I didn’t get into Michael Jackson until I was 13, but when I did I got into him hard. How hard? I own 4 copies of Thriller on vinyl (including a picture disc) and just about every magazine cover he was on from about 1982 – 1992. In high school I published a Michael-centric ‘zine called “KOP” (King Of Pop), and in college my dorm room was decorated with a Fugazi poster & a velour Michael Jackson wall hanging. I once spent a day standing outside of Radio City Music Hall hoping to see him entering the MTV Awards. All this was years after Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous had come out. I was not a “european-screamer” type of Michael Jackson fan, I was a “punk-except-for-this” type.
So, when my high school had a talent contest, it was clear that I needed to do a lip synced Michael Jackson impersonation. And I did. And I won. The top three acts from our weirdo reject “alternative education system” high school got to go on to compete against the sad & forgotten “Adult Learning Center” in a larger show. When the curtain went up on my act, the crowd went insane — totally batshit crazy screaming insane. It is the biggest reaction I have ever gotten from a crowd in my life, a crowd of mostly strangers. It was — in a word — awesome. If you ever get the chance to be Michael Jackson in a 1994 inner-city Richmond Adult Learning Center auditorium, I HIGHLY reccommend it.
In that show, I beat a preschool class receiting poetry, a pregnant teenager singing“The Greatest Love”, and an actual old southern black man singing the actual blues. I won again. (Sadly, I am still waiting for my promised prize — 2 free movie tickets.) I felt a little guilty, but mostly I felt stunned at the power of Michael Jackson.
I feel that way now, too.
Of course, I feel sad, but I am also glad to have a few days where everyone else likes Michael also. Where everyone isn’t solely focused on the tragedies of his life — of which there were so many — but on the triumphs, on the magic. I can say “I love Michael Jackson times a million” and people don’t look at me like I’m crazy or joking, or ask me about blanket or the nose or all the allegations. They just say “yeah, me too.” I don’t condone anything he was accused of, but really, I don’t need to know the details of his personal life — his personal life has no affect on mine at all. But his music? His career? That affected my life an incredible amount, as it did everyone my age.
This will probably always be my favorite song, video, and — well — everything:
Kindergarten… “Thriller”… amazing stuff…
I remember that performance like it was yesterday. It was so awesome. The power of MJ lives on.
Thanks, Eliza.
I’d pay money to see that. You rule!
I remember, too. Unbelievable… especially for a little blonde white girl performing for a majority black audience in the “Capital of the Confederacy.” Awesome, indeed!
I remember that day at OHS and at the adult learning center (I was part of one of the acts that you beat). You did a bang up job and had the crowd moving.
Wish I had video on that too.
i dont think you are crazy for loving michaeljackson X 1000000. he is the king.
My favorite as well.
ok, im not kidding here.
would you be willing to sell me one copy of thriller on vinyl? i’ve been listening to michael since i was born, that was my favorite album and i lost my vinyl of it. i will pay you what it is worth, and if you would please, sign it for me. i think that would make me really overjoyously, happy.
please contact me at my email address if you’re at all interested in this.
Decades ago, when I was at a serious crossroads in life, driving in my car, Man in the Mirror came on the radio. As I listened intently on a lonely drive in the dead of night, while I was singing along with it, I became totally choked up, tears streaming down my face. I glanced in the rearview…” I’m looking at the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. No message coulda been any clearer. If you want to be a better man, take a look at yourself and make a change!” Hope I got the lyrics right. With the rising gospel chorus behind Michael, I had chills in my bones! It was one of the most profound moments I’ve ever felt! With all the recent clarion calls for Change, Michael’s song was the one that did. It for me decades ago. Whenever I hear it, my eyes still tear up! I think about it when I feel the need to perservere! My tears back then were for myself. Today they are for Michael! For one who brought so much Joy and Hope to so many, it’s so tragic that his journey was so tortured and brief! So sad that his musical message did not appear to inspire change in his own life. Maybe he would have gotten there, if his time were not cut short! But the candle that burns twice as bright, often burns half as long. Rest In Peace, little brother!
Thanks for this!
Sorry, vince. No can do. Each one is different — one from the czech republic, one regular US one, the picture disc, and a 45 of Thriller. But if I find another one somewhere I’ll let you know!
i was hoping you had doubles!
thanks for at least considering it eliza! well. non-considering it.
i’ll get my own! one day!
love the MJ, though that music video is too stalkery for my taste.
All of the above was the reason you were pretty much the first person I thought of when I heard the news about MJ.
I still cannot believe that Mr. Jackson is has gone. Always really liked his art. He really was a great musician. Thx for this, made my day remembering him.
Haha,I adore Mr.Jackson! He was the most talented to ever sing! We will never have someone like Michael Jackson! RIP to the GREATEST!