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Jun 27th, 2009
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I
think it might be hard for anyone to not have memories of Michael Jackson... and when I say memories, I mean mixed memories at best.
He was a talented musician and one who left a legacy of music as well as a legacy of crazy antics from his personal life. There are some things that seem to bubble up from his personal life that should not be overlooked or dismissed, however, at this moment all I can think of is growing up with Michael Jackson even though I didn't know him personally.
Michael Jackson's Thriller was released in 1982. I was just over three years old at the time. My sister is eleven years older than me. She was the original MTV generation. MTV was her life's blood. MTV was her culture and in 1982, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was not just a music video -- it was an epic mini-musical that changed the way many people looked at Jackson not just as a performer but as a musical force. He created a space for creativity in MTV and in music videos and in music entertainment that had not even been dreamed of by so many.
At 3 years old, nothing scared me more than "Thriller." I have vivid memories of my sister "torturing" me by pinning me down on the ground and forcing me to watch "Thriller" while I would try and kick and scream... all the while she would just laugh.
Today, we laugh at this together. It is amazing to think that Thriller used to scare me so much. Something that now I have such an amazing respect for... something that I can't help but think of when I think of the evolution of the music video.
Michael Jackson was an interesting character, this can't be denied.
I don't know a single person that can't help but smile when a Jackson 5 song comes on.
"A-B-C. It's easy as 1-2-3."
I don't know a single person who doesn't know that "Billie Jean was not his lover... she was just a girl who thinks that he was the one."
I don't know a single person who doesn't "wanna be startin' somethin'"
I can wax poetic on this subject, but I tip my hat to Michael Jackson because of the music he has left us with. Music that has been a part of my parents' lives, my sister's life, my life and the generation that comes after me. Music that will always be there, garnering new fans.... and one day, when "Thriller" plays on an oldies station... I will say, I remember when.
I remember when Michael Jackson...
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  | Posted Jun 27th, 2009 at 4:33PM Bad. Scream. Black or White. Thriller. I remember them all. Troubled and checkered past, for sure. But definitely a man who has impacted music forever more. +2 nods   |
 | Posted Jun 27th, 2009 at 4:36PM I may be a bit older than the the author here... I am probably more the "sister" in the story above. But I remember MJ from Jackson 5 all the way through. He has gone through so many phases... I guess all of the Jackson family has, but I think that Michael Jackson is what John Lennon and Elvis are to others. +2 nods |
 | Posted Jun 28th, 2009 at 4:43AM Lennon and Elvis had talent far superior to MJ...who had help from video clips....the only thing that kept his career alive. |
| Posted Jun 28th, 2009 at 4:45AM Hey if you think it's rough here on EP you should see what's happening on YouTube: I just saw this.. NEWS FLASH: At the request of his family, Michael Jackson will not be cremated or buried. Instead, he will be promptly recycled into shopping bags. In this way he can remain forever as he always was...thin, white, made of plastic and dangerous for little kids to play with alone. |
 | Posted Jun 28th, 2009 at 8:25AM c8lorraine........... dude your fnnnn stupid :( do you not have respect? wow... are you that shallow. i guess you are :/ oh and jtfwall i like your story =) |
 | Posted Jun 28th, 2009 at 1:42PM Beautifully written, thank you for sharing this. I am even a little older than your sister, and I don't have a teenage memory that Michael isn't some kind of a part of. It's hard to find a place to grieve for Michael. It doesn't matter what his shortcomings were--although I still believe he is innocent-- death is death, and we need to grieve. Those with unkind things to say should start their own story, or just bite their tongue and let us grieve in peace. +2 nods |
 | Posted Jun 28th, 2009 at 6:33PM I've realized many people older than you didn't even know Michael Jackson when he was very popular when he was 10 along with his brothers. I was crazy about the Jackson 5 and so all of my friends and cousins. We would tell fantazies about them and I even told myself that when I grow up I was going to marry one of those brothers, I didn't care which one. Well, it didn't happen. The Jacksons were in my entire life. Not just when Thriller came out. I was also blessed enough to see The Jackson Five in 1971 when I was 10 years old. I was screaming my heart out at Michael. |
Posted Jul 22nd, 2009 at 7:22PM wow, chile, i know what you mean. i was 1 almost 2 when Thriller came out, but a lot of my early memories are of Michael in some way or another. i remember crying and asking what was wrong with Mike? to my mother and being afraid for him. i didnt understand it was just a mini movie. i love Mike - always have - always will | |
Posted Jul 22nd, 2009 at 7:25PM AND ANYONE TRYNA SAY THAT ELVIS WAS SUPER TALENTED MUST NOT REMEMBER "JACKIE WILSON". JACKIE WILSON WAS THE MAN WHO TAUGHT ELVIS HOW TO DO WHAT ELVIS TRIED TO DO. ELVIS WAS A COPY OF JACKIE WILSON. JACKIE WILSON WAS NEVER RECOGNIZED. IF IT WERE NOT FOR JACKIE WILSON, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO ELVIS PRESLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU CLAIM TO BE A FAN OF ELVIS, LEARN HIS HISTORY!!!!!!!!! HE IS A CARBON COPY AND NOTHING MORE. JACKIE WILSON NEVER GOT THE CREDIT. | |
 | Posted Jul 25th, 2009 at 2:53PM He will be missed forever though he continues to liveon in our memories and music. What better way to share his life journey with his most personal family album pictures. Read more on http://www.oncealivinglegend.com. |
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