OREM, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Despite all his problems and pain, the self-proclaimed "King of Pop" is getting a lot of credit for his impact on the music world. Alan Osmond, a member of the Osmond family tells ABC 4 that Jackson's troubles won't diminish his legacy.
Osmond says his death is sudden, shocking and most of all sad, especially since Jackson was only 50 years old. "I admire Michael for the way he handled his life as far as an entertainer," says Osmond.
Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were synonymous with the
Osmonds. "We were in all the magazines at the same time and Dick Clark Productions booked us at the same time, the same places," says Osmond. Alan is the oldest of the singing members of the Osmond family, but he admits his brother Donny was actually the closest to Michael. The two men developed a relationship after branching-out before Michael materialized with a truly unique style. "His mark was incredible, he was unique, he was different," says Osmond.
"It's devastating," says Dana Wilson, a choreographer who has worked with stars like Justin Timberlake. Some of Wilson's friends were set to dance back-up on Michael's comeback tour in London set to begin this summer. "It was Michael that brought it to the forefront and made it popular and brought the public eye to it, steps like the backslide and called it the moonwalk."
"All of his old school videos, we do that all the time, all the time," says Brandon Armstrong, 15, who is a dancer. Armstrong says Michael will always dominate. Alan Osmond says that's because Jackson was a superstar, regardless of his personal problems. "We'll remember Michael as an outstanding entertainer," says Osmond.
