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The editor of the examiner site asked us not to make personal articles. He asked us not to use "I" statements so as to not make our examiner.com look like blog sites.
I'm sorry editor. I cannot abide by those wishes.
Michael was our childhood. Michael Jackson framed my childhood in a red leather coat and white glittery glove. Even Michael's jheri curl had an impact. If you're 30 - 40 years old, Michael IS YOUR childhood.
Michael had such an impact on music that it's almost disrespectful to only highlight his impact on hip hop. Michael Jackson has impacted your favorite artist.
Michael Jackson passed away today, June 25, 2009. Michael is our generation's Buddy Holly; our generation's Marvin Gaye; our generation's Bob Dylan; our generation's Elvis. Michael's impact is every music video; every pop music song; every dance sequence; every moonwalk.
At every party in college and afterwards...when the Michael Jackson set comes on...everyone called my name to come to the center of the circle... to do my own special rendition of the moonwalk, leg kick and other Michael staples. It was my feeble attempt to relive my childhood at each party...through each song..through each shu'mon and hee hee... Mike Andrews
In my young 80s, I had two types of posters in my room...MJ and Smurfs...Michael introduced me to REAL music...well and Tina Turner...I loved some Tina back then too but she didn't get a poster!...D. J. Wright
I was so proud to be black as a child when Michael Jackson came on the scene. I was in mostly white gifted and talented classes and misunderstood by black and whites so where did I belong? The music of MJ was so beyond the race issue. No on harped on race while moonwalking...I felt like I could shine too. Live on Michael. You're loved and will be missed terribly....C. Mills
Beloved and talented child star becomes adult, becomes literally the most famous and beloved person in the world, doesn't handle it all that well (who would?), and then slowly spirals downwards, loses touch with reality, plans comeback and dies tragically before that comeback. His musical legacy is undeniable. He influenced nearly every artist in his generation, as well as the next one. His personal life is just another example of fame and fortune causing an extremely talented person to, for lack of a better term, "lose it."...P. Houston
He was our childhood.he's an icon. There was none like him. He redefined music the Moment he stepped on the scene. He was blessed ...D. Andrews
boy you know i love me some michael...V. Murphy
I remember my mom popping me sooooo hard in my mouth because she asked me to do something and, under my breath, I started singing, "just leave me aloooooone." Michael's song caused me to catch one in the mouth that time!...G. McCoy
When i heard that this mornin, I broke into a one man party, goin hard like i used to when i was little. His music was like life scoring in many places and times and to such a wide range of people...K. Dunson
Unfortunatly, we have the column reading people who choose to believe what Michael was NEVER convicted of. As a health care worker near Neverland, I had the magnificent gift of meeting the most king, gentle, humble, glorious human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, it was more than once. Yes, he had a drug problem, but I would give up my soul to defend him from all the lies that the ignorant public believed. May God bless him and his family. My heart goes out to his children and family at this time, because they are the only ones that matter. Also, my heart goes out to Dianna Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, and his other close friends who knew and loved him. I only wish the world would have used him as an example of true humanitarian instead of tearing him apart with lies and judgement that was SO wrong. I love you Michael...Anna
I don't care nor do I want to talk about the controversies. I want to commemorate his life, talent, and career by showing you a few clips of my favorite perforances...
What are your favorite MJ moments?
Comments
I am deeply saddened as well. I will go so far to say he was the greatest entertainer of all time. My favorite albums are Thriller & Off the Wall. Everyone is talking about how he influenced music and videos but as a child in the 80's, he definately influenced my fashion! I wanted jackets with chains hanging off them, white gloves, sparkly clothing and more. His influence on our culture and his humanitarian messages in his music and his actions spoke volumes. I will forever love Michael. Thanks for the clips Mike.
I can remember like it was yesterday we all who watch him from a child to an adult will always love in our heats and for the family our prayers is with you jesus is with you even now. vanessa
SALAM, I am a Muslim and ever since I was a child I prayed that his soul is accepted by GOD as HIS servant. As I recently unfortunately learnt this unexpected shockingly sad untimely news, I found my self praying again as like was when I was a child begging and praying for his deliverance and accepted his selfless deeds. I hope my prayers is answered, because I know the jealous world still could not bring themselves fully to appreciate the pureness of his honest innocent soul that will forever inspire GOD WILLING, honest, innocent pure good intentions to this world till the end of music.
Thanks for the clips Mike! No one can ever deny his genius! He was the best that ever did it. His choreography, his lyrics his music! The remember the time video is one of my favorites!
Michael Jackson evokes fond memories of coming to the US, living in Brooklyn, NY and watching this "little kid" also named Michael glued to the TV on Friday nights watching Michael Jackson music videos.
no matter what we may disagree on, mike, we can definitely agree that michael jackson was undeniably one of the greatest influences on our culture today, especially concerning popular song and dance, which definitely includes hip hop. He will be missed
I'm 30, but that child molesting freak isn't my childhood. My first memories of him are of an already somewhat bleached, over-surgerized weirdo. He is certainly no Bob Dylan, you idiot.
Unfortunatly, we have the column reading people who choose to believe what Michael was NEVER convicted of. As a health care worker near Neverland, I had the magnificent gift of meeting the most king, gentle, humble, glorious human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Yes, it was more than once. Yes, he had a drug problem, but I would give up my soul to defend him from all the lies that the ignorant public believed. May God bless him and his family. My heart goes out to his children and family at this time, because they are the only ones that matter. Also, my heart goes out to Dianna Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, and his other close friends who knew and loved him. I only wish the world would have used him as an example of true humanitarian instead of tearing him apart with lies and judgement that was SO wrong. I love you Michael. Anna
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