I still cant believe the King of Pop is gone. As much as I want to believe it’s a bad dream, as much as I didn’t want to believe the reports of his untimely passing yesterday, today reality is setting in. With the exception of Prince and Stevie Wonder, no one’s music of my generation has shaped my life as much as Michael Jackson. The man was magic. He was the greatest entertainer in the world. His music is a part of history (Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous). There was no crossover before Michael. Music videos were not considered an art form before Michael Jackson (Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Black or White). He was THE moonwalker. His influence was felt from pop to R&B to hip hop and beyond. He was a trendsetting, much-imitated, multi-award winning, record setting musical genius.

Michael Jackson was a son, a brother, and a father. He was, is and will always be the only King of Pop. He gave so much of himself. He sacrificed so much (his privacy, his childhood) and he belonged to the world. No one can imagine the pressure of being the most famous man in the world or the affect that had on his psyche. But he looked at that man in the mirror and no matter what image looked back at him, he did change the world. I will remember the first time I saw him perform and I will always remember his music. Because of it I am forever changed and forever grateful. Life is temporary, love is eternal and music made Michael Jackson immortal. He lives on through his music.

I’ve gathered some statements on Michael Jackson and links from twitter and facebook you may find of interest. I’ll continue to add to them throughout the day.

Update: Michael Jackson Memorial service to be held on Tues, July 7th at 10am in Los Angeles’ Staple Center.
Update: To register for tickets to Michael Jackson’s public memorial service go here. Expires 7/4/09 at 6pm PST.

Quincy Jones: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. 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 80’s. 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.”

Berry Gordy: “He was like my son. He had warmth, sensitivity and two personalities. Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived,” Gordy tells ET. “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. I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.”

Diana Ross: “I can’t stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family.”

The Jackson Family: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives we find it hard to find the words appropriate to this sudden tragedy we all had to encounter. Our beloved son, brother and father of three children has gone so unexpectedly, in such a tragic way and much too soon. It leaves us, his family, speechless and devastated to a point, where communication with the outside world seems almost impossible at times. ” read the rest…

Jermaine Jackson: “He went too soon. I don’t know how people are going to take this, but I wish it was me,” read the rest…

Video and Audio:
I Want You Back (rare) [video]
Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough [video]
Billie Jean [video]
Beat It [video]
Bad [video]
Thriller [video]
Remember The Time [video]
Smooth Criminal [video]
Motown 25 performance [video] – from Walker23
Michael Jackson on The Dating Game in 1972 [video] – from Ohsokool
I Just Can’t Stop Loving you (Rare French Version) [video] – from Keyknow
Live in Bucharest “Man In The Mirror” [video] – from SamWilson01
News of Death at U-N-I gig [video] – from SoulCulture
Rock With You [video] – from SunSing
Michael Jackson & Diana Ross [video] – from WiseDiva
Get On The Floor [video] – from Keyknow
Never Can Say Goodbye (musical tribute) [video]
Michael Jackson Man In The Mirror (Moonwalker Version) [video] – from mellowdi
Michael’s dance moves [video] – from jeskeets
Michael Jackson, James Brown & Prince on stage [video]
Dwele’s Michael Jackson Tribute [video]
Michael Jackson Interview with Jesse Jackson Pt 1 | Pt 2 | Pt 3 | Pt 4 | Pt 5 | Pt 6
Valencia Robinson sings “I’ll Be There” [video]
Yahzarah sings “Billie Jean” [audio]
Sy Smith sings “Show You The Way To Go” and reminisces about MJ [video]
Stevie Wonder’s Tribute to Michael [video 1] [video 2]
Katie Couric interviews Spike Lee about Michael Jackson [video]
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson & Dr. Cornel West discuss MJ w/Tavis Smiley [video]
Conya Doss sings “I Can’t Help It” [video]
Michael Jackson’s rehearsal at the Staple Center on June 23rd [video]
Michael Jackson – The Final Super Trailer [video]
Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson [video]
BET’s Michael Jackson tribute (not shown on TV) [video]
Zo’s Tribute to Michael Jackson [video]
Mos Def Moonwalks and Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson [video]
Jose James performs “Can’t Help It” in Paris [video]

Music and Remix Downloads:
Michael Jackson – The Soulful Years from DJ Jaycee [download] [tracklist]
“ABC” Remix by Beatnick & K-Salaam [download] (right click save as)
Michael Jackson – “Get On The Floor” (Osk Screwed Re-Edit) [download]
Michael Jackson “History (Ummah/Dilla Radio Mix)” [download]
Ohsokool presents: Dear Michael Part One [download] [tracklist]
Michael Joseph Jackson – A Tribute from EJ Flavors [download]
J Period’s “Man Or The Music,” A Tribute To Michael Jackson [download]
Michael Jackson: Remixed [download]
DJ Slimm – R.I.P. Mike Jackson [download]
Cookin’ Soul Presents Michael Jackson (Tribute to the King of Pop) [download]
The Jacksons Live In Amsterdam (Destiny Tour) 2-26-79 [download]
Victory Tour in Los Angeles [download]
I Can’t Help It (Tangoterje remix) [download]
I Can’t Help It (Zo remix) [download]
The Roots ft. Erykah Badu – Wanna Be Where You Are [download]
The Roots ft. Erykah Badu – Billie Jean [download]
PYT (Demo version) [download]
DJ Premier’s Tribute To Michael Jackson [download]
OhSoKool Presents: Dear Michael Part TWO [download] [tracklist]
The Friday Favecast: Remember The Time [download]
Qool DJ Marv Minding Michael Podcast [download]
Mark De Clive Lowe & Lady Alma “I Can’t Help It” [download]
DJ Stylus Remembers MJ with his DC Family [download]
DJ Grouch’s “I Can’t Help It” MJ Tribute [download]
Opolopo remixes of “Rock With You” and “Billie Jean” [download]
Michael Jackson Volume 2 Tribute from EJ Flavors [download]
Nicholas Ryan Gant’s MJ Tribute [download]
J. Rocc’s Michael Jackson Tribute [download]
My Love For Music’s “Twilight: Michael Jackson” tribute [download]
DJ JoJo Flores “Think Michael” Pt. 1 | Pt. 2
Phonte & DJ Brainchild: Gordon Gartrell Radio “Long Live The Kaing Edition” [download]
Universal Motown’s “Michael Jackson Remix Suite 1″ [download]

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 9:24 am and is filed under Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Or, if you wish, you can find all the posts Honey