All Hail the King of Pop: Friends, Family and Fans Came Out in Full Force to Celebrate Jackson's Life

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TEARS AND CRIES OF "We love you!" punctuated Tuesday's afternoon memorial service for the late Michael Jackson, 50. Millions watched and thousands mourned at the star-studded fete at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Here, the most notable observations:

» The Gloved Ones: As the Jackson brothers escorted Jackson's casket onstage, they each wore one shimmering, sequined glove in the pop star's honor. A simple, sweet tribute.

» The Casket: The bronze, gold-plated casket that held the singer was made by the Batesville Casket Company and is known as the Promethean. The same make laid James Brown to rest and is rumored to cost $25,000.

» The Numbers: An estimated 20,000 attended, but reports surmised a billion watched worldwide. Twenty helicopters circled the skies, and 50 movie theaters nationwide broadcast it live for free. Estimates for the cost of the service range from $1.5 million to $4 million.

» Who Was/Wasn't There: Notable names included Smokey Robinson, Spike Lee, Kobe Bryant, Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. and Queen Latifah. A-list artists such as brother Jermaine Jackson, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Usher performed in the King of Pop's honor. Missing in action: Paul McCartney (they had a falling out over Beatles song rights), Elizabeth Taylor (claiming Jackson wouldn't want her there), Macaulay Culkin (he's yet to publicly speak of Jackson's death) and ex-wife Debbie Rowe (she claimed she'd be an "unnecessary distraction").

» Expected (aka the Rev. Al Sharpton): The pontificator chanted "Michael never stopped! Michael never stopped! Michael never stopped!" It seemed he was about to lead a march out of the arena.

» Touchingly Unexpected: Former NBA star Magic Johnson recalled a visit to Jackson's house — he ordered grilled chicken only to see Jackson eat a bucket of fried — a moment Johnson dubbed the greatest of his life. Brooke Shields shared emotive recollections: "MJ's laugh was the sweetest and purest laugh out of anyone I had ever known." When it looked like Janet Jackson was about to break from the onstage family huddle to speak, Jackson's daughter, 11-year-old Paris Michael, astonished viewers when she did instead: "I just want to say, ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much."

» Photo Gallery: Fans worldwide remember Jackson.

Photo by Paul Buck-Pool/Getty Images,Gabriel Bouys-Pool/Getty Images, Kevin Mazur/MJ Memorial via Getty Images