Michael Jackson: A Goodbye For The Ages

river bed, a crowd trickled in throughout the early morning reaching its largest during the service. Just as the media covered Forest Lawn with their fans, cars lined several blocks of Riverside Drive. The scene did not resemble the atmosphere at, for example, UCLA Medical Center the day he died. There were no signs or stereos, no impromptu dances.

9:50 a.m.

On the media line-up between the Staples Center and the Nokia Theaters, hundreds of reporters gathered to broadcast news of the funeral worldwide. Jackson's former trainer Lou Ferigno was surrounded by reporters as fans shouted to him from behind the barricades. Brian Oxman, Jackson's former lawyer who has taken heat for his recent criticism of the singer and his drug habits, spoke to a Fox News camera for nearly an hour.

9:30 a.m.

As fans with coveted gold wristbands made their way towards the Staples Center early Tuesday morning, many broke out in song and others shed tears of disbelief over finally making it to the King of Pop's memorial. Vendors lined the street shilling t-shirts plastered with the singer's iconic face, buttons, and shiny silver sunglasses. One couple, who said they had won their tickets from Canada via the online raffle, bought an extra ticket for a friend from a scalper for $250.

Tuesday a.m.

A trail of black sedans carried the Jackson family to Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills on a glaringly bright Tuesday morning for the private funeral of Michael Jackson, whose death nearly two weeks ago set off a worldwide wave of shock and mourning. 

Along with family and friends, cable news networks from around the world, radio and print reporters were clustered at the funeral home, where many Hollywood figures are laid to rest. 

Jackson, who was 50 when he died of heart failure just before he was to set out on a world concert tour, was to be transported to the Staples Center immediately after the ceremony at Forest Lawn. 

Thousands of fans were already milling about the Staples Center, where superstars including Stevie Wonder, Usher and Mariah Carey were scheduled to perform at a memoriam quite unlike the city has ever seen. 

More to come...

Memorial Could Cost Los Angeles $2.5 Million

A city official tells E! that the Jackson memorial could cost debt-ridden Los Angeles over $2.5 million. City officials have asked AEG to pay for some of the public costs, but the company has declined, according to L.A. City Councilman Dennis Zine. He also said that the city attorney's office is considering taking unspecified action over the public outlay of funds.

So what is the city paying for?:

-At least 1,400 police officers

-Department of Transportation officers to enforce street closures

-Department of Public Works workers to keep area clean

-Fire and rescue specialists 

-- E! Online, 5:57 p.m. ET July 6

Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer Among Stars to Perform at Memorial

Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and Mariah Carey are among the stars who have been confirmed to partake in Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center on Tuesday. Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson will also appear at the event.

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