Doing the moon walk in sneakers was a difficult accomplishment as a beginner. We broke down cardboard boxes, taped them together the best we could, took off our shoes and pressed backwards on our toes. After about two days of practice, we had it. Moon-walking, pop-lockin’, and break-dancing for anyone who dared to fight the laws of gravity. Billie-Jean was the #1 hit at that time, but we had all been bread and fed the legacy of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 before Michaels voice told us about any new stories yet to break as he broke through barriers bringing us ultimately to his greatest accomplishment of all time – Thriller.
Get off the bus; run into the den; tune the television to the music video program playing on the local station before momma and daddy get home to change the channel! Friends a few years our senior went out a few weeks earlier to watch the music video at the local theaters. Doggoneit’, we had to wait until it hit the airwaves, but it was still sweet! We thought the “Beat It” video was “bad”! Nope! Not at all! Thriller was the “baddest” of the “baddest” and to this day, it’s still the best.
I shared that with you as a reference point. No matter when we all began to listen to Michael Jackson’s music as true fans, at some point we all began to grow up with him. That is the irony. It is ironic because as we grew older, Michael Jackson seemed to grow younger. In later years, our loyalty to his music and his iconic presence would be challenged by scandals, rumors, and maybe more honesty than we were ready to accept from Michael Jackson himself.
I will skip the resuscitation of history for the sake of brevity. You can read the tabloids and listen to the latest updates to get the scoop on those stories shared by many who have millions to gain by exploiting the young man’s life of 50 years. What you can’t get is what you’ve already received but may not have admitted openly. Michael Jackson made a connection to the majority of us! He reached the young who strived to reach a level of success in our lifetimes. He reached the old who had forgotten how to feel young again. He reached the lonely who recognized the need to for companionship. He reached from the Americas to Asia Pacific. That’s a wrap-around people! Michael Jackson reached the world! Not even Elvis accomplished that while he was alive. It took living wanna-be replicas of his persona to get close to that accomplishment. Michael Jackson, ha! He did it while he was living and breathing. That’s what made him hot and that’s why his music is at the top of the charts!
Does this sound like a new kick so far? Yeah. I’m on some other kick. As an African-American male, born and raised in the deep south, I see Michael Jackson as an inspirator. Michael carried a bright torch and burned a huge hole into the fabric of separation based on race alone. That young man accomplished that with the gift of music! And by the way, he had an impact on the arts of poetry and spoken word as well. Why? Because he had an impact on me. You can’t put God in a box and you can’t put God’s gifts in a box. Michael Jackson embraced his God-given gifts the fullest. He “is” not only a revolution to music, but to dance, video, lyrics, and performance to mention the least.
When I listen to the radio or watch the news these days, I’m very sensitive to the messages sent through their coverage on Michael’s physical death. As soon as I hear the imbalance of negativity I flip the channel or turn the dial. This man accomplished a level of greatness in his lifetime that many yet to be born will strive to achieve. Let’s honor his gift to the world the way it should be honored. There will only be one. There will never be another Michael Jackson, the modern-day king of music’s revolution!
Beyond the Moonwalk
Well beyond the moonwalk
Dancing on the stars
A smile saying more than talk
Could ever put to words
An international icon
A superstar was born
But will never die
Expansive life beyond the skies
There will only be one
There will never be another
From first step to first song
To the music that lives on
Monumental accomplishments
We all watched in astonishment
A man that many wanted to be
Though later painted in mystery
Whatever the media may or may not say
The music will always play
From needle to laser to digital
The world will not let go
Because this man gave
The best of himself that God made
And that's why his sky
Seemed different to the common eye
Brilliant in his gifts and abilities
Kept in life and joy of memories
A level of musical reach so unique
That he remains remembered.... Globally
Copyright © 2009 Atlanta Red, Inc.
Remembering One of Music’s
