RIP Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was reported dead on Thursday, 25th June, 2009, apparently of a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles.
I still remember when 'Thriller' had first made news all over the world. I was a kid then and did not know much about western music. In fact, not many in India were interested in western music in those times. But then came Michael Jackson and his album 'Thriller' and the rest, as they say, is history.


There will never be an icon as big through out the world as Michael Jackson. Never.
This can be said with authority because of the number of people who know him by his name. You visit the interior small villages of India, where most people might not know the current lot of Bollywood star actors like Imran Khan or Ranbir Kapoor, you will be surprised to learn that they, too, are aware of some singer, dancer from Amrika, who 'breaks' his body when he dances and who has a name like any Indian name 'Jaikishen'.
Jackson will be remembered for many things, including the scandals but one had to just be on the Mumbai roads when MJ came here on a tour to see the kind of frenzy he creates all over the world. There was an almost curfew like situation in Mumbai. Everybody and his father was trying to arrange for tickets for the show. The minister connections were exploited, the policemen were being called by long lost friends for tickets and what the hell, even some of the workers who constructed the stage and lighting, hid inside for days so that they can catch a glimpse of the biggest pop icon of the century.


Bollywood stars were clamouring for is attention. They even stood in a line to shake hands with him at a party he attended for five minutes. Reportedly, many desi stars did not wash their hands for days.
The one thing that the Shiv Sena did right ever, was get Michael Jackson to India. I think Balasaheb will be remembered only for this one good thing that he gave to the nation.

This kind of fan adulation was never seen for anyone before MJ and it is unlikely that this kind of a phenomenon will occur ever again.
Michael Jackson was truly a phenomenon.

'We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter place, so let's start giving'
Heal the World!

May his soul pass over to the other side peacefully.
RIP Michael Jackson!

Read also:
Goodbye Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Dies at 50