By Al Tompkins
The music industry may never have seen anything
like this. On Friday, the seven top-selling albums on iTunes were all
Michael Jackson albums. Five of the top 10 songs were Michael Jackson
songs. And all top five music video downloads on iTunes were Michael
Jackson videos. Plus, the No. 3 ringtone download was "Thriller."
On Amazon, all 15 top selling albums Friday were Michael Jackson records. When you include The Jackson Five, Jackson occupied 18 of the top 20 album sales on Amazon.
In addition, eBay is loaded with Michael Jackson music, photos, autographs and more. Some Michael Jackson autographs topped $1,000 on eBay.
Surprisingly, bidders were paying top dollar for Friday morning's newspapers.
Farrah Fawcett memorabilia was also selling Friday, but at far lower prices than Jackson memorabilia.
Who else will profit from the Jackson story? Click here for a story from CNBC.
Why do people buy memorabilia when a celebrity dies? One researcher said it may not be an investment in items that could increase in value, but rather it is "the nostalgia effect." The study, which focused on sports figures, found that right after a celebrity death, prices spike. Then, they usually settle back down.
In 2007, a pill bottle that belonged to Elvis Presley was valued at several thousand dollars.
On Amazon, all 15 top selling albums Friday were Michael Jackson records. When you include The Jackson Five, Jackson occupied 18 of the top 20 album sales on Amazon.
In addition, eBay is loaded with Michael Jackson music, photos, autographs and more. Some Michael Jackson autographs topped $1,000 on eBay.
Surprisingly, bidders were paying top dollar for Friday morning's newspapers.
Farrah Fawcett memorabilia was also selling Friday, but at far lower prices than Jackson memorabilia.
Who else will profit from the Jackson story? Click here for a story from CNBC.
Why do people buy memorabilia when a celebrity dies? One researcher said it may not be an investment in items that could increase in value, but rather it is "the nostalgia effect." The study, which focused on sports figures, found that right after a celebrity death, prices spike. Then, they usually settle back down.
In 2007, a pill bottle that belonged to Elvis Presley was valued at several thousand dollars.
- Resources for Covering Michael Jackson's Death
6/25/2009 8:58:52 PM - Guidelines for Covering Michael Jackson's Death, Other Celebrity Stories
6/25/2009 7:39:29 PM - Screenshot Slideshow: Michael Jackson Dies
6/25/2009 9:00:43 PM - What Michael Jackson Did for Music & Music Videos
6/25/2009 10:24:43 PM - Page One Today Collection: Michael Jackson Dies at 50
6/26/2009 11:30:17 AM - Critic: ABC had the best coverage of Jackson's death
6/26/2009 6:56:34 AM - TMZ beat TV news on the Michael Jackson story
6/26/2009 7:35:10 AM - How WP put together its Michael Jackson obit
6/26/2009 12:32:09 PM - Michael Jackson: Child-Man in the Promised Land
6/26/2009 12:36:28 PM
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