Superstars top list at memorial

SUPERSTARS Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Lionel Richie are on a star-studded guest list to attend Michael Jackson’s memorial service in Los Angeles today.

Lionel Richie, Usher and Brooke Shields are other names due to attend.

However, Jackson’s ex-wife will not go to the Staples Centre as planned.

Debbie Rowe’s attorney Marta Almli said yesterday her attendance would be “an unnecessary distraction” and that she would instead “celebrate Michael’s memory privately”.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said she’d “love it” if the Jacksons helped defray some of the city’s costs associated with today’s memorial, but that officials hadn’t heard from the family.

More than 1.6 million fans registered online for a chance to attend the ceremony, while 8,750 names were chosen.

Dozens of police officers and a fire truck were parked outside Dodger Stadium yesterday, where ticket winners could start picking up their coveted passes.

Nancy Kothari, 31, drove all night from Yuma, Arizona, to be at the stadium before the gates opened.

Tickets were handed out in a drive-through process. Voucher holders had to pass a police checkpoint outside the stadium, then drive into a parking lot where traffic cones marked about 20 lanes. A police officer and an event staffer stood at the end of each lane. Drivers handed over their vouchers, had a band placed on their wrist and were given tickets and another wristband.

Fans must have both the ticket and the wristband to enter the centre today.

TV coverage of the memorial will take place from 6pm Irish time.