Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died? I was at NYC’s J&R Music World, deciding if The International was worth a Blu-Ray package and overheard a conversation between two women.. “Michael Jackson died!” “No he didn’t, he’s in a coma.” “They said he died. It’s on the news.” One of them looks at me, because I’ve got the who, what are y’all talking about look on my face. I was fresh off the 9 - 5 and hadn’t heard anything about Michael Jackson. Google and Twitter were out of sight, out of mind, which means no info.

Some guy walked up and confirmed the first woman’s remark. He’s dead. Check. It’s on TV. Check, check. Five minutes later he put $150 on a credit card for a Michael Jackson video singles box set. *denied* “Uh, hold it for me I’ll go get cash.” While he bolted up the stairs a clerk was filling the shelves with Michael Jackson DVDs and another clerk was replenishing the racks. Somewhere there was a store manager who did his R.I.P. thing and thought, now’s the chance to get rid of all of those Michael Jackson discs in the basement. Economics in action. And they were/are selling briskly..

Outside I did a quick *Tweet* and hopped on the subway. It seemed like everyone on the street and in the station had Micheal Jackson on their brain and lips. Once the train pulled into the hood, Michael Jackson songs were blaring from cars and, on block after block, from speakers in the windows of houses. A “Butterfly” here, a “Smooth Criminal” there, “Remember the Time.” It was a spontaneous celebration/send off to the King of Pop all in one. And it felt right.

We all know the troubles and problems this man had. We can (try to) count how many comedians lived for years and years off Michael Jackson jokes. Hey, we probably told a few, pro bono, ourselves. But Michael Jackon’s talent, his music, and the impact that music had on people’s lives is something that no one can touch.

Michael Jackson “Got to Be There”

Coincidently, last Saturday I was listening to XM radio and in the mix was Michael Jackson’s “Got To Be There.” That’s the kind of early Jackson 5/afro puff material that not only would shine in any respectably diverse Ipod playlist, it reminds you how thick his song catalog is: “Billie Jean,” “She’s Out of My Life,” “Wanna Be Starting Something,” “Rock With You,” and of course, “Thriller,” with its groundbreaking, zombie, freak fest video.

That “Thriller” video has a special memory for me. It was one of two videotapes my Pops bought us the day we got our first VCR. Rewind all day, baby.

You know, that ‘people go in three’ thing really validated itself this week: Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and now, Michael Joseph Jackson. Best believe, he’s resting in peace.