Jackson memorial ticket winners line up at Dodger Stadium
Cars and trucks blaring Michael Jackson music were lined up at Dodger Stadium as early as 6 this morning as people arrived to redeem their vouchers for the golden tickets and wristbands to Jackson’s Staples Center memorial service.
Bob and Shaneese Lewis of Palm Springs awoke at 3 a.m. to make the drive to the stadium. Both had registered for tickets online, and it was Bob Lewis' entry that got them through the gates.
The Lewises plan to stay with friends this evening, then pay their respects and pray for Jackson at the memorial service, which will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday. “I feel like I won the lottery,” Bob Lewis said.
About 1.6 million people signed up to receive the free tickets, which will grant entry either to the live event at Staples Center or to neighboring Nokia Theatre, where the memorial will be shown on a live feed.
-- Allen J. Schaben at Dodger Stadium and Nicole Santa Cruz
Photo: Michael Jackson fans Shaneese and Bob Lewis, of Palm Springs, show off the vouchers for tickets to the Jackson memorial that they won in an online lottery. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Will someone in the media write an article or report on how much of a financial boost this fiasco is bringing to the city coffers so these LOA is broke people will shut the hell up?
Posted by: Geeja | July 06, 2009 at 11:52 AM
All of you Michael Jackson Haters - Stop hating! The man was an ICON. If it was Elvis, or uh President Bush, you'd line up too.
Posted by: D Fry | July 06, 2009 at 11:55 AM
You people hatin on MJ. Yall wasted tax payer dollars tryin to prosecute MJ on charges that he was not found guilty of by jury of his peers. Micheal was superstar in every since of the let him get his final shine on HATERS !
Posted by: VILLE 9809 | July 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Do not bother emailing the govenor.He will tell you that our local offcials can help us.Thats what they told me when i emailed him about the laker parade.The thing is ,our lovely mayor decided to take a vacation in africa.That is where he will be when all this mess hits the fan.Our taxes better not be used for this.I just can not believe that our mayor gets sworn in and then takes off to Africa.He should be recalled.Its going to be a madhouse down there and then the city should get together and sue the jackson family for all of this crap!
Posted by: tyler | July 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
this whole thing is nuts...and ya gotta love all these "lottery winners" beaming happily at their being able to attend what is in essence a funeral/memorial...guess it is just one big party being paid for by the city---pathetic
Posted by: kv | July 06, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I got my tickets but decided not to go because something came up that I have to attend to. First person who meets me at 5th and Hope at 3:00 PM today can have them for nothing. I'll be wearing a Michael Jackson RIP T Shirt. Last one there is a rotten egg!!!
Posted by: steve | July 06, 2009 at 12:02 PM
People need to mourn this great loss. I love Michael Jackson and his beautiful talent. Talent like this comes along once in a life time. Had he been ill for a while and his death was expected, things might have been different. However, I never met this wonderful man and I will miss him greatly. He will live on through his music; however, it will not be like having him here to perform. Now, while I am mourning this loss, most music that I listen too sounds so shallow and weak because I know that other artists have not put the time and talent into their music like Michael did. I will miss him sorely - as will millions around the world!
Posted by: Shevalsheshe | July 06, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Hey Cristie are you upset you didn't win any tickets. Do you want a great big hug.
Posted by: DEEDUB67 | July 06, 2009 at 12:08 PM
The city didn't want to help pay for a Laker parade, which was actually for the people of L.A. I understand that with things as they are. So why was the city council so ready to pay for all the police costs for a famous man's memorial? I know people want to show they're respects, but what does this have to do with the City of L.A. and why are we paying for this? At least at the parade anyone who wanted to could come and watch. I don't understand why we are paying for an individual's memorial. How about keeping the jobs of a few teachers instead?
Posted by: Laker Fan | July 06, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Kristy,
How DARE you! You clearly do not understand the impact Michael's death has had on the world, and rightly so. Did you really just say you hope a nuclear bomb hits the Staples Center? Wow....you have serious problems. I hope you get tracked down and arrested for making such violent suggestions. If you don't like the press this is getting, then go move to a deserted island somewhere!
Posted by: Alli | July 06, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Does anybody know if Michael Jackson will be buried as a muslim or in any other religious ceremony. I heard the Jacksons recently converted to Islam. Is that true ?
Posted by: Morgan | July 06, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Who are the stupid looking guys at the front page? Probably Swedish MJ fans..
Posted by: kåre | July 06, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I have a yahoo account and didn't get any type of response. However, my daughter who has a yahoo account got a sorry notice.
Posted by: Betty | July 06, 2009 at 12:22 PM
>> ... just wondering if all accounts from the yahoo.com domain were deleted from the drawing as part of the selection process ...
Could have been ... and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Per the agreement we all were offered to read when we signed up (you DID read the four-page legal agreement, didn't you???), the organizers had complete control of who they approved and who they did not.
They also now have a database full of 1.6-1.9 million MJ fans ... most of whom would gladly pay, say, twenty bucks each for some sort of an "exclusive" memorabilia offering from AEG.
MJ, Inc. is much more profitable today than ever: there's no overhead expenses (just burn DVDs and CDs), and no MJ extravagant spending.
Posted by: Clint Bradford | July 06, 2009 at 12:22 PM
LA ....The rest of the country always believed you were a bunch of idiots now, with the help of ole Rev. Sharpton you leave no doubt. Not a dime of federal taxdollars for you morons
Posted by: EDGAR WINCHELL | July 06, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Wow rooting for North Korea to nuke Staples Center... I know some people are understandibly bothered by this whole Michael Jackson business but isn't that a little extreme?
On a separate note, what's the difference between watching a "live stream" at Nokia and watching from your own TV?
Posted by: Scott | July 06, 2009 at 12:41 PM
This was not the death of a president, a Pope or an important leader such as Dr. King. This was the death of a man who loved music and brought great music to his fans - PERIOD! The story of anythng other than this is being driven by the media. I am embarrased by the conduct of the television networks, by the conduct of people whose lives are so empty that chasing after the memory of a pathetic has been, forms the center of their universe. Question: If Michael Jackson was so beloved, why didn't his family and 'friends" help him? Given this crazy behavior...who says Sarah Palin couldn't become president!
Posted by: Mary | July 06, 2009 at 12:43 PM
This whole MJ memorial has turned into a freak show. Don't get me wrong, I love MJ and have for some time, but I really wish the end of his life didn't turn into this huge media spectacle. I see news clips and pictures of people laughing and acting all excited about winnning tickets to a memorial. This is a time to look back and remember a great man, not a time to "win" tickets and then try and sell them on Ebay for a profit. I'll bet many of the people who are excited dont'teven like MJ or know what a great entertainer and person he was. America grow up and repect the death of a great man.
Posted by: Jo | July 06, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I think people have forgotten that Michael Jackson has paid millions in tax dollars. Rest in Peace Michael. You are Forever In Our Hearts Michael.
Posted by: Janice Smith | July 06, 2009 at 12:47 PM
I'm sure that this influx of people from all over the WORLD will be a shot in the economic arm of downtown LA business. I'm sure that there are t-shirt vendors feverishly finishing up t-shirts as I type for tonight and tomorrow. There is a buck to be made people! Go cash in! Thank you MJ for the music and the business!
Posted by: MexiChick | July 06, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Although it goes without saying that the City of Los Angeles is in need of money that should go to schools and public safety, to hope that a nuclear bomb is dropped on Staples is moronic.
Posted by: Joy | July 06, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Mrs. Small - better you teach your kids some grammar and spelling since you can't seem to do either. Michael Jackson should be at the bottom of the learning curve.
Posted by: catlipz | July 06, 2009 at 01:01 PM
They bearded guy to the left on the front page is actually a famous Norwegian comedian, Espen Eckbo (http://images.google.com/images?q=espen%20eckbo). He is a big fan of Michael Jackson, and he recently went to the US hoping he'd get a ticket for Jackson's memorial - which he got :).
Posted by: Norwegian | July 06, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Michael Jackson has paid millions in taxes. I think the City of Los Angeles, the county, the state, and the federal government will be receiving even more money. Rest In Peace Michael. You are Forever In Our Hearts
Posted by: Janice Smith | July 06, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Sick, sick people. Paying money and being happy for going to a funeral. I can't understand it.
Posted by: Khaza | July 06, 2009 at 01:07 PM