The Death of a Pop Icon

I thought it appropriate to write tonight as I watch the coverage on the death of Michael Jackson. For someone obsessed with pop culture, this is a monumental moment. However, as a child born in 1975, it is also a personal moment.

My first album was Thriller. My second was We are The World. I wasn't a crazy fan, I thought his dancing was a little weird, but his songs surrounded my childhood and youth. Later in life I wanted to not like his music, to shun this strange personality that I couldn't understand, yet I still know all of the words.

Here are some of my thoughts, randomly assembled:

--I am watching MTV because I wanted to see what they would do. That network was built on Michael Jackson -- if he hadn't contributed what he did to the art of music videos, the network, in my opinion, wouldn't exist. Very happy to see Kurt Loder on air talking about his legacy. Watching a 2001 performance of Michael with Justin TImberlake (with NSync). All of the artists who were influenced by his music, his dancing, his videos, his style. It is really amazing.

--On that note, the art of music videos is really gone, isn't it?

--I remember listening to Thriller on the radio and I was so scared of Vincent Price's voice that I would have to turn it off when he did that laugh at the end (hey I was 9?)

--Memories of dancing at a party / wedding with my cousin Meera and for the first time discovering that the Electric Slide could be performed to Don't Stop til You Get Enough. There was nothing like it.

--I didn't wear a glove or a Thriller style military jacket, but how weird that there are tons of celebrities today wearing Balmain's MJ inspired jacket. Literally right now.

--Recently realized that Man in the Mirror is my favorite MJ karaoke song -- as I led a group of friends to close the night of karaoke with it.

--I did the head turning moves to Black or White - I loved that video (not just because there was an Indian girl in it)

--I really did not like the song The Girl is Mine that he did on Thriller with Paul McCartney - oh it bugged me! What happens to the rights of the Beatles music that he purchased?

--Looking back, obviously Thriller was groundbreaking, but I think Bad was my favorite album. Bad, The Way You Make me Feel, Man In The Mirror, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, Leave Me Alone - amazing songs.

--I wonder what Weird Al is thinking today? His career was practically based on Michael's

--Watching his 1995 MTV Music Awards performance of Bad - Smooth Criminal to Dangerous, Black suit with white shirt and black skinny tie. Awesome.

--I do not want to hear every stupid celeb's reaction to this -- unless you knew him, keep it shut Speidi. Okay, I didn't know him either, but I am not a celebrity and I am not twittering about it.

--Elizabeth Taylor must be very upset.

--Someone needs to organize a tribute concert -- it would be MAJOR.

--Who will raise his children? Will we ever hear from them or learn the truth about their childhoods?

--Wow, the Scream video with him and Janet.

--Please note that I am not commenting on his personal life -- my thoughts on that are far from this complimentary -- just sharing my memories of his music. This is also why I have chosen MTV to look back on him.

--Who doesn't remember when his hair lit on fire during the making of the Pepsi commercial?

--Is Webster still alive?

--I sign off now as MTV does. The Summer of 2009 will be the Summer Michael Jackson died. Pop culture media will be taken over by his life and death. It is sad and his life was so tragic, but at least Jon and Kate, Speidi and their spawn, all of these d-listers who became famous without talent will be pushed to the side as the King of Pop is remembered. I'm okay with that - he was a talent.

don't be ashamed of your obsessions...