Michael Jackson is one of my earliest pop music memories. I was born in 1978 so I've never lived in a world without Michael. I'm not the type to get overly emotional about celebrities but when I heard that Michael Jackson had died, an immediate sadness swept over me. I was running some errands and listening to the radio in my car. June 25th was a rare occasion that I didn't have my ipod plugged into my car. I was listening to Ryan Seacrest's show when he made the announcement that Michael Jackson was dead at age 50. I gasped when I heard the news. Then Man in Mirror began playing and I felt the tears begin to flow.
I've never had a strong reaction like that regarding a celebrity's death and it made me wonder, why did Michael Jackson have such an affect? My emotions are very tied to music and songs can either bring me great joy or profound melancholy. Some artists are able to bring out their soul through their music and I feel that Michael Jackson was one of them. I can remember listening to Billie Jean (my all time favorite MJ song) and of course Thriller (which I can watch over and over and never get tired of it). There's no denying Michael's immense talent. From his voice and music style to his dancing and overall showmanship. So many artists that I like today were significantly influenced by Micheal and his death for Gen Xers like myself is equivalent to the death of Elvis Presley or John Lennon.
I'm reminded of the lyric from American Pie "...something touched me deep inside the day the music died." This is truly the end of an era.
Michael's personal problems were displayed through the media and he certainly was eccentric. I don't know if that part of his persona was real or just playing to the cameras; I figure it was a mix of both. I think the child molestation charges tainted his image irrevocably but I have to believe that justice was served with his acquittals. Any sins he did commit are between him and God now. I can only see that he brought a great deal of happiness to people around the world through his music as well as his philanthropic endeavors.
I think Michael was a tragic genius looking for his place in this world. For all his riches and world renown it seems he never found peace in this life but I wish it for him in the next. Rest well Michael, your music lives forever!
