Reflection and Opinion: A Few Words In Remembrance of Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
Email The death of Michael Jackson is strangely personal to a lot of us. He was brimming with talent. No matter how unusual he became and no matter how odd his surrounding world seemed from the outside, his talent could not be taken away from him. His legacy was earned. In fact one could easily argue that he ultimately paid for it with the lost childhood he obviously was still trying to recapture.
Personally, Michael Jackson’s cultural contribution was a huge part of my childhood. “Thriller” was the first album I remember consciously wanting to buy. I’m guessing there are many people around my age who feel the same way. It was the first album I remember wanting to listen to from front to back over, and over and over again. All nine of those songs were culturally ubiquitous at the time. “Thriller” was an album everyone seemed to own. It was something uniquely unifying. People of all different walks of life all around the world enjoyed this record. As a very young listener, this level of enthusiasm was encouraging. It was the perfect starter record. It opened the flood gates and pretty soon I was asking my parents for music by the Beatles and the Beach Boys. It’s sort of strange I suppose that “Thriller,” a then contemporary record, seemed to open me up to the older “classics,” but I think even at my very young age I knew that it was not just a run-of-the-mill record. Perhaps it was Paul McCartney’s guest performance on “The Girl Is Mine,” (the weakest track on the record in my opinion) that made me want to explore the Beatles in particular.
The fact is, “Thriller” is a record that can’t be diminished. It’s bulletproof! No matter what weird accusations toward Michael surfaced as the years passed, it still somehow wasn’t tarnished in any way shape or form.
My love of “Thriller” as an album also allowed me to really appreciate “Weird Al” Yankovic. His parody of “Beat It,” (“Eat It”) was a huge hit in my first grade class. Both performers had a special place in the embryonic stage of my musical taste. (To this day, I’m still a “Weird Al” fan!) In 1987, I remember getting “Bad” on vinyl. Sure, it wasn’t quite as powerful as “Thriller,” but it had its own charms. “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man In The Mirror” and “Smooth Criminal” stood out as highlights to me.
By the time “Dangerous” came out in 1991, I was growing a little out of Michael, but it was a record I still fondly appreciated. Both Michael and Janet Jackson shared a unique eclecticism. Not only could they both seamlessly weave typical pop and R&B together, but they also both seemed to be able to put elements of hard rock into the mix. I remember marveling at the fact that Slash played all over “Dangerous.” At the time, to me, Slash seemed like the best go-to guy if you wanted a flashy, great, hard-edged guitar solo.
For me, after “Dangerous,” the scandals pretty much took over and so I was listening to Michael’s music less and less. It’s as if he faded away. Sure, I always went back to “Thriller,” but I also went even further back to his Motown recordings with the Jackson 5. Hearing this child with this booming, powerful voice seemed both amazing and sad at the same time. It seemed like Michael was just getting more and more unusual. How could this tremendously talented, seemingly normal little boy have turned into this enigmatic, reclusive, bizarre figure? It’s still perplexing to me.
Michael Jackson will be someone we discuss and debate about for decades to come. One gets the idea that if he hadn’t been quite as famous as he was he might have been able to open up and record even more. He was such a magnet for the media that I’m sure what was initially a blessing, became a curse. He obviously felt the pressure. Just listen to his song “Leave Me Alone” from 1987.
It’s horrible to see him go. A big part of my youth is now gone as well. There will never be another Michael Jackson. To this day, when I listen to “Thriller,” I’m immediately taken back to the early eighties. That innocent feeling of excitement for music rushes over me just as it did twenty-six years ago. It’s a vivid experience and one I’m sure many other people share.
As far as the allegations are concerned, we may never actually know all that happened in his private life. At this point, all we can truly cling to is his music. He was positively one of a kind. Looking at his life through the public’s eyes, you get the feeling that he wanted some sort of sense of normalcy but didn’t really know how to get it. Could he have possibly been happy?
What’s even more tragic is that he was about to embark on a potentially revitalizing world tour. It’s very sad that he was cut down right when he was once again about to shine. No doubt the story of Michael Jackson is ultimately a cautionary one.
So, today, please dust off your old copies of “Off The Wall,” “Thriller,” or “Bad.” Blast some of the old Jackson 5 music. For the moment, forget the spectacle that Michael Jackson became and just celebrate the music that made him an inspiration to so many. In his prime, before all the distractions and outside noise, he really was a pop genius.
Thanks for everything, Michael.. It’s not going to be the same world without you.
Please feel free to share your Michael Jackson memories. What does his legacy mean to you?
Pray Away the Gay? 
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we will miss you michael thank you for sharing your talent with us Richie
Posted by: Richie | June 26, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
michael thank you for sharing your talent with us you will be missed rest now michael Rchie
Posted by: Richie | June 26, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
I remember staying up late for the premier of the “Black or White” video. It was am amazing video- one of his best. I was cheering him on for his comeback- now I’m sad that I can’t stay up late for another video from him.
Posted by: TK | June 26, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
Michael Jackson’s name is one of the most simplistic names, but the power and meaning associated with it is anything but simple. It feels like a nightmare that no one will wake up from. No matter what you thought about his personal life, or should I say what was portrayed in the media, it was the magnitude of what he did not only for music but for American culture is unimaginable. We all listened and danced but never understood that his kindness, his generosity, his belief in people was understood and felt by people all over the world. In the most remote corners of the world. I would put money on the fact that if any of us traveled to any corner of the earth and said the name “Michael Jackson” no language barrier would mask the sadness felt by all. Those who made fun of and tried to torment him never prevailed. He knew at the core he was loved. I pray that those who knew him and were in his life made sure he knew how much he was loved. Those of you who mocked and chuckled at him I pray that the success you desire is never reached. You will never know the success Michael knew. God smiled on him and he smiled on us in return. I pray Michael knew the Lord and accepted him as his Lord and Savior, so one day we will sit at the foot of the throne in Heaven, together. May his mother, father, brothers, sisters and most of all his children find some peace in this dark hour. Now is not a time of sadness it is a time of celebration, Michael did not relish in sadness he let his brilliance and light shine for all to see. May God lift this heavy burden off of your heart and replace it with peace and happiness.
With all of my love,
Melissa Phillips, Kansas City, MO
Posted by: Melissa Phillips | June 26, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
Enough already with Micheal Jackson. My god can’t you guys find anything to report on instead of him. He’s a has been. It’s finally over, forget it, move on. He wasn’t a god or anything even close.
Posted by: karen | June 27, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
“It’s finally over”…dude, Karen, harsh!
Posted by: IS | June 28, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
This was beautifully written. I did exactly as you said – I got my tape of “Thriller” and played it full blast and remembered all of the wonderful times I had experiencing Michael Jackson sound and performances. He will sorely be missed.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Molly
Posted by: Molly Ruoff | June 28, 2009, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
Mr. Jackson is such a wonderful man and a sweet soul. Sadly, he was killed by the cruelty of this world. One of the interviews done by Martin Bashir is the worst. He is a man lacking of honesty and integrity. He twisted the story to serve his self-interest. What a shame.
Posted by: test | July 6, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
We are watching. We stayed behind to watch on TV. Dear ABCNews, don’t let the reduced crowds mislead you to think we’re not mourning Michael Jackson. Most of us have to be at work – since it is a weekday today Tuesday July 7, 2009 and we can’t risk our jobs in this economy. So the farthest we can travel is to the internet or to our TV. But we’re watching – because we are grieving everywhere. God Bless.
Posted by: Betty | July 7, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Hopefully this hoopla will end soon.
Posted by: Huh | July 7, 2009, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Why is ABC giving Joe Jackson the time of day? I am so disappointed in this decision… Just because NBC had Jermaine–which was creepy enough, ABC decided they needed to do something to compete. :p I’ll be watching anything else.
Posted by: Lydia | July 12, 2009, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
I agree with this young man. What is wrong with Americans today that they would idolize an entertainer before God or te men and women that fight to keep us free?? Michael Jackson is just a man that sang….he never gave his life for any of us~
THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER IN IRAQ.
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael
Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an
entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent
millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villian to many
people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and
I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn’t the point
of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
country was to ENTERTAIN people, the Amercian people find the need to
flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to
hold a “moment of silence” for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he’s a
freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What
about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those
Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war,
still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the
United States of America . Where is there moment of silence? Where
are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over
them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a
Soldier dies, there are more people saying “good ridence,” and “thank
God for IEDs?” When did this country become so calloused to the
sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off
thier deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a “Pop
Icon?”
=2 0
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS
for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every
service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY
recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people
can live their callous little lives in the luxory and freedom that WE,
those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for
them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have
been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never
20 make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit
songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat
and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass
this along if you want.
Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
serving in the military;
“So that others may live…”
–
Isaac
Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you.
Jesus Christ and The American G.I.
One died for your sins, the other died to give you freedom.
Posted by: sheila | July 14, 2009, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
I believe Michael died of a broken heart. The doctors may have a physical
hand at him but so did his public.
I can’t even imagine what was going through Michael mind. But just imagine the sam public who lifted him up one day also tore him down. Ousted because
someone accused him of molesting their child when they were the one who allowed some child to spend the night just because they were so star struck
because their child was allowed to stay at a “stars” home. As a parent I thought that was not right. Then his music was band not to be played over the air. No private life and alsways in the camera of the sharks with camera.
And the list goes on. And now to be
at the hands of doctors who must have trusted.My, my, my. Why don’t these stars open their eyes and quit turning their lives over to these preditor doctors. WAKE UPPPPPPPPP!
Posted by: Betty M.L. | July 16, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
FACT: EVERYONE around him said he was SO strong and SO healthy and they pretend they all knew NOTHING was going on.???HIS OWN FAMILY! Look at him compared to EVERY man in the Jackson blood line and say he was healthy. The simple math behind it can prove that he was not. BLINDED by what they can get from him it is FACT he did not have a relationship with almost half of the family FACT: Michael told the world that his father abused him. FACT Joe Jackson hyped a new record label he is starting during his first press conference about his son being dead. FACT Michaels brothers were doing lawn work and errands for money. One was even bagging groceries. How close was he to them? Now watch them all pretend to be the closest to him. They will all make a buck on him. Look up the needle mark pictures that the police took and ask yourself how much they ALL really cared about him. Vitiligo was eating up his legs. THE KING OF POP LADIES AND GENTLEMAN
Posted by: truerhymesayer | July 30, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am