Torontonians are among the worldwide fans mourning the death of pop singer Michael Jackson, whose sudden passing shocked those who watched him perform for decades.
CHUM FM had a Michael Jackson marathon on Friday morning, letting callers tell their stories and memories on the radio.
"He was really the soundtrack to a lot of our lives," radio host Marilyn Denis told CTV Toronto.
At Sunrise Records on Yonge Street, a sales clerk told CTV Toronto that in-store stock of Jackson's music started flying off shelves when fans heard that the 50-year-old pop icon had passed away.
As news of Jackson's death spread on Thursday night, fans gathered outside of MuchMusic's street-side studio, as the music station went live with coverage that the pop legend had passed.
Alanna Copps was out shopping in Toronto, went she heard of Jackson's passing and found herself fighting back tears.
"I never believed in this -- crying over someone you don't even know -- but yet, I've known him from when I was two-years-old watching him on TV. My mother loved him, I've loved him, my kids have loved him," Copps said. "He's amazing, that's all I have to say."
Even Toronto's mayor had kind words for the late pop singer.
"Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson, rest in peace," Mayor David Miller wrote on his Twitter page on Thursday night.
Jackson played Toronto's CNE Stadium for a memorable three-concert series in October 1984 on what was billed as The Victory Tour -- a show featuring the King of Pop with his brothers alongside him.
The same tour saw Jackson play shows at Montreal's Olympic Stadium and at BC Place in Vancouver.
Donald K. Donald, a concert promoter who brought Jackson to Montreal that year, said some of his Canadian shows were among the "special moments in rock and roll history."
Jackson also played Toronto in August 1981, when he and his brothers performed at Maple Leaf Gardens.
About 16 months later, Jackson would release the chart-topping Thriller, which would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.
1984 Memories? Did you attend Michael Jackson's 1984 concert in Toronto? We'd like to talk to you... please send us your phone number and details, write to torontodesk@ctv.ca
With reports from CTV Toronto's John Musselman and Reshmi Nair, plus files from The Canadian Press
