Michael Jackson: The King of Pop Will Live Forever

I am two years older than Michael Jackson. Growing up and seeing him as a member of the Jackson 5, he was electrifying even as a child. He carried a lot of the lead vocals from the start. Watching the Jackson 5 and Michael perform was fun and hip for the times. As he got older and on his own, he lit up the World with his amazing talent.

From Thriller to Billy Jean to the amazing Moonwalk, Michael was the man. For the times, when he was rocking, he most definitely, was the King. He has been titled the "King of Pop". I think for the fun that he brought to the music and the stage show that came along, he earned the title.

What baby boomer didn't sing along with "ABC...123". Michael was the consummate entertainer. He came out on stage and you got your moneys worth. His videos were always exciting and kept you moving.

As the news of his death popped up across the Internet, I was both saddened and retrospective. Knowing that even though Michael was great, he was troubled. The life that got him to his "Star" status was not a bed of roses. A family, whose leader, was undoubtedly, at the very least, a tyrant, Joseph Jackson was determined, no matter the emotional cost of those 5 boys, he was going to use their talents to fund the family. There may not be anything wrong with that, under normal circumstances or if handled right, but sadly, it wasn't.

In looking back on Michael's life, you can see the progression of his world, to what he had left today. He went from being a child, to being an adult, to returning to being a child all over again. This long before he had a chance to get old and senile. His desperate need to try and go back to recapture his losses, seem to almost drive him, to madness. He changed the way he looked to the extreme. He put a zoo at his home and so many other things that showed how many problems, he really had. He went from wowing us with his dancing, to making us sort of feel sorry for him. His adventures and the circus surrounding his court issues over small boys, pushed even his fans to wondering, what is going on today, with the MJ circus?

I have to feel very sad for where Michael got to in his life. I loved his music and watching him perform. I will hold on to that part of his life to remember him as the King of Pop. His personal issues, as we all have according to what we got handed in the growing up process, are just too sad. Truth is, for the most part, his heart was in the right place. His questionable behavior with the kids was a serious error for him. The rest of his life, he was just doing the best he could do with the tools he had. You really can't build a house if you don't have hammer and nails.

Michael Jackson wanted his life to be ok, it just wasn't. End of story. He fought the demons of God only knows, what he lived through and he just couldn't completely find peace, from the madness. I think he died from a broken heart. Not the kind that comes from being where he was, but the kind that comes from knowing that you are going towards the later years of your life, and there is no peace of mind. His finances were screwed and his upcoming tour was waning. The stress must have been tremendous. Along with health issues, he couldn't have been in very good shape. I haven't heard the actual cause of death yet, but I am sure I will many times in the near future. Whatever the autopsy says, it had been coming for a long time.

I have to pay heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson. The people who grew up with you, will remember. Your fans will remember too. God Bless Your Soul Michael. May you rest in peace, finally. May the child you never got to be, finally be able to live without shame. Goodbye Michael.