Michael Jackson fans hold candlelight vigil in Lynchburg

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Fans of pop icon Michael Jackson held an impromptu candlelight vigil in Lynchburg last night, brought together by Internet word-of-mouth after the music star’s death Thursday evening.

C.J. Turcotte and Ashley Young, employees of the Dish restaurant in downtown Lynchburg, said they decided to hold the Monument Terrace vigil when they heard Jackson had died.

“We were kind of slow and we heard the news, and then we just decided to Facebook, Twitter and text-blast everyone we knew,” Turcotte said.

Facebook and Twitter are popular social networking Web sites, and text-blasting is the practice of sending cell phone text messages to numerous people at once.

Young said she kept her messages low-key and anonymous, “like, ‘Heard there was a candlelight ceremony going on.’ ”

“It’s just one of those childhood staples,” she said of Jackson. “Who doesn’t know who Michael Jackson is?”

The vigil began around 10:30 p.m., and Turcotte estimated it saw about 35 people at its peak.

A ring of candles illuminated the fountain as Jackson’s music pumped from a car parked by the monu-ment.

Blair Amberly, 29, said he was shocked when he heard of Jackson’s death.

“It’s more significant than probably any other (unexpected) death in my lifetime,” Amberly said.

“I think people are here because his music affects everyone,” he said.

Young said she and Turcotte announced the news to everyone at the restaurant.

“Every single table in the restaurant, we walked up to and told them that Michael Jackson had just died, and then we played ‘Beat It’ over the sound system at work,” Young said.

Turcotte and Young both named “Man in the Mirror” as favorites.

Amberly said he preferred the music of The Jackson Five, “One More Chance” being his favorite. As for Jackson’s solo work, Amberly said he did have a soft spot for “Pretty Young Thing.”

Young said she was pleased with Thursday night’s turnout, especially given the late notice.

“People around the nation are doing this right now. And why shouldn’t we do this in a (city) like Lynchburg?” Young asked.