Hi I'm sure we will always remember where we were when Michael Jackson died ! Like you, I was so shocked too hear this unexpected and tragic news. When the news first broke on TV, I just couldn't take it in. Somehow we iamgine people like Michael to be immortal, but even the powerful and famous have no control over life and death. The BBC phoned me at midnight on the night Michael passed away, to arrange a piece on air, for their Breakfast show and then it really dawned on me, that this was the end of a man, whose music I'd loved since a kid. A man, I'd grown up with, through the up's and down's and the many dramatic stories. It was all etched in my memory. This was such a sad night. Michael had a most unusual life compared to most of us. Forty two years in the limelight of showbiz, from the age of eight. From super stardom to financial ruin, in the end the pressures created by fame and expectation, paid a big part, in his demise. He was the most famous man in the world, he was the biggest selling pop star of all time, an icon, an historic artist. He was a true music genius and his music and dancing style were groundbreaking. His dance moves that he made famous 25 years ago, like the moonwalk, inspired generations of dancers and most of his moves are still copied and practised today. Like so many entertainers Michael was shy and insecure away from the stage, in "real" life. On stage he was the very opposite, one of the true great entertainers and in the studio he was a creative genius I remember in the early 80's the streets were cleared, when his Thriller video hit the TV screen for the first time . This was the video that started the trend of "film like" story pop videos. The album thriller sold 48 million copies. In total, Michael Jackson sold sold 750 million albums and now he has gone, who knows how many more millions will be added to that number I saw Michael at Wembley Stadium in the 90's . What struck me then, was the diversity of his audience, all ages, all creeds. He appealed to all generations and that concert audience was unlike any I had seen before or since . I remember that night he arrived on stage in a rocket ship and at the end of the show, he took off over the stadium with his James Bond style back pack strapped on. We never did find out if it was Michael or a double attached to those rockets. That was Michael, a master of mystique I know he was looking forward to his UK concerts and we were so looking forward to seeing him live on stage again. I understand rehearsals were going well and I hear he had amazing things planned, for the This Is' It show. I'm certain it would've been as spectacular as ever, he knew and settled for nothing less. He was a perfectionist. However he would have struggled to perform 50 shows and it's such a shame that promoters and managers got greedy, because in theory, money was the root of his death! So a very sad end to a wonderful story and to a unique man. He had a new album recorded and no doubt we will hear that, in the near future His retro albums will now chart again, his dvd and movie will be huge. Ironically in death, his estate will pay off the debts. The debts that were partly responsible for his huge workload, which in turn contributed to his uneasy mind, use of strong drugs and his death. A vicious circle! Like Elvis Presley, he will be bigger financially in death than in his later years of life. How strange life can be. Michael leaves a legacy on par and possibly beyond that of Sinatra, Presley and The Beatles. The greatest entertainer and creative genius of our time has gone, his contribution was so immense . Away from his music he helped so many charities and children in particular . I personally feel he was so often misunderstood in a world that is quick to judge people who are different, unusual, or simply loving beyond the "norm". I don't think Michael would have ever harmed anyone, on purpose, he was a loving soul, often exploited by the wicked for personal gain. I have met many soul stars over the years but I never got to meet Michael, it still remained an ambition to interview MJ. However I grew up with him and his music and felt I knew him so well. Thank you Michael Jackson and thank you God RIP MICHAEL JACKSON The world is sadly a lesser place, now your shining light has gone John Leech