
Yesterday at exactly 2:26pm, a King was pronounced dead. Michael Joseph Jackson was only 50 years when he descended up to great big stage in the sky. And yes, I was deeply saddened and still am a little somber deep inside. He wasn't just another musician. He was more than a performer. He was a legend. He not only inspired most of the musicians today, but he was an inspiration to many of his fans.
I think now is the time to put aside his past discretion. Regardless of what you thought of the man, he is still a human being and his family, fans, and loved ones deserve their time for mourning. Some people over the past 24 hours would not let him rest even in death. I've seen and heard an array of ignorant comments made toward MJ that left me baffled and disgusted.
I won't go on to say what I think about accusations made against him in the past. All that doesn't matter right now. What I will say is that a piece of my childhood and soul died yesterday. Some of my most fond memories can be remembered with such songs as Remember The Time, Bad, and Dirty Diana playing in the background. The only times I remember with both my parents together was when we all sat down together to watch the newest MJ video. I must have watched Moonwalker over a hundred times or more. I mimicked his dance moves, and copied everything I saw him do in his videos. I remember singing in the living room in the walk-in apartment with my dad..."I wanna rock with you....all night." Maybe those were the happiest times in my life so far. At least they were the simplest. And I own every album he came out with. He was just part of the family in a way that can't really be explained. He was what helped bond us together and what veiled the bad times for my family.
I have never known another musician that has captivated several generations for over 40 years. So yeah when people talk sh!t about any negative connotations that they have about him, it upsets me. If I'm just a fan and feel so devastated about his lost, I can only imagine that his family is feeling this 100 times over. I don't think anyone wants to hear such things about one of their loved ones who passed away just barely a day ago. It shows an incapacity for compassion. Knowing what it feels like to lose, I can never imagine downplaying one's death by continually to make implications about his past.
To MJ, you were a myth, a legend, and your music will always live on in my heart and millions of others.
PS: I heard one of your songs, today. And it gave me chills. I almost felt like there was a message behind there for all your fans and loved ones. You will be missed immensely.
Edit: Please be advised that this is a blog to honor Michael's memory. I kindly ask that any unfavoring comments you have not be posted in this thread. If you'd like to express your opinion in any other way, feel free to post your comments to this other blog.

Comments
Perfectly said. We remember and celebrate the life of a singer and dancer, not the life of whatever he did after that career. His music will always survive, and you're right, people of all ages mourn today. RIP Michael.
Philly
Very well said! I can't even imagine my childhood without MJ
Dancin' with myself...
In a land of wonderous things...
I also went back to my childhood for a bit yesterday...I was at a loss for words when I heard about his death...like I said in another thread, walking down the street yesterday all you heard was people on the phone saying- "Michael Jackson died...I can't believe he's gone."
I am of the personal opinion that we must respect the dead. We don't have to like the person, or care they died, but death is to be respected. His family should be respected at this time. No one needs to suffer evil but, who's to say he was evil? We need facts before we judge.
Anyway, Billy Jean was another favorite of mine. Moonwalker was part of my day when I was younger. Same as Alice in Wonderland, James Bond, and Clash of the Titans...I used to watch them in rotation weekly. Those movies bring back a lightness to my spirit I lost long ago as does MJ's music...
I hated the whole thing about him owning the Beatles catalouge. But, I recognize the talent, genius, and person he once was. I have my own personal issues with child abusers, yes...but, for now, his death is fresh, a shock, and it's a sad day for music lovers worldwide...
I would like to say that the memorial today was once of the most moving things I have ever seen. The emotional high points for me was the opening lines to "I'll be there," the whole preformance of "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer," and the beautiful feeling of celebration of the last two songs...
Even people who can't stand Michael can't not be touched and saddened by what his daughter said at the end. It really reminds you that Michael wasn't just an amazing singer, but also a father, a brother, a son,and a family member. I shed a few tears with her.
It was a beautiful memorial, done in great taste, and a great sent off to one of the greatest singers of all time.
Somewhere between fantasy and reality...
Hell. Where else?
I watched some of it mainly because I always watch the news in the afternoon. I liked what Brooke Shields said, cause it was very personal and remembered MJ more as a real person compared to some of the other stuff. I also thought Jermaine Jackson had one of the best perfomances. I would have rather seen more tribute performances and a little less preachy talk.