Michael Jackson - Death Anniversary: Still Top and the King

Michael Jackson Still Pop and the King after Death of Three Years

Death Anniversary of the Music world over can mark 25 June 2009 as of those eerie days that force them to recall exactly what they were doing in the moments before they heard tragic news. Michael Jackson died that day, at the age of 50, and the world was not prepared to see him go.

The all could ever fill the void that MJ left behind, but his memory has not faded in the years that he is been gone. Historically 12 months alone, we have seen Jackson-inspired productions, heard narratives from celebrities who continually cite him as a key influence, and this summer his face will be plastered on Pepsi cans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his classic album Bad. Keep reading to see a few examples from the past year that show that Jackson has remained forever in the heart of popular culture.

Jackson Brothers launch Unity Tour

 days before the June 25 anniversary of MJ's death, his brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito & Marlon launched their Unity Tour. The Jackson brothers revealed that a joint tour has been in the making for years, but admitted that they needed time to heal after losing the most famous member of the Jackson. Following Michael's death, all brothers were featured on the A&E reality series "The Jacksons: A Relatives Dynasty," which found them dealing with their loss. In April it was rumored that an MJ hologram would make an appearance on the jaunt, but there is been no confirmation that the early reports were true.

Enjoy the Throne shout-out

The guilty verdict in Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial was handed down hours before Jay-Z & Kanye West's Watch the Throne tour hit Madison Square Garden in New York, & it was clear that the hip-hop Titans were being attentive, like everyone else. While spitting his lines on the WTT's "Welcome to the Jungle," Jay threw additional emphasis on the line, "Rest in peace to the leader of the Jackson," which drew applause from the crowd.

Michael Jackson launches Cirque Du Soleil - The Immortal World Tour

After a few preliminary shows in Canada, in October Cirque Du Soleil launched Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour in the U.S., dedicating a two-hour production entirely to the fallen legend. The mind-blowing mashup of dance and acrobatics, set to MJ's music, was an immediate hit, & the 65 artists who trained intensely for their performances did not take their duties lightly. When TV CHANNEL News caught up with of the dancers backstage, following a performance set to "Danger," they admitted that the whole production was deeply emotional, and that if MJ could see the show, "he would feel such a sense of pride of what they has given us to work with."

Jackson tops fans' hologram wish list

Tupac's hologram appearance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April set off a firestorm of speculation about which deceased entertainer they could expect to see onstage next. Not surprisingly, MJ was on the tip of lots of a fan's tongue. LMFAO's Redfoo put MJ's name at the top of his hologram wish list, while a fast poll of fans in the Times Square area found that the masses wholeheartedly agreed."It's an clich answer, but in my time I have never seen [Michael Jackson] and it would be something awesome to watch," fan told TV CHANNEL News.

Justin Bieber's "Die in Your Arms" single inspired by MJ

Justin Bieber stopped by TV CHANNEL's Times Square studio on June 19 for his "Bieber Live" special, in the work of which the 18-year-old superstar performed of his new singles "Die in Your Arms," and explained that the track was inspired by elderly MJ footage they viewed in the work of a session with producer Rodney Jerkins. "Before I got in the booth, [Rodney Jerkins] showed me this hour-long video of Michael [Jackson] footage, seldom been seen before. It is Michael's persona, him in the booth dancing. It is some special stuff," Bieber recalled. "So me seeing that, going in there and being inspired and working with Rodney, who worked with Michael it was brilliant."