On Thursday, June 25, the world of music abruptly changed forever. Michael Jackson (aka- “The King of Pop”) passed away in Los Angeles after suffering from cardiac arrest at the age of 50. I never imagined that I would feel his loss so profoundly, but I’m finding myself drawn to the news and sad that he’s gone. And, since I’d only recently blogged about his upcoming London show schedule, I felt it only appropriate that I write a tribute post as well.

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the seventh of nine children. At a very young age, Michael was thrust, along with his four brothers, into the spotlight as The Jackson 5. Everyone remembers the phenomenal family act, but Michael was destined for more. He moved on from The Jackson 5 and become the single best-selling artist of all time. Songs like “Billie Jean”, “Bad”, and “Thriller”, as well as countless others, secured Michael’s spot as “The King of Pop).

Unfortunately, there were times when his rocky personal life overshadowed his remarkable talent. There were the “marriages of convenience” to Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe (who, in my opinion, was merely a gold digger–who else would give up her children for an “undisclosed lump sum”?). Then, there were the plastic surgeries and skin disease that made him completely unrecognizable as the 11-year old Michael who won hearts with The Jackson 5.

Sadly, the most overpowering parts of his personal life were the rumors and accusations of inappropriate conduct with young boys at his Neverland Ranch. I, personally, choose to believe in his innocence. I believe, as others have said in the past few days, that he was just a lonely little boy trapped in an adult’s body. I don’t think he was allowed to have much of a childhood so he lived vicariously through the children to whom he opened his heart and his home. Besides, as a parent, I know that, if someone had done inappropriate things to MY child, there’s no way I would let them “settle out of court” for ANY amount of money!! Adults want to condemn what they cannot fully understand, and Michael was the target of many cruel jokes, making it no wonder he preferred the company of children. He often said that children “weren’t mean to him”. I might be wrong about it, but with Michael gone, the truth is gone with him and I’m glad I’ll never know for sure!

I find Michael’s life almost as sad as his untimely death. He appeared to be a sad, lonely, sheltered human being who longed for love, acceptance and understanding. In the end, though, he had more of all of those things than he likely realized. He was truly an amazing talent and he will be deeply missed.

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”
—Michael Jackson
(August 29, 1958–June 25, 2009)