Another year has gone; Michael’s admirers are still not alone for he lives in their hearts forever. Yes, he “never said goodbye” and could not “tell the angels no, I don’t wanna leave…” but he died to live in their memories. Michael Joseph Jackson, the most accomplished artiste, dancer, singer-songwriter and musician, was truly an endowment to the world; he created, defined and perfected a technique of music. People all over the globe will miss his genius, changing faces, appearance and controversies.
Though Michael and his fans are far apart, they can remember his trademark, style and the things he did to change their lives. As a philanthropist, he donated tens of millions of dollars to many children charities anonymously, and spent a lot of his time visiting ill children tirelessly, going from hospital to hospital meeting them just to brighten up their lives. There is obviously a place in the hearts of MJ’s enthusiasts preserved just for him and as he expressed in one of his most celebrated songs, “Heal the world”, “I know that it is love and this place could be much brighter than tomorrow and if you really try you’ll find there’s no need to cry…”. There is indeed no need to weep as he helped the helplessly unhappy.
Like the Biblical Jabez, MJ was a man of sorrow, “but I am only human” he acknowledged in “Will you be there,” a song that confirmed he needed someone to cleave to. He had bizarre behaviour, artistic flops, financial crisis, health issues and child sex abuse scandals. His personal relationships generated enormous controversies and he suffered tabloid exposes. But in his darkest hour, deepest despair, trials and tribulations, agony and abuse, he never parted with those who treasured him.
Michael’s music, moonwalk and magic were consistently impressive while he lived and are impressively consistent even in his demise. He was always centre staged and the world was constantly watching. MJ fashioned an entertainment world and was an absolute legend. Unlike kings, who have heirs to their thrones, Micheal, like Elvis Presley, the king of Rock and Roll, is still the king of Pop. Even the book makers can’t price a market on who will be honoured to succeed him soon. His ground breaking Thriller won a record eight Grammy Awards in 1984. Virtually every song became a hit single and it changed the industry’s thinking about how albums were put together and marketed. It also set the pace for artistes to have more creative freedom and higher royalty returns. At the same time, Michael inspired legions of imitators and a line of dolls and accessories. He has the fastest selling American Pop single in history and the first single to receive multi-platinum.
There came a time in 1985 when more than 45 America’s top musicians, motivated by Michael and Lionel Richie, heed “a certain call” and “came together as one” to “lend a hand to life” because people were dying. They did not “go on pretending day by day that someone, somewhere will soon make a change”, they, as “the world” and “the children”, made a choice and saved? lives to “make a better day” for “just you and me”. This great act made people all over the world to send their hearts by raising over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US to confirm “that someone cares”.
It was breaking news for the music world to wake up only to be told that the man in the mirror has responded to the call of human nature by departing much too soon and is now in the closet. Come off the wall and shake your body, humanity want you back MJ, black or white, be up again and show this is it. Your fans want a little bit of you so get on the floor and display to the world another part of you. Love is here and now you are gone, you made history Micheal, give your adherents one more chance of the greatest show in history; don’t make them strangers in Moscow. Everyone is waiting Micheal, will you be there? If you can’t, keep your head up and enjoy yourself.
Whether he was wowing fans as a singing/dancing machine, rolling heads with his run of the mill wardrobes, or alternately amusing or horrifying everyone with his eccentric behaviour, Michael could never, would never be ignored. His music is completely unlike anything that was heard in the entertainment world before and death cannot kill the name of Michael Joseph Jackson.