Smaller Indiana

Making people and ideas findable

A truly spectacular musical artist died yesterday. Michael Jackson is a part of all of us. From his earliest days as a kid singing "ABC" with his brothers, and throughout his long and accomplished career, Michael and his music have penetrated into some of our happiest memories and into deep personal and private parts of our lives. His music is like a familiar scent, when you hear it it can trigger memories. So which song or songs will you remember most? And what memories does his music trigger for you?

Tags: jackson, memories, michael

Share

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Oh, come on, you did not date Grand Master Flash.

Reply to This

I really did - for quite a few years.

Do I have some stories to tell...like the time---------------------------->!

Reply to This

I just wanted to post to reply to something you put on another michael jackson forum about how he could have given much more to charity. It was said (and i verified) that Michael Jackson is in the guiness book of world records for the most charities ever given to by anyone ever.

I guess that would be considered philanthropic

Reply to This

I just wanted to post to reply to something you put on another michael jackson forum about how he could have given much more to charity. It was said (and i verified) that Michael Jackson is in the guiness book of world records for the most charities ever given to by anyone ever.

I guess that would be considered philanthropic

Reply to This

Michael Jackson's sad story is yet another in a long string of American stories. "Beat it" and "Thriller" hit when I was in High School, so they bring back many memories. No doubt he was a fantastic entertainer.

The sad part is two-fold:
1. Michael Jackson never could find happiness. This is a man who wasn't even comfortable in his own skin, bought an amusement park, and even moved out of the country to try to find some peace in his life. Fame and fortune never brought happiness - it's a story that needs to be told more.
2. False idolatry is a huge problem in the United States. We continue to worship these people who are NOT good role models. Through all his music industry success, Michael Jackson's life was a long string of personal failures with family, friends, finances, drugs, and even plastic surgery.

The world lost an incredible entertainer... true. But he's no role model for me, I would never wish the curses and sadness of his life upon anyone.

Reply to This

I think Michael Jackson was one of the most talented performers of my generation. His energy, innovation and appeal put him in a league of his own. I only wish people wouldn't have gotten so caught up in the details of his personal life and quirky behavior that they nearly destroyed his career. It is sad to think how much more music he had to offer that will never be made now.

Reply to This

Way cool - that is how I want to remember him. Yes, he was weird, but he was an artist, a dancer, a singer, an entertainer, an icon...brilliant in so many ways. A part of my childhood and younger years. That is how I choose to remember him.

Reply to This

And I loved dancing to PYT!

Reply to This

Wow..............I used "Black and White" to perform the musical kata I designed for my Recommended Black Belt testing. Will never forget it. Loved his music, have so many of his ~ahem~ albums and CD's! Such beautiful harmonies, syncopation and instrumentation. And wonderful lyrics....truly a musical genius, so sad that many will only remember the tragedies of his life. RIP, Michael.

Reply to This

The Jackson 5 posters adorned my bedroom wall as a kid - the 45's of their music encouraged my friends and I to dance around with hairbrush "microphones" while singing all the words to the songs we loved so well. I remember being devastated when he went "solo" only to be later elated by his triumphant success as a solo artist. What an incredible artist. I will miss him.

Reply to This

I had the White Suit poster of MJ hanging on my wall as a pre-teen. :)

I was really sad to hear of the passing of the icon. He touched so many lives and inspired so many people. My favorite song is "Rock with you", but the Thriller video transformed music videos forever. I can remember my friends and I trying - rather badly - to dance like the zombies in my parents small living room on Norwaldo - my 10th birthday.

Reply to This

Do I have the ultimate Michael Jackson story?

YES I DO!

And, it just happened today!

I was visiting my 97 year-old aunt. I brought up the subject of the death of Michael Jackson and she almost went into hysterics.

She started by saying that she had been watching the news on the day of his death and had been hearing about the death of Michael Jackson all day long. She said she never thought anything of it because both "Michael" and "Jackson" were common names. She thought some businessman had died.

She was looking at TV that evening and saw that it was THE Michael Jackson. Her Michael Jackson! She explained that she had always had a personal relationship (she loved him!) with Michael Jackson and anyone that knew her knew that he was her Michael Jackson and now they were telling her he was dead!

She said that she went into melt down right there in her den exclaiming aloud (and alone!), "Not MY Michael Jackson! Not MY Michael Jackson!" She went on to tell me, "I'm sure no one would have expected a 97 year-old lady to act like that - but (pounding her chest!) that was MY Michael Jackson!"

Reply to This

RSS

Groups

Forum

Pat Coyle

Sally Brown asks, "Where in the World Are You?" 2 Replies

Started by Pat Coyle in Events for the creative class. Last reply by Ben McCann 1 day ago.

Kyle Lacy

The New Email? Google Wave 11 Replies

Started by Kyle Lacy in 2.0 thinking (on marketing, branding, experience, etc). Last reply by Marita Topmiller 1 day ago.

Pat Coyle

Are you buying soft power? 13 Replies

Started by Pat Coyle in Politics. Last reply by Marita Topmiller 1 day ago.

Pat Coyle

Is "real time" killing real news? 17 Replies

Started by Pat Coyle in Media: mass and social. Last reply by Steve Stuck 1 day ago.

Steve Stuck

Copenhagen Climate Conference Doesn't Matter 1 Reply

Started by Steve Stuck in Green Issues & Environment. Last reply by Marita Topmiller Dec 4.

Darlene Freeman

Networking

Started by Darlene Freeman in Non Profit: events, news, ideas Dec 4.

Ann Clifford

Hidden Paycheck Revealed 3 Replies

Started by Ann Clifford in Business. Last reply by Chris Theisen Dec 4.

Drew Smith

Hidden Paycheck Revealed 4 Replies

Started by Drew Smith in Business. Last reply by Chris Theisen Dec 4.

About

Pat Coyle Pat Coyle created this Ning Network.

Help

A few things to consider before joining Smaller Indiana:
1. Please use your real name (first and last) when you sign up, or we cannot open your account

2. Please do not use logos or commercial images for your profile photo

3. Events should be posted in the events calendar

4. You can post pretty much anything you want on your own personal page (self promotion, etc), and you can change the style of your personal profile page to reflect your corporate identification if you so choose.

5. Please keep all comments civil and polite. It's OK to feel strongly about a subject, and it's OK to be critical of ideas, but please refrain from personal attacks of any kind.

If you witness or experience any issues, please contact admin@smallerindiana.com and we will look into the matter.

6. Smaller Indiana is supported by its members, and by corporate sponsors. If you're interested in learning more about sponsorship, please call Pat Coyle at 317 332 7878.

© 2009   Created by Pat Coyle

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy  |  Terms of Service