On 25th June, 2009 I fervently published my blog article called DEPARTURES. CAN PARTING BE SUCH SWEET SORROW?
On the same day, by sheer coincidence, the internet was besieged by the appalling news that MICHAEL JACKSONhad just passed on.
LIFE imitating ART?
Surely.
Everyone knows that MICHAEL JACKSON was the indisputable KING OF POP.
He was an enigmatic LEGEND, to both the older and younger generations, no less, for his MUSIC.
Yet it was a "no-no" when it came to his colorful LIFESTYLE.
His was a life that glittered, but not all were gold.
He was relentlessly judged by the ruthless media for his bizarre style of living.
Criticisms were rife that at 50, MICHAEL JACKSON's glory days were far behind him.
So he hadn't made an album for 8 years?
His life had become a weird, overwrought soap opera and his physical and mental health was the subject of much speculation.
Yes, his life might have descended into ignominy.
Yes, he did enjoy a life of extravagance and excess.
Yet in death, his music still has the power to transform the face of contemporary pop.
Now, the same media are piling accolades on him, ironically, since he's no longer existing on this earth.
Why must compliments and accolades be POSTHUMOUS -
And never when he was around, when he needed them most?
Why was he shunned by the paparazzi at the time when he was in total despair, and was seeking redemption from them?
He was emotionally damaged, but nobody cared.
It boils down to the intense hypocrisy that's prevalent in this entertainment industry,
People simply love to watch the demise of a superstar,
Who were your friends when you needed them most?
Now in death, everyone wants a piece of the action.
SEND IN THE CLOWNS?
It's no wonder he was agape and switched to embrace ISLAM as his new religion.
Who could blame him .....
Show business thrives on scandals,
And gossip sells,
Out of the blue, sunshine friends start to spring out with open arms,
These are people you didn't get to see them when the storm was brewing,
It goes to prove that when you're up on the pedestal with money and pomp
Everybody wants to know you,
When you are sliding down to rock bottom.
All your so-called friends start to run helter-skelter.
Such a sham, really.
Of course, we all know of his celebrated friendship with ageing actress ELIZABETH TAYLOR.
She expressed her grief by saying:
"My heart ... my mind ... are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him.
We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together. I was packing up my clothes to go to London for his opening concert when I heard the news. I still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. It can't be so.
He will live in my heart forever but it's not enough. My life feels so empty. I don't think anyone knew how much we loved each other. The purest most giving love I've ever known.
Oh God! I'm going to miss him. I can't yet imagine life without him. But I guess with God's help ... I'll learn. I keep looking at the photo he gave me of himself, which says, 'To my true love Elizabeth, I love you forever.' And, I will love HIM forever."
Now, this one is a real friend.
Because their bonding had withstood the test of time.
They had been there for each other during their hey days and down days.
They had weathered the storm.
THAT'S WHAT TRUE FRIENDS WERE FOR.
Now, let's take an excerpt from MICHAEL JACKSON's super hit "BEAT IT":
They're Out To Get You, Better Leave While You Can
Don't Wanna Be A Boy, You Wanna Be A Man
You Wanna Stay Alive, Better Do What You Can
So Beat It, Just Beat It!
You Have To Show Them That You're Really Not Scared
You're Playin' With Your Life, This Ain't No Truth Or Dare
They'll Kick You, Then They Beat You,
Then They'll Tell You It's Fair
So Beat It, But You Wanna Be Bad.
[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Showin' How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn't Matter Who's Wrong Or Right.
ISN'T THIS DESCRIBING MICHAEL JACKSON'S LIFE IN A NUTSHELL?
Through all the magic, the showbiz, the razzmatazz with which he comported himself, there was always that voice to ground in it something real: ethereal, heartbreaking, fluid, soulful, inspirational, full of rich, raw emotion.
The singer himself may no longer be with us, but in the grooves of his pop masterpieces, MICHAEL JACKSON lives on.
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