Michael Jackson memorial service

Text and photos by WILLIE J. ALLEN, JR., Times staff

My three siblings and I were glued to the television set on Saturday mornings watching the adventures of the Jackson 5 as children. When Off The Wall came out I perfected my dance moves in front of the hallway mirror to Rock With You. And when MTV released Thriller, I watched it over and over with my dorm mates in college, intrigued by Jackson’s dance moves and developing persona.

On June 25th Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, died after going into cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. Today in L.A., thousands will mourn and celebrate the life of a man they watched grow from boyhood to manhood, evolving into an international icon. As indicated by the reaction of fans throughout the world at the news of his death, the controversy surrounding his personal life does not ultimately overshadow the contributions he made to music and the racial barriers he broke down throughout the world.

A fan leaves her homage to Michael Jackson on the tribute banner covered by thousands of messages and signatures to the King of Pop outside the Staples Center on Monday July 6, 2009. Jackson, 50, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at the home he rented on June 25 in Los Angeles, California.

Thousands gather to celebrate and mourn one day before the Michael Jackson memorial outside the Staples Center.

Akiko Seno, 25, of Japan sheds happy tears after she was given a ticket by someone with an extra ticket on his way into the Michael Jackson memorial show at the Staples Center on Tues. After traveling all the way from Japan, Seno was desperate and just standing in the crowd with her sign asking for a spare ticket for a passionate fan and an anonymous man walked up and gave her the ticket.

Michael Jackson impersonator Alexander Grevel, 29, of Germany strikes a pose before going into the Staples Center to see the Michael Jackson memorial show. "I had no luck on the internet." said Grevel in broken English. "I came here only for Mike and I'm fan for 19 years and for me his is the King forever." Grevel paid $1000 for his ticket.

Unemployed Anthony Spearman holds up a sign protesting the cost of the Michael Jackson memorial show outside the Staples Center. Spearman believes the memorial's cost to the taxpayer is too high at a time when California is paying creditors with I.O.U.'s

Standing on the sidewalk like an island in a sea of Michael Jackson fans, Andrew Ocampo, 8, a young Michael Jackson impersonator takes a moment after entertaining the crowd outside the Staples Center.

Spontaneous dancing in the streets was a common theme as the King of Pop was celebrated by thousands at the Michael Jackson memorial service at the Staples Center.

Melanie Jean, 31, has been impersonating Michael Jackson for over ten years in the Los Angeles area. With a gentle touch and giving attitude, Jean spent time taking photographs with children and took extra time to holds hands with them even though Los Angeles police officers were asking the crowd to disperse after the Michael Jackson memorial event had ended.

Chris Escobar, 17, of Los Angeles pays tribute to the King of Pop by dazzling the crowd with his smooth moves after the Michael Jackson memorial.

Sporting the iconic white glove impersonator Scorpio Spicer, 34 has performed more than 15 years as Michael Jackson in and around Los Angeles.

Thousands of Michael Jackson fans took to the streets around the Staples Center to see the memorial show and pay tribute to the King of Pop.

Entrepreneurs, artist and street vendors created their own tribute to the King of Pop as they cashed in on the lucrative opportunity to sell t-shirts, buttons and more to the thousands of fans outside the Staples Center.

A newspaper photograph of Michael Jackson rest just inside the barricade that stands between fans and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL AND OF FANS AROUND THE WORLD