Fans, friends and family of Michael Jackson bid adieu to the 'King of Pop' at the public memorial held at Staples Centre here in a grand ceremony which has been described by many as the 'biggest media event ever'.

In the ceremony, which was watched by over a billion people around the world, the pop icon was remembered by everyone from Nelson Mandela to basketball legend Magic Johnson, with some of the biggest names in the music industry performing in honour of the legend.

The family of Jackson, including his parents,eight siblings and three young children were in attendance, seated in the front row close to the bronze casket containing the body of the "greatest entertainer that ever lived".

Eleven thousand lucky fans chosen through a lucky draw attended the ceremony at Staples Centre and millions others joined in through the live public screenings held throughout USA, including at Times Square, New York, Neverland Ranch, Gary, Indiana and at Planet Hollywood, Los Angeles.

The ceremony began with legendary crooner Smokey Robinson reading out messages of condolence from Nelson Mandela and Diana Ross.

"Michael was a personal love of mine, a treasured part of my world, part of the fabric of my life in a way that I can’t seem to find words to express. Michael wanted me to be there for his children, and I will be there if they ever need me," read the message from soul diva Ross who was a close friend of Jackson's and has also been named as the back-up guardian to his children in his will.

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