It is hard to read what I am reading on the news. Michael Jackson is dead.
I was alive when Lennon, Elvis and Diana died yet I can not even recall anything equaling the shock of disbelief about this. For those in their 20’s or 30′ growing up you could not just escape Michael Jackson. No matter if it were a love of his artistic genius or his personal controversy Michael Jackson was someone who could not be ignored.
I remember my first experience of Jakson was when my cousin Samantha babysat for my sister and I the same night that the video of Thriller was shown on TV. I was never so scared in my entire life! But I also became hooked as a fan. I saved my 50p a week pocket money until I was rich enough to purchase “Thriller”. Not only was the album the greatest selling album in music history but I played it so much it was scratched to death.in 1988 I purchased “Bad”, it was the album that totally defined my generation, songs such as Dirty Diana,Bad and the dancing genius that was Smooth Criminal was an album that, to me, even topped Thriller.
Following Bad the albums were not in the same mould to match them yet in all my musical experiences, covering any genre, I do feel there was not a more all rounded artist better than Jackson. My eighteen year old niece is of a generation where his personal life overshadowed his artistic genius. But with any talent, there is always controversy. Too much has been said over the years about that so I want to concentrate on his music.
His dancing was something that paved the way for many artists today. Timberlake, Akon et all have copied or been influenced my Jackson. Just mark my words that the tributes will come flooding in. He was the self proclaimed “King of Pop”, I have no arguments there.
It is hard to sum up Michael Jackson in such few words. I just hope that his musical talent will be his lasting legacy. It is difficult to ever imagine someone that will be as influential, talented and as popular again. I will leave you with my favourite Michael Jackson song ever. His prayers are with my family.
RIP Michael Jackson – The True King Of Pop.