Michael Jackson died yesterday. I don't think the world will see a performer who can equal his on stage persona, his performances that had audiences screaming even when all he did on stage was stand still in his unique way!
I was in 8th or 9th standard when I first heard "Wanna be startin' something" from his "Thriller" album. That was the start of me becoming his number one fan. I bought large posters of MJ sticking them with gum on the official quarters' walls. Thankfully, my parents did not object. The moonwalk in "Billie Jean" was what made me try and learn break dance, as it was called then. No luck, but made me realise even then how hard it was to master. "Beat it" was and still is an addictive song, what with its beats and Eddie Van Halen at the lead guitar solo.
"Bad" was anticipated by me like a child awaiting Santa Claus in Christmas. "The way you make me feel" and "Smooth criminal" rocked and the videos were a must have, even as video cassettes as was prevalent then.
"Dangerous" was not much of the MJ I had loved. I didn't buy that album. I saw that his career was slipping, though "Black and white" was incomparable then. The media was taking digs at his eccentric lifestyle, the price he paid for his super-duper star status.
I bought "Invincible" in 2002 which was a huge disappointment. But I did manage to get a DVD of him "Live in Budapest" and I was mesmerised by his onstage performance. No one can match him there. On stage, he is the MJ he always was. Sorry, for using the present tense.
I remember, back when I was in school, the only competition MJ had, or near abouts, was Madonna. That's what a monopoly is, by his sheer singing and dancing talent.
He gave me so many hours of happiness-just watching him do what he loved to do-sing and dance. And for that, I am sad he passed away in my lifetime. He came and went as I turned from a boy to a man.
RIP, MJ. I salute your passion for what you did. I will always remember you as the one and only "King of Pop".
