The King is dead - a shocking end to an American Tragedy. Michael Jackson unexpectedly passed away today. Then again, I should never use the word "unexpected" with Michael Jackson, you should expect the unexpected. Whether it was child abuse charges, plastic surgery, backyard theme parks, or dangling his baby off the terrace, Jackson knew how to make headlines for the wrong reasons.Some of my earliest memories of childhood are of my neighborhood friends and I sitting on my driveway, taking turns showing off our sorry "moonwalks." All of us thought we could do it. Then, we'd go inside and watch the videotape of the King "moonwalking," and we knew we'd never be able to come close.
As I sit here and write this, the television at my desk is cycling through various Michael highlights. With each song a different emotion arises. "I Want You Back" brings out a smile, because I'm picturing a tiny little boy blasting out those amazing vocals on the Ed Sullivan Show, complete with a big MJ smile on his face. Those images will never fade.
Then there's "Thriller," a song that doesn't bring out memories of the radio, but the greatest music video ever made. Period. There's no discussion. The making-of documentary behind "Thriller" also remains a classic, it's almost as if director John Landis knew he was entering legendary territory with that thing before he even starting pre-production.
And how about "Beat It," a pop anthem with one of the best EVH guitar solos of all time? Michael was just that kind of star - he was a guy who attracted fans across the spectrum. A metal-head could convincingly tell his friends that he was an MJ fan, and he wouldn't leave the room with a broken nose. It was hits like "Beat It" that made it possible.
I still remember renting "Moonwalker" over and over again. Again, my geeky friends and I getting into it - trying to reenact the "Smooth Criminal" scene, each of us falling over as we tried to lean directions the human body was never meant to lean.
Unless, of course, you were the King. He could move in ways people will never be able to move. The man could float across a stage. He was an unbelievable talent, which makes it even more devastating to see how this story ended.
What started as a small wonder with all kinds of promise was slowly torn down, mostly by the subject of one of his finest songs, "Human Nature." As Michael's life continued, his appearance changed, both inside, outside, and throughout the community. Through rumors and accusations of pedophilia, bizarre plastic surgery, and strange public antics - Michael Jackson slowly spun down the drain of American media. As quickly as the public created this larger than life persona, so savagely did just as many turn on him.
A co-worker mentioned that it might be a good thing Michael went as suddenly as he did. Where was this story going? Did we really want to see a broke, down and out Michael? How long would his entourage stick around when he had nothing left? I hope his last moments were absolutely painless, regardless of what he may or may not be guilty of, I know he deserves that.
Michael Jackson leaves us at the early age of 50, but he also leaves us with an impressive catalog of work. He may be missed by many, but Michael Jackson will certainly never be forgotten.
Michael Jackson, dead of a cardiac arrest on June 25th, 2009.
This morning Dean Richards and the WGN Morning News put together a great piece encapsulating Jackson's career.....
Then there's "Thriller," a song that doesn't bring out memories of the radio, but the greatest music video ever made. Period. There's no discussion. The making-of documentary behind "Thriller" also remains a classic, it's almost as if director John Landis knew he was entering legendary territory with that thing before he even starting pre-production.
And how about "Beat It," a pop anthem with one of the best EVH guitar solos of all time? Michael was just that kind of star - he was a guy who attracted fans across the spectrum. A metal-head could convincingly tell his friends that he was an MJ fan, and he wouldn't leave the room with a broken nose. It was hits like "Beat It" that made it possible.
I still remember renting "Moonwalker" over and over again. Again, my geeky friends and I getting into it - trying to reenact the "Smooth Criminal" scene, each of us falling over as we tried to lean directions the human body was never meant to lean.
Unless, of course, you were the King. He could move in ways people will never be able to move. The man could float across a stage. He was an unbelievable talent, which makes it even more devastating to see how this story ended.
What started as a small wonder with all kinds of promise was slowly torn down, mostly by the subject of one of his finest songs, "Human Nature." As Michael's life continued, his appearance changed, both inside, outside, and throughout the community. Through rumors and accusations of pedophilia, bizarre plastic surgery, and strange public antics - Michael Jackson slowly spun down the drain of American media. As quickly as the public created this larger than life persona, so savagely did just as many turn on him.
A co-worker mentioned that it might be a good thing Michael went as suddenly as he did. Where was this story going? Did we really want to see a broke, down and out Michael? How long would his entourage stick around when he had nothing left? I hope his last moments were absolutely painless, regardless of what he may or may not be guilty of, I know he deserves that.
Michael Jackson leaves us at the early age of 50, but he also leaves us with an impressive catalog of work. He may be missed by many, but Michael Jackson will certainly never be forgotten.
Michael Jackson, dead of a cardiac arrest on June 25th, 2009.
This morning Dean Richards and the WGN Morning News put together a great piece encapsulating Jackson's career.....
