Should it cost to attend Michael Jackson's memorial?
After days of speculation, the location of Michael Jackson's memorial service has finally been announced ... sort of. Officials say Staples Center looks like the most likely candidate for a public memorial on Tuesday, but the question is who would pay for such a wake?
Several gossip sites around the Web are buzzing with speculation. According to RadarOnline.com, fans who wish to get inside the event will have to purchase tickets at $25 apiece. Memorabilia from Jackson's "This Is It" tour will also be sold at the ceremony, the site claims.
The belief is the memorial will feature numerous guest speakers and musical performances. Jackson's friends and family would be seated on the main floor, while ticket holders would sit in the stands. Video screens would be set up outside the Staples Center for those who don't feel like shelling out money for tickets or those who can't get a ticket.
All of this raises a whole host of questions. Should a memorial service of this magnitude be free? If not, how much should it cost? Where should the money go -- charity, Michael Jackson's children, the Jackson family, the city? And is Staples the best place for it? Should it be somewhere else?
-- Brendan Bigelow
Photo: A child holds flowers outside the gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times
i had no probem donating money to pay for the funeral because we the fans wanted that. I am sure the Jackson family would have been happy with their private service. I think that the tickets should have been paid for not given away. We as fans wanted to be a part of the service and say our goodbyes that was done for us. And look at how the so called fans are doing they get a FREE memorial program book and look at how much they are going for on ebay, they are making money off something that was given to them thats GREED at its best. Those people aren't fans they are just in it to make a dollar, so why shouldn't they donate some of that money to help pay for all the FREE stuff they got, while us TRUE fans had to watch it at home. I would love to have been able to go and recieve a memorial book that i would cherish forever not try to make a dollar from, or in their case thousands of dollars.
To the family I thank you so much for sharing that time with us, and giving us the opportunity to say our goodbyes. I watched it with my children and we were glued to the tv, as i have been this last week. I will continue to keep you in my prayers as i know god is with you at this great time of loss . We will continue to keep Michael alive in our hearts, and through his music as i know i will pass it on to my children and grandchildren. He was one of a kind. and I feel blessed to have been able to share in his music all these many years, and live in time with a true legend and humanitarian. Thank you so very much and God Bless You!!
RIP Michael Jackson
Posted by: Tasha | July 07, 2009 at 05:38 PM