When celebrities pass, the media goes into a frenzy and our senses end up in overload. We are bombarded with past and current tidbits of gossip and we often wonder where the real truth is. We, the public, may never know the intricacies of Michael Jackson's death, but we have all been affected by his talent.
I was a teenager when The Jackson 5 made it big. I still remember Michael's first solo hit, "Ben." My girlfriends and I used to drive around after school and when that song came on the radio we all crooned along.
When Thriller hit the charts my daughter wanted that album for her birthday. I searched several stores before I found one. Thriller sold out in each place it was sold. My daughter recently reminded me she received two Thriller albums that year. One with the great picture on it, the other had a flap with even more pictures. Very cool! I remember many Michael Jackson Halloween costumes for years after that. Everyone did the moonwalk. Well, everyone tried to moonwalk, only a few succeeded! But it was fun trying and even more fun watching others show off their interpretations.
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop! And as a writer I admire the lyrical talent he possessed. He is an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is a double inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He holds eight Guiness World Records, more than a dozen Grammy Awards and a couple dozen Billboard Awards, plus numerous other awards. I wonder which meant the most to him.
Yes, Michael Jackson was eccentric, but aren't most overly talented people? Many say he struggled with an unhappy childhood, others disagree. Unfavorable publicity clouds his personna as much as the tribulations. He continued to recreate himself with each new decade, not always in a favorable light. Yet his music left everlasting impressions. He sold over 100 million records! The 25th Anniversary of Thriller sold over 2.1 million copies worldwide in 2008.
All I can say to that is ... wow!
What do you remember most about Michael Jackson? His songs? His changing face? His long career? Share your thoughts with us.
Do you have a favorite Michael Jackson song? Tell us!
Til next time ~
DL Larson
3 comments:
I feel sad about him because he couldn't be happy with all his talent.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
I know, I feel the same way. He seemed an unhappy soul.
Thanks for sharing.
DL Larson
I've learned more about Michael Jackson since he died than I've known all the years that I've been a fan. One of the saddest things is that he never really knew how much he was loved and admired for his extraordinary talent until after his death.
Post a Comment