Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

Michael Joseph Jackson, a superstar singer who did not want to grow up and so he related himself as Peterpan, passed away on 25 June 2009. He was 50 year old. When I saw the news announcement on that very night while I was having supper, I couldn't believe it. I thought, "Michael Jackson died? So fast? So sudden?" News of his passing then poured in one after the other on the subsequent days and weeks. Cause of death, what happened, his family, children, his fortune and his pasts.

No doubt that I'm not a MJ fan, but indeed I grow up with his songs during my teenage years. His songs are the first few English songs that I've heard when I was much younger, be it from radio or my elder sister's player. From his 1982 "Billie Jean" to 1991 "Black or White" to 2002 "You Rock My World", and other of his famous songs like "We Are The World" and "Heal The World" which I have a liking for it because of MJ's simple and pure intention to bring the "World Peace" message out to the whole world as a humanitarian. The song is just so familiar to me whenever or wherever it was played. And yes, not to forget his ever popular Moonwalk and gravity-defying dance moves.

And it is so cool to even have him as game character during the 1980s. Michael Jackson tossing a coin into the jukebox to start the game and his chimpanzee partner would fight alongside with him. His attack moves are throwing his hat to a distance and hit the enemies, or his super attack will be the group dance move from his song "Smooth Criminal" where every enemy will die after dancing with him.

Watching MJ's 7 July 09 Memorial Service at the Staples Centre in LA (where he is supposed to stage his comeback concert) streaming live on CNN.com, I've never thought that I'd cry for him. Millions of people in USA witnessed the Service, billions of people all over the world witness the Service. His families, relatives, friends, fans, celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Brooke Shields, Queen Latifah and many more came to attend the Service. He has already earned the fame from all his fans, and so he is known as "The world's greatest entertainer ever lived". The Memorial Service is probably the largest Service in the entertainment history, maybe bigger than Elvis Presley's. It was an honour to witness such an event, where so many people celebrated his life and commemorate his passing.

And so I shall say thank you for the songs which make me difficult to forget you.

Good Bye Michael Jackson, Wacko Jacko, King of Pop, whatever you are remembered as.