The stunning death of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has left fans and music lovers worldwide reflecting on his passing.

I never discovered the babyfaced MJ's smash ABC with the Jackson 5 until years after it catapulted him on his trajectory to superstardom.

I owned none of his records, but enjoyed a slice of the hits, yes, often in the category of "guilty pleasures."

For me, there was no better proof of the enduring power of Jackson's genius than when Filipino prisoners performed Thriller in their prison yard a couple of years ago and became YouTube stars in their own right.

Their zombie dance in prison-issue orange inspired similar tributes – including one right here in Vancouver.

True fans will be hoping that like those zombies, Jackson will somehow rise from the dead.

If not, his music is surely immortal.

Prisoners perform Thriller in CEBU prison in the Phillipines

Local zombies work their moves in Thrill the World Vancouver 2008 video

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