Yesterdays passing of not just one celebrity icon (Farrah Fawcette) -but two- Michael Jackson- has got thinking about the people who influenced me as I was growing up.
As the Beatles and Elvis were to our parents- entertainers like Michael and others will too start to pass. What they leave behind is a lasting memory of childhood, adolescence and a time when all was perfect in our lives- as innocent kids.
Growing up, Michael Jackson meant to me- being cool. I had this amazing red zipper jacket- like the one he had in his "Beat it" video- I'm not sure where I got that thing- but I wore the heck out of it! The sleeves unzipped and it was soo cool to me! Michael's ingenuity with interpreting videos to his songs were groundbreaking and always push the limits- I recall "Black & White" and dare I even mention the Priscilla Presley video??!! What about "Dirty Diana"? - wow- memories come flooding back- what were your favorites?
In all the heaviness yesterday - all I could think about is how time is a constant.
A reminder that we must appreciate the goodness that these people brought to us- what if Madonna was gone today? We talk about Michael being the King of Pop- Madonna the queen- and the royal court including newbies like Brittney and Lady GaGa. This royal court of sorts is now minus one very grand presence. He will be missed.
I must point out one thing though- for all the love we have for him today. There were moments when we let the love fade and the scrutinity of his lifestyle persuade us to be judgemental. We lost some Michael love at one point- you remember the court hearings.
Wrong or right- as it all played out- he is still important to who we have become today. An influence to us at an early age- and the music that took us to another planet- when as kids we no longer wanted to be here.
Remember the music- Remember Michael...and my red jacket!
