The King of Pop – Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
Today is a sobering moment. I cannot believe that Michael Jackson died yesterday afternoon. I always felt a personal connection to his work and his childhood, but as far as Zuul’s is concerned, Michael had a profound effect on us. Be it costumes, break dancing and moves, group vocals and harmonies, clothing styles, he had an impact. And those of us who grew up with him during the Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad years emulated many things he pioneered. He changed the face and landscape of music and video in the world.
Personally, he had a huge impact on me: The music, the jacket, the glove – even the fucking soul-glo gel in my hair. My walls as a child covered in his posters. I even took pictures of the television during one of the Grammy awards in the eighties – I was so obsessed. Many of us in Zuul’s had a great respect for him, and especially his showmanship.
All of us owned at least one of his albums. One of my favourite memories were the impromptu “MJ sessions” with Ajay. We’d be doing something trivial, and if by chance Michael made it into the conversation, there was some sort of singing or dance move that would happen. Maybe you had to be there, but it was a fun time.
Whether you loved him or hated him, he had impact. We used to say ZED was like a bunch of David Lee Roth’s on stage at the same time, but it was more like DLR and a bit of MJ as well.
I can’t believe he is gone… My heart feels a little heavier today and I feel a small pin in my throat.
Thank you Michael. I’m a better entertainer because of you. God bless and rest in peace.