I posted this on the podcast board, but thought I would repost for some of you here.
I never listen to the radio(only XM) so I had no clue he had even been rushed to the hostpital. I walked into the tanning salon right as the radio was reporting that TMZ was reporting he had died in his home, but was rushed to be revived. I just sort of stopped in my tracks and my jaw dropped. I absolutely couldn't believe it. While tanning, the radio was on so I was treated to a whole slew of MJ music. As I got in my car I turned on the radio and Thriller came on and I lost it. It seems so bizarre to actually cry over a celebrity dying, but I honestly can't think of another celebrity I cared about more than MJ.
I am 24. I only grew up with him during the mid 90s and it was not a good time to get to know him. But I went to college in 2003 and in one of my general education classes(I think it was sort of a history class) we studied the history of the music video and Thriller was a core part of the lecture. I was completely fascinated by it, having never really seen it before that.
After coming to work for Disney in 2004-2005, MJ hits were a regular occurrence at 8-trax and I really got to know even more of his music and discover the scope of his songs.
After returning from Disney, I got a job as a mobile DJ doing primarily weddings. Within 4 months of doing that job, I knew I needed to do something over the top to make people remember me. I was given advanced notice of a wedding where the bride and groom wanted over the top. They wanted silver metallic pants, spandex shirts, and the YMCA. But I had something better in mind. I poured over the net and found thrilltheworld.com - an attempt to set the ginuess world record for most people worldwide doing the same dance at the same time. I got the instructional video and learned the dance in 2 hours, then started practicing at every opportunity, in the car(there are words to the dance moves) or at home, in the shower, it didn't matter. But that STILL wasn't enough...so I ordered an MJ thriller costume from the Ebay UK site and had it overnighted to me. It didn't make it in time for the wedding, but I wore it for Halloween the next day.
As I developed my routine, I was struggling to find a way to get more people involved. I did Thriller at every single wedding, every school dance, every single show I did. But what I found so difficult was figuring out how the crowd would react. At one point, I was asking the crowd if they liked MJ. Sadly, no one would ever raise their hand. But when Thriller came on, suddenly people remembered why they like Michael Jackson.
I think this is a good example of how one person, arguably years after his prime, can still inspire someone to be a better entertainer. His legacy is far reaching and I'm sure that 50 years from now, it is his music legacy, not his personal life, that people will remember. He has been, is, and always will be the king of pop.
Thrill the wonder in 2010 will absolutely be a tribute performance. MJ's sudden death will bring together more fans(be they dancers or spectators) to remember him and that's exactly what he would have wanted.
I would not really call myself a MJ fan...Although I don't mind his music. 
