Tweeting the Jackson Funeral

Of the millions who tried to get tickets to Michael Jackson's gigantic funeral, Advocate News Editor Andrew Harmon was one of the few to actually win a pair. He kept us posted through the day with Tweets from the Staples Center.

BY

July 07 2009 12:00 AM ET

- Mariah takes stage in front of casket...

- Queen Latifah reads Maya Angelou tribute poem: "He took a pose on his toes for all of us. And we knew that we had him."

- Motown's Berry Gordy alludes to Michael Jackson's "Sad times, questionable decisions..." coronates him "greatest entertainer of all time.."

- Stevie Wonder's preamble prompts weeping throughout audience.

- Magic Johnson: eating KFC with Jackson "greatest moment of my life."

- Sharpton delivers eulogy

- Sharpton: Oprah, Tiger, Obama, et. al. owe it to Michael...audience volume up to 11

- John Mayer gets mixed response until strains of "Human Nature" emanate from his guitar... Hard to follow Hudson and Wonder..

- Jermaine holds it together for final verse of "Smile"

- Rep. Jackson Lee introduces cong honoring Jackson

- Wunderkind singer Shaheen Jafargoli (age 12) reprises early MJ. The circle turns...

- Send-off: "We Are The World"

- ...and "Heal The World.

- Gold-plated casket leaving the building

- Family to address overflow crowd at Nokia theater

- Janet to Nokia crowd: "Michael will always be in our hearts." Latoya thanks the city of Los Angeles for their efforts. No word yet on reimbursement.

- Memorial programs already being hocked on eBay for $200+. Meanwhile Jackson family leaves Staples Center for Beverly Hills gathering.