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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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.