Global Tribute Marks Year Since Michael Jackson's Death

LOS ANGELES  (Reuters) - Michael Jackson fans worldwide paid tribute to the late King of Pop on Friday, the first anniversary of his death, by remembering him in song and dance even as his father sued the doctor accused of sending the superstar to his grave.

In Tokyo , the "Thriller" singer's followers spent the night among his possessions at a Michael Jackson exhibition, at New York's famed Apollo theater they danced to his music, and along Hollywood's Walk of Fame, they laid flowers by his star.

Jackson's sister Janet and brother Jermaine were among family members visiting a mausoleum at the Forest Lawn cemetery near Los Angeles, where the singer's body was laid to rest, and his mother, matriarch Katherine, appeared at the unveiling of a monument outside the family's first home in Gary, Indiana.

Jackson remembered one year after his death

One year after pop legend Michael Jackson died suddenly of a prescription drug overdose at the age of 50, mourning fans around the world are marking the anniversary in unique ways.

In Tokyo, 50 Japanese admirers -- one for each year of his life – have been picked to spend a night at Tokyo Tower among the singer's possessions in the Neverland Collection, the only official Michael Jackson exhibition. They were chosen from among 10,000 applicants who vied for the honour.

Japanese Michael Jackson fans begin memorial sleepover

TOKYO — Michael Jackson's legions of Japanese fans began piling up flowers in Tokyo Saturday to mark the first anniversary of his death, with 50 devotees spending the night with his most treasured possessions.

The diehard fans have paid more than 1,000 dollars each for the sleepover inside an exhibition space showcasing some of the singer's belongings, including his music awards, Rolls Royce and crystal-studded gloves.

Jackson died from a drug overdose at a rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25 last year, a seismic celebrity death that triggered a global outpouring of tributes for the eccentric genius known as "The King of Pop".

Michael Jackson anniversary: Fans around the world pay homage to late King of Pop

To commemorate the first anniversary of the singer's death with a candlelight vigil, gospel concert and silent prayer session.

Though Jackson fans gathered around the world to mark his death one year ago, the Tokyo "Lifetime Collection" event was the only overseas exhibition of Jackson memorabilia that has the sanction of his estate, promoters said.

"I don't know what to say - seeing all his things makes it all come back to me," said Yumiko Sasaki, a 48-year-old Tokyo office worker who has been a Jackson fan since she was 12. "It makes me so sad to think that he is gone. He was wonderful."

Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Awaits Trial, One Year Later

Murray is the only person charged in Jackson's death to date.

We will likely never know what happened during Michael Jackson's final moments.

On the eve of what he hoped would be a triumphant return to the world stage that would re-establish him as the pre-eminent pop star of the modern era, Jackson died, seemingly alone, in a rented home in Los Angeles after a fitful night during which his private physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, supplied him with a series of medications aimed at helping the 50-year-old King of Pop get some much-needed rest.

Michael Jackson's children to attend school for first time

Michael Jackson’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, are to attend school for the first time later this year.

Katherine Jackson, the children’s grandmother and guardian, said she wants to give them a more conventional upbringing after years of being kept largely hidden from the outside world.

In an interview to mark the first anniversary of her son’s death she told the Mail on Sunday: “I’d say I’m a little less strict but I’ve tried to follow the way Michael was raising them.

Missing & Remembering Michael Jackson Memories

FILE - In this June 13, 2005 file photo, Michael Jackson supporter Andre White appears to cry as he listens to the the verdicts in Jackson's child molestation case in Santa Maria, Calif. Jackson was found not guilty on all counts against him. Jackson's notoriously loyal fan based has re-emerged in the year since Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)

Unidentified Michael Jackson fans await his verdict in front of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif., Monday, June 13, 2005. Jackson's notoriously loyal fan based has re-emerged in the year since Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill, file)

A year later, Jackson fans still out in force By ANTHONY McCARTNEY (AP)

LOS ANGELES — Erin Jacobs once traded her brand new bicycle for tickets to see Michael Jackson. Now, more than 25 years later, it's her time, organizational skills and gas money that she's giving to the King of Pop.

As an organizer of two major fan groups, Jacobs is just one of thousands of supporters keeping Jackson's legacy alive — along with the pursuit of justice for his untimely death a year ago this Friday.