Fans commemorate King of Pop’s 1st death anniversary

Michael Jackson in his younger years.

Fans honor Michael Jackson with vigils, prayer, and music as the globe commemorate the first anniversary of his passing on Friday.

Remembrances kicked off a day ahead the official anniversary as a number of fans stood outside the Forest Lawn cemetery in California, the King of Pop’s final resting place, Thursday night. Julia Thomas, 40 years old, claimed that “Michael has just always been a part of my life.” She even had Jackson’s dancing feet tattooed on her left wrist. Forest Lawn is just one of the many places where Jackson’s fans would gather to remember their hero, who died at age 50 as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London.

Five large wreaths of flowers and dozens of bouquets, and Jackson memorabilia had been placed outside his private mausoleum while barricades were set up early at the cemetery for the horde of fans and Jackson relatives expected to arrive later on Friday.

Meanwhile, on Friday in Japan, fans gathered at Tokyo Tower to honor Jackson with a candlelight vigil, a gospel concert and more. About 50 guests paid $1,100 each to sleep overnight at the Tokyo landmark and danced to Michael Jackson’s music before observing a period of silence as the sun rose. Some had a chance to see a collection of his possessions, including costumes from his tours and a 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom that he used to drive around Los Angeles.

In Jackson’s hometown, there was to be a tribute at the family home; expecting Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and his niece, Genevieve Jackson, to show up, along with thousands of others while his brother Randy Jackson was hoping to make the official family commemoration at Forest Lawn on Friday morning.