The death of an icon like Michael Jackson is one of those unifying events that reminds us how very much we have in common. I would defy you to find an American thirty-something who cannot remember the first time they saw Michael Jackson dance, scooting across the floor in a motion that we didn’t even have words for yet. It was only later that we learned it was called the Moonwalk.
Like most girls my age, Michael Jackson and his music was very much a part of my childhood. He was so important, I remember the slumber party we had when we finally rented the Thriller video (that included the making of). This was before cable had come to Blaine, Minnesota, there was no MTV.
There are no words that seem capable of expressing the emotion that comes when the “luv” of your life dies. Everything seems inadequate and cliche and an echo of everything else being said.
I seriously get everything you’re saying but MJ was not without major issues and while never convicted…I cannot put him in the St. Paul category or even debate about who’s a better man.
I always thought it was nice to know that if in my biggest fantasy if I kissed Paul…or he kissed me *swoon* no one’s nose would fall off and no one would be holding a child’s photo.
The Michael Jackson I loved didn’t have major issues. His biggest issue was whether to take Webster or Brooke Shields to the Grammys.
I know what he became or allegedly became, but that does not dismiss or belittle what he was and what he created. Sometimes, as difficult as it is, you have to separate the art from the artist.
upload of the Minneapolis City Hall bells playing “I’ll Be You” http://jakemohan.net/archives/1690
I went to the site linked above, the bells are playing “I’ll be there” not “I’ll be you”, disappointing.
Sorry Heather, typo. It was from a memorial MJ concert on Friday. If it’d been “I’ll Be You” then we’d be talking memorial PW concert: really disappointing.