Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)
I grew up with the music of Michael Jackson. Didn’t we all? When he earned his title ‘King of Pop’ back in the ’80′s I was captivated by the person of Michael Jackson. I remember watching the countdown of his music video ‘Thriller’. It was announced all week and we all huddled up in front of the television to see what this much anticipated video was all about. It didn’t disappoint me. The next day I bought (then still only available in vinyl) his album. I played it day in, day out… Billy Jean, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, Human Nature…
A few days ago while reading about the death of Farah Fawcett (another icon) my twitter stream report that Michael Jackson has been taken to the hospital with a cardiac arrest. A few minutes later TMZ reports the King of Pop has died. From there I was surfing from CNN to LA Times, TMZ, Facebook, Twitter and every possible social media type you can think of… Like many others the internet came almost to a complete halt due to a spike in traffic.
So here we are. I’m playing MJ songs all weekend long. Loaded my iPod with his songs just to listen to the many, many memorable songs he has written. The following quote was found on reddit and it reflects what I think the majority of people can identify with. The original quote unfortunately is lost. If you know who wrote this please lemme know so I can quote this properly:
Michael Jackson was a tragically sad individual. Say what you want, the man was severely abused as a child, and went on to retreat completely into his fantasy world, where he’d never have to grow up or face what happened to him. His wealth allowed him to surround himself with yes-people who never questioned him, and never encouraged him to seek help. He alienated the people who truly cared about him, because they reminded him of his hurtful, negative past.
The real tragedy came when he went on to perpetuate the cycle of abuse with other children, whom he did truly, truly love … but not in an age-appropriate manner. He really saw himself as a child, and wanted so desperately to be one again, that he fell in love with everything about young children.
I’m not defending pedophilia, I find what he did to be wrong and not at all appropriate … but the only thing I can find myself feeling about his whole situation is sadness.
He was an extraordinarily talented individual, and it’s sad that all of the allegations and atrocities that came out of the 90′s will eclipse all of that. He gave us some industry-changing music, some of the best pop-music of all time. This whole situation is just really, really awful.
Right after the death of Michael Jackson spontaneous dance parties and flashmobs were held throughout the world. I collected some pictures of how people are celebrating the live of Michael Jackson.
(photo: Brian Siskind) The scene outside the Apollo theatre NY the night Michael Jackson died.
(photo: Louis Seigal)
(photo: Jennaphoenix) Trafalgar Square, London
(photo: Tanja N.) A flashmob takes place to pay tribute to Michael Jackson. It was organized in just a few hours via social networking sites Twitter and Facebook. The concept had been to moonwalk, although lack of space meant simply dancing had to suffice!
(photo: Andy Tanguay) Ann Arbor’s ‘Michael Jackson Guy’
(photo: Ernest Morales) Notre-Dame, Paris
(photo: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Piper James, 38, holds up his copy of Michael Jackson’s landmark “Thriller” album as he makes his way down Hollywood Boulevard soon after hearing of the pop star’s death. James said it wasn’t his favorite Jackson album, but he knew it was his most recognizable.
(photo: J. Sinclair O’Garro) Harlem Mourns the Death of Michael Jackson
(photo: Ernest Morales) Notre-Dame, Paris
(photo: J&R Photographie) Thousands of fans have met today June 26th, in front of Notre-Dame, in Paris, for a last homage to Michael Jackson.
From TMZ at 14:20 PST
We’ve just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50. Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back. A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived. A cardiologist at UCLA tells TMZ Jackson died of cardiac arrest. Once at the hospital, the staff tried to resuscitate him but he was completely unresponsive. A source inside the hospital told us there was “absolute chaos” after Jackson arrived. People who were with the singer were screaming, “You’ve got to save him! You’ve got to save him!” We’re told one of the staff members at Jackson’s home called 911.
Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.
Last but not least: Michael waving goodbye to his fans.
(photographer unknown)