Michael Jackson

Like many, many others the news of Michael Jackson's death at age 50 shocked me. I heard it on the radio last night, but the source for it was the questionable gossip fiends at TMZ.com. Then it was on the news and they played his songs all night on the radio. I discovered the Thriller cassette tape at the beginning of seventh grade and fell in love with the album. It's the most consistent pop album ever I would say. From the giddy Baby Be Mine to the shimmy shake of Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' to the rush of P.Y.T to the slightly silly but charming The Girl is Mine with Paul McCartney to the legend of Thriller to the riffs and hard hit of Beat It to the smooth funk and sexiness of Billie Jean to the glorious beauty of Human Nature. I had a friend of mine make a CD version from the cassette tape recording. I grew up in the time when Michael Jackson's bizarre life was more prevalent then his pop genius life, but I also grew up with other pop singers who all listed him as an influence like Justin Timberlake for instance. Thank you for making us dance, Michael. You set us free with your music.