Exploring Michael Jackson's Legacy

In the wake of the shocking news about Michael Jackson's death, we dedicated several segments of our show this morning to his legacy. I interviewed several instrumental business associates, one of whom happens to be a very good friend of my dad's. As you may recall, my dad is an attorney in the music business.

Last night when I heard the news I called him right away. I remember my dad worked on a merchandising case for Michael Jackson's Victory Tour. He sent me this note earlier this morning with his memories of Michael Jackson.

Dear Ali,

Here are some personal memories of my personal meeting with Michael Jackson ...1. I could smell his perfume before he walked up the steps of his office / brownstone  in Los Angeles. 2. He was a real gentleman with emphasis on the word "gentle." 3. Over the couch in his office was his platinum plaque for the Thriller album, which was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. His label had taken old world maps and set them side by side then took thirty five platinum records and spread them across the map as though they were suns and moons rising and setting. This frame was so long that Jackson couldn't get the piece up the steps and around the corners in his brownstone so they had to have it pulled up from the street through the window.

Love,
Dad

As you could imagine, growing up with a dad in the music industry meant multiple platinum albums on our walls with some of the coolest backstage passes to some of the best concert tours in history. Sharing many of those moments with his colleagues was part of the pleasure. One of those colleagues, Dan Beck, former senior VP of marketing & sales at Sony's Epic label joined me this morning.

Dan was responsible for the HIStory Collection. It was his idea to create it. He told me about the fond memories. Bizarre nights including late-night phone calls from Michael. His unwitting sense of humor and his passion to be the very best. He was rich, extravagant, signed off on anything he wanted even if the record label didn't pick up the cost. He was larger than life, but became a hermit later in life. As Dan says, with the first accusation of child molestation he became reclusive and began to hate the media. Surrounded himself with body guards. Only when he stepped on stage did he become the Michael Jackson we all knew and loved.

Take a look at Dan's memories of the decade he spent working with him.

Also joining me this morning from his home was Charlie Walk, former Epic Records president and current CWE Media CEO. Jim Fusilli, The Wall Street Journal's rock & pop music critic, Neil Sean, royal correspondent for Fox News who has written for The Sun, Daily Mail, Metro & other publications. Neil was working with Michael on the planned UK Concert Tour and talks about his mood over the past couple of months.

See what they say about his net worth, his music catalog, his legacy and how he changed music videos and the industry.

Note: As I write this Michael Jackson's albums are the top ten sellers on Amazon with multiple week deliveries. They're selling like hot cakes! No surprise there!