JACKSON MEMORIAL LIVE

A private family service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery before the 101 freeway was closed so that the mourners could make their way to the downtown venue.

Fans signed five giant posters dedicated to the superstar, as they peacefully gathered to be let in.

AEG was reportedly charging news crews up to $10,000 for outside access, though the crowd was described as "somber, reverential and peaceful."

As we write, at 10:30 a.m. (PT), the audience is waiting patiently for the tribute to begin, which it just did with a gospel number as the casket is wheeled in. Mariah Carey takes the stage to sing a moving "I'll Be There," with Trey Lorenz, topping it off with a "thank you Jesus." Queen Latifah is now giving her eulogy, reading a poem from Maya Angelou. What, you expected e.e. cummings?

Next up is Berry Gordy, talking about signing the original Jackson 5. "Michael had a quality we all couldn't completely understand, but he was special." Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder follow with their own musical tributes, "Jesus is Love" and "I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer," respectively.

A very pregnant Jennifer Hudson does a rousing gospel rendition of "Will You Be There," followed by John Mayer, riffing on acoustic for "Human Nature," Brooke Shields, barely holding her composure, before introducing Jermaine Jackson doing Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," which she describes as "Michael's favorite song." Usher then sang "Gone Too Soon," touching the displayed casket and breaking into tears.

The tribute came to an end with a full-on rendition of "We are the World" and "Heal the World," and the emotional climax arrived with Paris Katharine Jackson, who claimed: "I just wanted to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much." That was the part that got us choked up.

Meanwhile, Michaelmania continues at record retailers, with Number Ones at #1, boasting a total that hit 338k, including 225k alone at Wal-Mart. The other Sony Legacy titles include Thriller, which finishes at #3, with 165k, while Essential is #5, selling 122k.

In addition, there appears to be a significant Maxwell story developing as well, as his new Columbia album, BLACKsummer'snight, experiences some significant gains at retail on its first day in stores in what can be described as the "Jacko effect."