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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 “
LOVE YOU MICHAEL R.I.P MAY YOUR LEGACY LIVE ON FOREVER. WERE PRAYING FOR THE JACKSON FAMILY AND YOUR THREE CHILDREN
LOVE YOU MICHAEL R.I.P MAY YOUR LEGACY LIVE ON FOREVER. WERE PRAYING FOR THE JACKSON FAMILY AND YOUR THREE CHILDREN.
It is so wondeful to remember Michaels music but what he would want us to remember is his message.
i grew up loving and listening to michael’s music and i was in my room crying 4 a long time when i found out dat michael died.he was the greatest and i never expected that he would die so suddenly.we will always love you michael you were a great inspiration to everybody.as long as we have michael in our hearts he will never die.michael was truly a great artist.i love you michael.i love thriller .R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON!
king of pop mj gone but never forgotten tears will be brought everytime
R.I.P
MICHAEL JACKSON
I must say that I am sadly disappointed in the first news coverage by MSNBC of the death of Michael Jackson. On June 25, 2009, the world has lost one of the greatest stars ever to grace our television, radios, and our hearts, yet the coverage has been on more than his accomplishments, it has also shown the ugly images that we choose to not remember at this time. The world has been so unempathetic to the needs of the family. Michael will truly be missed and mourned by his fans; however, the family’s hearts will ache harder than ours. On that sad day, the world was not the only people to lose a wonderful American music icon, Joseph and Katherine Jackson lost their son. Janet, Rebbie, LaToya, Tito, Randy, Jermaine, Marlon and Jackie lost their brother. Nieces and nephews lost their uncle, babies lost their dad; and the media coverage has lost their kindness to the human emotion. Coverage and footage has been aired regarding criminal charges, cosmetic surgeries, substance abuse, sexual preference, record sales and all other sorts of degrading allegations. The people who are truly mourning him would like to remember his legacy as it should be, a blessing. Michael’s accomplishments should be the only thing mentioned in a time like today because those are the only thing that matters. He has connected many people’s world as well as influenced many stars today with his phenomenal talents. Please take heed to the things that are being said as his family needs to know the world has embraced their loved one because he has provided the world with a sense of togetherness through his musical abilities. Music soothes the save beast in all of us, let us remember that Michael Jackson helped to soothe the world of hatred through song.
I am deeply saddened by this tragic news, my heart aches. The world will never be the same without him in it! I grew up listening to The Jackson Fives, The Jackson’s, and then just Michael. I believed Michael was a very decent individual that got sucked into that deep dark hole of the industries greed, with no one really standing up for him. It’s weird, the way people are paying respect and homage to him today after his death, was all he wanted and deserved in life. I pray for his safe transition with love and peace, and so he rest. To the Family, May the Most High hold your hearts in his hands, and comforts the rest of your days. I LOVE YOU MICHAEL~ Was and Will Forever Be THE KING of the MUSIC INDUSTRY!!!
Michael was a true musical genius. His music made you feel great and his dance moves along with his videos were legendary. It is so hard to believe that he is gone, his music will live on forever
Michael was a true musical genius. His music made you feel great and his dance moves along with his videos were legendary. It is so hard to believe that he is gone, his music will live on forever
Michael was a true musical genius. His music made you feel great and his dance moves along with his videos were legendary. It is so hard to believe that he is gone, his music will live on forever
Michael was a true musical genius. His music made you feel great and his dance moves along with his videos were legendary. It is so hard to believe that he is gone, his music will live on forever
im 12years old and im upset that the king of pop is gone he came to dis world for a reason an that reason was to sing an dance i have a crush on him when he is in thriller beat it an in dirty diana thoughs are my favorite songs he is my inspiration he inspires me to do better and i know he will never be foregotten he is truly a great person but im goin to cry my eyes out jux to a person past i guess that michael jackson is gone 1958-2009 he is a musical genius so i give my heart to the fam buh bye!
Micheal is an innerverted genius that brought about the change in the world. He saw the pain and suffering in the world that he expressed it in a articulaterd way. M.j needs to be remembered by his happiness by creating beautiful music throughout his life. Michael’s heart was overwhelmed with love for his fans, family and creativity will be a mystery. However, Michael deserves to be honored on what he has already acomphised instead of what he was going to do next month. Michael gave his whole self for entertaining and was absorbed by it all that it took him home peacefully to the pearly gates of the Lord.
I met Michael many years ago, I guess when he was 7 or 8 yrs or maybe older, I not sure. My ski club held a dance on 48th & King Dr. 2nd floor. We booked the Jackson 5 for one night. From that one set many people got their names and telephone number. From that night on their name began to spread. You began to see them all over the town. I remember Michael asking me, that he didn’t know that Black people skied. I asked my old club members if any of them took any pictures that night, and they said that they would find out if any were taken by any of the club members. We booked the Jackson’s thru one of our club member that lived in Gary, In. It was like loosing an old friend. May GOD be with you Michael.
I met Michael many years ago, I guess when he was 7 or 8 yrs or maybe older, I not sure. My ski club held a dance on 48th & King Dr. 2nd floor. We booked the Jackson 5 for one night. From that one set many people got their names and telephone number. From that night on their name began to spread. You began to see them all over the town. I remember Michael asking me, that he didn’t know that Black people skied. I asked my old club members if any of them took any pictures that night, and they said that they would find out if any were taken by any of the club members. We booked the Jackson’s thru one of our club member that lived in Gary, In. It was like loosing an old friend. May GOD be with you Michael.
I met Michael many years ago, I guess when he was 7 or 8 yrs or maybe older, I not sure. My ski club held a dance on 48th & King Dr. 2nd floor. We booked the Jackson 5 for one night. From that one set many people got their names and telephone number. From that night on their name began to spread. You began to see them all over the town. I remember Michael asking me, that he didn’t know that Black people skied. I asked my old club members if any of them took any pictures that night, and they said that they would find out if any were taken by any of the club members. We booked the Jackson’s thru one of our club member that lived in Gary, In. It was like loosing an old friend. May GOD be with you Michael.
He will truly be missed. My prayers go out to his family, especially the children. I know it’s hard to comprehend, but God makes no mistakes. May we all find comfort in his music that will forever live on.
ng out dat michael jackson was dead was such a shock cuz nobody would hav guessed dat he would hav died dis quick. me bein a fan 4 such a while hearing the news dat he was dead really upset me.
michael u will always be luved by fans n many more
r.i.p michael jackson
man i jus been lookin at his videos all day n yesterday when i read n heard tha news i couldnt get out my words out at first i thought it wasnt real but then i found out it was i remember how he use to b when i think of him and not the bad things heard i remember when i first seen him when i was little i said he was fine NOBODY i dont care who u is how good u can dance how good u can sing nobody will never b like MICHAEL JACKSON he’s a freakin genius
Loved him, will miss him dearly, his music is wonderful and moving.