Readers pay tribute to the King of Pop
Michael Jackson died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center shortly after he was found unresponsive at his Holmby Hills home. He was 50 years old.
Jackson's musical career spanned decades, and included such hits as "Beat It", "Thriller", and "Billie Jean." Often referred to as the King of Pop, Jackson sold over 750 million albums and received 13 Grammy awards during his career.
In recent years, Jackson's legal troubles and financial difficulties overshadowed his prolific career as a musician. At the time of his death, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out shows in London. The tour would have been his first since 1997.
Since the announcement of Jackson's death, hundreds of readers have commented with their personal memories of the King of Pop.
"REST IN PEACE. You and your music will forever. I thank you for all the memories. Your music is my generation. Your music is the greatest. You are the Elvis Presley of my generation. You will be dearly missed," wrote Herman Matias.
"From Germany: Just heard the terrible message before I was going to sleep. One of the greatest artists of the last decades is dead. I grew up with his music, videos and concerts. May he rest in peace, his songs will live on," said Alex.
"My first memory as a child was rocking in a cradle to my father playing Jackson's 'Bad' album. Forget the politics of this special mans life and remember him as an angel flying with distressed wings. I forever can take pride in playing his music and prey he be at one with earth's owner as he was close himself," said Matt Wright.
"You will be missed Michael. I've listened to you every single day for 18 years, my whole life. You were my hero, and it feels like i've lost a close friend. When i found out you were doing a comeback tour, i cried, and when i missed out on tickets i cried. And then yesterday, when more tickets came on sale, i cried when i finally got some. Now this. It's a tradgey. You will be missed. My heart and prayers go out to your family. You will always be the greatest performer, artist and man this planet has ever seen. Rest in peace Michael Jackson, my hero forever and ever," wrote Nicola Hawdon.
"RIP KING OF POP. May you rest in peace and find happiness ...I will miss you deeply...I grew up listening to your music and became a huge fan at such a young age. My very first cassette was MJ's....today is a sad, sad day but your legacy and music will always be remembered by us all....be well my friend =)," said Latda.
"I was born the year Thriller came out. My generation, despite everything that happened outside of your music, owes you for at least teaching us all how to dance and enjoy it. Junior High and High School dances in America have improved since you rocked the white socks and black kicks. Thanks, Moonwalker. RIP," wrote L².
Please share your memories of Michael Jackson here.
-- Brendan Bigelow
Photo: Michael Jackson performs in Moscow in 1996. Credit: Sergei Karpukhin / Associated Press
it is most shocking news among the whole people those are really like pop songs. Even those who are not interested in pop also shocked. I convey his family and pray for him.---Rasel, Bangladesh
Posted by: shamsul huq rasel | June 26, 2009 at 03:32 AM
May he rest in peace
May his chilldren be left in peace
May we learn to live in truth and peace
Ciaran Dublin Ireland
Posted by: Ciaran muldowney | June 26, 2009 at 03:44 AM
The man has gone. The legend is here.
So sorry.
I love you, Michael.
Posted by: Roberta, Naples, Italy | June 26, 2009 at 03:47 AM
you were everything I grew up with! Your music will always be part of me, young and old. Thank you.
Posted by: evelyne | June 26, 2009 at 03:49 AM
A friend of mine said how silly it is to mourn someone you never knew, but felt you did simply because of the music. I fell in love with Michael Jackson's records when I was a child and it hasn't changed since then. His outstanding talent will be greatly missed. At least he leaves his music behind. I guess that's some consolation for his fans. I just can't imagine what it's like for his children & family. They must be devastated.
Thank you, MJ. You've certainly made the world a better place.
Posted by: Philip | June 26, 2009 at 03:55 AM
A part of myself died today. Michael was to my generation what Elvis was to my father's generation. I saw him perform in person back in 1992. He was REAL. A true artist. His death is a great loss and will leave a hole in the music world far beyond pop culture. Music is not the same without him. Thank you Michael for what you have given us. May you rest in peace now. Love and respect, SC
Posted by: SC | June 26, 2009 at 04:05 AM
Thank you Michael for fulfill my childhood with great music.
We will never forget you. You will be our idol forever.
Condolence for his family.
Posted by: Ersun Kartal | June 26, 2009 at 04:12 AM
Thank you Michael for all the music you gave us. I cannnot believe that you are gone. Today I feel like I have lost a family member. My biggest wish was to see you performing live. In the past years no one cared about your talent and your music. It made me sad to witness how you were treated by the media. Today the same media people are writing that you were the greatest performer and that you will be missed- it makes me angry to see that.
There will never be another artist like you. Thank you for everything. I love you! Rest in Peace!!
Posted by: Viktor | June 26, 2009 at 04:24 AM
Michael,
thanks for sharing your great and one of a kind talent with us. You are a legend and your music will stay in our hearts forever.
I love you and you'll never be forgotten!
REST IN PEACE!!!
Posted by: Julia | June 26, 2009 at 04:25 AM
You was a Hero in music
and You was Beautiful part of musical history...
Posted by: Andy from RUSSIA | June 26, 2009 at 04:32 AM
The world have lost the best Artist he has ever seen ...
Posted by: LUCAS | June 26, 2009 at 04:49 AM
I'm from Spain and last nigt at my home when I heard that Michael Jackson had died, a terrible shock invaded me. Michael was to me and the kids of my generation a super-hero that made us rock, listening such songs as Bad or Diana. We felt scared seing the "Thriller" videoclip but we just watched over and over again.
So R.I.P. Michael and my best wishes to all the entire Jackson's clan.
Posted by: Alfonso Cotera | June 26, 2009 at 04:51 AM
RIP MICHAEL MAY YOUR SOUL LIVE FOREVER THROUGH YOUR MUSIC FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. Whatever some of the mean people have said about you here i can only say forgive them o lord for they don't know what they are doing. The undisputable and undeniable fact is that his musical genius was unparalled and he was the true king of pop. The KIng Is Dead Long Live The King. I am one of the millions of fans all over the world who grew up to his music and was touched by it and will always remember his musical legacy. At the end of his days he was judged by people for what he was not and that is truly tragic indeed. Michael Jackson you will always live on in our hearts.
Posted by: Jithen Chandra | June 26, 2009 at 04:51 AM
Woke up here in Australia this morning & could not believe the news reports until I saw it reported on Sky News. So shocking. He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: Eva | June 26, 2009 at 04:53 AM
A great singer but take the talent from the man and he should have died in jail and you know it. If he was an average person with his perverted, oh excuse me eccentric ways, you would want him away from your children and out of the neighbohood.
Posted by: jim | June 26, 2009 at 05:07 AM
TO THE JACKSON FAMILY
HE WAS A STAR, AND LOVED BY SO MANY......
MICHAEL IS NOW FREE FROM ALL THE PAIN, LIES AND HATE....
MICHAEL WAS SENSATIVE AND KNEW PEOPLE WANTED MORE OF HIM WHICH HE WAS WILLING TO GIVE .........
MICHAEL ONLY WANTED TO BE SOMEONE HE WAS NOT ALOUD TO BE...
NOW HE KNOWS THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT LOVE DO NOT HURT........
WHY! DID HE HAVE TO SPEAD SO MANY YEARS TRYING TEACH THE WORLD FAME AND MONEY DON'T MAKE YOU......
LOVE DO AND AGE IS NOT A FACTOR..........
MICHAEL ENJOYED DONING WHAT HE DID IT WAS CALLED A OPEN DOOR POLICY.......
NOW THE ONES THAT MISSED JUDGED HIM WOULD DIE TO BE IN HIS WORLD......
GONE TO SOON
RIP MICHAEL JACKSON
HEAVEN WILL TAKE YOU AS YOU ARE............
Posted by: TRENTON, NJ | June 26, 2009 at 05:09 AM
Pour Mickael:
" Pars en paix , merci pour tous les souvenirs que tu nous as offert depuis ton enfance, tu resteras à jamais dans nos cœurs et nos mémoires"
Marc
Montpellier, FRANCE, Vendredi 26 juin 2009 14 h20 heure Locale
For Michael: "Go in peace, thank you for all the memories that we've offered since your childhood, you will remain forever in our hearts and memories" Marc
Montpellier, France, Friday 26 June 2009 14 hours h20 Local
Posted by: marc | June 26, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Is Michael Jacson go to hell or heaven?
Posted by: Arlene | June 26, 2009 at 05:24 AM
Michael Jackson was the best performer of all time. I saw him on the "Bad" tour in Hartford Ct. and it was the BEST concert I have ever seen! It is a shame all the negativity he went through with the press who could not accept his unique lifestyle. There will NEVER be another Michael Jackson, this is truly a monumental loss in the world. Rest in Peace Michael.
Posted by: Cliff | June 26, 2009 at 05:40 AM
His music inspired so many great artists, His memory will live on through his fan base. His Name will never be fogotten , My heart and Love goes out to his Fans and Family, especially those 3 children. xxx RIP Michael you will never die in peoples hearts.
Posted by: Sean Clarke | June 26, 2009 at 05:43 AM
Michael like a Jesus was enormous force who inspired uncountable group of people, we are thankful for His grate work. HUGE Sorrow comes straight from POLAND.
REST IN PEACE.
Posted by: lukas | June 26, 2009 at 05:51 AM
Michael was the best. I grew up with Michaels music. I am sad with the loss of michael. My heart gose out to his children. My love gose out to his family and loved ones.One thing about him is he will never die in our hearts we lovr you michael.
Janet Shaw
Posted by: janet shaw | June 26, 2009 at 05:51 AM
IM A GREEK FROM KEFALONIA ISLAND, IM A COMMON PEOPLE, I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON.
Posted by: KOSTIS ANTONATOS | June 26, 2009 at 06:04 AM
Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon
From God we come and to HIM we shall return!
Rest in Peace, Mikaeel
You are a shining beacon testifying to the fact that ALLAH guides whom HE wills.
Allah bestow HIS choicest blessings upon you in the Hereafter.
Ayaad Almaas
South Africa
Posted by: Ayaad Almaas | June 26, 2009 at 06:09 AM
I can remember me and my brother singing and dancing to the Jackson 5 as a kid in the early 70's....Michael Jackson inspired me to be a successful choreographer. Even when alot of his fans turned on him during the darkest days I always stayed true and defended him. You are my inspiration Michael...you always wanted love and peace to reign as so many of your lyrics convey. I will miss you dearly
Posted by: Frank Baez | June 26, 2009 at 06:12 AM