Bahraini Fans Mourn King Of Pop, Jackson Dominates Airwaves in the Gulf

Manama, Bahrain-From "Thriller", "Billie Jean", "Beat it" to "Bad" filled the airwaves in Bahrain on Friday, a tiny island in the Gulf, as news broke out that the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was dead.Shocked and saddened was the reaction for his fans and people who loved the legendary icon, who was much more than a historic figure.

" I was looking forward for his much awaited 02 tour in London which was his comeback. Jackson defined music and thanks to him we have today Hip- Hop and R&B. He was inspirational and will always be," RJ Mojey from the Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation said.

A special three hour show was aired on Friday noon to pay tribute to the famed singer and "Moonwalker" star.

According to reports, Jackson,50, died on Thursday after he reportedly collapsed at a rented home in Los Angeles. He was noted to have already been in cardiac arrest by the paramedics who attended his house. Resuscitation efforts by paramedics for over 40 minutes failed to revive the superstar

Fans across the world mourned his tragic death some remembered like Princess Diana. Several search engines, celebrity and video upload websites loaded with increased traffic of visitors. A group of fans in Bahrain started a group on social networking site –Facebook called –"MJ Forever- Alive in our Hearts.

Jackson spent time in Bahrain after he was convinced by his brother Jermaine he could get some privacy away from the media glare in the US. He moved to the island with his children after he was tried and acquitted of child molestation charges.

One person who saw MJ in his rare public appearance in the island is Bahraini, Hassan Jamali. " I still remember seeing Michael Jackson in front of me at the Marina Mall. I kept clicking pictures till he was escorted in his car. It is one of the greatest moments I have caught on my lens and will cherish for the rest of my living life," said Jamali who is a Photographer with Associated Press.

Jackson spent an hour buying around $200 worth of clothes and toys for his three children from the mall.

" I was buying construction material from a shop when I received a call that Jackson was in the Marina mall. I drove at the maximum speed of my car and jumped out at the red light as traffic was at standstill near the mall. It was packed with fans and photographers like me eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the icon. There was some movement, and I saw Jackson coming out from the back door wearing an abaya(Islamic dress for women to cover themselves) with his child," the Bahraini said.

During his stay in Bahrain, which is home to the US Navy Fifth fleet , according to reports the number of internet searches on Yahoo for the island kingdom rocketed by 1,030 percent,

Jackson was the biggest pop start of all times with colossal artistic achievements. He started in the music business at the age of 11 with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5. The pop icon sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released 13 No.1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Jackson as the Most Successful Entertainer of All Time and "Thriller" as the Biggest Selling Album of All Time. Jackson won 13 Grammy Awards and received the American Music Award's Artist of the Century Award.

" He will always remain arguably the most popular, inspirational and loved artist for many people, musicians and dancers. I am privileged that I attended his History Tour Prague(Czech Republic) in 1997. Michael Jackson will always remain the best performer of all times. He has joined the league of Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and John Lennon," Bahraini, Tariq Al Baher who is part of an international event management group.

For some MJ´s loss is irreplaceable to the world while for others his rich legacy continues. I leave RJ Mojey as he plays another hit number-Another day has gone… I'm still all alone.. How could this be… you´re not here…with me… You never said goodbye…

My tribute to the King of Pop and Hearts- Michael Jackson(1958- always and forever).