What can I say about Michael Jackson that hasn't already been said by millions of others around the world? Was I a fan? Can anybody honesty say they were not a fan, I wonder? I wasn't one of the screaming, wailing, "I love Michael" devotees, but I certainly grew up knowing his songs off by heart, adoring every song on Bad and Thriller, and dancing to some of the Jackson Five classics like ABC and Blame It On The Boogie.
Fond memories of a childhood laced with Jacko's musical genius are however tainted by what followed in the Nineties, not least the accusations of child molestation. A friend and I discussed this earlier in the week - how can you say someone was a legend, and one of the all-time greats, when you're not sure whether or not they were a paedophile? I'm not making any accusations or brash statements here, merely saying that I wouldn't want to bet my life on it either way.
The news of Michael's death made me feel sad. I'm sad about what happened to him over the years. I think of him before all the scandals and media frenzies, before Bubbles, Neverland, the claimant children, the ever-paling complexion and plastic surgery mishaps. He was an extremely talented man who entertained generations of people. He died at a young age, when he should have lived to be a rich, proud old man. He was a beautiful boy and young man who for whatever reasons decided to mutate his face through plastic surgery.
He was also a man who sent out some important messages via song. The sentiment behind songs like Man In The Mirror and Earth Song shame mankind, the beats of Billie Jean and Dirty Diana will grace nightclubs for years to come. In death, I hope Michael Jackson will rest in peace. We can change all the world tomorrow, we can sing songs of yesterday, I can say, hey... farewell to sorrow...This is my life and I want to see you for always. I just can't stop loving you.
