Michael Jackson (2009)

Suddenly there is a Michael Jackson shaped hole in the universe. The dire news crept, like a bad smooth criminal, into my slowly waking computer this morning. Facebook friends had posted, revealing and announcing for all, the possible death of the popular music veteran - Michael Jackson. Can it be true. Doubt, surprise melding with shock swept adrenalin into me like some dangerous virus, racing through my veins making me feel edgy, discomforted. I considered, is it a hoax, can it really be true. Restlessly I Googled, read The Guardian on-line, and yes, it was true, there, displayed on my flat 19 inch Benq computer screen, the headline - ‘Michael Jackson has died’. Of all performers Michael Jackson, like his music, presented the greatest enigma. At times hailed at other times vilified, he went from being the Afro-American boy next door to being one of the greatest pseudo-white singer/dancers of all time, from black to white, from Jehovah’s Witness to Muslim, from just another boy in a band to being the giant talent he undoubtedly was. Stunned, trying to recover I momentarily recalled other times – when I was working nights in a hospital, and the news came over the car radio that Elvis Presley had died, or when reaching Art School, my contemporaries huddled round a small transistor radio amidst all the design paraphernalia, listening to the news that John Lennon had been shot dead. The realisation of Michael Jackson’s death was no less shocking, no less immediate. Now, some hours later, it is still sinking in that the moon-walking, healer of worlds, stranger in Moscow Michael Jackson, who converted to Islam in 2008 and became Mikaeel (after the angel) has passed away to that great big gig in the sky this Thursday, the 25th of June 2009. Stories say that his heart, ever too large for one gentle man, gave out and reluctantly ushered in the uniquely unimpressive post-Michael Jackson era. For music, like fine art, has its eras too, and while those who know may talk about post-impressionist or post-modern phases, so now musicians and musicologists must refer to the pre or post Michael Jackson eras. The king is dead long live the king – in our hearts and forever on YouTube. And so, with the lack of beat in his all too human heart, that modern musically versatile Orpheus, Michael Jackson, goes to seek his Eurydice, only for Michael there will be no magic mirrors to climb back through, no return to the land of mortals leaving an entrapped Eurydice, but only the relative peace of eternal sojourn. The much abused poet may now leave his personal ghosts behind, and move on into whatever personal heaven awaited him. Michael Jackson joins the throngs of moved-on melody makers, kings, queens, princes of contemporary composition to be with those already mentioned but also with two much applauded Beatles – John Lennon and George Harrison, one hallowed Pink Floyd – Syd Barrett and the great electric gypsy Jimi Hendrix. They now jam in splendid gigs with whiskey and gravel voiced Janis Joplin, sensually seductive Jim Morrison and all the other, now moved on, singers and musicians who gave so much of themselves, for us, mere plebs, to enjoy. There may have been other kings of popular music, much lauded, be-wreathed and crowned by public and media, but this former member of Jackson Five represented his generation - the dance and disco generation. For the pre and post war generation it was crooning, rat packing, suave Frank Sinatra, then in the 1950s the nervous leg twitching, pelvis thrusting Elvis Presley, but few attracted so much controversy, and emulation, as did Michael Jackson, for he represented the collective energy, the electric vibrancy of the age in which he lived, and for that generation he was The king of popular music. Around the world Michael Jackson was admired not just for his music but also for his dancing, as attested by artists like the south Indian dancer Prabhu Deva, who frequently adopted Jackson’s style. Many children across the world, over the years, would try to master Jackson’s ‘moonwalk’ - it became de rigueur, a stock in trade for many dance competitions and wannabe dancers. Throughout the vast negativity in his later years, Michael Jackson nevertheless strived to heal the ailing world in which he found himself. Amidst accusations and cruel finger pointing he was able to sponsor the Michael Jackson Burn Center in the Brotman Medical Center, Culver City, California in 1984, and ‘We Are the World’ which he co-wrote with Lionel Richie and performed to raise money for Africa in 1985. In 2000 Michael Jackson broke the world record in Guinness Book of Records for most charities supported by a pop star, these included; - AIDS Project L.A; American Cancer Society; Angel Food; Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles; BMI Foundation, Inc.; Brotherhood Crusade; Camp Ronald McDonald; Childhelp U.S.A.; Children's Institute International; Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund; Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation; Congressional Black Caucus (CBC); Dakar Foundation; Dreamstreet Kids; Dreams Come True Charity; Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation; Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; Love Match; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Minority Aids Project; Motown Museum; NAACP; National Rainbow Coalition; Rotary Club of Australia; Society of Singers; Starlight Foundation; The Carter Center's Atlanta Project; The Sickle Cell Research Foundation; Transafrica; United Negro College Fund (UNCF); United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope; Volunteers of America; Watts Summer Festival; Wish Granting; YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw. Michael Jackson became close to Islam on the conversion of his brother Jermaine in 1989, but did not convert himself until he was ready, last year. It was all part of the self healing process, which continued until his death yesterday, at the age of 50, in Los Angeles. Mikaeel Jackson leaves a huge legacy of music, and touched the hearts of so many people over his years of performance. He leaves three children, other family members and millions of fans across the world mourning for him and themselves. He was unique and cannot be replaced. PREVIOUSLY NOT PUBLISHED BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER