The first time I heard him, I had no idea what is pop, jazz, rock or hip hop. (Nor did I imagine that by the time his time on this earth would be done, he would be a genre by himself).All music to me was classified as either ‘Hindi’ or ‘English’. And it will be pretty safe to say that He (Michael Jackson) was among the first artists to initiate me into the ‘English’ category, along with probably Enigma and Elton John (Sacrifice). Among the first songs that I heard of his was ‘Bad’. Although I couldn’t make a head or tail of what he was singing, he got me hooked instantly. And by the time I bought my first ever English album (Thriller), Michael had well and truly got me a strong footing in the realm of ‘English’ music.
And as I went from naïve to discerning and graduated beyond Enigma to Enya and Alanis Morissette, Michael always held fort. While he effortlessly managed to wear the crown of the ‘King of Pop’, endeavors in his personal life were far from effortless. Born in the family of musicians, he was destined to touch greatness. He was the youngest among the Jackson brothers and easily the most talented as well. As the music and entertainment world saw in years to come, it was not only his singing and music, but also his superlative dancing skills that made him a complete rock star and a complete entertainer. Michael epitomized entertainment. And if you ever heard of people loving their profession, a look at Michael while performing on stage was a proof enough that he belonged there and loved every moment of it. Whatever the state of his life off stage; on stage he felt possessed.
And what makes this king of pop stand all the more tall as a human being is the fact that he was a giver. He gave away his childhood for the cause of not only music, with which he was immensely blessed, but also for all the expectations that came with it. He would never know what a careless and joyful childhood is, as he started performing with his brothers at a very tender age. He gave the entertainment world the magic that it would have never known. It in deed was magic, whatever he did. It was far beyond music. Never ever the music and entertainment world has seen such a diverse and mass fan following. Never ever the world has seen thousands trying to impersonate one person and his brand of art. He was a genre in himself. Never ever the world has seen or will ever see, one person capture the imagination of people cutting across the lines of race, caste, country, colour, sex and even age. If it was not for Michael, we would have never known what ‘Moon Walking’ is. If it was not for Michael, I would have not known that pelvic thrust and crotch clenching can not be vulgar. No other generation would be as lucky and as blessed as the one which witnessed this legend in flesh and blood.
What makes this man taller is also what he had to go through in his life. That how the world expressed its gratitude towards all what he had to offer. From the accusations of child abuse to the merciless persecution about his cosmetic treatments and other aspects of his personal life; the world made sure that Michael died a troubled soul. It’s not about the truth or falsity of such accusations, but the real pain is how such things overshadowed the beauty of his soul. Or, how the world easily forgot that his music had made their troubles melt away every time it saw him perform. Or the callous assumption that he had no right to show the slightest signs of being human, lest it reminds all of us of our own weakness and vulnerability. Time and again world has tested beautiful souls. Michael was no exception.
And as I ponder as to what it is that makes beauty and goodness intolerable to this world, I can not but thank Michael. Thanks for touching that indescribable part of me and my life with your gift. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the talent and goodness that this mankind is capable of. Thanks also, for showing the basic human vulnerability and the grit to stand up to your difficult moments. Thanks for walking this earth and making this journey that bit exciting, for all of us. One of my constant complaints about life is that it has no background music. Because if it had, I would be playing ‘Heal The World’ as I pay my little tribute to you. So long Brother!! This is it.
And as I went from naïve to discerning and graduated beyond Enigma to Enya and Alanis Morissette, Michael always held fort. While he effortlessly managed to wear the crown of the ‘King of Pop’, endeavors in his personal life were far from effortless. Born in the family of musicians, he was destined to touch greatness. He was the youngest among the Jackson brothers and easily the most talented as well. As the music and entertainment world saw in years to come, it was not only his singing and music, but also his superlative dancing skills that made him a complete rock star and a complete entertainer. Michael epitomized entertainment. And if you ever heard of people loving their profession, a look at Michael while performing on stage was a proof enough that he belonged there and loved every moment of it. Whatever the state of his life off stage; on stage he felt possessed.
And what makes this king of pop stand all the more tall as a human being is the fact that he was a giver. He gave away his childhood for the cause of not only music, with which he was immensely blessed, but also for all the expectations that came with it. He would never know what a careless and joyful childhood is, as he started performing with his brothers at a very tender age. He gave the entertainment world the magic that it would have never known. It in deed was magic, whatever he did. It was far beyond music. Never ever the music and entertainment world has seen such a diverse and mass fan following. Never ever the world has seen thousands trying to impersonate one person and his brand of art. He was a genre in himself. Never ever the world has seen or will ever see, one person capture the imagination of people cutting across the lines of race, caste, country, colour, sex and even age. If it was not for Michael, we would have never known what ‘Moon Walking’ is. If it was not for Michael, I would have not known that pelvic thrust and crotch clenching can not be vulgar. No other generation would be as lucky and as blessed as the one which witnessed this legend in flesh and blood.
What makes this man taller is also what he had to go through in his life. That how the world expressed its gratitude towards all what he had to offer. From the accusations of child abuse to the merciless persecution about his cosmetic treatments and other aspects of his personal life; the world made sure that Michael died a troubled soul. It’s not about the truth or falsity of such accusations, but the real pain is how such things overshadowed the beauty of his soul. Or, how the world easily forgot that his music had made their troubles melt away every time it saw him perform. Or the callous assumption that he had no right to show the slightest signs of being human, lest it reminds all of us of our own weakness and vulnerability. Time and again world has tested beautiful souls. Michael was no exception.
And as I ponder as to what it is that makes beauty and goodness intolerable to this world, I can not but thank Michael. Thanks for touching that indescribable part of me and my life with your gift. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the talent and goodness that this mankind is capable of. Thanks also, for showing the basic human vulnerability and the grit to stand up to your difficult moments. Thanks for walking this earth and making this journey that bit exciting, for all of us. One of my constant complaints about life is that it has no background music. Because if it had, I would be playing ‘Heal The World’ as I pay my little tribute to you. So long Brother!! This is it.
1 comment:
So true....Incidentally, my first step into the English music world was also through Bad..... :)
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