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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

61. Erin -
Let's not make this very troubled person a saint just because he died. HE HURT CHILDREN! He was a very troubled person. He did not pay his debts. He was not an honest person. He was a terrible role model. Yes, he was very talented but he was not a good man. I hope he asked God for forgiveness for his sins. It troubles me that our society embraces celebrities. How about we as a society protect children with the same enthusiasm that we worship celebs.

62. qwr -
he was a superstar forever!!!!!!!!!

63. Luz -
One less child abuser to worry about. Watch out CATHOLIC CHURCH you are next!!! wahahahahahahahahaha

p.s yes he did sing very good and yes his songs were amazing, great artist. but still...

64. Jj -
christin and stupid both of u can shut up micheal jackson was my inspiration yea his life was horrible at times but who got him threw it jesus! and if he really molested a child i would think god would of let him be guilty and go to jail hes a great man king of pop and noone can ever do it like him or top him soooo i love u micheal and the world will get through this with u so R.I.P. YOUNG BLOOD AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND HAVE YOUR BACK FOREVER MUCH LOVE!!!!

65. corey -
we all will miss u mike we aint mad i geuss god need u to entertain him now much love from me and the hole 504

66. Juan Felipe -
All I can say is that I am happy to have known him as a legend before his death, and not like others who became legends only after death. He is definitely the artist of the millenium and his music will forever be in my soul. Rest in peace... from the bottom of my heart.

67. charles -
I cannot believe people are shedding tears for one of the biggest pedophiles of all time. Good riddance!

68. Yahoo! Music User -
R I P Micheal, he was absolutely stunning in regards to changing music. He a great legend not to be forgotten

69. Yahoo! Music User -
He faked his death i believe. He is still alive out there somewhere :)

70. Sharon -
This is such a sad day. I can't beliieve Michael Jackson has passed away! May he rest in peace and all my blessing to his family and friends!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!

71. FOLAMI -
R.I.P.Micheal Jackson. You are finally at peace, away from this cruel world, notorious of blaming and pointing fingers while pushing skeletons in their own closet. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and all of the loving fans around the world. Though your flesh has perished, your legacy and life will continue through all of your humanitarian contributions and most of all through your incomparable music WE YOU LOVE MICHEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!

72. Joanna -
Rest in Peace Michael Jackson...He was one of the greatest artist to have ever lived...He will be greatly missed. I still can't believe he is gone...It is truly the end of an era

73. JayInPA -
He killed himself... on children cough medicine

74. kevin f -
At least now we don't have to hear any more BS about him now.

75. Jimmy -
Michael Jackson was as human and as mortal as the rest of us. Everyone dies. Nobody gets out of this alive. If Michael had been a homeless person, his death would not be world news.Let it be.

76. Genecys -
micheal jackson was and always will be the king of pop...50 years old.....too damn young man....i hope he is still moon walking where ever he is.....

77. Yahoo! Music User -
rest in peace

78. J -
this is not a joke.micheal jackson was a great person now that he is dead,i'm devastated

79. DEBBY -
RIP Michael. Be careful being the judge of others when you don't know for sure. Believe what people say in less you have evidence otherwise. God Bless Michael's soul

80. marcus -
r.i.p greatest
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