By Jayson Rodriguez
Michael Jackson in 1984
Photo: Diana Walker/ Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Official plans for Michael Jackson's public memorial service will be revealed Friday morning at a press conference to be held by Tim Leiweke, the president and CEO of AEG, the parent company that owns the Staples Center, the venue where the memorial is due to take place.
Representatives for the Jackson family announced the media briefing late Thursday. At the briefing, which will take place at 10 a.m. PT, Leiweke is expected to announce details, including how the public will be given the opportunity to register for the 11,000 tickets available for the service. The tickets are free, but are limited in comparison to the venue's capacity, reportedly over 20,000 seats.
Jermaine Jackson appeared on "Larry King Live" on CNN Thursday night and expressed concern over the Staples Center location.
"There's 20,000 people just coming from the U.K.," the elder brother told King when asked about the capacity. Jackson also confirmed that a private service for the family and select friends will be held on Tuesday prior to the public service. He also said the services will be the first of many that will take place across the country.
ABC News reports that sources close to the planning said that over 750,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend the memorial. According to the same report, over 2,500 police will be on hand to help with the huge crowds occupying the downtown area. A number of public and private travel partnerships have noted the upswing in arrivals into the Los Angeles airport and hotels, in addition to the already high number of holiday travelers into the city.
Previous reports suggested the services for the late King of Pop would take place anywhere from his Neverland Ranch to the Los Angeles Coliseum.
On Wednesday, however, police began to barricade Chick Hearn Court, the street located directly in front of the Staples Center. The move, along with reports by the Hollywood Reporter and CNN, confirmed that the services would in fact be held at the Staples Center. The venue is controlled by AEG, the company that also was promoting Jackson's upcoming 50-show run in London.
To accommodate the huge number of fans expected to attend the services, large screens are will be placed outside the Staples Center. As of press time, workers are placing Michael Jackson signage around the arena. A representative for the company that created the material told MTV News that a number of items that will be on display were made in just a few hours for the services.
For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, visit "Michael Jackson Remembered."
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