Michael Jackson Memorial By The Numbers: How It Compares

In spite of the ticketing fiasco and Kobe Bryant's unabashed teleprompter reading, Michael Jackson's Memorial raised the bar for all future Superstar Funerals. It was a beautiful ceremony watched by approximately 1 billion people and streamed by millions more, complete with celebrity eulogies, Jermaine's heartbreaking rendition of Michael's favorite song and a very touching declaration of love by Michael's only daughter, Paris. But how does it compare to other superstar funerals?

In 2006, James Brown's body was laid out at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for a public viewing before embarking on a "Farewell Tour." His final destination was Augusta, Georgia where over 8,000 friends and fans packed into an arena (compared to the 17,500 invited to the Staples Center yesterday) and danced to his music for four hours. Michael Jackson was a surprise guest - watch his speech here.

Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, the event that drew most comparison to Michael Jackson's memorial, was watched by approximately 2.5 billion people. 1,900 guests attended the funeral while approximately 1 million fans turned out for the event. Surprisingly, only 1,000 fans surrounded the Staples Center yesterday, yielding the advice of Los Angeles city officials. The only superstar tribute was Elton John's Candle in the Wind.

Instead of a funeral, John Lennon was memorialized in 1980 when fans worldwide observed ten minutes of silence at a time designated by Yoko Ono. Over 100,000 people gathered in Central Park for the event.

Like Michael, Elvis died shortly before beginning a comeback tour, in 1977. The funeral was privately held at Graceland before a motorcade of 14 white Cadillacs escorted his body to the cemetery. James Brown was among the mourners. Over 80,000 fans traveled to Graceland that week to pay their respects. Footage of the procession here.

In 1969, about 20,000 people paid their respects to Judy Garland. She was laid out in a glass-enclosed coffin for the public before a private funeral was held in New York City.

Over 75,000 fans visited Yankee Stadium in 1948 to view Babe Ruth's body. Another 75,000 crowded around St. Patrick's Cathedral for his funeral service.

While Princess Diana's funeral had more television viewers, Michael's memorial trumped all in terms of starpower, tribute gloves and KFC references. Will anyone top The Greatest Entertainer Of All Time? Madonna's handlers better be taking notes.