Colin Powell says Michael Jackson had controversy in his life, but in death his art should be celebrated.

The retired general and former secretary of state said he was in Vietnam, South Korea or stationed elsewhere during Jackson's heyday.

"So he's not quite of my generation but his art spanned three generations and is worthy of all the tribute that he is receiving for his art," Powell told CNN's "State of the Union" in an interview set to air today.

Powell said his most vivid memory of Jackson is of the youngster performing with his brothers in the Jackson 5. He said the Jacksons were "fresh, exciting kids with the 'fros in the early '70s and singing those wonderful songs."

U2 FANS ASKED TO WEAR SUU KYI MASKS

As U2 kicks off its world tour, the rock band is turning a spotlight on Myanmar's jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

On its Web site and on stage, U2 is asking fans to wear a Suu Kyi mask in support of the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner.

"Wear it to work or college. Wear it on the bus or the train. Wear it in the pub or at shops. And don't forget. Bring it to a U2 show," the band says on its official Web site.

A mask of Suu Kyi's smiling face can be downloaded from www.u2.com for printing and also appears inside the program for the band's U2 360‚ tour, which opened this past week in Barcelona.

Lead singer Bono paid tribute to Suu Kyi at a packed Barcelona stadium Tuesday night, introducing U2's 2000 single "Walk On," which was written for her.

SWINE FLU HITS HARRY POTTER'S BEST FRIEND

The agent for "Harry Potter" co-star Rupert Grint says the actor is recovering from a mild case of swine flu.

Grint plays the boy wizard's best friend, Ron Weasley, in the hit film franchise.

Grint took a few days away from the set of the latest film, but has now returned to work, Christian Hodell of Hamilton Hodell management said yesterday.

1960S MUSIC AGENT ALLEN KLEIN DIES AT 77

Music manager Allen Klein, a no-holds-barred businessman who bulldozed his way into and out of deals with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, died yesterday, a publicist for his ABKCO Music & Records company said. He was 77.

Klein, who was one of the most powerful figures in the music business in the 1960s but ended up feuding with some of his biggest clients, died of Alzheimer's disease at his New York City home, the publicist said.

An accountant known for his brashness, temper and tenacity in tracking down royalties and record deals, Klein garnered such clients as Sam Cooke, Bobby Darin and Herman's Hermits. But he became most famous — and later infamous — for signing on the Rolling Stones and then the Beatles. Both arrangements eventually spurred lawsuits, with some Beatles fans blaming Klein for contributing to the tensions that broke up the group.