Posted by Shawn Stewart on June 25, 2009
We’ll miss you, Michael
Posted in: Uncategorized
I did it. You probably did, too…danced alone in my room to Michael Jackson. Had J5 posters on the wall. Watched the cartoon. Tried to learn the Thriller dance.
I also fell in love with my uber hipster boyfriend on the night we “stayed in” and listened to Off the Wall on vinyl and declared it the greatest album of all time.
Hey, they didn’t call this guy The King Of Pop because he was a Prince, and for a girl from Minneapolis to say that is really hard. He was a genius, a true star.
When we got word that Michael had passed, we worked really hard to find a photo of Michael that would reflect the way we remember him. This is the one that did it for me. John did an amazing job presenting the news on the air. If you missed it, you can listen to it right here:
And please, we’d love for you to post your thoughts too.
I worked in rock radio in the early 1980s — like HARD rock. But we actually played “Beat It” because Eddie Van Halen rocked the guitar solo and that made it okay. (Of course, we didn’t mention that it was a Michael Jackson record, so we were kind of wimps about it.) So, in a way, Michael broke down the boundaries between rock and R&B. He was one of the first black artists to get played on MTV at a time when they were lily-white. Like the old Motwon artists before him, he appealed to everybody.
As far as moondancing myself? I can neither confirm nor deny that . . . .and if it did happen, thank god there’s no video of it!
Comment by John Fisher — June 25, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
It’s the end of an era. Some would say that the era ended a long time ago when MJ got weird but to those of us who grew up in the 80s, he’ll always have a special place.
Comment by J. Higginson — June 25, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
I wanted to add this from my friend Emily:
R.I.P. Michael Jackson, a true innovator, a legend, a complicated musical genius. We honor and remember him for his musical legacy. You can create and share your own memorial Michael Jackson playlist at:
http://ilike.com/playlist or http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/edit_custom_playlist
Comment by Shawn Stewart — June 25, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
I’m very said that he has passed. However, very happy that his music will live on forever and I can enjoy MJ when ever I would like
Comment by BT — June 25, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Having spent my life in the metro Detroit area from 1979 on, I have a love for all things Motown. The Jacksons, and Michael went on to create an amazing musical history that cannot be duplicated. What an immensely sad end to the career of a genius. His legacy will live on! Rest in Peace, Michael. We love you!
Comment by Jen — June 25, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
Michael and I are the same age, when I was 13, my “boyfriend’s” name was Ben…..and I used to sing the song Ben in my room…..ahhhh and watching him on TV wen I was a white girl in DETROIT and it was the time of all kinds of unrest and hate and there was little amazing Michael. Another time hey?
Peace out
Comment by Mary Martin — June 25, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
I’ve missed Michael since 1982.
Comment by Sasha — June 25, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Is better off. Just saying.
Comment by Phoebe — June 25, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
I learned of Michael Jackson’s death this morning. Yesterday the thought of a heart attack at 50 crossed my mind. Michael and I are the same age, which is why I feel especially saddened. Only fond thoughts remain, for the little boy with the funky Afro, who is still singing in my head.
ABC, Beat It [with Eddie Van Halen], and Say Say Say [with Paul McCartney], only scratch the surface of many memories that span FIVE decades.
Yesterday my own fluttering heart was accompanied with a sense of peace. Gnosis teaches, that in the end; all will be forgiven. I believe the Afro haired boy named Michael, has crossed the boundary in PEACE.
‘Love is not the easy thing, the only baggage you can bring, is all that you can’t leave behind’ U2
Comment by Arturo Jabra'il Sancho — June 26, 2009 @ 6:25 am
I had posters of Bobby Sherman, David Cassidy and Michael Jackson adorning my bedroom walls as a, hmmmmm, 10 year old – 40 years ago. RIP, Michael… I see some Lindy Hop in your early steps behind the mic. Very cool, dude.
Comment by Pam C. — June 26, 2009 @ 3:56 pm