InTune

Michael Jackson and His Music Legacy

Posted on Jun 26, 2009 by Monica in Behind the Music

Yesterday, we were stunned by the news that Michael Jackson had passed away at the early age of 50. Musicnotes.com would like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Michael Jackson.

In honor of Michael Jackson’s music and the legacy he left behind both as an individual performer and his early work with the Jackson 5, we would like to share with you some of our music-related memories for this legendary performer, and also comment on how your fellow music lovers have reacted to the news.

Starting at the tender age of 11, Michael Jackson’s first professional performance was with the music group called ‘The Jackson 5,’ performing hit songs like I’ll Be There, ABC as well as the popular Christmas song I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Shortly after his success as a member of the family group, Michael launched his solo career. As an individual performer, Michael Jackson had fourteen number one song titles from 1972 through 1995. These songs ranged from Ben to Billie Jean to You Are Not Alone. His discography, available through Rolling Stone Magazine, is a trip down memory lane for many of us here at Musicnotes.com, because several of his albums were a part of our childhoods. Of course, these memories are tied to his elaborate music videos where we watched Michael perform while wearing a glove and a red leather jacket, sing Say, Say, Say with Paul McCartney and dance with a horde of zombies and monsters in Thriller.

From fast-paced songs like Beat It to meaningful songs like Heal the World, perhaps one of the reasons why Michael Jackson’s music is so powerful in our minds is because of his versatility as a songwriter and as a performer.

In addition to his own music, there is another song that a few of us were remembering today. As part of a massive charity effort for USA for Africa, several performers banded together to perform We Are The World. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and performed by well over a dozen music icons, this song quickly became a worldwide hit. As a powerful song, we still remember the lyrics to We Are The World and the strange and wonderful sight of performers working together for a common, noble goal. Performers included Huey Lewis, Stevie Wonder, Steve Perry, other members of the Jackson 5 and many more.

While we were reminiscing, we decided to put together a collection of sheet music for some of our favorite Michael Jackson songs. What are your favorite songs? Do you play them with a synthesizer sound or on piano?

Of course, we are not the only music lovers or professionals who are mourning the passing of this pop music legend. Music publisher Sony released a press release commenting on Michael Jackson’s passing, expressing their shock and grief.

Martin Bandier, Chairman & CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, said: “Michael was the kind of amazing talent that comes along once in a lifetime. He was an incredible recording artist, an insightful businessman, an unmatched performer, and a true icon. To all of us at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, he was also a trusted and passionate partner, who was very proud of our accomplishments. He will be dearly missed. We wish his children and entire family our deepest condolences.”

Many of you have felt the impact of Michael Jackson’s passing as well, because the world of sheet music is definitely not the same today as it was yesterday. Today, Michael Jackson sheet music is the number one searched for item on our site, and many of you are downloading songs like Black or White and Remember the Time. According to Billboard Magazine, the death of Michael Jackson has also had an immediate impact on music through iTunes, Amazon.com and Twitter. To us, this phenomenon shows the powerful impact the King of Pop’s passing has on music lovers everywhere — us included. Michael may be gone, but his musical legacy will continue to be a part of our hearts and minds for years to come.

Songs from the Michael Jackson Memorial

Since Michael Jackson’s memorial earlier this week, we have received a lot of requests from customers looking for sheet music for songs performed. To aid those customers in finding these selections, we’ve listed them below, with links to the sheet music.

• Smile by Charlie Chaplin and Michael Jackson. Performed by Jermaine Jackson.
• I’ll Be There by the Jackson 5. Performed by Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz.
• Jesus is Love by Ben Tankard. Performed by Lionel Richie.
• Soon and Very Soon by Andrae Crouch. Performed by Andrae Crouch Choir.
• Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer by Stevie Wonder. Performed by Stevie Wonder.
• Will You Be There by Michael Jackson. Performed by Jennifer Hudson.
• Human Nature by Michael Jackson. Performed on guitar by John Mayer.
• Gone Too Soon, performed by Usher.
• Who’s Loving You by the Jackson 5. (Composed by Smokey Robinson.) Performed by Shaheen Jafargholi (Singer from Britain’s Got Talent.)
• Heal the World by Michael Jackson. Group performance.
• We Are the World by USA for Africa. Group performance.

For more about Michael Jackson and his music, visit the official Michael Jackson website or watch his music videos through the Michael Jackson Channel on YouTube!

Tags: 80s sheet music, michael jackson sheet music, piano sheet music