I was not planning to do a tribute post on Michael Jackson. I was shocked by the news of his death, but not particularly moved, at least not in a personal way.
It was only when I saw the memorial service over television that the impact of the situation hit me. Being an Indian, your introduction to the world of Western music is really determined by what your peers recommend or what you hear at home. I first heard Michael Jackson when I was 5 years old and my dad brought home an MJ album. I remember I had just started reading and speaking English at school and would come home to put on this cassette and try to catch the words. I think the music was what fascinated me. It was so different from what my mom used to hear the whole day round – Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, you know the Indian legends.
I don’t think my dad was a fan of Michael Jackson, he just bought his music because that’s what was topping the charts. By the time Dangerous was released, I was the one wanting to buy the album. I had become a bonafide MJ fan. I remembered the millions of times I replayed Jam, Black or White, I’ll be there, Do you remember the time? Heal the world…
It was through Michael Jackson’s music that I was introduced to the world of Western music. I went on to hear other artists like Madonna, Bryan Adams, and Shania Twain, the boy bands like Michael Learns to Rock, Backstreet Boys, Eagles, U2, Bob Dylan, and so on.
One of the most vivid memories that I associate with Michael Jackson’s music is one of our high school annuals. The theme was ‘Heal the world’. At the end of the last talent show, a group of us dressed in white, holding candles got on the stage. Students filed into the auditorium balconies, holding lit candles, and on cue – we all sang Heal the World from our hearts. In the candle-lit auditorium, only the song could be heard – as if MJ’s message had traveled across the world just for us to pass on.
Rest in peace, MJ.
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This is a lovely post and tribute to MJ, I could almost smell the candle wax and hear you all singing! Thank you for sharing that!
I too feel extremely sad after watching some of the memorial service….I was left with the feeling that he was misunderstood and perhaps wrongfully maligned by the media and press…we may never know the real truth…sad for his children, his music will live on and on though and that will surely be some comfort.
Thanks a lot for your comments. I agree that Michael Jackson had more than his share of media intrusion and no matter who he was , as long he was not hurting anyone , press and media should have left him alone. I am sure his music was the cause of joy to millions of people
You know what.. like you.. for me too It was thru MJ that I was introduced to western world bands and singers..
My neighbour was a die hard MJ fan.. to the extent where every year on his bday his family would rent a VCR and he would rent MJ videos and play them for 3 days .. full day..
And thanks to him I must have seen all the MJ videos a crazy number of times.. and thats how I was introduced to all the other singers..
And dangerous is also my all time fav.. its one album where I seem to like each and every song.. no exceptions..
Priyanka – thanks for ur comments. I have heard a lot of MJ’s music but have not seen many of his videos – I am not catching up with all the coverage on music channels post his death