NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Michael Jackson fans gave the late pop star a raucous yet respectful send-off during six hours of public memorial services celebrating his life and music at Harlem's Apollo Theater.
Some 600 fans crowded into the Apollo Theater for each of the services that began shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday. The last crowd of fans were in high spirits despite standing in line for hours in the rain.
Apollo historian Billy Mitchell welcomed them by asking, "Who are we here for, family?" The response was a deafening roar: "Michael!"
At the final tribute service, Mitchell told fans: "I don't think we're ever going to get Michael Jackson out of our system. And we shouldn't."
The crowd of fans waved white flags with Jackson's image printed on them, held up photographs of the star at different stages of his career and cheered and danced to his many hits, including "Thriller," and "Billie Jean."
A video tribute resembled home movies, starting with Jackson's cherubic childhood pictures and morphing into clips from his videos.
Reflections of disco light patterns swirled over the crystal chandelier anchored in the center of the landmark theater's plaster ceiling.
A black fedora with a white glove draped across its brim sat on a lone stool on the theater's stage, flanked by arrangements of white lilies.
At one of the services, the Rev. Al Sharpton told fans: "Michael made young men and women all over the world imitate us."
Sharpton led the crowd in a moment of silence at 5:26 p.m., the time East Coast fans learned of Jackson's death.
Film director Spike Lee joined Sharpton on stage and urged the crowd to remember Jackson's accomplishments and not what he characterized as past negative news coverage.
"Let's not wallow in the negativity that they're trying to drag us down into. We're not having it," Lee said. "It's all about the love."
"He knew he was loved, but he didn't know he was this loved," said Rosiland Sargent, 59, of West Orange, N.J.
At the end of each tribute, fans placed their gifts on the stage. They included small stuffed teddy bears, balloons, homemade posters, a hand-knitted baby blanket and letters, including one addressed to "The Man who moved like no other."
Fans began assembling at the Apollo soon after Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles. His ties to the theater go back to 1967, when The Jackson 5 won the Apollo's Amateur Night contest.
Jackson last appeared at the Apollo in 2002, invited by former President Bill Clinton for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.
Entertainment
Related Photos
-
David Goldman
Fans gather for Apollo Theater's Jackson memorial
- Entertainment
-
-
'Avengers' smashes record: $200.3 million debut
Hulk, smash.
-
Tony Award nominations set without clear favorite
God might not be eligible for a Tony Award nomination on Tuesday, but stories about him are jostling for attention on Broadway. And even Spider-Man might be redeemed.
-
3-D release steers 'Titanic' past $2 billion mark
James Cameron has shored up his position as king of the worldwide box office.
-
'Hunger Games' scores Easter feast with $33.5M
Film fans are still forking over for "The Hunger Games," which took in $33.5 million to lead the box office for a third-straight weekend.
-
Bieber, Berry slimed at Kids Choice Awards
At the 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards, the slime runneth over.
-
'21 Jump Street' leaps to No. 1 with $35M debut
Audiences headed back to school for the TV update "21 Jump Street," which opened as the No. 1 weekend movie with $35 million.
-
'Lorax' trumps 'John Carter' with $39.1M weekend
"Dr. Seuss' the Lorax" has easily beaten Edgar Rice Burroughs' "John Carter" at the weekend box office.
-
Few inspired moments during predictable Oscars
Nostalgia ruled at the Oscars, with the classic film homages "The Artist" and "Hugo" dominating with five awards each,
-
Man's childhood comic collection fetches $3.5M
Billy Wright plunked down dime after dime for comic books while growing up in the late 1930s and early 1940s, caring for the collection he started around the age of 9 until his death more than half a century later.
-
Cause of Whitney Houston's death could take weeks
Whitney Houston's life of glorious song and unnerving self-destruction apparently ended in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Grammy weekend, but it could be weeks before investigators know exactly why she died.
- More Entertainment Headlines
-
'Avengers' smashes record: $200.3 million debut
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
Police to Groom of Slain Bride: Turn Yourself In
Defense Rests Without Calling Edwards, Mistress
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
FTC: Skechers Deceived Consumers With Shoe Ads
FBI Confirms Leak Probe on Al-Qaida Plot
Romney Calls Obama a 'Disappointment'
Students in Tornado-hit Community Await Lady A
On Zuckerberg's Mind: People, Not Shareholders
Honda Unveils New Robotics-powered Scooter
NJ Gov., Mayor Channel Seinfeld in Video Parody
Blood Drive for Woman With Flesh-Eating Disease
AG Race Tops Oregon Primary Interest
Obama Welcomes Beckham, Galaxy to White House
Raw Video: Mladic's Genocide Trial Under Way
Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries
Local Community Prepares for G8 Summit
New Guidelines for US Nuclear Plants
The President's Hideaway Welcomes World Leaders
