The King of Pop is dead - Northland fans mourn

Billie Bodle was in shock after he heard in Whangarei at lunchtime yesterday that singer Michael Jackson had died a few hours earlier.
The gifted child star, who rose to become the King of Pop and one of the biggest celebrities in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, was pronounced dead after paramedics found him in a coma at his Los Angeles mansion.
The 50-year-old singer apparently died after a heart attack, but speculation in the United States about the cause of his death has included a drug overdose and an eating disorder.
Los Angeles police were investigating the death yesterday.
Mr Bodle, 49, of Whakapara - who named his now 20-year-old son Jackson after the pop star - said it was unfortunate people were likely to remember the singer for his bizarre lifestyle, surgery and allegations of child molestation  that got him dubbed Wacko Jacko.
"He certainly did  wacky things, such as hanging his baby off a balcony, but that overlooks his contribution to music, which must be respected. He was also a caring person, contributing millions of dollars to good causes."
Mr Bodle has been dazzled by the star since hearing his album Ben about 37 years ago.
Songs such as Man in the Mirror, Black and White and the music video Thriller - the best-selling album of all time with global sales of  more than 47 million - are among his favourites. But Michael Jackson made his most vivid impression on  the Whangarei Department of Conservation business services supervisor when he performed at Auckland in 1996.
"It was an awesome concert," Mr Bodle said. "Michael was so talented and so professional. The crowd loved him.
"My initial reaction to hearing he had died was disbelief. I am sure millions of people will be saddened by the news."
Meanwhile, Whangarei music store Musicor sold out of Michael Jackson DVDs yesterday and store owner Dave Ryan was expecting a spike in Jackson CD sales today.
"Jackson was one of the most well-known entertainers in the world and his passing was on par with the death of Elvis Presley," said Mr Ryan, who had followed the singer's career for  more than 40 years.
"I can remember when he first came to real note in 1982. I had a shop downstairs in James St at the time and received a phone call from my partner telling me she had just seen the most amazing music video - Michael Jackson's Thriller.
"When the moonwalk came out every teenager in New Zealand was trying to copy his moves."
Jackson's career had peaked in the 1980s, but he then fell out of favour with the public, Mr Ryan said. "He changed his look and people couldn't understand why. He ended up  in his own fantasy world and never came back."
Mr Ryan predicted the singer's death would trigger record companies to release a new range of greatest hits.
"It's the passing of another part of musical history, but life goes on - he will be remembered forever."