Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

Well, that was a shocker. Michael Jackson dead. Cardiac Arrest. Funny really, I'm not really shocked but it's still sad news. Whether it was down to the stress of preparing for the upcoming 50 dates at the 02 arena, or something else we don't know. Maybe we never will. From the rumours I'd heard over the past few weeks, I was expecting that the shows wouldn't happen but not like this. Now, if it's jokes you're looking for well you can get them on Twitter or elsewhere. None of that here, oh no. And if it's biting comment about his personal life, plastic surgery and the sordid allegations against him over the years, well there's plenty of other places for that as well.

Once you put all that aside, and single out that period of time from the early 70's to around 1988, and specifically Michael Jackson's musical output as a solo artist and as part of the Jackson Five and then of course the Jacksons, then you have the real legacy, something that will last forever and for this writer, is pure and untainted by the circus that came to engulf his career and personal life.

"I Want You Back"
"ABC"
"Show You The Way To Go"
"Blame It On The Boogie"
"Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)"
"Can You Feel It"
"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"
"Rock With You"
"One Day In Your Life"
"Wanna Be Starting Something"
"Billie Jean"
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"The Way You Make Me Feel"
"Smooth Criminal"
"Leave Me Alone"

A bloody amazing collection of songs, and then there were the performances and videos... that performance of "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25 show. Memories of staying up until one in the morning to watch the premiere of "Thriller" on "The Tube". That over the top video for "Black & White" with the amazing morphing. The Jackson 5 on "Top Of The Pops" doing "Rockin' Robin"...

Remember him that way.

"Shamon".