Large response to Jackson memorial drawing

LOS ANGELES, July 4 (UPI) -- More than half a million people have registered for a chance to attend a Los Angeles memorial for singer Michael Jackson, a Jackson family spokesman says.

Family spokesman Ken Sunshine said international response to the planned lottery that will give 8,750 lucky fans tickets to next week's Staples Center event has resulted in event organizers allowing non-U.S. residents the chance to register in the drawing, CNN reported Saturday.

The memorial show for the singer, who died last Thursday, will be produced by Grammy Awards producer Ken Ehrlich and directed by Kenny Ortega.

"When you grow up with Michael Jackson's music pretty much your whole life, you feel like you lost a family member and you have to go to the funeral," said Add Seymour of Atlanta, who is already registered for the lottery.

AEG Live President Tim Leiweke told CNN that lottery entrants will be informed via e-mail Sunday if they are among the recipients of the 17,500 free tickets to next Tuesday's event.

The Los Angeles Times said police have urged those Jackson fans who do not win tickets to avoid the memorial as officers will be dispatched throughout the downtown Los Angeles area.