REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON: 1958-2009

By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs, N2Entertainment.net Editor-In-Chief

He was the "King of Pop." "The Gloved One" and a "Thriller." Michael Jackson, who dazzled fans worldwide with his eccentric style and remarkable musicianship, collapsed June 25, 2009 from an apparent heart attack while at his home in Los Angeles. Jackson, 50, was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center where he later died according to his brothers, Jermaine and Randy.

My introduction to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5ive, came about like most every teenage girl back in the day. I heard their 1969 hit single, "I Want you Back" for the very first time and immediately became a lifelong fan.

However, it was Jackson's 1972, debut album, "Got to Be There" that truly made me a believer and literally a card-carrying member of the Jackson 5ive fan club. With songs like "In Our Small Way," "Wings of My Love," "Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me" and covers of Bill Wither's "Ain't no Sunshine," and Carole King/James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend," "Got To Be There" remains my favorite MJ album of all time, perhaps even more than "Thriller," "Off the Wall," "Bad" and most of his others. That's because the innocence, the purity, the youthfulness and sheer lyrical brilliance of "Got To Be There" reflected and resonated so strongly with me, that it became the soundtrack of my youth. Even today, "Got To Be There" stays in heavy rotation in my car CD player.

The first Jackson 5ive concert I attended was in 1972 at the Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles and years later (1984) at Dodger Stadium.

I was also fortunate to meet Jackson and his brothers, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy in 1976 while at a mixer at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Looking back, that was my first and official music interview. Jackson flashed his cute and shy, dimpled smile, talked at length about his career, sung an impromptu bit of "Wings of My Love" for me, posed for pictures, and autographed a few as well.

It was that boyish face, like the one on the "Got to Be There" album cover and those amazing vocals that emanated from this extraordinary singer from Gary, Ind. that I remember most about Michael Jackson. They are memories that I will cherish now that he's gone. N2Entertainment.net sends its deepest condolences to the entire Jackson family.

Editor's Note: Here's what producer Quincy Jones and the Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said about Michael Jackson's death.

Quincy Jones--Producer
"I've lost my little brother today," Jones said in a statement. "Part of my soul has gone with him. Divinity brought our souls together and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 1980s. 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."

Neil Portnow--Recording Academy President
"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility, and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss."