The photo on the left is Michael at 12 years old during a photoshoot session in LA (June 12, 1971). The photo above is Michael at designer, Christian Audifier's 50th Birthday Party at the Peterson Automotive Museum (May 23, 2008, LA).
I was 11 years old when I first saw Michael Jackson performing with his brothers. He was also 11 years old. The group was called the Jackson Five.
His music videos: Billie Jean, Thriller, Beat It, just to name a few greatly influenced my approach to making music videos. He was also one of the few that hired big name movie directors to direct his music videos. For example, John Landis directed Thriller.
Michael Jackson also paved the way for other Black artists. His music videos were originally refused to be shown by MTV. Eventually they gave in and the rest is history.
There was no match to his dancing style. He has been compared to the likes of Fred Astaire. His style has been copied over and over. Even Weird Al Yankowicz made a parody on a few of Michael's videos.
His moonwalk was something out of this world. To this day, there has not been another style that could match his moonwalk.
Today, Michael Jackson passed away at the tender age of 50. At first the report was of a cardiac arrest. Then later towards the evening, it was announced that he passed away. He was the last person that I would have ever thought of leaving this earth. I was speechless. I was shocked. Even though I had never met the man, I felt I had grown up with him as I am also 50 years old.
Tonight, this is my thoughts for a great singer, a great dancer, a great person. Putting aside all the "weirdness" behind this person, he was after all still a human being who left us much too early.
My favorite video is Thriller. Here it is:
I, us, will dearly miss him ....
Here are some other rare photos of Michael to share with you ...
Here is Michael in 1971 at a rehearsal at Modern Musical services (Hollywood)
Michael and Germaine photoshoot in LA (June 12, 1971)
1972 photoshoot at the family's Hollywood home
Photoshoot with is brothers in 1972 at the family's Hollywood home. This was an outtake.
Michael with sister, Janet. Photoshoot session in 1972 at the family's Hollywood home
Michael and Marlon backstage at the Forum (Inglewood, California) on August 26, 1972
The Jackson 5 on the TV show "Soul Train" in 1973
Jackson 5 concert (1973) at the Forum (Inglewood, California)
Michael, Tito and Jackie in Tokyo, Japan (May 7, 1973)
Michael at the Forum (Inglewood, California) on June 6, 1974
Michael and Randy on the set of ABC's "Rock n' Roll Sports Classic" in LA (1978)
Another shot from the set of ABC's "Rock N' Roll Sports Classic" (1978)
Michael receiving the "4 top 10 singles" award from his "Off The Wall" album (Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) on September 3, 1980. His smiling brother, Jackie, is next to him.
Michael and Brooke Shields at the 53rd Academy Awards on March 31, 1981 (LA)
A shot from my all-time favorite, "Thriller"
The Victory Tour in 1984
Michael and Quincy Jones at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards (February 28, 1984) in Los
Angeles. Michael won eight trophies at the award.
Michael at London's Madame Tussards Waxwork Museum for the unveiling of his wax figure in 1985.
Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, Michael, Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles (February 25, 1986). Michael and Lionel won "Song of the Year" for "We Are the World."
Michael performing in Japan (1987)
Here is Michael with his pet, a boa constrictor (September 15, 1987)
Jackson performs during his "Bad" tour at London's Wembley Stadium (July 15, 1988).
504,000 people attended this seven sold-out event. It made it into the Guinness World Record
A bird's eye-view of the Neverland Ranch. Michael purchased the California property in 1988 and turned it into a fantasy land complete with animals and amusement park rides.
Michael and 10-year-old fan Jimmy Suchcraft(July 10, 1988).
Michael with actor, Macaulay Culkin, at Disneyland (June 1991)
Michael and his sister, Janet, after she presented him with Grammy's Legend Award (February 24, 1993).
Michael with a child in a limo after attending the World Music Awards in Monaco *May 13, 1993)
Michael performs during the half-time show of the Super Bowl XXVII at Pasadena, California's Rose Bowl (January 31, 1993)
Michael and Elizabeth Taylor holding one of the two trophies he won at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles (January 25, 2993)
Michael performing at his "History" world tour at New Zealand's Ericsson Stadium (November 10, 1996).
Michael with his then-wife, Lisa Marie Presley, at his Neverland Ranch in Los Angeles (April 18, 1995).
Michael at his "History" tour in New York (1997).
Michael performs with Britney Spears at Madison Square Garden for his "30th Anniversary Celebration, the Solo Years." show (September 7, 2001).
Michael with his brothers at his 30th anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York (September 10, 2001)
Another shot of Michael from his 30th anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York (September 10, 2001)
Another shot with Usher and Michael from his 30th anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York (September 10, 2001)
Another shot with Michael performing with 'NSync from his 30th anniversary celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York (September 10, 2001)
Michael waves to fans from his limo in Harlem, New York (July 6, 2002).
Michael dangles his eight-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of Berlin's Adlon Hotel (November 19, 2002) to the horror of his fans.
Michael at Santa Maria Superior Court to stand trial for breach of contract and fraud for allegedly backing out of two New Year's Eve shows in 1999 (November 13, 2002).
Britney Spears and Michael Jackson celebrating his birthday at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York (August 29, 2002).
One of his low-key moments. Michael's mug shot: he was booked on multiple counts of child molestation (Santa Barbara, California, November 20, 2003).
Michael attending his arraignment on child-molestation charges (Santa Maria, California, January 16, 2004). He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Michael and his father, Joe, leaving the court, where the singer was facing child
molestation charges (Santa Maria, California, June 13, 2005).
Michael with his sisters, LaToya and Janet, exiting the Santa Maria courthouse in
Santa Maria, California (August 16, 2004).
Michael at the 2006 World Music Awards at Earls Court, London (November 15, 2006).
Michael performs for the troops at a U.S. Army base in Zama, Japan (March 10, 2007).
GETTY IMAGES (C) 2009 - Michael's last rehearsal photo (2 days before his death)
What are your memories of Michael Jackson?
