Horses walk to the Staples Center, hours before a memorial service for recently deceased singer Michael Jackson is to take place today around 1pm EST in L.A. Fans began arriving at 7:30 am  to help pay respects to the King of Pop. 1.6 million people registered for tickets online to get a chance to attend, of them, 8,750 were chosen. A total of 17,500 people will be in attendance, and the singer's body is set to be present on the stage. [More here- photos via Getty]

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The lucky ticket

Asian elephants walk to the Staples Center, hours before a memorial service for recently deceased singer Michael Jackson is to take place

A Michael Jackson fan signs a tribute banner outside the Staples Center on July 6, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.