Freedoma's Blog

Such sad news to hear that Michael Jackson has died. I guess the songs of MJ was the soundtrack to many a youth- and that certainly was the case for me. I remember being a 10 year old dancing to Bad at the school disco trying to pretend I knew the words and moves. I wanted to impress the ladies and be too cool for skool. The beat, the rhythm, the energy and the passion- it captured me. There was electricity in his performances and an exuberance for life which was in so many ways wonderful. For all those years, I’d be wanting to bust out moves to his tunes, singing at the top of my voice and lapping it up. A dream from childhood; his music conjures up so many moments for  me. From dancing in the disco, to driving down with the windows screaming Beat It, to crying at Man in the Mirror having spiritual moments, to watching Thriller on MTV round at my mates house. I remember doing my paper round to Billy Jean in the mornings. Then of course for a year I shared a room with my friend Paul, who would wake me up most mornings with I want you back on Vinyl! Sweet.

Clearly the musical genius had a colourful life, and there’s a whole load of intrigue surrounding his personal life. It’s hard to fully understand the complexities of it all, and I’m sure that there are areas where there was a lot of unhealthiness, excess and general messed up emotions. But at the same time, I think it’s hard to contemplate what life woud be like if you were a global superstar from such a young age, with a very dominating and demanding father pushing you on. It’s gonna mess with anyones head- and not that excuses some behaviour, but still there’s grace that’s needed to understand his situation a little. I haven’t got a clue how I would have turned out. I’ve got my own issues even without that sort of childhood!

I think he was also a lot more shrewd than people would proabably give credit for. I mean, in between the masks, the face lifts and nose jobs- he did buy the Beetles catalogue. That’s not a complete lunatic at work!

For me it’s the music and the performance that lives on. A modern day Mozart-yes- I’d sign up to that. He captured the sound of a generation- opened up a new way to hear music, and insprired so many significant musicians. It’s had such an influence on so many since, and for that I’m grateful. Thank you for your music Michael. Thank you for the memories.

As for me. I’m going to be busting out tunes with a houseparty in my house tonight- with a BBQ and beers on flow. I live in Moss Side, Manchester and it’s from 8 till late. It’s an open invite for anyone so rock up if you like MJ’s tunes. It’s time to party. Peace and love to you Micahel.

Caleb Storkey