VH1 planning Michael Jackson tributes

NEW YORK, June 26 (UPI) -- VH1 Classic says it plans to celebrate the historic legacy of the late U.S. pop star Michael Jackson by running a series of his iconic music videos.

Jackson died in Los Angeles Thursday after going into cardiac arrest. He was 50.

"His music defined an era while his music videos re-defined a medium," the network Friday said in a release. "Michael Jackson simply changed the world forever with his artistry, his vision and his music."

VH1 Classic said, starting Saturday, it will air "the songs, the performances, the choreography, and the styles that still impact pop culture four decades after he first became a star with The Jackson 5."

"VH1 Top 20 Countdown" host Jim Shearer is to preside over the programming, which will run throughout the weekend.

VH1 Classic viewers are being invited to go to VH1.com and offer their own tributes to and memories of Jackson. These fan remembrances will be featured on-air on VH1 Classic throughout the weekend, the network said.

Sister channel VH1 said it is also remembering the King of Pop through on-air VH1 News packages, as well as a VH1 News special covering Jackson's entire biography.