I, like everyone else, am still deeply hurt by the death of Michael Jackson. I find myself talking about him constantly, like I'm a long time friend or family member. I'm not, but he has such a tremendous effect on my life I feel like I know him. Whenever I speak with friends they often say to me "when I heard about Michael's death,the first person I thought of was you."
Yes I am the self proclaimed biggest Michael Jackson fan EVER. I cried when he was burned during the filming of the Pepsi commercial in the 80's. I learned that he loved animation so I bought him a $50 book on Disney animation magic with the intention of mailing it to Neverland, but that never happened. My 13 year old self only made $5 a week in allowance and I could not afford the shipping and handling costs. Thankfully I did not have to reimburse my step dad for the cost of the book. My bedroom was a shrine to the King of Pop with a wall full of posters, a scrapbook full of clippings and a Beat It jacket full of buttons. I collected every cover of every newspaper and magazine that featured him, I even daydreamed of the dress I would wear at our wedding. I was the ultimate fan. I saw the Victory tour twice, learned the thriller dance in one sitting and performed it almost daily in school. I was the ultimate fan.
As an adult I cringed at the bad press, the allegations, the change in appearance but I still believed that he was a misunderstood soul. I AM his biggest fan. No matter what his music is ALWAYS played in my home, my plays, my classroom, my radio shows...in my life. I AM his biggest fan. As an adult I also realize that I share the title of his Biggest Fan with billions of people around the world. We are his biggest fans!
In honor of his life & legacy and in light of his memorial service today I thought it would be nice to create this blog to share memories and thoughts about the world's greatest entertainer. Please share your thoughts and memories as well.
Here are just a few video memories of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (courtesy of Youtube):
Never Can Say Goodbye
Sugar Daddy
Rare I Want You Back
Michael and his brother's LOCKING
Enjoy Yourself (from the Variety show)
Please share your comments. Enjoy!
"Remembering A Giant"
ReplyDeleteLet's remember him for what he did! Let's remember the great music he gave us. Let's remember his dance moves that defied gravity. Let's remember him for his humanitarian and charitable works that benefited many individuals throughout the world.
Here in America is the final resting place of the "Gloved One," "The King of Pop, " "The Greatest Artist of Any Century"--Michael Jackson. We were shocked to hear of his untimely death. 100 years from now we'll ask one another, "Where were you and what where you doing when you heard the news that he belongs to the Ages?"
His name will endure as long as the universe endures. Bereave him not, for he has cemented his rightful place in the history of civilization.
There are some in society that will say we shouldn't revere him, for he was a child molester, a drug addict, mentally unbalanced and other vile rhetoric. To that we must reply, "Did you know him to be that which you accuse him of? Were you there when he gave his time and energy to raise public awareness about world hunger and HIV/AIDS? Do you remember the time he performed in war torn countries, and the two factions ceased fire so they could attend his concert while they stood side by side dancing and singing to his music?"
That is who he was! That is how we should remember him. Remember him for transcending love, respect, racial tolerance, and social injustice through his music that influenced over four decades, uniting generations of young and old.
When our great grandchildren ask who was Michael Jackson, lean back, take a deep breath, smile and reply, "Let me tell you of a time when I walked among giants. And he was the greatest of them all."
Best Regards,
Anthony P. Johnson, Ph.D. Candidate, Author
Founder & CEO
Dream Field Academy
647 East Raymond Street
Philadelphia, PA 19120
Office: 215-744-1773
Cell: 215-715-0355
antho@earthlink.net
I love Michael Jackson and so do my friends. When I was in my high school, my friends like to wear cool Hollister UK jeans and shirts to act as Michael Jackson.
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