought, for the summer, but i called and had it turned back on that day. i've been watching the coverage ever since that day because -- >> it does hit you. >> it's like one of those major incidents like you suffer a great loss and it's so shocking that the world is never the same after that. because for each stage of his life, of his musical career, i can attach what i was doing in my life at that time. and now that he has passed away, what i feel i've lost and the world has lost is that we may have video footage and we may have recordings, but we will no longer have the living michael jackson walking on earth among us anymore. we won't have the new ideas, the fresh songs, the original styles

of michael jackson anymore. he won't be here to create those things anymore, even though he left some things in storage, his music will live on. >> what did you say? >> the music will live on, but michael jackson himself, the man in a body does not. we're lucky we have a music to remember him by. that's rose in delaware. i appreciate your call today. a.j. hammer. critics say the media with this kind of coverage and since he passed away is they say critically into hero worship. others are saying the media has been too negative, by bringing up his past, his legal problems, his financial problems. i mean, what is the right balance on a day like today? we're seeing a reporter there. >> i think on a day like today it's important we honor what i believe will be michael jackson's legacy. a lot of people are talking about -- you asked that question of your viewers earlier. i'd love to hear more of what viewers think will be michael jackson's legacy. and i do believe it will be his

musical genius. it will be the hundreds and hundreds of songs, the brilliant music that he left behind. his music videos. his dance style and his vocal style that lives on in so many artists that now have come a few generations after michael. i believe the artistry will be his legacy. i believe all of the other things that have been covered in the media in terms of his past in terms of the charges against him, the trials, his financial woes, that's part of michael jackson's story. nobody can ignore that. and i think people are sort of forgetful of the fact that it is just a part of his story, whether you like it or not, for better or worse. this is a part of who he was. when it comes down to legacy, i think it comes down to the artistry. and i think that is certainly what we're going to see at this memorial today. nothing but that. so interesting, debbie rowe, michael jackson's ex-wife, mother of his two oldest children, said she's not going to be there because she doesn't think that the media attention on her would be appropriate. i've got to tell you.

i'm on her side with that one. it's hard to imagine if she showed up some news organizations wouldn't be try to getting off questions about whether she's going to pursue custody of the children. so, yeah, i think it's about discussing, yeah, certainly his story but really the brilliance of his artistry that has influenced generations and will continue to do so. >> jane, let me ask you about the media. you know, people will say gosh, it's hero worship. others have to say, do you have to mention anything negative. those are a few of the satellite trucks set up. he had all kinds of people who are there as reporters are covering it maybe on a blog. and here we have the motorcade it looks like it's at a standstill right now as they are trying to enter the area. anyway, your thoughts to what is appropriate for today, jane? >> well, i think what's great about the united states of america is the people decide what they are interested in. we don't have some government saying we're going to talk about

this today. the people actually, by their responses, their phone calls, the ratings the biological

mother of two children, the best interest of the children are going to be the best consideration. and they are old enough at 12 years old and 7 to have a say in the court. they can voice their opinion as to where they feel most comfortable. >> obviously, my thoughts are with the children today. you think about -- this is a big spectacle, but they have lost a father, and they are having to see all of this. and i'm sure, you know, family members are there to comfort them but what a huge loss for the children. this man that they were, obviously, so close to. >> you know, a.j., does it strike anyone -- a.j. or jane, either one of you. does it strike anyone all this outpouring and people say if only michael jackson could see this. i wish michael could see how much people loved him. i mean, almost like he didn't know how much he was loved? that strikes me as strange. how did he not know?

>> we've heard a few people say this couldn't have st two weeks gone on during michael's life. well, the truth is outpouring like this doesn't go on until somebody dies but the truth is, at the same time, michael did get all of the accolades in life. he did get all of the outpouring of tremendous support from fans. jane can speak to being right there at the courthouse and the throngs of fans that would show up when he was facing charges for child molestation. and this, today, is also a global event that reflects what michael jackson's fan legacy has been for decades now. he is the kind of pop star, despite the fact he was 50 years old. this happens now perhaps with the jonas brothers. but for a man even in his 40 toss show up in an area where there's a crowd and have people just fall into tears, into pieces, speaks to how much people really did appreciate him and were just enamored and so taken by him in a way they are

with so few other artists. >> isn't it sad that some people are saying, gosh, if only he could see this. like he wasn't made aware how much people admired him. >> it is sad. and it is ironic. and it's part, i think, of the tragedy of his life is no matter how many accolades he got and all the award he's won and the grammy awards and the number one singles, the best selling album of all time, that, again, happiness is an inside job. he was grapple with those inner demons that didn't allow him to really see how much he was loved by the world. and, in fact, part of that comeback tour that he wanted to do, that he was rehearsing for at the time of his death, was an attempt to erase the bad memories of the 2005 trial and to reinvent himself yet again and to present a new face to the world. and also to show his children his performance, his ability to

perform. he really wanted to do it for many reasons. one to erase some debt. one to erase the bad memories in people's minds, and also to show his kids. this is the michael jackson everybody is talking about. doing the dance moves. this is the michael jackson that made history with the moonwalk. and so i think it's really wonderful that his kids are able to go to this memorial service today and see this outpouring of love because this is what these children will remember about their dad. and as they grow older and they undoubtedly will read reports of some of the more salacious aspects of their father's life, they're going to have this memorial service in their mind to counterbalance that. and they're going to see that the entire world, billions of people watching around the world, paying tribute and homage to their dad. that's going to be a solace for them, i think, for their entire lives. >> it's sort of interesting to remark on something that i believe one of our facebook

comments said. you know, today seems to be all about money. you know, i've been pondering it. guys, help me out. what else could they have done today? it seems, at least from the outset that this is what they had to do. there are so many people who want to show their support, so many artists who wanted to be a part of a tribute to michael jackson. they were going to do something. so what else could it be? they didn't sell any tickets to this event. the broadcast is being handed out for everyone so even if they document it and record it and package and sell it later on, people who want to see it themselves today aren't being charged a penny for it. i don't know how else they could have gone about memorializing one of the greatest stars in the history of the world and certainly in our modern media age. >> so far in terms of how many thousands of people you have there and how many millions wanted tickets, it's gone pretty well without a hitch so far. folks, i wanted to show you i saw what i think are musicians walking up on the stage inside the staples center. do not move from where you are

because the memorial service for michael jackson is going to begin any minute now. you'll watch it right here. we'll be back with more on that. we're going to hear from somebody inside the staples center. an i-reporter. your fellow viewer is going to tell us what he's seeing live.

we are back right now as we are getting ready and waiting for the memorial for michael jackson, the king of pop, to begin any moment now. if you look closely past the beautiful flowers. you'll see people mulling around on stage. maybe they're musicians. we have a lot of well-known performers who are going to pay homage to michael jackson. the hearse and the motorcades have arrived at the staples center after a private memorial service at forest lawn cemetery. that is in the hollywood hills section. so as you look at this picture, i want to bring in one of your

fellow viewers. billy moses is inside the staple center right now. i just want to ask him what he's seeing and what he's feeling in some of the more notable things he's seen on the way in today. billy, are you there? >> yes, i am. how are you? >> i'm fine. thank you. >> it must be really something for you to behold there. what is really sticking out to you right now? >> well, you know, there are tens of thousands of people seated here. i can see the production crew in the center of the stadium. it looks like there's a crowd of people getting ready to walk on to the stage. there are giant monitors inside showing the front of the staples center. it's just not an excitement or anything like that. >> so people seem to be very respectful. >> people are very respectful. >> can you give me -- kind of paint with a paintbrush if you

will because we can't see who is sitting beside you. some of the visuals that you have, like our people dressed in black. are they dressed up. are they in camp wear because they stayed out all night? what's the deal? >> it looks like -- the security is telling me to find my seat. i was actually sitting at the top of the stadium trying to avoid some of the noise. but people are here in all colors. i have -- my ticket is -- >> find your seat. there was an announcement. find your seat. thank you. >> people are wearing all kinds of colors here. there are actually some michael jackson impersonators. >> really? that's interesting. >> yeah, i mean, with everything with the glasses, the mask and everything like that. >> you know, we have a.j. hammer and jane velez-mitchell, also host on hln. i'm pretty sure they'd like to ask you some questions as well. it's fascinating we get to talk to you inside the staples center. a.j. or jane, you want to get in

on this. >> i think what's interesting is there are people that have literally come from around the world. i read that a man came from switzerland without a ticket and he ran into somebody who had won a ticket but didn't know who else to bring because you get two tickets and gave it to the man from switzerland. they went out last night and just sort of commiserating and now they are going together as friends. it comes back to the global theme of we're one world. we have to look beyond our nationalities and our colors and our ages and our races and our genders and be human beings, and that was michael jackson's message. >> a.j., would you like to talk with our i-reporter? >> i'm curious. you mentioned they made the announcement to get in your seats. i'm curious if other announcements have been made. i'm wondering because maybe there will be performances. this is a memorial service. michael jackson's body will be lying in state there. i'm curious if they'll be asking

people to withhold any applause if there's going to be a great deal of silence. what types of things are they asking you? >> didn't i just hear them tell you to find your seat, too? >> there was a man who came over the loud speaker and asked everyone to find their seat. it doesn't -- it doesn't look like any other announcements are being made at this time except for the fact that they just want to make sure that anyone that is up and walking around is in the correct area, has their ticket, wrist band and to make sure to find their seats. there be people from around the world there. are you hearing different nationali nationalities, different languages being spoken, or is it mostly an l.a. crowd? >> i see mostly an l.a. crowd around me. obviously, outside there were some media agencies from around the world. satellite trucks. but i also do see some people from, obviously, other countries as well.

>> you know, billy, thank you so much. hang on the line because i want to keep talking to you. it's fascinating to hear even from your phone, as they say find your seats. it's supposed to start any minute now. i want to run down for our viewers just joining us. the memorial service is going to be star studded. i want to run down the different names you'll see either performing or commenting or making an appearance. then a.j. and jane, just jump in with a quick sentence about why they are going to be there. for one, mariah carey. i imagine she's there because of her success with her version of "i'll be there." >> she spent two weeks at number one with that song in 1992, robin. the jackson 5 spent five weeks at number one with that song back in 1970. and she has always said michael had a tremendous impact on her life. it was the music she listened to growing up. it will be interesting to see if she will be performing that song. >> we have smokey robinson. i believe it is now starting. >> thank you. >> i'm trying to find closure.

i want you to know that even though i am not there at the staples center, i am there in my heart. i have decided to pause and be silent. this feels right for me. michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life and the 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. thank you, katherine for sharing your son with the world. i send my condolences to the jackson family. diana ross. dear jackson family, it is with great sadness that we learned of the untimely death of michael

jackson. michael became close to us after he started visiting and performing in south africa regularly. we grew fond of him, and he became a close member of our family. we have great admiration for his talent and that he was able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life. michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry. and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide. we also mourn with his family and his friends over the loss of our dear friend. he will be missed and memories about him cherished for a very long time. my wife and i, our family, our friends, send you our condolences during this time of mourning. be strong. nelson mandela.

>> as we're waiting for other people to approach the podium here, i just want to give you a list of who do you expect soo to see today. mariah carey, usher, smokey robinson, stevie wonder, an old friend of michael jackson's, kobe bryant, magic johnson, jennifer hudson, grammy and oscar winner, john mayer, musician, and as well as reverend al sharpton, martin luther king iii is there. the andre crouch choir. androy crouch aranged the song "man in the mirror." barry gordie, the founder of motown. sarhin jeff argoli from

"britain's got talent." his voice has been compared to the young michael jackson. and brooke shields is expected to be there. remember, she was his date to the 1984 american music awards. and queen latifah was a late add. also word that possibly michael's brother jermaine may close out the show by singing a song as well that will certainly strike the hearts of the people who are watching and mourning michael. let's go back and see if they've brought more people up to the stage as we remember michael jackson, the king of pop. so a.j., the pace of this memorial service is obviously slowed a bit. to bring a sense of reverence to what we're doing, which is remembering someone that's passed on. let's go back to our list of people that we expect to see on stage and why they're there. queen latifah was a late add.

what can we say about her? >> queen latifah, obviously, is somebody for whom michael feels -- that feels for whom michael broke barriers. you know, we've been talking about his legacy of breaking barriers for the african-american community. blacks in entertainment. and she certainly counts herself among those that she feels he paved the way. >> a beautiful voice. usher, he's known for dance moves that echo michael jackson's, is he not? >> he certainly is. and he has said he wouldn't do what he does if it wasn't for michael jackson. probably wouldn't dance the way he did were it not for michael jackson who, of course, michael would look to james brown sort of for influence but really created his own complete, unique style we see emulated by so many artists still today. >> once again, we are not interrupting or talking over the service itself. if we check back with a live picture, we are not seeing anyone at the stage addressing the crowd. we just saw smokey robinson and he read a few quotes from

well-known people like nelson mandela about the death of michael jackson. stevie wonder is also going to be reportedly on stage today. jane velez-mitchell, do we see a connection between stevie wonder and michael jackson. i suppose they are old friends? >> he collaborated with stevie wonder. he collaborated with paul mccartney. he collaborated with the biggest names in music. and they worked together and they produced beautiful music that really made history. and what really touches me is the humble beginnings. michael jackson grew up in gary, indiana. his dad was a steel worker. operated a crane. dad comes home one night and the boys are playing with the guitar. break a guitar string and he realized they had talent. next thing you know, they are performing at high school talent contests. michael jackson helps them win. next thing you know, they are doing a tour. they are sign with steel town and then signing with motown.

then he's moving on to a solo career. but if you look at the humble beginnings, and look where he's ended up, that's the trajectory that is so amazing to me. this was not a kid who had any opportunity. he had no wealth, no nepotism, nothing to get him where he got. >> a lot of talent and hard work. >> stevie wonder also songwriter on the "off the wall" album that really broke michael out as an artist. smokey robinson kind of breaking news a little bit, reading a statement from diana ross saying she couldn't be there at the staples center today and is deciding to mourn in her own private way. but she acknowledged in her statement for the very first time since michael's will was first released that michael said he wanted me to be there for his kids, and i will be. this is the first time we're hearing from diana ross. >> good catch there. she said i will be. let's go back to the ceremony. i believe we are seeing some action on the stage.

maybe that was a false call there. we had a reading from smokey robins robinson. a statement from diana ross, nelson mandela. since then we've had a few moments here. some time is elapsing here and nothing has happened yet. you can see the flashes of the camera. i want to go back to the list. kobe bryant and magic johnson. two nba players. and i'm hearing applause. hold on. a.j., kobe bryant was on the witness list to attest to jackson's character during the trial. >> i would pass it over to my colleague jane who covered that trial extensively and has a greater sense of that connection, but this is someone who was friends with michael and there was such a mutual respect at the time of the height of

michael's career. both of these gentlemen at the height of his career. >> he idolized michael jackson. he's spoken of that. in interviews he's said michael jackson influenced him and made him a different player. and more focused on his game to the point where he became obsessed with it. so i think that michael jackson's legacy is really way beyond music and dance and pop culture. it affected how people apply themselves to whatever endeavor they undertook and his obsessiveness, his infamous perfectionism rubbed off on a lot of people who decided, hey, you know what? that's what i'm going to do, too. and they became the top in their field. >> so we have magic johnson. he appeared in the michael jackson video and then went on tour with jackson three times. jennifer hudson is supposed to perform. a grammy and oscar winner. john mayer says on his latest twitter message that i read about yesterday, hopes that jackson is memorialized as the 83 moonwalking, mtv owning,

unstoppable, invincible michael jackson is what he twittered. paul vercammen is outside the staples center. silence has fallen inside the staple centers. do you have a lot of people remaining outside, paul? >> no, i think that's the smoking gun indicating that we're ready to go here. what's happened. remember earlier when you were talking to me, there was the large crowd gathered behind me. they've all filed in. the police have made a last sweep. we've seen police on motorcycles, on horseback. we've seen police with dogs. they've all kind of gone through. it looks like we're just on the brink of being able to start here. i can look down on a monitor and see what's going on inside as well. and so it has that sense of we're ready to get going here. and just a short order. what filed in was a multicultural crowd. it was interesting to note that people of all color, all genders, obviously, and ages. i reflected on a friend who was a deejay in the 'aicts. you take a risk when you play certain songs for an all rock

crowd. michael jackson was the one guy you could play that would unify everybody. >> that is a great memory. yeah, just so many people talk about the music and you almost forgot how good it was until you go back and listen to "thriller" and your feet tap and you can't help but be moved to a better place. paul, thank you. i look and i think i see some movement and i hear the crowd. so let's listen again. the memorial service for michael jackson. dddddddddddd

they thought they were ready to go. they sent smokey to the stage. he did his part and then for whatever reason which i'm sure at some point we'll find out, they realized they had to break and not continue with this memorial. again, this is being produced by ken urlick, one of the top broadcast concert event producers in the world. he does the grammys every year. and ken urlick production will run like clockwork. if there are pauses supposed to be built in, we'll see them. i don't think that's what this is. >> that reminds me. we have billy moses, an i-reporter inside the staple centers. do we have him around still? maybe we can get in contact with him to see what's going on. right now we have buddy, a viewer in south carolina. he called this morning. you, obviously, wanted something to say or you wanted to say something. buddy go ahead. it's all yours. >> caller: yes, i just want to say first my thoughts and prayers go out to the jackson

family. he will be deeply missed. but i also wanted to say that he had a deep impact on my life and on everybody else's life also. i think the very first video i ever saw which was on vhs was "thriller." it made me want to go into music. i immediately joined into my chorus. went all through middle school and high school. and it had a deep impact on me and i'm also doing music now. i'm not professional or anything. but because of michael jackson, it made me want to get into music more because i could really understand where he was coming from. >> and what do you do in music now. you said not professionally but as a hobby? >> i'm a deejay. i actually do karaoke. i know it's not the same, but, you know, it's just impacted my life and i love music and michael jackson is the reason why i got into music. >> and to each his own. you have to do, you know, what you feel moved to do. >> exactly. >> so "thriller" was the first -- >> "thriller" was the very first one i ever saw. we switched from beta to vhs.

that was the first vhs tape we had. it was "thriller." i was in awe. when i saw it, it made me want to get into music. and i also just wanted to say that i find it very disturbing that deborah roe dwe did not co to the funeral because i believe she owed him that respect and i hope in his death she doesn't try to use these kids as a meal ticket for her and that these kids were loved by michael jackson. she never was around. she didn't have anything. and now in his death, she wants to come and try to see about taking them, and that's just wrong. >> buddy is in south carolina. and we are get something strong responses from a number of our viewers both online and by phone. and their concerns for the children and what's going to be the outcome there. jane velez-mitchell. you can see how people get involved and feel very personal about this. jane, hold on. i'm hearing applause again, and i am thinking maybe they are

ready to start. the crowd must be seeing something. let's watch. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ soon, very soon

we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ very soon we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ soon, very soon we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ no more crying we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ no more crying now we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah we are going to see the king ♪

♪ we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ we are going to see the king ♪ we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ we are going to see the king ♪ ♪ hallelujah ♪ hallelujah

>> good morning. and welcome. my name is pastor lucius smith, and i am proud to call the jackson family my friends. to millions around the world, michael jackson was an idol, a hero, even a king. but first and foremost, this man before us today was our brother, our son, our father and our friend. michael jackson was and always shall be a beloved part of the jackson family and the family of man. and so today we gather, those who know and love michael best, and those who came to know and love him through his.

we came to the space where only days ago michael sang, danced and brought his joy as only he could. we come together and we remember the time. we remember this man by celebrating his life and all of the love that he brought to our own lives for half a century. our hearts are heavy today because this man, this brother, this son, this father and this friend is gone far too soon. but as long as we remember our time with him, the truth is, he is never really gone at all. as long as we remember him, he will be there forever to comfort us. in his very beautiful and very human heart, michael jackson wanted nothing more than to give love to the world.

to share of his singular talent and his soul and perhaps be loved back in return. through his words, his music and his countless good deeds, michael did so much to try and heal our world. and so for the jackson family and for all who grieve his loss everywhere in our world, may this moment of remembrance, a moment of healing, a moment of music and a moment of love bring comfort to those who loved our friend. god bless you.

♪ ♪ you and i must make a pact we must bring salvation back ♪ ♪ where there is love i'll be there ♪ ♪ i'll reach out my hand to you ♪ ♪ i have faith in all you do just call my name and i'll be there ♪

♪ i'll be there to comfort you to fill my world of dreams around you i'm so glad that i found you ♪ ♪ i'll be there with a love so strong ♪ ♪ i'll be your strength you know i'll keep holding on ♪ ♪ let me fill your heart with joy and laughter ♪ ♪ togetherness well it's all i'm after whenever you need me i'll be there ♪ ♪ i'll be there to protect you with an unselfish love

that respects you ♪ ♪ just call my name and i'll be there ♪ ♪ i'll be there to comfort you to fill my world of dreams around you ♪ ♪ i'm so glad that i found you ♪ ♪ and i'll be there with a love so strong i'll be your strength you know i keep holding on ♪ ♪ if you should ever find someone new i know she better be good to you ♪ ♪ because if she doesn't then i'll be there ♪

♪ don't you know, baby yeah, yeah i'll be there ♪ ♪ i'll be there ♪ just call my name and i'll be there ♪ i'll be there i'll be there, baby i'll be there ♪ ♪ just call my name and i'll be there ♪ ♪ just look over your shoulder just call my name

michael we never will say good-bye ♪ ♪ no, no, no, no no, no, no, no, no even through the pain and heartache we will be right there ♪ ♪ yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ gonna be right there gonna be right there gonna be right there ♪ we'll miss you.

>> i'm here representing millions of fans around the world who grew up listening to michael being inspired and loving michael from a distance. all of you. somehow when michael jackson sang and when he danced, we never felt like he was right there, right before us. you believed in michael, and he believed in you. he made you believe in yourself.

i've loved him all my life. one of the first records my brother and i ever bought was "dancing machine." and i'll never forget the two of us trying to get this robot going, trying to be like the jackson 5. thank you. thank you. michael was the biggest star on earth. he let me know that as an african-american, you could travel the world. there was a world outside of america. other people. all you people who came here to pay respects to someone who you felt was one of you. a human being first.

this morning i spoke with perhaps one of our greatest poets, maya angelou. she wrote some words for michael. we had him, by dr. maya angelou. beloved. now we know that we know nothing. now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind. without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace, sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon. in the instant we learned michael is gone, we know nothing is gone, no clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our

tides. with the abrunt absence of our treasure, though we are many, each of us is achingly alone. piercingly alone. only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him. he came to us from the creator, trailing creativity and abundance. despite the anguish of life, he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that, he thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. we had him. whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was ours, and we were his. we had him. beautiful, delighting our eyes. he raked his hat, slant over his

brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us. and we laughed and stomped our feet for him. we were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. he gave us all he had been given. today, in tokyo, beneath the eiffel tower, in ghana's black star square, in johannesburg and pittsburgh, in birmingham, alabama and birmingham, england, we are missing michael jackson. but we do know we had him, and we are the world. thank you.

♪ ♪ father, help your children and don't let them fall by the side of the road ♪ ♪ teach them to love one another and heaven might find a place in

their hearts ♪ ♪ because jesus is lord, he won't let you down ♪ ♪ and i know he's mine forever in my heart ♪ ♪ you got to walk on, walk on through temptation ♪ ♪ and his wisdom will be our helping hand ♪ ♪ i know the truth, his words

will be our salvation, lift up our hearts to be thankful ♪ ♪ because jesus is lord, he won't let you down ♪ ♪ and i know, yeah, he's mine, he's mine, he's mine, he's mine, all mine forever ♪ ♪ for if my heart, help me now, he's in my heart yeah, i know, i know, i know, i know, i know ♪

♪ just want to follow that star wherever it leads me, i don't mind, lord, hope you don't mind ♪ ♪ i'll walk with you, talk with you, do all the things you want me to do ♪ ♪ i'll pick you up when you f l fall, yeah ♪ ♪ oh, yeah, oh, jesus, yeah, jesus loves ♪

and never came down. though it ended way too soon, michael's life was beautiful. sure, there were some sad times and maybe some questionable decisions on his part, but michael jackson accomplished everything he dreamed of. [ applause ] at 10 years old he had passion. he had passion to be the greatest entertainer in the world, and he was willing to work as hard to do whatever it took to become what he, indeed, became, the undisputed king of

pop the world over. [ applause ] what kid wouldn't give his right arm to fulfill his wildest childhood dreams? michael loved it all, every moment on stage, every moment in rehearsal. michael loved creating what had never been done before. he loved everything and everybody, especially his fans. did have two personalities. offstage he was shy, soft-spoke be, and childlike, but when he took the stage in front of his screaming fans, he turned into another person, a massive, a take no prisoners showman.

it was like kill or be killed. i mean, michael was awesome, totally in charge. in fact, the more i think and talk about michael jackson i feel the king of pop is not big enough. i think he's simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived. [ applause ]

>> berry gordy getting a rousing approval and applause from the audience. berry gordy talked a lot about michael jackson, the child that he discovered and his artistry and his talent. we're having a few audio issues from the staples center, i believe the broadcast is, so that's why we're showing you these pictures as we seek to re-establish maybe some of the audio. let's listen in again. do we have that? okay. well, stay with me here. richelle carey is fielding your thoughts and your questions and some of your statements online, and so go ahead and go to our website and be sure to give us your thoughts about what you have seen so far. we have seen so far this morning -- or this afternoon smokey robinson, the andre couch choir, pastor lucius smith,

mariah carey, queen latifah acknowledged all the people around the world who are watching this. lionel ritchie sang a beautiful song. berry gordy is the last person we heard from and spoke to the human side of michael jackson, a.j. hammer, don't you agree? he brought in the human side of michael jackson that so many of us didn't get to see. >> we were wondering if anybody would acknowledge other than the beautiful life he led in terms of his artistry and perfectionism and berry gordy, the first thing, you know what, he had some questionable decisions. >> of all people berry gordy was the one. i have to interrupt you because we're able to see and hear what's going on city staples center. they appear to be showing a video.

♪ ♪ bad, i'm bad, you know i'm bad, i'm bad, you know it ♪ ♪ you know i'm bad, i'm bad, you know it, i'm bad ♪ ♪ who's bad ♪ you are not alone, i am here with you, though you're far away, i am here to stay ♪

♪ you are not alone, you are not alone, i am here with you, i am here with you, though you're far away, far away, i am here to stay ♪ ♪ you are not alone, i am here to stay, though we're far apart, you're always in my heart ♪ ♪ you are not alone ♪ not alone, not alone, you and me, not alone, no, together, together ♪

>> this is a moment that i wished that i didn't live to see come, but as much as i can say that and mean it, i do know that god is good, and i do know that

as much as we may feel, and we do, that we need michael here with us, god must have needed him far more. michael, i love you, and i have told you that many times, so i'm at peace with that. i as well told you that i never, ever imagined that i would write a song that would be sent to quincy jones and you would hear it and my sister renee would get me the cassette and i'd hear it back and be amazed that you did this song and so incredibly so you did this song.

♪ >> we can't help but love you forever, michael. ♪ i never dream ed in someone, thought you would go and come

back home ♪ ♪ but my quiet nights will be still alone ♪ ♪ you said you would be the light in autumn, said you'd be the one to lead the way ♪ ♪ i never dream ed you'd leave n

summ summer, but now my love was gone away, michael, why didn't you say ♪ ♪ ♪ they do pretend they won't go

when i go ♪ all those leading ones, going to and from, right here from the sun and they won't go when i go, and i'll go, i long to go so long away ♪ ♪

♪ they will never see the sun, but they can never show their face, there ain't no room for the hopeless feelings, those who will take more than he will give ♪ ♪ he will give, he will give, he will give, oh, yeah ♪ ♪ the man will be far away from me and my soul will be free and they won't go when i go home ♪ ♪ all that i believe, the

kingdom i will see, and they won't go when i go, and i'll go, while i'll go, no one can go from my destiny, yeah ♪ ♪ michael, they won't go, they won't go away when you go ♪ >> i love you. god bless you.

you all know that nobody ever gave on stage like michael jackson. but michael was also a true

humanitarian who gave just as much offstage as he did on the stage. michael and his family came from humble roots, and michael always cared very deeply for those in need, and beyond all of his records that he broke as a recording artist, michael even made the guinness book of world records for most charities supported by a pop star. because he gave so much to do so many of us for so long, michael jackson will be with us forever. >> i met jackie jackson about 30 years ago, and he was a season ticket holder for the lakers as well as his brother, marlon. jackie and i became friends, and

he began to invite me out to their home. then i got to know the brothers and the sisters and his incredible mother and father. we loved to play with firecrackers and just have fun and berry, just like you lost to the jacksons in softball, so did it, and we had some incredible times together. then jackie invited me to go on tour with the brothers, and then i got to see the genius of michael jackson. he was so incredible. he always had command of not only the band, his brothers, but also the audience. i truly believe that michael made me a better point guard and basketball player as i watched him be so great and be the greatest entertainer ever. from there michael called me one day and said, i want to talk to

you about being in a video, "remember the time." but i had to double-check with jackie to make sure it was really michael because i was scared to death to go over to his house because this was my idol. he was everything to me. so i went over to his house to have dinner. the chef came out and said, what would you like? i said some grilled chicken. so as we begin to talk about the video and what he wanted me to do, the chef brought me out the grilled chicken, but he brought michael out a bucket of kentucky fried chicken. and i went crazy like, wait a minute, michael, you eat kentucky fried chicken? that made my day. that was the greatest moment of my life. [ applause ]

we had such a good time sitting on the floor eating that bucket of kentucky fried chicken, and i want to say this -- this is a celebration of his life, of his legacy. i want to thank michael for opening up so many doors for african-americans to be on daytime shows, late night shows. he allowed kobe and i to have our jerseys in people's homes across the world because he was already there, and he opened all those doors for us. his three children will have the most incredible grandmother that god has put on this earth to take care of them.

michael's three children will have incredible uncles and aunts to take care of them as well. and they will have plenty of cousins to play with, so may god continue to bless this incredible family. we say that we're praying for you, remain strong. we want to thank the city of los angeles for putting this on, aeg for putting it on as well, and may god continue to bless you, michael.

sno.s ♪ hold me like the river of jordan and i will you were my prayer ♪ ♪ carry me like you were my broth brother, me like a mother, will you be there ♪

♪ everyone is taking control of me, i'm so confused, will you hold me ♪ ♪ you'll be there for me, hold me, yeah, carry me ♪ ♪ squeeze me, squeeze me ♪ carry, carry me, carry me slow

ly, carry me ♪ ♪ praise me, i will be there ♪ lift me up slowly, lift me up higher, carry me slowly, show me you care ♪ ♪ hold me, hold me, hold me, carry me ♪ ♪ lift me and free me >> in our darkest hour, in my

deepest despair say to mrs. jac

and joe jackson, his sisters and brothers, we thank you for giving us someone that taught us love, someone that taught us hope. we want to thank you because we know it was your dream, too, and we know that your heart is broken. i know you have some comfort from the letter from the president of the united states and nelson mandela, but this was your child, this was your brother, this was your cousin. nothing will fill your hearts' loss, but i hope the love that people are showing will make you know he didn't live in vain. i want his three children to know wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. it was strange what your daddy

had to deal with, but he dealt with it. [ applause ] he dealt with it anyway. he dealt with it for us. some came today, mrs. jackson, to say good-bye to michael. i came to say thank you. thank you because you never stopped. thank you because you never gave up. thank you because you never gave out. thank you because you tore down our divisions. thank you because you eradicated barriers. thank you because you gave us hope. thank you, michael, thank you,

michael, thank you, michael.

♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ why, why, tell them that it's human nature ♪ ♪ why, why, does he do me that way ♪ ♪ why, why, tell them that it's

human nature ♪ ♪ ♪ why, why, tell them that it's human nature ♪ ♪ why, why, does he do me that way ♪ ♪ why, why, tell them that is human nature ♪ ♪ why, why, does he do me that way, i'm living that way, because i'm loving this way ♪

♪ ♪

michael was one of a kind. thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together, and whenever we were out together and there would be a picture taken, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like an odd couple or an unlikely pair. but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships. i was 13 when we met, and from

that day on our friendship grew. michael always knew that he could count on me to support him or be his date, and that we would have fun no matter where we were. we had a bond, and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. i used to tease him, and i'd say, you know, i started when i was 11 months old. you're a slacker. you were, what? 5? both of us needed to be adults very early, but when we were

together we were two little kids having fun. we never collaborated together. we never performed together or danced on the same stage although he did try one night unsuccessfully to teach me the moon walk and he just basically shook his head and crossed his arms at my attempt. we never filmed a video or recorded a song, but what we did do was laugh. it was always a competition to see who could make the other one laugh more or be sillier. michael loved to laugh. his heart would just burst out of him when he was laughing.

he adored it when i did silly imitations or told him stories about my life. mj's laugh was the sweetest and purest laugh of anyone's i had ever known. his sense of humor was delightful, and he was very mischievous. i remember it was the night before elizabeth taylor's wedding, and he had called me prior and asked if i would join him. he didn't want to be alone for all the festivities, and it was the night before the big day, and michael and i tried to sneak in to get the first peek of the dress, and we were just giggling like crazy, and we almost passed out in hysterics when we realized that elizabeth was actually asleep in the bed. we thought she was in an

entirely different room, and we had to laugh and sneak out. then at the point of the wedding when there was the first dance, basically we had to joke that we were the mother and father of the bride. yes, it may have seemed very odd to the outside, but we made it fun, and we made it real. when he started wearing the glove, i was like, what's up with the glove? i'm like, look, if you're going to hold my hand, it better be the nongloved one because sequins really hurt me, dig in. he'd just shake his head and he would just smile. he loved to be teased. seeing him smile made you feel like everything was going to be all right. to the outside world michael was

a genius with unchallenged ability. to the people who were lucky enough to know him personally, he was caring and funny, honest, pure, nonjaded, and he was a lover of life. he cared so deeply for his family and his friends and his fans. he was often referred to as the king, but the michael that i knew always reminded me more of the little prince. thinking of him now, i'd like to share a passage from the book. what moves me so deeply about this sleeping prince is his

loyalty to a flower. the image of a rose shining within him like the flame within a lamp, even when he's asleep. and i realized he was even more fragile than i had thought. lamps must be protected. a gust of wind can blow them out. michael's sensitivity was even more extraordinary than his talent, and his true truth resided in his heart. as the little prince also said, eyes are blind. you have to look with the heart. what's most important is invisible. michael saw everything with his heart. to his family, his brothers and sisters, katherine, joe, and to his children, prince, paris,

blanket, my prayers are with u you. michael's favorite song was not one of the countless masterpieces that he gave us, but it was a song that charlie chaplin wrote for the movie "modern times." it's called "smile." and there's a line in the song that says, smile though your heart is aching. today although our hearts are aching, we need to look up where he is undoubtedly perched in a crescent moon and we need to smi smile. [ applause ]

♪ smile though your heart is aching, smile even though it's breaking ♪ ♪ when there are clouds in the sky you'll get by ♪ ♪ if you smile with your fear and sorrow, smile, it may be tomorrow, you'll find that life is still worthwhile ♪ ♪ if you just

♪ light up your face with sadness, hide every trace of gladness ♪ sno ♪ that's the time you must keep on trying, smile, what's the use in crying ♪ ♪ you'll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile, though your heart is aching, smile even though it's breaking ♪ ♪ when there are clouds in the

sky you'll you'll get by ♪ ♪ if you smile through your fear and sorrow smile and maybe tomorrow ♪ ♪ you'll find that life it's still worthwhile if you just smile ♪ ♪ snoet

♪ that's the time you must keep on trying. smile what's the use in crying ♪ ♪ you'll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile ♪ ♪ [ applause ]

first i must say to mrs. katherine jackson, mr. joseph jackson, the children of michael jackson to michael jackson's brothers and sisters and the entire jackson family. our prayers and condolences are constantly with you. my father once said that in life

one must discover what their calling is. and when they do they must do their jobs so well that the living, the dead, or the unborn could do them no better. he constantly challenged us to become our best by stating that if you cannot be on top of the hill, just be a shrub in the valley. but be the best little shrub on the side of the road. if you cannot be the highway just be a trail. if you cannot be the sun just be a star. it isn't by size that you win or you fail. you've got to be the best of what you are. michael jackson was truly the best of what he was.

finally, in life ever you are allowed to be a street sweeper, you must sweep streets

all of these wonderful, beautiful symbols of america. and i can tell you as a member of the united states congress we understand the constitution. we understand loss. and we know that people are innocent until proven otherwise. that is what the constitution stands for. >> i come, too, to thank you. for many people don't understand the heart of entertainers. they don't know how big their hearts are. they don't know how they heal it will world on behalf of america.

icons like michael sing about healing the world, and so he called us into public service. it did not matter whether we were black or white. he told us to beat it, beat the violence, and look at yourself in the mirror. it meant that if you are going to make a difference, look at the man or woman in the mirror. i come to you today to say thank you. [ applause ] >> some of you come from all faiths, and we respect that here in america. there's a story so symbolic of this young and beautiful man. i love the story of a good samaritan because it talks about those who walked by but diminished the devastated and the poor. this was a broken and beaten man laying along a road. no one stopped, but someone

called the samaritan. it's all about charity and love. and i call michael jackson the good samaritan. i call him michael jackson who cared and loved for the world. it bothered me. i grew up with him as all of us and so many did. and so what an honor and a privilege to see him up close when he came to the united states congress in my office and looked some 15 african ambassadors, representatives of heads of state, sitting in an office listening to michael jackson talk about caring and fighting hiv/aids. they looked at him. he had a kl. they listened. he listened. what a miraculous experience to be able to listen and see michael in action. you know, there were words cast about, but i wonder if anybody

was on his shoulder when he walked into walter reid hospital, and he walked along the rows in the hospital room. this was in the midst of the iraq war. doctors stopped and nurses stopped and individual soldiers who had lost limbs stopped. and were in essence moved and touched as michael was by his desire to come and thank them for their sacrifice. so don't tell me what an american story is all about. it is a salt of the earth when this family took the talent that god had given them and made it into a miraculous and wonderful story for america. i come today for you to

recognize that the flag flying and the people who have spoken have spoken to the people's house. they recognize and they speak, and those of us who serve in elected office, we respond to the people. michael fought for the tolerance of all people. in fact, i am reminded although i speak in the tongues of all faiths that michael fought the good fight. he was someone who understood, and i hope mr. and mrs. jackson and the family will know the lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want. michael jackson, you got to know his story. and it has not been told by all of what you have heard. he was someone who understood. if he was burned, he built a burn unit. if a hospital needed beds, he built those beds. if they needed money for developing countries, michael gave. he went to orphanages.

michael never stopped giving. he touched those whose lives could be reconstructed because the king, yes the king, stopped and said i care about you. that is why on the house floor on june 25th, 2009, the congressional black caucus and members of the house of representatives stopped, stopped, stopped and had a moment of silence. for this wonderful legend and icon. and so to the family let me simply come as someone that wishes she was long lost sheila jackson lee. but i'll keep looking and seeing but coming to say to you that america appreciates and thanks you for michael jackson's life.

for that reason we have introduced into the house of representatives this resolution 600. that will be debated on the floor of the house that claims michael jackson as an american legend and musical icon, a world humanitarian, someone who will be honored forever and forever and forever and forever and forever. [ applause ] >> we are the world. and we are better because michael joseph jackson lived. on behalf of myself and the people who have spoken, michael jackson, i salute you.

[ applause ] ♪

we love you, michael. you meant so much to us, especially me. ♪ like a comet blazing across the evening sky, gone too soon ♪ ♪ like a rainbow fading in a twinkling eye gone too soon ♪

♪ shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright here one day ♪ ♪ gone one night ♪ like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon gone too soon ♪ ♪ like a castle built upon a sandy beach gone too soon ♪ ♪ like a perfect flower that is just beyond your reach ♪ ♪ gone too soon

♪ born to amuse, to inspire, to delight here one day ♪ ♪ gone one night ♪ oh like the sunsets dying from the raising moon ♪ ♪ gone too soon ♪ ♪ gone too soon

[ applause ]

♪ ♪ ♪ don't you know my heads hanging down and i wonder who

been loving you ♪ ♪ oh yeah i got to know yeah ♪ [ applause ] >> i wrote that song. i thought i sang it. i wrote that song back in -- and um -- a few years later here comes this little kid, he's 10

years old. and he had this gathering at this house. he said, come on, won't you see somebody very special. i go there and these five young guys are there, and they sang and danced up a storm. a couple weeks later they recorded my song. and i heard it. i thought to myself now they have pulled a fast one on us. because this boy cannot possibly be 10 years old. this song is about somebody who has somebody who loves them but they treated them bad. they treated them so bad till they lost them. and now they are paying the price of wanting somebody back

that they treated back and lost. how could he possibly know these things? i wanted to see his birth certificate. i did not believe that someone that young could have that much feeling and soul and know. he had a lot of know. he had to know something to sing that song like that. it was wonderful, though. as a songwriter, man, that's a dream come true to have somebody sing one of your songs like that. i myself, i never thought i would be here on today. this is my little brother over there. and you just don't think that you're going to see or you'll

live to see him gone. but he will never really be gone. he is going to live forever and ever and ever and ever. he has made an enormous impact on all of our lives. when i do concerts, i sing "who's loving you." young kids come up and say hey you're singing michael jackson's song, huh? but he will live on forever. i'm a firm believer in blessings. and i have had so many, many blessings in my life.

one of my greatest blessings was i got a chance to know the jackson family. and to know michael, and to see him. i'm glad i lived in an era when i got a chance to see what everybody's been coming up here been saying, the greatest entertainer of all times. i'm glad that i lived. i believe so much in god. i believe so much that this is not it. we have life after this is done. so my brother is in a place now where he is most certainly going to live forever and hereafter. so he's going to live forever twice. he's going to live forever right here because the world will

never ever forget michael jackson. i celebrate your life. i am proud that i had the chance to know you. god bless you. i know he is. ♪

♪ when i had you ♪ i treated you bad ♪ don't you know i sit around with my head hanging down and i wonder who's loving you ♪ ♪ life without love is so

lonely ♪ ♪ i don't think i'm going to make it ♪ ♪ all my life all my life i've been lost to you only ♪ ♪ come on and take it girl come on and take it ♪ ♪ because all i can do, all i can do since you've been gone is cry ♪ ♪ and do you ever wonder or worry you're feeling hurt like i do ♪ ♪ don't you know i sit around

with my head hanging the down ♪ ♪ and i wonder who's loving you ♪ ♪ i wonder ♪ [ applause ] >> i love michael jackson, and i tell you now, i just want to thank him so much for blessing me and every single individual on his this earth with his

amazing music. thank you very much. i love you, michael jackson. >> my name is kenny ortega. thank you. i was michael's partner in the creating and directing of many of his tours including this is it. shaheem was invited to join him to the london shows. thank you for coming all the way out here to join us. we were here. we were right here. a little less than a week ago, and michael was with us, and the band and michael and the singers and the the dancers and our

designers and our crew. we were all here. and we were a family. this was our house. so when the jackson family asked ken ehrlich and i to put together this memorial, we knew we had to do it here. we knew we had to invite the world to join us here, michael's house. we were immediately surrounded by countless family, artists, and friends who unconditionally made this day possible. we knew we had to celebrate michael's life through his music as well as commemorate his passing. both ken and i walked with michael over the years. michael and i were here in the final stages of mounting what we all knew and all saw. it was also -- it was also i think his greatest personal work.

we did it all right here in this place, thee and the human race ♪

♪ there are people starving if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ though it's plain to see all that's happening ♪ ♪ let your spirit never die ♪ in my heart i feel you are my

brother, create a world we live in ♪ ♪ together we'll cry happy tears ♪ ♪ we can build together if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ make a better place ♪ heal the world make it a better place for you and me and the human race ♪ ♪ there are people dying if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ make a better place for you and for me ♪ ♪ make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race ♪

♪ there are people dying if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ make a better place for you and for me ♪ ♪ heal the world make it a better place ♪ ♪ for you and for me and the entire human race ♪ ♪ there are people dying if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ make a better place for you and for me ♪ ♪ there are people dying if you care enough for the living make a better place for you and for me ♪ ♪ there are people dying if you care enough for the living ♪ ♪ make a better place for you and for me ♪ ♪ for you and for me

♪ you and for me ♪ you and for me ♪ you and for me ♪ you and for me ♪ you and for me [ applause ]

on behalf of my family, myself, fans, friends, nieces and feonephews, sisters and brothers, i would like to thank everyone for coming out.

as you know i'm lost for words. i was his voice and his backbone. i had his back so did the family. but we thank you. that's all i can say. we thank you very much. >> i hurt. i -- i stand here trying to find words of comfort, solis, trying to understand why the lord has taken our brother to return home after such a short visit here on

earth. michael, when you left us a part of me went with you. and ar part of you will live forever within me but also a part of you will live forever within all of us. michael, i will treasure the good times, the fun we had. singing, dancing, laughing. i can remember when we used to come home from school and we would grab a quick bite to eat, and we would try to watch the three stooges, as much of it as possible until mother would come in and say it's time to go to the recording studio. i also, michael, remember that time when i went into the record store, and there was this man purchasing a lot of cds. and he would go and grab another

batch of cds. he was an older gentleman. he had short afro, crooked teeth, and his clothes were rump rumpled. i walked up behind him and said, michael, what are you doing in this store? he turned to me and said, marlon, how did you know it was me? i told him, you're my brother. i can spot you anywhere, regardless of your makeup. i know your walk, i know your body language. and those shoes did not help. michael wore the same shoes wherever we went. but i guess that was his way of trying to experience what we take for granted. we were never, never understand what he endured. not being able to walk across

the street without a crowd gathering around him, being judged, ridiculed, how much pain can one take? maybe now, michael, they will leave you alone. michael -- michael was the voice of our angelic trumpets. he will continue to be the voice, that voice in heaven nearest to our creator. and waiting us when our day comes to pass. michael, i love you. i will miss when we said our good-byes. i would hug you and say i love you and your response was, i

love you more. you know, the lord has a purpose for everything. and sometimes we just can't see it or understand it. but it will be made clear to us when we reach that ultimate, ultimate reward of being in his presence. and, michael, you're there. you're right there. you have finished your work here on earth. and the lord has called for you to come home with him. so i thank you, michael. i thank you for all the smiles that you placed in many people's hearts. i thank you for everything that you've done for others across this globe in the lord's name. i have one request, michael, one request. i would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother, brandon, a hug for me. i love you, michael. and i'll miss you.

>> i think janet want to say something. >> i just want to say -- >> speak up, sweetheart. >> ever since i was born daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.

and i just want to say i love him. so much. [ applause ] >> we want to thank you all for loving my brother and supporting our family. thank you and good night.

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪

♪ >> just before we go, there will never be another michael jackson. his musical presence has left its mark on his family, his friends, and the millions of fans who have sang and danced, or at least tried to do so like

mr. michael jackson. he was often imitated, but never duplicated. he wanted to heal the world through his music, and in a small way he succeeded. his music reached across the barriers of race, culture, and even national identity, unifying the planet, if only for a few moments. so now it's up to us. we should also look at the man or the woman in the mirror and change the way we treat each other. let's celebrate our uniqueness, respect our differences, and make that change starting today. my prayer is that this will be more than just a memorial for michael jackson but a remembrance truly of what he means to us. because all around us are people of different cultures, different

religion, different nationalities. and yet the music of michael jackson brings us together. not only here, but around the world. the family has allowed me to close this memorial with a prayer, and i'm going to ask that you will just catch the hand of the person next to you, whether in this auditorium or watching by television, wherever you might be, in solidarity and remembrance of truly what michael jackson's music has done to us and what the man means in this place. if you are so inclined, will you bow your heads, and let's pray. our heavenly father, we thank you this day for the memory of michael jackson that means so much to us even right now, thank you for the gift of music that he gave us, thank you for the man that he was and for what he sought to do with his life, we pray, father, that you will just remind us that we truly can make a difference if we make up our

minds to do so, help us to take a message of love and healing and peace with us as we go, let us demonstrate that love when we go to school, let us demonstrate that love when we go to work, let us demonstrate that love as we walk the streets of our city and no longer turn a blind eye to the needs of those that we walk by every day. let us stop judging people by the color of their skin and by the accent of their voice. let us rather look in the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl and desire truly to reach that person with the love that michael jackson showed us in his music. even now the king of pop must bow his knee to the king of kings. and we pray that you remind us, lord, that our lives are but dust. we are here for a moment, and then we are gone. thank you, lord, for how michael impacted us, and may we now impact others, for we pray that this moment will not be

forgotten as an event to have been enjoyed but rather a reminder that we, too, can make a change. bless us, and keep us with the love by which you kept michael and we offer this prayer unto you, in the glorious name of jesus, our lord, that all who agree say amen, god bless you, and praise god for you. >> closing the memorial with a prayer and asking the audience there at the staples center to grab the hand of the person next

to them. i'll tell you what, that chain of hands was a big chain of hands, and it stretch ad long way. i just got word that one of the shots was from atlanta. people there were holding hands and bowing their head in reverence this morning. a.j., i can't imagine, it would be hard to imagine a memorial that was any more satisfying and fulfilling for michael jackson fan. >> it was so incredibly balanced. it was solemn. it was celebratory. i'm almost having a hard time right now. i'm still choked up. i was speaking with one of my producers. the unexpected moment when michael's daughter paris came up to the microphone and said ever since my daddy was born he was the greatest father ever. fighting back the tears. i don't believe we've ever seen her speak publicly. everybody has been thinking

about the kids. wow, that will go down as the down as the sent mental moment for me. >> i'm right there with you. i could barely gather myself to sit here and talk to see the child sobbing. we have that moment, obviously, on tape, and i think for a lot of us, that will be moment we remember and if you just now tuned in, just a touching moment because you think about the pain the children went through. this is what happened. >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. and i just want to say i love him so much.

>> just to hear her, you know, obvious sobs there. jane, such a touching moment. she obviously felt strong enough that she wanted to say something to that crowd. >> it was so beautiful and there's been so much criticism and his parenting. look at that beautiful, articulate, composed young lady, who, during extraordinary difficult circumstances, stood up and said something from the heart, simple yet eloquent. i've talked to people who are very close to these kids who have been their bodyguards and they've told me these kids are extraordina extraordinary. they're well-balanced, great parenting. you can see it there. i think that's the best legacy in a sense that michael jackson could leave, to look at those

kids and see that they're loved, they're with his family, they're okay. they're hurting, but they're fundamentally okay. >> even on stage, there was guidance from the family. so we just watched this memorial. a similar memorial, that really -- enveloped all the things michael jackson was known for. his music, diversity, inclusion, uplifting the people around him. let's go to paul and i want to see what the people inside felt about the memorial. paul? >> reporter: let's go straight to them. a married couple, you were inside there. for you, what do you think you'll remember most? >> just the feeling in the stadium and just the opportunity to be able to be a part of this moment. both of us have wanted to see michael jackson and unfortunately, we didn't get to see him in a live concert.

>> reporter: tell us, was there one particular moment or perhaps something said or sung that had an impact? >> basically, just all the songs that the celebrities and his friends sang to honor him. it was a fitting tribute. he transcended all nationalities, all races. someone everyone could embrace as a true humanitarian. there will never be another michael jackson. >> reporter: what about those words when we heard from paris, when she talked about her father? >> it's heart wrenching to hear. hearts go out to her and hopefully with a jackson family, she will learn the true impact her father had on the world. >> reporter: also, joey, another big michael jackson fan. >> the last three minutes when you forget, as great as an

entertainer he is and everybody loved him, he was a father. to see paris go outere and it i

beyond words how we must thank him. >> let's listen. >> his three children to know wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. it was strange what your daddy had to deal with, but he dealt with it. he dealt with it in his way. he dealt with it for us.

some came today to say good-bye to michael. i came to say thank you. thank you because you never stopped. thank you because you never gave up. thank you because you never gave out. thank you because your tore down our division. thank you because you gave us hope. thank you, michael. thank you, michael. thank you, michael. >> then he said something that really got a reaction. he said to the children, your daddy wasn't strange, it was string what your daddy had to go there. >> yes, he did. and as we talk about what's in their best interest, imagine what they feel as people begin to judge their father over and over again and i thought that was an amazing moment for him to look at those children and say, there was nothing strange about your daddy, but it was strange what he had to endure.

for marlon to carry that on, you guys don't know what it meant to be my brother. go to the store, a movie, the isolation, that all this fame came at a cost. i thought that was such a poignant moment and i really applaud him for taking that moment to address those beautiful children who love their daddy. >> so the conversation is, which moment is really going to stick with you today. i'm going to ask all of our guests. jane valez-mitchell is with us now. jane, if you had to choose one, what would it be for you? >> i have to say that the reverend al sharpton, first of all, really put it in a historical context. i love what he said because he talked about breaking barriers, that what michael jackson did

set a comfort level with african-american performers and athletes to set the stage for oprah and tiger woods and ultimately, president obama. and what i thought of when i listened to that is what i've read about how not so many decades ago, african-american performers had their music ripped off and re-recorded by white performers who would go on to make fortune with that music and leave the original composer indigent. i've heard about how african-american groups are forced into contract as record companies made tens of millions of dollars off their music. and i realized michael jackson really changed how things were done by seizing the power and by saying i'm going to control the source of the revenue and by getting these catalogs with all these musicians and that's where

he not only got a huge fortune, but he took the power and that's what i see as one of his incredible legacies, is that he didn't acknowledge boundaries, he didn't less anyone else define him. and so many people, the oprahs, the tiger woods and all the others looked at that and said, i can do that, too. and in their own little way, they did it themselves and that's why he created this cultural shift and that's why people who say he was just a singer or dancer are so wrong. he was a person who created a cultural shift felt around the world and i hope and pray that final message from that wonderful preacher we heard today, that we all hold hands and look in the mirror and use this moment as an opportunity to move forward and evolve. we have wars, famine, starvation, children, orphans. if we could all take this moment

and say, let's get something positive out of this and move forward as a human race, that would be truly a wonderful, wonderful gift. i think it could happen because the whole word is watching this particular ceremony right now. >> jane, did you have a favorite musical moment? we had a clip of mariah carey, there were so many different ones. >> well, i have to say, smile when you're heart's breaking, jermaine did a beautiful interpretation. what made michael jackson such an exquisite performer was the intensity and the angst in his performances that came from his own personal suffering. it epitomizes that duality of smiling yet hurting on the

inside. >> and let's listen to jermaine right now in that version of the song. ♪ if you smile, smile it may be tomorrow ♪ ♪ you'll find that life is still worthwhile if you just ♪ ♪ light up your face with sadness find every trace of gladness ♪

♪ at the time you must keep on trying smile although you've been crying ♪ ♪ you'll find that life is still worthwhile ♪ >> what a velvety, beautiful voice. i can't imagine how difficult it was for jermaine to get up there and sing with his brother's casket in front of him and the family members, the children, right in view. you could touch him, basically. a.j. hammer, i've been asking everybody, what was the big moment you'll remember? maybe it's musical, maybe a comment beyond little paris's comment. >> you're playing music right now, so let me talk about the music and how could you not love all the performances. they were so beautiful, lionel richie, down right spiritual.

stevie wonder -- this performance right now, i've got to say, jennifer hudson was absolutely terrific doing "will you be there." this was the top ten hit for jackson this month, july, 16 years ago. i thought it was to appropriate and a little eerie that they used the spoken bridge track. when that came on, it kind of gave me the chills. generally speaking about the entire memorial service and this is often very risky when you have this kind of a get together, a service, where you're involving a lot of celebrities. along with celebrities come giant egos. there was none of that today. often in these situations, it becomes about the person on

stage, not about the person being honored. i didn't see that. one of the things i'm going to carry with me, some of the words from brooke shields. she got up there, just fighting back the tears and gave us some real, honest perspective that only she could because they had such a common bond. they met when michael was 18 or 19 years old at the time. she said they both needed to be adults at a very young age. when they were together, she said they were two little kids, just having fun. when you look at any child star's life, you don't have a lot of those opportunities, so there are few people who can bond with you on that level. she said michael loved to laugh. she said to the public, he was an amazing artist --

>> so our audience can see, let me interrupt and we'll let brooke say it again. >> we had a bond. and maybe it was because we both understood what it was like to be in the spotlight from a very, very young age. i used to tease him and i'd say, you know, i started when i was 11 months old. you're a slacker. you were what? 5? both of us needed to be adults very early. but when we were together, we were two little kids, having fun.

>> really touching moment there. a.j., you mentioned, too, some other comments she made that really stuck with you. >> there were a couple of other things. she said to everybody around the world, he was this great artist, the star. to those who knew him, he was caring, funny, honest, pure, non-jaded and a lover of life and i love that she said she thinks of him not as the king, she thinks of michael jackson as the little prince. she said his sensitivity was bigger than his talent and summed it up beautifully by saying michael jackson saw everything with his heart. >> i was really impressed by so many of the speakers today that were able to get up there and just paint a picture of the michael that they knew, well beyond the public persona that the rest of us knew.

paul is outside the staples center. now you have all those fans coming ut. >> reporter: it's been a very calm situation. we talked to the chief of police here in los angeles. he said about 5,000 people outside the perimeter and again, very reverent, very calm, very quiet. and let's get a sense for what it was like inside. teresa came from boston. her sign reads, boston -- >> it was very emotional. had some funny moments. it was an awesome experience and just glad to be there and thank the family. >> reporter: and you were inside as well. what do you think you're going to bring away from this? >> oh, my god. this is history. i love it. it was nice to be part of. she cried the most.

>> reporter: did you cry the most? >> of course. i love michael jackson. >> reporter: anything in particular that broke you up? >> when his daughter talked. yeah. >> reporter: another sentiment out here, it was very tasteful. darnell, tell us about that. >> what was amazing more than anything was how quiet everything was. between parts, we would go 20 minutes without anything happening and it would be so quiet like we were in a church. it was beautiful. it was so peaceful. then after it was all over, when the family spoke, it was like an air just left out of the building. it was beautiful. it was magical. >> reporter: well said, darnell, and linda, what does michael jackson mean to you? >> he means a lot to me. my daughter is a michael jackson fan. it was her era when she graduated high school. she won these tickets.

she started a job with disney today and could not come. she won the tickets, so it means a lot. >> reporter: again, some of the sentiments from the michael jackson fans, all feeling very privileged to be inside there and share this moment. now back to you. >> a lot of them, they're glowing from the experience. it was certainly fulfilling. thank you. and we will take a break and have more in a moment. we'll certainly have the tape of the big moment of the michael jackson memorial.

on behalf of my family, myself, fans, friends, nieces and ne, sisters and brothers, i would like to thank everyone for coming out. as you know, i'm lost for words. i was his voice and his backbone. i had his back, so did the

family. but we thank you. that's all i can say. we thank you very much. >> what a fitting way to end the tribute to michael jackson with the family up there on stage. i noticed that all of the brothers seem to have on a yellow tie and a sparkly, one white, sparkly glove. what a nice display for their brother. let's go to lauren in l.a. did you notice everyone had yellow roses, a yellow tie, if they were involved in the family. >> i don't the significance of the yellow. it's a very royal color. being he's the king, all colors associated with royalty are fitting and i love the glove because that's something michael did, brooke said, what's up with

the glove. but this was a day not to judge what michael was thinking about the glove, but just to celebrate. the great things that he did that made him so distiktly michael jackson. one other thing that was just haunting. they say in the music business, the best harmonnys come from families and to listen to jermaine sing that song, the sod just like michael's. >> a.j., let me ask you something about barry gordy. i was struck by some things he said, fun stories, the young michael, but also seemed to address the elephant in the room. something to the line of some of

michael's decisions were questionable, but yet we loved him. >> it was interesting because as we spoke about before, would anybody even bring that up, probably not, and you know, barry gordy is one of the people in michael jackson's life who certainly knew him the best and knew him the longest and basically acknowledged as you said, the elephant in the room, this is a part of michael's story, the fact that they were sad aspects of michael's life and some questionable decisions were the words that he used to describe that. so i was a little surprised by that. >> i was, too. >> at the same time, it went by so quickly. i don't think it will be the subject of a great deal of scrutiny and it didn't come up again. i wasn't surprised at all to see nobody raise it. we were just talking about seeing the jackson family on stage and seeing jermaine

jackson performing and how terrific to see everybody on stage during "we are the world." i thought it was terrific of aeg, who put this together, i was so happy to see they put a production number out there for us to see now. i didn't expect that. these were the actual performers set to do this. these guys were set off to head off to london to do 50 dates with michael jackson. they're on stage, they're performing with michael's casket laying right before them. that has to have had an incredible emotional impact on everybody on that stage. >> and such a hurtful thing because they had their summer planned and they were going to go around the world and now they're singing at the man's casket, as you said. did i hear some producers tell me we have to take a break right

now? okay. you know, jane, i also think about the little boy who was a runner up on "brit "britain's g talent." people compared his voice to who's loving you now, i may not have that right. >> what i loved about the whole thing was that it ended on such an upbeat note. it was heartbreaking and certainly when paris spoke, it was very sad, but the or kevent ended on a note of positivity with this re-enactment of "we are the world," which michael jackson around lionel richie wrote. this is more than just honoring one human being. this is honoring his message of global peace and love. >> and let's listen to the

little boy who's voice -- more music and we'll take a short break and be back with more. not long ago, this man had limited mobility.

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♪ ♪ gone too soon >> that's usher getting emotional at the end of his version of "gone too soon," a michael jackson song. there you see the family coming up and hugging usher. a couple of gentlemen who worked with usher in the past and with michael jackson and janet

jackson, jimmy and terry are record producers and they were at today's service. gentlemen, was it befitting the king of pop today? jimmy, how about you? >> i thought it was very befitting because it not only touched upon his life as an entertainer, our greatest entertainer, but also recognized the human side of him and to have his family there and fans from around the world really celebrating. the thing that kept going through my mind is people were saying thank you. thank you for what you've done. i thought it was a wonderful memorial to him. >> what kind of artist was michael to work with? and i'm sorry, it must be very difficult to be there today, having worked with this man. >> well, it's not difficult being here because michael is the universal star and what i mean by that, he touched everyone. united people.

he brought us all together, musically, inspired us all to do bigger and better things. he would always say that to us. we have to challenge ourselves to do bigger things, better things. it was a very emotional day. it's been a very emotional week because we've lost such a universal star as michael. working with him is an absolute dream because he was the best. he came in the studio and within a few minutes, laid down a track that was so awe-inspiring, it was like, being a fan, we grew up with michael and he came in and okay, tried not to be such a groupie, but it was like, oh, my god. that's michael jackson. he gave us so much energy, so quickly. it was very inspiring. wonderful. >> i bet it was. knowing what you know about him, having worked with him in the stud

studio, how much was this memorial straight on something he would have appreciated and said, yeah, this really represent me? >> i think he would have loved the coming together off all people. people of all ages, of all races, from all walks of life. all really the sort of common goal of celebrating his music and humanity. i think he would definitely approve of what went on here today. >> how do you volunteer your next project? i don't know what your next project is, without thinking about the greatness that michael jackson brought you? >> i don't think we go into project without thinking about it. it makes me and i don't know it makes terry, want to do better. we're in the studio right now with usher working on a new project and plan to work with him tonight.

one of two things. we'll be too emotional to actually work, or we will be inspired beyond belief and come up with something incredible tonight, really in honor of michael's legacy and as terry said, michael si's thing in the studio, we have to challenge ourselves. is that the best we can come up with? the best melody. the best musical track. and we will keep those words in mind even more so now as we work with somebody as talented as usher who has been inspired so much by michael. >> hold the line right now because we have a.j. hammer and he wants to ask you both a question. >> hey, it's your old friend a.j. hammer in new york. i was curious of how one particular part of the memorial struck you.

smokey robinson was so eloquent after they showed a video of michael jackson performing "who's loving you." his comment, i wrote that song and sang that song. they said michael even at 10 years old sang with a soul and a passion and theywondered, where did that come from. he's singing as if he has this experience. you guys having worked with him, where did that come from? >> wow. i believe some people are just meant to do certain things. michael was meant to be a singer and entertainer. people don't give michael enough credit for his vocal ability. he was an awesome singer. his pitch, just the way he articulated his words and expressed himself were second to none. i don't think we ever talk about

that. >> and incredible timing with the music. he became part of the track. that's really important. when you're in a recording studio, it's a very controlled environment. you want the artist to be a certain position on the micropho microphone. don't dance around. don't jingle stuff. michael would be in the studio jumping around. you'd say no, don't do that, but all of a sudden, that became a rhythmic part of the track, so not only would he attack what he did vocally, but with his dance. that's what smokey's talking about. michael put that life on that song and amazing at 10 years old. i don't know how he had that, but he brought that life to that song, amazingly.

we were blessed to have the chance to write with him and for him. >> you know what? that is a great story. that's jimmy jam and terry lewis. i think there's a wealth of stories from you. we also like to talk to our viewers. this experience is your experience. right now, we have beverly in tennessee. beverly, i would assume that you watched this and what really made an impression on you? you're on, go right ahead. >> caller: absolutely the whole entire service. it was very inspirational. i am a huge michael, michael jackson fan. i believe that probably me and all other fans should take

responsibility in a portion of the blame for his sudden and tragic demise. because of his greatness and god-given talent, he probably felt compelled to maintain that status and it probably came at the price of his life. >> was there one moment that really struck you in the memorial service that you think you're going to remember for a long time? >> caller: i think, i can't really put a hand on just one thing in particular, i think the whole entire service, the way his brothers and his siblings responded to everyone that got up, i thought that was very warm, very touching. and showing their appreciation. so basically, the whole service was just very touching and i think we should all remember his legacy and remember the good things. everybody has skeletons in their closet. everybody has problems and shortcomings. but we're not going to get into all of that, we're just going to

thank god for michael's gift and what he meant to the world. >> thank you. more of the viewer response. if you want to get in on this, richelle carey's here. what are the tone of the messages you're getting online? >> there's a few who have said this is over the top. but overwhelmingly, most people have been incredibly touched by what they've seen. we know that because we've been reading your facebook posts and your e-mail. we're going to give you a look at what we've been seeing. lisa sent us this particular e-mail. this is what it said -- robin, you've been asking people for their specific examples of things that touched them. this is what one wrote -- and

then patty also wrote this on facebook -- that's just a little sample of what's flooding the internet. e-mails, facebook, go to cnn.com/hln. continue to share with us so we can get a feel for how this memorial affected you, robin. >> and since that viewer referenced that moment with mariah carey singing, i got to remember the name, trey -- her vocal partner on that. do we have that tape to show people? here was the moment that that viewer really said really got her going, emotionally. >> it was good. ♪ i'll be there

♪ just call my name and i'll be there ♪ ♪ i'll be there to comfort you ♪ if you should ever find someone new i know she better good to you ♪

♪ on a whole, it has been an orderly day as thousands mourn michael jackson, the king of pop. that was outside his neverland ranch. mike brooks the hearing from police officers in southern california that basically, they didn't have a whole lot of

problems and that it was basically orderly. that a lot of the fans who did not have tickets must have heeded the warning over the media to not be coming to the area if you didn't have a ticket. i wanted to show you some of the more touching moments came from the family. among them, marlon, one of michael jackson's brothers. he broke down during some of his comments and here is that. >> finish your work here on earth and the lord has called for you to come home with him, so i thank you, michael. i thank you for all the smiles that you've placed in many people's hearts and i thank you

for everything that you've done for others across this globe in the lord's name. and i have one request, michael. one request. i would like for you to give our brother, my twin brother,

brandon, a hug for me. i love you, michael, and i'll miss you. >> did you know that marlon was apparently a twin? and speaking to his past brother, michael, to give his brother, brandon a hug. there was a moment, too, where marlon joked about running into michael in desguise buying his own cds in a record store. >> reporter: what they are saying is that this far exceeded their expectations. so many people have said they were so touched by paris, speaking at the end about her father. we've never heard from her before, but they were just very touched by this tribute to michael jackson. many people talked about that guitar solo that john mayer gave. it shows fact that michael jackson's music will be interpreted over and over again. some of those stories that we didn't know about michael jackson, who knew that michael jackson even played baseball? it was really nice for them to bring more of a human aspect to michael jackson. this person they call the king of pop. probably for many more years to come. >> why is the crowd behind you screaming? >> reporter: well, we have -- you can probably go down there, he is revving things up. these are fans who just came out of the memorial. >> can paul hear me? >> reporter: i can hear you.

i'm not doing anything except for talking to people who are absolutely enjoying the chance to be with each other and have come from all over the world. what do you remember about being in there? i saw family as much as i did fans and icons around the world. i just really am happy he touched myself in such a way and it was through the people, usher was very much a moment in history and that's when i started crying. >> reporter: she said he had to prove a hater wrong.

tell us about that as someone fr. did these people honor michael jackson the way they should? >> absolutely. it was the best. it was so emotional. i'm just so glad i got to be a part of it. >> reporter: can you think of one moment --

>> stevie wonder. when stevie be here. i got an invitation from a member of the family. it's been awesome. it's been worth it. >> let me move on down the line here. you're a huge fan as well. sometimes when we have what seems to be such a seminal event, out of it will come songs, or something that the people will remember for the ages. was there a performance, or something in here you think we'll be singing along to for years? >> i'd have to just say, besides everything, i think that just the last one, "we are the world," and just -- there were so many. i could not just pick one. there's just no way. they were all touching in many ways. >> i thank you so much for taking time out. all of you, michael jackson fans. as i said to you before, this whole sense of, well, perhaps we're downtrodden and mourning, has turned into a sense of revelry and all these fans, we should note, extremely well

behaved. lapd told me recently, no arrests today. back to you. >> oh, thank you. yeah, it's almost like we saw the mood change right before our own very eyes as people were in mourning. how could you not be in mourning as you saw the little girl at the end, paris, talking about her dad. and now outside, emotions are back up again as they're celebrating this man's life. jane, it is an emotional roller coaster. >> it really is. and there's so much mystery now. i think we're all wondering, where is michael jackson's body going. i'm getting a report from tmz that it will not be going back to forest lawn. it appears it's a decoy. an air of mystery continues in michael jackson's life, even in death. >> and you know what, jane, we got word that at least some of the family is going to the beverly wilshire hotel. you would think what is customary after a funeral, or a memorial, many times is to have a meal, and you have to wonder if that's what's happening. we do not have the definitive

word. we just wanted to show you some live pictures we have of some of that motorcade. although, like you said, it's a bit of a mystery, are they going back to the cemetery? are they going to this hotel? more after this.