Michael Jackson: Gone Too Soon

Today is the first anniversary of the passing of Michael Jackson.  It was a shocking and unexpected loss just as he was about to make his big come-back.    He was a creative genius, an innovator of dance and music that  appealed to a wide variety of fans across the globe. 

In his  final decades, this relatively young man had become an ever more eccentric and controversial figure.  The trials and negative publicity had taken a toll on him.  Sadly, he was not able to quiet his critics and satisfy his fans by delivering the promise of  the “This is It” tour.   He died just a few days before the magic could be fully revealed.

Like Van Gogh, Jane Austen, Elvis to name a few, Michael Jackson’s fame and fortune continues to grow even larger since his death.  The spotlight was put on his vast muscial archive for an extended period beginning last summer.  

His song,  ”We Are the World” written with Lionel Richie, has raised over $63 million for African humanitarian aid.  It is hard not to move, or sing along, when one hears a snippet from his acclaimed album, ‘Thriller’.  Not to mention taking a stab at moonwalking.

Those of us who lived during his lifetime, including many of the current and recent breastfeeding mothers, will most likely have some special memories associated with Michael Jackson’s music.  

We can all agree that this talented man is “Gone Too Soon”.  He sang that very poignant song, (below) in honor of his friend Ryan White, at the Inauguration of President Clinton in 1992.  RIP Michael.