Michael Jackson's Last Act

Funeral, Public Memorial Set for Today; Body Will Be at Staples Center

(CBS/ AP)  Last updated 10:39 a.m. ET.

The curtain is slowly rising on Michael Jackson's last show.

As in Jackson's life, Tuesday's public memorial at the downtown Staples Center includes the spectacle surrounding the show - legal drama, screaming fans, star power, live worldwide broadcast, unsavory accusations, even a parade of elephants - all adding up to what could be the biggest celebrity send-off of all time.

Adding to the spectacle is the confirmation from Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton that Jackson's casket will be taken to the arena. Police blocked off roads and warned those without tickets to stay away because they would not be able to get close to the Staples Center.

"Mr. Jackson’s remains will be moved to the Staples Center, but we’re not giving any details relative to that movement," Bratton said. "His remains will be at the Staples Center for that event."

On the eve of the memorial, activity was spotted late Monday at the Forest Lawn Cemetery involving the Jackson family. The cemetery is the location where relatives were expected to hold a private funeral.

Click here for complete coverage of Jackson's death

Sources tell CBS News there was no burial Monday night - at sunset, a coffin believed to be carrying the King of Pop was taken into a building called the Hall of Liberty, which contains a 1,200-seat auditorium.

An intimate group of family and friends gathered there, among them, Michael Jackson's sister LaToya and brother Randy, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

A few hours later, the casket was reloaded into the hearse and delivered to another nearby building, this time covered in a blue cloth.

More than 1.6 million people registered for free tickets to Jackson's downtown memorial. A total of 8,750 people were chosen to receive two tickets each.

"I got the golden ticket!" one fan screamed out of his car window in a Willy Wonka moment as he drove out of the parking lot.

The family announced that participants will include Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Usher, Lionel Richie, Kobe Bryant, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Martin Luther King III.

British Airways reported a surge of bookings as soon as the memorial arrangements were announced. Virgin's trans-Atlantic flights to San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles were all packed with fans and VIPs, spokesman Paul Charles said.

About 50 theaters across the country, from Los Angeles to Topeka, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., were planning to broadcast the memorial live, for free.

Downtown hotels were quickly filling. Police, trying to avoid a mob scene, warned those without tickets to stay away because they would not be able to get close to the Staples Center.

The LA Visitors Bureau expects a tourism influx could generate $4-5 million in economic activity, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor. But the event will also cost money - at least $2 million for extra police and city services, from a local government already half a billion dollars in debt.

One Los Angeles City Council member is calling on the promoter AEG to pick up the entire cost - not only what happens inside the Staple Center, but also protecting people on surrounding streets.

"I would love for somebody to pick up the entire tab," Acting Mayor Jan Perry told Glor. "That would be GREAT."

Although people without tickets have been warned away from the area, the LAPD is ready for an onslaught of fans, Chief William Bratton told CBS "Early Show" anchor Maggie Rodriguez.

Bratton said there are more police (many of whom are on-duty personnel) deployed today than there were at the Lakers' championship parade last month.

"We really just do not how many people will actually show up, so we're prepared for anything, also prepared to de-escalate very quickly," Bratton said. "This is costing a lot of money, so if we don't get the crowds we are expecting, we will very quickly redeploy our personnel.

"The Lakers parade ended up being paid for private donations, and I know city council members are reaching out to see if business members can help out with this one."

All those involved say the heart of Los Angeles will become a circus. In one way, that characterization will be literal. On Wednesday Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey starts a run at Staples Center, a booking long planned in advance, and in preparation will march elephants from the train station to the arena in the pre-dawn hours before today's Jackson's memorial.

A Legal Circus

The legal maneuvering that marked Jackson's extraordinary and troubled life also continued Monday, with his mother losing a bid to control his enormous but tangled estate. And in one of the few reminders of Jackson's darkest hours, a New York congressman branded Jackson a "pervert" undeserving of so much attention.

In Los Angeles Superior Court, a judge appointed Jackson's longtime attorney and a family friend as administrators of his estate over the objections of his mother, Katherine. Attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain had been designated in Jackson's 2002 will as the people he wanted to oversee his empire.

Katherine Jackson's attorneys expressed concerns about McClain and Branca's financial leadership. "Frankly, Mrs. Jackson has concerns about handing over the keys to the kingdom," said one of her attorneys, John E. Schreiber.

Branca and McClain will have to post a $1 million bond on the estate, and their authority will expire Aug. 3, when another hearing will be held.

"Mr. Branca and Mr. McClain for the next month are at the helm of the ship," the judge said.

Jackson died at age 50 with hundreds of millions in debts. But a court filing estimates his estate is worth more than $500 million. His assets are destined for a trust, with his three children, his mother and charities as beneficiaries.

Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and the mother of Jackson's two oldest children, had planned to attend the memorial but backed out Monday. "The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction," her attorney Marta Almli said in a statement.

In New York, Republican Rep. Peter King released a YouTube video calling Jackson, who was acquitted of child molestation charges, a "pervert" and a "low-life."

But the memories of Jackson's problems were far from the minds of fans preparing to say goodbye.

"It's the passing of a great soul," said Matt Tyson, 31, of Ojai, Calif. "He brought people together, helped express something that's in us all."

[santos1466]

Abraham lincoln/Robinson & the other baseball player the great Roberto Clemente and a few others. Have helped pave the way, from racism. But the friends of M.J. made it sound like it was, just M.J.! Thy truly are delusional. RIP M.J.

[PETE_SCN]

Congratulations is in order to the major tv networks and the innumerable entertainment media outlets of all descriptions. You have succeeded in crossing the last barrier of civilization, welcome to the no man's land of moral desolation. Hail your god of debauchery, chant of Michael Jackson's virtues and ignore his sins.

There was a time when there was a clearly definable line of right and wrong, a sense of what is acceptable in order for
a modern society to continue to function. There was a time when recreational drug use was frowned upon and those
who were foolish enough to partake were penalized in the media and in the minds of normal Americans. There was a
time when explicit sexuality was not amplified and glamorized by the media and the average American shunned lurid
and provocative "sex for the sake of sex" and the "if it feels good,..do it" mentality. Unfortunately we now live in an age where they try to persuade us that it's ok for men to marry men and women to marry women, they persuade us that homosexual marriage is virtuous and that couples should be allowed to have and raise children, it's only normal after all. A word of caution is in order,...if you fail to embrace and fully integrate this new morality into your very being,..YOU will be penalized. Don't worry,.."It's ALL good"

We normal Americans are perhaps TOO fair, TOO afraid of being perceived as "intolerant" and discriminatory and thus
we have lost our moral compass. I always thought that the last and hopefully insurmountable hurdle for the super
liberals would be their inability to promote acceptance of child molestation, much less pollute the average American
with their foolish, naive and permissive attitudes. Well here we are a nation mourns, no the world mourns a man that slept with other people's children in his bed. Of course this is all acceptable from such a "talented" man as Michael Jackson, his artistic nature buys him a pass in life, he need not follow the morality and social conventions that almost everyone else must follow. In the future will we also exalt a "talented" brain surgeon who happens to molest children? How does the media work their magic? How do they manage to change so many people's minds and beliefs? It all starts with making distasteful and immoral things seem innocuous and normal and certainly not harmful to our collective soul as a society. They encourage us to embrace all persuasions of perversity. Decades ago the promoters and practitioners of "alternative lifestyles" convinced us that they just wanted to be left alone to practice and live their lives "in private" and as they see fit. What harm could from from that?

Surely no harm can come from people who seek only to be "left alone". Well they got that, we left them alone and
before you knew it,..they wanted more. They wanted to inflict their lifestyles upon us all. They wanted "special
protection" from the government and they got it. They want to be viewed as the "norm" and with the help of the media
and pop culture brainwashing they got it. "It's ALL good"

So I ask what is next. Will bestiality be OK? Will men in the future be allowed to marry sheep? Will women be allowed
to marry a horse? Maybe those who practice bestiality "just want to be left alone",..for now at least. I think human
sacrifice can't be too far off if we keep following the present course,..as long as all parties involved are "consenting".
Sounds ridiculous and far fetched, but then again the shenanigans being played out today, daily and on a worldwide
scale would have been truly unthinkable a mere 40 years ago.

Well the circus has already begun, and the media will promote and eulogize this pathetic man who slept with children and apparently abused drugs. They will mourn his passing and proclaim he will never truly die, for he is the king! Does that sound as scary to you as it does to me?

I ask all who may read this to consider how the "embrace everything" mentality will affect the world for yourselves and
more importantly for the sake of your children and their children. It is quite easy to destroy and incredibly hard to build
and create. A house can be torn down in hours, yet it takes months and years to build one. It takes millenniums to build
civilization and just a few decades to destroy it. God save us.

[cjkjmj]

This is for you Mr. Peter King, seeing as you are a represenative of this GREAT nation, maybe you can explain it to me. In America, you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, yet, once accused, you always carry the enigma, the questions, the looks. And yet, you get arrested, YOU GO TO TRAIL, YOU GET PROVEN INNOCENT, and you get in return, state rep, LIKE YOU, MR. PETER KING, who are supposed to live by example, insulting people and throwing degrading comments. REGARDLESS, Mr. Peter King, of what you "believe" about Michael Jackson, He went to trial, he was tried, he was aquitted, HE WAS NOT FOUND GUILTY. Some FREAKIN' AMERICAN YOU ARE. How is it, here, in America, you are tried, aquitted, and yet, arse holes like you still convict.?

[ramos1129]

I really think many of the postings on MJ are out of order and just plain insensitive. Sure, MJ had some weird habits but everyone does. A while back, MJ was tried as a child molester and found innocent by a jury. That should be the end of that.

I do agree that as a culture, our values are mixed up. Even MJ would agree that there are much more important events worthy of our attention.

In any event, let's have respect for the dead and wish him the peace he never had on earth. RIP MJ, I hope you are now hobnobbing with James Brown, Satchmo and Ray Charles.

[abcdgoldfish-2009]

I AGREE ALL THE WAY!!! People just need to give MJ and his family a little sympathy. Everyone has messed up once or twice in their life. Just let him be remembered for all the good things that he did in his life.

[ramos1129]

In New York, Republican Rep. Peter King released a YouTube video calling Jackson, who was acquitted of child molestation charges, a "pervert" and a "low-life."

------------------------------------------------------

The legal hearings - These were entirely legal and proper even given the circumstances. Jackson's estate had to be safeguarded until a final disposition is made.

About Rep. King - I agree with only part of King's statements. I think entirely too much is being madeo of MJ's funeral. But, no one put it up to a vote. About MJ being a pervert, some years back he was indicted on this charge, tried and found innocent. This is our system of justic and it has served us well since we started using it. MJ had some weird habits but don't we all. I have a habit of starting my day at 3 AM and going until ???. My employees think that is weird.

[RobF48]

Geez, and I thought I was the only one that wants an end to this comedy.

[trubbles12]

There has been way too much coverage of this. This is a man who drank booze and took controlled substances and where supposed to support him on this? He made his own choice. Give me me a break! Also, I agree with comments made on the news yesterday evening. Jackson is a pedophile. I'm not going to pretend that I'm mourning over the loss of this sick idiot. Just because he was acquitted does not mean he did not do it. Let's not forget, one of his own brothers went on national television and said "we told him to stay away from children and he would not listen to us". Whether Jackson was guilty or not he was advised by his own family and he ignored them. Let us not forget that he was accused of this twice. Maybe Jackson would still be alive if he were found guilty because he never would have had access to all the different kinds of pain killers, in a cell, that Dr. Feel Good gave him. Like Liza said "all hell will break loose when the toxicology report comes out". He did it to himself and I don't need this report to verify the obvious. Enough with the Jackson coverage already, It's been twelve days since his death. Let it go. I'm sure there are a lot more people who feel this way, but are not coming forth and saying so.

[1notrub11]

I will be so glad when today is over. With any luck all this hoopla will die down quickly.
I have no problem with recognizing achievements and even failures, but this goes overboard.

[rplat]

This country is terminally ill. Our youth are dying in a foreign war and they get no attention. In the meantime, the big event in this poor sick Republic is the funeral of a perverted, drug addicted, pedophile. This once great nation is rotting from the core.

[TNisgoodenoughforme]

Yep

[shay_15]

MJ will always be missed, all the times i would hurt myself to do all of his moves. im very speechless. he inspired me sooo much. When i felt that beat he was getting me out my shoes. We all know hes in a better place. KING OF POP!!! LOVE YA ALWAYS MJ.

[abcdgoldfish-2009]

You know, i have been reading all the comments, and you are the first person that has said something nice about him. I wish that people would just let him rest in peace. He is dead, there is nothing that will bring him back, and nothing will change what he did. His legacy will live for a very long time. RIP MJ !!!

[barbaram99]

In the end Michael Jackson and or his family will have to pay for it even tho he is dead.Someones will have to pay for it. He had to know that when he did die that this would happen. The people will have to be paid that are on duty,etc. The city will get their money. Jackson's estate should foot the bill. I am just a layperson.

[whatsup49]

spectacle is the right word for this send off. i'll be glad when it's over so that mainstream media can get back to reporting the newsn, and not wacko jacko anything.

[tunaatlast]

Its a shame that michael never paid for his crimes. maybe when he gets to heavens gate, (he wont get in), that God will say, "now I got you and now you will pay. A pervert is still a pervert no matter how much money they have nor how talented. Hitler was a fair artist, but we dont have memorials for him. AND I HATE HITLER.

[xlib]

The state of California is broke and begging for federal money-OUR MONEY!! But it's ok for the city of LA to put on this circus at the taxpayers expense. Guess I'm one of the few that find a real problem with this whole mess.
So, people of LA and the state of California enjoy your circus.

[John_Merritt]

Actually no! I moved to Florida after lving my entire life in California and I find it a travesty and a waste of resource dollars on
this boy/man/child/it. I find it disgusting that so many people consider Michael the Savior to themselves and to others, when he was nothing but a little boy who could not grow up, who did not know whether he was black or white.

But I do know he was ashamed to be black and so he tried to change his color. I do know he tried to find his nirvana (that perfect place) by creating a Disneyland at his Nowhereland Ranch. I and many others know, HE KNEW he could not pull off that 50 concert tour, because he could not walk around the stage very well holding onto an IV pole laced with his drug of choice without giving away his lifestyle (his true identity).

And he could not bear the thought people were going to make fun of him and finally figure who he was because around the 10th concert he would have folded like a tent. So he took the easy way out, and one which would give him the greatest glory and tributes by man to Michael, the self proclaimed Savior to all the people.

How do I know this? I WAS a full blown drug addict, big time, with more than my share of narcissitic tendencies and I know what goes on in the mind of the affirmed. There is never a good ending without sobriety.

Rest in peace Michael, because sometimes it is our last act that seals the deal.

[trubbles12]

I agree xlib. It is estimated to be costing California at least 2 million for this media circus. Why does the family not pay for this. It's not like they don't have it. Humdreds of cops needed, sanitation services etc. Let the "King of Pop" pop for some of this. Janet appears at the BET show and makes an emotional statement, but she has not opened her checkbook for the costs the city has to incurr for this media circus at the Staples center.

[bmarshall1983]

I WISHED YOU PEOPLE WOULD JUST SHUT UP ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON. THE MAN IS DEAD FOR GOD SAKE.

[xlib]

What "people" would that be? The media or the public who have a perfect right to voice an opinion that this whole media circus is disgusting. Yea, he's dead and now a state that is flat broke and begging for federal money-OUR MONEY is putting on this circus.
Here's a thought, how about all those lear/limo libs who profess to have loved him soooooo much and are taking the opportunity to cash in on his death foot the dam bill?

[John_Merritt]

You're right! He has been 'dead' for a long time. Now maybe he can play with his zombies. Have fun Michael, wherever you're going. Bon Voyage!

[TNisgoodenoughforme]

Yes he is dead, so we need to move on to important matters.

[tdentino]

Bury this pervert and move on.

[tunaatlast]

YS, NOW MAYBE A LOT OF YOUNG BOYS CAN BE SAFE. THEY WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LEANING OVER AND GETTING THE BATH SOAP ARROUND HIM.

[gangesdak]

When will this circus end?

[John_Merritt]

When the elephants break loose, and trample anyone in sight?

[TNisgoodenoughforme]

It has gone on way to long!!! We have real news going on in the world that is not being reported on. We have TROOPS dieing & the news aren't giving them more than a half page. BUT MJ gets dozens. He was a good dancer & songer writer & singer, whoop-dee-doo. The man has been dead waht? 11 days? bury him & focus on real news!!