My love affair with Michael Jackson
Michelle Malsbury, BSBM, MM
June 28, 2009
In reflecting back on the life of Michael Jackson I must confess that as a young girl he was the top for me! I was probably ten when I first heard the Jackson Five and had an instant crush on Michael. He was adorable and oh so talented. He was three years older than me, but I somehow felt like we sort of grew up together. I danced to and sang along with all of his songs---and I truly good at neither. I made my parents drive across the mid-west to see them in concerts. I had posters of the Jackson Five plastered to my bedroom walls. I could not get enough!
Eventually Michael Jackson would separate from the Jackson Five and become his own man. I loved them as the Jackson Five, but Michael clearly out shined his brothers by multitudes. Everyone who came into contact with him believed he was certain to become the star he was. He was a perfectionist and frequently worked harder and longer than anyone else.
I´ve listened to and watch Michael Jackson for nearly all of my life----and I am 48. I´ve always felt his contribution to the entertainment and music industry was second to none. He was a front runner in the music video movement on MTV when black singers were not afforded the same television time as their white counterparts. Because he was persistent he evened the playing field and proved that he was top notch! He made MTV what it is today.
Over the years Michael changed his looks numerous times. He spoke out in several interviews about how he missed his entire childhood because he was either recording or writing songs. I believe he tried to get it [his childhood] back by owning his Neverland Ranch and playing with children. According to those close to him he felt safe with children because they never said bad things about him. There was a lot of controversy surrounding his passion for children and law suits abounded.
Deepak Chopra, in an interview with Wolf Blitzer of CNN (6/26/09), said [paraphrase] that Michael had such a pure spirit. He said he had known and worked with Michael for twenty one years. He knew Michaels´ children and his [Deepak´s] grandchildren played with Michael´s children. He stressed that his children and grandchildren never felt Michael was encroaching on them in any way, contrary to some allegations in law suits. Deepak also voiced his concern over Michael´s dependence on prescription drugs. He tried to help Michael kick that habit, but said Michael was never quite ready to do so and without his commitment to doing so it would have never occurred.
When I first heard that Michael Jackson was dead I was shocked and dumbfounded. He was so young, talented, and vibrant. Dribs and drabs of information came out about his last moments on television over the past two days and I began to smell a rat. The cardiac doctor who was with Michael at the time he collapsed and supposedly tried to revive him has been MIA. The 911 call was amazingly calm. The hospital has been tight-lipped. The coroner was vague about cause of death pending the outcome of further tests including a toxicology and pulmonary stress. In six to eight weeks we will know the outcome of those.
Already, many are speculating that Michael´s death may share many similarities to the death of Elvis and Anna Nicole. Even Lisa Marie said that Michael mentioned that he feared he would end up like Elvis. Perhaps that is one of the most telling and foreboding comments he made. I am sickened by his death. Why are so many talented and gifted people so tormented?
Michael should be remembered as the talented young man he was. He entertained the world for over four decades---which may be longer than most entertainers have the pleasure of doing. He was loved and cherished by many good friends, including Liza Minnelli, Deepak Chopra, Cher, Madonna, and Liz Taylor. He was deeply loved by his loyal fans around the world. He was loved by his three children whose futures may be on hold pending his last will and testament or lack thereof----as well as, potential law suits from their natural mothers who have up to this point not been part of their lives.
The physical Michael Jackson is no longer with us, but his music and songs will remain with us forever! Rest in Peace Michael!
References;
CNN News, the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, 3/26/09, interview with Deepak Chopra
Eventually Michael Jackson would separate from the Jackson Five and become his own man. I loved them as the Jackson Five, but Michael clearly out shined his brothers by multitudes. Everyone who came into contact with him believed he was certain to become the star he was. He was a perfectionist and frequently worked harder and longer than anyone else.
I´ve listened to and watch Michael Jackson for nearly all of my life----and I am 48. I´ve always felt his contribution to the entertainment and music industry was second to none. He was a front runner in the music video movement on MTV when black singers were not afforded the same television time as their white counterparts. Because he was persistent he evened the playing field and proved that he was top notch! He made MTV what it is today.
Over the years Michael changed his looks numerous times. He spoke out in several interviews about how he missed his entire childhood because he was either recording or writing songs. I believe he tried to get it [his childhood] back by owning his Neverland Ranch and playing with children. According to those close to him he felt safe with children because they never said bad things about him. There was a lot of controversy surrounding his passion for children and law suits abounded.
Deepak Chopra, in an interview with Wolf Blitzer of CNN (6/26/09), said [paraphrase] that Michael had such a pure spirit. He said he had known and worked with Michael for twenty one years. He knew Michaels´ children and his [Deepak´s] grandchildren played with Michael´s children. He stressed that his children and grandchildren never felt Michael was encroaching on them in any way, contrary to some allegations in law suits. Deepak also voiced his concern over Michael´s dependence on prescription drugs. He tried to help Michael kick that habit, but said Michael was never quite ready to do so and without his commitment to doing so it would have never occurred.
When I first heard that Michael Jackson was dead I was shocked and dumbfounded. He was so young, talented, and vibrant. Dribs and drabs of information came out about his last moments on television over the past two days and I began to smell a rat. The cardiac doctor who was with Michael at the time he collapsed and supposedly tried to revive him has been MIA. The 911 call was amazingly calm. The hospital has been tight-lipped. The coroner was vague about cause of death pending the outcome of further tests including a toxicology and pulmonary stress. In six to eight weeks we will know the outcome of those.
Already, many are speculating that Michael´s death may share many similarities to the death of Elvis and Anna Nicole. Even Lisa Marie said that Michael mentioned that he feared he would end up like Elvis. Perhaps that is one of the most telling and foreboding comments he made. I am sickened by his death. Why are so many talented and gifted people so tormented?
Michael should be remembered as the talented young man he was. He entertained the world for over four decades---which may be longer than most entertainers have the pleasure of doing. He was loved and cherished by many good friends, including Liza Minnelli, Deepak Chopra, Cher, Madonna, and Liz Taylor. He was deeply loved by his loyal fans around the world. He was loved by his three children whose futures may be on hold pending his last will and testament or lack thereof----as well as, potential law suits from their natural mothers who have up to this point not been part of their lives.
The physical Michael Jackson is no longer with us, but his music and songs will remain with us forever! Rest in Peace Michael!
References;
CNN News, the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, 3/26/09, interview with Deepak Chopra
Print
Email
