Having read Nelson Graves’ racially slanted rants in past issues, I am not surprised by his ranking Michael Jackson above the historically recognized masters of composition (“Michael: Better than greats,” July 2).

Jackson legacy endures through a younger generation

LOS ANGELES — It was not spectacular, extravagant or bizarre. There were songs and tears but little dancing. Instead, Michael Jackson’s memorial was a somber, spiritual ceremony that reached back for the essence of the man.

While having lunch several years ago, I told several co-workers that Michael Jackson would one day be considered the equal of Wolfgang Armadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach. One of them was astonished that I’d make the statement. After Jackson’s sudden passing last week and taking into account not only America’s but the world’s reaction to it, I stand by my previous prediction.

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the “King of Pop” and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50.