Unless you just returned from a trip to Pluto, and even then I don't think it would have been impossible to hear; Michael Jackson passed away yesterday in Los Angeles of cardiac arrest. It capped off a very strange day in entertainment, and a strange week at that.
An event like this is unique unlike any other, as you see someone who truly defines the word iconic in every sense, pass on. I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in modern civilization that has not heard the name Michael Jackson. This man has a legacy that will stand the test of time I'm sure. Yet some may ask why is that?
Michael Jackson was a musical phenom. Right from his first appearance as a six year old with his 4 brothers in the Jackson 5, people were drawn to him. His voice, dance moves, and stage presence were golden. How many of you reading this right now, have a Michael Jackson song going through your mind? That is evidence right there of his talent in music. I would go as far to say, he was as revolutionary and instrumental in modern music, and performing as Mozart has been. No other artist in modern history has sold more records. I doubt anyone will even get close.
Alas, with all that, comes also the scandals. The tabloids were relentless, and the many, many people who chased his money, were equally as vicious. There were allegations of child molestation, bad business deals, equally bad business relations, eccentric behavior, and reclusiveness. Add to that his unimaginable altering of his physical appearance, and you can see a man in turmoil. Perhaps that is what makes his death even more sad. We may never really know why he was the way he was, if he really did interfere with children. Want to know my opinion? I think he's the classic victim of child stardom. I think his lack of a real childhood, and being forced to grow up well before he was ready, caused him to revert to childlike tendencies in adulthood. I think maturity wise he was a child mixed up with an adult, struggling to make sense of it all, and hence you have the mess he turned into. It's really sad to see someone who created so much happiness, love, and joy through his music, stuck forever in a constant inner conflict.
However despite all those problems He was able to truly touch the world, and leave a lasting impression. I was a big fan of Michael's in my young years, and even now, I'm still a fan of his music. My first memory of music and entertainment comes from standing by my dad in front of the TV as the Thriller video debuted, I was mesmerized. From then on I've owned every album of his from Off the Wall (my personal favorite) to Dangerous, and the History 2 disc set. Even now I can still sing many of his songs word for word, and that's not because I was some super fan or anything, but I think it's a testament to how good his songs and music were, that it stuck with you. Beyond his song writing, he was also a performer. Probably one of the greatest performers ever! He did everything big, big and grand. Apparently he was an absolute perfectionist, and it showed in his dancing stage show, and singing. He also was notorious for revolutionizing the music video, people would wait for premiers of his video's as if they were the next big blockbuster movie. And rarely did he disappoint, sparing no expense.
All in all, I just wanted to share my thoughts on this event. It truly is one of those times where the old cliche rings true, "you'll remember where you were the day Michael Jackson died." He was revolutionary, he was iconic, he was influential, he was an amazing talent, a gift to the world, he was Michael Jackson. My hope is that although he was very contraversial in his private life; that we all remember him for his gift of music to the world, and how that gift touched each and every one of us in some way. may he now rest, moon walking his way to the pearly gates.
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