Tears, shock from local fans

From Hitsville to the state House, well-wishers honor 'King of Pop'

Francis X. Donnelly and Oralandar Brand-Williams / The Detroit News

Metro Detroiters were shocked and saddened by the passing of the self-proclaimed King of Pop at the age of 50.

"It's devastating," said Josephine Matthews, 45, of Detroit. "He was such a beautiful person."

News of the death spurred an impromptu memorial Thursday night at Detroit's Hitsville USA, the former site of Motown, and even the Michigan House paused in the midst of budget negotiations for a moment of silence on the request of Rep. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, who said, "We mourn the loss of one of the most prolific entertainers of our time."

At Hitsville, hundreds of fans gathered, blasting Jackson's song "Thriller" from their car stereos, dancing in groups to the Jacksons song "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and loudly singing snippets of "I'll Be There" and "Man in the Mirror." And on the steps of the museum building, fans left a shrine including candles, messages such as "We Love Michael Jackson" and a large white teddy bear whose paw was adorned with foil mimicking Jackson's iconic '80s silver glove.

"Michael was Motown," said Kim Brewer, 42, of Detroit. "It was just amazing what he did for music. He was bad, and he was a thriller."

Alexander Balderas from Melvindale and Mike Suiter of Allen Park came with their families. "I still have all my vinyl records," Balderas said. "The biggest thing people should remember him for is his music."

At downtown Detroit bus stops and restaurants, people discussed the death through phone calls and text messages.

At Tom's Oyster Bar on East Jefferson, worker Terrell Williams fielded text messages from friends confirming the news. "He was a good person," he said.

Fans said controversies from Jackson's past, including child molestation allegations, didn't dilute their support for the singer.

Dave Rudolph, 42, a marketing consultant from Detroit, recalled the first concert his father brought him to -- the Jackson 5 at Olympia Stadium in the 1970s.

"I remember his moves," he said about the young Jackson. "He looked like he was gliding across the stage. It was like watching a little James Brown."

John Laney, a retired Wayne County Sheriff's deputy, recalled meeting Jackson over a french fry four decades ago. Laney was working security detail for the Jackson 5 when he took a lunch break. While he was eating, a young Michael Jackson sauntered over to ask for some of his lunch.

Ursula Watson and Karen Bouffard contributed.