Jackson's death was the talk of the town as news the performer had died from a suspected heart attack yesterday spread quickly.

The Music Shop, Garema Place, manager Craig Murray said the first few sales of the day had all been Michael Jackson products, a trend he thought would continue over the next few days.

''It always happens when such artists die,'' he said.

Mr Murray said people coming into the store had expressed shock at Jackson's passing.

''He will leave a massive legacy, he was a very influential artist,'' he said.

Brian ''Frog'' Harris from Songland Records, Tuggeranong, met the performer in 1988 when Jackson was in Sydney as part of his Bad World Tour.

Mr Harris, who was working for CBS Records at the time, said Jackson was a ''lovely, lovely guy''.

He hoped people would remember Jackson for his talent rather than his colourful and often controversial life off stage.

''He was one of the great soul singers of all time,'' he said.

''I think people need to see through the fog of misconception of Michael ... and hopefully there will be a focus in the next couple of days and weeks on the music, the dancing and the singing ... away from all the crap that associated with him in the last five to 10 years.''

Local artists also joined their national and international counterparts in paying tribute to Jackson and his influence on music yesterday.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times