Chattanooga fans remember Jackson for his music

News of pop legend Michael Jackson's death sank the hearts of Chattanooga music fans who ranged in age from preteen to senior citizen Thursday.

"All my memories seem to be tied up in a Michael song," said Roberta Henderson, 38. "Michael was hot when I was a kid, when I was in my 20s, and still today, I love his music. ... Nobody can touch Michael."

On the radio, WJTT Power 94.3 dedicated its entire Top 10 line-up to the King of Pop.

"You aren't going to find many musicians whose music was so important to so many generations," said Paul Nortelli, 42, who was walking downtown with his 18-year-old daughter Thursday. "I know his music; she (his daughter) knows his music; heck, I'm pretty sure my dad knew a few Jackson brothers songs, at least."

The death of the pop-music legend had the Internet crawling with tribute posts, and speculation that no pop culture death -- aside from Princess Diana and Elvis Presley -- could rival that of Mr. Jackson.

"He has influenced every generation of people. Period," said Brad Steiner, 28, a radio personality with 96.5 The Mountain WDOD radio. "I wasn't around for Elvis, but I imagine this is going to up there with his death. It will probably fall somewhere short of a presidential funeral in terms of size and media coverage. The visuals are going to be astounding."

New Covenant Fellowship Church senior pastor Bernie Miller worked with Mr. Jackson from 1987 to 1994 as an executive with Sony Music's Epic Records subsidiary, which originally released such albums as "Thriller" and "Off the Wall."

Mr. Jackson set "a gold standard" and left behind a body of work that overshadows the bad publicity he has received over the past decade, Mr. Miller said.

"I don't think people will remember that (controversy) as much as they will the 'Thriller' album, or the videos he put out, or the technology that he used in the videos he made," Mr. Miller said. "I look past all the other stuff, and I see the person on the interior. ... That's who I will always treasure."

Darrell Kelly, 52, drummer for the local band The Malemen, said his group has been playing Jackson hits since the band formed in 1984.

"We still play 'I'll Be There,'" he said. "It's still a good song today.

"Michael was a big influence on us. I was just rehearsing with another group yesterday, and they did three Michael songs."

Olen Justice, 26, a manager at the Back Inn Cafe, grew up on "Billie Jean" and "Beat It"-era Jackson songs and said he always has been amazed by the performer's stage presence.

"I just remember watching his performances and being in awe of the reaction of the crowd," he said. "Young ladies and men would get carried out of the shows. He was very dynamic."

Mr. Miller holds strong feelings for Mr. Jackson's music.

"I don't think there's anyone out there who could put on the kind of concert like he did in his early years," Mr. Miller said. "In terms of legacy, taking away all the shady stuff, Michael leaves behind a tremendous legacy for everyone in the music business."

Staff writer Barry Courter contributed to this story.