Elvis and Michael
.
Like the whole world yesterday, I was glued on tv and the internet - in shock and disbelief - about the death of Michael Jackson. I won't go into detail about how his music touched my life. As I'm sure we all have our own stories. I just want to say that I was really fanatical about him in my early teens. I bought all his tapes (pre-cd) and plastered my bedroom walls with giant posters of him. I was a serious fan. I had a huge crush on him during his cutest stage (pre-whitening). I was worried when he had an accident while taping the Pepsi commercial. But though I was a major fan, my way of dressing wasn't influenced by him. I just seriously liked him.
The Michael Jackson I liked.
Yesterday I played Michael Jackson songs everywhere - in the car, my phone, my closet, work desk etc. Sophia asked me, "What's that song Mama?" I said, "It's by Michael Jackson. He died today and I'm sad." She shrugged and went on to play with her Little Pet Shop toys.
I was immediately brought back to my childhood. My dad came home midday from the hangar. He was still wearing his flight suit. He stood at the foot of the bed and fell backwards towards the mattress (like those Nestea commercials). I ran to him, "What's the matter, Daddy?" And he said with a deep heavy sigh, "Elvis Presley died." He was seriously sad and affected. I asked, "Who is Elvis?" Then he told me the story and played the songs - "Love Me Tender" "Jail House Rock" and others. I liked the sound. Elvis was and always will be his favourite singer. I ended up liking him too.
The King
Elvis defined my dad's generation. And when he died at 42, Elvis' music remained with my dad and the rest of the world. My dad still calls him "The King" when referring to Elvis. I myself can't believe that the same day has come for the most important performer of my generation. And just like my dad with Elvis, I'll always be affected by Michael Jackson's music.
As I was finishing off this blog entry, my sister Hanni emailed me a link to Lisa Marie Presley's blog. She talked about how Michael KNEW he'd end up dying young like Lisa Marie's father, Elvis. I shed a tear while reading this...
Friday, June 26, 2009
He Knew.
Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.
I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.
At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."
I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.
14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.
A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.
The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.
All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.
For more of Lisa Marie Presley's statement about Michael Jackson, click here.
She said they really loved each other.
.
Like the whole world yesterday, I was glued on tv and the internet - in shock and disbelief - about the death of Michael Jackson. I won't go into detail about how his music touched my life. As I'm sure we all have our own stories. I just want to say that I was really fanatical about him in my early teens. I bought all his tapes (pre-cd) and plastered my bedroom walls with giant posters of him. I was a serious fan. I had a huge crush on him during his cutest stage (pre-whitening). I was worried when he had an accident while taping the Pepsi commercial. But though I was a major fan, my way of dressing wasn't influenced by him. I just seriously liked him.
The Michael Jackson I liked.
Yesterday I played Michael Jackson songs everywhere - in the car, my phone, my closet, work desk etc. Sophia asked me, "What's that song Mama?" I said, "It's by Michael Jackson. He died today and I'm sad." She shrugged and went on to play with her Little Pet Shop toys.
I was immediately brought back to my childhood. My dad came home midday from the hangar. He was still wearing his flight suit. He stood at the foot of the bed and fell backwards towards the mattress (like those Nestea commercials). I ran to him, "What's the matter, Daddy?" And he said with a deep heavy sigh, "Elvis Presley died." He was seriously sad and affected. I asked, "Who is Elvis?" Then he told me the story and played the songs - "Love Me Tender" "Jail House Rock" and others. I liked the sound. Elvis was and always will be his favourite singer. I ended up liking him too.
The King
Elvis defined my dad's generation. And when he died at 42, Elvis' music remained with my dad and the rest of the world. My dad still calls him "The King" when referring to Elvis. I myself can't believe that the same day has come for the most important performer of my generation. And just like my dad with Elvis, I'll always be affected by Michael Jackson's music.
As I was finishing off this blog entry, my sister Hanni emailed me a link to Lisa Marie Presley's blog. She talked about how Michael KNEW he'd end up dying young like Lisa Marie's father, Elvis. I shed a tear while reading this...
Friday, June 26, 2009
He Knew.
Years ago Michael and I were having a deep conversation about life in general.
I can't recall the exact subject matter but he may have been questioning me about the circumstances of my Fathers Death.
At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, "I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did."
I promptly tried to deter him from the idea, at which point he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded almost matter of fact as if to let me know, he knew what he knew and that was kind of that.
14 years later I am sitting here watching on the news an ambulance leaves the driveway of his home, the big gates, the crowds outside the gates, the coverage, the crowds outside the hospital, the Cause of death and what may have led up to it and the memory of this conversation hit me, as did the unstoppable tears.
A predicted ending by him, by loved ones and by me, but what I didn't predict was how much it was going to hurt when it finally happened.
The person I failed to help is being transferred right now to the LA County Coroners office for his Autopsy.
All of my indifference and detachment that I worked so hard to achieve over the years has just gone into the bowels of hell and right now I am gutted.
For more of Lisa Marie Presley's statement about Michael Jackson, click here.
She said they really loved each other.
.