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A 12-metre-high statue of Michael Jackson near Zurich. London: Michael Jackson’s family is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the pop legend has a grand funeral and they have reportedly chosen a custom-made $25,000 casket to bury the “King of Pop”. The “Thriller” hit-maker will be laid to rest in a gleaming gold-plated coffin, known as The Promethean, just like his idol, soul legend James Brown, reported Sun online. The bronze coffin inlaid with velvet is made by a company from Jackson’s home state of Indiana called the Batesville Casket Company. After Brown died aged 73 on Christmas Day 2006, Jackson had visited the Georgia funeral home where he was in repose and studied the various caskets available. Elsewhere, A giant plastic statue of Jackson has been unveiled in a village near the Swiss city of Zurich, ahead of a ceremony to pay homage to the late pop icon, an organiser said today. The 12-metre, four-tonne grey statue, with contrasting gold-coloured belts and straps, was installed on a lawn in the middle of Regensdorf. Meanwhile, forget those reports that Swedish supergroup ABBA will be reuniting to cover Jackson’s sold-out concert dates. “No one has even asked us, and if they asked us they would have ‘no’ as an answer, because [Jackson’s concerts were] going to happening a week,” said Benny Andersson, who co-wrote ABBA hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me” with Bjorn Ulvaeus. “And even if it wasn’t happening in a week, no, no we’re not on,” Andersson said Friday. Jackson died while preparing for a run of 50 shows at the 02 arena in London, set to kick off July 13. — Agencies © Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu |