Many considered him to be their window to western pop music and a continuous motivation throughout their music careers. As curtains fell down on an era, it was the reminisces for many music lovers and musicians in the city, of their journey of western music that began with the King of Pop.

With varied influences such as dance techniques like the moonwalk, his distinctive sound style and music, city artistes expressed the sudden shocking demise by terming Michael Jackson as one of the greatest music icons in recent history.

“He was my window to western pop music. He was a genius who spelt out instruments with his voice and matchless compositions he remained definitely ahead of his times. Although it is sad the way his life unfolded he had started on such a high that he will continue to be the pop symbol he is. For me Thriller, Bad and some songs from Dangerous are his greatest creations,” says Vineet Alurkar, music instructor, Back Benchers.

A dominant figure in the 1980s, with music videos like Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller as well as stage performances for many musicians he has been a childhood idol. “We have pretty much grown up on his music and Michael Jackson made it big year after year pioneering production of sound and music. We always looked forward to what he would do next, his every release has something new and he was an institution in himself. As a guitar player I have always been trying to figure out how songs in Black and White and Beat have been played,” says Koko, lead guitarist, Agnee.

“All of us have great regard for his work for his unique composition, structure as well as the style of incorporating the groove, rhythm and melody. His songs were less complicated, straight and to the point.There was a sense of happiness listening to him ever since childhood. It is a huge loss to the music world but the music is alive in us and we will strive to spread peace and love,” says Rishi Rai lead guitarist, S.I.L.V.E.R.

Shital Kulkarni, lead guitarist of Tungztn described him as a phenomenal pop artist adding, “We have grown up listening to him even before the band was formed and taken inspiration at all stages of our careers. He represented the change of music scene in India and was known to even those who did not listen to English music. Although his genre is not something we play, seeing him infusing the guitar in his music in an exceptional way has inspired me as a guitar artiste.”