Michael Jackson Casket Will Be Present at Memorial, Reports Say

Michael Jackson's casket will take center stage at the King of Pop's memorial service at Los Angeles' Staples Center later today, according to TMZ and the Today show, though Jackson Family rep Ken Sunshine has yet to confirm the news. Earlier reports indicated Jackson's burial would take place this morning during a private family ceremony at the Hollywood Hills' Forest Lawn Cemetery. The private ceremony is still scheduled for this morning, however Jackson's coffin will now reportedly be transported from Forest Lawn to the Staples Center for the memorial.

(The Michael Jackson memorial: photos from the scene.)

The Jackson family was seen last night at the Forest Lawn Cemetery for what TMZ is reporting was a possible viewing of the body. As Rock Daily reported yesterday, Usher, John Mayer, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and more celebrities and friends will be on hand at today's memorial service, scheduled to begin around 10 a.m. PT. (Stay tuned to Rolling Stone for reports from the scene.)

One person who will not be attending the memorial is Jackson's close friend, actress Elizabeth Taylor, US Weekly reports. Taylor wrote on her Twitter yesterday to tell fans, "I've been asked to speak at the Staples Center. I cannot be part of the public whoopla. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word. I just don't believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event. I said I wouldn't go to the Staples Center, and I certainly don't want to become a part of it. I love him too much."

Stay with Rock Daily and our Twitter all day for our entire coverage of today's Michael Jackson memorial service at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“(We're Not) The Jet Set”

George Jones and Tammy Wynette | 1973

George Jones and Tammy Wynette were still married when they recorded the tongue-in-cheek "(We're Not) The Jet Set." The lyrics, written by Nashville songwriter Bobby Braddock, who also penned Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," make fun of the good life by declaring, "We're not the Jet Set/We're the old Chevrolet set." Braddock recalled that while writing the song, he needed the name of a city that evened out the rhyme he had with "Riviera" and "Missourah." “I got out a Rand McNally atlas," he said. "In the first part are the maps. The last part is an alphabetical listing of cities. I wanted a rustic, small-time sound. I went to the listing for Missouri. And I found 'Festus.' I loved the sound of it."

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter