LOS ANGELES (AP):

Michael Jackson was eulogised in words and song yesterday by an all-star list of musicians, athletes and other celebrities during a mournful ceremony in downtown Los Angeles, with the most poignant moment delivered by his sobbing 11-year-old daughter.

"I just want to say ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much," Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson said before almost collapsing in the arms of her aunt Janet Jackson.

Watched by millions around the world, the memorial struck a tone more spiritual than spectacular, opening with a church choir serenading his golden coffin and continuing with sombre speeches and gospel-infused musical performances.

The Rev Lucious W. Smith of the Friendship Baptist Church in Pasadena gave the greeting on the same stage where Jackson had been rehearsing for a concert series in the days before his June 25 death at age 50. Then Mariah Carey sang the opening performance with a rendition of the Jackson Five ballad I'll Be There, a duet with Trey Lorenz.

Remembering the times

"We come together and we remember the time," said Smith, riffing on one of Jackson's lyrics. "As long as we remember him, he will always be there to comfort us."

Millions of fans around the world gathered at odd hours to watch the ceremony, which was broadcast by the major TV networks and cable channels from Tokyo to Paris to New York and streamed everywhere online in one of the biggest celebrity send-offs ever seen.

Musical tributes

Among those who saluted Jackson were Motown music mogul Berry Gordy Jr, Brooke Shields, the Rev Al Sharpton and basketball greats Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. Jennifer Hudson sang Jackson's hit Will You Be There and John Mayer played guitar on a whisper-light rendition of Human Nature.

"This is a moment that I wished I didn't live to see," Stevie Wonder said before his performance. Usher broke down in tears after singing Gone Too Soon.

Although the event was billed as a celebration, some speakers took the occasion to come to the defence of Jackson, whose life was marked as much by criticism and scorn as scintillating talent.

Gordy said that despite what he called "some sad times and maybe some questionable decisions on his part," the title King of Pop wasn't good enough for Jackson. "I think he is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived," Gordy said.

Daddy has been the best father you can ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much

- Daughter