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This has nothing to do with Michael Jackson the man, just Michael Jackson the musician.

It was 1995. I was 11 and had snuck in the other room to catch the MTV Video Music Awards, which I wasn’t allowed to be watching. I had, of course, heard of Michael Jackson, but at 11 years old I really hadn’t discovered a lot of “good” music yet. Like any young girl I was listening to mainly boy bands and bubble gum pop music (thank God I grew out of that quickly). About half way through the show out of the fog and laser lighting appeared Michael. He started to sing “Billie Jean” when out came a man with a top hat, long curly hair, and round black glasses. It was Slash who, at the time, I knew absolutely nothing about. Keep in mind, I was 11 people! What I remember most about that performance is that it was one of the first times I ever had a reaction to music. I remember thinking, “look at what he is doing to the crowd!” This was before I discovered all of his classic albums which are my favorites to date. Even though I prefer that era of his career, it is not what I remember most about him. I was there through Michael in the 90′s.

I remember the music video for “Scream”, his duet with little sis Janet. It was brilliant, and I knew this even at a young age. When the double album HIStory: Past, Present, and Future was released, I had saved my money and bought it. I had to hide it because if my dad had known I purchased a Michael Jackson album, he would not have been happy. I was so taken by the melodies and I remember thinking how different it was from anything I had ever heard before.

Since his death a few days ago, there has been  constant media coverage and continuous radio play. MTV is actually playing MUSIC VIDEOS, instead of its usual ridiculous line up of reality shows. I have watched special after special of his life, accomplishments, downfalls, legal troubles, and overall strange behavior. Many people are comparing him to the late Elvis Prestley. He is the Elvis Prestley of our generation. He had a new sound that was completely original and can never be duplicated. No one will ever be able to be like him. That is, to me, what makes a music legend.

We all know the amazing influence he had on music, but what about how he transformed the art of the music video? He revolutionized the way music videos were made and pushed the envelope on their production. Two monumental things happened in 1984. 1) Norah Curlee was born and 2) Michael Jackson realeased one of the greatest albums of all time; Thriller. When it came time for the music video of the single Thriller, Michael dreamed up a 14 minute long stream of entertainment. He was the first one to treat a music video like a mini-movie. Celebrities would agree at the drop of a hat to make cameos in them. Michael even had Martin Scorsese direct Bad. No one else at that time was doing this. He single handedly changed the face of MTV. He redefined the art of entertaining.

On a completely different note, on top of the music and entertainment, there was all that fancy footwork. He danced like water. So fluid. If you watch any concert choreography today, odds are you can easily spot influences of his original dance moves. He basically invented the robot. He created his own movement. Never replicated or duplicated. Simply the best.

Although his name was surrounded by controversy, it was not enough to even slightly tarnish his music abilities. It is easy to be cynical about him, he is an easy target. All of that being said, he was one of the greatest recording artist of all time which few people would dare argue. He was able to carve out one of the most exceptional careers of the millennium. He redefinede the term “star power.” He will be missed.

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