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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

81. fredria -
the world lost another great entertainer..so long MJ..you will always be the King of Pop..

82. Ryan R. -
The King of Pop is dead.

Long live the King of Pop.

83. MeMe -
Although it hurts to say goodbye, we will never say those beloved words. Your music and spirit has touched my life and family and other fans. Through the years you struggled with trials and tribulations of both the media and personal life but now you are free from all the pain that anyone has ever caused you. Although we cant take back what we have done to you, you are in a better place and your warm spirit and sweet smile will be missed.

R.I.P Michael Jackson 1958-2009
"never can say goodbye"

84. Dominique -
this sucks man.... when i first heard it from a friend, i thought they were jus yankin my chain... but now i saw it like.. EVERYWHERE and im like WTF!!! Michael, u were the best there ever was out there man... No matter how much or how bad ppl will try to imitate u nd ur moves, nobody will ever come close to bein u nd meaning it... U SET THE STANDARDS FOR DANCING ND SINGING!!! U WERE THE KING OF POP!!!

R.I.P. Michael Jackson
[1958-2009]

85. Yahoo! Music User -
RIP Michael! Greatest pop singer of all time, it's why you're the kind and always will be =)

86. GMK -
You were a talented guy. Now you are free from this world's pain as you transition to another reality. Hopefully "they" are merciful to you on the other side. Thanks for the memories.

87. randall w -
I cried a little after i found out the horrable new. MICHAEL JACKSON R.I.P. We'll all miss you.

88. Guilbert -
i'm still dumbfounded. its not yet sinking on me that he is gone. i know his song lives with us though he is gone.

89. Max -
michel jackson was so cool and awesome . michel he rocks

90. Donna -
I still can't believe he's really gone... RIP Michael!!!!! We love you!!!!
xXthrillerforeverXx

91. Victory -
Michael has been working on a comeback album for some time now. I wonder if tracks will be released?

92. Jennifer -
I grew up with Michael Jackson's music. For most of the 80's, it was all I listened to day after day. He was such a humanitarian and such a talented entertainer. His passing is an absolute shock and so surreal. I can't believe it.

To his family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Rest in Peace, Michael.

93. Jilli Z -
Stunned about this sad news. We lost the most ionic figure of our time. I just hope that people remember what MJ gave us; music, talent, and purely great entertainment. I am sick of the news bringing up the negativity in his past. We ALL have bumps in the road and when you are one of the biggest artist in the world the pressure mutiplies. MJ will always be remembered, RIPeace, prayers to Jackson family and his children

94. bend -
Wow! i still cant believe he is dead i was on the computer when i found out this sad news may he rest in peice.

95. melinda f -
now paul mc cartney will get his just due. michael was a performer , not a GOD !!

96. Yahoo! Music User -
wow im soo sad that he died
R.I.P. michael jackson! :)

97. __A_YAHOO_USER__ -
the man, the myth, the legend, we love you. i still cant believe your gone watched your videos from birth. 23 years now. hope you are well now, you did your time in hell. now its time to walk in heaven.

98. __A_YAHOO_USER__ -
I never thought that I would see three American icons die in such a short amount of time. Ed, Farah, and now Micheal.
I have grown up listening to his music and believing that he was a fantastic talent. Thought there are sensational and scandalous issues surrounded him for years, no one can deny that he was and always will be a magnificent artist. It saddens me that people would think of him as a "Freak" and "Wacko Jacko" before they think of him for all of his gifts. Though he had a lot of eccentricities and was a troubled person, I know I will always remember him as The King of Pop and a wonderful artist. He will be deeply missed.

99. Averiana -
i love u michael we will miss u and u will never be for gotten

100. debra j -
Michael Jackson Rest Rest in Peace I'll miss you
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