Jackson's NYC fans queue for Apollo tribute

Hundreds of Michael Jackson fans gathered in New York's Harlem neighbourhood Tuesday, braving a hot summer day and a massive, growing line outside the famed Apollo theatre to attend an afternoon ceremony honouring the pop icon.

Fans wearing T-shirts with Jackson's image or outfits inspired by his costumes stood in the lengthy queue, danced and waved Michael Jackson posters and album covers. Some had been in line since shortly after midnight.

Rev. Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy, with a moment of silence to be observed later in the afternoon. The event was scheduled to continue until about 8 p.m.

Organizers of the public memorial said 600 people at a time were let in to listen to his music, watch a tribute video and leave flowers and other mementoes. Many also left messages on a remembrance wall outside the theatre.

"I thought that in my time, I'd have the opportunity to see him in concert," said Victoria Campomames, who took the day off work to attend and was dressed in a flashy Jackson-inspired jacket, fedora and white gloves. "This is about the closest I'm gonna get."

Plans were also put in place on Tuesday for a public viewing of Jackson's body at his Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County, Calif.

The public will be able to view the body Friday at the sprawling facility the singer bought in 1987 and equipped with an amusement park and zoo.

A private funeral is planned for Sunday at Neverland.

At the Apollo, Sharpton hailed Jackson for his role in breaking colour barriers in the music industry.

"Michael made young men and women all over the world imitate us," he said. "Before Michael, we were limited and ghettoized. But Michael put on a colourful military outfit, he pulled his pants up, he put on the one glove, and he smashed the barriers of segregated music."

Jackson and his brothers first appeared at the Apollo in 1967, when they won the theatre's amateur night contest. He last appeared at the Apollo in 2002, when former U.S. president Bill Clinton invited him to a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.

Shortly after news of Jackson's hospitalization — and later his death — emerged last Thursday, fans in New York began congregating at the Apollo, which became one of many impromptu Jackson memorial sites.