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R.I.P. Michael Jackson: The Greatest of All Time

Posted Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:55pm PDT 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

141. 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

142. Miz Hopeless Romantic -
My mind can't fully grasp that he's dead. Jacko is dead. What is the world going to do now without him?

143. shumaila -
I am just speechless. I was at work when a coworker told me. My heart just sank. I grew up watching and listening to Michael Jackson. His music bought out moves people did not even imagine. And it's sad because since his accusations and stuff people always criticized him. His music touched everyone, it was ..he was one of a kind and always will be forever. I KNOW years and years to come people of all generations will listen not just to his music, his tune, but his words. My heartfelt feeling and prayers are with his family and his true fans. MJ will be missed yet never forgotten...."cause this is Thriller" and always will be ;-( R.I.P Michael

144. Yahoo! Music User -
R.I.P MJ. You will be missed by many people, but you're in a better place now with Jesus.

145. Jaime -
i hope people can appreciate the artist michael jackson.the best ever .people will walk the streets with candles .in honor of him.his songs inspired people.!rest in peace michael jackson

146. Qi Qi -
R.I.P.MICHAEL JACKSON

147. Indriana -
Good Bye Mike, Rest In Peace

148. Yahoo! Music User -
R.I.P.

May Michael Jackson the king of pop live in peace.He will be missed by many.Michael Jackson #1.

R.I.P.
Again may he live in Peace.

149. Terri -
Sympathy to the Jackson family. May your good memories bring you joy and the negative ones be forgotten. Michael is with his maker now who has forgiven him all his mistakes. We must do the same for Michael and each other. May the love of the most high heal your broken hearts.

150. Nicole B -
There will always be haters. I hope you guys never know what's it like to have a loved one trashed even in their death. You people are digusting pigs.

151. alisha -
MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING OF POP WAS THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER IN THE WORLD HE TOUCHED ALL NATIONS HE DONATED TIME, MONEY, LOVE AND HIS UNDYING ENERGY TO POP CULTURE MOST OF YOU CAN NOT GRASP THE IMPACT HE HAD ON THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE YES HE HAD FAULTS BUT WE ALL HAVE FAULTS WE ARE NOT PERFECT MICHAEL YOU WILL FOREVER REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND YOU HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION

152. le-le -
May u finally find the peace that u have been seeking in this world. Mr. Micheal Jackson , the words of those who dont know u and make jokes of ur demise may they find no peace in their words. this world has lost a blessing and the heavens has found their lost angel. Sing for the Lord and be at peace in His house. This world will remember the path and barriers u have broken. REST IN PEACE

153. terry -
i have been a dj for 30years i play mj's music every gig .he is the the best of all time. we wil miss him. his music will live forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

154. LaTonya -
Stupid I; Michael Jackson is one of the greatest MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME; No he didn't play an instrument while he performed but that doesn't make him any less of an artist; HE WAS A TRUE TALENT (UNLIKE SOME OF THE OVER HYPED OTHERS WHO DID PLAY INSTRUMENTS ON STAGE) Plus the man is gone and if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all; unless your momma didn't teach you that...

155. steve -
We will Miss You Michael,..thank you for leaving us the gift of your music,talent and inspiration! Your music will live on forever, as will you!,..........

156. Joseph -
r.i.p. michael

157. hello -
like most of them..........a great talent gone to waste............always in our memories but to waste.........what a shame eh ?? maybe money is evil...........

158. Matthew G -
Depeche Mode is better


RIP MJ

159. Danielle -
R.I.P Michael Jackson.. you will never ever be forgotten. I remember watching you as I grew up and my brothers also! You were amazing!

160. iylia -
we all gonna miss him....
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