Have You Seen My Childhood?

NJNEW NEWARK STAR LEDGER

No, I’m not going to pretend like the allegations didn’t exist. His behavior was freaky, his nose virtually shaved completely off, and his speaking voice…well, he sounded manlier when he was eleven years old talking to Dick Clark. Duly noted. If you’re like me, you’ve almost separated the two Michaels in your mind: The magnificent talent who single-handedly shaped an entire generation of pop culture, and the other one. I’m choosing to honor the former. After all, it was Dancing Machine Michael I can thank for inducing the drop of my jaw at the wonderment of his body control and introducing the world to popping and, yes, locking. It was the Billie Jean Michael who united the family in jovial laminate-floor sliding in an attempt to duplicate his signature move. Didn’t you? It was Thriller Michael who inspired my sister, Christa, and I to perfect his choreography well enough to insist John Landis must have accidentally skipped over us when casting the zombie sequence. My stories aren’t unlike yours, but if you’re one of the many observers perseverating on 1993-present Michael, you probably just don’t understand. To you, I say, “You ain’t bad, man, you ain’t nuthin’!”

When I was a kid, there were musical artists, movie stars, famous athletes, and then there was Michael Jackson. He transcended color, musical taste, and age and proved to be larger than life time and time again. He was a child star, but his stratospheric rise in the 80’s seemed like perfect timing. The short film that was to become Thriller was such a simple concept, expertly crafted and accessible to everyone from grannies to grade-schoolers. If it had been released today, I’m afraid it would be seen as corny, too simple, and irrelevant. Times change, people change, perceptions change. I can’t help but wonder what celebrity out there right this very minute would be able to command a simulcasting of their latest project during Prime-time television? Who could unite the biggest names and faces from American pop culture in the name of charity? Who is as big a star as Michael Jackson was? The answer: no one. Fans and detractors alike simply must agree on that fact. Families in peril united for his music. The lonely found a voice. The discontent found a distraction. The dreamers found inspiration. So, as I say goodbye, I find that I’m directing my condolences to my childhood and MY Michael Jackson. There will never be anyone else like him, and for that I’m glad.

Check out my very favorite MJ dance footage….HE is the real Dancing Machine! (The 2 minute mark is where the magic happens!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sRfqvwgimU

Posted by Dani on Jun 29, 2009



Flickr November 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 YouTube Channel Ann Arbor Music Center Danielle’s Myspace Jeff Pask Video Productions MotorCityRocks.com Email		Have You Seen My Childhood? No, I’m not going to pretend like the allegations didn’t exist. His behavior was freaky, his nose virtually shaved completely off, and his speaking voice…well, he sounded manlier when he was eleven years old talking to Dick Clark. Duly noted. If you’re like me, you’ve almost separated the two Michaels in your mind: The magnificent talent who single-handedly shaped an entire generation of pop culture, and the other one. I’m choosing to honor the former. After all, it was Dancing Machine Michael I can thank for inducing the drop of my jaw at the wonderment of his body control and introducing the world to popping and, yes, locking. It was the Billie Jean Michael who united the family in jovial laminate-floor sliding in an attempt to duplicate his signature move. Didn’t you? It was Thriller Michael who inspired my sister, Christa, and I to perfect his choreography well enough to insist John Landis must have accidentally skipped over us when casting the zombie sequence. My stories aren’t unlike yours, but if you’re one of the many observers perseverating on 1993-present Michael, you probably just don’t understand. To you, I say, “You ain’t bad, man, you ain’t nuthin’!” When I was a kid, there were musical artists, movie stars, famous athletes, and then there was Michael Jackson. He transcended color, musical taste, and age and proved to be larger than life time and time again. He was a child star, but his stratospheric rise in the 80’s seemed like perfect timing. The short film that was to become Thriller was such a simple concept, expertly crafted and accessible to everyone from grannies to grade-schoolers. If it had been released today, I’m afraid it would be seen as corny, too simple, and irrelevant. Times change, people change, perceptions change. I can’t help but wonder what celebrity out there right this very minute would be able to command a simulcasting of their latest project during Prime-time television? Who could unite the biggest names and faces from American pop culture in the name of charity? Who is as big a star as Michael Jackson was? The answer: no one. Fans and detractors alike simply must agree on that fact. Families in peril united for his music. The lonely found a voice. The discontent found a distraction. The dreamers found inspiration. So, as I say goodbye, I find that I’m directing my condolences to my childhood and MY Michael Jackson. There will never be anyone else like him, and for that I’m glad. Check out my very favorite MJ dance footage….HE is the real Dancing Machine! (The 2 minute mark is where the magic happens!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sRfqvwgimU Posted by Dani on Jun 29, 2009
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