Jackson Memorial Tickets Turn Golden

Passes to Tribute Going For Up to $20,000 on eBay; Two Fans Who Won Them Talk About It

(CBS)  The tickets aren't golden, but Michael Jackson fans who've been granted passes to the memorial tribute on Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles are elated that they've gotten the chance to say goodbye to the King of Pop.

Joe Langer and Paul Pagnini, who won them, told "Early Show" weather anchor and features reporter Dave Price they just decided to take their chances, and "never in a million years," according to Pagnini, thought they would be chosen, out of the more than 1.5 million people organziers say sought them online.

But they were.

"We were watching like everybody else when the (Jackson) family decided to open it up to the public with this lottery and went online, like probably millions of people, and just decided to take our chances," Pagnini said, "It just came true."

But many hopefuls didn't receive the free tickets. For those who missed out, the tickets now have a hefty price tag attached: In online marketplaces, such as eBay, tickets now costing as much as $20,000, according to Langer.

"It's not really in the spirit of what Michael Jackson would have liked," Langer said. "He's about love, and, I think, realness. ... Selling these tickets on eBay for thousands of dollars certainly isn't fair."

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Did you get a ticket to Michael Jackson's memorial? CBS wants to talk to you! Just send us an e-mail with your name, phone number, location and any additional contact information.

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Pagnini agreed, adding the event is supposed to be about honoring Jackson's life, not in profiting from his death.

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Complete coverage of Jackson's death

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Both Langer and Pagnini are longtime fans of Jackson.

Langer said he saw the "The Jackson 5" perform when he was six years old.
"Michael Jackson and the Jacksons have been a part of my life ever since," he said.

Langer said what drew many people to Jackson was his ability to reach people across the spectrum of life experience.

"He's transcended gender and religion and race," Langer told Price. "That was the magic of Michael Jackson. He was really able to touch anybody, young or old. There was something about his music that really touched people."

[purple_dragonfly28]

You people make me sick! THE MAN IS DEAD AND CAN NO LONGER DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST YOUR ATTACKS!!! Give it up! He was a Great Man. He was never convicted, the kid even admitted he LIED to get money like so many have tried before with other celeberties. He needs to be remembered for all the good he has done and the pure joy his music has brought us over the years. I have many fond memories of growing up with his music, and I personally wish I had the chance to meet this wonderful magical man. For all you Michael bashers, you can't tell me that not once in your life someone didn't try to accuse you of something or other, the only differance the jerks that accused Michael thought they'd get rich out of it. The bigger the accusation, the more money it's worth! PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!!! LET THE MAN REST IN PEACE AND LET US REAL FANS MORN IN PEACE!!!!!!!

[authorkat]

You people should be ashamed of yourselves. This country is build on the premises that a person is innocent until proven gulity. Secondly, unless you were there, living in his inner circle, how would you know anything other than what the media has told you, idiots. Lets remember him, just as we did Elvis, who we all knew abused drugs, women and anything else, for their contributions to the world. He contributed more to children, aids and many other organizations throughout the world during his time here. The man is dead, for God's sake. What will people have to say about any of you, would seem to be perfect? Pull those invisible sheets off your heads and get over the fact that the world is celebrating the life of a genious who happens to be black, and shut up with all of your worthless energies of hate.

[slm74]

Since everyone wants to call MJ a pedofile, why aren't people mad at the parents? If I knew my neighbor was accused of molesting a child, I definitely wouldn't send my child over, especially to spend the night! When are the parents held accountable for pimping/ prostituting their children? Did they not hear about the accusations? Maybe they didn't have cable or tv to catch the "rumors and accusations" concerning him... Grow up people, if you want to be mad, address the parents for NOT doing their jobs!!!!

[n1magnet]

MJ was the best singer around and yeah he had problems but his music will always be played and always be known and you know you say he did so many things but he was never convicted was he>? no and he also said that he left neverland because he couldnt stand being somewhere that he was accused of bad things so he left and he went back but he said it would never be a home because of the things that were said about it things that had never happened. yeah we all mess up but we are all forgive at some point so just love the man for music and give him the rights he deserved he has passed and he started as a good sole but he deserves the tributes and the memories and having everything dedicated to him he is a real legend! he is freakin amazing no one else is known in every country in the world u can go anywhere and they will know who he is

[sam-kiley]

bonsoir
aimer michael jackson c'est bien, etre fan aussi, vouloir rendre hommage trés bien.. mais de là a dépenser des sommes farmineuses, est un peu exagéré..excentrique aussi au revoir..

[ivehadit9]

Right, businesses would be taking a day off and the streets would be closed just for this twice-accused child molester. You may say that he was never convicted of child molestation charges, but I don't look up to 12 idiot jurors who acquitted him, to decide truth or not. For God's sakes, the only people that should be showing up for this pedophile's memorial are Cardinal Mahoney's priests.

Just because he did the damn moonwalk doesn't mean I have to give him his due. Is it in the Constitution that if somebody sings and dances, that he has to be treated like a national treasure??? And when he's masturbating 13-year old boys under the sheets, were supposed to ignore that part, right??????????

What a sick, disgusting world we live in.

[rollinsg]

What a loser whatsup49 etc... Please just go away! Micheal deserves the attributes that the world is paying to him!!!

[45ford]

ya gotta laugh at the dimwits on eBay. this morning there was an active listing on there for 2 tickets to MJs memorial service with 40 bids at $21,100,000... yes as in twenty-one million, one hundred thousand dollars. LMAO ! what freakin' nuts.

[tinker58]

You know I'm really getting sick and tired of the negative comments about Michael Jackson, especially calling him a pedophile. I guess you people have forgotten that he was found innocent of those charges. I'm 51 years old and grew up listening to the KING OF POP and still listen to him and he has done more for all races than anyone I can think of.WHY DON'T YOU JUST LET HIM REST IN PEACE!!!!

[martin9p2]

CBS is being irresponsible reporting what they heard and didn't even see on a web page. I looked for myself, and eBay has de-listed $25,000 tickets. At least one memorial ticket failed to sell for $800. Mr. CBS, what you see on eBay is not news. Whatyou read on twitter about a listing on eBay is not news. Please so some hard reporting.

[realitychec6]

... the almighty dollar will prevail!!! ...

[Zenechai]

I agree that all the press around Michael Jackson's death is sickening. This is the reason other countries hate us, our obsession with materialism and ignorance of the rest of the world. How can we prove them wrong when the UNSUSPICIOUS DEATH of a celebrity (no foul play, no suspected homicide) gets more press coverage than the rising unrest in Iran or the state of our own economy and government?

And to you bloody idiots selling the tickets: WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS, DO YOU THINK PEOPLE -HAVE- $20,000 TO SPEND ON TICKETS?! THEY COULD JUST BUY A NEW CAR AND WATCH THE SERVICE AT HOME FOR FREE!!!

Morons, man. I'm NOT proud to be an American right now. I'm proud to be me. I'm ashamed of my country right now. I'm sure our troops are proud to be defending a country who thinks more highly of an alleged child molester than the people who are fighting and dying for them.

Congratulations. You are those people.

[u-r-right]

I hope the Nation of Islam make an appearance and tells us how bad Michael was treated by all the non-black folks while Jamie Fox, Rev Al and Jesse J shout AMEN MY BROTHA!!! Pass the plate!

[Sloughfoot]

Making a carnival out of it and scalping tickets, befitting and a legacy.

[whatsup49]

what have all you mj supporters been drinking? please, don't offer me any, i like my undistorted view of reality. mj abused drugs, he begged for one so powerful it generally is administered only in a hospital surgical setting. he allowed little boys to 'sleep' with him in his bed, which is just sick. if it was your neighbor across the street 'sleeping' with your little son, you'd be screaming abuse too. mj was talented, but he wasn't a god, and he doesn't deserve this kind of media coverage. he was weird and a freak. as for reading the blogs, i do so to see what other intelligent and, unfortunately, not so intelligent, people have to say. i haven't decided which side is winning.

[VegasResident]

actually 9000 of the 11,000 stadium seats were held reserved for the Jackson fmaily to give out, so only 2000 normal fans got them. The rest is for staples center where you may as well watch it at home.

Seems someone must have figured out how to redo the glue for the wristbands cause without them you cannot get in if they are taped etc.

[radarbob1]

Don't you people see, He's a god! Pay $20,000 and you can sit next to him...

[truthseeker60]

The corporate-controlled mass media (radio, TV, and print) is aiding and abetting the dissemination of deliberate lies, by those public officials supposedly "in charge." Trivial Hollywood news has now replaced investigative reporting, enforcing a country-wide situation where Americans are poorly educated and badly informed. President Thomas Jefferson reminded us that real "information is the currency of democracy." Where is it?

[All_pols_need_2_go]

Who cares if people are selling the tickets its called FREE ENTERPRISE look it up. Jackson sure didn't have any problem selling his tickets for ridiculous prices to see him grab his crotch. His FAMILY is now going to be profiting off his death as well. The dude was a freak and perv if you honestly think grown men in their 40's just sleep with little boys in their bed for fun your on another planet and need a slap of reality. This whole never ending MJ death fiasco just shows how truly bad a shape we as a country are when more people seem concerned with a perv kicking the bucket then they are with how our country is being run. I would bet that over 50% of those in the streets with their memorials couldn't even name the 3 Branches of Government but know every MJ song and are wearing a queer glove on one hand. If you idolize this idiot you need some serious mental help.

[u-r-right]

But-but, grabbing his crotch was just the he felt the music according to him and sleeping with kids is normal according to him. What he was saying is us low-lifes who are beneath him do not understand because he was so rich and famous, that made him right about everything. LOL No, he would not ever think of seeking counseling for his problems.

Oh and according to him, he only had plastic surgery twice. The rest of his change was caused by a rare skin disease that affects no one else like it affected him.

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

[angele222]

All you stupid people that are judging!!!!(Micheal Jackson) you only beleived what you read or heard on news..... he was never charged of these accusations of molesting children.... about the drugs.... there is no proof yet that he abused of them....don;t you stupid people take medications when you are suffering or in pain... he was different yes I admit that....all he wanted was to end children from suffering.... he was the biggest entertainer in the music industry but he also was the most caring person on earth... and help more suffering children than any public figure or celebrity besides Oprah ... You ingnorant people should not juge by what you hear.... there were no proof of any of these charges...... again!!!! take the goodness of Michael Jackson and don't JUGE..........