Michael Jackson Finally Laid to Rest

Blue Moon
A nearly full moon colored by smoke from the Los Angeles area Station Fire rises over buildings at Forest Lawn Memorial Park while the private funeral of Michael Jackson took place. A statement from the Jackson family said the pop star's casket was interred at 2143 local time (0243 ET). "The Jackson family wishes to once again thank all of Michael's fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time," the statement read.

On Their Own
Prince Michael Jackson, far right, and Joe Jackson, left, depart their father's funeral service. Jackson had shielded his three children from the media's glare for most of their lives.

 

A Last Goodbye
In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at Jackson's service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Grieving Parents
Katherine and Joe Jackson at their son's service. Katherine was awarded full, permanent custody of Jackson's three children in July.

The Siblings
From left to right, Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Marlon Jackson attend their brother's service.

A Star-Studded Salute
Actress Elizabeth Taylor, who was friends with Jackson for more than 20 years, attended the private service, along with several celebrities including Macaulay Culkin, Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley and Chris Tucker.

The Remaining Four
In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Randy Jackson are seen attending their late brother's service.

The Other Jackson Sister
La Toya Jackson arrives at her brother's service. In July, La Toya released a long-delayed single in memory of her brother, all proceeds from which she said would go to charity.

Entourage
The 31-car Jackson family funeral procession drives up the hill toward the service.

A Family Affair
A police officer awaits the arrival of the Jackson family for the sunset burial, which was limited to family and close friends.

Gone Too Soon
Michael Jackson fans hold a large sign on Glendale Blvd and Los Feliz just outside Forest Lawn Memorial Park while the private funeral was taking place, more than two months after the 50-year-old performer's death.

A Moving Tribute
Valeska Viegas, left, and brother Angel Viegas dance to Jackson's music on the street near Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, where the pop icon was to be interred on the evening of Sept. 3.

Devoted Fan
With a Michael Jackson tattoo on her back, Svenja Maniak from Berlin, Germany, holds flowers while waiting outside the Jackson family home in Encino, Los Angeles, on Sept. 3, 2009. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest after overdosing on a powerful sedative at his rented home on June 25, 2009 in Los Ang

Michael Jackson Final funeral

Michael Jackson's casket rests during the funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California September 3, 2009. Jackson was buried on Thursday, more than two months after he died of a drug overdose, marking the last stop for a superstar who spent most of his 50 years in the public gaze. The Jackson Family sit together, with left-right: Janet Jackson, Randy Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Marlon Jackson attend Michael Jackson's funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. Michael Jackson, his gold coffin topped by a bejeweled crown placed there by his children, was laid to rest Thursday night at a funeral more than two months after his death.  Security guards and police stand outside Villa Sorriso restaurant shortly before guests arrive at a funeral reception for singer Michael Jackson in Pasadena, California on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. In this handout photo provided by Harrison Funk/The Jackson Family, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Randy Jackson attend Michael Jackson's funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Sept. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Calif. Jackson, 50, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, Calif. Scene at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., on Thursday Sept. 3, 2009. Michael Jackson is scheduled to be interred in the Great Mausoleum, where he will be joining Hollywood legends such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields. The hearse carrying Michael Jacksons body drives up the hill during Michael Jackson's funeral service at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California. Members of the news media wait for guests to arrive at the funeral reception for singer Michael Jackson in Pasadena, California. Prince Michael Jackson (far R) and Joe Jackson (L) depart Michael Jackson's funeral service held at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park on September 3, 2009 in Glendale, California.

Michael Jackson: The Early Years pics

Michael Jackson: The Early Years

In this October 4, 1977, file photo, Diana Ross, center, as Dorothy, Michael Jackson, right, as Scarecrow, and Nipsey Russell as Tinman perform during filming of the musical The Wiz in New York. Ted Ross, portraying the Lion, is partly hidden behind Russell.

Michael Jackson: The Early Years

In this 1984 file picture, Michael Jackson poses on stage during the Jacksons' Victory Tour. Michael Jackson has died in Los Angeles at the age of 50 on Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Michael Jackson: The Early Years

In this February 26, 1986, file picture, Grammy winners Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie pose together backstage at the Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles. 

Michael Jackson: The Early Years

In this February 28, 1984, file picture, Michael Jackson holds his awards as he stands with Quincy Jones at the Grammy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. 

Michael Jackson: The Early Years

In this February 29, 1984, file photo, pop superstar Michael Jackson, right, is joined by his sisters, from left, Maureen "Rebie", Janet and LaToya on stage during the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, as he receives an award for Best Male Pop Vocal. Jackson received a total of eight Grammy awards, a new record.

Michael Jackson: Black, white and shades of grey

EARLY CAREER

The seventh of nine children of Joseph and Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958, and began his career performing with his brothers. His professional debut with the Jackson 5 came at age 11. In 1963, after several years of training, The Jackson 5 begin to perform in public. On December 14, 1969, The Jackson 5 appeared on theThe Ed Sullivan Show, but it was only in 1970 that their first album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 hit the No. 1 spot.

GOING SOLO

In 1972, while still singing with the Jackson 5, Michael Jackson put out his first solo album, Got to Be There, but it was in 1979 that his first solo album as an adult, Off the Wall, was released. He became the first solo artist to place four singles from the same record in the top 10.

ELECTRIFYING VIEWERS

In 1982, his album Thriller won a record eight Grammys and became the world's biggest selling record of all time. Alongwith the title track, it included the songs Billie Jean and Beat It, which became worldwide hits. A year later, Jackson electrified the 50 million viewers of the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, a television special, by singing and dancing to Billie Jean while wearing a black fedora, one white glove, and pants that ended above his ankles.

HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE

The following year, the singer was filming a Pepsi-Cola commercial at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles when he suffered second-degree burns after pyrotechnics set his hair on fire before a full house. The singer settled out of court and established the Michael Jackson Burn Center with his $1.5 million award.

VICTORY WAS HIS

In 1984, the pop king performed his final tour with the Jackson 5 to support the album Victory. The one major hit from the recording was Michael's duet with Mick Jagger, State of Shock. In 1985, he co-wrote and sang - along with nearly every pop star known at the time - We Are the World, on behalf of USA for Africa.

THE BAD ERA

Even as his popularity graph began to decline, Michael did his magic again and 1987 saw the release of the album Bad. The album produced five No. 1 singles and sold at least 22 million copies worldwide. At around the same time, work had started on the construction of Neverland, a ranch for children - to give them the kind of childhood he never had.

BLACK OR WHITE?

Around this time, a considerable difference had started showing in his skin colour and it was then that he made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show claiming that he was suffereing from a condition called vitiligo and not - as opposed to popular rumour - bleaching his skin a shade lighter. On the show, he also claimed that he was abused by his father as a child.

FINDING NEVERLAND

Soon after, in 1991, the album Dangerous hit the stands, skyrocketing to No.1 position and selling more than 20 million copies worldwide. In 1993, the allegations of the pop star abusing 13-year-old Jordy Chandler at Neverland were brought forward by the Chandler family. No evidence was ever found against him and the case was settled by an "incredulous" Jackson for $22 million.

MARRIAGE, RELATIONSHIPS

In 2001, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. In August 1994, he married Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley but the marriage didn't last long. In 1996 they split and Michael Jackson married a nurse, Debbie Rowe. They had two children - son Prince Michael Jackson in 1997, and daughter Paris Michael Jackson, in 1998. The marriage ended in 1999.

ECCENTRIC AND ERRATIC

The star lost some of his sheen and the reception to his 1995 album HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I was mixed. In 2001, when Invincible hit the stands, he was fast becoming known for his eccentric and erratic behaviour. In 2002 he dangled his third child, Prince Michael II - who he had via a surrogate mother - from a third-floor hotel balcony in Berlin.

THE SCANDALS THAT RUINED HIM

In 2005, he found himself in the dock again with allegations of abusing a boy named Gavin Arvizo. His downfall came when the police - then investigating Jordy Chandler's reports of genital blotches - photographed his private parts. The scandals effectively destroyed the pop legend even though he was found not guilty on 10 counts of child molestation on June 13, 2005

FINAL CURTAIN CALL

In 2009, in a bid to resurrect his career, he announced a 50-date residency at O2 which were to be his first live shows for 12 years. The concert was never to be as the King of Pop breathed his last on June 26, 2009 following a cardiac arrest.