A longtime music industry colleague of Michael Jackson's said the singer was ecstatic during his final rehearsal at the Staples Center in Los Angeles prior to his June 25 death.

Kevin Mazur, who has worked with music business icons such as Jackson, The Police and Eric Clapton, said Jackson was on cloud nine during what would wind up being his last performance.

Mazur told the Daily Mirror that Jackson shouted during rehearsal, "This is me! The true me! I feel so alive! I feel as though I want to perform forever."

• TAGS

• Celebrity Death
• Kevin Mazur
• Michael Jackson
• Music
• Rehearsal