Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson

I was downtown around 12th and Chestnut. I just parked my car, but needed some change. I went to a Deli and my friend was only able to squeeze a dollar worth of quarters from the cashier. As I walked out, a Russian or Eastern European patron walks in and randomly says to me, or anyone around him, in a matter-of-fact tone:

Michael Jackson is dead.

My initial reaction was to scoff. For a nanosecond, I thought this guy was one of those characters downtown that say random absurd things. But, then, I stopped. I didn't hear any news of him being a coma, suffering from cardiac arrest, or being airlifted to an L.A. hospital. But, for some reason, without any reasonable belief to believe it, somehow I did. I don't know if it was the tone of the man, if there was an indicating silence in the room, or if it was some weird instinct, but I knew it was true. I asked:

Me: "Are you serious?"
Man: "Yeah, they just confirmed it."
Me: "What?"

Another man, an African American patron, did not blink and nodded emphatically.

This is how I found out that Michael Jackson had died.

I can't quote or cover enough of his life realistically to create a comprehensive tribute, but I can tell you my personal thoughts. I was a fan of Michael Jackson when I was younger. I remember when he had injured his leg and almost missed a performance at one of the Awards shows. But, he somehow made it, singing in a chair on stage and during his performance, he stands up for 2 seconds and the crowd, and myself at home, goes nuts.

I also remember in grade school, there was a teacher at Saint Veroncia's whom was obsessed with Michael Jackson. She even made my brother's entire class learn one of his songs and perform it at a talent show of sorts in the Church hall. It was this song that came to mind in the moments after learning about his death:



I bought his HIStory album (on multiple cassettes at the time), wanted to buy his Blood on the Dance Floor album and was intrigued by his Invincible album. I'm amazed that even young people in the current generation, whom has never seen the "King of Pop" in the pinnacle of his career, before the controversy, before the eccentric behavior, are still able to appreciate and love his music. He was transcendent and has influenced music and pop culture throughout his life and career. Current hit stars, Ne-yo, Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Timberlake and countless others tried to emulate him.

But, no one, in my memory, has been able to capture that ability to create popular music that was commercially successful and catchy, as well as being socially relevant, emotionally personal and significantly influential, not just to musicians, but to people at large. You had, "Billlie Jean", a dance track that was a social commentary. "Man in the Mirror", a call to himself and/or the world to better themselves from within. "Heal the World", "Will You Be There", "Earth Song", etc., etc., etc. Most of, if not all, of Michael Jackson's music had meaning and substance, something that is lacking in current mainstream music nowadays.

Reflecting on his death, I realize that I had always had this subconscious hope that he would come back, that he would create something that would overpower the recent controversies and return him to that public figure, that genuine man, who wanted to positively impact the world. I wanted him to do it because I guess I've always felt this man, deep inside, was inherently good and I wanted to see Michael Jackson find some redemption. It's a shame that he wasn't able to do that.

Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson. I hope your message of love and hope can overcome the cynicism that is so prevalent in the world today.