SIRIUS XM’s music channels will celebrate the life and career of Michael Jackson who passed away on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50. Numerous of its 100% commercial-free music channels will devote special features to the “King of Pop” with tributes, personal memories, favorite songs and more.

Former MTV VJs and SIRIUS XM hosts Alan Hunter and Nina Blackwood will host a Michael Jackson special on SIRIUS XM’s ’80s on 8 channel, SIRIUS and XM channel 8, on Friday, June 26 at 7:00 pm ET. Listeners will also hear a live tribute of Michael Jackson hosted by ’80s on 8 host Rick Stacy on Friday, June 26 from 7:00 am -12:00 pm ET. SIRIUS XM’s ’70s on 7 channel, SIRIUS and XM channel 7, will feature on-air personality Magic Matt Alan taking a special look at the life of Michael Jackson on Friday, June 26 at 12:00 pm ET.

SIRIUS XM’s The Morning Mash Up! on SIRIUS XM Hits 1, SIRIUS channel 1, and XM 20 on 20, XM channel 20, will play music from the iconic artist’s catalog and share stories about his music and career on Friday, June 26 from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm ET.

SIRIUS XM’s The Groove, XM channel 64; Heart & Soul, SIRIUS channel 51 and XM channel 62; Hip-Hop Nation, SIRIUS channel 40 and XM channel 67, will play Michael Jackson songs at the top of each hour all day Friday, June 26.

Heart & Soul will also air a Michael Jackson tribute featuring some of Jackson’s most upbeat music on Friday, June 26 at 9:00 am ET. The Groove will air “The Thriller 25th Anniversary” special showcasing classic Michael Jackson music and an interview with Quincy Jones recorded in 2007 on Friday, June 26 at 5:00 pm ET.

DJ Premier will dedicate his entire show Live from HeadQuarters on Hip-Hop Nation to Michael Jackson on Friday, June 26 at 10:00 pm ET.

Listeners will hear SIRIUS XM host and music journalist Dave Marsh host a tribute honoring Jackson every hour on Classic Vinyl, SIRIUS channel 14 and XM channel 46, Classic Rewind, SIRIUS channel 15 and XM channel 49, Alt-Nation SIRIUS channel 21 and XM channel 47, The Spectrum, SIRIUS channel 18 and XM channel 45, and The Loft, SIRIUS channel 29 and XM channel 50.

For more information, please visit www.sirius.com or www.xmradio.com.

Quincy Jones to Serve as Executive Advisor for the Month-Long
Channel to Commemorate 25th Anniversary Release of Michael Jackson’s
“Thriller”

“With ‘XM THRILLER,’ we are paying tribute to the best-selling album
in the world and a music icon whose influence on pop music is
unparalleled,” said Eric Logan, executive vice president of
programming, XM.

Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” skyrocketed Jackson into
international superstardom. The album has sold more than 104 million
copies worldwide and was the first in history to have seven top-ten
singles. The 25th anniversary reissue, “Thriller 25,” will be released
nationwide tomorrow, February 12, and includes every song from the
original release remastered, plus several new remixes featuring Akon,
will.i.am, Fergie and Kanye West.

Michael Jackson made his musical debut at a young age as part of the
group The Jackson 5 and went on to have one of the most successful solo
careers in music history. His success made huge strides for
African-American artists and brought attention to the music video as an
art form. Jackson was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in
1997 as a member of The Jackson 5 and in 2001 for his achievements as a
solo artist. With 13 GRAMMY Awards and 13 number-one singles, Jackson
remains one of the most respected and admired musicians whose influence
is undeniable. Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, Pharell
Williams and countless other artists have credited Jackson as an
important musical influence.

“XM THRILLER” will be available from March 1 through March 31.
Programming information for the channel will be available online at http://www.xmradio.com/thriller.

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