Michael Jackson dead at 50: What are your best memories of him and his music?

I don't know where to start. I'm 27 and grew up with his music, as my parents were fans. Dancing around the lounge room at age four to Thriller on vinyl, watching Moonwalker, learning the Dangerous album word for word and watching each new music video in awe, especially Black or White and Scream. I was a little girl who loved to sing and dance, and Michael's music was the soundtrack to my childhood. I looked up to him. Rest in peace, Michael.

I was never what you would call a "crazed fan" of Michael Jackson, but I listened to his music and sang along to his songs. The first time I saw "Thriller" on MTV (when I was like 7 or 8 years old), I thought it was a movie, the time and effort put into that video was just amazing and continues to entertain to this day. I think his most significant work was his collaboration with Lionel Ritchie on "We Are the World" - what a beautiful song.

Needless to say I was shocked when I heard that he died; his life was full of the highest highs and the lowest lows, hopefully he will find some peace in death. Goodbye Michael, you will be missed.

All his music was awesome.There is no way you could just say one song was a favourite. The poor thing had a rough life.But if you are a true fan, you go into bat for all the stories that people say. I did. I WISH I got to meet him before he passed away. I got into a few disagreements many times standing up for Michael Jackson, and i always will. I have cried all day today because it is a sad day, not just for fans, but for Michaels three little darling children, friends and family. Just a sad,sad day for the world. Michael Jackson you shall never be forgotten. You will always be the best singer in the world. You are with the angels now.

RIP

The first album I ever bought was Off the Wall and I thought he was just gorgeous :-) This was before all the plastic surgery. I'm so glad I can remember the days when he was truly admired for his music' and amazing dancing. Can anyone else remember how state of the art the Jacksons and Michael's film clips were back in the 70's and 80's (I'm thinking of Can you feel it, Billie Jean and Thriller. He had so many great songs and it's hard to believe he's gone. RIP Michael

Being old enough to remember the Jackson 5 at the beginning of their careers and watching Michael grow over the years after, I have always admired his talent, dancing like no-one else ever could, and his wonderful voice has brought me to tears many times. My favourite song was Beat It, great beat of course, but also showing his talent as a dancer. He had a very stressful, and I believe sad childhood, being thrown into the spotlight at an extremely young age, whether he wanted to be or not. No time to play and do the normal stuff kids look forward to doing. Everything he did he did absolutely to the max and I believe his body was tired and needs to rest now. What a wonderful choir God has in heaven with so many singers taken from us too young, Buddy Holly, Richie Valance and the Bopper, John Denver, Elvis, John Lennon and George Harrison, just to name a few and now he has the wonderful talent of the one and only Michael Jackson. Michael, may you find the peace now that you so searched for whilst you were here with us. Bless you and Thankyou for so much joy and pleasure you gave us through the years. Miss you already.

My best memories of Michael Jackson has been his gift of performance, entertainment and producing the best music album ever Thriller. The songs from this album stayed no 1 in the US charts for a very long time. These were the songs I idolized throughout my teenage days and the memories of those teenage years will live forever. Michael the happiness you have brought in people's live is immense, you have touched many of hearts. God brought you in this world for a reason, perform and entertain Michael you have done this with flying colours. Ask those who miss you today. I am one followed by Billions of people across the world.

I am and will always remain a Michael Jackson fan. I thank all of the people who have taken the time to post their thoughts, it really helps with grieving to know others feel the same way. for me today has been as if I've lost a family member.

Michael has not only shaped my life but that of music, dance and performance. I met my very best friends at a Michael concert in Sydney, and it was an experience I will never forget.

I had hoped to take my own daughter to experience the string of London concerts, but this will tragically never be.

His performances were always breath taking and you need only look at other artists in the charts today to see how he has influenced and paved the way for all others to come.

forever my man in the mirror, Michael Jackson, you will always stay alive in my heart.

keep his memory alive Mike fans.

I'm going to be 43 in a couple of weeks. Michael Jackson has done 4 decades of music so I have grown up with him. My best memories are of my early high school days and rollerskating back in the early 80's. Thriller was the top album then so my memories are of those days. And those days were the good 'ol days!

To put it another way......

Michael Jackson is the Elvis of my times. He will surely be missed!

I was only about 12 year old when I first heard of Michael Jackson and now I am 38. My favorite album is the "Thriller" album. I love all of his songs. I will always miss him and everyone else will too. Sad to his a great singer die in such a horrible way. R.I.P Michael Jackson.

His Music and his love for his fans. He is a legend definitely an ICON of this Era. There will never be another one like him in our lifetime. There will be others who will come along and try to emulate Michael's music and movements.

However Michael Jackson had a gift that only he is able to perform.

He strives to give us his ultimate in every way.

He was an Artist in every sense of the word, He gave his all (200%).

Why, because he loved performing and the fans adored him.

As for my memories of him, definitely his artistry and his talent with music and choreography. His dancing and athletic ability was totally amazing. So many artist today have emulated and copied his movements.

He started the most wonderful dance movements everyone now uses

He certainly should be credited for all those wonderful steps.

Particularly that fantastic Moonwalk.

May god take care of this wonderful person. Michael you will be sadly missed. However your music will live on forever.