Michael show 'will go on'
2009-07-08 12:40
Los Angeles - The public mourning of Michael Jackson may be done, but the saga that was his personal life is far from over.
Nothing made that more clear than the one surprise of Tuesday's memorial service, watched by millions around the world: the emotional speech by Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris-Michael.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine," she said, dissolving into tears and turning into the arms of her aunt Janet. "I just want to say I love him so much."
Custody of Jackson's three children is one of the biggest legal issues still in play. In his 2002 will, Jackson made his wishes clear - his three children should remain under the care of his mother, Katherine.
Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Paris and her 12-year-old brother, Prince Michael, has indicated she may seek custody. The surrogate mother of Jackson's youngest child, 7-year-old Prince Michael II, is unknown. A custody hearing was scheduled for Monday.
As the world paused to remember Jackson, authorities released his death certificate, which did not list a cause of death. The official determination will likely wait until toxicology results are completed, which could be weeks away.
Powerful sedative found in home
Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Jackson's brain, or at least part of it, was still being held by investigators and would be returned to the family for interment once neuropathology tests were completed.
Investigators have honed in on drugs that were administered to the insomniac Jackson. The powerful sedative Diprivan, which is usually administered by anaesthesiologists in hospitals, was found in his home, according to a law enforcement official.
Jackson's final resting place was another unknown. Some have suggested burying him at his former home Neverland Ranch but special permission is needed. A private memorial was held at a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills that is the resting place of many stars, but it does not appear Jackson will be buried among them.
No plans have been announced for Neverland, but it's already drawn comparisons as a potential West Coast version of Graceland.
Then there's Jackson's money. He died deeply in debt, but with tremendous star power, earning potential and an estate potentially worth $500m.
Former Sony Music chairperson and CEO Tommy Mottola has said Jackson left dozens of songs that included newer material and leftover works from some of his biggest albums. Mottola predicted the potential playlist was bigger than the one left behind by Elvis.
The singer also left behind an elaborate production dubbed "The Dome Project," which could be Jackson's last complete video piece. Little is publicly known about the production, but its existence has been confirmed by two knowledgeable sources who spoke to The Associated Press on condition they not be identified because they signed confidentiality agreements.
There also is more than 100 hours of footage of preparations for his London concerts, which were cancelled because of his death. Randy Phillips, president and CEO of concert promoter AEG Live, said last week that the company also has enough material for two live albums.
On Tuesday, about 20 000 people gathered inside the Staples Centre for a sombre, spiritual ceremony, watched by untold millions more around the world.
Crowds gathered outside Harlem's Apollo Theater in New York to soak it in. In Santiago, Chile, national police band played We Are the World during the traditional guard change at the presidential palace. About 50 fans lit candles and laid flowers in the main square in Stockholm, as Billie Jean and Earth Song poured out of a small stereo.
Jackson's life a global broadcast
In London, dozens of fans sheltered under umbrellas against the rain as they watched the event on a big screen outside the 02 Arena, where Jackson was to have performed 50 comeback shows starting next week. Many more stayed dry at home after the BBC announced it would cancel scheduled programming and show the ceremony live.
"His whole life was a global broadcast in a way, so I suppose it's fitting that his death also is," said barista Robert Anderson, 26, in London.
Calculating just how many people in total watched the ceremony - around the world and across all platforms - will take several days and even then will likely have to resort to an approximation, given the huge variety of outlets.
In Los Angeles, a star-studded lineup of performers closely linked to Jackson's life and music remembered Jackson as an unparalleled singer, dancer and humanitarian whose music united people of all backgrounds.
Unlike Jackson's life, the ceremony was not spectacular, extravagant or bizarre. Outside the arena, however, the celebrity-industrial complex that Jackson helped create was in full swing.
- SAPA