Entertainment

Jackson monument unveiled at Indiana home

Michael Jackson mother unveiled a marble memorial in front of her late son's childhood home in Gary, Ind., on the anniversary of the singer's death.

King of Pop lived there until age 11

Cards and flowers are left in front of Michael Jackson's boyhood home on Friday in Gary, Ind., where a monument was unveiled on the anniversary of his death. ((John Smierciak/Associated Press))

A monument dedicated to the late Michael Jackson was unveiled in his hometown of Gary, Ind., on the first anniversary of his death.

His mother Katherine, along with hundreds of fans, was on hand for Friday afternoon's ceremony in front of the humble home the family first lived in. The black, square dark slab features Jackson's face as well as the words "King of Pop."

A candlelight vigil is to be held at the site in the early evening, accompanied by We Are The World.

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay told the Chicago Tribune that the matriarch of the Jackson clan had been making improvements to the house, replacing the roof, adding a layer of new paint and re-doing the sidewalk and driveway.

Jackson lived there until age 11, when he and his family relocated to the California as the Jackson Five's popularity soared.

Michael Jackson was last in Gary in 2003.

As legions of fans marked the Friday anniversary, Jackson's children — Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket — are reportedly marking their dad's death privately.

The pop icon died June 25 last year at age 50 as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London.

Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death for administering the anesthetic propofol to Jackson to help the pop star sleep.

More 500 fans filed past barricades Friday at Jackson's final resting place at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, Calif. Some wept, while some carried bouquets and many others attempted to get a photo of the mausoleum where he is interred.

Some members of the Jackson family arrived at the cemetery Friday afternoon, and brother Tito Jackson shook the hands with some of the fans waiting in line.

With files from The Associated Press