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Motown Mourns the Death of Michael Jackson
Published by Pamela Gentry on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:50 pm.
By Pamela Gentry, BET News
June 26, 2009 – The sudden death of Michael Jackson sadden me more than I expected. As a native of Detroit, the pop star always reminded me of the early days in the music business and the tradition of great music from my hometown, the place where Motown began.
Like everyone who ever saw Jackson perform live, the first experience is often the most memorable. For me, it was in the late 1970s when he was still touring with his brothers. Through the concert MJ broke away from the pack for several solo numbers and it was evident he was becoming a solo act right before our eyes.
Jackson’s last performance in Detroit was in October of 1988, white glove and all, in The Palace of Auburn Hills, an arena just north of Detroit. During the three-night stand on the singer’s “Bad” World Tour, the sold out crowds were treated with a great concert and given a night to remember.
As a native of the city that created the Motown sound, I know Jackson was always a favorite there. He had friends from the early Motown days like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy who were his mentors. The Jackson Five recorded at Hitsville USA on Detroit’s west side.
With word of Jackson’s death on Thursday, mourners gathered outside of the Motown Museum to pay their respects at the passing of the pop legend.
I know the City of Detroit is mourning deeply because Jackson’s music was such a big part of the Motor City’s spirit and heart. Founder of Motown, Gordy released the following statement:
“I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream – a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible.
When I first heard him sing Smokey’s song, “Who’s Lovin’ You” at 10 years old, it felt like he had lived the song for 50 years. Somehow, even at that first meeting with him, he had a hunger to learn, a hunger to be the best and was willing to work as hard and as long as it took.
I had no concern about his ability to go to the top. He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities.
When he was not on stage, he was loving, respectful and shy. When he WAS on stage, he was so in charge you would not believe he was the same person.
Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.
He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music.
I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.
Berry Gordy “
michael jackson waz on of my favorite idols i luv him very much and i love his music thiz iz a shocker 4 me it iz hard 2 see one of tha greatest pass away. luv goes out 2 michael family. r.i.p michael i luv u so much. may god be wit u
I am truly saddened by the sudden death of Michael Jackson. His death seems like fiction to me. Words cannot explain how I feel. My heart goes out to Michael’s entire family . God bless you all. Rest in peace Michael.
It does seem strange mj not bein here i he was supposed to be here for years to come i miss him already and to anyone talkin down and callin him names shame on you.
BET, what are you thinking?!!!!! I am extremely disapointed that you have not given your viewers a better coverage of the tragic news of Micheal Jackson’s unexpected death. I was able to turn to every news station but yours for current information of Micheal’s death. All you provided was videos after videos. We need to hear from you when these things happen to our people. We need to hear from our own journalist to cover these issues with the dignity they deserve. You should have had a panel of top black journalist on discussing all issues pertaining to our dear brother who has left us. When news like this happens, you should be ready to act instantaneously. Come on, you can do better than this. I thought when the new president of BET came aboard , things were going to be different. We need more than just acknowledgements during BET award. In fact, we need more than annual awards. … Micheal, what a great lost. YOU WERE FIRST!!
As soon as i heard the news about M.J i couldnt help but cry
he wasnt only just THE KING OF POP he was an icon for many people across the world and had given hope to many.His death was shocking and very unexpecting surley but his music will live on forever.
LOVE YOU MICHAEL
<333
Michael hid behind his music. He had many unresolved issues. His music, fame and fortune was his life and in so many ways his crutch. Micheals behavior and action demonstrated that he was not happy with a lot of personal things; however his music was what he lived for. I even wonder how the new generation of entertainers and changes in the industry affected him. Did he feel that he no longer had a purpose?
May God be with you Michael
Always a fan, you will be missed.
Belief
YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS! YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED IN LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY! RIP DA KING OF MUSIC
THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC BUT MOSTLY YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW MAN WHICH SOO MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE MIISING YOUR MESSAGES GOD BLESS THE JACKSON FAMILY.MAY YOU ESPECIALLY KEEP JANET THROUGH IT ALL.
i just lost my brother in heart michael jackson
i love you .
My love, my preyers go out to Michaels entire family, I also grew up listening to michael and the jackson 5, out of all his current songs my favorite is “You Are Not Alone” this song touched me in ways that you could even imagine, I am looking forward to the new album to come out, and was excited when i found out he was doing another one,
The day He passed I also got a call at work and my heart dropped to the gound, at first i didnt believe it, but i work retail and everyone came in saying it. To me michael was like the big brother I wish I had, even though after all the controversy surrounding him, it didnt matter, he was still number one to me.
It is sad that he is gone but he will always, always be in our hearts, just look around, even in death he will be putting on a wonderful concert.
all my love and preyers to his family in you all he is still alive.
TO MICHAEL JACKSON
A FLOWER BLOOMS IN DUE TIME, IT’S BEAUTY IS EXPOSED, YOU ARE THAT FLOWER ALL YEAR ROUND TO SOME IT’S CALLED “A ROSE”.
YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED.
YOU GAVE AND GAVE THAT IS WHAT I ADMIRED MOST.
I’m from Detroit.My prayers go out to the Jackson Family.I love the Jacksons and Michael Jackson.Love Always…Rip.Michael Jackson.
Prayers and much love to the Jackson Family. Stay strong and keep the faith. At a time like this we are all family. One of our members left us to soon and while we morn for a while Michael will be in loving care singing forever in our heart and dancing on clouds. With love and respect Pamela calhoun
Wow, still can’t believe Micheal is gone he grew in all of our homes. My prayers, and my love are with the entire Jackson family. Motown should dedicate a whole show in memory of Micheal. Every record company owes him that much not just us seeing his video’s!
Who cares!!! Just leave him alone in heaven. My boyfriend thinks the same with me. He is eight years older than me, lol. We met online at ~~~ http://www.AgelessMatch.com ~~~ a nice and free place for younger women and older men, or older women and younger men, to interact with each other. You may wanna check it out.
he will be truely be missed my prayers gos out to the entire jackson family his music will live on rip king of pop.
of one of the last performances at the staples theatre where micheal jackson rehearsed with his dancers , i was so impressed by the little bits i saw on that, the show would have been phenomenal he sang the song “they dont care about us” it would have been bonkers!! to the entertainment industry, jacksons work is unparalled and can never be equalled… may his very troubled soul now rest in peace…
All the Love. Support, Care and concern for Michael and his family is amazing!
Where was all this LOVE? When he was alive. Half the people that proclaime
Love now are the same one’s that gossiped, criticized his appearance and dragged
Him through the mud. PEOPLE NEED TO GET REAL!!! What good is it to show a
dead person love and respect if you don’t show love and respect when they are
alive. This happens all the time with family members and so called friends.
CHECK YOURSELF PEOPLE!!!
Micheal I love you your music has been A part of my life evrey since I was child. You may be gone but your music will live forever.
I agree with what anttorria said on June 26th. CNN news has been very disrespectful to the memory of MJ. I did send them an email about it, but I’m not sure how much of a difference it made. I am glad that I got my thoughts off of my chest, and that someone at CNN is aware of how disappointed a lot of people are with their coverage in the aftermath of MJ’s death.