It still shouldn't matter, people will still mourn over someone who was famous, no matter if they knew them or not. Ed McMahon was really old and had died (Television Host and Comedian), the fans of Farrah Fawcett knew she'd go soon enough from fighting the cencer she had. Those two people died on the same day as Michael Jackson. Yes, it's sad that nobody really notices these people, but you have to remember that these two people's deaths were expected. For Michael Jackson and Billy Mays, they weren't expected deaths, and the most populist one right now and forever will be is Michael Jackson's death. He was an entertainer, a musician who created the MoonWalk, so much music that people all over the world will forever listen to and so on. Michael Jackson's legacy will forever live on in people's hearts and minds.
Again, this is just how I see it.