A Tribute to Michael Jackson

I am writing this one day after the passing of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. I was among the millions of shocked fans to learn of his sudden death from cardiac arrest yesterday and am still in shock. It's surreal to see one of the icons of your generation to be taken so suddenly. I am dedicating this particular post to him, as I was a fan of his in my younger years, and an admirer in my older years.

I am likening this event to the passing of other musical greats: Elvis for the children of the 50's , John Lennon for the children of the 60's and Curt Cobain for the children of the 90's. I am a child of the 80's and Michael Jackson defined the landscape of popular culture of music, dance and fashion as well as revolutionized the visual medium of music videos in the infancy of MTV. I am of the MTV generation- and to us, Michael Jackson WAS the King of Pop.

I remember wanting the Thriller album so badly that year it came out...I was in 6th grade, and when I received that album for Christmas that year, I was over the moon. I learned every song- I learned every dance routine. I wanted to be "like Mike". Many of the children I knew felt the same way, we admired him, we looked up to him, and we emulated him. I danced to "Billie Jean" in the year end talent show in 6th grade, and although I didn't win, I was ecstatic to get a chance to perform to his music. I may have been a ballet/jazz dancer at the time, but his music transcended dance styles...you could dance any style to his songs and make it look cool.

Unfortunately I never got the opportunity to see him perform live in person, I was too young to see a concert (my parents' rules ) and I lament the loss of that opportunity as it has been lost forever now that I am old enough to do whatever I want to do! However, I witnessed every live TV event he was on, and enjoyed the performances. The Motown 25th Anniversary Special sticks out in my mind, as that was the first time we witnessed him doing the moonwalk. The Grammys for that year also come to mind, as he won 6 awards- an unbelievable feat for any solo artist. He was the best performer that ever lived, and I always believed that.

I have decided to remember Michael Jackson for all the great music and dancing that he left behind. I choose not to dwell on the particular eccentricities of his personal life that the tabloids and gossip columnists fed on. To me, Michael Jackson was larger than life, he was talented and he was a genius in music. His legacy is large in scope and is here for all of us to enjoy forever. His spirit will live on in his music and in that way he is immortal.

God rest his soul and condolences to his family, especially his 3 children.

God Bless!
That's it and that's all I have to say about that....