Yesterday, when I was waiting to eat at a restaurant in the Back Bay, I overheard a few people mentioning that the King of Pop was dead. Then someone said, that is not definite but in the hospital. It was later confirmed by my sister when I got home after salsa dancing.
Michael Jackson will be missed. His personal life was fraught with scandal, weirdness and fragility. I remember my first memories of him were from his record breaking album "Thriller" spawning "Beat It," "Billy Jean" and "Thriller". His dancing and music videos revolutionized and influenced performers, dancers, singers worldwide with his dancing style, ground breaking videos, singing and songs. He won 8 grammies from this album alone in the 1980's. I remember alot of kids were enthralled by him and had the one glove, black hat and perfected the moon walk and other dance moves he did. One kid in elementary school had the glove, black hat and the red leather jacket he wore in "Beat It."
You know you make it when Weird Al parodies your song and I loved "Eat It". The first time I watched the video I was laughing so much.
I thought he was a cute kid and later on when he lightened his skin, underwent many plastic surgery procedures to change his face or his brief marriages--one highly publicized one with Lisa Marie Presley. Or the scandal of dangling one of his kids over a window. Then you have the accusations into his personal life from a few years ago.
Throughout his 50 years, he has had his ups and down and it was said he was gearing to make a big comeback concert to start in 2 weeks. But alas, this is not to be. Funny how people will sweep away all the weirdness and controversies and remember him as an icon. But justifiably so, he has been a trailblazer in the POP world, a African American who was listened by ALL people around the world. A true symbol a musical talent hailed all across the world blurring race and color lines. How many singers can say they have achieved what he has?
May he rest in peace.
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