Rest In Peace

Today was one of those days. That rare day in history where the passing of a singular figure impacts on a global scale. Only a select few carry this kind of weight. They must be internationally recognized and have contributed to, not only their specific field, but to the fiber of culture; of humanity. Presidents, a handful of politicians, religious figureheads, and celebrities are the primary members of this elite circle. And only a fraction of their population truly can make the world a collective water cooler in their passing. Elvis Presley, President John F. Kennedy, Mother Theresa, Bob Hope...those are the names that come to mind. Today, Michael Jackson was added to that list.

Eccentricities and controversies aside, however hard it may be, Michael Jackson's artistic contributions were significant to the evolution of popular music and is what he should be remembered and recognized for. Michael Jackson, the musician, eclipses Michael Jackson, the train wreck. The number of artists responsible for permanently altering the face of popular music can be counted on one hand. Elvis, The Beatles, The Beach Boys. Michael Jackson is on that hand. That is undeniable.

Jackson was one of the first child stars to become a successful solo star as an adult. Successful might be an understatement. 1979's Off The Wall was the first album to spawn four top-ten singles. 1982's Thriller, well, it was the game changer. Seven top-ten singles. A record-breaking eight Grammys. The album resulted in a global mania for Jackson as well music videos that exponentially raised the bar for that specific medium. The album is one of, if not the, biggest selling of all-time depending on who you talk to. It's a landmark for popular music, R&B music, and Jackson's absolute creative high point. 1987's Bad produced a record five number one singles. That record still holds over 20 years later.

Those are the numbers and they don't lie. In addition to the awards and sales figures, millions of rabid fans worshipped Jackson unlike any celebrity since The Beatles. This is all known. It's a bit long-winded of me to publish it all here. It's that important to me though. This man is a legend. Period.

Personally, Michael Jackson profoundly impacted me. How could he not? I was a child of the Eighties. You had to be Amish to not be affected by Michael in the Eighties.

His moonwalk on Motown's 25th Anniversary TV special made me take break dancing classes and spend countless hours on the kitchen floor in my socks emulating one of the most influential dance moves ever.

I recorded, and subsequently watched, all videos from Thriller. Repeatedly. Especially the landmark video for "Thriller" itself. And the long-form Making of Thriller video. And the Motown performance.

I couldn't tell you what color my bedroom walls were as a child when Thriller came out. (I was only twelve years-0ld mind you) The paint was camouflaged by more than 100 pictures of Michael Jackson from various music publications. I don't reveal that fact about myself. Ever. Today is different. I'm proud I was so affected by the man and his music. He was ridiculously talented and when he (and Quincy Jones) harnessed his brilliance, there was no one on the planet that could touch him.

As a lover of music, as someone who has been interested in songs and their associated mundane facts since I was five, I sit here and type a post I couldn't ignore. (I just started a new job and time for this blog has dwindled the past week.) Jackson's passing is too important to ignore.

I'm impacted as many around the world are. Tears are falling from my eyes as I finish this. The last time I cried for a public figure's passing was John Lennon in 1980. I was nine. I cried when my third-grade teacher told the class he had been killed. I cry today for the untimely passing of Michael Jackson. For the passing of a brilliant artist that transcended labels like musician or superstar. Even "icon" doesn't really do Jackson justice. I cry a little for my own childhood memories that Jackson soundtracked. And for his three children left without a father.

Rest in peace.