IN A fittingly surreal start, a pre-dawn parade of elephants and horses provided a circus-like backdrop to honor the eccentric King of Pop.
Motorists, memorabilia vendors and fans stared in stunned disbelief as 11 Asian elephants from the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey circus disembarked at Los Angeles's Union Station before marching to the Staples Center.
While some fans had tears in their eyes, most snapped pictures and cheered loudly as some of the entertainment world's top stars entered for a memorial service broadcast to hundreds of millions around the world.
As central Los Angeles was transformed into a surreal Michael Jackson zone with helicopters buzzing overhead, fans lucky enough to have the magic wristbands to enter the arena said they wanted to celebrate in their mourning.
'It's a memorial service but it's good to make it a performance, because that's what he would have wanted. That's 100 per cent Michael,' said Forrest Fordyce, 55, wearing a memorial button on his lapel.
For Mr Fordyce, like many of the 11,000 fans who beat giant odds for free tickets inside the ceremony, the event was deeply personal.
Mr Fordyce said he was in one of the front rows 25 years ago when Jackson unveiled off his slick 'Moonwalk' dance as he performed 'Billie Jean' at a Motown tribute. 'It was like the Earth shook,' he said.
Chaos appeared to have been avoided at the Staples Center arena, even as throngs of hopeful people without tickets milled about near the all-star memorial service - some with a unique take on Michael Jackson.
Selah Flores, 28, who did not have a ticket, wore a white cloak and bore a large wooden cross on her shoulders.
'Michael Jackson was like Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins and we killed Michael through what we did,' she said. <'There is a spiritual dimension to this. The last days are coming,' she said, handing out fliers.
John Ramirez, 21, tried futilely to enter the arena, but lacked the magic wristband marking him as a ticket holder.
'It's sad, being so close but not being able to get in,' said Mr Ramirez, who like his two friends was decked out in a Michael Jackson T-shirt.
Others were luckier. Christine Feick, 19, said she was shocked that she won a ticket to the concert, beating odds of nearly 200 to one. 'This is truly a once in a lifetime experience to be able to come here,' she said. -- AFP
