I grew up in the 80s and when I think about my first musical memory the first thing that comes to mind is Michael Jackson. I had all his cassettes and knew even then that his music was different.
Quite simply, Michael Jackson opened my mind to new kinds of music. He was amazing because of his musical range - his songs still invade my head and once they are there they hang for some time. It's far from a bad thing.
The thing that saddens me most about his death is he didn't get one more go around. Weeks away from his comeback tour, there was one more chance for him to see what kind of an impact he's made on people. It's sad because all Michael wanted was to love and feel loved. And I think this comeback tour would have helped him make peace with some of his demons.
It disgusts me when people talk about him as if he was a piece of shit pedophile and that they are glad he is dead. Whether he did or didn't do any of that we'll never know, but I do know that no one should be ridiculed in their death, no one should be torn down like that.
For me, Michael will always be about expressing yourself shamelessy in all facets of your life.
I'm not the type of guy that can dance, but listening to his music, from the time I was a kid dancing in the kitchen to one Flack's wedding a couple years ago, made me feel like I could, or at the very least didn't have to be ashamed with my extreme lack of rhythm.
He'll always be the King. Always.