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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

41. Jabberwocky -
Wrong MJ. It was Michael JORDAN

RIP Jeff Goldblum

42. Hez -
I am in total and complete shock. This man has helped me through so much with his music. I can't believe this is happening. Rest in peace Michael.

43. Chica-boricua -
REST IN PEACE MICHAEL JACKSON. YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW. YOU WILL FOREVER BE MISSED. THANK YOU FOR FOUR DECADES OF YOUR MUSIC.

44. Alicisany -
He was a great artist and have raised millions of dollars for charities, but we're forgetting one thing: he was human. Yes he did have a bad childhood and his actions were very bizarre, but he was human; falliable.

45. JacquiT -
Ok, let's behave!

46. luz D -
god bless u and hope u rest and u been find with god ...
all of your fans will miss u ...

47. Stephanie -
I cant believe it!! Wow! This man had more talent in is pinky finger than 100 of the most talented people I know! On a recent trip to Disneyland, I actually filmed my son singing along to Billy Jean in the car! He's 8! I am so glad that my children are old enough to sing along with the King Of Pop!! RIP Michael! You will forever be remembered in our hearts for generations to come!!

My kids paying tribute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6GOkEYuB8

48. bob -
Another Legend is gone. We will miss you. GOD Bless him and his fam. "CAN YOU FEEL IT"

49. Yahoo! Music User -
HE WUZZZZZZZZ AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50. adam -
lets get one thing strait mike was and forever will be the best entertainer to ever live and as far as his personal life goes he made some mistakes but he also was a good man he gave back to the community and he was a great humanitarian. all i can say is mike you will be missed. R.I.P

51. Doug -
Jackson was a great person. I just began to appreciate his music several weeks ago. It took me several hours to accept the fact that he passed away, but I still have a little feeling inside that he just passed out. Rest in Peace Mr. Jackson

52. SharonH -
regardless of what was said or even proven, we as children of GOD have to forgive him and pray for his deliverence....i'm not saying he was guilty of anythinhg...but we have to pray for his soul to be delivered to HEAVEN! Always remember he who has not sin may cast the first stone!!!!!!!

53. Martine -
rest in peace.

54. Helen R -
I am so saddened by this great performer's sudden passing. While I may not have understood him, there is no denying the superstar that he was. No matter what he may have been accused of in the past, he was an incredible performer. May he rest in peace.

55. cookies_are_evil17 -
Michael will be remenbered some how. as a some ppl may say " a rapist" which i dont believe he was. or the king of pop which is tru. he will be remenber. :). ima miss him . he had talent. he will be missed.
R.I.P. michael jackson. our one nd only tru king of pop.

56. Tionne -
Michael Jackson will be remembered for ever and ever!God bless him!

57. chua k -
god bless the greatest of all time.

58. mp124 -
What a sad day...Michael will be missed by so many. I believe he really did have a good heart and a tremendous talent.

59. Evelyn -
how could you be able 2 say that? he was one the best singers that touched our souls/hearts!!!!

60. __A_YAHOO_USER__ -
Micheal you will forever be the #1 hip hop of all time. my prayers go out to you and your family. God bless!
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