LOS ANGELES, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The 2009 Black Entertainment Television Awards ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium here Sunday night was turned into a memorial for Michael Jackson, with at least two of his family members attending the show.

Fans mourn for American pop icon Michael Jackson in Hollywood, California, the United States, on June 26, 2009. American pop icon Michael Jackson was announced dead here Thursday at a hospital after suffering a heart attack at his rented home in a wealthy Los Angeles suburb. (Xinhua/Qi Heng) Photo Gallery>>>

     The "King of Pop" died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center, soon after he was rushed to the hospital in a deep coma from his rented home, where he had been staying while preparing for a comeback series of 50 concerts in London.

The superstar's father, Joe Jackson, walked the red carpet and spoke about his son's death before the BET Awards show.

    "I wish he could have been here to enjoy all of this," he said.

    The show opened with a medley of songs by the Jackson 5, performed by the reunited pop group New Edition, including the former member Bobby Brown.

    Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, who hosted the show, entered to Jackson's hit song "Beat It" wearing the singer's trademark red jacket and single white glove.

    "When somebody dies, we celebrate," Foxx said breathlessly after performing a dance sequence similar to the choreographed fight scene in Jackson's "Beat It" music video.

    Various artists including Beyonce, Ne-Yo and Ciara performed Jackson's songs to pay tribute to Jackson, and thanked him for his influence on their music.

    Beyonce, while accepting the award for Best Female R&B Artist, said, "This is for you, Michael Jackson. I have to thank Michael Jackson for being my teacher, my hero."

Singer Beyonce performs at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Sister Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance at the end of the show and thanked the audience for their support.

    "I'd like to say that to you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family," Janet Jackson said.

    The BET Awards show actually became the first former memorial for the late "King of Pop" after his untimely death. Producers of the show quickly put together a long list of entertainers to prepare a tribute to him after they learned of his death Thursday afternoon. 

No painkiller before Jackson's death: lawyer

    LOS ANGELES, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Pop icon Michael Jackson's doctor did not inject a powerful painkiller into the singing star just before his death, the doctor's lawyer said in remarks published on Sunday.  Full story

Michael Jackson fans gather near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, June 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Funeral plans for Michael Jackson pending after autopsy

Fans mourn during a candlelight gathering for Michael Jackson in Shanghai June 27, 2009.   (Xinhua/Reuters photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Funeral plans for Michael Jackson were pending on Saturday, one day after an autopsy on the body of the former "King of Pop," who died on Thursday unexpectedly at a Los Angeles hospital.

    The body of the 50-year-old singer was released to his family by the coroner's office Friday night after the autopsy, which took about three hours. But announcement of the cause of death has been deferred pending toxicological tests, which take four to six weeks, officials said. Full story

Autopsy under way to determine cause of Jackson's death

    LOS ANGELES, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles coroners began an autopsy on Friday to determine the cause of U.S. pop star Michael Jackson's death as rumors spread that he might die from a drug overdose as well as heart attack.

    Jackson, who was 50, was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon at the Medical Center of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). He was in full cardiac arrest when paramedics rushed him to the hospital. Full story

Michael Jackson dies at 50 in Los Angeles

    LOS ANGELES, June 25 (Xinhua) -- American pop icon Michael Jackson was announced dead here Thursday at a hospital after suffering a heart attack at his rented home in a wealthy Los Angeles suburb.

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London November 15, 2006.  (Xinhua/Reuters file photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The 50-year-old former "King of Pop," whose musical achievements were overshadowed later in life by his often-eccentric behavior and accusations of lewd behavior with young boys, died when he was preparing for a series of London concerts, which might be his last performances on stage. Tickets to those concerts are already sold out.  Full story

>>> Photo Gallery: Fans mourn Michael jackson <<<