| Michael Jackson Dies At 50 Posted: 25 Jun 2009 08:10 AM PDT Pop star suffered cardiac arrest at his L.A. home.
By Eric Ditzian 
Michael Jackson
Photo: Michel Linssen/Redferns Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon (June 25) at the age of 50 after suffering cardiac arrest. Reports say the legendary pop singer collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest at his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. A doctor present at the time of the incident performed CPR on the singer but could not revive him. He was not breathing and had no pulse when paramedics arrived after a 911 call around 12:26 p.m. PT. They administered CPR and took Jackson via ambulance to UCLA Medical Center but were unable to revive him. At the hospital, a team of doctors, including emergency physicians and cardiologists, attempted to resuscitate him for more than an hour, but were unsuccessful. According to Jermaine Jackson, the singer's brother, Michael was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. During a brief press conference on Thursday evening, a visibly shaken Jermaine stepped in front of cameras and said, "This is hard." After describing details about the incident's timeline, Jermaine closed by saying, "Our family requests that the media please respect our privacy during this tough time. And may Allah be with you, Michael, always." The exact circumstances surrounding Jackson's death continue to remain unclear. Jackson's brother Marlon told CNN that Michael was not feeling well Wednesday night and a doctor was called to the house. Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman speculated to CNN that the singer's death might be related to the abuse of prescription medication. Los Angeles Police Department robbery/homicide detectives have begun an investigation into the death, though there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Detectives will interview relatives, friends and Jackson's doctors. The L.A. County coroner's office will conduct an autopsy Friday. From his early career in the 1970s with his family group the Jackson 5 to his decades-long career as a solo artist, Jackson stood as one of the most successful and beloved pop artists of all time, selling more than 750 million albums worldwide. He won 13 Grammy Awards. The Jackson 5's first single, 1969's "I Want You Back," hit #1 on the Billboard charts, and the Motown group went on to become one of the most popular acts during the '70s with hit singles like "ABC," "I'll Be There" and "The Love You Save." In 1978, Jackson joined Diana Ross in the big-screen musical "The Wiz," an adaptation of the Broadway musical based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." His career as a solo artist took off with 1982's Thriller, which stands as the biggest-selling album of all time. Over the course of his career, with hit albums like Bad and Dangerous, Jackson scored five #1 Billboard 200 albums and seven #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles. But Jackson's career faltered as he suffered several scandalous legal battles. In 1994, he settled a civil suit stemming from child-molestation accusations. In 2005, he was acquitted on 10 felony counts in a child-molestation trial brought against him, including four counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and four counts of administering alcohol to enable child molestation. Still, he released a greatest-hits album in 1995, which hit #1 on the Billboard chart, and embarked on a hugely successful world tour. His 2001 album, Invincible, also reached the top Billboard slot; it would prove to be his final studio album. At the time of his death, Jackson was gearing up for a comeback, rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London's O2 arena that would jump-start a world tour, a new album and possibly a movie. In what is believed to be his final public appearance, Jackson showed up at a press conference in London wearing one of his signature quasi-military outfits and announced the initial plan for the concerts. Describing the shows as a "final curtain call," Jackson told the assembled crowd of fans and media, "This is it. This is it! I just want to say these will be my final shows, performances in London. ... When I say this is it, it really means this is it." Jackson eventually postponed by several days the July start of the O2 shows, raising questions about his health. But after his death, a source close to Jackson told MTV News, "Michael has been in rehearsals. He's been in good spirits. He's been rehearsing eight hours a day for the London concerts." On June 9, TMZ caught Jackson sitting in a black SUV. Asked if could still do the moonwalk, his signature dance move, Jackson replied, "Why wouldn't I be able to?" Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, Jackson was the seventh of nine children. He married Lisa Marie Presley — Elvis' only child — in 1994, but they divorced in 1996. The same year, Jackson married Debbie Rowe and had two children before splitting in 1999. The singer is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II. Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. [This story was originally published at 6:54 pm E.T. on 6.25.2009] Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson And MTV: From Epic Videos To Show-Stealing Performances Posted: 26 Jun 2009 09:44 AM PDT MTV News was also there for the not-so-light moments, such as his legal battles and divorce from Lisa Marie Presley.
By James Montgomery 
Michael Jackson and Slash perform at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1995
Photo: Ke.Mazur/WireImage By a stroke of luck (or, perhaps, fate), MTV was fortunate to launch just before Michael Jackson went supernova. Back in 1981, he wasn't yet a global brand or a cultural icon — he wasn't even the King of Pop. Rather, he was just ascending to the throne. He'd had some hits (1972's "Ben," the first two cuts — "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" — from 1979's Off the Wall), and he was ready to forever distance himself from his early years with the Jackson 5, but no one knew what to expect from him next. Needless to say, we were all blown away with that next step. Released in 1983, Thriller was ... well, it was everything: a milestone release, a decade-defining collection of tunes, the biggest-selling album of all time and — most importantly — Michael's coronation. He was officially and forever the King of Pop, a title he held until his death Thursday (June 25) at the age of 50 and one that will probably be his forever. And, again, whether it was due to luck or fate, MTV was there for that meteoric rise and everything that followed. Of course, there were his videos, which were not so much promotional vehicles for his songs as they were mini-movies, big-budget showcases for Michael Jackson: The Icon. But MTV's relationship with Jackson didn't just end with his videos. The King of Pop was always there to raise the bar at the Video Music Awards, including his epic medley during the '95 show — which began with him stripping out of his jacket and breaking into "The Way You Make Me Feel," climaxed with him belting out "You Are Not Alone" backed by a full gospel choir and featured renditions of hits like "Scream," "Beat It," "Black or White" (complete with fret-bending mega solo from Slash) and "Billie Jean" in between. He also showed young guns 'NSYNC how it was really done in a surprise performance at the '01 awards. Jackson eternally brought the house down. There were also legendary non-performance moments, all of which became pop-culture touchstones, like his awkward kiss with then-wife Lisa Marie Presley that opened the 1994 VMAs, which was intended to ward off the couple's detractors but didn't quite succeed. Or the legendary exchange at the '02 awards, where Britney Spears presented Jackson with a birthday cake, which Jackson mistook as an award proclaiming him to be the Artist of the Millennium. MTV News was there for the less-than-light moments too. We were outside the Santa Maria, California, courthouse in November 2003 when Jackson was charged with 10 felony charges related to lewd acts with a minor, and we were there again in 2005 when Jackson was acquitted on all charges. We covered his 1996 divorce from Presley, the 2002 baby-dangling incident from the balcony of a Berlin hotel and the drama surrounding his 50-date run at London's O2 arena, which now, sadly, will never take place. It was, to say the least, an eventful relationship, and now, sadly, it's come to an end. We'll miss Michael Jackson in every conceivable way, not just as an entertainer and a generator of headlines, but as an icon, an innovator and a legend. There will truly never be another like him. Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Snoop Dogg, Rev Run, More Remember MJ In MTV News' 'Michael Jackson: A Tribute' Posted: 25 Jun 2009 10:15 PM PDT 'I hope now the genius and humanity of Michael Jackson gets its due,' the Reverend Al Sharpton says.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Michael Jackson in 1990
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Just hours after news broke that Michael Jackson had died of cardiac arrest, several artists — Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Timbaland and Fat Joe — and two reverends — Al Sharpton and Rev Run — called in to MTV to talk about the singer's life and legacy for the show, "Michael Jackson: A Tribute." "I knew Michael since the mid-'70s," Al Sharpton recalled. "But we got tight in the '80s because by then James Brown had kind of adopted me as a son, and Michael was a James Brown fanatic. He used to always come to see James Brown ... I remember though, the thing that was kind of spooky to me this afternoon, I remember I got a call in the middle of the night before James Brown's last funeral, and it was the mortician saying that Michael wanted to visit the funeral home. ... He viewed the body and we convinced him to stay for the funeral and he spoke at the funeral. "He talked about how he hopes that as a legend James Brown will get the due in death he never got in life, and I felt the same way about Michael. I hope now the genius and humanity of Michael Jackson gets its due." Timbaland, who sounded very upset when he spoke on the show, said, "He was just a fabulous guy. Phenomenal. I watched him as a kid and I was like, 'Man, he works very hard.' His music was incredible. Everybody from Chris Brown to everybody who started dancing — he influenced all of that." Fat Joe called in to remember the effect that Jackson's music had on him in his youth. "This is probably [among] the top three worst days of my life. MJ — you know I'm a gangsta rapper so we always got that hard edge, but at the end of the day, the king is the king. "I can go down the list: there wouldn't be no Usher, there wouldn't be no Chris Brown. There wouldn't be nobody without MJ. There wouldn't be no Justin. He was just harmony on Earth. I never think MJ ever did anything wrong in his life. He was just a beautiful soul on this earth." Rev Run and Snoop Dogg both called in to the show and recalled Jackson's strong sense of pride in his career and with his fans. "The thing that went through my mind was that he lived so big. He just worked it so hard. He was such a big imagination. He danced, he sang, he pushed so hard to entertain us," Rev said. "He was so driven that it was really amazing. I think the best thing that Michael will leave is his ability to captivate people. He captivated us." Snoop Dogg added, "I feel like his music will never die and his spirit will never die, because he influenced so many if us. He gave us a lot of hope that we feel like we can be big. He was very inspiring and up close and personal with his fans. That to me was special. That's one of the things that I loved about Mike. When I got a chance to meet him, that's the feeling and spirit that I got from him." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Britney Spears On Michael Jackson's Death: 'I'm Devastated' Posted: 25 Jun 2009 10:10 PM PDT 'I was so excited to see his show in London,' Spears says in statement.
By Jem Aswad 
Michael Jackson and Britney Spears in 2002
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Britney Spears was among the many stars mourning the loss of Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon (June 25). "I was so excited to see his show in London," the singer said in a statement. "We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I'm devastated he's gone!" In 2001, Britney duetted with Jackson onstage at his 30th anniversary concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, where she strutted sexily around the stage during "The Way You Make Me Feel." Madonna, who has collaborated with Spears and Jackson, said in a statement to People.com: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless." Britney's former boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, also made a statement on Jackson's passing. "I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing," Timberlake said. "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones." Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne, Chris Brown Mourn Michael Jackson's Death Posted: 26 Jun 2009 09:18 AM PDT 'I personally can't believe it,' Lil Wayne says of the King of Pop's untimely passing.
By Shaheem Reid 
Michael Jackson in 1984
Photo: Ron Galella/ WireImage The world continues to cope with the death of Michael Jackson, and though the King of Pop has passed away, his undying influence reigns supreme. Jackson was a worldwide phenomenon who broke race, gender, culture and age barriers, and was regarded as arguably the greatest entertainer in any genre. Celebrities and fans alike have been reaching out to MTV to pay their respects. "I personally can't believe it," Lil Wayne told MTV News. "But it's more unfortunate for the world of music. ... My love goes out to his family. ... A sad day in history, not [just] music." One of the artists of today that has garnered the most comparisons to a young Michael Jackson is Chris Brown. Like Jackson, Brown has been called a "complete package," combining fashion sense, singing and dancing talent. Brown paid an amazing homage to the timeless icon at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, mimicking MJ's iconic moves. "Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and why I am an entertainer," Brown said in a statement. "I am devastated by this great loss, and I will continue to be humbled and inspired by his legacy. My prayers are with his family. Michael will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. He's the greatest ... the best ever. No one will ever be better." For more on Jackson's career and wide-reaching influence, see our coverage of his musical legacy. Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Mariah Carey, Juelz Santana, More Remember Michael Jackson Posted: 26 Jun 2009 09:41 AM PDT Ellen DeGeneres and Keri Hilson also grieve the loss of an icon.
By Shaheem Reid 
Michael Jackson in 1983
Photo: Time Life Pictures Fans are still in shock over Michael Jackson's death. Jackson's music entertained and inspired millions, and his devotees are reacting via all forms of media. TV personality Ellen DeGeneres took to Twitter, saying, "So sad to hear about Michael Jackson. His music changed our lives. The world has lost an amazing singer and dancer. I will miss him." Mariah Carey also tweeted, "I am heartbroken. My prayers go out to the Jackson family and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever." "Just like many other artists, I have always been inspired by Michael Jackson," Keri Hilson said. "He's the only idol I've ever had and I'm saddened that I never got to tell him how much he and his music mean to me. I've met many stars in my life but I would have been completely satisfied just to have laid eyes on MJ himself," she continued. "The closest I've come was hearing he and his band rehearsing right next door to me here in L.A. last month, while he was rehearsing for his tour abroad. I will be overseas at the same time the tour was scheduled so yet again I looked forward to being in the same place." Juelz Santana spoke to MTV News, still in disbelief. "This is ... damn!" he said. "Wow! Unexpected. A shock. A low blow. All that right there." The Diplomat member said he woke up around 4:45 p.m. to the news of the icon's death. "I'm getting myself together, walking in the living room [when] they said Mike died," Santana recalled. "It was breaking news at 5. I put it up on Twitter and people were saying his death was still pending. I couldn't believe it. ... I just woke up and they said, 'Mike is dead.' The first thought in your mind is, 'That's Michael Jackson. He can't be dead.' That just shows you everybody is human, nobody is immune to nothing — especially death." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Usher, Beyonce, More Pay Tribute To Michael Jackson Posted: 25 Jun 2009 08:51 AM PDT Estelle, Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, Irv Gotti, Trick Daddy also remember the late legend.
By Shaheem Reid 
Usher and Michael Jackson in 2001
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images The world has seen the death of one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Michael Jackson has died, but his impact and influence are everlasting, as evidenced by the dozens of celebrities speaking out. "This loss has deeply saddened me!" Usher told MTV News on Thursday night (June 25). "It is with a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you, Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family, particularly Michael's mother, children and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael. I have great admiration and respect for him, and I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer, who in so many ways transcended the culture. He broke barriers, he changed radio formats! With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten." "I'm in total shock," Estelle said. "He's one of the reasons for me pushing for excellence with everything — shows, songs — I do. Prayers for the entire family." "It is a sad day in the world of entertainment," Nick Cannon told MTV News. "Michael Jackson was the reason I wanted to be an entertainer." "This is such a tragic loss and a terrible day," Beyoncé added. "The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic. He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop! Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about how many moments in life that take your breath away. For anyone who has ever seen, felt or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you, Michael." Irv Gotti described Jackson as "the biggest star of our generation," which is tough to dispute. "The Best Entertainer!" Gotti beamed of Jackson. "He made the best records, videos, everything. I'm saddened by the world's loss. For a brief time he considered working with me and having me produce his album. In that brief time, I got to know him fairly well. And he was just the coolest person. My prayers go out to the whole Jackson family and especially his children." "I feel like John Lennon got shot," Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump said. "This is sad like 'On the Waterfront,' sad like 'Raging Bull,' sad like 'The Wrestler.' Music rarely gets hits like this; this is almost unparalleled. Even people who didn't enjoy his music have to acknowledge his influences. He was to pop what Davis and Coltrane were to bop. He was to R&B what Neil Armstrong was to the moon: an explorer who discovered a whole world unto itself. He was the Nikola Tesla of dance moves." "MJ made black folks proud," Trick Daddy testified. "He influenced our music and our style of dress. He taught us what it meant to be a 'performer.' He was our beloved icon, and we'll hold him in our hearts forever. "We've just lost the most loved, talented and famous African-American in the world," the Miami MC continued. "Everyone from the age of 25-80 should be saddened by this loss, and if you're younger and you don't know the history, you need to learn it. Michael paved the way for blacks into the mainstream." A huge part of Jackson's legacy was his live performance. Jackson was inspired by fellow performer James Brown and dominated the stage like no other. He and the Jackson 5 had legendary performances at the "world famous" Apollo Theater. "The entire Apollo family is saddened to learn of Michael Jackson's untimely passing," said Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation Inc. "Michael first performed at the Apollo in 1969 with his brothers when he was only 9 years old, winning Amateur Night and catapulting their career as the Jackson 5. We will always remember Michael in our hearts as a true Apollo legend, known for his professionalism and grace. Our sympathy goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson's Musical Legacy, From The Jackson 5 To <i>Invincible</i> Posted: 25 Jun 2009 08:39 AM PDT We take a look back at the King of Pop's unique career.
By Jayson Rodriguez 
Jackson 5 in 1970
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images When you think of Michael Jackson, the first thing that comes to mind might be his unique dancing ability — particularly his moonwalk dance, in which he would spin then glide in reverse, giving an effortless impression that he was impervious to the laws of gravity. But those skills sometimes overshadowed his undeniable musical talents and innovations, which spanned several decades, beginning in the '70s and lasting into the new millennium. It all began for MJ as a member of the Jackson 5, sibling outfit made up of him and his brothers. The young Jackson led the Indiana-based group through the early '70s as they scored a number of hits, including "I Want You Back" and "I'll Be There." The songs relied on their label Motown's traditional soulful sounds, but were also tinged with a youthful pop sheen. The formula was a result of Jackson's yearning pre-teen voice — and it instantly made him a star. Throughout the rest of the '70s, MJ continued to anchor the act while slowly branching out as a solo performer. He teased what he would later become with the title track to the movie "Ben," and the song captured the hearts of many. Then in 1978, as he began working on "The Wiz," Jackson hooked up with producer Quincy Jones and the duo would soon embark on a journey together that would see them mold the pop landscape for the next decade. Off the Wall introduced Jackson as a dashing, charismatic solo performer. The album, released in 1979, featured five breakout singles, from the disco sounds of "Rock With You" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to his preening falsetto on "She's Out of My Life." The exuberant set established Jackson as one of the premier talents in music and positioned him as the sexiest entertainer since Elvis Presley first gyrated his hips on national television. Three years later, however, Jackson would rewrite everything we ever thought we knew about him with one word: Thriller. The epic 1982 collection continues to stand as Jackson's finest work and has become the blueprint that all musicians after would follow, from Justin Timberlake to Jay-Z. Thriller was a departure for Jackson — he would no longer be defined by the sounds of Motown or disco. Instead, MJ defied categorization. "Beat It" featured Eddie Van Halen on guitar, and the pulsating "Billie Jean" showcased Jackson as few had seen him before, dangerous and in-your-face. Then there was the title track, a soaring number that firmly established Jackson's talents — this was the moment the King of Pop was crowned. Following the twin cannons that were Off the Wall and Thriller wouldn't be an easy task for most, but Jackson's follow-up, 1987's Bad, was formidable by all accounts. The set was wrongfully dismissed by critics because it wasn't the sales blockbuster that Thriller was, but Bad itself featured five songs that would go on to be chart-toppers, a record for solo artists. By this point, his vocal hiccups and stammered "shamone" would become staples in his music ("Dirty Diana," "Man in the Mirror," and "Smooth Criminal" are just a few examples), heightening and highlighting the emotion of his lyrics. Jackson took another respite in between albums before he returned with Dangerous in 1991. The uneven HIStory, a smattering of his greatest hits along with just a few new tracks, arrived in 1995. Then the singer's last solo album, Invincible, was released in 2001. Later in his career, Jackson seemed to suffer from insecurity amid reports of many abandoned recordings and difficulties with his record label. His later material was not groundbreaking; he parted ways with Jones after Bad and partnered with various producers for the rest of his career, from Teddy Riley to R. Kelly, with varying degrees of success, but nothing that approached the outerworldly achievements of his '80s work. Most recently, Jackson was reported to be collaborating with contemporary producers like Akon, Ne-Yo and Will.I.Am for a comeback album. Still, Jackson's last true hit, Invincible's "You Rock My World," was a reminder of the Gloved One's glory days. "Girl, I know that this is love/ I felt the magic all in the air," Jackson sang in a lush melody. "And girl, I'll never get enough/ That's why I always have to have you here." Then, only as he could, MJ punctuated the verse with an energetic yell. Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson Honored By Justin Timberlake, Will.I.Am, Diddy Posted: 25 Jun 2009 07:46 AM PDT Martin Scorsese, Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Russell Simmons, Wyclef Jean and others also pay tribute.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson in 2001
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage In the wake of Michael Jackson's death Thursday (June 25), musicians, actors and celebrities — including some of Jackson's closest friends like Quincy Jones and colleagues like Justin Timberlake and Martin Scorsese — are remembering Jackson as their friend and mentor. "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," Jones said. "For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on 'The Wiz' and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the '80s. To this day, the music we created together on Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world, and the reason for that is because he had it all ... talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer, and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." In addition to JC Chasez, fellow 'NSYNCers Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass remembered the times they spent with him, like in 2001, when they performed at the VMAs together. "I can't find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael's passing," Timberlake said. "We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music, but of all music. He has been an inspiration to multiple generations, and I will always cherish the moments I shared with him onstage and all of the things I learned about music from him and the time we spent together. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones." "I am stunned and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Michael Jackson," Bass added. "Michael was a huge supporter of my career, but more importantly, he was a good friend, had the biggest heart, and it was an honor and pleasure to be able to work with him and know him. There will never be another Michael Jackson. My thoughts and prayers are with his family." Will.I.Am, who worked with Jackson, said, "I am so grateful to have worked with the King. He was a gift to the world. He is a bright light, and I wouldn't be surprised if the world stopped spinning tomorrow." Seth Green also remembered Jackson in a statement to MTV News: "It's shocking and so sad. But for the first time in a long time, people are talking about all of the amazing things he was rather than all of the unfortunate attention he'd acquired." The hip-hop community also shared its condolences. "Michael Jackson was my musical God," Wyclef Jean said. "He made me believe that all things are possible, and through real and positive music. He can live forever! I love Michael Jackson. God bless him." "Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero," Russell Simmons said. "Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly." Diddy chimed in on Twitter: "Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat. He made the music come to life!! He made me believe in magic. I will miss him!" A pair of legendary directors, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg also paid tribute to the late star. "Michael Jackson was extraordinary," Scorsese said. "When we worked together on 'Bad,' I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and — it really goes without saying — a true artist. It will be awhile before I can get used to the idea that he's no longer with us." "Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson," Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly. "His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michael Jackson Fans Gather At New York's Apollo Theater Posted: 25 Jun 2009 08:53 AM PDT 'He taught people to respect each other and he united the world,' one supporter tells MTV News.
By Kyle Anderson 
A crowd sings Michael Jackson songs in front of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York
Photo: Stan Honda/ AFP/ Getty Images NEW YORK — As soon as the announcement of Michael Jackson's death was confirmed, fans flocked to the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem — where the singer performed many times with the Jackson 5 — to celebrate and pay tribute to the pop icon. The marquee of the theater read, "In Memory of Michael Jackson, A True Apollo Legend." Fans gathered to dance, chant his name and sing along with his songs. Despite the dire news, the mood was celebratory and uplifting. "I liked that he was hardworking and dedicated," said David Solters, a native of Rochester, New York, and a musician himself. "He inspired me." As a tribute, Solters was wearing a single white glove on his right hand. "He's a legend, and may he rest in peace." "I heard it on the radio when I was driving home, and I was shocked," Kenny Williams said. "He was an icon. Ever since I was in the second grade and I heard 'Beat It,' it just made me want to dance." Williams credited Jackson with inspiring a whole generation of musicians, including people from the hip-hop world. "His pop influenced hip-hop, like Slick Rick and Run-DMC. Michael Jackson inspired the hip-hop greats. I don't have white gloves on, but I was a big Michael Jackson fan." Amber Green praised Jackson for his social influence. "He taught people to respect each other and he united the world," she said. "I've had the Michael Jackson doll since I was 5 years old, so I'll be putting that up in my room today." Benton Fredrick summed up the mood of the crowd, as well as the other masses gathered around the country. "It's shocking. I was inspired by him, and I think I'm still in shock," he said. "There will never be another Michael Jackson — not even close." In a statement, Jonelle Procope, president and CEO of the Apollo Theater Foundation Inc., said: "The entire Apollo family is saddened to learn of Michael Jackson's untimely passing. Michael first performed at the Apollo in 1969 with his brothers when he was only 9 years old, winning Amateur Night and catapulting their career as the Jackson 5. We will always remember Michael in our hearts as a true Apollo legend, known for his professionalism and grace. Our sympathy goes out to his entire family. He will be deeply missed." Share your Michael Jackson memories by uploading video and comments to Your.MTV.com or joining the discussion below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
