Yesterday was such a sad day for the celebrity world with the loss of 2 major stars- Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. My middle sister, Leanne, is one of Michael's biggest fans (and has been since she was a little girl) so she asked me to blog about the King of Pop today.
As I was driving to work and scanning thru Sirius Radio on the 610 loop as I do on most mornings, I was so glad to hear the music of the true pop legend, Michael Jackson, on nearly every station on my preset list. Listening to the jams of Jackson's long standing musical career made me realize that nearly every single point of my 25 year life had somehow been influenced by the King of Pop.
When I was a really little kid, I can remember my mom ironing in our living room and watching VH1 and MTV, and I rest assure that many of the videos included hits by the King of Pop. As a 4 year old, I thought it was boring that Mom was watching these music videos...oh how times changed when I entered my preteen years.
I vividly remember being in a 3rd grade carpool which "Heal the World" was played OVER and OVER again. I loved it, even at age 8 (or 9? How old ARE you in 3rd grade?) I really thought that we could HEAL the world.
Also in elementary school, I remember being in P.E. class and making up a jump rope routine to "Black and White." I think Black and White is what started Leanne's musical fascination with Michael Jackson...we LOVED that song, especially the beginning with the kids talking.
While I don't remember one specific instance during high school involving Michael Jackson, I can say with clear certainty that his hits were all over my mix-tapes and mix-CDs that I made.
College brought so many memories involving the musical legends music. From the Tri-Delta skit with Jackson 5 hit "ABC" redone to "DDD", to many nights on the Dublins and Bogies dance floor dancing to tunes such as "The Way You Make Me Feel" and "PYT". One of my fondest Michael Jackson memories was during a hot summer night in Houston spent at Sammy's bar, when my friend Lizzie was begging the band to play "Billie Jean" claiming that crowd will go WILD!
And now, in my so-called "adulthood", the death of a musical icon who has had a career spanning 40 years has died, and I, along with the rest of America, am sad at his passing. I think it is clear to interpret that Michael's life was a successful yet sad one. Various interviews made it clear that he was often a lonely, and in my opinion, very odd man.
A friend of mine on Facebook had the status yesterday "The day the music died." But they were wrong, from a young age I have always loved Elvis and his music and he was NEVER alive when I was. So I know that generations forward will play Michael Jackson hits for their children, and his music will never die.
Let us remember the Man in the Mirror, and his family, on this sad day in music and American history. And let us continue to play his hits, that have made us laugh and dance for years and years.
Also on this day, let us remember the passing of icon Farrah Fawcett, and continue to hope for a cure for cancer. I watched a 20/20 special on her last night and was moved by the comments friends and family made on her looking fear in the face as she fought her battle with cancer.
