Thorpe, 60, who died of a heart attack in Sydney on Wednesday, had spent time in Morocco over the past five years working on an album that was to be called Tangier.

Yesterday, while announcing details of tomorrow's memorial service for the singer, Thorpe's friend, promoter Michael Chugg, said that in his message King Mohammed VI wished it to be known that the people of Morocco would always be friends of the Thorpe family and that prayers were said in Casablanca over the past few days for the singer.

More than 7000 people are expected to attend the memorial service for Thorpe at the Sydney Entertainment Centre tomorrow afternoon.

His life and career will be celebrated by one of the largest gatherings of its kind, following a rush of applications from the public for tickets on Thursday and Friday.

Chugg said more than 5000 tickets had already been allocated, and that the event would most likely be full to its 7000 capacity on the day.

Hundreds of musicians and friends from the music and entertainment industry, some from overseas, will attend. Actor Jack Thompson, singer Little Pattie, broadcaster George Negus and Chugg will speak, while there will be two performances of Thorpe songs, one by his friend Max Merritt.

Thorpe, who played his last concert in Melbourne on Sunday, was one of Australia's trailblazing rock and pop stars in the 1960s and 70s with his band the Aztecs, scoring hits with songs including Poison Ivy, Mashed Potato and Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy).

He also had significant success in the US as a solo artist in the late 70s and early 80s.

The memorial service, which begins at 3.45pm, will be broadcast live on Sky News.

A private funeral will be held on Monday.

Chugg said there might be a rock concert with an all-star line-up commemorating Thorpe's career later this year.