Jackson Video Shows Him 2 Days Before Death

Fans pouring into Staples Center all morning

(NEWSER) - Mariah Carey kicked off the memorial service for Michael Jackson today, singing "I'll Be There," as the singer's body lay in a golden casket, covered in red flowers, at the foot of the stage at the Staples Center. And his 11-year-old daughter got in the last word with a tearful tribute to her dad. Among the speakers and performers:

• Queen Latifah eulogized Jackson as a friend and inspiration who opened up the world to many African Americans, including herself.

(AP) - Michael Jackson fans began to celebrate tonight after beating the odds to win coveted tickets to Tuesday's memorial service at the Staples Center in LA. "I'm in shock that it has happened," said Deka Motanya, 27, of San Francisco. "It's surreal." More than 1.6 million fans registered online the random drawing of only 8,750 names—a 1-in-183 chance. Each person selected will receive two free tickets. More»

Service could be Tuesday at Staples Center

(NEWSER) - As speculation focuses on Tuesday as the date for Michael Jackson’s public memorial in Los Angeles, how the city will pay for crowd control and security is sure to become an issue, the Times reports. Private donors and AEG, which owns Staples Center—the likely venue for such a service—donated money to cover the costs of the Lakers’ recent championship parade and rally. AEG could also sell tickets to the memorial, though price is unclear. More»

Photog, friend reveals Jackson's excitement at performing again

(NEWSER) - The photographer who captured Michael Jackson’s image at his last rehearsal reveals the singer was upbeat and energetic on his final night. “He was totally there—100% there in fact,” Kevin Mazur tells the Mirror. “You would never suspect this would have ever happened—especially after his performance.” He says Michael told him, “I feel so alive—can you feel it? This is where I belong.” More»

Singer wanted trip to hospital but overdid it

(NEWSER) - A confidante of Michael Jackson says the singer may have inadvertently triggered his own death by purposely taking an overdose of prescription drugs so he'd end up in the hospital and be excused from some of his London tour dates, reports Gerald Posner of the Daily Beast. “Like a child who doesn’t want to go to school, Michael thought he could get away from his obligations if he had a ‘note from the doctor,'" says the anonymous confidante. More»