Click to play videoLos Angeles: King of Pop Michael Jackson's public memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday was a fitting ceremony in celebration of his life, music and iconic status.
The star studded service began with friend Smokey Robinson reading out messages from Michael's mentor Diana Ross who could not make it to the ceremony and Nelson Mandela.
Immediately after that Michael's rose covered casket was ushered into the auditorium by his brothers to the tunes of Gospel music.
The evening was made memorable with emotional performances by a plethora of singers.
Mariah Carey was the first to perform who sang Michael's famous song I'll be there along with Trey Lorenz.
Friends Lionel Ritchie and Stevie Wonder crooned Jesus is Love and Never dreamed you'd leave in summer respectively.
Jennifer Hudson bid goodbye to the genius with one of Jackson's numbers Will you be there while John Mayer took to the stage and gave an acoustic guitar performance.
Brother Jermaine Jackosn sang Jackson's favourite song Smile and singer Usher crooned to Gone too soon and while he performed he also strode upto the casket placed in the auditorium and broke down.
The speeches, too, were emotional and reduced everyone to tears. In particular Rev Al Sharpton and long time friend Brooke Sheilds tributes to Michael were moving.
Magic Johnson also spoke about what Michael meant to him while the founder of Motown records Berry Gordy recollected about Michael's early years as part of the Jackson 5 band. He also paid Jackson the highest honour by calling him the biggest entertainer ever.
Among others Queen Latifah, Martin Luther King III, Bernice King and Robinson also paid their tributes.
The evening came to an end with all the singers being joined by friends and family to sing Heal the world on stage.
But the most heart wrenching part of the evening was daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson bidding a tearful goodbye to her father.
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