KIng of Pop will always be my PYT

I am shocked beyond belief. Yesterday while walking from the local coffee shop to the apt  I received a text from Ayla stating, "Michael Jackson Died". I FROZE. I called her immediately and got all the details then ran home to see what was on the news. At that time not all papers and reports were releasing that he had died. But soon after the reports came in. I called Jon, my parents and my brother. I was sad. Everywhere I went in NYC last night you could hear his music playing all around. All the chatter on the streets made strangers talk to each other and every single person that you did speak to was shocked and sad. We ALL loved his music and what he brought to the Pop world. His music is timeless and will remain to be.

In 1984 I was in 2nd grade. I remember the Thriller album coming out. It was huge. It was the first time that I was hooked on a musician. The photos on the album fascinated me. I would spend hours looking at the veins on his wrist popping out while petting the tiger. 

Remember when you sold those candy bars, America's Finniest or something like that, in school and then you win prizes for how much you sell? Well I used all my rewards on Thriller album cover iron-on's. He was IT! Every kid wanted to be him. 

Rick and I would stay up on Friday nights to watch Friday Night Videos (before MTV) and the Billie Jean video was the coolest thing ever. I wanted to walk on that sidewalk and make them light up like he did. 

 

I also remember when MTV was going to air Thriller for the first time. Rick and I stayed up to watch  it. It was worth it. The video scared me but also fascinated me. I was amazed how real the zombies looked. I immediately started trying to learn the dance. 

In 3rd grade my cousins, Hollie and Heidi, and I made a routine to PYT and performed it for our families. We charged 5 cents to come to the show. We also sang the entire song We Are The World. It was a Michael Jackson tribute night I guess. They have that on video. I would love to get it online.

Say Say Say with Paul McCartney is still one of my favorites of MJ. 

Of course there is Beat It and Man in the Mirror. The list goes on and on. Pretty much every single song of his was a hit. 

At Harding my 2nd year we had a Kojie Halloween party. We were just supposed to

 come dressed up. I had to go the extra mile and got 5 of us together to be the Jackson 5 and have a routine as well. We had a dance and lip sync routine to ABC. Fro's, paint and all. After that "the Bazaar Band Bash" was formed. The following year I had to make a comeback and I was not about to let anyone beat the King of Pop so we with more people involved we did a tribute to Motown Records. Jackson 5, Supremos and Gladys Night and the Pips. I wish I had photos of this but they are back home in Shreveport. 

Senior year it was tough to get a comeback of the Jackson 5 so I took it upon myself to make sure that Michael made a last appearance.  I needed a little work on my moon walk for sure.

Michael Jackson has been through a life that non of us can identify with. He troubled, abused in many forms and confused. He was a very lonely man and never grew into a man. He chose to remain a child in his mind which is where all the controversy began with his relationships with kids. I like to believe that he really thought of those kids as his friends and that he never hurt them. I know a lot of people disagree with me. But what we can all agree on is that he was a music and entertainment Genius. 

I will always be a fan of him and his music and it will constantly inspire me to get up and dance no mater what age I am. 

We will Miss you Michael Jackson!