One of the nice things about having a blog is that you can go “off topic” once in awhile.
I think I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my sadness in the passing of Michael Jackson last week. May he rest in peace. His passing touched me, because I have this feeling that we grew up together– we’re the same generation, and I first got to know of him growing up as a kid in the late 60′s. I remember watching his Jackson 5 cartoon and seeing him on Sonny and Cher and all those variety shows of the day. His Off the Wall album topped the charts when I was in the 10th grade.
My sentiments are that Michael Jackson was a gift to the world. He epitomized the song and dance routine like no one else before him, blending both art forms into a new one that was simply pure entertainment– exciting and stimulating to the visual and aural senses. I can say with confidence that there will never be another entertainer of MJ’s caliber again. I compare him to Bruce Lee, the late martial artist who died suddenly at age 34 in 1973. In a sea of very talented individuals, both men eclipsed the rest and reigned supreme in a category all by themselves.
Yes, I know he had a controversial life; particularly the last half of his life. His mannerisms and behavior were a bit too odd for some people. But for me, personally, I look at the whole picture in matters like this. I also believe in forgiveness, and not being overly judgmental. Any my position is that Michael Jackson’s good made up for his shortcomings by a very wide margin. He was an advocate for world peace, a humanitarian, an artist whose music brought people from all walks of life together. He lived the life of a megastar battling internal demons. But the joy he brought to millions while he was on this planet, his humanitarian contributions, and his gifts to charity are like a 1,000 megawatt light that drowns out those dark moments; and my memories of him will be fond.
Michael, thanks for the memories…
See a poignant video of Michael, circa 1979
