06/23/14 05:57:04 PM
Where were you when this news suddenly popped out of
our consciousness?
I remember... It's June 26, 2009 (June 25 in US), then a Friday
morning in Manila, (around 6:25 AM, in fact); as I logged in on my desk and checked out my Yahoo! Mail inbox, news
about then-dying Michael Jackson was selling like hot cakes in the circulation.
But after a few minutes, every browsing netizen was surely in
shock: the news was already confirmed and final—the King of Pop is dead. In the social
networking sites Twitter and Facebook, his name occupied a large portion of
both news feeds. Every single post about him, by some Facebook pages turned viral. And the external links regarding the news as well.
Since it was indeed a Friday, one radio station turned their
playlist into an instant all-Michael Jackson tracks. For one solid hour, Dennis
Poliquit (or known popularly as Big Daddy Jake) had a tribute to MJ in 3-4 pm
as part of the Magic 89.9's all-day old school music program named Friday
Madness. I can recall, though, that one of the songs played during the Madness
was “Pretty Young Thing (P.Y.T.),” one
of the songs originally written by MJ's producer Quincy Jones and
singer-songwriter James Ingram, and part of that Epic album Thriller (also,
EPIC records was the publisher name).
I can't recall if other dials and even online radio outlets
followed suit, though all I know is that during his mourning era, at least
there's a Michael Jackson track that circulated. If not “Billie Jean,” I have
no idea (though for sure: there's a lot songs than his 1984 all-time marketable
track off the album Thriller).
I personally missed the chance to watch the live airing of
that final goodbye to MJ (yes, it was a worldwide telecast straight from the
Staples Center in Los Angeles, California). And as I browse my Top Stories
feed, it was all about MJ tribute.
As the investigation went on, some substance was diagnosed
as the main culprit on his passing.
The bottom line, I guess is that no one really saw it
coming. Perhaps, the majority of us knew is that he's up for a worldwide tour
which will have their kick-start outing at the O2 Arena in London. He's
scheduled to perform there by July '09.
And suddenly, it looked like everything turned out into a
shit-dust. Ticket-holders may be sympathizing on his demise. But of course, one
blurting question suddenly popped out of their respective minds: “What about
our tickets? Can we get our money back?!”
I saw “This Is It,” a documentary-slash-musical movie
intended for Michael Jackson when they premiered worldwide five months later.
Perhaps, it was the very last resort to make his “concert” possible, to say the
least.
Too bad, he have a very high vision on how things would want
to happen should the odds pull in his favor.
And a few years since his untimely and shocking departure,
and even up to present, it seems like his songs are rolling yet again. Yes, the
posthumous way. Nothing bad at all considering we need this kind of music to solidify pop music
yet again. On an era where Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and even One Direction
were the current culture's primetime players, it's about time to remember the
people who is the real “King of Pop.” However, comparing them, especially the
Canadian teenager to someone who always a “rockstar” since his childhood days,
is definitely unfair.
Both were controversial? I know, I don't like the present stars,
but that only proves both MJ and the youngsters were human after all either. So
why the fuck should we give a shit on comparison issues?
Time flies so fast. It's been five years. And after all of
those times, I still have that 2-CD King of Pop Philippine edition album in my
mini-jukebox (thank goodness it survived Ondoy!), I still play them on my
player on a very random, moody basis. Yet most importantly though: I still have
to learn the proper act of moonwalking. LOL!
Anyway, as time goes by, I can only afford to leave a quotable line from his 1987 track Man In The Mirror.
"If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change."
Author: slickmaster | ©2014 september twenty-eight
productions
Nasa Pinas ako nun at bakasyon ko kasi noon. Nasa bus ako nung narinig ko yung balita sa radyo. Bagama't hindi ako malaking MJ fan, marami-rami rin akong gustong kanta nya. Ang kaya ko laang na dance step e ang controversial crotch grab move niya.
ReplyDeletei actually saw the news via twitter.
ReplyDeleteIm a dancer myself, he's one of my inspiration kaya sobrang nakakalungkot when i heard the news.
My friend called me when MJ died... had to check CNN because I thought it was just a joke.
ReplyDeleteI was a little girl when he died. He was my idol! And i still believe that he was not the who died on that day but his clone. Can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteWow, I haven't even noticed that it has been 5 years already. But no matter how much time passes, MJ will always be an icon.
ReplyDeleteI saw the news on TV. My sister is an avid fan of MJ. Can't imagine myself that 5 years na pala un.
ReplyDelete