The performer had a concert date scheduled at the venue for March of next year, but Rivera, of course, tragically died on Dec. 9 as the Learjet caring her from Monterrey, Mexico crashed into a mountainous region leaving no survivors. The 43 year-old was Long Beach native–or Playa Larga as she liked to shout it out–and the family had considered holding the service in her hometown but ultimately opted for the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City instead.
A limited number of tickets for the public memorial were made available today at noon to her loyal fan base. But will the way Live Nation has situated the process of admittance leave some mourners of La Diva de la Banda unable to even attempt to attend?
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See Also:
*[UPDATED: DEATH CONFIRMED]: Plane Carrying Jenni Rivera, Mexican Regional Superstar, Missing; Long Beach Native Feared Dead
*Jenni
Rivera Had Ovaries of Steel – The ballsy, brash, brilliant, too-short
life of the Mexican regional music queen and Long Beach girl
*Death of Jenni Rivera Proves–Again–How Clueless Los Angeles Times and MSM Continue to be About Mexican Anything
In order to prevent any ticket scalping from occurring, the entertainment group has made the ceremony a 'ticketless' event. Fans will have to complete an online transaction where their credit card will be charged two dollars for two tickets and promptly be refunded within 72 hours. Upon arriving tomorrow, they are being asked to provide the credit card used as well as valid photo identification that matches names.
But what about those who don't have credit cards or an ID that matches, or both? The Weekly has put the question to Live Nation and awaits their response.
In the meantime, Rivera's life is a rags-to-riches story that humbly had its origins as a young single mother living out of a garage in Long Beach before moving on to grand music stages and the admiration of millions. Throughout her success, she never lost touch with her roots advocating for single mothers, undocumented immigrants, and victims of domestic abuse through the platform of her celebrity.
Since there's a lot of young, undocumented and working poor who don't have credit cards and/or a matching photo ID to gain entrance, they won't be able to even attempt to be a part of the final farewell.
This, even though Rivera's music and life resonated with them deeply.
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Gabriel San Román is from Anacrime. He’s a journalist, subversive historian and the tallest Mexican in OC. He also once stood falsely accused of writing articles on Turkish politics in exchange for free food from DönerG’s!