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R.I.P. Michael Jackson: The Greatest of All Time

Posted Fri 26 Jun 2009 12:55PM NZST by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training
It still has not hit me. It feels so strange. Michael Jackson is dead. He was only 50 years old, a milestone age. He just celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Thriller," the best-selling album of all time, and re-released it in February.

He was scheduled to start his show run in London in a few weeks.

Maybe Michael's career had reached its peak, but I was not convinced that he was done with music. When he turned 50 last August, I did a series of interviews with radio stations. All of the DJs asked me if I thought Michael Jackson could make a comeback. They wanted to know if he could get past the controversies that dominated his news coverage over the last 10-plus years. My answer was a matter-of-fact "yes."

People often underestimate the power of music, and the effect that it has on us. We sometimes forget how a great song with a feel-good message lifts us up, and makes us smile and remember the place we had the most fun dancing to it and with whom.

Michael Jackson is one of the few artists in the history of the art form to be able to take one song, like "Billie Jean," and reach people of all age groups, races, and nationalities.

Michael has done this time and time again for decades, as both a solo artist and member of The Jackson 5.

This type of legacy cannot be erased by even the most horrible of charges and allegations. His music and performances are historic and forever engrained in our hearts.

Rick Sanchez, a floor manager at the popular Amoeba Music in Hollywood, says that his staff was "equally shocked" when they heard the news of Jackson's passing. "A lot of people are buying his music which usually happens in these situations," Sanchez says, referring to the breaking news of a musician's death.

Sanchez adds that all of Jackson's music always sells well at his location.

Rosemary Jean-Louis, a Michael Jackson fan and blogger from Atlanta, is nervous, hoping the news reports that Jackson has died are not true. "I don't want to believe it because it's Michael Jackson," Jean-Louis says. "He has been the guy considered invincible who always seems to come back. He is only 50. He was on the verge of such a big comeback with his concerts. No matter what he's gone through or what the crazy circumstances and dark period of his life with that poor trial-that taken aside-he is one of the musical geniuses of our times, truly the King of Pop."

I never learned to do his moonwalk dance move, but like everyone else, I was blown away when I saw him unveil it on Motown's famous 25th anniversary TV special in 1984.

I was too shy of a kid to get one of the red-and-black stripped jackets like the one he wore in the "Thriller" video, but I thought it was cool.

I did, however, have an afro Jheri curl in 1979, when Jackson released his album "Off the Wall," which included jams like "Don't Stop ‘til You Get Enough" and "Workin' Day and Night." I was 10, and whenever the high school girls on my block told me that I was cute and looked like Michael Jackson, I blushed and took it as a huge compliment.

My 6 1/2-year-old twins know and love his music as do the rest of us. This will never change.

I know he had been dealing with a lot these last few years. I hope that at the time of his passing he was in a happy place. Reportedly, he had been rehearsing in Los Angeles for the last two months, preparing for his London dates. His 50-year-old life may have been short, but it was impactful. His accomplishments are tremendous.

I offer my sincere condolences to his children, parents, siblings, and other family members, and to his friends and fans.

Watch Classic Michael Jackson videos.

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22115 Comments

21. jlegarta -
may you rest in peace. the sensational king of pop!

22. Kenneth -
I can't and don't want to believe it. It makes me realize and understand what generations before us feel when they lose one of their own legends. He truly was a legend and the "King of Pop". Many have said it this evening and I have to agree with it. I can associate moments of my childhood with MJ's songs. I will never forget his music. He will truly be missed and my prayers are with his friends and family in this most horrible time. RIP!

23. Kenneth -
I can't and don't want to believe it. It makes me realize and understand what generations before us feel when they lose one of their own legends. He truly was a legend and the "King of Pop". Many have said it this evening and I have to agree with it. I can associate moments of my childhood with MJ's songs. I will never forget his music. He will truly be missed and my prayers are with his friends and family in this most horrible time. RIP!

24. Virginia S -
It is tragic for anyone to die that young. I feel sorry for his family, especially his three small children. If anyone finds a joke in this, I hope that you are not offended if someone jokes when your father, brother or son passes away. Remember in life the jokes are to MJ, in death the jokes can only effect his parents, siblings and children. But if the kids (I hope it's kids) want to joke, I recognize that it coming from nowhere but immaturity.

25. Yahoo! Music User -
I cant believe he died! Michael Jackson? Seems kinda unreal. Well, i had nothing against him, unlike some people. I respect (respected?) him.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson

26. Ella -
RIP MJ GOD BLESS U... U WILL BE MISSED

27. nobleg -
im heart broken :( WTF

28. shed -
I am deeply sad....Michael will be missed.....my heart goes out to this family

29. ABDUL -
RIP. Michael you will never be forgotten. Best ever hands down.

30. hellcat -
Despite the controversy surrounding his life, Michael Jackson is a cutural icon. Whether you love him or hate him, that can't be denied. The unfortunate part is yet to come.....the media storm ahead will be a disaster. Hopefully his children will be protected from being exploited by the press.

31. bmorechick1980 -
I'm still in a state of shock and disbelief. I'm going to pray for his family during this difficult time. Rest In Peace, Michael Jackson

32. Priscilla -
RIP Mickael.
god bless ur family,friends,n fans
im very young but michael is my hero.
he went through hard times.
i pray he was a man of god.n i pray he is going to heaven because he was a GREAT man.
and u will always be a legend
god bless

33. Amuda -
I MISS MICHEAL SOOOO MUCH!


THE WORLD WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER MJ!

34. Mysho -
Ofcourse he had it, for such an amazing artist like him, a comeback was not a problem.
The results that he produced, no one will be able to touch that mark.

35. madelynn -
R.I.P MJ

36. Infinite_0 -
Next!

37. Zobiana -
I'm still in shock... I just can't believe it yet.

38. Yahoo! Music User -
Wow! Um... Really surprised at what happened. R.I.P Michael Jackson. What else? Yea, Farrah Fawcett is coming with you too.

39. Rocio -
we love u m.j your in a better place, your music will always be with us.....rip

40. MarkeishaF -
HE WILL BE MISSED.... MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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