As a child who grew up in the 1980s, many things marked what it meant to be an '80s kid. Star Wars and its numerous toys. Cartoons like the Transformers. And, of course, Michael Jackson.
I'm not sure when or how Michael crept into my life. My parents listened to oldies stations as I grew up, and I know that station, KHYL 101.1 FM, played (and still plays) Jackson 5 songs. I remember ABC being played. At my grade school, we had school jackets. In 1983, I got one, and it came with a Michael Jackson poster (see image at left). I still have that poster somewhere here. Even though I hadn't started developing my own musical taste back then, I already knew who Michael Jackson was.
By the time middle school came along, FM102 and MTV became the music gods. The latter showcased tons of MJ, and the "Thriller" video was the top video of all time whenever they did "all-time greatest videos" lists. I ended up buying "Dangerous" and "Thriller" on cassette. Sadly, I didn't get much farther, since rock n' roll cemented itself in my love of music. Somewhere, I may have a VHS tape with the original "Black or White" video on it. I think that video was the first sign that something just wasn't right with poor MJ.
My musical tastes have traveled to several realms over the years. Recently, I got into KHYL again, though it's now an R&B and soul station. I won't read anything into me coming full circle with music and suddenly having MJ die, but I do find the timing rather uncanny. In looking over his whole life, I can't help but feel sorrow for him. In many ways, he seemed to live a great life of fame, fortune, and fun. However, I have to wonder what all that really cost him in a lost childhood and a possible reclamation of it in his later life. From what he endured in his youth to the cruel irony of the accusations, hopefully, in time, the truth will come out and can help illuminate us all.
Rest in peace, Michael.
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