Remembering the King of Pop
A year after pop singer Michael Jackson’s unexpected death, his legacy still lives through his music. “Access Hollywood” reports the King of Pop has sold about 35 million albums in the last 12 months. Jackson died in 2009 after having a fatal amount of anesthesia and sedatives administered to him.
While there has been no shortage of musician deaths over the last 20 years, including the deaths of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur, the outcry from fans has not compared to those of Jackson’s when it comes to record sales. “Access Hollywood” reports, “According to Billboard, in the U.S. alone, he sold 9 million albums over the last 12 months, with another 800,000 for sales of his releases with his brothers as the Jackson 5 and Jacksons – and another 12.9 million track downloads.” Other astronomical sales in response to Jackson’s death include movie ticket, DVD sales and ringtones. The June 25 anniversary of the pop singer’s death has prompted another boost in sales.
London’s West End Lyric Theater unveiled a tribute plaque in memory of Jackson on a June 24 ceremony. The theater is also home to “Thriller Live,” a Jackson tribute musical.
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[photo: Wikimedia Commons]
