The Day The Music Died

The Day The Music Died

Yes I know this was made famous when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & the Big Bopper were killed on February 3rd, 1959 in a devastating plane crash. But for me, I think this rings true for those of my generation and our parents generation who were all Michael Jackson fans.

I was expecting to turn on CNN and watch them discuss whether or not Governor Sanford of South Carolina should resign because of his international affair so was shocked to see that Michael Jackson had been rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest. I knew that could not be good. I immediately turned on my laptop and headed to twitter to see what was on there. I couldn’t get on twitter as it had crashed due to the increased amount of traffic because of the MJ situation. Even FB was slow and TMZ was impossible to get on – mostly because they had already said he was dead. I refused to believe anything until CNN confirmed it. Even though I knew it was most likely true, I just didn’t want to believe it.

CNN reported that the LA Times & CBS have confirmed Michael Jackson has died but CNN is still holding out from an official statement from the family or the hospital before they were absolutely confirming it. UPDATE: CNN spoke with the LA Coroner’s Office who confirmed that Michael Jackson died at 226pm PST.

I remember watching him on the Super Bowl and other various televised events. I remember thinking how cool the moonwalk was and how I could not do it if my life depended on it. I remember wanting to drink Pepsi because he did. The Thriller Album was released in 1982 and I was a mere 3 years old. I remember my mom had the album and listening it with her. I absolutely loved Billy Jean & The Way You Make Me Feel – in fact, both songs are on my workout playlist on my IPOD.

There were definitely two sides to the Majestic King of Pop. There was the amazing humanitarian, successful pop singer who had a career that so many dreamt of, one of the most incredible enterainers we will ever see in our life time and then there was the one with the personal demons that were made so public. Many are saying. Good riddance, another freak off the streets and blah, blah. Yes he had problems but who is responsible for these problems? Yes he bares a lot of responsibility but so do the public, the media, us. There was so much scrutiny, stress, publicity surrounding him. He was, without a doubt, the most famous man in the entire world. This was not necessarily a good thing. He has been in the public eye since he was 6 years old. Do the math, it has 45 years in the spotlight. Could you imagine? His demons included addictions to painkillers – who in Hollywood hasn’t been addicted? He has had God knows how many plastic surgeries for what he said to cure his skin disease – regardless of why he did, again he is not alone in this fad. Everybody is getting plastic surgery these days. But then there were the molestation accusations. He was acquitted of the first accusation and settled the second. Whether or not he did it, I really don’t know, but seriously what parent lets their child spend the night in the same bed with someone who had been charged with molestation? Not that I am condoning molestation, but seriously people! All Michael Jackson needed was some good solid help and to surround himself with decent people who cared for his wellbeing.

Two amazing icons died today – Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson. For me, MJ’s was much more tragic. Mostly because it was so unexpected and he was the icon for my generation. Farrah Fawcett was an icon long before I was around so there is no connection for me to her. Also, she had been suffering from cancer for ages and I almost hoped she would die for two reasons: to end her misery and to end mine since I was tired of listening to media outlets talk about how frail she was and her upcoming nuptials to Ryan O’Neal.

God Bless his 3 children and may we hope that they will be able to live at least a somewhat quiet, normal life away from the public.

RIP The King of Pop. You will be missed!

PS Can you imagine all the tabloids next week?? It is going to be completely insane and probably 99.9% false

PPS Who can forget "We are the People" written by MJ & Lionel Ritchie - one of the most inspirational songs in the whole world and one that raised a TONNE of money for famine in Africa

PPPS No More Jon & Kate for at least awhile....