Jackson Fans Gather for Apollo Tribute

Tue., Jun. 30, 2009 10:10 AM PDT by Josh Grossberg

AP Photo/David Goldman

It's expected to be a stirring tribute to the King of Pop in the place where it all began.

Thousands of Michael Jackson fans began lining up this morning at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem to pay their respects to the singer, who died suddenly last Thursday from cardiac arrest at 50.

The public memorial is scheduled will begin with a euology by longtime Jackson family friend, the Rev. Al Sharpton. Approximately 600 people at a time will be let into the historic venue while DJs spin Jackson music. There, they'll watch a video tribute of the iconic entertainer and be able to leave flowers, memorabilia (posters, T-shirts and album covers) and personal notes in his honor.

There will be a moment of silence at 5:26 p.m. ET—the time when Jackson was declared dead.

Shortly after his death, the Gloved One's devotees started gathering at the Apollo—the venue where the Jackson 5 exploded into world consciousness by winning the theater's Amateur Night contest in 1967, when Michael was a mere 9-years-old.

And as fans did when James Brown died in 2005, thousands beat it over to the Apollo for an impromptu celebration Thursday, singing, dancing and leaving messages scrawled on walls near the landmark.