I know it’s late to write and pay tribute to an exceptional musician like Michael Jackson who had passed away unexpectedly on June 25th. Anyway, better be late than never.I’m a hardcore fan of Michael Jackson despite all the controversies besieged him. His enthusiasm, energy, unique vocal, dancing and music composing skills always blew my mind. During school days we all boys tried to emulate his dancing style and also during cultural programmes we always picked his songs for stage performances. ‘Dangerous’, ‘Bad’ and ‘Thriller’ were massive hits in school. And we boys too performed well without tarnishing his name.
But, my dad was a hardcore hater of Michael Jackson. In 1995 MJ’s History- Past, Present and Future album had released. During those days my hobby was collecting all his albums. From Off the Wall to Dangerous I collected most of his albums with the limited resources available to a 9 year old boy. My cousins and friends were actually jealous of those collections. Some called me freak!
When I conveyed my desire
to buy History album to my dad, he refused and told me that he don’t want to ‘waste’ money. He too doesn’t want me to listen to that ‘insane’ music which is according to him lacks ‘beauty’, ‘meaning’ and ‘messages’. But I stood tough on my decision. I needed it! I know my dad better than anyone else. He can’t keep his stand tough in a case in which I’m involved. He always bought things which my brother and I like despite the initial resistance.
One week passed by. On an auspicious day, dad Okayed to buy History album. I ran to the music shop near to my house, bought the album and walked in ‘slow motion’ back home with my head raised. That day night in real sense, I created a Michael Jackson concert atmosphere in my house by playing all the songs in the History album in full volume!
One day, I got a video album of MJ and I was watching it in the living room when my dad stepped in. He didn’t give much attention to the ‘insane’ man who was performing in the television. I put off the video player and intended to go out.
“Can you play that ‘drum’ song again that you just watched?” it was my dad! I just couldn’t believe it. I played ‘Drum’ song (TheyDon’t Really Care about Us) again. My dad watched it again and again. “This song is excellent!” he commented with a smile on his face. From that moment on, not only dad used to watch his videos but also showed the videos to his friends who visited my house.
From that experience I understood that no one can hate Michael Jackson. His music has the power to transform hatred to love. There is no surprise he had sold more than 750 million albums worldwide. It’s really sad that he said goodbye to this world at the juncture of making a comeback with 50 concerts at London.
MJ, you demise is really painful beyond expression. Though you have gone, your music will live forever and your talents and skills will be admired by all of us till the day death subdue us.
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