^^^
Well, my Aussie friend, he was definitely very special and not just as a young boy.
He was not like other guys, he was different and he meant it. Any and all similarities to music lyrics/videos are purely coincidental.
And if the last time around, I was toasting to the lil' boy in him, I'd like now to propose a toast to the magnificent man he grew into.
He truly was
the Mozart of our age, except he took it all one step further and higher, much higher. Not only was the man an absolute creative genius, unsurpassed at songwriting, dancing and directing people, knowing exactly what was needed on stage in order to maximize the impact on the audience.....
......but he was also a most generous man, with record-breaking philanthropy, a true champion of the people.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mich...umanitarian-legacy_b_59c7c8d3e4b08d661550436a - I actually have some lovely memories about reading Mr. Volgels book back in the day.
https://www.musicraiser.com/10-humanitarian-songs-of-michael-jackson/ - great top 10, although it should have been a top 12, since it's missing a couple of essential tunes –
We've had enough and
We are here to change the world.
He cared about the world and those in need and he showed it – on the record and off, starting with his early days and carrying on throughout the decades, demonstrating a coherence of life and a consistency of values that I've always loved. His warm heart showed not only in his pure affection for children, especially the needy, but extended to people of all ages and races.
Words cannot begin to describe just how proud I am of the man and all that he achieved. Yet, I can't help but feel that there was more, much more that he could and would have done – for the world and those in need - if only he would've had the time.......
It really is incredible to think that it's been 50 years since his first solo single was released, it's quite the number indeed. I'm surprised to see just how swiftly it passed by. In a way, it reminded me of another big 5-0 anniv, the birthday back in 2008, which was also a pretty low key affair, although, I distinctly remember that cute, little phone intervention on GMA, about eating cake and watching cartoons with the kids
And btw of the low key aspect of this year's celebrations, I haven't seen much talk of it, with the sole exception of an acknowledgement on the official Twitter account
https://twitter.com/michaeljackson/status/1446145794860486662. I know people use this anniversary more as an alibi to justify their expectations for new releases, but still I think it was a momentous occasion that needed celebrating
I suppose the lack of excitement now can be explained by the fact the Michael is no longer around. I also understand people's quench for new material, especially in light of the dark clouds of 2019, but I'm also well aware that, at times, it can be much more interesting and exciting to glance into the past in order to properly embrace the future.