School kids have stopped and danced outside it.- Martin Rylev by Rebecca Blithe
Whangarei florists Bloom Flowers have made a tribute to pop superstar Michael Jackson, whose funeral and memorial ceremony were held this morning.
The Rust Ave florists, Martin and Julie-Anne Rylev, wanted to do something for the "one-of-a-kind artist" and
say their shop window display has had a great response.
Adorning the shopfront window is a white gloved hand emerging from a flower arrangement, a glittering disco ball and photos of Jackson throughout his life.
"School kids have stopped and danced outside it. One kept grabbing the Michael Jackson pose.
"It's made people stop and take a moment for him," said Mr Rylev.
The King of Pop, who died on June 25 after a heart attack, was buried in Los Angeles after a private funeral for the Jackson family in Hollywood and a memorial ceremony for 17,500 fans, who scored free tickets in an online lottery.
Mr Rylev was one of millions who applied for a ticket, unbeknown to his wife.
"I would've taken the flight over there for it.
"Genuine fans would give their right arm to go," he said.
The ceremony was to feature performances by Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Timberlake and Usher and end with the Jackson family and friends joining hands with the audience to sing Jackson's Heal the World.
The couple are avid fans who say Jackson's music has been a big part of their era.
"He's always been a trendsetter and his music and shows were revolutionary," said Mr Rylev.
Mrs Rylev saw Jackson's concert in Sydney 22 years ago during the Bad World Tour.
Mr Rylev, originally from Denmark, recalled a concert in Copenhagen being shut down after an extra 20,000 fans got in, breaking down barricades.
"It was mass hysteria, but Jackson did the concert again two weeks later."
A musician himself, Mr Rylev said for him, "It's always been about Jackson's music. All the other stuff, well, I chose to look beyond that."
Mr Rylev will be performing tribute songs with his band AMC Allstars at the Onerahi Tavern on July 24.
"I might wear my Michael Jackson glitter socks for the occasion," he said.
