Hoosiers react to Jackson's death

Hoosiers react to Jackson's death

Jackson was born in Gary, Ind.

Updated: Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 11:04 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 25 Jun 2009, 11:00 PM EDT

Liza Danver

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It didn't take long for folks in the Circle City to hear about Jackson's sudden death. Everyone said they were shocked, especially since he was about to embark on his comeback tour.

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Former WISH-TV news director Tom Cochrun was working as a college disc jockey in Muncie back in the mid 1960's when he recalls a knock at the door one Saturday morning.

"I answered the door and there was an African American gentleman and a couple of young guys with them and they said they were a musical family from Gary and they were driving around delivering records. There happened to be this really cute little kid who was the youngest of the group. Later I found out that was a very young Michael Jackson.”

Cochrun said he played the record that morning and said the listeners liked the tune. He later got a letter from father Joe Jackson thanking Cochrun for playing their tune. He said they were listening in their Cadillac as they were driving down the road.

Tom remembered young Michael as a cute little kid with a million dollar smile you couldn't help but love just by looking at him.

The last time Michael Jackson made a stop in Indianapolis was 2003.

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/region_1/Hoosiers_react_to_Jacksons_death_20090625