Commercial and critical success provided Michael Jackson mass exposure, and his music influenced musicians for more than 40 years. Whether drawing inspiration from the cotton candy soul of I'll Be There or dark, dance-ready rockers such as Dirty Diana , artists operating under the banners of pop, rock, soul, hip hop and country can all claim the King of Pop as an important influence. Here's what some Augusta musicians had to say about Michael Jackson, his influence on music generally and on themselves specifically.

"My immediate response after hearing of Michael Jackson's death was to think about how present his music has been in my life since I was a very small child. I had Jackson 5 albums from a very early age and loved Michael. The adults in my family would put a hairbrush in my hand to serve as my microphone and I would serenade them with Ben ." -- Brian Allen , drummer, 48Volt, Joe Graves and the Dirty Left Hand, Neato Torpedo

"One of my earliest memories is cutting the 45 single ABC by the Jackson 5 from the back of a cereal box. It was 1970. As a DJ since high school, I can honestly say that Michael Jackson has always been in my record crate, CD box, and now on my iPod. When I need to get people to start dancing on '80s night, I can always throw on Billie Jean and people will get on the dance floor -- guaranteed. Much respect." -- Coco Rubio , owner, The Soul Bar and Sky City; drummer, Shoo Fly Pie

"I can still remember when Off the Wall came out and being amazed at how each track stood out on its own yet fit so perfectly together as a group of songs. As a listener of mainly hard rock and punk at the time, it would have taken something amazing to pull me away from the rock music that was fueling my adolescence, and Off the Wall was that something amazing." -- John "Stoney" Cannon , vocalist/guitarist, Vagabond Missionaries, G-City Rockers

"I found myself very deeply saddened by the passing of such a legendary performer. I was one of those kids back in the '80s trying (and failing) to learn how to moonwalk. (Yes, even I used to sport the one white glove.) His influence can be felt the world over and will last for decades to come. His passing will leave a hole in the music industry and the world at large that will never again be filled. Rest in peace, Michael. Well done." -- Doug James , guitarist, Toomy O.D. and the Survivors, 420 Outback, Happy Bones

"As you can imagine, one of my personal/professional highlights was during the awards ceremony on BET when Michael draped the cape over Mr. (James) Brown. None of us had any idea that was going to happen, and if you see the clip you can see our surprise. It was one of those moments where your surprise quickly turns into tears of gladness. I remember thinking how much taller Michael was in person. A talented artist will usually peak, and then tries to peak again. Michael always delivered not only with his amazing music and great choreography but by the way he made us feel. I think most people will agree, this is the end of an era. He had so much more music left in him, and we all know it. I can't believe how sad his passing has made me feel." -- Kelly Jarrell , vocalist, James Brown

"We have lost one of the biggest musical icons in history. For people my age, Thriller came out at a time when we were most impressionable. For an album to be just as powerful and to be just as influential some 27 years later speaks volumes. I don't think we will be saying that about Buckcherry. It's a sad day in the music industry." -- Travis Petrea , bass, Horsepower, Livingroom Legends, Vellotones

"I don't consider myself a huge fan of Michael Jackson. I do have respect for him in that he had the ability to bring people together as an ambassador of peace. Be it USA for Africa or the many AIDS charities he supported, he was more than just a musician. He may have been a different kind of cat, but you can't deny what a positive impact he had on the world. It also helps that, as a performer, he could tear up a stage. He was second to none as a performer." -- Joe Graves , vocalist, Joe Graves and the Dirty Left Hand, Neato Torpedo

"Michael Jackson influenced me twice, once in late 1970, early 1971 at Iowa State University. I was dating a girl that loved the Jackson 5 so I loved the Jackson 5 for about four weeks. She never really understood the Led Zep/CCR-type vibe. Second time was 10-plus years later with the Thriller album and Beat It . Amazing guitar work that ultimately led to him having great guitar players with him on tour. I don't count the third time with Weird Al and his satire, but I probably should." -- John Donnelly , guitarist, The Vellotones