Michael Jackson, one of the greats
It's not something I've hid, but it's not something I've proclaimed, but the reality of the matter is I've been a lifelong Michael Jackson fan.
When Jackson's Thriller album dropped in 1982, I was seven years old and ready to rock. It was the soundtrack for my year and for years to come. I almost wore out a copy of "The making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" and am still proud to say I still know all the dance moves to the Thriller video.
When news came in yesterday afternoon that Jackson was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest, I was numb. I went on about my day, but a little voice inside my head wouldn't go away. It was memories whispering to me, forcing me to recall the past. And what a cool past it was.
In addition to Thriller, I owned most every Jackson album and still believe to this day that the music produced from about 1978 until the early 90s is perhaps the best ever produced. More than that, he was an entertainer.
I still hear people talk about where they were when the Beatles played the Ed Sullivan Show. To my generation, the question is "Where were you when you watched the Motown's 25th anniversary special"?
I was at my home on Vine Street and I watched just to see Jackson sing. The song is going along fine, everything's cool, I'm loving it and then it happened; one of the single coolest moments of my life. Jackson spins, hesitates, looks at the crowd and unleashed the Moonwalk on us. I still get chills watching that clip.
In music history, Jackson shares space with the greats. The top three in my opinion are The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Those three artists were able to transcend their music and make an impact on society that will never be forgotten.
For me, Michael Jackson's life was something of a sad tale. I know there are a lot of negative feelings by some, but I view his life just as I've always viewed Elvis' -- lonely. I hope now that his soul is at peace.
I encourage everyone to dig in your collection; find some classic Jackson 5 or any of his solo works and let the music take you somewhere. If you are like me, I guarantee you'll find yourself in a good place.
- -- Posted by calcans1 on Sat, Jun 27, 2009, at 5:41 PM
- -- Posted by Cole on Sun, Jun 28, 2009, at 2:13 AM
- -- Posted by purple_heat on Sun, Jun 28, 2009, at 9:39 PM
- -- Posted by indtonyc on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 7:05 AM
- -- Posted by purple_heat on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 7:57 AM
- -- Posted by IndianaTrue on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 9:19 AM
- -- Posted by Michele1953 on Mon, Jun 29, 2009, at 11:14 AM
Posting a comment requires free registration:
- If you already have an account, follow this link to login
- Otherwise, follow this link to register