It was just under a year ago that [artist id="1962774"]Katy Perry[/artist] took the stage at MTV's 2008 Video Music Awards [article id="1619865"]alongside Travis Barker and the late DJ AM[/article], where they put a unique spin on Madonna's classic "Like a Virgin."

As the music world was still mourning the loss of the DJ, who was [article id="1619854"]found dead in his New York apartment[/article] on Friday, Perry spoke to E! News about him before her gig at the Palladium in Los Angeles on Saturday.

"I think that he left a really wonderful legacy," she said. "I know that he mentored a lot of people. I wasn't, you know, really good friends with him. I only met him a few times, but every time I met him, he was such a wonderful person, full of life, very bright."

She said that in the wake of his unexpected death, hopefully people will remember to embrace the ones they love. "It continues to remind everybody to live life to the fullest [and] love the people around you," she said. "I think, don't ever hold back. Count your blessings, for sure.

"It's really sad," she continued. "But he is making everybody dance right now upstairs."

On Friday, when it was first reported that DJ AM had passed away, [article id="1619857"]Perry tweeted about the loss[/article]. "My deepest condolences for DJ AM, you were a great artist and will be severely missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends," Perry wrote. "Rest in peace, friend."