Admittedly, I am not a fan of the 'King of Pop' but felt the urge to write this short eulogy for this was no ordinary pop entertainer who had passed on. I first heard Michael sang when he was part of the Jackson 5 in the early seventies. I still remember watching him on local TV when he and his brothers sang "ABC" but it was not until when the group recorded "I'll be there" that I really took a second look at the group. However, at this time, The Osmond Brothers too were making waves in the local music scene and we could clearly see that both groups not only compete on the way they sang but also the showmanship that went with it. At that time and even today, no solo artistes or groups could play instruments, dance and sing at the same time unlike the Jackson 5 and The Osmonds. When they performed, the talent just oozed from them.
Following "I'll be there", they recorded "Never can say goodbye", by which time Michael already had plans to go solo. Following his departure from the group, he recorded "Ben" (a story about a mouse).
Some time in 1979, he released an album "Off the wall" but the impact locally was minimal as the local music scene was submerged into heavy metal and disco music. However when 1982 came, a new music revolution took place. Collaberating with Quincy Jones, he released the "Thriller" album which included hits such as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean".
His love for charity brought him together with Lionel Richie who co-wrote the song "We are the world" in the "USA for Africa" fund raising project.
Despite the fact that Michael was caught up in scandals, law suits and many other adverse publicities, he was an entertainer of distinct class. He was an icon right till the end and this is how I and many other fans would like to remember him.
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