R.I.P Michael Jackson

The sudden death of pop royalty such as Michael Jackson or more notably the King of Pop has sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Here at MTV News, we are still in disbelief that the great Michael Jackson had passed away and his death will inevitably change the world of music as we know it.

He was one if not, the most influential superstar in the world, an inspiration to many and was an artist whose music has touched the lives of millions of people globally.

Those people include admirers of his success like you or I, to the hundreds of stars in the making such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and P Diddy to name but a few who have all claimed Jackson was their greatest influence and inspired them to be who they are today.

From the time when we first saw a young Michael as part of the Jackson 5 to when MTV became the first music channel to play his iconic Thriller music video, Jackson was and always will be a musical legend.

To the fans that had tickets for his This Is It tour, to the lifelong Jacko lovers or just those who can appreciate what Jackson achieved in his short life – It is a very sad day for pop music as we mourn a legend who has left behind a legacy that will never die.

From today, MTV will pay tribute to the man that was Michael Jackson.

Check out MTV's Michael Jackson page where you can leave tribute messages, view the star's videos and get the lastest news on his tragic death at http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/michael-jackson.

By Joanne Dorken