The photo above was used for the cover of Michael Jackson's album which I first started to listen.
My introduction to Michael Jackson happened before my primary school days. My brother was a hardcore fan and he had music videos of MJ on those old fashioned VHS video tapes. My aunt used to allow us to play the video every now and then and I was so thrilled by it! :D
My favourite video clip was from his music Bad. I guess I was fascinated by his black out-fit and his coolness being the leader of the gang in the video. I was very afraid of Thriller till today with zombies coming out from their tombs. :(
I guess he continued to evolve as the years passed becoming fairer. It was his song "Black and White" that caught my attention where he looked so different.
I feel his songs managed to penetrate all kinds of listeners both young and old. It is his charm and his cool dancing moves that fascinated audiences the world over. Ask people about MJ whether young or old and they will answer you yes they have either heard of him or watched him.
As I watch now on Youtube the many music videos of his time, what I noticed is the multi-racial dancers in the background. Only now I realize his hidden message to unite people of the world regardless of race which was something that was difficult, even back in the 1980s. I guess it was his way of playing his part towards breaking the barriers of race that still existed at that time. That barrier may have been broken from how the world is today in terms of the dependency and interaction of people amongst each other. However, racism sadly still exist today and it is just limiting us from discovering the culture and beauty of other races.
From what I believe, he really loved kids sincerely even if they were not his. He really took kids who were less fortunate and gave them a good time in his own haven called Neverland. The home come park was filled with entertainment rides, games and animals. He wanted to capture that happiness in his home and share it with people.
Honestly, I don't feel he grew up and was a child living in an adults body. How can you blame him since he shot up to stardom from such a young age and pretty much missed out on his childhood. His father was also pushing him to stardom to benefit from the talent of his children as he came from a very poor beginning.
Sadly on the 25th of July 2009 Michael Jackson passed away as a result of an overdose of prescription drugs. All can be said and done but nothing will change the fact that he is gone. What he has left behind is a true legacy and milestone in the music industry that has created such a global impact. It will be hard to find someone to match his credentials.
His father, Joe Jackson said that his son is now bigger than ever after passing away. It is sad that we did not appreciate him when he was alive then. It was those times when he was alive that we were so drawn to the sensationalized story of him accused as a child molester.
Michael Jackson was so big and had a lot of money. Who did not know that? Being a person who reads a lot that goes on in America, I know that there are many crazy people out there who want to capitalize on it by coming up with false stories.
Somehow the stories died off. Could have MJ paid them or fallen victim to their pleas? From what I heard MJ was such a kind guy and did not want any trouble. I feel he may have granted their wishes by giving them what they asked for.
Only end of last year he was involved in another lawsuit from a Sheik from Saudi Arabia who claimed he had breached a performance contract when actually it was the Sheikh that may have misunderstood the agreement. The issue was later resolved out of court.
His businesses also did not run well and were later sold off to corporations. I feel the reason for his financial dilemma may be due to his financial advisors who may have misappropriated his money or it could be MJ who may have splurged on the money that he had as his life was filled with extravagance.
I feel he died a poor man. He sold off his Neverland ranch in 2008 that he wants dreamed of and that he loved so much. He died in a rented mansion where he was alone.
I read about Lisa Marie Presley's post on her blog from CNN and I am able to gather how she(MJ's ex-wife and first woman he married) must have felt as a wife. You could tell she loved him and cared for him. She tried her best to help him combat the addiction to prescription drugs. He did tell her that he may end up like her father, Elvis, the King of Rock. The story may have turned out to be true. The story of MJ and Lisa is a story of love between a couple and not to be misinterpreted with the media as a public display of attention!
MJ inspired the world! Where do we go now?
R.I.P. Michael Jackson (1958 to 2009)
