

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: