WASHINGTON — Colin Powell says Michael Jackson had controversy in his life, but in death his art should be celebrated.
The retired general and former secretary of state said he was in Vietnam, Korea or stationed elsewhere during Jackson’s heyday.
“So he’s not quite of my generation but his art spanned three generations and is worthy of all the tribute that he is receiving for his art,” Powell said in a television interview set to air today.
Jackson, who died June 25, had been plagued with heavy debts, allegations of child abuse and use of prescription drugs.
“Yes, there were some challenges in his life,” Powell told CNN’s “State of the Union,” which released excerpts of the interview ahead of the broadcast. “But he’s now passed on. Let’s celebrate his art.”
Tickets for memorial
In Los Angeles, more than 1.2 million people have now registered to get tickets for Jackson’s memorial service next week.
Only 11,000 tickets will be given out for the Tuesday service at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. An additional 6,500 tickets will be given away for the Nokia Theater overflow section next door.
The only way to get tickets was to register for free at staplescenter.com. After 6 p.m. Saturday, 8,750 names were to be randomly selected to receive two tickets each. Notifications will go out today.
City officials are preparing for massive crowds. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.
City Councilwoman Jan Perry strongly urged people to stay home and watch the memorial on TV. The ceremony will not be shown on Staples’ giant outdoor TV screen.
No details were given about the actual memorial events, which come as the city struggles with a $530 million budget deficit. Perry said the cost of police protection for “extraordinary” events like the memorial is built into the Police Department’s budget, but she still solicited help for “incremental costs.”
TV coverage
The memorial for Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn’t be hard to find it on television.
ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment are among the networks that have already announced plans to offer live coverage of the Tuesday memorial, set for 10 a.m. PDT.
ABC is sending anchor Charles Gibson for the story, setting aside its typical daytime programming. CBS anchor Katie Couric will also be at the Staples Center, although the network has not yet said whether it was offering live coverage. NBC is not planning live coverage, but will wrap up highlights in a one-hour prime-time special Tuesday night.
