Michael Jackson Memorial Service

The final act in Michael Jackson's extraordinary life has taken place in Los Angeles.

20,000 fans packed the Staples Centre to witness a gigantic celebrity concert. Stars including Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Lionel Ritchie, Queen Latifah, Magic Johnson and Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to Jackson's life through a mixture of anecdote and song.

• Michael Jackson's greatest moments
• In pictures: stars give Jacko an emotional send-off
• Video: watch highlights from the MJ memorial service

"He raised the bar, then broke the bar"

Legends of the Motown record label lined up to celebrate the man's contribution to music.

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, said: "He raised the bar, then broke the bar." Gordy, who said Jackson "turned into another person" on stage, earned a roar of approval from the crowd when he said: "He is quite simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

Stevie Wonder dedicated his songs Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer and They Won't Go When I Go to Jackson. Before launching into the first ballad, Wonder said: "This is a moment I wished I had never seen come. Michael, I loved you and I told you that many times, so I'm at peace with that."

Messages from Ross and Mandela

Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen Jafargholi brought the audience to its feet with a rendition of the Jackson Five hit Who's Lovin You?

Smokey Robinson read out messages from Diana Ross and Nelson Mandela. Praising Jackson for triumphing over tragedy in his life, Mandela said: "Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide. Michael became close to us after he began visiting and performing in South Africa regularly. We grew fond of him."

In a rousing speech, the Rev Al Sharpton suggested Jackson laid the foundations for a black man to become president of the United States. The civil rights activist said: "It was Michael Jackson that brought blacks, whites and Asians together. Thank you Michael, thank you Michael, thank you Michael."

Coffin displayed below the stage

The concert represented the climax of an emotional sequence of events.

The day began with Jackson's funeral motorcade - including five Rolls-Royces, three Cadillac Escalades and 10 identical black Range Rovers - leaving Jackson's parents' home and travelling to a short service at the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Jackson's family and dozens of friends, led by his parents Joe and Katherine, walked into a hall at the cemetery, where a short viewing was apparently held last night. Motorways were closed across Los Angeles to then allow the Jackson family to travel in cavalcade from the private service to the memorial concert, where Michael Jackson's gold-plated coffin was displayed in front of the stage.

Usher, the R'n'B singer who identified Jackson as his greatest inspiration, became the first artist to touch Jackson's coffin. After breaking down in tears singing Gone Too Soon, he was embraced by Jackson family members as he was led away.

Throughout the concert the stage was adorned with various incarnations of the star's image, together with a mural carrying the words: 'In Loving Memory. Michael Jackson King of Pop - 1958-2009.'

More on the Michael Jackson memorial concert:

• Jackson 'best daddy' says daughter
• Motown stars: Jacko raised the bar
• Jackson's gold coffin is centre stage
• Mandela and Ross remember Jackson
• Brooke Shields cries for Jackson
• Britain's Got Talent star Shaheen wows audience

More on Michael Jackson:

• Michael Jackson: 1958-2009
• Michael Jackson's greatest moments

Click through the gallery below to see photos from the day's commemorations.