::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Tribute

Bidding Farewell to the Man in the Mirror

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day, Gone one night
'Gone Too Soon'-Dangerous

Elita Karim

Messages of love and condolences have been pouring in from all over the world since last Thursday, June 25, when the news of Michael Jackson's death spread like wild fire. A musician and stage performer from a very young age, Michael Jackson died of a heart attack at the age of 50. As the doctors pronounced him dead, shocked fans have been thronging the hospital and his home, to be absolutely sure of the news. After all, many truly believed Michael Jackson to have been invincible.

It only feels like yesterday when I was all but 9 years old and scavenging the nearby music stores, with an exasperated father by my side, for Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous'. It was the first Michael Jackson album that I had bought, even though I would listen to his music regularly on the local radio stations. The album did stir in me a warm feeling, though I confess that it did little to change my life back then. It was great dance music; I would sing along with MJ while doing my homework, on my way to school and back home, I loved the way Michael would sing the words “Come on”, 'Dangerous', not to mention his high pitched “Oohs” and I simply fell in love with his melody. It was not until I was 11 that I grasped the meanings of “When weary / Tell me will you hold me / When wrong, will you mould me / When lost will you find me?” ('Will you be there'-- Dangerous). That was when I began to collect all of Michael Jackson's albums, went back to his Jackson 5 days and watched the Television series 'The Jacksons: An American Dream'. Soon enough, like every other child around the world, MJ had become a 'special someone' in my life.

As a musician, dancer and a performer, Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 June 25, 2009) inspired generations of youngsters all over the world to become a voice for the black community and turned into a fairy tale character. As a child, he along with his brothers rose to fame with the Jackson 5. He redefined his image as a performer and a musician when he launched his first album as a solo musician, 'Off the Wall' in 1978. Since then, his albums and songs have been hitting the top charts. Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', a masterpiece from the 80s broke all records and manages to mesmerise people even today. Not only did his music introduce new elements in the field, the visual effects in the video took the whole album to another level. 'Black or White' was yet another composition, which stayed on top of the charts for ages. The video had also introduced magnificent features of animation, which enthrals his fans.

“your memories will stay with us forever....your home now, rest in peace Mickey.”

“Even though, nothing in this universe lasts forever, Michael Jackson's music and his performance will live forever.” - Chatchai Sinla

Michael Jackson was an inspiration to many of us. Even though the crazy stunts that he would pull from time to time (remember when he hung his baby from the hotel balcony?) and also his alleged child abuse cases, Michael Jackson's performances and music spoke out his emotions and also a lot about his tortured soul. As his friends say, Michael Jackson was a lonely man-- maybe a contradiction for one of the most loved performers of all time. However, maybe Jackson really could feel that his end was drawing near. That was probably why he wanted to wrap up with his last tour in the United Kingdom. The tour, organisers say, will now turn into a tribute concert for Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson is still alive in his music and the outstanding work that he has contributed in the fields of pop, pop-rock and rock music. He made a great difference in the lives of millions all over the world, just like he wanted to “I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life / It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference / Gonna make it right.” 'Man in the Mirror' Bad.

"Dear Michael
Hi Michael, I've been enormous fan for 6 years (I'm 11 now), and I've always wanted to write you a letter, but I never had courage to do it. I just wanted to say that we will stand by your side, filled with hope, filled with pride when it seems all your dreams come undone...just wanted to say that! Enjoy your Xmas with the ones you care for. Forever yours fan, Martha" -a letter which she wanted to send Michael Jackson as a child.