By JILL ALPHONSO

THE furore over the death of Michael Jackson has not simmered down even after five days.

Perhaps more macabre is the fact that there are those who are now trying to capitalise on the singer and his work.

There's AEG Live, the producer of his 50-date London tour, which has more than 100 hours of audio and visual footage of Jackson's rehearsals.

AEG has hinted at releasing a live CD - ironically Jackson's first such project - or DVD.

Meanwhile, on iTunes, nine out of the current top-10 downloaded songs are by Jackson. It has priced tracks like Beat It and Billie Jean at US$1.29 (S$1.87). A track on iTunes usually costs US$0.99.

Stomp star blogger Maia Lee, who has been a fan of Jackson since primary school, finds nothing wrong in those trying to cash in on Jackson's work.

"It's pretty normal. When a star dies, items related to him or her rise in value," said Lee, 26.

"But I roll my eyes at people who weren't mad about him before suddenly rushing out to buy his CDs."

Music fans here wouldn't object to a live CD by Jackson, such as the one AEG Live may produce.

"I'd love to see a live project that honours the life and work of such a great entertainer, and hope it would give a respectful glimpse into his last moments," said Desmond Goh, bassist in Singapore rock band Electrico.

But, then, there are those like Ms J. Kwak, an administrator based in New York, who observed that "every bar, club and restaurant is now blasting Jackson's music".

"(For) someone's death to become a media blitz (and a financial opportunity) is so tasteless," she said. "Death should be a private affair."

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