Music Blogs

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

121. Yahoo! Music User -
Just a message to all you little kids who joke around and say you killed him or that your happy he died, I've got some things so say to you.

1. You're an ignorant a**.
2. Could you seriously do any better? If you say yes, prove it darling.
3. Get off the internet.

122. Yahoo! Music User -
i will always love you michael jackson! you truly are a legend. we will all miss you and you'll be in our hearts! rest in peace. i love you! :'( one and only king of pop. omg. right at this moment. i'm really crying. i can't believe it! he's gone. gone to soon. :(

123. Ahrionne -
i love you michael jackson, you were an original inspiration to me and many more. My prayers and thoughts are out to michael jackson's families. I love him!!!

124. Yahoo! Music User -
I wish he didn't die, mostly because he was a great influence as far as music. I love his music. Also, Billy Jean is not my lover. Hahaha. Well, that's all I have to say. I hope he lives a good life in the after life. Rest In Peace Michael Jackson.

125. Romalisa -
RIP MJ WE LOVE YOU.

126. Yahoo! Music User -
He died because he could not thriller or beatit.

127. deathstorm67 -
R.I.P. The Greatest of all time, artist doesn't have to play a instument to be considered the best of his craft..But his song writing also got him into the hall of fame for writing...So best wishes to his family and God Bless

128. FistUp -
Michael...I will ALWAYS love you...It's tragic and unreal that you're gone this soon. You were and will always be Number 1. My prayers go out to your family and children. GOD has you now...RIP Michael!!

129. angelnohio73 -
My family & I are shocked & saddened by Michael Jacksons sudden & untimely death. My Husband & I grew up with Michaels music. He was so misunderstood. When he needed people the most everyone turned their back on him. I believe his soul & heart were crushed. Our hearts & prayers go out to his family & his children. The World Lost a Bright Star & An Angel for the children. May You Rest In Peace Now Michael!!!!!
All of Our Love,
David, Donna, & David E. Bennett

130. Jorge -
MICHAEL JACKSON IS THE ELVIS PRESLEY OF MY GENERATION...HE'S GONNA GET HIS POSTAL STAMP SOON....REST IN PEACE MICHAEL

131. Miguel -
Michael Jackson will and forever be the freakin man! Maybe and hopefully now, da oh-so-friendly media especially the great people at Tmz, can leave him the heck alone, because i hav a feeling the media is what caused his death in some ways, cuz he was probably stressed out half of the dam time! out of all the ignorance and prejudice the media brang upon him, i never and will never judge him, and will always love his music! You were and will always b the best Michael!

132. Yahoo! Music User -
he say he did not be a kid when he was little

133. Firdaus -
he's just a human being. nobody will live forever..

134. -
He was a superstar in his day. Then he became a freakshow. It's sad that he died so young, but I won't lose any sleep over it.

135. Kelley -
Thank you for decorating our lives with your music. Each song creates a memory for all of us. Your legacy here on earth will continue on for generation after generation, Michael.

May you find a wealth of peace in heaven. You are sorely missed.

136. citrusmac92 -
his body is gone but his soul and spirit lives on as long as i jam his tunes like i always have and will continue to do MJ is still alive and shining. to the people writing childish crap and cruel things...right now isnt the time to post it....have some common sense

137. Constance -
To my cousin mj i will miss you with all my heart. i will see you in the new system.to my cousin remember the time we had with mj in gary my prayers goes out the family.

138. gat -
Say what you want about Micheal Jackson but his music was amazing. And he is the best there ever was. Thriller is the best selling album of all time. He will be missed and screw all the haters. WE LOVE YOU MICHEAL JACKSON

139. Yahoo! Music User -
Never had any respect for the guy, considering he couldn't even respect himself, his heritage, or his family name... Still no reason to wish someone dead. R.I.P. MJ

140. Vic -
What can we say but thank you Michael for all the memories that you gave everyone I was very sad when I heard the news that you had left us and went to the next level may god be with you and may you arrive safe GOD BLESS
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