London - Fans of Michael Jackson celebrated the "King of Pop" on what would have been his 60th birthday on Wednesday by gathering at a temporary monument in the shape of a crown erected in his honour in London.
Braving the rain, fans imitated his famed dance and moonwalk moves around the 13-foot (4 metre) white, sparkling crown erected by record label Sony Music on the south bank of the River Thames.
"The first time I saw him in person, I was 18 years old, he came to London and it was just manic," said fan Mayah Thomas, now 31. "(Jackson was) really shy, but also really really personable. He would always try and make the fans comfortable."
Fans of the former King of Pop Michael Jackson pose for photographers to celebrate Jacksons Diamond Birthday Celebration with the installation of a giant 13 foot jewelled crown at London's iconic Southbank in London, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Jackson, famed for hits like "Bad" and "Beat It", had been rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts scheduled in London before his sudden death in 2009 at the age of 50.
Fans also took to social media to pay tribute to the "King of Pop".
Happy Birthday to the one and only King of Pop Michael Jackson, the man who inspired and changed millions of people’s lives! Absolutely the Greatest ever! #MichaelJacksonDay pic.twitter.com/WXqKnayP3w
— Michelle♚ (@themagicalmjj) August 29, 2018
Happy birthday to Michael Jackson! He inspired me and so many others #MichaelJacksonDay pic.twitter.com/0ZWT34N4D6
— Love MJ (@aIIaboutmj) August 29, 2018
Happy birthday to the best human being that ever walked on this planet. Happy birthday to the greatest entertainer of all the time. Happy birthday Michael Jackson ❤️ #HappyBirthdayMichaelJackson #MichaelJacksonDay pic.twitter.com/mAy1H1ZtqQ
— best of michael Jackson (@BestofMichaelJ) August 29, 2018
today is a king’s birthday. today a legend was born. he would’ve been 60 years old today. i miss him with all of my heart. as long as his music and his legacy lives on, so will he. happy birthday Michael Jackson. 🕊💕 pic.twitter.com/cjR6SbBzYH
— 𝓁𝒾𝒶 ❦ | 𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒷𝒾𝓁𝒷 𝓈𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓇𝓈 (@RXMANSPHOENIX) August 29, 2018