Michael Jackson's funeral

July 7, 7:37 PMDenver Music ExaminerLaura McDonald

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The funeral for the man who lead an astonishing, flamboyant, and strange life, was anything but.  The 20,000 people that gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles today for the ceremony celebrating Michael Jackson experienced a serious, church-like and rather tame memorial.  Over 3,000 police officers patrolled the exterior grounds, but despite the fears that there would be unbearable traffic and pandemonium outside the arena, things seemed to go pretty smoothly.

Smokey Robinson opened the service (which cost between $1.5 and $4 million) by reading statements from friends of Jackson.  A choir sang "Hallelujah, hallelujah, going to see the King", then the Reverend Lucious W. Smith gave a greeting.  The ceremony proceeded with a slew of celebrities remembering Jackson in various ways.  Mariah Carey and Trent Lorenz sang a duet of the Jackson 5 hit "I'll Be There" and Lionel Richie belted the gospel song "Jesus Is Love".  Queen Latifah read a poem and Berry Gordy called Jackson "the greatest entertainer who ever lived".  The Reverend Al Sharpton broadcast a passionate tribute to the King of Pop, which brought the crowd to its feet while chanting"Mi-chael!"

Other celebrity participants included Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Martin Luther King III, Kobe Bryant, John Mayer, and Brooke Shields.  Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris made a statement- her first public one ever.  "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine," she said as she sobbed.  "I just want to say I love him so much."  The ceremony culminated with Jackson's family and a choir singing "Heal The World" and a closing statement from Reverend Smith.  All in all, it was a sedate, spiritual, and mournful service celebrating the life of the man who revolutionized pop music and who's musical legacy will live on forever.