Of Michael Jackson and Morning Musume

Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame memorial Thursday night -- ironically a day before Morning Musume made music history just eight miles away at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The timing could not have been more amazing. The era of old pop might well have ended with the death of Michael Jackson last week. On Friday and Saturday, media from around the world converged at the Staples Center to prepare for the massive memorial service set for Tuesday.

Morning Musume, Japan's supergroup, during opening ceremonies Thursday at Anime Expo 2009.

But right next door, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, a new era of pop music was born – Japan supergroup Morning Musume blew the roof off the Convention Center’s main performing hall Friday with its first-ever U.S. concert.

“I’m not really sure about all this,” said Tom Fong, 33, of San Francisco, employed in the high-tech industry and a big fan of Morning Musume. “It’s almost surreal. Morning Musume in America? But then again, Michael Jackson is surreal.”

Raymond Mar of San Jose -- unemployed anime cosplayer doesn't get it regarding Morning Musume.

Raymond Mar, 27, dressed as part of a team from San Jose that was cosplaying the anime Bleach, had another view.

“I’m not going to the concert,” Mar said. “I don't have time to follow both anime and J-pop. Heck, I’m only a casual fan of anime in the first place. Plus, I’m unemployed right now. I lost my high-tech job because of the recession. Can Morning Musume can do anything about that?”

Perhaps they can, Ray. Perhaps they can.

This is Rad signing off – for now.