Michael Jackson
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
Michael brought some great memories of my childhood, so I only found it fitting to give him some tribute. Despite his past eccentric lifestyle and recent allegations, he was still a great preformer - we can't take that from him.
Michael you were a part of many people's lives and many tried to emulate your style. These are the memories you brought into my life.
I saw you and your brothers (Jackson 5) at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in the early 70's. I remember going with my cousins. I think my Aunt Mary has those pictures. I will really need to get them from her now. We had such a great time. I remember the crowd going crazy when you guys sang ABC and Rockin' Robin. I loved those songs!
I remember as a kid watching the Jackson 5 cartoon on Saturday mornings. All the top Jackson 5 songs were played on the cartoon show.
Off the Wall was released in 1979 and I was in junior high. Our food court had a juke box in the center of the court. We played the album over and over again. I think if that would have been the only album in the juke box, it would have been okay. My favorite song off that album "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough".
Thriller was released in 1982 and I was a junior in high school. The first time I saw the video was on Friday Night Videos. Me, my cousin Rose, and some of our friends were going out to a party and we asked everyone to come over to our house to see the video before we went out to the party. We loved the dance moves and thought it was the coolest video we had ever seen. It was the talk of the party when we got there.
Billie Jean and PYT (Pretty Young Thing) was played at every school dance and it seemed like everyone was on the dance floor.
We are the World came out in 1985. I was a freshman at University of Texas. I remember watching the video for the first time in my dorm's living area. No one had cable in their rooms, so we all gathered in the living area to watch the video. I thought it was so cool that artist were creating this album for a beneficial cause.
Then Live Aid came out that summer of 1985. I missed my cousin's wedding because I wanted to see the performance. Actually I just missed some of it, I was there for the reception. I told everyone I really needed to study for a test (just a little white lie). The final performance was led by Lionel Richie and all of the performers involved came on stage to join Lionel. Including Micheal Jackson. Awesome performance by all!
Then in late 1989 I choose to work in radio. I heard all of your music all of the time. Especially when working at KRBE. I did not follow a lot of your music after Triller, but it did not mean I did not like it.
Michael you lived a fulfilling life and you made a lot of people happy with your music. Your last days were probably those I would not like to remember. May you rest in peace if that is what your fate brought you.
