Though We're Far Apart

He has become a legend.

Music royalty, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, succumbed to cardiac arrest yesterday afternoon. It shocked the world, fan or no fan, everyone is affected one way or another.

I grew up listening to songs by Bee Gees, Beatles, Michael Learns to Rock and Michael Jackson. Daddy has quite a collection of oldies and sentimental rock, he's not one for the loud music. However, he loves MJ's songs.

Can't imagine who doesn't.

First contact was when I heard 'Ben', the song MJ sang for his pet rat. Every word, every phrase of the melody touched my heart. So true, sincere, fraught with love.

Music videos are no longer about lip-singing or really singing in front of a screen with patterns flying around. He made music videos and art. I especially love 'Thriller'.

Not many singers sing about issues like saving the earth, racism and personal thoughts. 'Earth Song', my favourite, was aired frequently once.

Tyra Banks, Eddie Murphy and even Chris Tucker graced his MVs.

He is not a mere singer-songwriter, he is a musician. An artist, in the sense of the word that means a person who does art. MJ produced a short film, 'Ghosts', wrote the script and did the soundtrack.

Once during an interview, MJ showed the interviewer an Egyptian sarcophagus he had in his home. The interviewer asked if MJ wanted to be laid to rest in the sarcophagus, MJ looked at him silently and said, "I'll never die. I'm Peter Pan."

And indeed he won't and he didn't. MJ lives on through his music and films.

Rest, your majesty. Rest.

Michael Joseph Jackson
29 Aug 1958 -- 25 June 2009
Music has been my outlet,
My gift to all of the lovers in this world.
Through it -- my music,
I know I will live forever.