The Sound of Time: Michael Jackson pt.1

A legend passed away today. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center after paramedics, responding to a 911 call from Bel-air mansion, found him in a coma there. The death of this superstar was not only unexpected, but devastating to millions of fans across the world. Michael Jackson's body of work transcended race, class, language, and culture boundaries. He was an inspiration to all who listened to his music. And as a I look back in my own life, his music was the backdrop to many time blocks of my childhood. Join me as I remember the sound of time, featuring Michael Jackson.

I was born in 1982, so Michael Jackson was a well known talent long before I was ever even thought of. Having changed the music industry forever with his certified Double Diamond album, Thriller. I don't think it was something I was supposed to watch, I remember having minor nightmares. But eventually I was trying to imitate all of the moves. I remember feeling like it was unbearably long. It probably felt equivalent to a movie. All the same, this was the first I had heard of Michael Jackson. And not in the sense that I had never heard a Michael Jackson record before then, only that my first memory of him, of knowing what he looked like was when I saw Thriller on MTV.

Songs like Billie Jean, Beat It, and of course Thriller remind me of when I was just a young child still living in a suburb of Chicago. Smooth Criminal, Man In The Mirror, Leave Me Alone and The Way You Make Me Feel were what it sounded like right before we left for California. The last time my parents were together as a couple. The start of new experiences. California had a sound all its own. Round 9 years old time sounded like Black or White, Jam, and my personal favorite...Remember The Time. When I saw that video the feeling of pride to see a video filled with beautiful black people, Royalty at that was overwhelming. My appreciation for his originality, and talent beyond measure began to develop and I knew that he was the best.

During junior high school I was all about You Are Not Alone, the notion of love was something I was only just becoming aware. One of my favorite songs now is P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), it's even my bbm nickname. With the love I have for music, there isn't any other artist that can hold a place in every moment of my life from the very beginning. He will forever be a legend.

To the Jackson Family my heart goes out to you in this time of mourning. Know that you are not alone.