Michael Jackson - Reminiscences

The day (26th June 2009) started with the sad news of the demise of the King of Pop - Michael Jackson fondly called by his fans as MJ.

My thoughts went back as to how I got to know about him. I used to hear frequently BAD in those cassette days when I can borrow the cassette from my friend. I was not able to follow much of the lyrics initially but somehow the voice and the beats always enthralled me.

The big thing happened when I was in college. My college mate Ramakrishna used to have a beautiful Sony music system and a good collection of Audio CDs. He had Bad, Thriller and Dangerous. At those rare moments of visiting his house I used to put on the Studio headphones he had and used to listen to one or two songs. Believe me the music, the system made me forgot the world. What to say - I do not have words to narrate the experience. These were the things that made me to have a vow deep inside me to buy a powerful music system the moment I had some disposable cash. That craziness of music is still alive and has not subsided with me purchasing so many music related gadgets/gizmos.

OK - coming to MJ's music - I was so enthralled by his "Heal the world" song - the message it carried, how soothing he delivered it. Great MJ - we will miss you. At those unaffordable college days, I got a 90m cassette - gave it to my friend with a list of songs I needed. He promptly got me the cassette recorded with the hand-picked songs. I still have the cassette with me. It has been played umpteen number of times. To follow the lyrics (those were the days without internet) I photocopied the CD cover that I borrowed from Ramakrishna and made a small booklet.

I also remember the days when MTV used to have a count-down of MJ's songs, where I fell in love with the choreography and the marvel of graphics on the songs. Videos of the songs were visual treat and a different experience altogether.

Time moved on. So many stories about MJ on the media. I have seen people crying and trying to have a glimpse of their King at one point of time. The meteoric rise saw a big fall too. So many controversies pulled him down. And finally the day when death conquered him at 50 years of age.

He was indeed a revelation and he would be identified for long with few generations and their remembrances. His music will linger on - no doubt.