For the last 20 years Michael Jackson's life has just seemed to spiral out of control. I'll admit I haven't been the most loyal fan. Once he started going through all his weird plastic surgeries, I just didn't know quite what to think and I moved on.
But back in the day, Michael Jackson was an icon, an idol. He was the pinnacle of fame and I was a fan through and through. Michael Jackson's Thriller album was the first cassette tape I ever REALLY REALLY wanted. Before that I didn't really care about any particular rock group or musician.
When I was in third grade, my aunt Amy bought me the Thriller cassette tape, (for a birthday maybe??) I still remember how much that meant to me and my joy in discovering my gift - I even remember where I was when I opened/saw my gift. We were at a mall and I was standing in a department store surrounded by clothes. The memory is burned in my mind forever - that's how important that moment was for me. (She also gave me a Culture Club cassette with it - anyone remember Boy George?) Maybe that's one reason why she's still one of my most favorite people! (o:
I listened to that tape nonstop and wore my Michael Jackson pin with the above picture on my acid washed jean jacket every day to school. We didn't have MTV at my house, but I remember visiting aunt Jill's apartment and parking myself in front of her TV hoping and waiting for the Thriller music video to come on. It was all anybody ever talked about in third grade - 1983-84. Just about every girl had a huge crush on Michael, boys tried to dance like him, everyone tried to do the 'moonwalk' - he was HUGE. There isn't really anyone I can think of that can compare to the near 'worship status' that Michael Jackson held for people back in the 80's. Not even close.
So even though me and millions of others kind of lost interest when Michael started heading down the path of weirdness, I still marvel at the icon he once was (and actually continued to be for many) and I mourn his untimely death. I'm grateful for the fun memories and will always love the Thriller album. It's classic and it brings back so many memories. We recently bought the Thriller music video off of ITunes and now I can watch it whenever I want. (in our day of instant gratification - "back in my day, we had to wait for hours for MTV to play the music videos we wanted to see.") I will always remember the Michael from those days - good times.
And as one friend I talked to today said, "I hope wherever he is now, that there is good therapy." (o: Poor Michael - he had such a tragic life. His untimely death, unfortunately, kind of fit the theme of his life.
He was an amazingly talented man...
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