The world grieves as Michael Jackson is declared dead [1958-2009]
 

How did you find out? I was at a gig last night and was informed on the streets of the passing of Michael Jackson. A part of me didn't want to believe it but I knew deep down it was true. It is sometimes amazing at how quickly news spreads and within hours of it happening the word had spread like wildfire so much so that without having to do anything at all the news had come to me.

Apparently, paramedics were called to Michael Jackson's house in Beverley Hills as he had stopped breathing and was pronounced dead two hours later apparently from cardiac arrest. Jermaine Jackson became the official spokesperson for the family and he told how the paramedics tried to resuscitate the star for over an hour. He also stated this heartfelt message to Michael:

Watching some of the news reports on TV today it showed images of Michaels body being flown to the LA County Coroner's office where a post mortem is believed to be carried out later today, at which point an official cause of death will be provided and confirmed. There are some claims of foul play and excessive drug abuse by Jackson which have yet to be confirmed.

The whole world is heart broken and gutted at this news and I personally wish that Michael Jackson could have had time to do his last stage shows so that people could have remembered him more for the King of Pop that he was than the bad hear-say things that has been happening to him the last ten years or so. Saying that however, 50 massive London shows was probably an out of the world request for someone of his age and reports were coming in prior to his death that Michael wasn't confident with doing these shows and maybe if they had happened it would have changed the way he is being remembered now.

Sir Paul McCartney is reported to have described Jackson's death as "sad and shocking". Paul McCartney worked with Michael Jackson on a few hits in the 80s that featured on the Thriller album and Michael Jackson owned the rights to all of the Beatles songs.

Musical Icon and Legend

Tributes to Michael Jackson have been flooding in thick and fast from the likes of Madonna, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ex wife Lisa Marie Presley. Fans have also gathered in huge numbers outside the hospital and Jackson's house where they have been carrying out various candle lit vigils.

Amazingly, Michael Jackson's album sales have rocketed on Amazon.com since people learnt of his death with all of his albums currently shooting up the Amazon.com charts, led by his 80s classic Thriller. Time will only tell how many albums he will sell but I predict #1 all over the world and you hearing Michael Jackson music anywhere and everywhere for at least the next few weeks.

Michael Jackson's career began as a member of the pop act The Jackson 5 before branching out on his own to massive worldwide success where he earned the title "The King of Pop". Some of his biggest hits include Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Bad, amongst many others.

Michael Jackson is survived by his mother, father and eight siblings.

Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson
 

Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.

Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: “Michael Jackson was a brilliant troubadour for his generation, a genius whose music reflected the passion and creativity of an era. His artistry and magnetism changed the music landscape forever. We have been profoundly affected by his originality, creativity and amazing body of work. The entire Sony family extends our deepest condolences to his family and to the millions of fans around the world who loved him.”

Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, said: “Michael Jackson's unsurpassed artistry and beloved music brought joy to every corner of the world. We join today with his millions of fans in expressing our profound sadness and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It was a true privilege for all of us in the Sony Music family to work with one of the most talented superstars in the history of music. We will miss him greatly.”

Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: “Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences.”

Five of Jackson’s solo albums – “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” “Bad,” “Dangerous” and “HIStory,” all with Epic Records, a Sony Music label – are among the top-sellers of all time. During his extraordinary career, he sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and “Thriller” as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award’s Artist of the Century Award.

Michael Jackson started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. In the early 1980s, he defined the art form of music video with such ground-breaking videos as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and the epic “Thriller.” Jackson’s sound, style and dance moves inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists.

Alice Cooper - Michael Jackson Statement
 

Michael Jackson stories from folks we work with
 

"I remember my brother and cousin in 1987 bringing the boom box out into the living room at my grandma's house and performing a dance to "Billy Jean" they had made up. They had to be about 7 years old and doing the classic spin move and grabbing their crotches! My mom, aunt, ME and granny WENT CRAZY! Michael Jackson made the crotch grabbing move not raunchy BUT hot!"

- kaytea mcintosh - xo publicity
xo publicity



"Michael Jackson's Thriller album remains one of my most favorite albums to date. It lived on my turntable for the better part of a decade growing up. I danced to it over and over again until my little legs couldn't stand anymore! I recently sold my Michael Jackson t-shirt collection because I couldn't fit into them anymore and I wanted someone else to be able to wear them and appreciate them. I had 35 shirts including ones with a glitter glove and microphone, a close-up of his sparkle socks, his Captain EO alter ego, and the list goes on and on. I also spent several Halloweens dressed as the Beat It-era king of pop, but so many people reacted to me in a hysterical paparazzi way I put the costume to rest. Those experiences made me feel really sorry for the guy. He has been superstar famous since he was a child and is as close to a living alien as we'll ever know. He has never experienced what its like to walk down the street by himself and not be recognized or mobbed. He has never known what its like to just be a person. He inspired a whole generation and I will mourn with them today. "

Jackie Perez Gratz GRAYCEON
Grayceon - Official Web Site



"I had a set of forty-fives of jackson five songs including "ben". i thought that robot thing he did on "dancing machine" was ultra cool. learned to moonwalk just so i could keep up. Madonna never made me do that."

-kim bonner (THe BAcksliders)
THe BAcksliders(Tomorrow Night at City Tavern) on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads



"Thriller was the first cassette I ever bought. I brought it to school; it instantly made me the coolest 1st grader in my class. Michael was my first crush -- before I even knew what I crush was. I'd spend hours staring at his poster, the one with the cheetah, wondering what Michael was thinking. He had that vulnerable sensitive look. We were so in love. I'd sleep at my neighbor's house because she had MTV. We'd stay up late, huddling under the covers, scream-giggling the moment Michael's eyes turned yellow. To this day, the Thriller video is my favorite "horror" film. The older I get, the more I fall for young Michael. I watch The Wiz at Christmas, force-feeding it to 15 of my hipster friends from Brooklyn a few years ago. The last time I went to buy new speakers, I couldn't commit until I heard *Who's Loving You?* on 20 different sets. How a pre-pubescent Michael could sing so convincingly about cheating & moving on I have no idea. But he did. The stranger Michael's life became, the more I marveled at the innocence of his music. Sometimes I still put on "The Girl is Mine," singing McCartney's part, reveling in Michael's and my duet, our great grade school love."

-Jessie Torrisi
Jessie Torrisi - Singer Songwriter, Austin, TX



"Michael Jackson's Thriller was the first album I ever owned. I had it on vinyl, and used to play it on my Fisher Price record player. At that time he was the coolest thing on the planet, and I begged my parents to get me one of those red Michael Jackson jackets. They actually did . . . and I wore it a whole one time!! Stupid kid.

-Mike Kunz - Romeo Spike
Romeo Spike on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads



"My son Eli became enamored with Michael Jackson after hearing Thriller on 13 Going On 30 when he was 5. I told him about Michael Jackson and soon after we saw the VH1's Behind the music on MJ. Eli thought is was so cool that you could change your face if you wanted to. He also told me "I liked him better when he was brown". To which I could only reply "Me too buddy...me too...".

-Adam Lancaster -awol presents
AWOL Presents...



"My first time on stage was lip syncing to "Remember The Time" at a 4th grade talent show tryout. Problem was that my mom picked up the cassingle version of the track, which started differently than the version I knew. After flipping the tape over a few times I freaked out and ran off stage, only to return the next year with Ice Ice Baby, which I definitely knew the words to."

- Matt Jones (Jonesin and Master Slash Slave)
Jonesin' on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads



""thriller" was the second album (vinyl) I ever owned right after Van Halen 1984."

- kelly - the union records
The Union Records - Home



"I was in high school and was a complete metalhead then. MJ was the only artist in the slick pop world that crossed over even to me. I remember marveling at how larger than life he was, kind of like my favorite band at the time KISS. I remember everything that he put out. I have sat under headphones actually crying at how good he was in the Jackson 5 while listening to "I'll be there". About a month ago, I started studying the work of MJ's recording engineer Bruce Sweiden who recorded the Thriller album from scratch. He also mixed it. Bruce is one of the top 3 engineers in this world to me and I got really heavy into reading his accounts in his new book called "My life Recording Michael Jackson" His stories made me realize what kind of mega talent MJ was. He didn't let a producer make up tracks and then come in and sing on them. He was an originator. He was always at the forefront of pushing musical technology as far as it would go in the most musical, organic ways. When Mr. Sweiden recorded MJ's vocals for the Thriller album, he built a small wooden riser for MJ to stand on and sing and he put a microphone inside it. He did this to capture all of the "rhythmic sounds" that he made while recording his vocals like dancing, slapping himself in rhythm etc... Those songs were based on these rhythmic sounds and the drum tracks were built AROUND them. All of those sounds were then blended prominently in the mixes. When I found this out I was floored. Long live the King."

-Donn Aaron -Romeo Spike
Romeo Spike on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads



"Michael and I used to actually do Air Bands back in the 1980's. We actually entered many contests with our Oingo-Boingo cover of "Babe, You Really Got Me" routine. We made a cardboard box drummer and used tennis rackets for guitars and spazzed around with a very energetic routine. The competition was always some really cute little kid doing "Thriller" and we got so pissed with the cute kid doing Michael Jackson would get first place sometimes! But hey, we actually made some money at these contests and had quite a crowd to "play" for. 1980's Air Band contests always had a Michael Jackson routine though...which was how huge he really was back then."

-Michael and Rene' -HERE COMES EVERYBODY
Here Comes Everybody on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Re: The world grieves as Michael Jackson is declared dead [1958-2009]
 

I arrived at work this morning and my boss says, "so what did you all think of the news?"

I heard my colleague mutter something about Farah Fawcett, so I just shrugged and carried on with my work. They both continued to talk about it and how shocked they were. I thought it was odd that they were making such a fuss, and they seemed amazed that I wasn't really bothered. I mean, she didn't really mean anything to me in anyway - sad for her family I'm sure.

I very nearly said "it's not like Michael Jackson died". I am not exactly sure what stopped me, I think maybe I wondered if they would think I was a huge fan of the man, like his nutjob fans who will no doubt now commit mass suicide because their messiah has died.

Anyway a few moments later one of them actually mentioned his name and I realised that Michael Jackson had actually died, and it was he who they were talking about.

Just one of life's strange coi-nk-i-dinks I know, but it still took me a little while to get my head around.

Musical legend for sure, but he was clearly mad, and not really for this world anymore; maybe he's better off out of it.

The Lost Fingers Remember MJ
 

A large part of mourning the loss of a music industry legend is remembering and memorializing their career.

MJ was an idol, the king of pop, and a talent who easily surpassed his peers.

His songs are timeless and his memory will not fade with his passing.

Here is a cover of ‘Billie Jean’ done by The Lost Fingers. I hope you enjoy.

Download Link: Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (The Lost Fingers Cover)

More on The Lost Fingers coming soon…

Steve Vai - Tribute to King of Pop
 

Warped Tour Michael Jackson Reflections
 

One of the hottest tours this summer, Vans Warped Tour is in full swing, but one thing is on the minds of all the artists playing this year -- Michael Jackson. 11 Warped Tour bands, including 3OH!3, The Maine, A Rocket To The Moon, Thrice, Sing It Loud and Escape The Fate took time out to talk to Buzznet about their favorite Michael Jackson songs and the ways in which the king of pop influenced them as artists.

Warped Tour reflects on Michael Jackson video Exclusive Warped Tour Bands Talk With Buzznet About Michael Ja 4142c353