Ex-wife's custody bid looms over Jackson memorial

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop star Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe cast a shadow over the unveiling of plans on Friday for the King of Pop's memorial service next week, as a legal battle shapes up over custody of their kids.

Rowe told a Los Angeles TV station on Thursday she wanted to care for her two children with Jackson, and a court hearing over guardianship -- temporarily awarded to Jackson's 79-year-old mother Katherine Jackson -- was delayed one week.

But Rowe's attorney said his client's words were distorted in the interview and she "has not reached a final decision" about whether to battle her ex-husband's mother in court.

An elaborate public memorial for Jackson, who died suddenly last week, will be held on Tuesday in Los Angeles, and about 11,000 tickets will be given away for the service at the 20,000-seat Staples Center.

Concert promoter and Jackson backer AEG Live said in the service was set for 10 a.m. PDT (1700 GMT) at the rock concert and sporting venue in downtown Los Angeles, and that further details would be unveiled on Friday.

Jackson's death on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles mansion has prompted tributes from fans and musicians worldwide and sent many of his records back into the top of music charts.

Meanwhile Rowe -- the mother of Jackson's two eldest children, Prince Michael Jackson Jr. 12, and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11 -- appeared to be setting the stage for a legal wrangle with Jackson's parents over their future.

"I want my children," Rowe was quoted as telling NBC4 television in Los Angeles.