THERE is something about Michael Jackson that both those who loved his music and those who sat on the fence now agree on.

THERE is something about Michael Jackson that both those who loved his music and those who sat on the fence now agree on.

And that is: whether you liked him or not, there was something that made him very imposing both as a personality and an artist.

His music, particularly in the 80s, had a particular influence on me and my generation.

But along the way, somehow his influence waned, to the extent that when he came to South Africa I was not interested in the show.

I made no effort to go and I now feel I missed out, particularly considering his death.

When he suddenly died, the only thing I could do was to get something that reminded me of the crazy 80s when Jackson's music had a particular influence on me and others.

I did not go for the obvious, his music, but chose to buy a Michael Jackson T-shirt. How I wish it were autographed by the King of Pop himself but I wear it quite proudly anyway.

I was reminded of Jackson's influence this week amid reports that a new movie and a single, This Is It, will be released before the end of the month.

Ster-Kinekor is to host the memorial premiere as part of a global tribute to the King of Pop.

It will be joining the world for the biggest global tribute ever in honour of Jackson.

South African fans will get to pay homage to the superstar with This Is It, an extraordinary film documenting Jackson's last months, as he prepared for a concert that never happened.