Farewell Michael, We’ll Miss You

As I write this it is still hard to believe. Michael Jackson has left this plane of existence. He has crossed over to a higher state of existence, leaving behind millions of stunned and greatly saddened fans.

A few weeks ago I wrote another article on Michael. In that article I bitterly detested what he had allowed himself to come to. Immediately after his death many other writers and reporters were quick to talk about his achievements and his bizarre eccentricities for, in the last 15 years, it had become quite impossible not to talk about both in the same sentence. Michael certainly lived a lifestyle that brought the state of his mind into question by many, including myself and I’m not here to apologize for speaking the truth.

However, although Michael certainly lost a great deal of my respect in the last 15 years I will go on record as saying that, at one point in my life, I, like millions of others around the world in the 1980’s, practically worshipped him. He was my idol and I fantasized about being like him someday. I watched the Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller videos constantly trying to mimic his nearly impossible dance moves. I went to school wearing a Thriller jacket until long after it was out of style.

You see, as a young black child growing up in poverty in the 80’s, I saw Michael as more than just a performer. He was a role model. I was duly impressed and astonished by the sheer magnitude of respect and popularity he commanded around the world. Michael’s fan base crossed all demographic barriers. When I lived in Japan I was awestruck by how much the Japanese admired him, even in light of his frequent legal problems. He came to Tokyo and packed the Tokyo Dome light a can of sardines.

I still recall watching the 1984 American Music Awards. Many of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time paid a special tribute to him and his talent. Satellite images showed people in all skin complexions from all corners of the globe making statements of glowing appreciation to him. As I watched this, I was in total amazement for at that time I didn’t even know that it was possible for a black man to command such enormous popularity. And that inspired me.

He wasn’t just respected by fans but he was idolized even by his peers. His circle of friendship included the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Brooke Shields, Princess Diane and former Polish President Lech Walesa. While most performers are only greeted by screaming fans upon arrival in foreign countries, Michael was received by presidents, prime ministers and even royal monarchs.

The man completely awed me and I really did want to be like him. He was an inspiration to me and millions of others.

Many of us have much be thankful for towards him. While Sammy Davis, Jr. is widely credited for breaking down color barrier for black entertainers, Michael came along and picked up where Sammy left off, completely smashing the barrier to bits to ensure that it would never be erected again. Even artists and performers of hiphop, a completely different art form from pop music have the Moonwalker to thank for their success for it was not long after the massive success of his Thriller album did hiphop music began gaining mainstream appeal that it enjoys today.

And it was thanks to continuous airplay of his Billie Jean and Beat It videos that MTV, then a still-barely known network, began attracting strong viewership and became the cable powerhouse it is today. 

No mere word can describe the huge legacy The Gloved One is leaving. He inspired so many. His popularity was nearly incalculable. I’m sure I’m echoing a widely-felt sentiment by saying that there will certainly be no other like him. No one today – Britney Spears, Rihanna, Beyounce, Justin Timberlake, Usher – can hope to come within light-years of matching his immense fame and glory and world-wide respect that Michael enjoyed.

Even as my respect for him waned I still enjoyed his music. Smooth Criminal and Dirty Diana are among my favorite recordings ever. And, as crazy as this may seem, I held on to some strange hope that Michael would eventually take notice of the damage he was doing to himself and turn back around.

We’re all going to miss you, Michael. You were an inspiration and an idol, not just to other aspiring entertainers but to many of us from all walks of life. Even in death, you will undoubtedly continue to be a standard to which all performers and artists are held. You weren’t just a King of Pop, you were truly a King and you now leave vacant a throne to which there is no true capable heir.

ActionSammy,

(Feel free to comment, question or criticize me at actionsammy@yahoo.com. And be sure to look for my upcoming first book, First Degree Lust, an action/romance/mystery/thriller, in Spring 2010.)