Local Fans Watch Jackson Memorial

LARGO, Md. (WUSA) -- Fans poured into Sidelines Bar and Grill in Largo to watch the memorial service. They were invited by bar owner LaVar Arrington (former Redskins), and Radio One DC.

"Music, to me, is probably the most influential tool in all of creation, so for someone to have grasp it as well as Michael Jackson did, was, I don't think it'll ever happen again," Arrington said.

"Everybody wants to be like Michael Jackson," said Cheryl Cruise, DC, "As a kid, you want to be like Michael Jackson, you want to dance like Michael Jackson, you want to wear what he wears, you want to rock like he rocks."

"It's good to know and see the masses that he's influenced by his music and everything that he's done, so it's surreal," said Keesha Tyler, Suitland.

The people who came here say they couldn't bear to watch the memorial alone. They wanted to be in a place where they could feel support.

"I decided to come to this venue because I thought as a Michael Jackson fan I needed to be here. I didn't want to be home by myself. I definitely wanted to be among other fans that loved him like I did, respected him, and thanked him for his tribute to his music," said Laquetta Green of Manassas.