Moments That Break Silences
My first favorite song, my first favorite album, my first favorite singer. Billie Jean, Thriller, Michael Jackson. I remember I had a copy of the Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean on video tape and I watched it so much the darn thing wouldn’t play in the VCR anymore.
I never did perfect the moonwalk.
I hope instead of remembering where I was when I heard the news of his passing, I’ll remember that whatever interest or affection I have for music today and for the rest of my life began with Michael Jackson. They say he was no longer relevant, that he never could recreate the magic of Thriller. I disagree, but the truth is he never really had to recreate anything. That was the great thing about Thriller. The reason it’s still the top selling album of all time is because it defines the very notion of timelessness in music, continuing to sell over the span of at least four major music formats (LP, cassette, CD, and digital). At this writing, Thriller is the number 1 album on iTunes, followed by 5 other MJ albums rounding out the top 10. A fitting tribute for an artist who meant so much to so many around the world. Here’s to hoping that’s what we remember.
June 26th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
there are a few strong memories that i connect to michael jackson when i think about my childhood and growing up. one is a jazz dance i did to “beat it” in a dance recital, one is my dangerous album that my dad thought was a bit too sassy for me (black or white), thriller was multiple sleepover’s at kim rose’s house and the other is you.