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Michael Jackson | 1958-2009

So the life of Michael Jackson ends with a whimper, not a bang. Unless you count the fact that 30% of Twitter content in the last 12 hours has been Jackson tributes. And rightly so.

For my own part, Michael Jackson was my introduction to accessible music that I could call my own. Before him I was enjoying other people’s music – my older friends Specials, The Jam and the like. My father’s Dire Straits, Beatles and Rolling Stones.

Michael Jackson was mine. From Thriller through Dirty Diana and Man in the Mirror to Bad and Earth Song. Alongside Madonna, when I was a child this was my music.

The term ‘musical genius’ is tossed around a lot but in Jackson’s case it is not just fitting, it is who it should have been invented for. He was also the most amazing performer. I never saw a Jackson gig live. Video was my only connection with his live performances and I can only imagine what being there must have been like.

Disney World in Florida once had an ‘experience’ in Epcot Centre called Captain EO in which Jackson starred. I was 8 years old when I went. I have a vague feeling it may have been based around somtheing environmental. All I remember is this larger than life character being played by my hero of the time on the biggest screen I had ever seen. It blew my mind – and he was NO actor, trust me!

The man is a legend.

The controversy that has dogged his recent years I have tried to ignore. You don’t want your childhood memories tarnished. He led a unique life, forced upon him from his own childhood. This is no excuse, just an explanation.

I’ll remember the music, it’s all I ever really wanted from him (apart from that rumoured dance off with Prince that never happened – did that go round your school too?).

This seems like the most fitting tribute to end on. Rest in peace, Michael, I get the idea you had precious little of it in life.