Michael Jackson will always and forever be a major part of Pop Culture History. With the release of his new movie "This Is It" filmmakers capture his energy and presence just days before his tragic death. The news of death was a tragic blow to many fans. For weeks the media news outlets covered this story. As we see images of him flash across our television screens try not to focus on all the chaos surrounding this man, and his death.
Everyone knows he was a major contributor to the pop culture scene with his legendary white sequined glove, catchy beats, gravity devying dance moves, and a larger than life presence on stage. I as a fan choose not to dwell on any of the controversy surrounding him but instead will honor his memory by remembering the things that made him great. Here are the top 10 things I will remember about Michael Jackson.
10. He was a very generous man. Whether he was visiting fans in hospitals, supporting various charities that helped rehabilitate drug and alcohol abusers, writing " We Are The World" with Lionel Richie to benefit impoverished children, or starting his own "Heal The World" Foundation, Michael Jackson was a GIVER.
9. The Jackson 5. Some of the most catchy tunes Michael recorded were recorded with his brothers as part of The Jackson 5. With hits like "ABC" "Stop The Love You Save" "Ben" and my personal favorite "Whose Loving You". He was so young but at the same time so passionate about what he was singing.
8. He revolutionized how people look at dancing. Michael has always been a talented dancer. He pushed the boundaries of what people were used to and created new and exciting ways to express yourself. The moonwalk, and the gravity defying lean seen in the Smooth Criminal Videos were among some that stand out in my head.
7. Thriller- Need I say more. This song has been played every year for Halloween since the 80's. Its has been passed on from generation to generation. It makes me happy to see my young son Kai, 5 fall in love with this song and actually learn how to do the Thriller dance. It's a classic.
6. Billie Jean- He responds to rumors about a woman named Billie Jean claiming he fathered her son. NOT TRUE! He did not father her son. This was the song he performed at the Motown 25th anniversary special where he unveiled his special new dance. "Moonwalk" The next day everyone everywhere was trying to copy his move.
5. He loved to laugh
4. His music videos were like watching short films. I also loved looking for the Celebrity Cameos. My favorite is Eddie Murphy, Iman and Magic Johnson in his "Remember The Time" video. He also had cameos of other artists on his music videos including his sister Janet Jackson, Naomi Campbell, and Michael Jordan.
3. People all around the world loved him. He has fans in every single country around the world.
2. His music is timeless. I still get the urge to dance when I am at a party and all of a sudden the DJ puts on "Rock With You" or "PYT". He has a song for every possible mood I could be in. Whether it was a beautiful love song like "I Just Cant Stop Loving You" or the "The Girl Is Mine", or an edgy rock song like "Dirty Diana", Michael Jackson covered it all. My sons AJ and Kai are 5 and 10 and have just recently discovered Michael Jackson. They are listening to songs that I was listening to when I was growing up and they are loving it. They are learning to sing and dance like him. Every year a new generation discovers his music.
1. He was a good DADDY. I will never forget watching the memorial service and seeing little Paris Jackson speak these words, "Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," "and I just love him so much." Even though to the world he was the King of Pop, to this little girl and her brothers he was Daddy. He loved his children very much. It was very obvious.
The world will never be the same after the death of Michael Jackson. He has left a void that will not be able to be filled by cheap impersonators or wannabes. I will choose to remember the good things about Michael Jackson and the impact that he has one the world. RIP Michael Jackson August 29, 1958 June 25, 2009.