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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.

Please share your comments.

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22115 Comments

101. Senses -
MY PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. MICHAEL IS TRULY THE KING OF POP..WE WILL MISS HIM AND KEEP HIM ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS..PEACE

102. tuff enuff -
whatever your beliefs, have some respect man. I too dont believe he was innocent of everything, but GOD gives him the same chance to life that he gives you. and for you to be judgementally blasphemus is just as much a sin as murder or rape, all sins are of equal potency, remember that you may burn in hell just for judging him just as he may for alledgedly doing what he was accused of..... ALL MY FEELINGS ASIDE................REST IN PEACE MICHAEL, YOU WERE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE KING OF POP.......NO MATTER WHAT SHORTFALLS YOU OVERCAME.......REST IN PEACE, AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY

103. Yahoo! Music User -
I think I am just in shock. I don't know what to say or think. My prayers go out to his family and friends. May God bring peace to his family.

104. Yahoo! Music User -
The greatest artist ever lived is dead.I was shocked I thought this was a joke. I will miss him so much.His music will surely live on.
R.I.P The King Of Pop

105. Yahoo! Music User -
I never cared too much for MJ, some of his early stuff was really good but his past few years have been sorta ish. With the children and changing his skin color and stuff. He wanted to live like Peter Pan and apparently it just didn't work out. I know he will be missed by many people, however keep Farrah in our prayers also. Don't let this cover up her battle, and ultimate loss, with cancer. Rest In Peace to both of them.

106. kevin -
R.I.P. M.J. - Your character was a question mark but your music will live forever.

107. GirlyGirl© -
He was the most talented singer, choreographer and songwriter that I have ever seen. Michael, you will be sorely missed. God rest your soul. You have accomplished more with your half-century here on Earth than anyone else. Farewell, and Godspeed, my friend.

108. corey -
we want mike back

109. barbara -
I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND............I KEEP TELLING MYSELF THAT THIS IS NOT REAL!!!! IF IT IS REAL I JUST FEEL REALLY BAD FOR THE YOUNG KIDS THAT NEVER KNEW HIM AND WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW WHO HE WAS,WHAT HE WAS,WHAT HE HAS BEEN TO THE ENTIRE WORLD!!! LIKE I SAID IF THIS IS REAL.............. I HOPE THAT WE CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND NOT HIS DEATH!!!!! I LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEE U MJ!!!!!!

110. jermaine s -
My prayers go out to your family. Rest in peace and know that your music will live on forever. Whatever you did wrong, we forgive you, and my GOD have mercy on your soul. RIP

Jermaine

111. S.M -
I am truly hurt by the loss of Michael Jackson. There will be no other like him. He was a legend and will always be remembered for more than just being a musical entertainer but also a man with a heart of gold. He did a lot for the world by giving back. Moreover, he worked with Quincy Jones with the song 'We Are The World' which brings back memories. I will never be the same because I feel like I grew up with Michael and took the journey with him through his musical career. Michael you will be truly missed. I love you with all my heart. God bless!

112. S.A.B -
R.I.P Michael Jackson. Simply said.

113. taylor -
i thnk hes a terrable person..
and i HATE his music.............

114. gilbert f -
i like the music /movie MoonWalker the game & Thriller music video

115. andreea -
this is so sad:(

116. Coach -
strength to the family..... RIP MICHAEL.. i will always love you...
BLAZE!!!!

117. Yahoo! Music User -
He was a great musician and had a permanent impact on pop culture; however, it wasn't like the guy was on trial twice for jaywalking. Instead of making him a saint, let's keep his life in perspective. MJ was a great artist, but it seems everyone has forgetten the pulp circumstances which engulfed his legacy.

118. Richie -
hope you have a happy after life Michael we'll miss you _

119. Rokiece -
JAH has no respect of persons.

120. Derrick G -
For the clowns that leave bad comments. MJ died, and millions of ppl, were saddened, and felt a great loss..To the idiots, that speak bad about MJ even now that he has died, when you guys die, Millions of ppl, won't even know about it. Im sure he wasn't a saint, no one is. But, MJ, is and will always be the KING OF POP. No one will ever match his success (some will come close) No one will ever have the effect he had on ppl. As a musician I was hurt by this loss in the entertainment world...R.I.P MJ....
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