Michael Jackson's Death: Do You Remember the Time?

It is amazing that four words can have so much import. It is even more amazing that their importance is not relative to actual kinship.

Michael Jackson is dead.

Do You Remember The Time?

It is a profound shock when a cultural icon dies. Michael Jackson was definitely a cultural icon. He blazed a trail for song, dance, and video that revolutionized an industry. His albums sold millions, including one, "Thriller," that sold over 100 million worldwide all by itself. He is one of the most copied dancers ever. And when he combined theatricality, dance, and musical artistry in front of a camera, he brought music off the stage and the radio and put it in everyone's television set.

Michael Jackson died on Thursday, June 25, of cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at the UCLA Medical Center where he was rushed after collapsing at his home in Los Angeles. Although his personal physician, paramedics, and a range of doctors attempted to resuscitate him, the "King of Pop" died in the early afternoon.

Hundreds gathered outside the hospital waiting for word about Jackson. But they did not disperse afterward. Instead, they began to celebrate, singing and dancing to Michael Jackson songs.

The death of pop star Michael Jackson will no doubt become one of those moments in many people's lives where they remember what they were doing and where they were when they heard the news. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was one such moment. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy. When Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon's surface. The day Elvis died. The day Ronald Reagan was shot. The day the Challenger fell from the sky. The day the Berlin Wall came down. September 11.

Do You Remember The Time?

Now many will remember the passing of Michael Jackson in much the same way. Why? Simply because he was such an integral part of many people's lives. People grew up with Michael Jackson, partied to Michael Jackson, danced to Michael Jackson. They watched his videos, listened to his records and CDs, went to his concerts. People read about him in the newspapers, saw him on the evening news, and watched his life fall apart on the front page of the tabloids.

People watched Michael Jackson rise. They also watched him fall. And through it all, Michael Jackson provided many with some memorable tracks to the soundtracks of their lives. Just like Elvis. Just like John Lennon. Just like Frank Sinatra. And just like Johnny Cash. This writer recalls where he was when these music legends died. This writer will remember the day that Michael Jackson died as well.

Because it was teenagers like me that bought "Off The Wall" back in 1979. And it was teenagers like me that bought "Thriller" in 1982. Michael Jackson gave me music that I could enjoy. So, in return, I helped crown him the "King of Pop." And I became one of those people that have paid attention every time his name has been mentioned on the radio or when his name exploded off the page of a super market tabloid.

So I too was a bit taken aback when I heard the news... And I will never forget when I heard it, coming so quickly on the heels of the death of Farrah Fawcett as it did. I saw the news flash across my computer monitor, breaking, just as CNN confirmed that Michael Jackson had indeed died.

Michael Jackson was only 50 years old.

Unbelievably, Michael Jackson is dead. The "King of Pop" is dead.

But his music will live on...

Do you remember the time?

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Source:

CNN Television