I've waited for over a week to say anything in this thread. I find it amazing how different that we all can be by just observing threads like this.
I will always remember MJ's death for the rest of my life, same as I will remember Princess Dianas untimely departure from this planet. No different to the generations when Elvis Presley died, and other older celebrities from other eras. I was just in the pub with mates, when the news of cardiac arrest was shown. A few people looked, but didnt really pay attention. As soon as it was announced he was dead. the whole pub went silent! Even bartenders stopped serving. It was like 11am on 11th November when silence is observed. Generations young and old all shocked at this slightly surprising death.
Like millions of people, Michael had musical influence on me from an early age. I will never forget the joy I had every time I turned on one of his CD's. I actually listened to HIStory that much that I had to replace it because it started playing up. I listened to Oasis as much as MJ, but when Liam or Noel Gallagher die I will not feel the same way.
I wasn't reduced to tears, but was quiet for an hour or so, reflecting on what Michael Jackson has given to everybody in the world through his musical talent. Like most geniuses in any walk of life, their personal history is very tainted. You have Michael Jackson, the great artist. And Michael Jackson, the adult who never grew up. I'm in the camp that hope MJ was innocent and just exploited.
We will never know what happened obviously, but I like to believe he could only relate with children and that is why he acted like a child around them. I would hope if anything happened, that Macaulay Culkin would have said about it by now, since as he was a high profile friend of MJs.
How we remember MJ is probably down to our personality. I would like to remember the good about him as the bad might not actually be true. His contribution to culture as well as music makes him one of THE most significant people ever in the industry. Up there with John Lennon. People like Gary Glitter don't even compare, he should've been gone from this world long before MJ.
On a light note for those moaning about the news always being about MJ, at least it beat constant drones on MP expenses, swine flu and the recession
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