Fans join queue for Jackson memorial tickets

Organisers of Michael Jackson’s public memorial announced that fans outside the US will be able to apply for tickets.

The clamour for tickets for the event in Los Angeles began as soon as details of how to register for the ballot were revealed.

Fans worldwide were disappointed to read on the Staples Centre website that only US residents could apply for a chance of securing a ticket before the information was later changed.

A spokesman for the memorial’s organiser said: “British fans can register for the memorial.”

Other fans of the King of Pop will be able to watch Tuesday’s event from their homes as organisers announced it will be broadcast around the world.

The stadium’s website temporarily crashed within moments of AEG Live president and chief executive Tim Leiweke announcing the opening of registration for the draw.

He said 17,500 free tickets will be available in pairs for Jackson’s fans - 11,000 of which will admit entrance to the Staples Centre itself with 6,500 places to watch on screens at the nearby Nokia theatre.

Registration will end at 6pm this evening (2am Sunday morning Irish Time), with the 8,750 successful applicants drawn at random and then notified by email between 11am and 8pm tomorrow (7pm tomorrow to 4am Monday Irish Time).

Mr Leiweke said: “First off, our thoughts and our prayers are with the family, all of the Jackson family, and in particular with Michael Jackson’s fans.

“It is the family’s wish to create a service and a celebration that all of Michael’s fans around the world can be part of.

“Thus the family has made arrangements to provide a worldwide pool feed to every network for free.

“The family has also made available 17,500 tickets for Michael’s fans to be part of this service.”

No information was given about what the memorial service will involve or celebrities who might appear.

Jackson’s legion of fans have been descending on Los Angeles since his sudden death at the age of 50.

City officials told last night’s press conference that they were encouraging people to stay away unless they had tickets for the memorial as strict checks would be in place.

On Thursday, a 30-second snippet of Michael Jackson rehearsing two days before his death was released, part of more than 100 hours of footage that could be turned into live albums, a movie and a pay-per-view special.

The material, along with possible insurance proceeds and ticket sales to memorabilia collectors, could help benefit Jackson’s estate, burdened by an estimated $400m in debt.

Details emerged as a law enforcement official said the powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Jackson’s home.

Diprivan is an anaesthetic widely used in operating theatres to induce unconsciousness.

Also known as Propofol, it is administered intravenously and is very unusual to have in a private home.

Jackson died on June 25 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.

Footage of the singer rehearsing at the Staples Centre two days earlier was released on Thursday.

The star appeared in full flow as he danced around the stage in typical fashion to some of his most famous hits for the final time.

He was preparing for his 50-night residency at London’s O2 arena, which had been due to begin later this month.

Kevin Mazur, 48, the photographer who captured some of Jackson’s final moments on camera at the rehearsals, said the star appeared to be back to his best and had a “incredible energy”.

Mr Mazur, co-founder of WireImage, told the Daily Mirror: “When he hit that stage, everyone was just mesmerised.”

The photographer said Jackson was happy and joking with the dancers as he rehearsed.

He told the newspaper that Jackson performed his set for 90 minutes until nearly midnight on June 23.

“He was totally there – 100% there in fact,” said Mr Mazur. “You would never suspect this would have ever happened – especially after his performance on stage

Asked if a DVD would be released of the rehearsal footage, Randy Phillips, president and chief executive officer of concert promoter AEG, told the Press Association a large amount of material could potentially be put together but discussions would have to involve the family and that would not happen until after Jackson had been laid to rest.

He also said the clip, which featured Jackson dancing and singing to They Don’t Really Care About Us, was completely unedited, including the star’s singing voice.

He said: “We have probably got the largest collection of intellectual property - enough recordings for two albums, 150 hours of documentary footage of This Is It over the last four months and a full length performance from the rehearsals.

“We are going to sit down and discuss that after we bury him.”

Mr Phillips said Jackson’s style was to leave things to the last minute but added he was enjoying rehearsals for his shows.

He said: “He was a smooth criminal – he didn’t rehearse enough.

“The truth was he was one of those kids at school who waited to the night before the exam.

“(Director) Kenny Ortega and I were going crazy but that was Michael.

“He loved the stage. This was recharging him. The last thing he said to me as we walked to our cars, he put his arm around me and said in his soft voice ’thank you, you got me here, now I can take it from here – I know I can do this’.

“Michael’s happiest time was his last rehearsal.

“It’s a huge loss.”

He continued: “As for the reports about stress, everyone is looking for a villain and there is no villain here”, he said, adding that the number of shows and the time period was not a heavy schedule.

Mr Phillips also said Jackson’s mother Katherine was being “remarkable”. “She is being incredibly strong,” he added.

It emerged on Thursday that America’s anti-drugs agency had launched an investigation into Jackson’s death.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called in by Los Angeles police to assist as they probe allegations that the star was on powerful painkillers, sedatives and anti-depressants, sources close to the investigation said.

As Jackson prepared for the comeback concerts, he was so distraught over persistent insomnia that he pleaded for Diprivan, according to Cherilyn Lee, a nurse who was working with the singer.

She said she repeatedly rejected his demands because the drug was unsafe.

Jermaine Jackson said he would be “hurt” if toxicology reports showed that his brother had abused prescription drugs.

He told NBC he did not know of any drug abuse by the 50-year-old.

But he added: “In this business, the pressure and things that you go through, you never know what one turns to.”

Meanwhile, a US judge delayed a guardianship hearing for Jackson’s children until July 13.

The ruling was made at the request of lawyers acting for the singer’s mother and his ex-wife, Deborah Rowe. It had been due to take place on Monday.

Lawyer Eric M George said Ms Rowe had not reached a final decision on whether to seek custody of the two children she had with Jackson.

Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will retain temporary guardianship of the children until the hearing.