Gone But Not Forgotten

Michael Jackson once said, ~I am always writing a potpourri of music. I want to give the world escapism through the wonder of great music and to reach the masses.~ The man, the legend, the "KIng of Pop" without a doubt is considered a pop culture icon who most certainly made great music and was able to reach the masses. For many of us, we grew up either listening on the radio, watching on tv, or live in concert performing songs from his days in the Jackson 5 to his stellar career as an accomplished solo artist. Michael Jackson was and will always be considered an absolute juggernaut as he left his mark on the music/dance industry so much so that his influence will continue to reverberate for future potential artists who for the most part look to MJ as their inspiration to sing and/or dance.

Let me ask you this question, can you name your top 5 most favorite Michael Jackson songs of all time or is it impossible to just pick 5 because there are so many to choose from? Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, and I'm Bad are my top 5 songs that I enjoyed listening to as a kid back in the day. Now as an adult, things haven't changed as I continue to enjoy listening to those songs as they are still able to make an impact after all these years. Why? Essentially, it harkens back to fond childhood memories as I sang along to his songs possibly with something in hand that represented a microphone to the point where I knew the words to each song by heart, which probably many of us did back in the day as kids as well.

If you think about it, you can't talk about MJ's songs without mentioning his dance moves that were so unbelievable you were quite utterly amazed. I think it would be safe to say that we've all tried or should I say attempted moves such as the moonwalk, standing on the tips of your toes, the MJ spin, and the moonwalk after carefully studying his cinematic music videos that were truly epic. In any case, it's those moves that many choreographers, dancers, actors/actresses, and singers like Chris Brown, as well as Usher who emulated his dance moves into their own. For it’s artists like Usher and Chris Brown performing moves that were done before they were even born give credit to the gloved one because of his influence would they even have a career? Maybe not so much Chris Brown.

For the question can be asked, when it came to Michael Jackson's fashion sense did you at some point in your childhood dress like him? You have to admit, Michael Jackson had a one of a kind sense of style who was really the type of guy you saw sporting jeans, sneakers, a Fubu shirt, or wearing a nice pair of Timbalands on his feet. Michael wouldn't be Michael without his eclectic taste in wardrobe like his plethora of interesting jackets, white undershirt, shin guards, black fedora hat, pants above the ankles, white socks, white sequin glove, red leather zippered jacket from Beat It, Thriller jacket, etc. Let me tell you something, at some point and don't lie to yourself as I say you may have bought the Thriller or the Beat It jacket to where its sitting in your closet as we speak.

On June 25th 2009 Michael Jackson died of a cardiac arrest shocking many fans both in the United States and all across the world. MIchael Jackson, in regards to his personal life, left little to be desired in my opinion and though the public has judged him over the past several years, its God who ultimately judges him and He knows the truth. However, professionally speaking, he leaves behind a legacy that has broken racial barriers, transformed the music/music video industry, and paved the way for many artists who saw him as a high influential figure in the world of music. Ultimately, the music business has lost a music genius to where I, along with many other people, will always be a fan of MJ's music/music videos and in the end, he's gone but not forgotten.